Exhibit 10.1

 

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

 

THIS EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of August 7, 2017, is made by and between Marathon Patent Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and the holder of the Note (as defined below) signatory hereto (the “Holder”).

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated as of October 16, 2014, by and between Weintraub Capital Management, Inc. (the “Former Holder”) and the Company, the Former Holder, among things, purchased from the Company a promissory note in the principal amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) (the “Note”);

 

WHEREAS, on August 4, 2017, the Holder purchased the Note from the Former Holder pursuant to the terms of a purchase agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has authorized a new series of convertible preferred stock designated as Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value, the terms of which are set forth in the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (together with any convertible preferred shares issued in replacement thereof in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Preferred Stock”), which Preferred Stock shall be convertible (the “Conversion Shares”) into the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designations

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Company desires to exchange with the Holder, and the Holder desires to exchange with the Company, the Note for Preferred Stock.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Holder agree as follows:

 

1.                                  Terms of the Exchange. The Company and Holder agree that the Holder will exchange the Note, and will relinquish any and all other rights he may have under the Note in exchange for 502,750 shares of the Preferred Stock (the “Exchange Shares”).

 

2.                                  Closing. Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein, a closing shall occur at the principal offices of the Company, or such other location as the parties shall mutually agree. At closing, Holder shall deliver the Note to the Company and the Company shall deliver to such Holder a certificate representing the Exchange Shares, in the name(s) and amount(s) as requested by the Holder.

 

3.                               Further Assurances

 

Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

4.                                  Representations and Warranties of the Holder. The Holder represents and warrants, as of the date hereof and as of the closing, to the Company as  follows:

 



 

a.                                      Authorization; Enforcement. The Holder has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by  the Holder and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Holder and no further action is required by the Holder. This Agreement has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Holder and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Holder enforceable against the Holder in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.

 

b.                                         Tax Advisors. The Holder has reviewed with its own tax advisors the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. With respect to such matters, the Holder relies solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents, written or oral. The Holder understands that it (and not the Company) shall be responsible for its own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

c.                                          Information Regarding Holder. Holder is an “accredited investor”, as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act, is experienced in investments and business matters, has made investments of a speculative nature and has purchased securities of companies in private placements in the past and, with its representatives, has such knowledge and experience in financial, tax and other business matters as to enable the Holder to utilize the information made available by the Company to evaluate the merits and risks of and to make an informed investment decision with respect to the proposed purchase, which represents a speculative investment. Holder has the authority and is duly and legally qualified to purchase and own the Exchange Shares. Holder is able to bear the risk of such investment for an indefinite period and to afford a complete loss thereof.

 

d.                                           Legend. The Holder understands that Exchange Shares have been issued (or will be issued in the case of the Conversion Shares) pursuant to an exemption from registration or qualification under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, and except as set forth below, the Exchange Shares shall bear any legend as required by the “blue sky” laws of any state and a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and a stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of such stock certificates):

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE HOLDER (IF REQUESTED BY THE COMPANY), IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE  TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD OR ELIGIBLE TO BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.

 



 

e.                                       Removal of Legends. Certificates evidencing the Exchange Shares shall not be required to contain the legend set forth in Section 4(d) above or any other legend (i) while a registration statement covering the resale of such Exchange Shares is effective under the Securities Act, (ii) following any sale of such Exchange Shares pursuant to Rule 144 (as defined herein) (assuming the transferor is not an affiliate of the Company), (iii) if such Exchange Shares are eligible to be sold, assigned or transferred under Rule 144 and the subscriber is not an affiliate of the Company (provided that the Holder provides the Company with reasonable assurances that such Exchange Shares are eligible for sale, assignment or transfer under Rule 144 which shall not include an opinion of the Holder’s counsel), (iv) in connection with a sale, assignment or other transfer (other than under Rule 144), provided that the Holder provides the Company with an opinion of counsel to the Holder, in a generally acceptable form, to the effect that such sale, assignment  or transfer of the Exchange Shares may be made without registration under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or (v) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, controlling judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the Commission).  If a legend is not required pursuant to the foregoing, the Company shall no later than three (3) business days following the delivery by the Holder to the Company or the transfer agent (with notice to the Company) of a legended certificate representing such Exchange Shares (endorsed or with stock powers attached, signatures guaranteed, and otherwise in form necessary to affect the reissuance and/or transfer,  if applicable), together with any other deliveries from the Holder as may be  required above in this  Section 4(e), as directed by the Holder, either: (A) provided that the Company’s transfer agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program and such securities are Conversion Shares, credit the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system or (B) if the Company’s transfer agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, issue and deliver (via reputable overnight courier) to the Holder, a certificate representing such Exchange Shares that is free from all restrictive and other legends, registered in the name of  the Holder or its designee. The Company shall be responsible for any transfer agent fees or DTC fees with respect to any issuance of Exchange Shares and the removal of any legends with respect to any Exchange Shares in accordance herewith, including, but not limited to, fees for the opinions of counsel rendered to the transfer agent in connection with the removal of any legends.

