F-3 1 ff32019_clpsincorporation.htm REGISTRATION STATEMENT

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2019

 

Registration No. 333-             

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM F-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

CLPS Incorporation

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Cayman Islands   Not applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

c/o 2nd Floor, Building 18, Shanghai Pudong Software Park

498 Guoshoujing Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201203

People’s Republic of China

Tel: (+86) 21-31268010

(Address and Telephone Number of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

Corporation Service Company

251 Little Falls Drive

Wilmington, DE 19808

Telephone: (800) 927-9800

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

 

Copies to:

 

Ralph V. De Martino, Esq.

Alec Orudjev, Esq.

Schiff Hardin LLP

901 K Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20001

Tel: 202-724-6848

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box.  ☒

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Emerging growth company  ☒

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐ 

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each class of securities to be registered     Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering
price(1)(2)(3)
  Amount of
registration
fee(1)(4)
Common Shares, par value $0.0001 per share                                          
Preferred Shares              
Warrants              
Debt Securities              

Rights

             

Depositary Shares

             
Units              
Total     $ 40,000,000   $

4,848.00

 

(1)The registrant is hereby registering such indeterminate number or amount, as the case may be, of the securities of each identified class as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices, with a total aggregate principal amount or initial purchase price not to exceed $40,000,000. Securities registered hereby may be offered for U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies. Securities registered hereby may be sold separately or in combination with other securities registered hereby.

 

(2)The securities being registered hereby may be convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for other securities of any identified class. In addition to the securities that may be issued directly under this registration statement, there is being registered hereunder such indeterminate aggregate number or amount, as the case may be, of the securities of each identified class as may from time to time be issued upon the conversion, exchange, settlement or exercise of other securities offered hereby. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issued upon the conversion or exercise of, or in exchange for, other securities or that are issued in units.

 

(3)Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act, and exclusive of accrued interest, distributions and dividends, if any. The proposed maximum offering price will be determined from time to time in connection with the issuance of the securities registered hereunder.

 

(4)Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

  

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED    , 2019.

 

PROSPECTUS  

 

 

 

US$40,000,000

 

Common Shares

Preferred Shares

Warrants

Debt Securities

Rights

Depositary Shares

Units

 

CLPS Incorporation may offer and sell from time to time up to an aggregate of US$40,000,000 of common shares (issued separately or upon exercise of warrants), preferred shares, warrants, debt securities, rights, depositary shares and units of the Company’s securities. The specific terms of any securities offered will be described in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you purchase our securities. This prospectus may not be used to offer securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution. If underwriters, dealers and agents are used to sell these securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

 

Our outstanding shares are listed for trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol “CLPS”. On May 24, 2019, the closing price of our shares on the NASDAQ Stock Market was US$6.2 per share. There is currently no established trading market through which the securities, other than the shares, may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell the securities purchased under this prospectus. This may affect the pricing of the securities in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of the securities and the extent of issuer regulation.

 

So long as the aggregate market value worldwide of our outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates, or public float, is less than US$75 million, the aggregate market value of securities sold by us under this prospectus during the period of 12 calendar months immediately preceding the date of sale may be no more than one-third of our public float. Our public float, as calculated in accordance with General Instruction I.B.5 of Form F-3, was approximately US$22.96 million as of May 24, 2019. We have not sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5 of Form F-3 during the prior 12 calendar month period that ends on and includes the date of this prospectus.

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. Prior to purchasing our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors that will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement and the risk factors described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as explained under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 5 of this prospectus.

 

Neither the SEC, nor any securities commission of any state of the United States or any Canadian securities regulator has approved or disapproved the securities offered hereby or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence.

 

The date of this prospectus is May   , 2019

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 2
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 3
SUMMARY 4
RISK FACTORS 5
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 5
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION 6
USE OF PROCEEDS 6
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES AND TRADING MARKETS 6
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES 7
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES 12
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 13
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 14

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

22

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

23
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 26
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 26
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS 27
ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES 27
EXPERTS 28
LEGAL MATTERS 28

 

i

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of initial aggregate offering price of US$40,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities under this process, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including a description of any risks relating to the offering if those terms and risks are not described in this prospectus. A prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

 

Before investing in our securities, please carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as listed under “Documents Incorporated by Reference,” and the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

We may sell securities to or through underwriters or dealers, and we may also sell securities directly to other purchasers or through agents. To the extent not described in this prospectus, the names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents employed by us in the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus, the principal amounts or number of shares or other securities, if any, to be purchased by such underwriters or dealers, and the compensation, if any, of such underwriters, dealers, or agents will be described in a prospectus supplement.

 

Owning securities may subject you to tax consequences in the United States. This prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement may not describe these tax consequences fully. You should read the tax discussion in any prospectus supplement with respect to a particular offering and consult your own tax advisor with respect to your own particular circumstances.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or a prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The distribution or possession of this prospectus in or from certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This prospectus is not an offer to sell the securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or where the person making the offer or sale is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is not permitted to make such offer or sale. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus or prospectus supplement, as applicable, and the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain company names, product names, trade names, trademarks and service marks of CLPS and other organizations, all of which are the property of their respective owners. We own or have rights to trademarks, service marks or trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks, tradenames and copyrights referred to in this prospectus are listed without the ©, ® and TM symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks and tradenames.

 

In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “CLPS,” the “company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to CLPS Incorporation.

 

1  

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3, of which this prospectus forms a part. This prospectus does not contain all the information set out in the registration statement. For further information about us and the securities, please refer to the registration statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement. The exhibits to the registration statement provide more details of the matters discussed in this prospectus.

