pre14c
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14C
(Rule 14c-101)
Schedule 14C Information
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(C) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Check the appropriate box:
þ Preliminary Information Statement
o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))
o Definitive Information Statement
Digital Ecosystems Corp.
(Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ No fee required.
o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11.
1. Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2. Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3. Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):
4. Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5. Total fee paid:
o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and
identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1. Amount Previously Paid:
2. Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3. Filing Party:
4. Date Filed:
PRELIMINARY COPY
Digital Ecosystems Corp.
1875 Lawrence Street, Suite 1400
Denver, CO 80202
INFORMATION STATEMENT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(C) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Approximate Date of Mailing: July __, 2006
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS CORP.:
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY. THE ACTIONS
(DEFINED BELOW) HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE STOCKHOLDERS WHO OWN A
MAJORITY (APPROXIMATELY 52%) OF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS CORP.
A VOTE OF THE REMAINING STOCKHOLDERS IS NOT NECESSARY.
GENERAL
This Information Statement is furnished by the Board of Directors (the Board) of Digital
Ecosystems Corp. (the Company, we, us, our and terms of similar meaning) to inform our
holders of record of common stock, par value $0.001 (the Common Stock), as of the close of
business on July 1, 2006 (the Record Date), of the following actions (the Actions):
1. The election of Dr. Anthony K. Yeats, Kelly H. Nelson and Carmen J. Lotito as directors to
the Company Board;
2. The change of our state of incorporation from Nevada to Maryland (the Maryland
Reincorporation);
3. The approval of an amendment to the Companys Articles of Incorporation to change the name
of the Company from Digital Ecosystems Corp. to PetroHunter Energy Corporation (the Name
Change); and
4. The adoption of our 2005 Stock Option Plan (the Plan).
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Stockholders who together own approximately 117,566,000 shares (approximately 52%) of the
225,373,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the date of this Information
Statement, consented in writing to the Actions. Such approval and consent are sufficient
under Nevada Revised Statutes and our By-Laws to approve the Actions. Accordingly, the Actions are
not being submitted to our other stockholders for a vote, and this Information Statement is being
furnished to stockholders solely to provide them with certain information concerning the Actions in
accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
regulations promulgated thereunder, including particularly Regulation 14C. The Actions will become
effective, and may be implemented by the Company, 20 days after the date that this Information
Statement is mailed to the stockholders of the Company.
The mailing address for the principal executive offices of the Company is Digital Ecosystems
Corp., 1875 Lawrence Street, Suite 1400, Denver, CO 80202.
NO VOTE OR OTHER ACTION OF THE COMPANYS STOCKHOLDERS IS
REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO
SEND US A PROXY
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ACTION NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
On May 12, 2006, Allan D. Laird and Gregory Leigh Lyons resigned as directors of the Company,
leaving two vacant seats on the current Board of Directors, with Dr. Anthony K. Yeats remaining as
the sole director. The Board of Directors determined by resolution that these vacancies should be
filled by stockholder vote. Stockholders can elect directors by a plurality of the votes of the
shares present in person or represented by proxy at a shareholder meeting.
Stockholders holding a majority of our outstanding shares have executed written consents
electing Dr. Anthony K. Yeats, Kelly H. Nelson and Carmen J. Lotito to serve as directors of the
Company.
Please refer to the Section titled Directors and Executive Officers for a description of the new
directors.
ACTION NO. 2
REINCORPORATION AS A MARYLAND CORPORATION
Stockholders holding a majority of our outstanding shares have consented in writing to
reincorporate the Company from the state of Nevada to the state of Maryland. We refer to this
Action as the Maryland Reincorporation.
After the reincorporation is effected, we will be governed by the Maryland Code, by the
Articles of Incorporation of the Maryland entity (the Maryland Articles) and by the Bylaws of
Maryland entity (the Maryland Bylaws), which will result in certain changes in the rights of
stockholders and other matters related to us. The most significant changes are discussed in this
proxy statement under Reincorporation as a Maryland Corporation. This summary is not intended to
be a complete description of the Maryland Reincorporation or the differences between stockholders
rights under the Nevada Code and the Maryland Code, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the Maryland Articles attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit A, the Maryland Bylaws
attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit B, our Nevada Certificate of Incorporation (the Nevada
Articles) and our current Bylaws (the Nevada Bylaws). Copies of the Nevada Articles and the
Nevada Bylaws are available for inspection at our principal business office and will be provided to
any stockholder upon request. To request copies of these documents, contact Mr. Carmen J. Lotito,
Corporate Secretary, 1875 Lawrence Street, Suite 1400, Denver, CO 80202.
For purposes of the Reincorporation as a Maryland Corporation section, the Company refers
in most places to Digital Ecosystems Corp., incorporated under the laws of the state of Nevada; in
those instances where reference is made to the Company after the reincorporation, the reference
means PetroHunter Energy Corporation incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland.
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ACTION NO. 3
NAME CHANGE
Our stockholders holding a majority of our outstanding shares have consented in writing to
change our name from Digital Ecosystems Corp. to PetroHunter Energy Corporation (the Name
Change). This name change had been previously approved by our Board of Directors. The Company
believes that the new name, PetroHunter Energy Corporation, will more accurately reflect our
current business activities and will promote public recognition and more accurately reflect our
products and business focus. Our new name will become effective at the time of the Maryland
Reincorporation.
ACTION NO. 4
APPROVAL OF THE 2005 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Stockholders holding a majority of our outstanding shares have signed written consents to
approve the terms of the 2005 Stock Option Plan (the Plan). Under the Plan, the Company may
grant certain employees both incentive and non-qualified options to purchase shares of common
stock. The Plan is authorized to grant options covering up to 40,000,000 shares. Under this Plan,
the Company has assumed the obligation to grant options to purchase an aggregate of 19,000,000
shares of common stock, including options to purchase 13,000,000 shares to MAB Operating Company
and options to purchase 2,000,000 shares each to Kelly Nelson, Carmen Lotito and Garry Lavold.
These options were previously granted by GSL Energy Corporation, of which we acquired more than 85%
of the outstanding stock in May 2006. Twenty percent of each of the options granted is exercisable
immediately, and twenty percent of each option becomes exercisable on August 10th of
2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Each option has an exercise price of $0.50 per share, and each option
expires and terminates, if not exercised sooner, on August 10, 2010.
EFFECTIVE TIME
All the Actions described above automatically will be effective, and may be implemented by the
Company, 20 days after the date that this Information Statement is mailed to the stockholders of
the Company.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
As of the close of business on the Record Date, there were 225,373,000 shares of Common Stock
outstanding. The shares of Common Stock are the only class of voting securities of the Company
outstanding, and each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share owned. Because a majority
of the stockholders voted in favor of the Actions pursuant to a written consent of stockholders,
the Actions have been approved, and no proxies are being solicited. The Actions will not be
effected until at least twenty days after the mailing of this Information Statement to all
stockholders of record.
On February 10, 2006, the Company entered into a Share Exchange Agreement by and between the
Company, GSL Energy Corporation, a Maryland corporation (GSL), MABio
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Materials Corporation, a
Maryland corporation, and MAB Resources LLC, a Delaware
corporation, and the stockholders of GSL named therein (the Agreement). Pursuant to the
Agreement, the Company acquired the majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock
of GSL, par value $0.001 per share (GSL Common Stock), in exchange, on a one-for-one basis, for
shares of the Companys common stock, par value $0.001 per share (Company Common Stock). A copy
of the Agreement was filed with the Companys Form 10-QSB for the three month period ended December
31, 2005.
On May 12, 2006, the parties to the Agreement completed the share exchange contemplated by the
Agreement, and amended the Agreement to update certain disclosures on the schedules to the
Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company acquired 196,673,000 shares of GSL
Common Stock from stockholders of GSL, which represents 97.31% of the issued and outstanding shares
of GSL Common Stock, in exchange for 196,673,000 shares of Company Common Stock, which represents
87.26% of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Directors
Dr. Anthony K. Yeats, age 59, has been a director of the Company since February 2006. Dr.
Yeats has participated in the development of numerous exploration ventures in oil and gas
opportunities around the world as well as identifying some mineral projects. His career has
included the role of Chief Geologist, Geophysicist and Team Leader for Royal Dutch Shell in the
Middle East, Africa and the Far East; Exploration Coordinator for BPs Global Basin Group, and
Chief Geologist for a number of regional acquisitions undertaken by British Petroleum at a variety
of locations throughout the Middle East, Africa, Canada and Europe. Before joining the Company, in
1999 Dr. Yeats started Cambridge Earth Sciences Limited, which provides private research and
consulting services for companies engaging in geology and exploration management, which Dr. Yeats
continues to run. In addition, Dr. Yeats has been active as both the Vice President of a resource
investment company in Canada with exploration interests in gravel, titanium, and kimberlite. Prior
to 1999, Dr. Yeats was Co-ordinator for World Wide New Ventures for Total in Paris and finally
Exploration Manager for Total in the Former Soviet Union where he managed teams undertaking
hydrocarbon exploration in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia. In this post he was responsible for
the generation of new ventures, including the acquisition of already existing discoveries. Over
the years he has developed extensive contacts with the financial community in Edinburgh and London
which specialize in the raising of capital for oil and gas ventures particularly from UK, French,
Canadian and Middle East sources.
Kelly H. Nelson, age 49, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and President
and Director of GSL Energy Corporation. Mr. Nelson is the cofounder Equistar Capital, LLC, a
Merchant Banking firm with offices in Salt Lake City, Utah and Zurich, Switzerland, and has served
as Equistars Managing Partner since its inception in 1999. While with Equistar, Mr. Nelson has
been actively involved in raising investment capital and financing
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for Equistars energy sector
portfolio companies. Since August 2003, Mr. Nelson has also served as chief financial officer and
director of BioComposites International, Inc., one of
Equistars portfolio companies. Mr. Nelson also is a director for two non-profit
organizations, The Center for Ancient American Culture and the Utah Spiders, Womens Professional
Soccer League. Mr. Nelson earned his Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the
University of Utah and has completed management seminars and courses through the University of
Southern California and Wharton School of Business.
Carmen J. Lotito, age 62, is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and
Secretary of the Company. Mr. Lotito is also the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, Treasurer, Secretary and Director of GSL. Mr. Lotito has been a director and chairman of
the audit and compensation committees of Gasco Energy, Inc. since April 2001, and a director of
Galaxy Energy Corporation since November 2002. He served as chief financial officer and treasurer
of Galaxy Energy Corporation from November 2002 to July 2005, and as executive vice president from
August 2004 to July 2005. Both Gasco Energy and Galaxy Energy are subject to the reporting
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Mr. Lotito served as vice president, chief
financial officer, and director of Coriko Corporation, a private business development company, from
November 2000 to August 2002. Prior to joining Coriko, Mr. Lotito was self-employed as a financial
consultant. Mr. Lotito holds a B.S. degree in accounting from the University of Southern
California.
Other Officers
Garry Lavold, age 60, is the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. Lavold
also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of GSL. Mr. Lavold was the chief operating officer of
BioComposites International from January 2003 to July 2005, where he assisted in the development of
biocomposite plants to product composite materials. From August 2001 until December 2002 Mr.
Lavold was the director of engineering at Coach House, developing composite material projects.
From October 2000 to July 2001 Mr. Lavold was chief operating officer of Alpha Fibre, developing
petroleum-based composite materials. Prior to working for Alpha Fibre, Mr. Lavold worked for 18
years for Nova An Alberta Corporation (and affiliated companies), serving in the latter years as a
vice president involved in design, construction and project management of large diameter gas
pipelines for a Nova subsidiary, and from 1969 to 1974 was employed as a process engineer involved
in start up and operations of an 80,000 BPD refinery for Gulf Oil Canada. Mr. Lavold composed a
chapter in Project Management Handbook, eds. David Cleland and William King, N.Y: Van Rostrand
Reinhold, 1983. Mr. Lavold received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from the University
of Alberta, and is a registered Professional Engineer in Alberta and Ontario, Canada.
Committees of the Board Of Directors
The Company currently does not have an audit committee, compensation committee, or nominating
committee, primarily since the Company previously did not have any significant operations.
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Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Board of Directors currently has not determined whether the Company has a designated audit
committee financial expert, primarily since the Company previously did not have any significant
operations.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table summarizes the annual compensation paid to the Companys Chief Executive
Officer for the year ended March 31, 2006. The Company did not have any other officers during the
last fiscal year.
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Long-Term Compensation |
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Annual Comp AwardsSecurities Underlying |
Name and Position |
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Year |
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Salary |
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Stock Options |
Gregory Leigh Lyons,
President, Secretary,
Treasurer, Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial
Officer (1)
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2006 |
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$ |
70,000 |
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0 |
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(1) |
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Mr. Lyons was appointed as an officer of the Company on September 15, 2005.
Mr. Lyons resigned from all of his officer positions with the
Company on May 12, 2006. |
Effective May 12, 2006, Kelly H. Nelson was appointed as the Companys Chief Executive Officer
and President. For these roles, as well as his role as President of GSL, the Company pays Mr.
Nelson $25,000 per month. Carmen J. Lotito, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer, and Secretary of GSL, is currently paid $20,000 per month. Garry Lavold, the Chief
Operating Officer of GSL, is currently paid $22,500 per month.
Equity Compensation
Under the Agreement, the Company assumed the Plan for the granting of both incentive and
non-qualified options to purchase shares of common stock. The Plan is authorized to grant options
covering up to 40,000,000 shares. Under this Plan, GSL has granted, and the Company has assumed
the obligation to grant, options to purchase an aggregate of 19,000,000 shares of common stock,
including options to purchase 13,000,000 shares to MAB Operating Company and options to purchase
2,000,000 shares each to Kelly Nelson, Carmen Lotito and Garry Lavold. These options were
previously granted by GSL Energy Corporation. Twenty percent of each of the options granted is
exercisable immediately, and twenty percent of each option becomes exercisable on August
10th of 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Each option has an exercise price of $0.50 per
share, and each option expires and terminates, if not exercised sooner, on August 10, 2010.
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Director Compensation
The Company currently pays its directors compensation of $2,500 per month. In addition, upon
election, each director will be granted options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Companys common
stock annually, at the rate of 25,000 options per quarter. Finally, the Companys independent
directors, who have not yet been elected, shall receive $1,000 per month for each committee upon
which they serve.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number of shares of our
Common Stock owned beneficially as of July 1, 2006 by: (i) each person (including any group) known
to us to own more than 5% of our outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each of our officers and directors,
and (iii) our officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the stockholders
listed possess sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown.
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Name and Address |
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Amount and Nature |
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Percentage of |
Title of Class |
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of Beneficial Owner |
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of Beneficial Ownership |
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Common Stock(1) |
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
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Common Stock |
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Kelly H.
Nelson(2)
170 South Main, Suite 1025
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 |
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950,000 |
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* |
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Carmen T. Lotito(3)
1875 Lawrence Street, Suite 1400
Denver, Colorado 80202 |
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1,000,000 |
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* |
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Garry Lavold(4)
1875 Lawrence Street
Denver, CO 80202 |
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800,000 |
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* |
Common Stock |
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All Officers and Directors |
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as a Group (3 persons) |
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2,750,000 |
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1.22% |
5% STOCKHOLDERS |
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Common Stock |
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MAB Resources LLC(5) |
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[Are there any 5% shareholders |
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of which you are aware] |
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105,200,000 |
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46.69% |
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Less than one percent. |
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(1) |
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Under Rule 13d-3, a beneficial owner of a security includes any person
who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement,
understanding, relationship, or otherwise has or shares: (i) voting power,
which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of shares; and
(ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose or direct the
disposition of shares. Certain shares may be deemed to be beneficially
owned by more than one person (if, for example, persons share the power to
vote or the power to dispose of the shares). In addition, shares are
deemed to be beneficially owned by a person if the person has the right to
acquire the shares (for example, upon exercise of an option) within 60
days of the date as of which the information is provided. In computing the
percentage ownership of any person, the amount of shares outstanding is
deemed to include the amount of shares beneficially owned by such person
(and only such person) by reason of these |
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acquisition rights. As a result,
the percentage of outstanding shares of any person as shown in this table
does not necessarily reflect the persons actual ownership or voting power
with respect to the number of shares of common stock actually outstanding
on the date of this Proxy Statement. As of July 1, 2006, the Company had
225,373,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. |
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(2) |
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Consists of (i) 150,000 shares of Company common stock held by Mr. Nelson,
and (ii) an option to acquire 800,000 shares of Company common stock at an
exercise price of $.50, which expires on August 10, 2010. |
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(3) |
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Consists of (i) 200,000 shares of Company common stock held by Mr. Lotito,
and (ii) an option to acquire 800,000 shares of Company common stock at an
exercise price of $.50, which expires on August 10, 2010. |
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(4) |
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Consists of an option to acquire 800,000 shares of Company common stock at an exercise price of $.50,
which expires on August 10, 2010. |
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(5) |
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Consists of (i) 98,000,000 shares of Company common stock held by MAB Resources LLC, an entity 100% owned by Mr. Bruner
and his family trust; (ii) 2,000,000 shares of Company common stock held by MABio Materials Corporation, an entity 68,83% owned by
Mr. Bruner, and over which Mr. Bruner has investment and voting control; and (iii) an option to purchase 5,200,000 shares of Company common stock at an exercise price of $.50, which expires on August 10, 2010. |
REINCORPORATION AS A MARYLAND CORPORATION
Our stockholders holding a majority of our outstanding shares have consented in writing to
reincorporate the Company from the state of Nevada to the state of Maryland. The following
discussion summarizes certain aspects and consequences of the Maryland Reincorporation, which are
related primarily to the differences between the Maryland General Corporation Law (the Maryland
Code) and Title 7 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (the Nevada Code).
Principal Reasons For And Effects Of Changing The State Of Incorporation
The Board of Directors recommended that the Company become a Maryland corporation subject to
the statutes of Maryland rather than Nevada because the Board believes this reincorporation
provides the Company with a comprehensive, flexible legal structure in which to operate. Further,
our Board of Directors believes that any direct benefit that Maryland law provides to a corporation
also indirectly benefits the stockholders, who are the owners of the corporation.
Although there are several differences between the Nevada Code and the Maryland Code, the
Board of Directors does not believe that these differences will have a significant impact on our
operations.
The Board of Directors concluded that the potential benefits of the Maryland Reincorporation
outweigh any possible disadvantages. Accordingly, the Board of Directors unanimously recommended
stockholder approval of the Maryland Reincorporation, and stockholders owning a majority of our
outstanding shares of common stock have consented in writing to this Action.
Comparison of Stockholder Rights
After we are reincorporated in Maryland, our corporate affairs will be governed by the
Maryland Code, the Maryland Articles and the Maryland Bylaws. Although it is impracticable
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to
compare all of the aspects in which the Maryland Code and the Nevada Code differ, the
following is a summary of certain significant differences and important similarities between
provisions affecting holders of shares of the Company under the Nevada Code, the Nevada Articles
and the Nevada Bylaws, and those affecting the stockholders of the Company under the Maryland Code,
the Maryland Articles and the Maryland Bylaws. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Maryland Articles and the Maryland Bylaws which are attached to this proxy
statement as Exhibits A and B, respectively, copies of the Nevada Articles, the Nevada Bylaws,
which are available for inspection at the Companys offices, and the Nevada Code and the Maryland
Code. Also attached as Exhibit C is a copy of the Articles of Merger of Digital Ecosystems Corp.
with and into PetroHunter Energy Corporation.
With respect to certain differences between the rights held by stockholders under the Nevada
Code and those that they would have under the Maryland Code, the Maryland Articles and Maryland
Bylaws have been structured so that the Maryland charter documents provide for substantially all of
the same rights and obligations as our Nevada charter documents, and our management does not have
any present intention of amending or otherwise altering the Maryland Articles or Maryland Bylaws.
However, economic and/or business conditions and considerations may arise which may, in the opinion
of our present or future directors, make it in our best interests to amend Maryland charter
documents at some future date. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Maryland charter
documents will not be amended, including changes to provisions that directly affect stockholders.
Stockholders also should refer to the Nevada Code and the Maryland Code with respect to the matters
discussed in this Information Statement.
Capital Stock
The Companys authorized capital stock consists of 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock and
100,000,000 shares of preferred stock. All of the authorized shares have a par value of $.001 per
share. As of July 10, 2006, there are 225,373,000 shares of common stock, and no shares of
preferred stock, issued and outstanding.
Under the Maryland Articles, the Board of Directors has rights and powers with respect to the
issuance of common stock that are substantially identical to those provided in the Nevada Articles.
As of the date of this Information Statement, the Companys management is not aware of any
specific effort by any party to accumulate our securities, other than for investment purposes, or
to obtain control of the Company by merger, tender offer, solicitation in opposition to the Board
of Directors or otherwise.
Dividends
Under the Nevada Code, the Board of Directors may make distributions to stockholders, unless
otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation. However, no distribution may be made: (i) if
it would cause the corporation to be unable to pay its debts as they become due; or (ii) except as
otherwise specifically allowed by the articles of incorporation, if the corporations assets are
less than the sum of its liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the
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corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential
stockholders whose rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.
Similarly, under the Maryland Code, the Company will be permitted to pay dividends to its
stockholders from time to time as authorized by the Board of Directors. However, no dividend or
other distribution may be made if, after giving effect to the distribution (i) the Company would
not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business, or (ii) the
Companys total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus amounts payable to
stockholders having preferential rights to assets in the event of dissolution of the Company.
Neither the Nevada charter documents nor the Maryland charter documents modify the respective
code provisions concerning the payment of dividends.
Advance Notice Requirements for Presentation of Business and Nominations of Directors at Annual
Meetings of Stockholders
Under the Nevada Code, meetings of stockholders and directors may be held within or without
the state, as provided by the bylaws. If stockholders are required or authorized to take any
action at a meeting, notice must be given in writing and be signed by the president, vice
president, secretary, assistant secretary or any other person designated by the bylaws. The notice
must state the purpose[s] of the meeting, time, place, and means of electronic communications, if
any, by which stockholders shall be deemed to be present. Copies of the notice must be delivered
personally, mailed, or given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote not less than 10 nor
more than 60 days before the meeting.
Under the Nevada Code, directors must be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders by
a plurality of the votes cast at the election unless otherwise provided by the articles of
incorporation, the bylaws, or by special meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation or bylaws, each director holds office after the expiration of his term until his
successor is elected and qualified, or until he resigns or is removed.
Under the Maryland Code, unless the bylaws of the corporation provide otherwise, a regular or
special meeting of the board of directors may be held at any place in or out of the state, or by
means of remote communication. Notice shall be given as provided by the bylaws, and if the bylaws
permit, shall be in writing or by electronic transmission and generally need not state the business
to be transacted or purpose.
Under both the Nevada Code and the Maryland Code, any vacancies in the Board for any reason,
and any directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by the
Board, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any
directors so chosen will hold office during the remainder of the term of office of the resigning
director. Under both Codes, the stockholders also have the ability to elect directors by a
plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at a shareholder
meeting.
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Cumulative Voting For Election Of Directors
Under the Nevada Code and the Maryland Code, a corporation may provide for cumulative voting
in the election of directors in its certificate of incorporation (in the case of a Nevada
corporation) or charter (in the case of a Maryland corporation). Pursuant to the Nevada Articles
and Maryland Articles, the Company does not permit cumulative voting in the election of directors.
The absence of cumulative voting means that the holders of a majority of the shares voted at a
meeting of stockholders may, if they so choose, elect all the directors to be elected at that
meeting, and thus preclude minority stockholder representation on the board of directors.
Restrictions on Voting Rights
Under the Nevada Code, control shares are those outstanding voting shares of an issuing
corporation which an acquiring person acquires, in an acquisition or offer to acquire, within
ninety days immediately preceding the date when the acquiring person became an acquiring person. A
controlling interest is the ownership of outstanding voting shares of an issuing corporation
sufficient to enable the acquiring person, directly or indirectly and individually or in
association with others, to exercise: one-fifth or more but less than one-third; one-third or more
but less than a majority; or a majority or more, of all the voting power of the corporation in the
election of directors.
The Nevada Codes provision on acquisition of a controlling interest applies unless the
articles of incorporation or bylaws in effect on the tenth day following the acquisition of a
controlling interest provide that the provisions of those sections do not apply. The articles of
incorporation, bylaws, or resolution adopted by the directors of the issuing corporation may impose
stricter requirements on the acquisition of a controlling interest in the corporation than those
provided by the Nevada Code.
Except as otherwise provided by the articles of incorporation, a resolution of the
stockholders granting voting rights to the control shares acquired by an acquiring person must be
approved by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the corporation.
The Maryland Code contains a control share acquisition statute which, in general terms,
provides that where a stockholder acquires issued and outstanding shares of a corporations voting
stock (referred to as control shares) within one of several specified ranges (one-tenth or more but
less than one-third, one-third or more but less than a majority, or a majority or more), approval
by stockholders of the control share acquisition must be obtained before the acquiring stockholder
may vote the control shares. The required stockholder vote is two-thirds of all votes entitled to
be cast, excluding interested shares, defined as shares held by directors of the corporation. A
corporation may, however, opt out of the control share statute through a charter or bylaws
provision, which the Company has done pursuant to the Maryland Bylaws. Accordingly, the Maryland
control share acquisition statute will not apply to acquisitions of shares of the Companys common
stock. Though not expected, the Board of Directors could cause the Company to become subject to
the Maryland control share acquisition statute by amending the Maryland Bylaws to eliminate the
opt-out provision.
13
Number and Classification of Directors
Under the Nevada Code, a corporation may provide in its articles of incorporation or in its
bylaws for a fixed or variable number of directors, and for the manner in which the number of
directors may be increased or decreased.
Under the Maryland Code, each corporation shall have the number of directors provided in its
charter until changed by the bylaws. The bylaws may authorize a majority of the entire board of
directors to alter within specified limits the number of directors set by the charter or the
bylaws, but the action may not affect the tenure of office of any director.
Removal of Directors
Under the Nevada Code, any director may be removed from office by the vote of stockholders
representing not less than two-thirds of the voting power of the issued and outstanding stock
entitled to vote. Any vacancy occurring in an office of the corporation by death, resignation,
removal or otherwise, must be filled as the bylaws provide, or by the board of directors.
Under the Maryland Code, stockholders may remove any director, with or without cause, by an
affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast generally for the election of
directors unless the charter provides otherwise.
Filling Vacancies on the Board of Directors
Under the Nevada Code directors must be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders by a
plurality of the votes cast at the election. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation or bylaws, each director holds office after the expiration of his term until his
successor is elected and qualified, or until he resigns or is removed.
Under the Maryland Code, stockholders may elect a successor to fill a vacancy on the board
which results from the removal of a director. A director elected to fill such a vacancy serves for
the balance of the term of the removed director.
Amendments of Charter Documents
Under the Nevada Code, any corporation may amend its articles of incorporation by: (1) adding
to or diminishing its corporate powers and purposes; (2) increasing, decreasing, or reclassifying
its authorized stock by changing the number, par value, preferences, relative, participating,
optional or other rights, or the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such rights of its
shares. The corporation also may change its name or make any other change or alteration in its
articles of incorporation that may be desired. All such changes may only contain such provisions
as would have been lawful and proper to insert in the original articles of incorporation.
14
Under the Maryland Code, a corporation may amend its charter from time to time in any respect
provided that the amendment contains only provisions which lawfully could be contained
in its articles of incorporation at the time of amendment. If the amendment affects a change
in stock or stockholder rights, it shall contain the provisions necessary to affect the change. If
the amendment alters the contract rights of any outstanding stock and the charter does not reserve
the right to make the amendment, any objecting stockholder whose rights are substantially adversely
affected has the right to receive the fair value of his stock.
The Nevada Bylaws and Maryland Bylaws indicate that the Board of Directors shall have the
power to adopt, amend, or repeal Bylaws.
Business Combinations With Certain Persons
The Nevada Code prohibits certain business combinations between a corporation and an
interested stockholder (one beneficially holding, directly or indirectly, at least ten percent of
the outstanding voting stock) for three years after such person became an interested stockholder.
Nevada law will permit, however, business combinations that meet all requirements of the
corporations articles of incorporation and either:
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are approved by the board of directors before the interested stockholder
became an interested stockholder (or as to which the purchase of shares made by the
interested stockholder had been approved by the board of directors before the date of
purchase); |
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are approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of stock representing
a majority of the voting stock (excluding voting stock of the interested stockholder
and its affiliates and associates) at a meeting called for such purpose no earlier than
three years after the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder; or; |
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the form and amount of consideration to be received by stockholders
(excluding the interested stockholder) of the corporation satisfies certain tests and,
with limited exceptions, the interested stockholder has not become the beneficial owner
of additional voting shares of the corporation after becoming an interested stockholder
and before the business combination is consummated. |
The Company has made the lawful election under the Nevada Code to not be governed by the
foregoing business combination provisions of Nevada law.
Like the Nevada Code, the Maryland Code contains a business combination statute. The Maryland
business combination statute prohibits a business combination between a corporation and an
interested stockholder (one who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power) for a
period of five years after the interested stockholder first becomes an interested stockholder,
unless the transaction has been approved by the board of directors before the interested
stockholder became an interested stockholder or the corporation has exempted itself from the
statute pursuant to a charter provision. After the five-year period has elapsed, a
15
corporation
subject to the statute may not consummate a business combination with an interested stockholder
unless (1) the transaction has been recommended by the board of directors and (2) the transaction
has been approved by (a) eighty percent of the outstanding shares entitled to be
cast and (b) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast other than shares owned by the
interested stockholder. This approval requirement need not be met if certain fair price and terms
criteria have been satisfied.
The Company has made the lawful election under the Maryland Code to not be governed by the
Maryland business combination statute.
Stockholder Action By Written Consent
Under the Nevada Code, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the
bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken
without a meeting if, before or after the action, a written consent thereto is signed by
stockholders holding at least a majority of the voting power.
However, under the Maryland Code, stockholder action by written consent must be signed by all
stockholders; accordingly, any stockholder has the ability to block the action by electing not to
sign the consent.
Under the Nevada and the Maryland Bylaws, no action can be taken by the stockholders except at
an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with the Bylaws, or by the
written consent of the shareholders in accordance with the applicable corporate statute.
Special Meetings Of Stockholders
The Nevada Code does not address the manner in which special meetings of stockholders may be
called, but permits corporations to determine the manner in which meetings are called in their
bylaws.
Under the Maryland Code, a special meeting of the stockholders may be called by the secretary
of a corporation on the written request of stockholders entitled to cast at least 25% of all the
votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. A request for a special meeting shall state the purpose
of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at the meeting. However, an entity may
provide in its charter or bylaws a provision that requires the written request of greater or lesser
of 25% of shareholders entitled to cast votes at such meeting, but this percentage may not be
greater than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. The Companys bylaws
do not currently maintain such a provision.
Limitations On Liability Of Directors And Officers
The Nevada Code contains a provision stating that unless otherwise provided by the Code or the
Articles of Incorporation, no director will be individually liable to the Company or its
stockholders or creditors for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act unless it is
proven that:
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The directors act or failure to act constituted a breach of fiduciary duties; and the breach
of those duties involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law.
The Maryland Code provides that an officer or director of the Company may not be liable to the
Company or its stockholders for money damages, except to the extent:
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it is proved that the person actually received an improper benefit or
profit in money, property or services, for the amount of the benefit or profit in
money, property or services actually received; |
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a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the person is entered in
a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the persons action, or failure
to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the
cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding; or |
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otherwise provided by the Maryland Code. |
Indemnification Of Directors And Officers
Under the Nevada Code, a corporation may indemnify its directors, officers, employees and
certain other individuals against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with specified actions,
suits or proceedings arising because of the persons relationship to the corporation. Generally,
the indemnification will cover expenses regardless of whether the action stems from a civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative proceeding if the individual acted in good faith and in a
manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
corporation and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or
her conduct was unlawful. A similar standard applies in an action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation (i.e., a stockholder derivative claim) except that indemnification only extends to
expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred in the defense or settlement of such a proceeding. In
cases involving the right of the corporation, the Nevada Code requires court approval before there
can be any indemnification when the person seeking the indemnification has been found liable to the
corporation. To the extent that a person otherwise eligible to be indemnified is successful on the
merits or otherwise in defense in any action, suit or proceeding described above, indemnification
for expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred is mandatory under the
Nevada Code.
The Nevada Code provides that a corporation may pay the expenses incurred by a director or
officer in defending a proceeding in advance of the final disposition of that proceeding, provided
that the corporation has received from the director or officer a written undertaking to repay the
amount advanced if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to be
indemnified for the expenses.
The Nevada Articles generally provide for the indemnification of directors, officers,
employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the Nevada Code. The Nevada Articles
further provide, consistent with the Nevada Code, that the right to indemnification conferred by
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the Nevada Articles is not exclusive of any other right which a person may have under any statute,
the Nevada Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, this
Certificate of Incorporation, or otherwise.
The Nevada Bylaws also generally provide for the indemnification of directors, officers,
employees and agents to the extent permitted by the Nevada Code. The Nevada Bylaws further provide
that the Company shall advance all expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a
director, officer or employee; however, advancement of such expenses shall only be made upon
delivery to the Company of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately
determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for the expenses. All rights to
indemnification and advances generally shall be deemed to be contractual rights and enforceable in
any court of competent jurisdiction. The rights conferred to such persons shall not be exclusive
of any other rights under any statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws,
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
The Maryland Code permits a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and
agents against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred
unless it is proven that (1) the conduct of the person was material to the matter giving rise to
the proceeding and the person acted in bad faith or with active and deliberate dishonesty; (2) the
person actually received an improper personal benefit; or (3) in the case of a criminal proceeding,
the person had reason to believe that his conduct was unlawful. The Maryland Code provides that
where a person is a defendant in a derivative proceeding, the person may not be indemnified if the
person is found liable to the corporation. The Maryland Code also provides that a person may not
be indemnified in respect of any proceeding alleging improper personal benefit in which the person
was found liable on the grounds that personal benefit was improperly received. The person found
liable in the derivative proceeding or in the proceeding alleging improper personal benefit may
petition a court to nevertheless order indemnification for expenses if the court determines that
the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant
circumstances. Similar to the Nevada Code, the Maryland Code provides that unless otherwise
provided in the corporations charter, a director or officer (but not an employee or agent) who is
successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding must be indemnified against
reasonable expenses.
The Maryland Code provides that reasonable expenses incurred by a director, officer, employee
or agent who is a party to a proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final
disposition of the proceeding if the corporation receives a written affirmation from the person to
receive the advancement of that persons good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of
conduct necessary for indemnification and a written undertaking by the person to repay the advanced
amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she has not met the standard of conduct.
The Maryland Articles provide that the Company will indemnify and advance expenses to its
directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent required or permitted by the
Maryland Code. The Maryland Articles also provide, consistent with the Maryland Code, that the
rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred by the Maryland
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Articles are
not exclusive of any other right which a person may have under any statute, the Maryland Articles,
the Maryland Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or the Board of Directors or
otherwise.
The Maryland Bylaws also generally provide for the indemnification of directors, officers,
employees and agents to the extent permitted by the Maryland Code. The Maryland Bylaws further
provide that the Company shall advance all expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her
capacity as a director, officer or employee; however, advancement of such expenses shall only be
made upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it is
ultimately determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for the expenses. All
rights to indemnification and advances generally shall be deemed to be contractual rights and
enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The rights conferred to such persons shall not
be exclusive of any other rights under any statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation,
Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Inspection Of Books And Records
The Nevada Code provides that any person who has been a stockholder of record of a corporation
for at least six months immediately preceding a demand, or any person holding, or thereunto
authorized in writing by the holders of, at least five percent of all of the corporations
outstanding shares, upon at least five days written demand, is entitled to inspect in person or by
agent or attorney, during usual business hours, the Companys articles of incorporation, and all
amendments thereto; a copy of the companys bylaws and all amendments thereto; and a stock ledger
containing the names of all persons who are stockholders of the corporation, and if known, and the
number of shares held by them respectively.
The Maryland Code provides that any stockholder may inspect and copy, during usual business
hours, the corporations bylaws, minutes of the proceedings of stockholders, annual statements of
affairs and any voting trust agreements on file at the corporations principal office.
Additionally, any person who has been a holder of record for a minimum of six months or who owns at
least 5% of the corporations outstanding shares has a right to (1) inspect the corporations books
of account and stock ledger; (2) present to any officer or resident agent of the corporation a
written request for a statement of its affairs; and (3) in the case of any corporation which does
not maintain the original or a duplicate stock ledger at the corporations offices in Maryland,
present to any officer or resident agent of the corporation a written request for a list of its
stockholders.
Certain Anti-Takeover Effects
The Nevada Code contains certain anti-takeover provisions that apply to a Nevada
corporation, unless the corporation elects not to be governed by such provisions in its Articles of
Incorporation or By-Laws. Nevada corporate law prohibits a corporation from engaging in any
business combination with any person that owns ten percent or more of its outstanding voting
stock for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder obtained ownership of
more than ten percent of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation. A business combination
includes any merger, consolidation, or sale of substantially all of a corporations
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assets. The
three year waiting period does not apply, however, if the board of directors of the corporation
approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in such stockholder
owning more than ten percent of such stock before the stockholder obtained such
ownership. Pursuant to the Companys Bylaws, it has elected not to be governed by these
regulations.
Similarly, the Maryland Code generally provides that a corporation may not engage in any
business combination with any interested stockholder or any affiliate of the interested stockholder
for a period of five years following the most recent date on which the interested stockholder
became an interested stockholder, unless an exemption applies. The Maryland Code provides that a
corporation can elect not to be governed by this regulation, and the Company has made this election
(though the Companys Board of Directors could at any time cause the Company to become subject to
this control share statute by amending the Bylaws to change the opt-out provision).
Anti-takeover provisions in the Nevada and Maryland Codes and in the corporate governance
structure of the Company could have the effect of discouraging an acquisition of the Company or
stock purchases in furtherance of an acquisition, and could, under certain circumstances,
discourage transactions which might otherwise have a favorable effect on the price of the Companys
common stock. These provisions may serve to make it more difficult to remove incumbent management
and board members and may also discourage all attempts to acquire control not approved by the Board
of Directors for any reason. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in, or
benefit from, such a transaction might not have an opportunity to do so.
Dissenting Stockholders Rights of Appraisal
Under the Nevada Code, any stockholder is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the
fair value of his shares in the event of any of the following corporate actions: (a) consummation
of a conversion or plan of merger if approval of the stockholders is required by the Code or
articles of incorporation or if the domestic corporation is a subsidiary and is merged with the
parent; (b) consummation of a plan of exchange to which the domestic corporation is a constituent
party as the corporation whose subject owners interests will be acquired; (c) any corporate action
taken pursuant to a vote of the stockholders to the extent that the articles of incorporation,
bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors provides that voting or nonvoting stockholders
are entitled to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.
There is no right of dissent with respect to a plan of merger or exchange when it was either
listed on a national securities exchange, included in the national market system by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or held by at least 2,000 stockholders of record unless:
(a) the articles of incorporation or the corporation issuing the shares provide otherwise; or (b)
the holders of the class or series are required under the plan of merger or exchange to accept for
the shares anything except: (1) cash, owners interests or owners interests and cash in lieu of
fractional owners interests of: (I) the surviving or acquiring entity, or (II) any other entity
which, at the effective date of the plan of merger or exchange, were either listed on a national
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securities exchange, included in the national market system by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by at least 2,000 holders of owners interests of
records, or (2) a combination of cash and owners interests. There is no right of dissent for any
holders of
stock of the surviving domestic corporation if the plan of merger does not require action of
the stockholders of the surviving domestic corporation.
Under the Maryland Code, objecting stockholders have the right to demand and receive payment
of the fair value of the stockholders stock from the successor if: (1) the corporation
consolidates or merges with another corporation; (2) the stockholders stock is to be acquired in a
share exchange; (3) the corporation transfers its assets; (4) the corporation amends its charter to
alter contract rights of any outstanding stock and substantially adversely affects the
stockholders rights; or (5) other provisions govern.
Objecting stockholders shall file a written objection to the proposed transaction. Such a
stockholder has no right to receive any dividends or distributions and ceases to have any rights as
a stockholder with respect to that stock except the right to receive payment of its fair value. If
the court finds the objecting stockholder is entitled to an appraisal of his stock, it shall
appoint three disinterested appraisers to determine the fair value of the stock on terms and
conditions the court considers proper.
Possible Disadvantages of the Maryland Reincorporation
Despite the belief of the Companys Board of Directors that the Maryland Reincorporation is in
the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, stockholders should be aware that many
provisions of the Maryland Articles, the Maryland Bylaws and the Maryland Code have not received
extensive judicial interpretation by the Maryland courts. The Companys Board of Directors
believes, however, that Maryland law will provide the Company with the comprehensive, flexible
structure that it needs to operate effectively.
FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Financial and other information required to be disclosed in this information statement is set
forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 under the
captions FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION and
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE and is
hereby incorporated herein by reference. A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB accompanies
this proxy statement.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Dated: July 11, 2006 |
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Carmen J. Lotito, Chief Financial Officer |
21
Exhibit A
Articles of Incorporation
Of
PetroHunter Energy Corporation
The undersigned, Kyle L. Johnson, whose address is 1660 Lincoln Street, Suite 1900, Denver,
Colorado 80264, being at least 18 years of age, acting as incorporator, does hereby form a
corporation under the Maryland General Corporation Law having the following Articles:
Article I
Name
The name of the corporation (the Corporation) is: PetroHunter Energy Corporation.
Article II
Purpose
The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity
for which a corporation may be organized under the Maryland General Corporation Law (the Maryland
Code). In furtherance of the foregoing purposes, the Corporation shall have and may exercise all
of the rights, powers and privileges granted by the Maryland Code. In addition, the Corporation
may do everything necessary, suitable and proper for the accomplishment of any of its corporate
purposes.
Article III
Principal Office in State and Resident Agent
The street address of the principal office and registered agent of the Corporation in the
State of Maryland is 11 East Chase Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The name of the resident
agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland at that address is National Registered Agents,
Inc. of MD.
Article IV
Stock
The aggregate number of shares that the Corporation will have authority to issue is One
Billion One Hundred Million (1,100,000,000), of which One Billion (1,000,000,000) shares will be
common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share; and One Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares
will be preferred stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share.
The Preferred Stock may be divided and issued in series. The Board of Directors of the
Corporation is authorized to divide the authorized shares of Preferred Stock into one or more
series, each of which shall be so designated as to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares
of all other series and classes. The Board of Directors of the corporation is authorized, within
any limitations prescribed by law and this article, to fix and determine the designations, rights,
qualifications, preferences, limitations and terms of the shares of any series of Preferred Stock
including but not limited to the following:
A-1
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(a) |
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The rate of dividend, the time of payment of dividends, whether
dividends are cumulative, and the date from which any dividends shall accrue; |
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(b) |
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Whether shares may be redeemed, and if so, the redemption price and the
terms and conditions of redemption; |
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(c) |
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The amount payable upon shares in the event of voluntary of involuntary
liquidation; |
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(d) |
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Sinking fund or other provisions, if any, for the redemption or
purchase of shares; |
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(e) |
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The terms and conditions on which shares may be converted, if the
shares of any series are issued with the privilege of conversion; |
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(f) |
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Voting powers if any, provided that if any of the Preferred Stock or
series thereof shall have voting rights, such Preferred Stock or series shall
vote only on a share for share basis with the Common Stock on any matter,
including but not limited to the election of directors, for which such
Preferred Stock or series has such rights; and |
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(g) |
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Subject to the foregoing, such other terms, qualifications, privileges,
limitations, options, restrictions, and special or relative rights and
preferences, if any, of shares or such series as the Board of Directors of the
corporation may, at the time so acting, lawfully fix and determine under the
laws of the State of Maryland. |
The Corporation shall not declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend or other
distribution (unless payable solely in shares of Common Stock or other class of stock junior to the
Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation) in respect of Common Stock, or other class of
stock junior to the Preferred Stock, nor shall it redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration shares of any of the foregoing, unless dividends, if any, payable to holders of
Preferred Stock for the current period (and in the case of cumulative dividends, if any, payable to
holders of Preferred Stock for the current period and in the case of cumulative dividends, if any,
for all past periods) have been paid, are being paid or have been set aside for payment, in
accordance with the terms of the Preferred stock, as fixed by the Board of Directors.