 

f.                                        Restricted Securities. The Holder understands that: (i) the Exchange Shares have not been and are not being registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) subsequently registered thereunder, (B) the Holder shall have delivered to the Company (if requested by the Company) an opinion of counsel to the Holder, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, to the effect that such Exchange Shares to be sold, assigned or transferred may be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to an exemption from such registration, or (C) the Holder provides the Company with reasonable assurance that such Exchange Shares can be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act (or a successor rule thereto) (collectively, “Rule 144”); and (ii) any sale of the Exchange Shares made in reliance on Rule 144 may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144, and further, if Rule 144 is not applicable, any resale of the Exchange Shares under circumstances in which the seller (or the Person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in the Securities Act) may require compliance with some other exemption under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

5.                                         Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Holder:

 

a.                                      Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other agreements entered into by the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, the “Exchange Documents”) and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all

 



 

necessary action on the part of the Company and the Company’s shareholders, in accordance with the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, if required, no further action is required by the Company or the Board of Directors of the Company in connection therewith. This Agreement has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.

 

b.                                      Organization and Qualification. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”) are entities duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are formed, and have the requisite power and authorization to own their properties and to carry on their business as now being conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign entity to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on (i) the business, properties, assets, liabilities, operations (including results thereof), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company or any Subsidiary, individually or taken as a whole, (ii) the transactions contemplated hereby or in any of the other Exchange Documents or (iii) the authority or ability of the Company to perform any of its obligations under any of the Exchange Documents. Other than its Subsidiaries, there is no Person (as defined below) in which the Company, directly or indirectly, owns capital stock or holds an equity or similar interest.  “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity and any governmental entity or any department or agency thereof.

 

c.                                       No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of the Exchange Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (i) result in a violation of the Articles of Incorporation (as defined below) or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Bylaws (as defined below) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including foreign, federal and state securities laws and regulations and the rules and regulations of principal market in which the Company’s securities are listed (the “Principal Market”) applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected except, in the case of clause (ii) or (iii) above, to the extent such violations that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

d.                                      No Consents. Other than the review without comment of the Listing of Additional Shares Application by The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, which has been satisfied prior to the date hereof, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is required to obtain any consent from, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court, governmental agency or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency or any other Person in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its respective obligations under or contemplated by the Exchange Documents, in each case, in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. All consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Company or any Subsidiary is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence have been obtained or effected on or prior to the date of this Agreement, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is aware of any facts or circumstances which might prevent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from obtaining or effecting any of the registration, application or filings contemplated by the Exchange Documents.

 



 

e.                                       Securities Law Exemptions. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Holder contained herein, the offer and issuance by the Company of the Exchange Shares is exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The Company covenants and represents to the Holder that neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received, anticipates receiving, has any agreement to receive or has been given any promise to receive any consideration from the Holder or any other Person in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Documents.

 

f.                                        Issuance of Exchange Shares. The issuance of the Exchange Shares  is duly authorized and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Documents shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens, charges and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof. Upon issuance or conversion in accordance with the Certificate of Designations, the Conversion Shares, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, taxes, liens, charges and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock.

