-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, VECP049a0APBpyhsNb9vnlltDgQC1hyCEVy1LG/Oy3AT6vt7ayFh5KWwdC04BmwU RfUHsdJYc8pZQK6HV10TtA== 0000897101-96-000202.txt : 19960513 0000897101-96-000202.hdr.sgml : 19960513 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000897101-96-000202 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-A12G PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 19960510 SROS: NASD FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DIGITAL BIOMETRICS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000868373 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: COMPUTER PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT, NEC [3577] IRS NUMBER: 411545069 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-A12G SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-18856 FILM NUMBER: 96559005 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5600 ROWLAND RD CITY: MINNETONKA STATE: MN ZIP: 55343 BUSINESS PHONE: 6129320888 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 2: 5600 ROWLAND RD CITY: MINNETONKA STATE: MN ZIP: 55343 8-A12G 1 FORM 8-A SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 --------------------------- FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DIGITAL BIOMETRICS, INC. --------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State of incorporation) 41-1545069 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 5600 Rowland Road Minnetonka, MN 55343 (Address of principal executive offices including zip code) Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class to be registered None Name of each exchange on which each class is to be registered None Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Rights to Purchase Common Shares Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered On May 2, 1996, the Board of Directors of Digital Biometrics, Inc. (the "Company") declared a dividend of one common share purchase right (a "Right") for each share of common stock, $.01 par value (a "Common Share"), of the Company outstanding at the close of business on May 22, 1996 (the "Record Date"). The Rights will be issued upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of May 2, 1996 (the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"). Each Right will entitle the registered holder to purchase from the Company after the Distribution Date (as described below), a number of Common Shares to be determined under the Rights Agreement at an initial purchase price of $35 (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The Rights become exercisable on the first day after the Distribution Date. The Distribution Date is defined as the earlier of (i) ten business days after a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (not including the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any person holding Common Shares acquired in a transaction approved in advance in writing by a majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Board of Directors of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to any such plan, or any person who beneficially owns 7.5% or more of the Common Shares outstanding on the 20th day preceding the Record Date, to the extent of such ownership), have acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Common Shares (an "Acquiring Person"), or (ii) ten business days after the commencement of, or the first public announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in beneficial ownership by a person or group (excluding the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of its subsidiaries, any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to any such plan, and any person holding Common shares acquired in a transaction approved in advance in writing by a majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Board of Directors of the Company) of 15% or more of the Common Shares outstanding. The Rights will expire on April 30, 2006 (the "Final Expiration Date"), unless the Final Expiration Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each case as described below. Until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any certificate for Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, by such certificate together with a copy of a Summary of Rights and, with respect to any certificate for Common Shares issued after the Record Date and before the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), by such certificate, which will bear a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption, exchange or expiration of the Rights), (i) the Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Shares, and (ii) the surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Shares will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights. Each outstanding Common Share on May 22, 1996, will entitle the holder thereof to receive one Right. In addition, the Company will issue one Right for each Common Share that becomes outstanding between the Record Date and the Distribution Date (or the earlier expiration, exchange or redemption of the Rights) so that all such shares will have attached Rights. In the event any person becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights that were or are beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which Rights will thereafter be null and void and the holder thereof shall have no rights with respect to such Rights, whether under the Rights Agreement or otherwise), will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price, a number of Common Shares equal to the result obtained by dividing the then current Purchase Price by 50% of the market price per Common Share at the date such person became an Acquiring Person. Under certain circumstances, other securities, property, cash or combinations thereof, including a combination with Common Shares, that are equal in value to the number of Common Shares for which the Right is exercisable, may be issued in lieu of Common Shares for which the Right is exercisable. The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Common Shares or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Common Shares, (ii) upon the issuance of certain rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares at a price, or securities convertible into Common Shares with a conversion price, less than the then current market price of the Common Shares, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Common Shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends or dividends payable in Common Shares) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above). The number of outstanding Rights and the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or a stock dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date. In the event that the Company does not have sufficient authorized but unissued Common Shares to permit the delivery of the required number of Common Shares upon the exercise in full of the Rights, then each Rights Certificate shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase the number of Common Shares equal to a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares authorized as of the Distribution Date, less: (A) the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, (B) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options, warrants, and other rights to purchase Common Shares from the Company outstanding on the Distribution Date, and (C) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance by the Company under convertible debentures, preferred stock, or other securities outstanding on the Distribution Date and convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares; and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, less Common Shares of which an Acquiring Person is the Beneficial Owner. In such event, the purchase price per Common Share will be fifty percent (50%) of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares. In the event, following the first date of public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such (the "Shares Acquisition Date"), the Company is, in effect, acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction, or more than 50% of its consolidated assets or earning power is sold, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights that were or are beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which Rights will thereafter be null and void and the holder thereof shall have no rights with respect to such Rights, whether under the Rights Agreement or otherwise), will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price, that number of shares of common stock of the Acquiring Person equal to the result obtained by dividing (x) the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Common Shares for which a Right is then exercisable, by (y) 50% of the market price per share of common stock of the Acquiring Person at the time of such transaction. As described in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to any Person who becomes an Acquiring Person shall become null and void. Under certain circumstances, after a person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by the Acquiring Person), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right (subject to adjustment). With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such Purchase Price. No fractional Common Shares will be issued, and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Common Shares on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise. At any time prior to the close of business on the tenth business day after the Shares Acquisition Date, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Right (the "Redemption Price"), which may be paid in cash, with Common Shares or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company to redeem the Rights, the Company shall announce the redemption, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate, and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price. Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights at any time to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provisions and may, prior to the Distribution Date, be amended to change, delete or supplement any other provision in any manner that the Company may deem necessary or desirable. After the Distribution Date, the terms of the Rights may be amended (other than to cure ambiguities or to correct or supplement defective or inconsistent provisions) only so long as the amendment does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Rights (not including an Acquiring Person, in whose hands all Rights are void). As of April 30, 1995, the Company had 20,000,000 Common Shares authorized for issuance. As of April 30, 1996, there were 10,424,781 Common Shares outstanding. In addition, there are 1,500,000 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Company's 1990 Stock Option Plan, as amended, 762,100 shares of which are subject to outstanding options; 250,000 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Company's 1992 Restricted Stock Plan, 104,362 shares of which have been granted under such plan; 150,000 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Company's Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, 67,500 shares of which are subject to outstanding options; 13,500 Common Shares subject to issuance under various employment agreements; 212,893 Common Shares subject to outstanding warrants; and 3,600,000 Common Shares reserved for issuance upon the conversion of the Company's 8% convertible debentures. As of April 30, 1996, a total of $3.0 million in subordinated debentures were convertible into Common Shares. The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company without conditioning the offer on a substantial number of Rights being acquired. The Rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of Directors of the Company since the Board of Directors may, at its option, at any time prior to the close of business on the tenth business day after the Shares Acquisition Date, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price. A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Item 2. Exhibits 1. Rights Agreement dated as of May 2, 1996, between Digital Biometrics, Inc. and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Rights Agent, which includes, as exhibits, the form of Right Certificate and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Common Shares. 2. Letter to Digital Biometrics, Inc. stockholders dated May 3, 1996. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized. Dated: May 3, 1996. DIGITAL BIOMETRICS, INC. By:/s/ Jack A. Klingert Jack A. Klingert Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer INDEX TO EXHIBITS Sequentially Exhibit Numbered Number Pages 1. Rights Agreement dated as of May 2, 1996, between Digital Biometrics, Inc. and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Rights Agent, which includes as exhibits, the form of Right Certificate and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Common Shares 2. Letter to stockholders of Digital Biometrics, Inc. dated May 3, 1996 EX-1 2 RIGHTS AGREEMENT EXHIBIT 1 RIGHTS AGREEMENT between DIGITAL BIOMETRICS, INC. and NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (as Rights Agent) Dated as of May 2, 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- Section 1. Certain Definitions.................................................... 1 Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent............................................ 6 Section 3. Issue of Right Certificates............................................ 6 Section 4. Form of Right Certificates............................................. 9 Section 5. Countersignature and Registration...................................... 10 Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificate; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates................ 11 Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights.......... 12 Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificate...................... 15 Section 9. Availability of Common Shares.......................................... 15 Section 10. Common Shares Record Date............................................. 18 Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, "Flip-In" Provision, Number of Shares or Number of Rights................................................... 18 Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares............ 28 Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power ("Flip-Over" Provision.......................................... 28 Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares............................... 32 Section 15. Agreement of Right Holders............................................ 34 Section 16. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder..................... 34 Section 17. Concerning the Rights Agent........................................... 35 Section 18. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent............. 36 Section 19. Duties of Rights Agent................................................ 37 Section 20. Change of Rights Agent................................................ 40 Section 21. Issuance of New Right Certificates.................................... 41 Section 22. Redemption............................................................ 42 Section 23. Exchange.............................................................. 44 Section 24. Notice of Certain Events.............................................. 46 Section 25. Notices............................................................... 48 Section 26. Supplements and Amendments............................................ 48 Section 27. Successors............................................................ 49 Section 28. Benefits of this Agreement............................................ 49 Section 29. Severability.......................................................... 50 Section 30. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors.................. 50 Section 31. Governing Law......................................................... 51 Section 32. Counterparts.......................................................... 52 Section 33. Descriptive Headings.................................................. 52
RIGHTS AGREEMENT Rights Agreement, dated as of May 2, 1996, between Digital Biometrics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association (the "Rights Agent"). The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a dividend of one Common Share (as hereinafter defined) Purchase Right (a "Right") for each Common Share of the Company outstanding on May 22, 1996 (the "Record Date"), each Right representing the right to purchase a number of Common Shares determined in accordance with, and upon the terms and subject to, the conditions herein set forth, and has further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right with respect to each Common Share of the Company that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined). Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows: SECTION 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms (in addition to those defined above) shall have the meanings indicated: (a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person (as such term is hereinafter defined) who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates (as such terms are hereinafter defined) of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner (as such term is hereinafter defined) of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the Common Shares then outstanding, but shall not include (i) the Company, (ii) any wholly owned Subsidiary (as such term is hereinafter defined) of the Company, (iii) any Person holding Common Shares issued to that Person by the Company in a transaction occurring after the Record Date and approved in advance in writing by a majority of Disinterested Directors (as such term is hereinafter defined in Section 22 hereof) of the Company's Board of Directors to the extent, and only to the extent, of the Common Shares so held (a "Company-Approved Issuance"), (iv) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, (v) any Person holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit plan to the extent, and only to the extent, of the Common Shares so held, or (vi) any Person who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner of seven and one-half percent (7.5%) or more of the Common Shares outstanding on the 20th day preceding the Record Date, provided, however, that such Person shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person upon becoming the Beneficial Owner, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, of any additional Common Shares representing an incremental increase of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the Common Shares then outstanding, which were acquired at any time after the 20th day preceding the Record Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" solely as the result of an acquisition of Common Shares by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such Person. (b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as in effect on the date of this Agreement. (c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of and shall be deemed to "beneficially own" any securities: (i) which such Person or any such Person's Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly; (ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing), other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange; (iii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing); provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, and (B) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or (iv) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated by the "provided, however" clause contained in Section 1(c) (iii)), or disposing of any securities of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any securities that are owned or held by (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any Person pursuant to a Company-Approved Issuance, or (iv) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company (and any securities that are owned or held by any Person pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit plan), shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by any other Person and no other Person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of such securities to the extent, and only to the extent, of the securities so held. (d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in the State of Minnesota or the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close. (e) "Close of Business" on any given date shall means 5:00 p.m., Minneapolis, Minnesota time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 p.m., Minneapolis, Minnesota time, on the next succeeding Business Day. (f) "Common Shares" when used with reference to the Company (specifically or in context) shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company. "Common Shares" when used with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the capital stock (or equity interest) with the greatest voting power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately control such first-mentioned Person. (g) "Company-Approved Issuance" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(a) hereof. (h) "Disinterested Director" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22 hereof. (i) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof. (j) "Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof. (k) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, incorporated or unincorporated association, limited liability company, partnership or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity. (l) "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof, as the same may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. (m) "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof. (n) "Shares Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such. (o) "Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean any corporation, incorporated or unincorporated association, limited liability company, partnership or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person. Certain additional terms used wholly within a subsequent Section of this Agreement shall have the meaning given them in the relevant Section of this Agreement for purposes of such Section. SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall prior to the Distribution Date also be the holders of the Common Shares of the Company) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable. SECTION 3. ISSUE OF RIGHT CERTIFICATES. (a) Until the earlier (the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the "Distribution Date") of (i) the close of business on the tenth Business Day after the Shares Acquisition Date, or (ii) the close of business on the tenth Business Day after the date of the commencement by any Person (other than the Company, any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, any Person holding Common Stock acquired in a Company- Approved Issuance, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan to the extent such entity is so acting with the approval or consent of the Company) of, or of the first public announcement of the intention of any Person (other than the Company, any Person holding Common Stock acquired in a Company-Approved Issuance, any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan to the extent such entity is so acting with the approval or consent of the Company or as part of its ordinary activities with respect to any such plan) to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any Person becoming the Beneficial Owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the Common Shares then outstanding (including any such date which is after the date of this Agreement and prior to the issuance of the Rights), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof) solely by the certificates for Common Shares registered in the names of the holders thereof (which certificates shall also be deemed to be Right Certificates) and not by separate Right Certificates, and (y) the right to receive Right Certificates will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common Shares of the Company. As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign, and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested, send), by first-class, insured, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (a "Right Certificate"), evidencing one Right for each Common Share of the Company so held. As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates. (b) As promptly as practicable following the Record Date, the Company will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Common Shares, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (the "Summary of Rights"), by first-class, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the close of business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company. With respect to certificates for Common Shares of the Company outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates together with a copy of the Summary of Rights attached thereto. Until the Distribution Date (or the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date), the surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Shares outstanding on the Record Date, with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights attached thereto, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby. (c) Certificates for Common Shares which become outstanding (including, without limitation, reacquired Common Shares referred to in the last sentence of this paragraph (c) after the Record Date but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date) shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend: This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between Digital Biometrics, Inc. and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, dated as of May 2, 1996 (the "Rights Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of Digital Biometrics, Inc. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, the Rights described therein will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate. Digital Biometrics, Inc. will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor. As described in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to any Person who becomes an Acquiring Person (as those terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) shall become null and void. The Rights shall not be exercisable by a holder in any jurisdiction where the requisite qualification to the issuance to such holder of the Rights, or the exercise by such holder of the Rights in such jurisdiction, shall not have been obtained or obtainable. With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby. In the event that the Company purchases or acquires any Common Shares after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such Common Shares shall be deemed canceled and retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the Common Shares which are no longer outstanding. (d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from and after the time any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, any Rights that are or were acquired or beneficially owned by such Acquiring Person (or any Associate or Affiliate of such Acquiring Person) shall be null and void without any further action and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under this Agreement (including the right to exercise such Rights under any provision of this Agreement) or otherwise. SECTION 4. FORM OF RIGHT CERTIFICATES. The Right Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase Common Shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 22 and Section 23 hereof, the Right Certificate shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase such number of Common Shares as shall be set forth therein at the price per Common Share set forth therein (the "Purchase Price"), but the number of such Common Shares and the Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein. SECTION 5. COUNTERSIGNATURE AND REGISTRATION. The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, its President or any Vice President, either manually or by facsimile signature, may have affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof, and shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Right Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such person was not such an officer. Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its principal office or offices, books for registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right Certificates, the number of rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right Certificates, and the date of each of the Right Certificates. SECTION 6. TRANSFER, SPLIT UP, COMBINATION AND EXCHANGE OF RIGHT CERTIFICATE; MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN RIGHT CERTIFICATES. Subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof, at any time after the close of business on the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date, any Right Certificate or Right Certificates (other than Right Certificates representing Rights that have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof or that have been exchanged pursuant to Section 23 hereof) may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of Common Shares as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent and shall endorse and surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal office of the Rights Agent. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Right Certificate until the registered holder shall have completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such Right Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence of the identify of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates. Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company's request, reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated. SECTION 7. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE; EXPIRATION DATE OF RIGHTS. (a) The registered holder of any Right Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole or in part at any time, subject to Section 22(a) hereof, after the Distribution Date upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the principal office of the Rights Agent, together with payment of the Purchase Price (or the Alternative Purchase Price, if applicable) to be paid upon exercise of the Right, at or prior to the earliest of (i) the close of business on April 30, 2006 (the "Final Expiration Date"), (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 22 hereof (the "Redemption Date"), and (iii) the time at which such Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 23 hereof. (b) In the event that there are sufficient authorized but unissued Common Shares to permit the exercise in full of the Rights pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the purchase price to be paid upon the exercise of a Right shall initially be $35 and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof (the "Purchase Price"). In the event there shall not be sufficient authorized but unissued Common Shares to permit the exercise in full of the Rights pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii), then the purchase price per Common Share shall be fifty percent (50%) of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) (the "Alternative Purchase Price"). In either case the purchase price shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in accordance with paragraph (c) below. (c) Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a)(v) hereof, upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the shares to be purchased (plus an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right Certificate in accordance with Section 9 hereof) by certified check, cashier's check or money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall thereupon promptly (i) requisition from any transfer agent of the Common Shares certificates for the number of Common Shares to be purchased, and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, or the amount of cash, property or other securities to be paid or issued in lieu of the issuance of Common Shares in accordance with Section 11(a)(v) hereof, (iii) after receipt of such certificates, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder, and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt, deliver such cash, property or other securities to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate. (d) In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to such holder's duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof. (e) Subject to Section 9 hereof, and further subject to the Company's rights under Section 11(a)(v) hereof to fulfill its obligations otherwise, the Company may, but need not, cause to be kept available, out of its authorized and unissued Common Shares, the number of Common Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights. (f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with respect to a registered holder of Rights upon the occurrence of any purported exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have (i) completed and signed a certificate contained in the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Right Certificate surrendered for such exercise, and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request. SECTION 8. CANCELLATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RIGHT CERTIFICATE. All Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Right Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any Right Certificate representing Rights purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all canceled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy such canceled Right Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company. SECTION 9. AVAILABILITY OF COMMON SHARES. (a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all Common Shares delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such Common Shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable shares. (b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares authorized but unissued to permit the exercise in full of the Rights, then, in such case, each Rights Certificate shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase the number of Common Shares equal to a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares authorized as of the Distribution Date, less: (A) the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, (B) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options, warrants, and other rights to purchase Common Shares from the Company outstanding on the Distribution Date, and (C) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance by the Company under convertible debentures, preferred stock, or other securities outstanding on the Distribution Date and convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares; and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, less Common Shares of which an Acquiring Person is the Beneficial Owner. (c) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which are payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or of any Common Shares (or other securities which may become or be issuable under the terms of this Agreement) upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates for the Common Shares (or other securities which may become or be issuable under the terms of this Agreement) in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Right Certificates evidencing Rights surrendered for transfer, delivery or exercise or to issue or to deliver any certificates for Common Shares (or other securities which may become or be issuable under the terms of this Agreement) upon the exercise of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such Right Certificates at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company's reasonable satisfaction that no such tax is due. (d) The Company covenants and agrees that, so long as Common Shares issuable and deliverable upon the exercise of Rights may be listed on any national securities exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable the Company shall use its best efforts to cause all Common Shares reserved for issuance to be listed on such exchange or market upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise. (e) The Company shall (i) prepare and file, as soon as possible following the Distribution Date, a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as possible after such filing, and (iii) cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act) until no longer required to do so under the Act with respect to securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights. The Company will also take all such action as may be required or as is appropriate under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as may be necessary or appropriate with respect to the securities purchasable upon the exercise of the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days following the Distribution Date, the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to become effective. Upon any such suspension of exercisability of Rights referred to in this paragraph, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. (f) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable by a holder in any jurisdiction where the requisite qualification to the issuance to such holder, or the exercise by such holder of the Rights in such jurisdiction, shall not have been obtained or be obtainable, or the exercise thereof shall not be permitted under applicable law or a registration statement shall not have been declared effective. SECTION 10. COMMON SHARES RECORD DATE. Each Person in whose name any certificate for Common Shares is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Common Shares represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Common Shares transfer books of the Company are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Common Shares transfer books of the Company are open. SECTION 11. ADJUSTMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE, "FLIP-IN" PROVISION, NUMBER OF SHARES OR NUMBER OF RIGHTS. The Purchase Price, the number of Common Shares that the holder of a Right Certificate is entitled to purchase on the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, and the number of Rights outstanding, are subject to an adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11. (a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Common Shares, (C) combine the outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of Common Shares, or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Common Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a), the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or at the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Common Shares transfer books of the Company were open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof. (ii) Subject to Sections 9, 22 and 23 of this Agreement, in the event any Person shall become an Acquiring Person, proper provisions shall be made so that each holder of a Right shall thereafter have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof in accordance with Section 7 hereof, at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price, such number of Common Shares as shall equal the result obtained by (A) dividing the then current Purchase Price by (B) 50% of the then current per share market price of the Company's Common Shares (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date such Person became an Acquiring Person; provided, however, that in the event there shall not be sufficient Common Shares authorized but unissued to permit the exercise in full of the Rights, Section 11(a)(vi) shall set forth the proper calculation. (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from and after the time any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, any Rights that are or were acquired or beneficially owned by such Acquiring Person (or any Associate or Affiliate of such Acquiring Person) shall be null and void without any further action, and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under this Agreement (including the right to exercise such Rights under any provision of this Agreement) or otherwise. (iv) No Right Certificate shall be issued pursuant to Section 3 that represents Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person; no Right Certificate shall be issued at any time upon the transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate thereof or to any nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate; and any Right Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent for transfer to an Acquiring Person shall be canceled. (v) In lieu of issuing Common Shares in accordance with Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the Company may, if the Board of Directors of the Company determines in its sole discretion that such action is necessary or appropriate: (A) determine the excess of (1) the value of the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the "Current Value") over (2) the Purchase Price (such excess, the "Spread") and (B) with respect to each Right (subject to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof), make adequate provision to substitute for the Adjustment Shares, upon exercise of a Right in payment of the applicable Purchase Price, cash, a reduction in the Purchase Price, other equity securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares or units of shares or (if applicable) preferred stock which the Board of Directors has deemed to have the same value as the Common Shares (such shares of preferred stock herein called "common stock equivalents"), debt securities of the Company, other assets or any combination of the foregoing, having an aggregate value equal to the Current Value, where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion after having consulted with an investment banking firm selected by the Board of Directors; provided, however, if the Company shall not have made adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) within 30 days following the later of (x) the date any Person shall have become an Acquiring Person, or (y) the date on which the Company's right of redemption pursuant to Section 22(a) hereof expires, then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of the Purchase Price, shares of Common Stock (to the extent available) and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and cash would have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. For purposes of this Section 11(a)(v), the value of the Common Shares shall be the current market price as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof per Common Share on the date the Company's right of redemption pursuant to Section 22(a) hereof expires. With respect to any such action by the Company with respect to the Rights or this Agreement at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, such action shall be taken only if (A) there are Disinterested Directors then in office, and (B) the Board of Directors of the Company, with the concurrence of a majority of the Disinterested Directors then in office, approves such action. (vi) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that there shall not be sufficient authorized but unissued Common Shares to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (a), then, in such case, each Rights Certificate shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase, at the Alternative Purchase Price, the number of Common Shares equal to a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares authorized as of the Distribution Date, less: (A) the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, (B) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options, warrants, and other rights to purchase Common Shares from the Company outstanding on the Distribution Date, and (C) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance by the Company under convertible debentures, preferred stock, or other securities outstanding on the Distribution Date and convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares; and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, less Common Shares of which an Acquiring Person is the Beneficial Owner. The Alternative Purchase Price shall be determined as set forth in Section 7(b) hereof. (b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares or securities convertible into Common Shares at a price per Common Share (or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into Common Shares) less than the then current per share market price of the Common Shares (as defined in Section 11(d)) on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of Common Shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of Common Shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional Common Shares to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible). In case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent. Common Shares owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed. (c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of the Common Shares (including any such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than a regular periodic cash dividend paid out of earnings or retained earnings or a dividend payable in Common Shares) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the then current per share market price of the Common Shares on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one Common Share, and the denominator of which shall be such current per share market price of the Common Shares. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed. (d) For the purposes of any computation hereunder, the "current per share market price" of the Common Shares on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Common Shares for the 30 consecutive Trading Days (as such term in hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date; provided, however, that in the event that the current per share market price of the Common Shares is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such Common Shares of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Common Shares payable in Common Shares or securities convertible into Common Shares, or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of the Common Shares, and prior to the expiration of 30 Trading Days after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the current per share market price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price per share equivalent of Common Shares taking into account ex-dividend trading. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market or, if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, as reported in the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted sales price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System ("NASDAQ") or such other system then in use or, if on any such date the Common Shares are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Common Shares selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If the Common Shares are not publicly held or so listed or traded, and no market maker is making, or has made during the relevant period, a market in the Common Shares, "current per share market price" shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent. The term "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day. (e) No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one ten-thousandth interest in a Common Share. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment, or (ii) the date of the expiration of the right to exercise any Rights. (f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than Common Shares, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions of this Section 11 with respect to the Common Shares, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14 with respect to the Common Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares. (g) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that the Company in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any consolidation or subdivision of the Common Shares, issuance wholly for cash of any Common Shares at less than the current market price, issuance wholly for cash of Common Shares or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares, dividends on Common Shares payable in Common Shares or issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in Section 11(b) hereafter made by the Company to holders of Common Shares shall not be taxable to such stockholders. (h) Unless a majority of the Disinterested Directors agree in writing to the contrary, the Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other than a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(i) hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other than a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(i) hereof), (iii) effect a share exchange with any other Person or conversion of the Company into another entity (other than with a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(i) hereof), or (iv) sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one transaction or series of related transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the Company and/or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries in one or more transactions, each of which complies with the requirements of this Section), if (x) at the time of or immediately after such consolidation, merger, exchange, conversion or sale, there are any rights, warrants or other instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect which would materially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights, or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such consolidation, merger, exchange, conversion or sale, the stockholders or interest holders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the "Principal Party" for purposes of Section 13(a) hereof, would have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates and Associates. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be construed to limit or otherwise restrict in any manner the rights of redemption contained in Section 22 hereof. (i) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 22, Section 23 or Section 26 hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if, at the time such action is taken, it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish in any material manner or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights. SECTION 12. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTED PURCHASE PRICE OR NUMBER OF SHARES. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or 13 hereof, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Shares a copy of such certificate, and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 24 hereof. SECTION 13. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS OR EARNING POWER ("FLIP-OVER" PROVISION). (a) If, following the Shares Acquisition Date, directly or indirectly, (i) the Company shall consolidate with, merge with and into, or effect a share exchange or conversion with or into any Person, (ii) any Person shall merge with and into the Company or effect a share exchange or conversion with or into the Company, the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation in such transaction and, in connection with such transaction, all or part of the Common Shares shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any Person (including the Company) or cash or any other property, or (iii) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more transactions, assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person or Persons other than the Company or one or more of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that (i) each holder of a Right (except as otherwise provided herein) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Common Shares for which a Right is then exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Common Shares, such number of validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares of the Principal Party (as defined in Section 13(b) hereof) as shall equal the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of Common Shares for which a Right is then exercisable and dividing that product by (B) 50% of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares of the Principal Party (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of consummation of such transaction; (ii) the Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such transaction, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term "Company", as used in this Agreement, shall thereafter be deemed to mean the Principal Party; and (iv) such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares in accordance with this Agreement) in connection with such consummation as may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to the Common Shares of the Principal Party thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights (the foregoing is the "Flip-Over" provision hereof). The Company shall not consummate any such transaction unless prior thereto the Company and the Principal Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement so providing and further providing that, immediately after the date of any such transaction mentioned in this paragraph (a) of this Section 13, the Principal Party at its own expense will (i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Act with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, will cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as possible after such filing and will cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act) until no longer required under the Act with respect to securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights; and (ii) qualify or register the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, and take all such other action as may be required or as is appropriate, under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as may be necessary or appropriate. Unless a majority of Disinterested Directors agree in writing to the contrary, the Company shall not enter into any transaction of the kind referred to in this Section 13 if at the time of such transaction there are any rights, warrants, instruments or securities outstanding or any agreements or arrangements which, as a result of the consummation of such transaction, would eliminate or substantially diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights. The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers, consolidations, exchanges, conversations, sales or other transfers. (b) "Principal Party" shall mean (i) in the case of any transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the issuer of any securities into which Common Shares are converted in such transaction, and if no securities are so issued, the Person that is the other party to the transaction; and (ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause (iii) of the first sentence in Section 13(a), the Person that is the party receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such transaction or transactions; provided, however, that in any such case, (1) if the securities of such Person are not at such time or have not been continuously over the preceding 12-month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and such Person is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the securities of which are and have been so registered, "Principal Party" shall mean such other Person; (2) in case such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one other Person, the securities of two or more of which are and have been so registered, "Principal Party" shall mean whichever of such other Persons is the issuer of the securities so registered having the greatest aggregate market value; and (3) in case such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture formed by two or more other Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture formed by two or more other Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the same Person, the rules set forth in (1) and (2) above shall apply to each of the chains of ownership having an interest in such joint venture as if such Person were a "Subsidiary" of both or all of such other Persons and the Principal Parties in each such chain shall bear the obligations set forth in this Section 13 in the same ratio as their direct and indirect interests in such Person bear to the total of such interests. (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from and after the time any Person becomes an Acquiring person, any Rights that are or were acquired or beneficially owned by such Acquiring Person (or any Associate or Affiliate of such Acquiring Person) shall be null and void without any further action, and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under this Agreement (including the right to exercise such Rights under any provision of this Agreement) or otherwise. SECTION 14. FRACTIONAL RIGHTS AND FRACTIONAL SHARES. (a) The Company may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may direct the Company to pay to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right. For purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable. The closing price for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, or, if the rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by NASDAQ or such other system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used to determine the current market value of a Right for purposes of this Section 14(a). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 14(a) to the contrary, prior to the Distribution Date, the current market value of the Right for purposes of this Section 14(a) shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be zero. (b) The Company may, but shall not be required to, issue fractional interests in Common Shares upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional interests in Common Shares. In lieu of fractional interests in Common Shares, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, direct the Company to pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates, at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one Common Share. For purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of a Common Share shall be the closing price of a Common Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise. (c) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon exercise of a Right (except as provided above). SECTION 15. AGREEMENT OF RIGHT HOLDERS. Every holder of a Right, by accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that: (a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares of the Company; (b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer; and (c) the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Shares certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Right Certificates or the associated Common Shares certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. SECTION 16. RIGHT CERTIFICATE HOLDER NOT DEEMED A STOCKHOLDER. No holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Common Shares or interests therein or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 24 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof. SECTION 17. CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AGENT. The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability in the premises. The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for, or in respect of, any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with, its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate for the Common Shares or for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 20 hereof. SECTION 18. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OR CHANGE OF NAME OF RIGHTS AGENT. Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the stock transfer or corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 20 hereof. In case, at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor rights Agent; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement. In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned, and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such case Certificates shall have the full forces provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement. SECTION 19. DUTIES OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound: (a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion. (b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificates. (c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company and any other Person only for the Rights Agent's own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. (d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only. (e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including any Rights that become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof) or any adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner, method or amount thereof) provided for in Sections 3, 11, 13, 22 or 23 hereof, or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after actual notice that such change or adjustment is required); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Common Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any Common Shares will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable. (f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement. (g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any one of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer or for any delay in acting while waiting for those instructions. (h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company (including, without limitation, acting as transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company) or for any other legal entity. (i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or power hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof. SECTION 20. CHANGE OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon 30 days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of the States of New York or Minnesota (or of any other state of the United States so long as such corporation is authorized to do business as a banking institution in the State of New York or the State of Minnesota), in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by the predecessor Rights Agent hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 20, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be. SECTION 21. ISSUANCE OF NEW RIGHT CERTIFICATES. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Right Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. SECTION 22. REDEMPTION. (a) The Rights may be redeemed by action of the Board of Directors of the Company pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 22 and shall not be redeemed in any other manner. Notwithstanding anything contained or implied in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person until such time as the Company's rights of redemption hereunder have expired. (b) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the close of business on the tenth Business Day after the Shares Acquisition Date, redeem all, but not less than all, the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $.01 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price"); provided, however, that with respect to any redemption of Rights under either of the circumstances set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) below, the Rights may be redeemed only if there are Disinterested Directors then in office and the Board of Directors of the Company, with the concurrence of a majority of the Disinterested Directors then in office, approve such redemption; (i) such approval occurs at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, or (ii) such approval occurs at any time after a change (resulting from a proxy solicitation or from a vote of stockholders or in any other manner) in a majority of the directors in office at the commencement of such solicitation, or prior to such vote, if any Person who is a participant in such solicitation or vote has stated (or, if the majority of the directors in office at the commencement of such solicitation or prior to such vote has determined in good faith) that such Person (or any of its Affiliates or Associates) intends to take or may consider taking, any action that would result in such Person becoming an Acquiring Person or that would result in the occurrence of an event described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof. The Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash, Common Shares (based on the current per share market price of the Common Shares at the time of redemption determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) or any other form of consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company; provided that if the Company elects to pay the Redemption Price in Common Shares, the Company shall not be required to issue fractional Common Shares and the number of Common Shares issuable to each holder of Rights shall be rounded down to the next whole shares. (c) "Disinterested Director" shall mean (i) any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who is not an officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and who is not an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or (ii) any successor to a director meeting the requirements of clause (i) of this sentence (a "Prior Director") if such successor is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company who is not an officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and who is not an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or a nominee or representative of an Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or Associate, and who was recommended for election or elected to succeed the Prior Director by a majority of the Disinterested Directors then on the Board of Directors of the Company. (d) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 22, and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such redemption; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Within 10 days after such action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph (b), the Company shall mail a notice of redemption to all the holders of the then outstanding Rights at their addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made. Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates or Associates may redeem, acquire or purchase for value any rights at any time in any manner other than that specifically set forth in this Section 22 or in Section 23 hereof, and other than in connection with the purchase of Common Shares prior to the Distribution Date. SECTION 23. EXCHANGE. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time when Rights are outstanding and exercisable, exchange all or any part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(iii) hereof) for Common Shares at an exchange ratio of one Common Share for each Right appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Ratio"); provided, however, that with respect to any such action by the Board of Directors as to such an exchange, the Rights may be so exchanged only if (i) there are Disinterested Directors then in office, and (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company approves such exchange with the concurrence of a majority of the Disinterested Directors then in office. (b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 23, and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. The Company shall promptly mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the Common Shares for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) held by each holder of Rights. (c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 23 to the contrary, in the event there shall not be sufficient authorized but unissued Common Shares to permit the exchange in full of the Rights as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section 23, then, in such case, each Rights Certificate shall entitle the holder thereof to exchange each Right for the number of Common Shares equal to a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares authorized as of the Distribution Date, less: (A) the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, (B) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options, warrants, and other rights to purchase Common Shares from the Company outstanding on the Distribution Date, and (C) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance by the Company under convertible debentures, preferred stock, or other securities outstanding on the Distribution Date and convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares; and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, less Common Shares of which an Acquiring Person is the Beneficial Owner. (d) The Company may, but need not be required to, issue fractions of Common Shares or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares. In lieu of such fractional Common Shares, the Company may pay to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Common Shares would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Common Share. For the purpose of this paragraph (d), the current market value of a whole Common Share of the Company shall be the closing price of a Common Share of the Company (as determined pursuant to the second and third sentences of Section 11(d) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of exchange pursuant to this Section 23. SECTION 24. NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. (a) In case the Company shall propose (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the holders of Common Shares or to make any other distribution to the holders of Common Shares (other than a regular periodic cash dividend), (ii) to offer to the holders of Common Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional Common Shares or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any reclassification of Common Shares (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding Common Shares), (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with, or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer), in one or more transactions, of 50% of more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to, any other Person, or (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date for purposes of such stock dividend, or distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action described by clause (i) or (ii) above at least 10 days prior to the record date for determining holders of the Common Shares for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action, at least 10 days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares, whichever shall be the earlier. (b) In case the event set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall occur, then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe the event and the consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof. SECTION 25. NOTICES. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows: Digital Biometrics, Inc. 5600 Rowland Road Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343 Attention: Chief Financial Officer Subject to the provisions of Section 20 hereof, any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows: Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association Shareowner Services 161 North Concord Exchange Street South St. Paul, Minnesota 55075-1139 Attention: Manager, Administrations Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company. SECTION 26. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS. The Company may (and the Rights Agent shall at the direction of the Company) from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Right Certificates in order (i) at any time, to cure any ambiguity, (ii) at any time, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii) prior to the Distribution Date, to cancel this agreement in its entirety, or to change, delete or supplement any of the provisions hereof in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable (including, but without any limitation, changing the percentage of ownership of Common Shares at which a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Distribution Date, the time for redemption of Rights or the time for, or limits on, amendment of this Agreement), or (iv) after the Distribution Date, to change, delete or supplement the provisions hereof in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Rights Certificates (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person), any such supplement or amendment to be evidenced by a writing signed by the Company and the Rights Agent; provided, however, that with respect to any amendment or supplement at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, such amendment or supplement shall be made only if (a) there are Disinterested Directors then in office and (b) the Board of Directors of the Company, with the concurrence of a majority of the Disinterested Directors then in office, approves such amendment or supplement. SECTION 27. SUCCESSORS. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder. SECTION 28. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares of the Company) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; and this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares of the Company). SECTION 29. SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board of Directors of the Company, with the concurrence of the majority of the Disinterested Directors then in office, determines in its good faith judgment that severing the invalid language from this Agreement would materially and adversely affect the purpose and effect of this Agreement, the right of redemption set forth in Section 22 hereof shall be reinstated and shall not expire until the Close of Business on the tenth day following the date of such determination by the Board of Directors. SECTION 30. DETERMINATIONS AND ACTIONS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. For all purposes of this Agreement, Common Shares shall be deemed outstanding when and as actually issued by the Company, but shall not include Common Shares reacquired by the Company in any manner, whether held as treasury shares or canceled. The calculation for the purpose of determining the particular percentage of the outstanding Common Shares of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors of the Company (with, where specifically provided for herein, the concurrence of the Disinterested Directors) shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board of Directors (with, where specifically provided for herein, the concurrence of the Disinterested Directors) or to the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend the Agreement). All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) that are done or made by the Board of Directors (with, where specifically provided for herein, the concurrence of the Disinterested Directors) in good faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other Persons, and (y) not subject the Board of Directors or the Disinterested Directors to any liability to the holders of the Rights. SECTION 31. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State without giving effect to the conflicts of law provisions thereof. SECTION 32. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. SECTION 33. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written. Attest: DIGITAL BIOMETRICS, INC. By /s/ Jack A. Klingert Jack A. Klingert Chairman of the Board NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION By /s/ Susan J. Roeder Its: Assistant Vice President Exhibit A FORM OF RIGHT CERTIFICATE Certificate No. R. _________________ _________ Rights NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER APRIL 30, 2006, OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $ .01 PER RIGHT AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. RIGHT CERTIFICATE DIGITAL BIOMETRICS, INC. This certifies that ___________________________________, or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 2, 1996 (the "Rights Agreement"), between Digital Biometrics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to the close of business (as defined in the Rights Agreement) on April 30, 2006, at the principal offices of the Rights Agent, or at the offices of its successor as Rights Agent, __________ (______) shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Shares"), of the Company, at a purchase price of __________ ($______) (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed. As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number of Common Shares which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events. As described in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to any Person who becomes an Acquiring Person shall become null and void. This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the Company and the above-mentioned offices of the Rights Agent. This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon surrender at the principal office of the Rights Agent, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificate of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of interests in Common Shares as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights no exercised. Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price of $ .01 per Right payable in cash, Common Shares or other consideration, or (ii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for Common Shares. Fractional interests in Common Shares may, but need not, be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby, and in lieu thereof a cash payment may be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement. No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Common Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate actions, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement. This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent. WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal. Dated as of _______________, ______. ATTEST: ___________________________________ Countersigned: DIGITAL BIOMETRICS, INC. By_________________________________ NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION By_________________________________ FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHT CERTIFICATE FORM OF ASSIGNMENT (To be executed by the registered holder if such holder desires to transfer the Right Certificate.) FOR VALUE RECEIVED ___________________________________________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto ______________________________ this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _____________________ Attorney, to transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution. Dated: _______________, _____. ______________________________ Signature Signature Guarantee: Signatures must be medallion guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States. ________________________________________________________________________________ The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and that after due inquiry and to the best of the knowledge of the undersigned, it did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate for any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of such Person. ______________________________ Signature FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHT CERTIFICATE - CONTINUED FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE (To be executed if holder desires to exercise the Right Certificate.) To: Digital Biometrics, Inc. The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ______________ Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the interests in Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such Common Shares be issued in the name of: Please provide Social Security or other tax identification number: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ (Please print name and address) If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to: Please provide Social Security or other tax identification number: _____________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ (Please print name and address) Dated:_______________, _____. ______________________________ Signature Signature Guarantee: Signatures must be medallion guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States. FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHT CERTIFICATE -- CONTINUED The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and that after due inquiry and to the best of the knowledge of the undersigned, it did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate for any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or Affiliate or Associate of such Person. ______________________________ Signature NOTICE The signature in the foregoing Forms of Assignment and Election must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in every particular, without alternation or enlargement or any change whatsoever. In the event the certificate set forth above in the Form of Assignment or the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, the Company and the Rights Agent will deem the beneficial owner of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and such Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored. Exhibit B SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE COMMON SHARES On May 2, 1996, the Board of Directors of Digital Biometrics, Inc. (the "Company") declared a dividend of one Common Share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $ .01 per share (the "Common Shares"), of the Company and authorized the issuance of one Right for each Common Share which shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the earlier of the Distribution Date (as hereinafter defined) or the final expiration date of the Rights. The dividend is payable on May 22, 1996 (the "Record Date"), to the stockholders of record on that date. Each Right will entitle the registered holder to purchase from the Company a number of Common Shares of the Company to be determined upon the issuance of the certificates evidencing the Rights at a price of $35 (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"). The Rights become exercisable on the first day after the Distribution Date. The Distribution Date is defined as the earlier to occur of (i) ten business days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (not including the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any Person holding Common Shares acquired in a transaction approved in advance in writing by a majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Board of Directors of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to any such plan, or any person who beneficially owns 7.5% or more of the Common Shares outstanding on the 20th day preceding the Record Date, to the extent of such ownership) (an "Acquiring Person"), has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, or (ii) ten business days following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of such outstanding Common Shares. The Rights will expire on April 30, 2006 (the "Final Expiration Date"), unless the Final Expiration Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each case, as described below. Until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any Common Share certificate outstanding as of the Record Date, by such Common Share certificate together with a copy of this Summary of Rights attached thereto. The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Shares. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption, exchange or expiration of the Rights), new Common Share certificates issued after the Record Date, upon transfer or new issuance of Common Shares, will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption, exchange or expiration of the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such notation or copy of this Summary of Rights being attached thereto, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights. In the event that any person becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which Rights will thereafter be null and void for all purposes of the Rights Agreement and the holder thereof shall thereafter have no rights with respect to such Rights, whether under the Rights Agreement or otherwise), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise thereof, at the then current Purchase Price, a number of Common Shares equal to the result obtained by dividing the then current Purchase Price by 50% of the market price per Common Share at the date such person became an Acquiring Person. Under certain circumstances, other equity and debt securities, property, cash or combinations thereof, including a combination with Common Shares that are equal in value to the number of Common Shares for which the Right is exercisable, may be issued in lieu of Common Shares for which the Right is exercisable. In such event, the purchase price per Common Share will be fifty percent (50%) of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares. The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Common Shares or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Common Shares, (ii) upon the issuance of certain rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares at a price, or securities convertible into Common Shares, with a conversion price less than the then current market price of the Common Shares, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Common Shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends paid out of earnings or retained earnings or dividends payable in Common Shares) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above). The number of outstanding Rights and the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or a stock dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date. In the event, following the first date of public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such (a "Shares Acquisition Date"), that the Company is, in effect, acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power is sold, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights that were or are beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person (which will thereafter be null and void for all purposes of the Rights Agreement and the holder thereof shall thereafter have no rights with respect to such Rights, whether under the Rights Agreement or otherwise), will thereafter generally have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. Under certain circumstances, after a Person has become an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights that were or are beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio to be determined in accordance with the Rights Agreement. In the event that the Company does not have sufficient authorized but unissued Common Shares to permit the delivery of the required number of Common Shares upon the exercise in full of the Rights, then each Rights Certificate shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase the number of Common Shares equal to a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares authorized as of the Distribution Date, less: (A) the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, (B) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options, warrants, and other rights to purchase Common Shares from the Company outstanding on the Distribution Date, and (C) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance by the Company under convertible debentures, preferred stock, or other securities outstanding on the Distribution Date and convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares; and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, less Common Shares of which an Acquiring Person is the Beneficial Owner. In such event, the purchase price per Common Share will be fifty percent (50%) of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares. With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such Purchase Price. No fractional Common Shares will be issued and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Common Shares on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise. At any time prior to the close of business on the tenth business day after a Shares Acquisition Date, the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $ .01 per right (the "Redemption Price") which may be paid in cash or with Common Shares or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price. The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights at any time to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provisions and may, prior to the Distribution Date, be amended to change, delete or supplement any other provision in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable. After the Distribution Date the terms of the Rights may be amended (other than to cure ambiguities or correct or supplement defective or inconsistent provisions) only so long as such amendment shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Rights (which may not be an Acquiring Person in whose hands Rights are void). Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated May 2, 1996. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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