In the event of the liquidation of the Corporation, holders of Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to receive, before any payment or distribution on the Common Stock or any other class of
stock junior to the Preferred Stock upon liquidation, a distribution per share in the amount of the
liquidation preference, if any, fixed or determined in accordance with the terms of such Preferred
Stock plus, if so provided in such terms, an amount per share equal to accumulated and unpaid
dividends in respect of such Preferred Stock (whether or not earned or declared) to the date of
such distribution. Neither the sale, lease or exchange or all or substantially all of the property
and assets of the Corporation, nor any consolidation or merger of the Corporation, shall be deemed
to be a liquidation for the purposes of this Article.
A-2
Article V
Perpetual Existence
The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
Article VI
Directors
Number. The number of the directors constituting the entire Board will not be less
than one (1) nor more than fifteen (15) as fixed from time to time by vote of the majority of the
entire Board, provided, however, that the number of directors will not be reduced so as to shorten
the term of any director at the time in office.
Initial Directors. The initial Board of Directors is comprised of three directors.
The following persons shall serve as the Corporations initial directors until the first annual
meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualify:
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Kelly H. Nelson
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170 South Main, Ste. 1025 |
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Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 |
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Carmen J. Lotito
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1875 Lawrence St., Ste.1400 |
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Denver, Colorado 80202 |
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Anthony K. Yeats
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The Moat House |
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Saffron Walden |
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Essex CB11 4RU |
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UK |
Election. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of
the Corporation so provide.
Bylaws. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to adopt,
amend, or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.
Article VII
Shareholder Actions
When, with respect to any actions to be taken by shareholders of the Corporation, the Maryland
Code requires the vote or concurrence of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares, or of
the shares entitled to vote thereon, or of any class or series, such action may be taken by the
vote or concurrence of the majority of such shares or class or series thereof.
A-3
Article VIII
Limitation of Liability
The personal liability of each director and officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated and
limited to the full extent permitted by the laws of the State of Maryland, including without
limitation as permitted by the provisions of Section 2-405.2 of the Maryland Code and any successor
provision, as amended from time to time, except to the extent (i) it is proved that the person
actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services, for the amount of
the benefit or profit in money, property or services actually received, (ii) a judgment or other
final adjudication adverse to the person is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the
proceeding that the persons action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding; or (iii)
otherwise provided by the Maryland Code. Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article VIII,
nor adoption of any provision of these Articles of Incorporation, the bylaws of the Corporation or
any statute that is inconsistent with this Article VIII, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of
this Article VIII in respect of any acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or
adoption. If the Maryland Code is hereafter amended or supplemented to authorize corporate action
further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors and officers, then the
liability of directors and officers of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the
fullest extent permitted by such amended or supplemented Maryland Code. In the event that any of
the provisions of this Article VIII (including any provision within a single sentence) is held by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining
provisions are severable and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Article IX
Interested Party Transactions
The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and for the conduct
of the affairs of the Corporation, and the same are in furtherance of and not in limitation of, the
powers conferred by law:
No contract or other transaction of the Corporation with any other persons,
firm or corporation in which this Corporation is interested, shall be affected or
invalidated by the fact that any one or more of the directors or officers of this
Corporation, individually or jointly with others, may be a party to or may be
interested in any such contract or transaction so long as the contract or other
transaction is approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Maryland
Code. Each person who may become a director or officer of the Corporation is hereby
relieved from any liability that might otherwise arise by reason of his or her
contracting with the Corporation for the benefit of himself or herself or any firm
or corporation in which he or she may be in any way interested.
Article X
Indemnification
The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to any and all directors, officers,
employees and agents of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Section 2-418 of the
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Maryland Code, as the same may be amended and supplemented, unless it is established that (i)
the act or omission was material to the matter giving rise to the liability and was omitted in bad
faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) the person actually received an
improper personal benefit in money, property or services, or (iii) in the case of a criminal
proceeding, the person had reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful. The
rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for herein shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under these Articles of
Incorporation, any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise,
both as to action in such persons official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such directorship, office, employment or agency, and shall continue as to a person who has
ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person. Neither the repeal nor modification of this Article
X, or the adoption of any provision to these Articles of Incorporation that is inconsistent with
this Article X, shall eliminate, restrict or otherwise adversely affect any right or protection of
any such person existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such
repeal, modification or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
Article XI
Amendments
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained
in these Articles of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all
rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed these Articles of Incorporation and acknowledge the same to
be my act on this ___ day of ___, 2006.
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Kyle L. Johnson, Incorporator
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I hereby consent to my designation in this document as resident agent for this Corporation.
NATIONAL REGISTERED AGENTS, INC. OF MD
By:
******
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Exhibit B
Bylaws
of
PetroHunter Energy Corporation
Article I
Offices
Section 1. Registered Office and Agent
The registered office of the Corporation shall be in the City and County of Baltimore, State
of Maryland or such other city and county as the Board of Directors (the Board) shall determine.
The name and address of the Corporations registered agent is National Registered Agents, Inc. of
MD, 11 East Chase Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
Section 2. Other Offices
The Corporation may have offices at such other places both within and without the State of
Maryland as the Board may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may
require.
Article II
Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meetings
A meeting of the stockholders for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of
such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held annually, or at
such other time and/or such other date as shall be fixed by resolution of the Board. If the day
fixed for the annual meeting shall be a legal holiday, such meeting shall be held on the next
succeeding business day.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Unless the Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, special meetings of the stockholders
for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called only by the
Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or a majority of the Board. Special meetings
of the stockholders shall be called by the Secretary at the request of stockholders only on the
written request of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to
be cast at the meeting. Such written request shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting
and the matters proposed to be acted upon at the meeting and shall be delivered to the principal
office of the Corporation addressed to the Secretary. The Secretary shall inform the stockholders
who make the request of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing a notice of the
meeting and, upon payment of these costs to the Corporation, notify each stockholder entitled to
notice of the meeting.
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Section 3. Place of Meetings
All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such places within or without the State of
Maryland or at such other place in the United States as may be designated from time to time by the
Board of Directors and set forth in the notice of the meeting, or if not so designated, at the
office of the Corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Article 1, Section 2 hereof.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings
4.1 Giving of Notice. Except as otherwise provided by statute, written notice of each
meeting of the stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given not less than 10 nor more
than 90 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
If mailed, notice shall be given when deposited in the United States mails, postage prepaid,
directed to such stockholder at his address as it appears in the stock ledger of the Corporation.
Each such notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special
meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.
4.2 Notice of Adjourned Meetings. When a meeting is adjourned to another time and
place, notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place thereof are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is given. If the adjournment is for more than 30
days, or if, after the adjournment, a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice
of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the
meeting.
4.3 Waiver of Notice.
4.3.1 Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder under the
provisions of these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Maryland General
Corporation Law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to
such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to
the giving of such notice.
4.3.2 The attendance of a stockholder at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice
of such meeting, except when a stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of
objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the
meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 5. Fixing of Record Date for Determining Stockholders
5.1 Meetings. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to
vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date,
which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is
adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 90 nor less than 10 days before
the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining
stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is
given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which
the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at
the meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of
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the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for
the adjourned meeting.