 

g.                                       Equity Capitalization. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents (as defined below): (i) none of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s capital stock is subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances suffered or permitted by the Company or any  Subsidiary; (ii) there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to issue additional capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) there are no outstanding debt securities, notes, credit agreements, credit facilities or other agreements, documents or instruments evidencing indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound; (iv) there are no financing statements securing obligations in any amounts filed in connection with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (v) there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to register the sale of any of their securities under the Securities Act; (vi)  there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (vii) there are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Exchange Shares; (viii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement; and (ix) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have any liabilities or obligations required to be disclosed in the in the Company’s filings with the Commission  (the “SEC Documents”) which are not so disclosed in the SEC Documents, other than those incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ respective businesses and which, individually or in the aggregate, do not or could not have a Material Adverse Effect. True, correct and complete copies of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof (the “Articles of Incorporation”), and the Company’s bylaws, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof (the “Bylaws”), and the terms of all securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, shares of common stock and the material rights of the holders thereof in respect thereto are incorporated in, or have been disclosed in, the SEC Documents.

 



 

(h) Shell Company Status. The Company is not an issuer identified in Rule 144(i)(1) of the Securities Act. The Company is, and has been for a period of at least 90 days, subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

6.                               Additional Acknowledgements.  The Holder and the Company confirm that the Company has not received any consideration for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder as such Rule 144 may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule 144, the holding period of the Exchange Shares (including the Conversion Shares upon conversion thereof) tacks back to October 16, 2014, the original issuance date of the Note.  The Company agrees not to take a position contrary to this paragraph.

 

7.              Miscellaneous.

 

a.                                      Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

 

b.                                      Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York without regard to the choice of law principles thereof. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the State of New York located in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or therewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, and hereby irrevocably waives any objection that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

c.                                       Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

 

d.                                      Counterparts/Execution. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by an e-mail which contains an electronic file of an executed signature page, such signature page shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or electronic file signature page (as the case may be) were an original thereof.

 

e.                                       Notices. Any notice or communication permitted or required hereunder shall be  in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given if hand-delivered or sent (i) postage prepaid by registered mail, return receipt requested, or (ii) by facsimile, to the respective parties as set forth below, or to such other address as either party may notify the other in writing.

 

If to the Company, to:

Marathon Patent Group, Inc.

 

11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 380

 

Los Angeles, CA 90025

 

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

If to Holder, to the address set forth on the signature page of the Holder.

 



 

f.                                       Expenses. Except as otherwise provided for herein, the  parties  hereto  shall  pay  their  own  costs  and  expenses in connection herewith.

 

g.                                       Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and thereof, superseding all prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral, between or among the parties. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by all parties, or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. Except as expressly stated herein, no delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or future exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

 

h.                                      Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

 

i.                                          Reporting Status. For a period of six (6) months from the date hereof, the Company shall timely file all reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Company shall continue to timely file reports under the Exchange Act even if the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would otherwise no longer require or permit such filings..

 

j.                                         Pledge of Exchange Shares. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Exchange Shares may be pledged by the Holder in connection with a bona fide margin agreement or other loan or financing arrangement that is secured by the Exchange Shares. The pledge of Exchange Shares shall not be deemed to be a transfer, sale or assignment of the Exchange Shares hereunder, and if the Holder effects a pledge of Exchange Shares it shall not be required to provide the Company with any notice thereof or otherwise make any delivery to the Company pursuant to this Agreement. The Company hereby agrees to execute and deliver such documentation as a pledgee of the Exchange Shares may reasonably request in connection with a pledge of the Exchange Shares to such pledgee by the Holder.

 

k.                                      Listing.  The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to promptly secure the listing or designation for quotation (as the case may be) of all of the Conversion Shares upon each national securities exchange and automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation (as the case may be) (subject to official notice of issuance) (but in no event later than the date of this Agreement) and shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain such listing or designation for quotation (as the case may be) of all Conversion Shares from time to time issuable under the terms of this Agreement on such national securities exchange or automated quotation system.  The Company shall maintain the Common Stock’s listing or authorization for quotation (as the case may be) on the Principal Market, The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE MKT, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Global Select Market (each, an “Eligible Market”).  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action which could be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock on an Eligible Market.  The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligations under this Section 7(k).

 

(Signature Pages Follow)

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

MARATHON PATENT GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLDER:

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

 

 

Address for delivery of Exchange Shares: