e424b5
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT #2
(To Prospectus dated May 19, 2009)
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement No. 333-158784
1,500,000 common stock warrants
1,500,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants
Pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we are offering up to
1,500,000 common stock purchase warrants (Warrants) and up to 1,500,000 shares of our common
stock, par value $0.001 per share, underlying such Warrants. The Warrants have an initial exercise
price of $1.61 per share and may be exercised at any time and from time to time commencing on the
Closing Date of this offering until August 14, 2009.
We have retained Chardan Capital Markets, LLC as our financial advisor in this offering. We have
agreed to pay Chardan Capital Markets, LLC a fee equal to $147,000. See Plan of Distribution
beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement for more information regarding these
arrangements.
We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the Warrants, but will receive proceeds to
the extent the Warrants are exercised.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol COIN. On May 25, 2009,
the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $1.61 per share.
There is currently no market for the Warrants being issued in this offering and none is expected to
develop after this offering.
This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to
buy the shares offered hereby in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful
to make such offer or solicitation.
As of May 26, 2009, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by
non-affiliates was approximately $29,231,131, based on 18,331,708 shares of outstanding common
stock, of which 18,155,982 shares were held by non-affiliates, and a per share price of $1.61 based
on the closing sale price of our common stock on that date. During the period of 12 calendar months
immediately prior to, and including, the date of this prospectus, we have sold securities in the
amount of $4,515,000 pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3.
Investing in our common stock and warrants involves a high degree of risk. See the section entitled
Risk Factors on page S-1 of this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The placement agent is not purchasing or selling any securities pursuant to this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus, nor are we requiring any minimum purchase or sale of any
specific number of securities. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition
to the closing of this offering, the actual public offering amount, placement agents fees and
proceeds to us are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the maximum amount
set forth above. We expect that delivery of the securities being offered pursuant to this
prospectus supplement will be made as to purchasers on or about May 27, 2009.
The date of this prospectus supplement is May 26, 2009
About This Prospectus Supplement
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes
the terms of this offering of securities and also adds to, updates and changes information
contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference. The second
part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not
apply to this offering of securities. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus
supplement differs or varies from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any
document incorporated by reference, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control.
You should rely only on information contained in or incorporated by reference into this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you
with information that is different. We are offering to sell and seeking offers to buy shares of
common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained
in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by
reference herein and therein are accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time
of delivery of this prospectus supplement or of any sale of our common stock.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the information in this prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate
by reference contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.
You should not rely on forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement and the documents
we incorporate by reference. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms
such as anticipate, believe, plan, expect, future, intend, may, will, should,
estimate, predict, potential, continue, and similar words, although some forward-looking
statements are expressed differently. This prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate
by reference may also contain forward-looking statements attributed to third parties relating to
their estimates regarding the growth of our markets. All forward-looking statements address matters
that involve risk and uncertainties, and there are many important risks, uncertainties and other
factors that could cause our actual results, as well as those of the markets we serve, levels of
activity, performance, achievements and prospects to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference.
You should also consider carefully the statements under Risk Factors and other section
of this prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference, which address
additional facts that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to place significant reliance on the
forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate
by reference. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS |
|
|
S-1 |
|
RISK FACTORS |
|
|
S-1 |
|
USE OF PROCEEDS |
|
|
S-2 |
|
DILUTION |
|
|
S-3 |
|
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK |
|
|
S-3 |
|
DIVIDEND POLICY |
|
|
S-3 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS |
|
|
S-4 |
|
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
|
|
S-6 |
|
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
|
|
S-6 |
|
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE |
|
|
S-6 |
|
Prospectus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS |
|
|
P-3 |
|
RISK FACTORS |
|
|
P-3
|
|
CORPORATE INFORMATION |
|
|
P-3 |
|
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS |
|
|
P-3 |
|
USE OF PROCEEDS |
|
|
P-3 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK |
|
|
P-4 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK |
|
|
P-5 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES |
|
|
P-6 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS |
|
|
P-12 |
|
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
|
|
P-15 |
|
LEGAL MATTERS |
|
|
P-18 |
|
EXPERTS |
|
|
P-18 |
|
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
|
|
P-18 |
|
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE |
|
|
P-18 |
|
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On May 7, 2009, we entered into an agreement with an investor whereby we issued and sold to
the investor, and the investor purchased for $1,182,500 (i) a secured promissory note in the
principal amount of $1,330,312.50 and (ii) two warrants to purchase shares of our common stock.
The principal amount of the note represented an original issue discount of 12.5%. The maturity of
the note is November 7, 2009, provided the note must be prepaid if we or our subsidiaries sell debt
and/or equity secuurities for cash in an amount in excess of $1,330,312.50. The completion of this
offering will require us to repay the note. In connection with the note, we issued a five-year
warrant to purchase 750,000 shares of common stock and a five-year warrant to purchase 350,000
shares of common stock with exercise prices of $1.00 per share and $1.50 per share, respectively,
subject to certain anti-dilution rights for issuance below the exercise prices. Pursuant to the
agreement, until the later of May 7, 2010 or for so long as any amount remains outstanding on the
note, with certain exceptions, we granted the investor right of first refusal in connection with
the proposed sale by us of our common stock or other equity securities or equity linked debt
obligations.
A complaint has been filed on or around May 15, 2009, in the Chancery Division of The
Midllesex County Superior Court of New Jersey by parties alleging themselves to be the owner and
tenants of a property adjoining the property where our plant is located in Woodbridge, New Jersey
alleging that the operations of our plant causes, allows and permits strong rotten food-like odors
to be emitted form the plant and that those odors are a public and private nuisance and that the
operations are an act of negligence, continuing trespass and consumer common law fraud. The
complaint is captioned Lefcourt Associates, Ltd.; Alliance Shippers, Inc.; Direct Shippers
Association, Inc.; Direct Coast to Coast, Llc.; Selective Transportation Corp.; and Gotham
Distribution Corp., plaintiff (s) vs. Converted Organics of Woodbridge, LLC; Converted Organics,
Inc.; Recycling Technology Development LLC; et al including other named defendants who are either
alleged to be owners, tenants or waste haulers bringing waste to the plant. The plaintiffs Motion
for a Temporary Restraining Order was denied by the Court and a hearing has been set for June 2,
2009. The amount of the claim for damages is not stated in the Complaint. The subject matter of
the action is the same as the complaints concerning odors being investigated by the County of
Middlesex. We plan to vigourously defend ourself in this matter and are unable to estimate any
contingent losses that may or may not be incurred as a result of this litigation and its eventual
disposition.
As of May 26, 2009, we had no shares of preferred stock outstanding and there were
outstanding:
|
§ |
|
18,331,708 shares of common stock outstanding; |
|
|
§ |
|
1,246,735 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options issued
pursuant to our current stock option plans; |
|
|
§ |
|
8,605,278 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants; |
|
|
§ |
|
276,932 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options available for
future grant under our stock option plans; |
|
|
§ |
|
393,657 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of 131,219 underwriter
units (one warrant equals one share of common stock, one Class A warrant and one Class
B warrant); and |
|
|
§ |
|
note payable convertible into shares of common stock with a remaining principal
balance of approximately $560,000. |
On May 19, 2009, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with four institutional
investors. Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, we issued to these investors in the
aggregate: (a) 1,500,000 shares of our common stock; and (b) warrants to purchase an additional
1,500,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.40 per share. The warrants were
exercised on May 26, 2009 pursuant to the agreement by which we agreed to issue the Warrants.
RISK FACTORS
Investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the
risks described below, those risks described in Item 1A Risk Factors of our Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2008, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, as well as other information in this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, in any other documents incorporated by
reference, and
S-1
in any Form 8-K filed subsequent to our annual report on Form 10-K before purchasing any of the
securities. Each of the risks described in these sections and documents could adversely affect our
business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could result in a complete
loss of your investment. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the
incorporated documents also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these
forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks mentioned above.
Risks Related to this Offering
Our management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering, and we
may not use the proceeds effectively.
We have not designated the net proceeds from this offering to be used for any particular
purpose. Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net
proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the
time of this offering. Our shareholders may not agree with the manner in which our management
chooses to allocate and spend the net proceeds. Moreover, our management may use the net proceeds
for corporate purposes that may not increase our profitability or market value.
You will experience immediate dilution in the book value per share of the common stock you
purchase.
Because the price per share of the common stock underlying the warrants being offered is
substantially higher than the book value per share of our common stock, you will suffer substantial
dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this offering. See the
section entitled Dilution below for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if
you exercise the warrants in this offering.
A large number of shares may be sold in the market following this offering, which may depress the
market price of our common stock.
A large number of shares may be sold in the market following this offering, which may depress
the market price of our common stock. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock
in the public market following this offering could cause the market price of our common stock to
decline. If there are more shares of common stock offered for sale than buyers are willing to
purchase, then the market price of our common stock may decline to a market price at which buyers
are willing to purchase the offered shares of common stock and sellers remain willing to sell the
shares. All of the shares sold in the offering will be freely tradeable without restriction or
further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate
purposes and working capital.
S-2
DILUTION
Our unaudited net tangible book value of our common stock on March 31, 2009 was approximately
$(482,713), or approximately $(0.04) per share. Net tangible book value per share is equal to the
amount of our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, divided by the aggregate number of
shares of common stock outstanding. Dilution per share represents the difference between the amount
per share that would be paid by the Warrant holders that exercise the Warrants for shares of common
stock in this offering at $1.61 per share and the net tangible book value per share of our common
stock immediately after this offering. After giving effect to the sale of 1,500,000 shares of
common stock in our May 19, 2009 offering at a price of $1.40 per share and the subsequent exercise
of the 1,500,000 warrants issued in such offering at $1.40 per share, our net tangible book value
at March 31, 2009 would have been approximately $3,520,287, or approximately $0.25 per share.
After giving effect to the exercise of the 1,500,000 warrants to be issued in this offering at
$1.61; and after deducting estimated offering expenses, our net tangible book value at March 31,
2009 would have been approximately $5,788,287, or approximately $0.37 per share. As such, upon the
exercise of the warrants in this offering, warrant holders will experience an immediate dilution of
$1.24 per share. The following table illustrates this dilution:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public offering price per share underlying the warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.61 |
|
Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2009
|
|
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Increase per share attributable to May 19, 2009 offering
|
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2009
after giving effect to the exercise of the warrants in
this offering
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
Dilution per share to new investors
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.24 |
|
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
Our common stock has been listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol COIN since
March 16, 2007. Prior to March 16, 2007, there was no public market for our common stock. The
following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices per share as reported on Nasdaq
for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
High |
|
Low |
First Quarter
|
|
$ |
4.16 |
|
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
Second Quarter (through May 25, 2009)
|
|
$ |
2.62 |
|
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
High |
|
Low |
First Quarter
|
|
$ |
14.17 |
|
|
$ |
3.52 |
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$ |
10.37 |
|
|
$ |
4.50 |
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$ |
7.83 |
|
|
$ |
2.99 |
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$ |
6.46 |
|
|
$ |
2.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
High |
|
Low |
First Quarter
|
|
$ |
2.86 |
|
|
$ |
2.31 |
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$ |
2.72 |
|
|
$ |
2.02 |
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$ |
2.83 |
|
|
$ |
1.86 |
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$ |
4.39 |
|
|
$ |
2.05 |
|
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have not paid any dividends since our inception and presently anticipate that all earnings,
if any, will be retained for development of our business and that no dividends on our common stock
will be declared in the foreseeable future. Any future dividends will be subject to the discretion
of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, future earnings, the operating
and financial condition of our company, our capital requirements and general business conditions.
S-3
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The Warrants to be issued in this offering represent the rights to purchase up to 1,500,000
shares of common stock at an initial exercise price of $1.61 per share. Each Warrant may be
exercised at any time and from time to time on or after its original date of issuance until August
14, 2009.
Exercise
Holders of the Warrants may exercise their Warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock on
or before the expiration date by delivering (i) notice of exercise, appropriately completed and
duly signed, and (ii) if such holder is not utilizing the cashless exercise provisions with respect
to the Warrants, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares with respect to which the
Warrant is being exercised. Warrants may be exercised in whole or in part, but only for full shares
of Common Stock. We provide certain rescission and buy-in rights to a holder if we fail to
deliver the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants by the third trading day after the date
on which delivery of the stock certificate is required by the Warrant. With respect to the
rescission rights, the holder has the right to rescind the exercise if stock certificates are not
timely delivered. The buy-in rights apply if after the third trading day on which delivery of the
stock certificate is required by the Warrant, the holder purchases (in an open market transaction
or otherwise) shares of our Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the holder of the
Warrant shares that the holder anticipated receiving from us upon exercise of the Warrant. In this
event, we will:
|
§ |
|
pay in cash to the holder the amount equal to the excess (if any) of the buy-in
price over the product of (A) such number of shares of Common Stock, times (B) the
price at which the sell order giving rise to holders purchase obligation was executed;
and |
|
|
§ |
|
at the election of holder, either (A) reinstate the portion of the warrant as to
such number of shares of Common Stock, or (B) deliver to the holder a certificate or
certificates representing such number of shares of Common Stock. |
In addition, the Warrant holders are entitled to a cashless exercise option if, at any time
of exercise, there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus
available for, the issuance or resale of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants. This
option entitles the Warrant holders to elect to receive fewer shares of Common Stock without paying
the cash exercise price. The number of shares to be issued would be determined by a formula based
on the total number of shares with respect to which the Warrant is being exercised, the volume
weighted average of the prices per share of our Common Stock on the trading date immediately prior
to the date of exercise and the applicable exercise price of the Warrants.
The shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of the Warrants will be, when issued and paid
for in accordance with the Warrants, duly and validly authorized, issued and fully paid and
non-assessable. We will authorize and reserve at least that number of shares of Common Stock equal
to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of all outstanding Warrants.
Call Provision.
Subject to certain exceptions, if the volume weighted average price for each of 5 consecutive
trading days exceeds $2.42 (subject to adjustment for forward and reverse stock splits,
recapitalizations, stock dividends and the like), then we may, within one trading day of the end of
such period, call for cancellation of all or any portion of the unexercised Warrants for
consideration equal to $.001 per share.
Fundamental Transaction
If, at any time while the Warrants are outstanding, we (1) consolidate or merge with or into
another corporation, (2) sell all or substantially all of our assets or (3) are subject to or
complete a tender or exchange offer pursuant to which holders of our Common Stock are permitted to
tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property, (4) effect any
reclassification of our Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which our Common
Stock is converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (5) engage in one
or more transactions with another party that results in that party acquiring more than 50% of our
outstanding shares of Common Stock, each, a Fundamental Transaction, then the holder shall have
the right thereafter to receive, upon exercise of the Warrant, the same amount and kind of
securities, cash or property as it would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such
Fundamental Transaction if it had been, immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction, the
holder of the number of Warrant shares then issuable upon exercise of the Warrant, and any
additional consideration payable as part of the Fundamental Transaction.
S-4
Any successor to us or surviving entity shall assume the obligations under the Warrant.
Subsequent Rights Offerings
If, at any time while the Warrants are outstanding, we issue rights, options or warrants to
all holders of our Common Stock entitling them to purchase our Common Stock at a price per share
less than the volume weighted average price on the date of the issuance of such rights, options or
warrants, then the exercise price will adjust pursuant to a volume weighted average price based
ratio.
Pro Rata Distributions
If, at any time while the Warrants are outstanding, we distribute evidences of our
indebtedness, assets, or rights or warrants to purchase any security other than our Common Stock to
all holders of our Common Stock, then the exercise price will adjust pursuant to a volume weighted
average price based ratio.
Certain Adjustments
The exercise price and the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the
warrants are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specific events, including stock
dividends, stock splits, combinations and reclassifications of our Common Stock.
Delivery of Certificates
Upon the holders exercise of a Warrant, we will promptly, but in no event later than three
trading days after the exercise date (the Warrant Share Delivery Date), issue and deliver, or
cause to be issued and delivered, a certificate for the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Warrant. In addition, we will, if the holder provides the necessary information to
us, issue and deliver the shares electronically through The Depository Trust Corporation through
its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission System (DWAC) or another established clearing corporation
performing similar functions. If we fail to deliver certificates evidencing the Warrant Shares by
the Warrant Share Delivery Date, we are required to pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated
damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on
the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day
(increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to
accrue) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such certificates are
delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise.
Notice of Corporate Action
We will provide notice to holders of the warrants to provide them with the opportunity to
exercise their warrants and hold Common Stock in order to participate in or vote on the following
corporate events:
|
§ |
|
if we shall take a record of the holders of our Common Stock for the purpose of
entitling them to receive a dividend or other distribution, or any right to subscribe
for or purchase any shares of stock of any class or any other right; |
|
|
§ |
|
any capital reorganization of our company, any reclassification or recapitalization
of our capital stock or any consolidation or merger with, or any sale, transfer or
other disposition of all or substantially all of our property, assets or business to,
another corporation; or |
|
|
§ |
|
a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of our company. |
Limitations on Exercise
The number of Warrant shares that may be acquired by any holder upon any exercise of the
Warrant shall be limited to the extent necessary to insure that, following such exercise (or other
issuance), the total number of shares of Common Stock then beneficially owned by such holder and
its affiliates and any other persons whose beneficial ownership of common stock would be aggregated
with the holders for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, does not exceed 4.99% of the
total number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (including for such purpose the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise), or beneficial ownership limitation. The holder
may elect to change this beneficial ownership limitation from 4.9% to 9.99% of the total number of
issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (including for such purpose the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon such exercise) upon 61 days prior written notice.
S-5
Additional Provisions
The above summary of certain terms and provisions of the Warrants is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the detailed provisions of the Warrants, the form of which will be filed as an
exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K that is incorporated herein by reference. We are not
required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Warrants. No holders of the Warrants
will possess any rights as a stockholder under those Warrants until the holder exercises those
Warrants. The Warrants may be transferred independent of the Common Stock they were issued with, on
a form of assignment, subject to all applicable laws.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We will deliver the shares of Common Stock being issued to the purchasers electronically upon
receipt of purchaser funds for the exercise of the Warrants, if any, offered pursuant to this
prospectus supplement. The Warrants will be issued in registered physical form. We expect to
deliver the Warrants being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement on or about May 27, 2009.
We have retained Chardan Capital Markets, LLC as our financial advisor in this offering. We
have agreed to pay Chardan Capital Markets, LLC a fee equal to $147,000. Only in the event the
offering closes, we have agreed to reimburse the lead investor for the reasonable legal fees and
expenses incurred by it in connection with this offering, in an amount not to exceed $25,000.
We have agreed to indemnify the investors in this offering against some civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements
and other information with the SEC. This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement
on Form S-3 filed by us with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As permitted by
the SEC, this prospectus supplement does not contain all the information in the registration
statement filed with the SEC. For a more complete understanding of this offering, you should refer
to the complete registration statement on Form S-3 that may be obtained from the locations
described below. You may read and copy the registration statement and any other documents we have
filed at the Securities and Exchange Commissions Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E.
Washington DC 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the Public Reference Room. Our Securities and Exchange Commission filings
are also available to the public at the Securities and Exchange Commissions Internet site at
www.sec.gov.
This prospectus supplement is part of the registration statement and does not contain all of
the information included in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this
prospectus supplement to any of our contracts or other documents, the reference may not be complete
and, for a copy of the contract or document, you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of
the registration statement.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to incorporate by reference into this
prospectus the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information
to you by referring you to those documents. Later information filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission will update and supersede this information.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, all filings filed by us pursuant to
the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus
forms a part prior to effectiveness of such registration statement, and any future filings we make
with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior
to the time that all securities covered by this prospectus supplement have been sold; provided,
however, that we are not incorporating any information furnished under either Item 2.02 or Item
7.01 of any current report on Form 8-K:
|
§ |
|
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. |
|
|
§ |
|
Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. |
|
|
§ |
|
Our Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed May 14, 2009. |
S-6
|
§ |
|
Our Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 12, 2009; January 29, 2009; February
27, 2009; March 12, 2009; March 25, 2009; March 27, 2009; April 1, 2009; April 2, 2009;
April 6, 2009; April 10, 2009; April 13, 2009; April 28, 2009; April 29, 2009; May 4,
2009; May 13, 2009; and May 20, 2009. |
|
|
§ |
|
The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form
8-A filed on May 30, 2007, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating that description. |
S-7
An updated description of our capital stock is included in this prospectus under Description
of Common Stock Description of Preferred Stock, and Description of Warrants.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by contacting us at:
Converted Organics Inc.
Attn: Corporate Secretary
7A Commercial Wharf West
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 624-0111
S-8
PROSPECTUS
$12,500,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
We may offer, from time to time, in one or more series:
|
|
|
shares of common stock; |
|
|
|
|
shares of preferred stock |
|
|
|
|
secured or unsecured senior debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
unsecured subordinated debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
warrants; and |
|
|
|
|
units. |
The securities:
|
|
|
will have a maximum aggregate offering price of $12,500,000; |
|
|
|
|
will be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more accompanying prospectus
supplements; |
|
|
|
|
may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in other currencies or currency units; |
|
|
|
|
may be offered separately or together, or in separate series; and |
|
|
|
|
may be listed on a national securities exchange, if specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. |
Our common stock and Class B warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols
COIN and COINZ. On April 20, 2009, the closing sale prices of our common stock and Class B
warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market were $0.83 per share and $0.26 per Class B warrant.
As of April 20, 2009, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by
non-affiliates was approximately $9,121,142, based on 14,017,372 shares of outstanding common
stock, of which 11,693,772 shares were held by non-affiliates, and a per share price of $0.78 based
on the closing sale price of our common stock on that date. We have not offered any securities
during the period of 12 calendar months immediately prior to, and including, the date of this
prospectus pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3.
Investing
in our securities involves risks. See Risk Factors
beginning on page P-3.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is May 19, 2009.
P-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS |
|
|
3 |
|
RISK FACTORS |
|
|
3 |
|
CORPORATE INFORMATION |
|
|
3 |
|
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS |
|
|
3 |
|
USE OF PROCEEDS |
|
|
3 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK |
|
|
4 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK |
|
|
5 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES |
|
|
6 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS |
|
|
12 |
|
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
|
|
15 |
|
LEGAL MATTERS |
|
|
18 |
|
EXPERTS |
|
|
18 |
|
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
|
|
18 |
|
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE |
|
|
18 |
|
P-2
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration
process, we may offer from time to time, in one or more offerings, securities having an aggregate
initial offering price of up to $12,500,000. Each time we offer securities, we will provide you
with a prospectus supplement that describes the specific amounts, prices and terms of the
securities we offer. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained
in this prospectus. You should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement
together with additional information described below under the caption Where You Can Find More
Information.
This prospectus does not contain all the information provided in the registration
statement we filed with the SEC. For further information about us or our securities offered hereby,
you should refer to that registration statement, which you can obtain from the SEC as described
below under the heading Where You Can Find More Information.
RISK FACTORS
Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described
under Risk Factors in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our most recent Annual Report
on Form 10-K, and in our updates to those Risk Factors in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by
reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your
particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. Our business, financial condition or
results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading
price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of
your investment.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Our principal executive offices are located at 7A Commercial Wharf West, Boston, MA
02110, and our telephone number is (617) 624-0111. Our web site address is convertedorganics.com .
Information on our web site is not part of this prospectus.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents
we incorporate by reference contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal
securities laws. You should not rely on forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any
prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference. Forward-looking statements
typically are identified by use of terms such as anticipate, believe, plan, expect,
future, intend, may, will, should, estimate, predict, potential, continue, and
similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. This prospectus,
any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference may also contain
forward-looking statements attributed to third parties relating to their estimates regarding the
growth of our markets. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risk and
uncertainties, and there are many important risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause
our actual results, as well as those of the markets we serve, levels of activity, performance,
achievements and prospects to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in
this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference.
You should also consider carefully the statements under Risk Factors and other section
of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference, which
address additional facts that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to place significant reliance on the
forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the
documents we incorporate by reference. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or
otherwise.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds
from the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which
may include reducing our outstanding indebtedness, increasing our working capital or financing
acquisitions and capital expenditures. When a particular series of securities is offered, the
prospectus supplement relating to that offering will set forth our intended use of the net proceeds
received from the sale of those securities.
P-3
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
We are authorized to issue 40,000,000 shares of common stock. As of April 20, 2009, there
were outstanding:
|
|
|
14,017,372 shares of common stock outstanding; |
|
|
|
|
1,246,735 shares issuable upon the exercise of options issued pursuant to our current stock option plans; |
|
|
|
|
9,809,119 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants; and |
|
|
|
|
276,932 shares issuable upon the exercise of options available for future grant under our stock option
plans. |
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any preferred stock outstanding at the
time, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of legally available
assets at such times and in such amounts as our Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders. Cumulative voting for the election of directors is not
authorized.
Our common stock is not subject to conversion or redemption and holders of our common
stock are not entitled to preemptive rights. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our
company, the remaining assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, after payment of
claims or creditors and payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on outstanding preferred stock,
are distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock and any participating preferred
stock outstanding at that time. Each outstanding share of common stock is fully paid and
nonassessable.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain a number of provisions that could
make our acquisition by means of a tender or exchange offer, a proxy contest or otherwise more
difficult. These provisions are summarized below.
Staggered Board . Staggered terms tend to protect against sudden changes in management
and may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control without
further action by our stockholders. Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with one
class of directors elected at each years annual stockholder meeting.
Special Meetings . Our Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders can be
called by the President, at the request of a majority of the Board of Directors or at the written
request of holders of at least 50% of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote.
Undesignated Preferred Stock . The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock
makes it possible for our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights
or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to acquire us. The ability to issue
preferred stock may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control
or management of our Company.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute . We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law regulating corporate takeovers. In general, Section 203 prohibits
a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging under certain circumstances in a business
combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date the
person became an interested stockholder unless:
|
|
|
Prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the
corporation approved either the business combination or the
transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder. |
|
|
|
|
Upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder
becoming an interested stockholder, the stockholder owned at least 85%
of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the
transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the
number of shares outstanding (1) shares owned by persons who are
directors and also officers and (2) shares owned by employee stock
plans in which employee participants do not have the right to
determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will
be tendered in a tender or exchange offer. |
|
|
|
|
On or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business
combination is approved by the board and authorized at an annual or
special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the
affirmative
vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other
transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested
stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years
prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own 15% or more of a corporations
P-4
outstanding voting securities. We expect the existence of this provision to have an anti-takeover
effect with respect to transactions our Board of Directors does not approve in advance. We also
anticipate that Section 203 may also discourage attempted acquisitions that might result in a
premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.
The provisions of Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws could
have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence,
they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often
result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect
of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more
difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best
interests..
Limitation of Director Liability
The Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the
personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of the directors fiduciary duty of care. Although the law does not change the directors
duty of care, it enables corporations to limit available relief in most cases to equitable remedies
such as an injunction. Our certificate of incorporation limits the liability of directors to us or
our stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Specifically, our directors
will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of a
directors fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:
|
|
|
for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; |
|
|
|
|
for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct
or a knowing violation of law; |
|
|
|
|
for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions
as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL; or |
|
|
|
|
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Indemnification
To the maximum extent permitted by law, our bylaws provide for mandatory indemnification
of directors and permit indemnification of our employees and agents against all expense, liability
and loss to which they may become subject or which they may incur as a result of being or having
been our director, officer, employee or agent. In addition, we must advance or reimburse directors
and officers, and may advance or reimburse employees and agents, for expenses incurred by them as a
result of indemnifiable claims.
Transfer Agent, Warrant Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock and warrant agent for the public
warrants is Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary,
Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.
Listing
Our common stock and Class B warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the
Boston Stock Exchange.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
We are authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
Our Board of Directors has the authority, without action by our stockholders, to
designate and issue preferred stock in one or more series. Our Board of Directors may also
designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each series of preferred stock, any or all of
which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual
effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock on the rights of holders of the common
stock until our Board of Directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred
stock. However, these effects might include: (a) restricting dividends on the common stock;
(b) diluting the voting power of the common stock; (c) impairing the liquidation rights of the
common stock; and (d) delaying or preventing a change in control of our company without further
action by our stockholders.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have not authorized any classes of preferred stock.
P-5
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description sets forth some general terms and provisions of the debt
securities we may offer, but is not complete. The particular terms of the debt securities offered,
and the extent to which the general provisions may or may not apply to the debt securities so
offered, will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular debt securities.
Except as permitted by applicable law, any indentures will be qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. Any senior debt securities will be issued under a senior
indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee named in the senior indenture. Any
subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture to be entered into
between us and the trustee named in the subordinated indenture.
The following summaries of some material provisions of the senior debt securities, the
subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by
reference to, all the provisions of the indenture (as supplemented) applicable to a particular
series of debt securities, including the definitions therein of some terms. As such the following
provisions may be amended or modified by the terms of such indenture. If we so indicate in the
prospectus supplement, the terms of any debt securities offered under that prospectus supplement
may differ from the terms described below. In addition, to the extent an indenture is not required
pursuant to applicable law, the following provisions may be modified in the instruments comprising
the debt securities.
General
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our
direct unsecured obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any of our other
senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in
right of payment to any senior indebtedness.
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the indentures do not limit the
aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may issue and provide that we may issue debt
securities from time to time at par or at a discount, and in the case of the new indentures, if
any, in one or more series, with the same or various maturities. Unless indicated in a prospectus
supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of
the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such
additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series,
will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable indenture.
Each prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to the specific series of
debt securities being offered. These terms will include some or all of the following:
|
|
|
the title of debt securities and whether they are subordinated debt securities or senior debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
the ability to issue additional debt securities of the same series; |
|
|
|
|
the price or prices at which we will sell the debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
whether the debt securities of the series will be guaranteed and the terms of any such guarantee; |
|
|
|
|
the maturity date or dates of the debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
the rate or rates of interest, if any, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will
bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates, if any; |
|
|
|
|
the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be
determined; |
|
|
|
|
the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of any such deferral period,
including the maximum consecutive period during which interest payment periods may be extended; |
|
|
|
|
whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the debt securities
may be determined with reference to any index, formula or other method, such as one or more currencies,
commodities, equity indices or other indices, and the manner of determining the amount of such payments; |
|
|
|
|
the dates on which we will pay interest on the debt securities and the regular record date for
determining who is entitled to the interest payable on any interest payment date; |
P-6
|
|
|
the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities
will be payable, where any securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or
conversion, as applicable, and notices and demands may be delivered to or upon us pursuant to the
indenture; |
|
|
|
|
if we possess the option to do so, the periods within which and the prices at which we may redeem the
debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to optional redemption provisions, and the other terms
and conditions of any such provisions; |
|
|
|
|
our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities by making periodic payments to a
sinking fund or through an analogous provision or at the option of holders of the debt securities, and
the period or periods within which and the price or prices at which we will redeem, repay or purchase
the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and the other terms and
conditions of such obligation; |
|
|
|
|
the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000; |
|
|
|
|
the portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the principal amount of the debt securities which
we must pay upon the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities in connection with an event of
default (as described below), if other than the full principal amount; |
|
|
|
|
the currency, currencies or currency unit in which we will pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or
interest, if any, on the debt securities, if not United States dollars; |
|
|
|
|
any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default or our covenants with respect
to the applicable series of debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
any limitation on our ability to incur debt, redeem shares, sell our assets or other restrictions; |
|
|
|
|
the application, if any, of the terms of the indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance
(which terms are described below) to the debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
whether the subordination provisions summarized below or different subordination provisions will apply
to the debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
the terms, if any, upon which the holders may convert or exchange the debt securities into or for our
common stock, preferred stock or other securities or property; |
|
|
|
|
whether any of the debt securities will be issued in global form and, if so, the terms and conditions
upon which global debt securities may be exchanged for certificated debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of debt securities to declare the
principal amount thereof due and payable because of an event of default; |
|
|
|
|
the depository for global or certificated debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
any special tax implications of the debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars, or other agents with
respect to the debt securities; and |
|
|
|
|
any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the indentures, as
amended or supplemented. |
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities
will not be listed on any securities exchange. Debt securities may be sold at a substantial
discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at
the time of issuance is below market rates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the
federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such debt securities.
Guarantees
Debt securities may be guaranteed by our subsidiaries if so provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement. The
P-7
prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any guarantees, including, among other things, the
method for determining the identity of the guarantors and the conditions under which guarantees
will be added or released. Any guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the guarantors.
The obligations of each guarantor under its guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that
guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.
Subordination
The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities will
describe the specific subordination provisions, if any. However, unless otherwise noted in the
prospectus supplement, subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of
payment to any existing indebtedness. Unless otherwise noted in the prospectus supplement, the
subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of subordinated debt securities which we may
issue, nor will it limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
Unless otherwise noted in an accompanying prospectus supplement, if we default in the
payment of any principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any senior indebtedness when it
becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or
otherwise, then, unless and until such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, we will make
no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) in respect
of the principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities.
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the
holders of all senior debt securities outstanding at the time of such acceleration, subject to any
security interest, will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the
senior debt securities before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to
receive any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the subordinated debt
securities.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus, if any series of subordinated
debt securities is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries, then the guarantee will be
subordinated to the senior indebtedness of such guarantor to the same extent as the subordinated
debt securities are subordinated to the senior indebtedness.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale; No Protection in Event of a Change of Control or Highly Leveraged Transaction
The indenture does not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge,
consolidate, sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets
so long as no default or event of default under the indenture shall have occurred or be continuing
immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such a transaction. Any successor to or
acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt
securities, as appropriate.
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities
will not contain any provisions providing for a put or increased interest or otherwise that may
afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change of control or in the
event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change of
control), which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
Event of default means, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the
following:
|
|
|
default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that
series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that
default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the
payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent
prior to the expiration of the 30-day period); |
|
|
|
|
default in the payment of principal of or premium on any debt security of
that series when due and payable; |
|
|
|
|
default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us
in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in
the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other
than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 90 days
after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee
receive written notice from the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as
provided in the indenture; |
|
|
|
|
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company; and |
|
|
|
|
any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that
series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to
certain events of bankruptcy,
P-8
insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other
series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default
under our bank credit agreements in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of
certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default
under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.
If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time
outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing
to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the
principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the
principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of, and accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default
resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such
specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities
will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of
the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of
acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or
decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the
acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and
interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as
provided in the indenture. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt
securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a
portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of
default.
The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of
its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt
securities, unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or
expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust
or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.
No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any
proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a
receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
|
|
|
that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a
continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that
series; and |
|
|
|
|
the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request,
and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute the
proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request
and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and
unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, that
debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for
the enforcement of payment.
If any securities are outstanding under the indenture, the indenture requires us, within
120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance
with the indenture. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of
debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt
securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith
determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
We may choose to either discharge our obligations on the debt securities of any series in
a legal defeasance, or to release ourselves from our covenant restrictions on the debt securities
of any series in a covenant defeasance. We may do so at any time after we deposit with the trustee
sufficient cash or government securities to pay the principal, interest, any premium and any other
sums due to the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the debt securities of the series. If
we choose the legal defeasance option, the holders of the debt securities of the series will not be
entitled to the benefits of the indenture except for registration of transfer and exchange of debt
securities, replacement of lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated debt securities, conversion or
exchange of debt securities, sinking fund payments and receipt of principal and interest on the
original stated due dates or specified redemption dates.
We may discharge our obligations under the indenture or release ourselves from covenant
restrictions only if, in addition
P-9
to making the deposit with the trustee, we meet some specific requirements. Among other things:
|
|
|
we must deliver an opinion of our legal counsel that the discharge will not result
in holders having to recognize taxable income or loss or subject them to different
tax treatment. In the case of legal defeasance, this opinion must be based on
either an IRS letter ruling or change in federal tax law; |
|
|
|
|
we may not have a default on the debt securities discharged on the date of deposit; |
|
|
|
|
the discharge may not violate any of our agreements; and |
|
|
|
|
the discharge may not result in our becoming an investment company in violation of
the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
Modification and Waiver
Under the indenture, unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, we may
modify and amend the indentures with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or
amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of
each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:
|
|
|
reduce the principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an
amendment, supplement or waiver; |
|
|
|
|
reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or, except
as provided in any prospectus supplement, alter or waive any of the provisions with
respect to the redemption of the debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default
interest, on any debt security; |
|
|
|
|
waive a default or event of default in the payment of principal of or interest or
premium, if any, on, the debt securities (except a rescission of acceleration of the
debt securities by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the then outstanding debt securities and a waiver of the payment default that
resulted from such acceleration); |
|
|
|
|
make any debt security payable in money other than that stated in the debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
make any change in the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to waivers of
past defaults or the rights of holders of the debt securities to receive payments of
principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the debt securities; |
|
|
|
|
waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security; or |
|
|
|
|
make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions. |
The indenture permits the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of any series issued under the indenture which is affected by the
modification or amendment to waive our compliance with certain covenants contained in the
indentures.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a
debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name a debt security
is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest and
premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying
agent or paying agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, at our option, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the
person entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent designated
by us will act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. All
paying agents initially designated by us for the debt securities of a particular series will be
named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate
P-10
additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the
office through which any paying agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a paying
agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of the principal, interest or premium
on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, interest
or premium has become due and payable will be repaid to us upon request, and the holder of such
debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Denominations, Registrations and Transfer
Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities will be
represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of a nominee for The
Depository Trust Company, or DTC. In such case, each holders beneficial interest in the global
securities will be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial interests will only be
effected through DTCs records.
A holder of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial interest in a global security for
certificated securities registered in the holders name if:
|
|
|
we deliver to the trustee notice from DTC that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as
depository or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either
case, a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 120 days after the date of such notice from
DTC; |
|
|
|
|
we in our sole discretion determine that the debt securities (in whole but not in part) should be
exchanged for definitive debt securities and deliver a written notice to such effect to the trustee;
or |
|
|
|
|
there has occurred and is continuing a default or event of default with respect to the debt securities. |
If debt securities are issued in certificated form, they will only be issued in the minimum
denomination specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of such
denomination. Transfers and exchanges of such debt securities will only be permitted in such
minimum denomination. Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be registered at the
trustees corporate office or at the offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by us under
the indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an equal aggregate principal amount of debt
securities in different denominations may also be made at such locations.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
The prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt
securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, preferred stock or other
debt securities. These terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is
mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. These provisions may allow or require the
number of shares of our common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of such
series of debt securities to be adjusted.
Governing Law
The indenture and debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
Trustee
The trustee or trustees under the indenture will be named in any applicable prospectus
supplement.
P-11
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any
applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants
that we may offer under this prospectus and the related warrant agreements and warrant
certificates. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may
offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the
applicable prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any
warrants offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
Specific warrant agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be
incorporated by reference to the registration statement which includes this prospectus.
General
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, units or debt
securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common
stock, preferred stock, units or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate
from these securities.
We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we may issue under a
separate agreement. We may enter into the warrant agreement with a warrant agent. We will indicate
the name and address of any such warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to
a particular series of warrants.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants,
including:
|
|
|
the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered; |
|
|
|
|
the currency for which the warrants may be purchased, if not United States dollars; |
|
|
|
|
if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued
and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such
security; |
|
|
|
|
if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be
separately transferable; |
|
|
|
|
in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities
purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency, if not United States
dollars, in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such
exercise; |
|
|
|
|
in the case of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or units, the number of
shares of common stock, preferred stock or units purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant
and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise; |
|
|
|
|
the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the
warrant agreement and the warrants; |
|
|
|
|
the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants; |
|
|
|
|
any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities
issuable upon exercise of the warrants; |
|
|
|
|
the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire; |
|
|
|
|
the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified; |
|
|
|
|
the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and |
|
|
|
|
any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants. |
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of
holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:
P-12
|
|
|
in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to
receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on,
the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants
in the applicable indenture; or |
|
|
|
|
in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock,
the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights,
if any. |
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the
applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders
of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the
expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of
business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate
representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the
required amount to the company or warrant agent, as applicable, in immediately available funds, as
provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the
warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of
the warrant will be required to deliver to the company or warrant agent, as applicable,.
Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly
executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the
applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such
exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised,
then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so
indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities
as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Any warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will
not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A
single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A
warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable
warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at
law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent
of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal
action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its
warrants.
If a warrant holder exercises only part of the warrants represented by a single certificate,
the warrant agent will issue a new warrant certificate for any warrants not exercised. Unless the
prospectus supplement states otherwise, no fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of
warrants, but we will pay the cash value of any fractional shares otherwise issuable.
The exercise price and the number of shares of common stock for which each warrant can be
exercised will be adjusted upon the occurrence of events described in the warrant agreement,
including the issuance of a common stock dividend or a combination, subdivision or reclassification
of common stock.
Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, no adjustment will be required until
cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in the exercise price. From time to
time, we may reduce the exercise price as may be provided in the warrant agreement.
Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, if we enter into any consolidation, merger,
or sale or conveyance of our property as an entirety, the holder of each outstanding warrant will
have the right to acquire the kind and amount of shares, other securities, property or cash
receivable by a holder of the number of shares of common stock into which the warrants were
exercisable immediately prior to the occurrence of the event.
Modification of the Warrant Agreement
The warrant agreements may permit us and the warrant agent, if any, without the consent of the
warrant holders, to supplement or amend the agreement in the following circumstances:
P-13
|
|
|
to cure any ambiguity; |
|
|
|
|
to correct or supplement any provision which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provisions; or |
|
|
|
|
to add new provisions regarding matters or questions that we and the
warrant agent may deem necessary or desirable and which do not
adversely affect the interests of the warrant holders. |
Class B Warrants
General. We have outstanding 6,645,745 Class B warrants. The Class B warrants may be exercised
until the expiration date, which is February 13, 2012. Each Class B warrant entitles the holder to
purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.00 per share. In addition, the
warrant provides for anti-dilution protection in connection with our issuance of any stock
dividends, which we have declared since the issuance of the warrants. Accordingly, holders of the
Class B warrants may currently purchase 1.4677 shares of common stock for each warrant exercised.
The warrant exercise price will be adjusted if specific events, summarized below, occur. A holder
of warrants will not be deemed a holder of the underlying stock for any purpose until the warrant
is exercised. If at their expiration date the Class B warrants are not currently exercisable, the
expiration date will be extended for 30 days following notice to the holders of the warrants that
the warrants are again exercisable. If we cannot honor the exercise of Class B warrants and the
securities underlying the warrants are listed on a securities exchange or if there are three
independent market makers for the underlying securities, we may, but are not required to, settle
the warrants for a price equal to the difference between the closing price of the underlying
securities and the exercise price of the warrants. Because we are not required to settle the
warrants by payment of cash, and because there is a possibility that warrant holders will not be
able to exercise the warrants when they are in-the -money or otherwise, there is a risk that the
warrants will never be settled in shares or payment of cash. This may have an adverse effect on the
demand for the warrants and the prices that can be obtained from reselling them.
No Redemption. The Class B warrants are non-redeemable.
Exercise. The holders of the Class B warrants may exercise them only if an appropriate
registration statement is then in effect. To exercise a Class B warrant, the holder must deliver to
our transfer agent the warrant certificate on or before the expiration date or the redemption date,
as applicable, with the form on the reverse side of the certificate executed as indicated,
accompanied by payment of the full exercise price for the number of warrants being exercised.
Fractional shares of common stock will not be issued upon exercise of the warrants.
Adjustments in Certain Events. We will make adjustments to the terms of the Class B warrants
if certain events occur. If we distribute to our stockholders additional shares of common stock
through a dividend or distribution, or if we effect a stock split of our common stock, we will
adjust the total number of shares of common stock purchasable on exercise of a Class B warrant so
that the holder of a Class B warrant thereafter exercised will be entitled to receive the number of
shares of common stock the holder would have owned or received after such event if the Class B
warrant holder had exercised the Class B warrant before the event causing the adjustment. The
aggregate exercise price of the Class B warrant will remain the same in that circumstance, but the
effective purchase price per share of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the Class B warrant
will be proportionately reduced because a greater number of common stock shares will then be
purchasable upon exercise of the adjusted Class B warrant. We will make equivalent changes in the
Class B warrants if we effect a reverse stock split.
In the event of a capital reorganization or reclassification of our common stock, the Class B
warrants will be adjusted so that thereafter each Class B warrant holder will be entitled to
receive upon exercise the same number and kind of securities that such holder would have received
if the Class B warrant had been exercised before the capital reorganization or reclassification of
our common stock and the securities received on such exercise had been held through the record date
of the reorganization or recapitalization.
If we merge or consolidate with another corporation, or if we sell our assets as an entirety
or substantially as an entirety to another corporation, we will make provisions so that Class B
warrant holders will be entitled to receive upon exercise of a Class B warrant the kind and number
of securities, cash or other property that would have been received as a result of the transaction
by a person who was our stockholder immediately before the transaction and who owned the same
number of shares of common stock for which the Class B warrant was exercisable immediately before
the transaction. No adjustment to the Class B warrants will be made, however, if a merger or
consolidation does not result in any reclassification or change in our outstanding common stock.
Underwriters Warrants
In connection with our initial public offering, we issued to the underwriter warrants to
purchase 131,219 units, consisting
P-14
of 131,219 shares of our common stock, 131,219 Class A warrants and 131,219 Class B warrants. The
underwriters warrants will be exercisable for units at any time beginning February 13, 2008 until
February 13, 2012. However, neither the underwriters warrants nor the underlying securities may be
sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale,
derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the
securities by any person, except to any member participating in the offering and the officers or
partners thereof, and only if all securities so transferred remain subject to the one-year lock-up
restriction for the remainder of the lock-up period. If we cannot honor the exercise of the
underwriters warrants and the securities underlying the warrants are listed on a securities
exchange or if there are three independent market makers for the underlying securities, we may, but
are not required to, settle the underwriters warrants for a price equal to the difference between
the closing price of the underlying securities and the exercise price of the warrants. Because we
are not required to settle the representatives warrants by payment of cash, it is possible that
the underwriters warrants will never be settled in shares or payment of cash.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or
more warrants, debt securities, shares of common or preferred stock, or any combination of such
securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:
|
|
|
the terms of the units and of the warrants, debt securities, common stock and preferred stock
comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising
the units may be traded separately; |
|
|
|
|
a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and |
|
|
|
|
a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange or the units. |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 and so long as such instruction is
applicable to us, we are permitted to use the registration statement of which this prospectus forms
a part to sell a maximum amount of securities equal to one-third of the aggregate market value of
our outstanding, publicly held voting and non-voting common equity in any 12 month period. We may,
from time to time, offer and sell the securities registered hereby up to this maximum amount.
We may sell the securities described in this prospectus through underwriters or dealers,
through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers or through a combination of these methods.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offering of the securities,
including:
|
|
|
the name or names of any underwriters, if any, and if required, any dealers or agents; |
|
|
|
|
the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; |
|
|
|
|
any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters compensation; |
|
|
|
|
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
|
|
|
|
any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. |
We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at:
|
|
|
a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
|
|
|
|
market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
|
|
|
|
varying prices determined at the time of sale related to such prevailing market prices; or |
|
|
|
|
negotiated prices. |
Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities
offered by the prospectus supplement.
If we use underwriters in the sale, they may acquire the securities for their own account and
may resell the securities from
P-15
time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices
determined at the time of sale. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting
syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Any public
offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change
from time to time.
If we use a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered pursuant to this
prospectus or any prospectus supplement, we may sell the securities to the dealer, as principal.
The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the
dealer at the time of resale.
We may sell the securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We
will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any
commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement.
We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by institutional investors to
purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement
pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in
the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for
solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.
In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may
receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents in
the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or
through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions
or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as
agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities,
and any institutional investors or others that purchase securities directly and then resell the
securities, may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them
from us and any profit on the resale of the securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
Market Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
Our common stock and Class B warrants are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Any common
stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be eligible for listing and trading on the
NASDAQ Capital Market, subject to official notice of issuance. Unless the applicable prospectus
supplement states otherwise, each series of warrants will be a new issue and will have no
established trading market. The applicable prospectus supplement will indicate if we elect to list
a series of warrants on an exchange. Any underwriters that we use in the sale of securities may
make a market in such securities, but may discontinue such market making at any time without
notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the securities will have a liquid trading market.
Any underwriter also may engage in stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering
transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the
open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the
distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.
Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate
member when the security originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a syndicate
covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate
covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the security to be higher than it
would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these
transactions, discontinue them at any time.
The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the
securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such
transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. We make no representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above, if
implemented, may have on the price of our securities.
Derivative Transactions and Hedging
We, the underwriters or other agents may engage in derivative transactions involving the
securities. These derivatives may consist of short sale transactions and other hedging activities.
The underwriters or agents may acquire a long or short position in the securities, hold or resell
the securities acquired and purchase options or futures on the securities and other derivative
instruments with returns linked to or related to changes in the price of the securities. In order
to facilitate these derivative transactions, we may enter into security lending or repurchase
agreements with the underwriters or agents. The underwriters or agents may effect the derivative
transactions through sales of the securities to the public, including short sales, or by lending
the securities in order to facilitate short sale transactions by others. The underwriters or agents
may also use the securities purchased or borrowed from us or others (or, in the case of
derivatives, securities received from us in settlement of
P-16
those derivatives) to directly or indirectly settle sales of the securities or close out any
related open borrowings of the securities.
Electronic Auctions
We may also make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since we
may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the
involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of electronic
bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such securities, you will want to pay
particular attention to the description of that system we will provide in a prospectus supplement.
Such electronic system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic
access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance
by us, and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which such security
is sold. These bidding or ordering systems may present to each bidder, on a so-called real-time
basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the
offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidders individual bids would
be accepted, prorated or rejected. Of course, many pricing methods can and may also be used.
P-17
Upon completion of such an electronic auction process, securities will be allocated based
on prices bid, terms of bid or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be
sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the
results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.
General Information
We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against particular civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to
payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to such liabilities. Agents and
underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of
business. We will describe in the prospectus supplement the nature of any such relationship and the
name of the parties involved.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered will be passed upon for us by Cozen OConnor,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited
by CCR LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to the extent and for the periods set
forth in their reports incorporated herein by reference, and are included in reliance upon such
reports given upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in connection with this offering. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy
the registration statement and any other documents we have filed at the Securities and Exchange
Commissions Public Reference Room 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the
Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public
Reference Room. Our Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also available to the public at
the Securities and Exchange Commissions Internet site at www.sec.gov.
This prospectus is part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the
information included in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus
to any of our contracts or other documents, the reference may not be complete and, for a copy of
the contract or document, you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration
statement.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to incorporate by reference into this
prospectus the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information
to you by referring you to those documents. Later information filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission will update and supersede this information.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, all filings filed by us pursuant
to the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus
forms a part prior to effectiveness of such registration statement, and any future filings we make
with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior
to the time that all securities covered by this prospectus have been sold; provided, however, that
we are not incorporating any information furnished under either Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any
current report on Form 8-K:
|
§ |
|
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. |
|
|
§ |
|
Our Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 12, 2009; January 29, 2009; February
27, 2009; March 12, 2009; March 25, 2009; March 27, 2009; April 1, 2009; April 2, 2009;
April 6, 2009; April 10, 2009; April 13, 2009; April 28, 2009; April 29, 2009; May 4,
2009; and May 13, 2009. |
|
|
§ |
|
The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form
8-A filed on May 30, 2007, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating that description. |
P-18
An updated description of our capital stock is included in this prospectus under
Description of Common Stock Description of Preferred Stock, and Description of Warrants.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by contacting us at:
Converted Organics Inc.
Attn: Corporate Secretary
7A Commercial Wharf West
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 624-0111
P-19
CONVERTED ORGANICS INC.
$12,500,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
PROSPECTUS
May 19, 2009
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. No dealer, salesperson or
other person is authorized to give information that is not contained in this prospectus. This
prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it seeking an offer to buy these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus
is correct only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of the delivery of this
prospectus or the sale of these securities.