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, and we file reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any of our reports and other information at, and obtain copies upon payment of prescribed fees from, the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. In addition, the SEC maintains a web site that contains reports and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, certain rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

 

We are also subject to the full informational requirements of the securities commissions in all provinces of Canada, and you are also invited to read and copy any reports, statements or other information, other than confidential filings, that we file with the Canadian provincial securities commissions. These filings are also electronically available from the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com, the Canadian equivalent of the SEC’s electronic document gathering and retrieval system.

 

Our principal executive office is located at the 2nd Floor, Building 18, Shanghai Pudong Software Park, 498 Guoshoujing Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201203, PRC. Our telephone number is (+86)21-31268010. Our website is as follows www.clpsglobal.com. The information on our website is not part of this prospectus. 

 

2

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the documents we file with, or furnish to, them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to these documents. The information that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus forms a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC automatically updates and supersedes any information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below:

 

our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018;

 

the description of our shares set forth in our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-223956) filed with the SEC on March 27, 2018 and declared effective on May 23, 2018, and our Form 8-A filed with the SEC on May 22, 2018, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description; and

 

our Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on November 28, 2018, January 7, February 20, March 6, March 26 and April 22, 2019, respectively.

 

All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities offered by this prospectus are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and form part of this prospectus from the date of filing or furnishing of these documents. Any documents that we furnish to the SEC on Form 6-K subsequent to the date of this prospectus will be incorporated by reference into this prospectus only to the extent specifically set forth in the Form 6-K.

 

Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, in one of those other documents or in any other later filed document that is also incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any such statement so modified shall not be deemed, except as so modified, to constitute a part of this prospectus. Any such statement so superseded shall be deemed not to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

Any person receiving a copy of this prospectus, including any beneficial owner, may obtain without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, except for the exhibits to those documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. Requests should be directed to our principal executive office, 2nd Floor, Building 18, Shanghai Pudong Software Park, 498 Guoshoujing Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201203, PRC.

 

3

 

SUMMARY

 

This summary does not contain all of the information about our company that may be important to you and your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” as well as the risk factors described in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision.

 

Our Company

 

We are a global information technology (“IT”), consulting and solutions service provider focused on delivering services to global institutions in banking, insurance and financial sectors, both in China and globally. For more than ten years, we have served as an IT solutions provider to a growing network of clients in the global financial industry, including large financial institutions in the US, Europe, Australia and Hong Kong and their PRC-based IT centers.

 

CLPS Incorporation was incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on May 11, 2017. Since our inception, we have aimed to build one of the largest sales and service delivery platforms for IT services and solutions in China. The nature of the Company’s services is such that it provides a majority of services to its banking and credit card clients in order to build new or modify existing clients’ own proprietary systems. We maintain ten delivery and or research & development centers to serve different customers in various geographic locations. Seven centers are located in China including cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Dalian, Tianjin, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The remaining three centers are located in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. By combining onsite (when we send our team to our client) or onshore (when we send our team to client’s overseas location) support and consulting with scalable and high-efficiency offsite (when we send our team to a location other than client’s location) or offshore (when we send our team to a location that is other than a client’s location overseas) services and processing, we are able to meet client demands in a cost-effective manner while retaining significant operational flexibility. By serving both Chinese and global clients on a common platform, we are able to leverage the shared resources, management, industry expertise and technological know-how to attract new business and remain cost competitive.

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive office is located at the 2nd Floor, Building 18, Shanghai Pudong Software Park, 498 Guoshoujing Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201203, PRC. Our telephone number is (+86)21-31268010. Our website is as follows www.clpsglobal.com. The information on our website is not part of this filing.

 

4

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk and should be considered speculative. An investment in our securities should only be undertaken by those persons who can afford the total loss of their investment. In addition to the risk factors below, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under “Item 3D. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 and under “Risk Factors” in our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-223956) filed with the SEC on March 27, 2018 and declared effective on May 23, 2018, which sections are incorporated by reference herein, and the other information contained in this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act and the risk factors and other information contained in any applicable prospectus supplement, before purchasing any of our securities. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, prospects, results of operations or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected and you could lose all or a part of the value of your investment.

 

Changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical conditions, U.S.-China trade relations and other factors beyond the Company’s control may adversely impact our business and operating results.

 

The Company’s operations and performance depend significantly on global and regional economic and geopolitical conditions. Changes in U.S.-China trade policies, and a number of other economic and geopolitical factors both in China and abroad could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Such factors may include, without limitation:

 

instability in political or economic conditions, including but not limited to inflation, recession, foreign currency exchange restrictions and devaluations, restrictive governmental controls on the movement and repatriation of earnings and capital, and actual or anticipated military or political conflicts, particularly in emerging markets;

 

intergovernmental conflicts or actions, including but not limited to armed conflict, trade wars, retaliatory tariffs, and acts of terrorism or war; and

 

interruptions to the Company’s business with its largest customers, distributors and suppliers resulting from but not limited to, strikes, financial instabilities, computer malfunctions or cybersecurity incidents, inventory excesses, natural disasters or other disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes or explosions.

 

Any of the foregoing or similar factors could result in reduced demand for our services which, in turn, could have material adverse effects on our business and results of operations.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  

This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, contains information that may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” including any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items, any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed new projects or other developments, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, any statements of management’s beliefs, goals, strategies, intentions and objectives, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “predicts”, “potential”, “continue”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “future”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates” and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense, identify forward-looking statements.

 

These statements are necessarily subjective and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements described in or implied by such statements. Actual results may differ materially from expected results described in our forward-looking statements, including with respect to correct measurement and identification of factors affecting our business or the extent of their likely impact, the accuracy and completeness of the publicly available information with respect to the factors upon which our business strategy is based on the success of our business.

 

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times by which, our performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and management’s belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements.

 

5

 

EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

  

Our business is conducted in China and majority of our revenues is denominated in RMB. Capital accounts of our financial statements are translated into U.S. dollars from RMB at their historical exchange rates when the capital transactions occurred. RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currency and all foreign exchange transactions must take place through authorized institutions. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at the rates used in translation.

 

The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated. On May 17, 2019, the buying rate announced by the Federal Reserve Statistical Release was RMB 6.9182 to $1.00.

 

   Spot Exchange Rate 
   Period
Ended
   Average
(1)
   Low   High 
Period  (RMB per US$1.00) 
2016   6.9430    6.6400    6.4480    6.9580 
2017   6.5063    6.7569    6.4773    6.9575 
2018    6.8755     6.6090     6.2649     6.9737 
2019                    
January   6.6958    6.7863    6.6958    6.8708 
February   6.6912    6.7367    6.6822    6.7907 
March   6.7112    6.7119    6.6916    6.7381 
April   6.7347    6.7161    6.6870    6.7418 

 

Source: https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/hist/default.htm.

  

(1)Annual averages, lows, and highs are calculated from month-end rates. Monthly averages, lows, and highs are calculated using the average of the daily rates during the relevant period.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds that we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus will be used by us for working capital and general corporate purposes. We have not allocated any portion of the net proceeds for any particular use as of the date of this prospectus. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily until they are used for their stated purpose. Specific information concerning the use of proceeds from the sale of any securities will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to such securities.

 

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES AND TRADING MARKETS

 

Since May 24, 2018, our shares have been listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol CLPS. The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low market prices of our shares as reported on the NASDAQ. 

 

   NASDAQ 
Fiscal year ended  High US$   Low US$ 
June 30, 2018   17.35    4.7 

 

   NASDAQ 
Period  High US$   Low US$ 
1st Quarter ended September 30, 2018         15.98    10.13 
2nd Quarter ended December 31, 2018         11    2.12 
3rd Quarter ended March 31, 2019         17.99    2.18 

 

The holders of common shares are entitled to vote at all meetings of our shareholders. The holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by the board, if any.

 

6

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES

 

Overview 

 

We are a Cayman Islands company and our affairs are governed by our Memorandum and Articles of Association and Companies Law of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the Companies Law below. As of the date hereof, our authorized share capital consists of 100,000,000 common shares with a par value of US$0.0001 per share. As of May 24, 2019, there were 13,913,201 shares issued and outstanding. The following are summaries of material provisions of our memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our shares.

 

Common Shares

 

General.  All of our outstanding common shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing the common shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders, whether or not they are non-residents of the Cayman Islands, may freely hold and transfer their common shares in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

  

Dividends. The holders of our common shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. Our articles of association provide that our board of directors may declare and pay dividends if justified by our financial position and permitted by law. 

 

Voting Rights. In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders’ vote, each common share is entitled to one vote. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless voting by way of a poll is required by the rules of any stock exchange on which our shares are listed for trading, or a poll is demanded by the chairman of such meeting or one or more shareholders holding not less than 10% of the total voting rights of all shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting. A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of one shareholder who holds at least one-third of our issued voting shares. Shareholders’ meetings may be held annually. Each general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be an extraordinary general meeting. Extraordinary general meetings may be called by a majority of our board of directors or upon a requisition of shareholders holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than 40% of the aggregate share capital of our company that carries the right to vote at a general meeting, in which case an advance notice of at least 120 clear days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other general meetings by requisition of the shareholders. An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the common shares cast at a meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes attaching to the common shares cast at a meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our memorandum and articles of association.

 

Transfer of Common Shares. Subject to the restrictions set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her common shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors. Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any common share irrespective of whether the shares is fully paid or the Company has no lien over it. If our board of directors refuses to register a transfer, it shall, within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal. Upon completion of this offering, we intend to waive our right to refuse transfers of any common shares. The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice required of the stock exchange on which our shares are listed, be suspended at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended for more than 30 days in any year as our board of directors may determine.

 

7

  

Calls on Common Shares and Forfeiture of Common Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their common shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 clear days prior to the specified time of payment. The common shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.

  

Redemption of Common Shares. The Companies Law and our memorandum of association permit us to purchase our own shares. In accordance with our articles of association and provided the necessary shareholders or board approval have been obtained, we may issue shares on terms that are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders of these shares, on such terms and in such manner, provided the requirements under the Companies Law have been satisfied, including out of capital, as may be determined by our board of directors.

 

Inspection of Books and Records. Holders of our common shares have no general right under our articles of association to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

 

Issuance of Additional Shares. Our memorandum of association authorizes our board of directors to issue additional common shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares. Our memorandum of association also authorizes our board of directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preference shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preference shares, the terms and rights of that series, including: 

 

 

the designation of the series to be issued;
     
  the number of shares of the series;
     
  the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and
     
  the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

  

Our board of directors may issue preference shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of common shares.

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.

 

Articles of Association – Exclusive Forum Provision

 

Our Articles of Association provides that the courts of the Cayman Islands shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer of the Company to the Company or the Company’s shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the Companies Law, the Memorandum of Association of the Company or the Articles of Association of the Company, and (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company in respect of shareholders’ rights as shareholders or distributions of dividends. This choice of forum provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and employees. Alternatively, a court, including a Cayman Islands court, could find these provisions of our Articles of Association to be inapplicable or unenforceable in respect of one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, which may require us to incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

 

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Differences in Corporate Law

 

The Companies Law is modeled after that of English law but does not follow many recent English law statutory enactments. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of some of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware.

 

Mergers and Similar Arrangements. The Companies Law permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, a “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company.

 

In order to effect a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association.

 

The plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger and consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares if they follow the required procedures under the Companies Law subject to certain exceptions. The fair value of the shares will be determined by the Cayman Islands court if it cannot be agreed among the parties. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

 

In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.

 

While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

  

the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;
     
  the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question;
     
 

the arrangement is such that an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest would reasonably approve; and

     
  the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law.

 

When a take-over offer is made and accepted by holders of not less than 90% of the shares within four months, the offer, or may, within a two-month period conversing on the expiration of such four months period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

  

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If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

  

Shareholders’ Suits. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff to sue for a wrong done to us as a company and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, there are exceptions to the foregoing principle, including when:

  

a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires and is therefore incapable of ratification by the shareholders;

 

the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be duly effected if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and

 

those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

  

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability. The Companies Law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our memorandum and articles of association permit indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such losses or damages arise from dishonesty of such directors or officers willful default of fraud. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. 

 

Directors’ Fiduciary Duties. Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director acts in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation. As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he or she owes the following duties to the company: a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him or her to do so) and a duty not to put himself or herself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interest or his or her duty to a third party. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However, courts are moving towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.

 

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Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Cayman Islands law and our articles of association provide that shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.

 

Shareholder Proposals. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings. The Companies Law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in articles of association. Our articles of association allow our shareholders holding not less than 40% of all voting power of our share capital in issue to requisition a shareholder’s meeting. Other than this right to requisition a shareholders’ meeting, our articles of association do not provide our shareholders other right to put proposal before a meeting. As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings.

 

Cumulative Voting. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the Companies Law but our articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting.

 

Removal of Directors. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a may be removed with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our articles of association, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders.

 

Transactions with Interested Shareholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting share within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors. The Companies Law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

  

Dissolution; Winding up. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under the Companies Law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so. Under the Companies Law and our articles of association, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by a special resolution of our shareholders.

 

Variation of Rights of Shares. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the Companies Law and our articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class with the written consent of the holders of two-thirds of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. 

 

Amendment of Governing Documents. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by the Companies Law, our memorandum and articles of association may only be amended with a special resolution of our shareholders.

 

Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders. There are no limitations imposed by our memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES

 

The following description of preferred stock and the description of the terms of any particular series of preferred stock that we choose to issue hereunder and that will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement are not complete. These descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the certificate of designation relating to that series. The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series will be fixed by the certificate of designation relating to that series.

 

The board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of the shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

  the number of shares constituting that series;

 

  dividend rights and rates;

 

  voting rights;

 

  conversion terms;

 

  rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions); and

 

  rights of the series in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

 

All shares of preferred stock offered hereby will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have any preemptive or similar rights. Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction that might involve a premium price for holders of the shares or which holders might believe to be in their best interests.

 

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the series of preferred stock being offered the following items:

 

  the title and stated value of the preferred stock;

 

  the number of shares of the preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of the preferred stock;

 

  the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation applicable to the preferred stock;

 

  whether dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on the preferred stock will accumulate;

 

  the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the preferred stock;

 

  the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock;

 

  the provision for redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock;

 

  any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange;

 

  the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will be convertible into common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation) and conversion period;

 

  voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

 

  a discussion of any material and/or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

 

  the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

  any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the class or series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and

 

  any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock.

 

The transfer agent and registrar for any series of preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common shares. Warrants may be offered separately or together with other securities offered by this prospectus, as the case may be. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement otherwise indicates, each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and one or more banks or trust companies acting as warrant agent. The applicable prospectus supplement will include details of the warrant agreements covering the warrants being offered. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume a relationship of agency with any holders of warrant certificates or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants offered under this prospectus. The specific terms of the warrants, and the extent to which the general terms described in this section apply to those warrants, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

 

The particular terms of each issue of warrants will be described in the related prospectus supplement. This description will include some or all of the following:

 

the designation and aggregate number of warrants;

 

the price at which the warrants will be offered;

 

the currency or currencies in which the warrants will be offered;

  

the designation and terms of our common shares purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

the number of common shares that may be purchased upon exercise of each warrant and the price at which and currency or currencies in which our common shares may be purchased upon exercise of each warrant;

  

the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants will be offered, if any, and the number of the warrants that will be offered with each security;

 

the date or dates, if any, on or after which the warrants and the related securities will be transferable separately;

 

if applicable, whether the warrants will be subject to redemption or call and, if so, the terms of such redemption or call provisions;

 

material United States and Canadian tax consequences of owning the warrants; and

 

any other material terms or conditions of the warrants.

 

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase common shares, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe therein. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

This description is a summary of the material provisions of the debt securities and the related indenture. We urge you to read the form of indenture filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part because the indenture, and not this description, governs your rights as a holder of debt securities. References in this prospectus to an “indenture” refer to the particular indenture under which we may issue a series of debt securities. 

 

General

 

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in an officers’ certificate or by a supplemental indenture. Debt securities may be issued in separate series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series, including any pricing supplement. The prospectus supplement will set forth specific terms relating to some or all of the following:

 

  the offering price;

 

  the title;

 

  any limit on the aggregate principal amount;

 

  the person who shall be entitled to receive interest, if other than the record holder on the record date;

 

  the date the principal will be payable;

 

  the interest rate, if any, the date interest will accrue, the interest payment dates and the regular record dates;

 

  the place where payments may be made;

 

  any mandatory or optional redemption provisions;

 

  if applicable, the method for determining how the principal, premium, if any, or interest will be calculated by reference to an index or formula;

 

  if other than U.S. currency, the currency or currency units in which principal, premium, if any, or interest will be payable and whether we or the holder may elect payment to be made in a different currency;

 

  the portion of the principal amount that will be payable upon acceleration of stated maturity, if other than the entire principal amount;

 

  any defeasance provisions if different from those described below under “Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance”;

 

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  any conversion or exchange provisions;

 

  any obligation to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to a sinking fund;

 

  whether the debt securities will be issuable in the form of a global security;

 

  any subordination provisions, if different from those described below under “Subordination”;

 

  any deletions of, or changes or additions to, the events of default or covenants; and

 

  any other specific terms of such debt securities.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be registered debt securities. Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates.

 

Exchange and Transfer

 

Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us.

 

We will not impose a service charge for any transfer or exchange, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charges associated with any transfer or exchange.

 

In the event of any potential redemption of debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

  issue, register the transfer of, or exchange, any debt security of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

 

  register the transfer of or exchange any debt security of that series selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion being redeemed in part.

 

We may initially appoint the trustee as the security registrar. Any transfer agent, in addition to the security registrar, initially designated by us will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or change transfer agents or change the office of the transfer agent. However, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

 

Global Securities

 

The debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities. Each global security will:

 

  be registered in the name of a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement;

 

  be deposited with the depositary or nominee or custodian; and

 

  bear any required legends.

 

No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee unless:

 

  the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or has ceased to be qualified to act as depositary;

 

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  an event of default is continuing; or

 

  the Company executes and delivers to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the global security is exchangeable.

 

As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except in the above limited circumstances, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:

 

  will not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names;

 

  will not be entitled to physical delivery of certificated debt securities; and

 

  will not be considered to be holders of those debt securities under the indentures.

 

Payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

 

Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as “participants.” Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants.

 

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on and effected through records maintained by the depositary, with respect to participants’ interests, or any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by participants on their behalf.

 

Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global security will be subject to policies and procedures of the depositary.

 

The depositary policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the depositary’s or any participant’s records with respect to beneficial interests in a global security.

 

Payment and Paying Agent

 

The provisions of this paragraph will apply to the debt securities unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement. Payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date. Payment on debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of a paying agent or paying agents designated by us. However, at our option, we may pay interest by mailing a check to the record holder. The corporate trust office will be designated as our sole paying agent.

 

We may also name any other paying agents in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, change paying agents or change the office of any paying agent. However, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

 

All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for payment on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such payment was due will be repaid to us. Thereafter, the holder may look only to us for such payment.

 

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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

 

Except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any person, unless:

 

  the successor, if any, is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity;

 

  the successor assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;

 

  immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

  certain other conditions are met.

 

Events of Default

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the indenture will define an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities as one or more of the following events:

 

  (1) failure to pay principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due;

 

  (2) failure to pay any interest on any debt security of that series for 30 days when due;

 

  (3) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment when due;

 

  (4) failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture continued for 90 days after being given the notice required in the indenture;

 

  (5) our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

 

  (6) any other event of default specified in the prospectus supplement.

 

An event of default of one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities.

 

If an event of default, other than an event of default described in clause (5) above, shall occur and be continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.

 

If an event of default described in clause (5) above shall occur, the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series will automatically become immediately due and payable. Any payment by us on subordinated debt securities following any such acceleration will be subject to the subordination provisions described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities.”

 

After acceleration the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, or other specified amount, have been cured or waived.

 

Other than the duty to act with the required care during an event of default, the trustee will not be obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request of the holders unless the holders shall have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. Generally, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

 

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A holder will not have any right to institute any proceeding under the indentures, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy under the indentures, unless:

 

  (1) the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series;

 

  (2) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made a written request and have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute the proceeding; and

 

  (3) the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding and has not received direction inconsistent with the original request from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series within 90 days after the original request.

 

Holders may, however, sue to enforce the payment of principal or interest on any debt security on or after the due date without following the procedures listed in (1) through (3) above.

 

Modification and Waiver

 

Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the applicable trustee and we may make modifications and amendments to the indentures (including, without limitation, through consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, outstanding securities) and may waive any existing default or event of default (including, without limitation, through consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, outstanding securities) with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of each series affected by the modification or amendment.

 

However, neither we nor the trustee may make any amendment or waiver without the consent of the holder of each outstanding security of that series affected by the amendment or waiver if such amendment or waiver would, among other things:

 

  change the amount of securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

  change the stated maturity of any debt security;

 

  reduce the principal on any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund;

 

  reduce the principal of an original issue discount security on acceleration of maturity;

 

  reduce the rate of interest or extend the time for payment of interest on any debt security;

 

  make a principal or interest payment on any debt security in any currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

  impair the right to enforce any payment after the stated maturity or redemption date;

 

  waive any default or event of default in payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except certain rescissions of acceleration); or

 

  waive a redemption payment or modify any of the redemption provisions of any debt security;

 

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Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder of outstanding securities, we and the trustee may amend or supplement the indentures:

 

  to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

  to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;

 

  to provide for the assumption of our obligations to holders of any debt security in the case of a merger, consolidation, transfer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

  to make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any such holder;

 

  to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or

 

  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts by more than one Trustee.

 

The consent of holders is not necessary under the indentures to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

 

Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance

 

We may be discharged from our obligations on the debt securities of any series that have matured or will mature or be redeemed within one year if we deposit with the trustee enough cash to pay all the principal, interest and any premium due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of the debt securities.

 

Each indenture contains a provision that permits us to elect:

 

  to be discharged from all of our obligations, subject to limited exceptions, with respect to any series of debt securities then outstanding; and/or

 

  to be released from our obligations under the following covenants and from the consequences of an event of default resulting from a breach of certain covenants, including covenants as to payment of taxes and maintenance of corporate existence.

 

To make either of the above elections, we must deposit in trust with the trustee enough money to pay in full the principal and interest on the debt securities. This amount may be made in cash and/or U.S. government obligations. As a condition to either of the above elections, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the action.

 

If any of the above events occurs, the holders of the debt securities of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for the rights of holders to receive payments on debt securities or the registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities.

 

Notices

 

Notices to holders will be given by mail to the addresses of the holders in the security register.

 

Governing Law

 

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed under, the law of the State of New York.

 

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Regarding the Trustee

 

The indenture limits the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims or secure its claims.

 

The trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions. However, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, and there is a default under the debt securities of any series for which they are trustee, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.

 

Subordination

 

Payment on subordinated debt securities will, to the extent provided in the indenture, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness (except that holders of the notes may receive and retain (i) permitted junior securities and (ii) payments made from the trust described under “Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance”). Any subordinated debt securities also are effectively subordinated to all debt and other liabilities, including lease obligations, if any.

 

Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of senior indebtedness. In the event of any acceleration of subordinated debt securities because of an event of default, the holders of any senior indebtedness would be entitled to payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to such holders of all senior indebtedness obligations before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution, except for certain payments made by the trust described under “Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance.” The indenture requires us or the trustee to promptly notify holders of designated senior indebtedness if payment of subordinated debt securities is accelerated because of an event of default.

 

We may not make any payment on subordinated debt securities, including upon redemption at the option of the holder of any subordinated debt securities or at our option, if:

 

  a default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, interest, rent or other obligations in respect of designated senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable period of grace (called a “payment default”); or

 

  a default other than a payment default on any designated senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing that permits holders of designated senior indebtedness to accelerate its maturity, and the trustee receives notice of such default (called a “payment blockage notice) from us or any other person permitted to give such notice under the indenture (called a “non-payment default”).

 

If the trustee or any holder of the notes receives any payment or distribution of our assets in contravention of the subordination provisions on subordinated debt securities before all senior indebtedness is paid in full in cash, property or securities, including by way of set-off, or other payment satisfactory to holders of senior indebtedness, then such payment or distribution will be held in trust for the benefit of holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives to the extent necessary to make payment in full in cash or payment satisfactory to the holders of senior indebtedness of all unpaid senior indebtedness.

 

In the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of senior indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and holders of subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors (including our trade creditors). This subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default under the indenture.

 

We are not prohibited from incurring debt, including senior indebtedness, under the indenture. We may from time to time incur additional debt, including senior indebtedness.

 

We are obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the trustee and to indemnify the trustee against certain losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by the trustee in connection with its duties under the indenture. The trustee’s claims for these payments will generally be senior to those of noteholders in respect of all funds collected or held by the trustee.

 

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Certain Definitions

 

“indebtedness” means:

 

(1) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities for borrowed money, including overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or advances from banks, or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, other than any account payable or other accrued current liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services;

 

(2) all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances;

 

(3) all obligations and liabilities in respect of leases required in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on our balance sheet;

 

(4) all obligations and other liabilities under any lease or related document in connection with the lease of real property which provides that we are contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor and our obligations under the lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase the leased property;

 

(5) all obligations with respect to an interest rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or other similar instrument or agreement;

 

(6) all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements in respect of, and our obligations or liabilities to purchase, acquire or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of others of the type described in (1) through (5) above;

 

(7) any indebtedness or other obligations described in (1) through (6) above secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which is owned or held by us; and

 

(8) any and all refinancings, replacements, deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described in clauses (1) through (7) above.

 

“permitted junior securities” means (i) equity interests in the Company; or (ii) debt securities of the Company that are subordinated to all senior indebtedness and any debt securities issued in exchange for senior indebtedness to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than the notes are subordinated to senior indebtedness under the indenture.

 

“senior indebtedness” means the principal, premium, if any, interest, including any interest accruing after bankruptcy, and rent or termination payment on or other amounts due on our current or future indebtedness, whether created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by us, including any deferrals, renewals, extensions, refundings, amendments, modifications or supplements to the above. However, senior indebtedness does not include:

 

  indebtedness that expressly provides that it shall not be senior in right of payment to subordinated debt securities or expressly provides that it is on the same basis or junior to subordinated debt securities;

 

  our indebtedness to any of our majority-owned subsidiaries; and

 

  subordinated debt securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS

 

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the rights to purchase certain of our securities that we may issue to holders of our securities by this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the rights then issued, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superseded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We may issue, as a dividend at no cost, to holders of record of our securities or any class or series thereof on the applicable record date, rights to purchase common shares or preferred shares, to purchase warrants exercisable for common shares, preferred shares, depositary shares, debt securities or units, to purchase debt securities, to purchase depositary shares or to purchase units consisting of two or more of the foregoing. In this prospectus, we refer to such rights as “stockholder rights.” If stockholder rights are so issued to existing holders of securities, each stockholder right will entitle the registered holder thereof to purchase the securities issuable upon exercise of the rights pursuant to the terms set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

If stockholder rights are issued, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of such stockholder rights including the following where applicable:

 

record date;

 

subscription price;

 

subscription agent;

 

aggregate number of common shares, preferred shares, warrants, depositary shares or units, or principal amount of debt securities, purchasable upon exercise of such stockholder rights;

 

in the case of stockholder rights for preferred shares, preferred share warrants, depositary shares or depositary share warrants, the designation, aggregate number, and terms of the class or series of preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of such stockholder rights or warrants;

 

in the case of stockholder rights for debt securities or debt security warrants, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of such stockholder rights or warrants and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

the date on which the right to exercise such stockholder rights shall commence and the expiration date on which such right shall expire;

 

federal income tax considerations; and

 

other material terms of such stockholder rights.

 

In addition to the terms of the stockholder rights and the securities issuable upon exercise thereof, the prospectus supplement may describe, for a holder of such stockholder rights who validly exercises all stockholder rights issued to such holder, how to subscribe for unsubscribed securities, issuable pursuant to unexercised stockholder rights issued to other holders, to the extent such stockholder rights have not been exercised.

 

Holders of stockholder rights will not be entitled by virtue of being such holders, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as stockholders of the Company, except to the extent described in the related prospectus supplement. In addition, holders of stockholder rights to purchase debt security warrants will not be entitled by virtue of being such holders, to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture, except to the extent described in the related prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares rather than full shares of the preferred shares of a series. In the event that we determine to do so, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred shares) of a share of a particular series of preferred shares as more fully described below.

 

The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under one or more deposit agreements among us, a depositary to be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the holders from time to time of depositary receipts issued thereunder. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented thereby (including, as applicable, dividend, voting, redemption, subscription and liquidation rights).

 

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock.

 

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the depositary shares so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the depositary shares or the deposit agreement described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement relating to such deposited shares. The forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be filed as exhibits to the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

The following summary of certain provisions of the depositary shares and deposit agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, all the provisions of the deposit agreement and the applicable prospectus supplement, including the definitions.

 

Immediately following our issuance of shares of a series of preferred stock that will be offered as fractional shares, we will deposit the shares with the depositary, which will then issue and deliver the depositary receipts to the purchasers thereof. Depositary receipts will only be issued evidencing whole depositary shares. A depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

 

Pending the preparation of definitive depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to (and entitling the holders thereof to all the rights pertaining to) the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. Definitive depositary receipts will be prepared thereafter without unreasonable delay, and such temporary depositary receipts will be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.

 

Dividends and Other Distributions

 

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the related series of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the series of preferred stock in proportion to the number of the depositary shares owned by the holders.

 

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In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled thereto in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionately among the holders or that it is not feasible to make the distributions, in which case the depositary may, with our approval, adopt any method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting the distribution, including the sale (at public or private sale) of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, at the place or places and upon those terms as it may deem proper. The amount distributed in any of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

 

Redemption of Depositary Shares

 

If any series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from any redemption, in whole or in part, of the series of the preferred stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the series of the preferred stock. If we redeem shares of a series of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or substantially equivalent method determined by the depositary.

 

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon such redemption, upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. Any funds deposited by us with the depositary for any depositary shares that the holders thereof fail to redeem will be returned to us after a period of two years from the date the funds are so deposited.

 

Voting the Underlying Preferred Shares

 

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the series of preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the related series of preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of the series of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, provided the depositary receives the instructions sufficiently in advance of the meeting to enable it to so vote or cause to be voted the shares of preferred stock, and we will agree to take all reasonable action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing the preferred stock.

 

Withdrawal of Stock

 

Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary and upon payment of the taxes, charges and fees provided for in the deposit agreement and subject to the terms thereof, the holder of the depositary shares evidenced thereby will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property, if any, represented by the depositary shares. Holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive whole shares of the related series of preferred stock, but holders of the whole shares of preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit the shares of preferred stock with the depositary or to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder or upon his or her order at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.

 

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Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement

 

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares of any series and any provision of the applicable deposit agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares of any series will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares of the series then outstanding. Every holder of a depositary receipt at the time the amendment becomes effective will be deemed, by continuing to hold the depositary receipt, to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may any amendment impair the right of any holder of any depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares and subject to any conditions specified in the deposit agreement, to receive shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us at any time upon not less than 60 days prior written notice to the depositary, in which case, on a date that is not later than 30 days after the date of the notice, the depositary shall deliver or make available for delivery to holders of depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares. The deposit agreement shall automatically terminate after all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or there has been a final distribution in respect of the related series of preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us and the distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary shares.

 

Charges of Depositary

 

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and the governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay the charges of the depositary, including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the related series of preferred stock and the initial issuance of the depositary shares and all withdrawals of shares of the related series of preferred stock, except that holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

 

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

 

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us written notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary, which successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

 

Miscellaneous

 

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the related preferred stock. The depositary’s corporate trust office will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts and if shares of a series of preferred stock are redeemable, the depositary will also act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. The following information, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of any such the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While the information below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the general terms described below.

 

We will file the form of unit agreement, if any, between us and a unit agent that describes the terms and conditions of the series of units we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, concurrently with the filing of the applicable prospectus supplement under which such series of units are offered. This summary is subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement, if any, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of units. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of units that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete unit agreement, if any, and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the units.

 

We may issue units comprising one or more of shares and warrants in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement, under which a unit may be issued, if any, may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units.

 

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Share Capital” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit and to any share or warrant included in each unit, respectively. We may issue units in such amounts and in numerous distinct series as we determine.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus to or through underwriters or dealers, and also may sell those securities to one or more other purchasers directly or through agents, including sales pursuant to ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers, or if indicated in a prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts, by remarketing firms or by other means. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers. Each prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and any fees or compensation payable to them in connection with the offering and sale of a particular series or issue of securities, the public offering price or prices of the securities and the proceeds from the sale of the securities.

 

The securities may be sold, from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices which may be changed or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, including sales made directly on the NASDAQ or other existing trading markets for the securities. The prices at which the securities may be offered may vary as between purchasers and during the period of distribution. If, in connection with the offering of securities at a fixed price or prices, the underwriters have made a bona fide effort to sell all of the securities at the initial offering price fixed in the applicable prospectus supplement, the public offering price may be decreased and thereafter further changed, from time to time, to an amount not greater than the initial public offering price fixed in such prospectus supplement, in which case the compensation realized by the underwriters will be decreased by the amount that the aggregate price paid by purchasers for the securities is less than the gross proceeds paid by the underwriters to us.

 

Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities may be entitled under agreements to be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Such underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

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In connection with any offering of securities, the underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities offered at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. Any underwriters, dealers or agents to or through which securities other than our common shares are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters, dealers or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any such market making at any time and without notice. No assurance can be given that a market for trading in securities of any series or issue will develop or as to the liquidity of any such market, whether or not such securities are listed on a securities exchange.

 

The place, time of delivery, and other terms of the offered securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The applicable prospectus supplement may describe certain United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of securities offered by this prospectus by an initial investor who is subject to United States federal income taxation. The applicable prospectus supplement may also describe certain Canadian federal income tax consequences to investors described therein of acquiring securities offered by the prospectus.

  

ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

We incorporated in the Cayman Islands in order to enjoy the following benefits: (1) political and economic stability; (2) an effective judicial system; (3) a favorable tax system; (4) the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and (5) the availability of professional and support services.

 

However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and these securities laws provide significantly less protection to investors; and (2) Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States. Our constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated.

 

All of our operations are conducted outside the United States, and all of our assets are located outside the United States. A substantial number of our officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

We have appointed Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808, as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.

 

Ogier, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Hansen & Partners, our counsel as to PRC law, have advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and China, respectively, would:

 

recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or

 

entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

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Ogier has advised us that it is uncertain whether the courts of the Cayman Islands will allow shareholders of our company to originate actions in the Cayman Islands based upon securities laws of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty with regard to Cayman Islands law related to whether a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such determination is made, the courts of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman Islands company, such as our company. As the courts of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on making such a determination in relation to judgments obtained from U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws, it is uncertain whether such judgments would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. Ogier has further advised us that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (a) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction, (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given, (c) is final, (d) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty and (e) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands.

 

Hansen & Partners has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under PRC Civil Procedure Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedure Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedure Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or in the Cayman Islands.

 

EXPERTS

 

Financial statements as of June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and for the years then ended appearing in this prospectus, have been included herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of Friedman LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain matters as to U.S. federal law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Schiff Hardin LLP. The validity of the shares and certain legal matters relating to the offering as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Ogier. Certain legal matters relating to the offering as to Chinese law will be passed upon for us by Hansen & Partners of People’s Republic of China. In addition, certain legal matters in connection with any offering of securities under this prospectus will be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel to be designated at the time of the offering by such underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to matters of applicable law.

 

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PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

The Companies Law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our memorandum and articles of association permit indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such losses or damages arise from dishonesty of such directors or officers willful default of fraud. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities Act, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

Item 9. Exhibits

 

Exhibit   Description
     
1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
4.1   Specimen Certificate for Common Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 from Registration Statement on F-1 (File No. 333-223956) filed with the SEC on March 27, 2018).
4.2*   Form of Warrant
4.3*   Form of Indenture
4.4*   Form of Warrant Agreement
4.5*  

Form of Debt Security

4.6*  

Form of Deposit Agreement

4.7*   Form of Unit Agreement
5.1*   Opinion of Ogier

5.2*

  Opinion of Schiff Hardin LLP
23.1   Consent of Friedman LLP
23.2*   Consent of Ogier (included in Exhibit 5.1)

23.3*

 

Consent of Schiff Hardin LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2)

24.1   Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this registration statement)

25.1**

 

Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1

 

 

*To be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report filed on Form 6-K under the Exchange Act and incorporated herein by reference.
 

**

To be filed as a 305B2 filing in connection with an offering of debt securities.

 

Item 10. 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:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective 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; provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

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(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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.

 

(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Ac need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or Rule 3-19 of Regulation S-K if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and (B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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.

 

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the People’s Republic of China, on May 29, 2019.

 

  CLPS Incorporation
     
  By: /s/ Raymond Ming Hui Lin
  Name: Raymond Ming Hui Lin
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

POWERS OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Raymond Ming Hui Lin and Xiao Feng Yang, or any of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each of whom may act alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents and in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them 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 to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all his or her said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or his or her substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but which taken together shall constitute one instrument. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 29, 2019.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Xiao Feng Yang   Chairman, President and Director   May 29, 2019
Xiao Feng Yang        
         
/s/ Raymond Ming Hui Lin   Chief Executive Officer and Director   May 29, 2019
Raymond Ming Hui Lin   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Tian van Acken   Chief Financial Officer   May 29, 2019
Tian van Acken   (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)    
         
/s/ Jin He Shao   Independent Director   May 29, 2019
Jin He Shao        
         
/s/ Kewei Huang   Independent Director   May 29, 2019
Kewei Huang        
         
/s/ Kathryn Amooi   Independent Director   May 29, 2019
Kathryn Amooi        

   

 

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