5.2 Dividends, Distributions and Other Rights. For the purpose of determining
stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any
rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or
exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date,
which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is
adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such action. If no
record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at
the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
Section 6. Quorum
A majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, present in
person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the stockholders;
provided, that where a separate vote by a class or classes or by a series of a class is
required, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or of such series of a
class, present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, shall constitute a quorum entitled
to take action with respect to the vote on that matter. Shares of stock will be counted toward a
quorum if they are either (i) present in person at the meeting or (ii) represented at the meeting
by a valid proxy, whether the instrument granting such proxy is marked as casting a vote or
abstaining, is left blank or does not empower such proxy to vote with respect to some or all
matters to be voted upon at the meeting. If less than a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote are represented at a meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn
the meeting from time to time without further notice. If a quorum is present or represented at a
reconvened meeting following such an adjournment, any business may be transacted that might have
been transacted at the meeting as originally called. The stockholders present at a duly organized
meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of
enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
Section 7. Organization
At each meeting of the stockholders, the Chairman of the Board, or in his absence the person
designated by the Board, shall act as chairman of the meeting.
The Secretary, or in his absence or in the event he shall be presiding over the meeting in
accordance with the provisions of this Section, an Assistant Secretary or, in the absence of the
Secretary and all of the Assistant Secretaries, any person appointed by the chairman of the
meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 8. Voting
8.1 General Provisions. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or
a resolution of the Board creating a series of stock, at each meeting of the stockholders, each
holder of any share of any series or class of stock entitled to vote at such meeting shall be
entitled to one vote for each share of stock having voting power in respect of
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each matter upon which a vote is to be taken, standing in his name on the stock ledger of the
Corporation on the record date fixed as provided in these Bylaws for determining the stockholders
entitled to vote at such meeting. In all matters other than the election of directors, if a quorum
is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares present in person or represented by
proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the
stockholders, unless the vote of a greater number is required by these Bylaws, the Articles of
Incorporation or the Maryland General Corporation Law. In determining the number of votes cast for
or against a proposal, shares abstaining from voting on a matter (including elections) will not be
treated as a vote for or against the proposal. A non-vote by a broker will be treated as if the
broker never voted, but a non-vote by a stockholder will be counted as a vote for the
managements position. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or by a series of a class is
required, if a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of such class or
classes or series of a class present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the
act of such class or classes or series of a class. The provisions of this Section will govern with
respect to all votes of stockholders except as otherwise provided for in these Bylaws, the Articles
of Incorporation or the Maryland General Corporation Law.
8.2 Voting For Directors. At each election of directors the voting shall be by
written ballot. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.
8.3 Shares Held or Controlled by the Corporation. Shares of its own capital stock
belonging to the Corporation, or to another corporation if a majority of the shares entitled to
vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held by the Corporation, shall
neither be entitled to vote nor counted for quorum purposes.
8.4 Proxies. A stockholder may vote by a proxy which is in writing or is transmitted
electronically, including but not limited to, via telegram, cablegram, internet, interactive voice
response system or other means of electronic transmission executed or authorized by the stockholder
or by his attorney-in-fact. Any electronic transmission must set forth information from which it
can be determined by the Corporation or the inspector that such electronic transmission was
authorized by the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by
attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy
or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation. A proxy
shall become invalid three years after the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the
proxy. A proxy with respect to a specified meeting shall entitle the holder thereof to vote at any
reconvened meeting following adjournment of such meeting but shall not be valid after the final
adjournment thereof.
Section 9. Inspectors
Prior to each meeting of stockholders, the Board shall appoint at least one inspector who is
not a director, candidate for director or officer of the Corporation, who shall receive and
determine the validity of proxies and the qualifications of voters, and receive, inspect, count and
report to the meeting in writing the votes cast on all matters submitted to a vote at such meeting.
In case of failure of the Board to make such appointments or in case of failure of any Inspector
so appointed to act, the Chairman of the Board shall make such appointment or fill such
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vacancies. Each Inspector, immediately before entering upon his duties, shall subscribe to an
oath or affirmation faithfully to execute the duties of Inspector at such meeting with strict
impartiality and according to the best of his ability.
Section 10. List of Stockholders
The Secretary or other officer or agent having charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation
shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of
the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the
address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class and series registered in the
name of each such stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for
any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10
days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which
place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where
the meeting is to be held. Such list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the
meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. The
stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the
stock ledger, the list required by this section, or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in
person or by proxy at any such meeting.
Section 11. Stockholder Proposals
At an annual meeting of stockholders, only such business shall be conducted, and only such
proposals shall be acted upon, as shall have been properly brought before the annual meeting of
stockholders (a) by, or at the direction of, the Board or (b) by a stockholder of the Corporation
who complies with the procedures set forth in this Section 11. For business or a proposal to be
properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder, the stockholder must
have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a
stockholders notice must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation not earlier than 120 days nor later than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the
preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date
of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date,
notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received by the Secretary not earlier than the 120th
day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the 90th day prior to such annual meeting, or
if later, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting
is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting
commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
A stockholders notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder
proposes to bring before an annual meeting of stockholders (i) a description, in 500 words or less,
of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such
business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporations
books, of the stockholders known by such stockholder to be supporting such proposal, (iii) the
class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder on
the date of such stockholders notice and by any other stockholders known by such stockholder to be
supporting such proposal on the date of such stockholders notice,
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(iv) a description, in 500 words or less, of any interest of the stockholder in such proposal,
and (v) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation and
intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present the proposal specified in the
notice. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted
at a meeting of stockholders except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11.
The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting
that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures
prescribed by this Section 11, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting
and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 11 shall be interpreted or construed to
require the inclusion of information about any such proposal in any proxy statement distributed by,
at the direction of, or on behalf of, the Board.
Section 12. Conduct of Meeting
The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of
stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and
regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the
right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as,
in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such
rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the
meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or
order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting
and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting
to only stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or
such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to
the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time
allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the
Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in
accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
Section 13. Written consent of Stockholders.
Except as provided in the following sentence, any action required or permitted to be taken at
a meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous consent which sets forth
the action is given in writing by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and is filed with
the records of stockholder meetings. Unless the Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, the
holders of any class of the Corporations stock, including holders of the Corporations common
stock, entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, may take action or consent to any
action concerning election of directors by delivering a consent in writing of the stockholders
entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or
take the action at a meeting of the stockholders if the Corporation gives notice of the action so
taken to each stockholder not later than 10 days after the effective time of the action.
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Section 14. Control Share Acquisition Act.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, Title 3,
Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (or any successor statute) shall not apply to
any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This Section 14 may be
repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of Control
Shares (as defined in Section 3-701(d) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (or any successor
provision)) and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any
prior or subsequent Control Share Acquisition (as defined in Section 3-701(d) of the Maryland
General Corporation Law (or any successor provision)).
Article III
Board of Directors
Section 1. Number, Qualification and Term of Office
The business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board consisting
of not less than one director. The Board shall from time to time by a vote of a majority of the
directors then in office fix the specific number of directors to constitute the Board. Unless
otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the
Board shall be elected by the stockholders for a term of one year. Each director shall serve until
his successor is duly elected and shall qualify.
Section 2. Vacancies
Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, vacancies in the Board and newly
created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be
filled by a vote of the majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or
by a sole remaining director, at any regular or special meeting of the Board.
Section 3. Nominations of Directors
Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of preferred stock then
outstanding, only persons nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3
shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may
be made at an annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting of stockholders called by the Board
for the purpose of electing directors (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any
stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at such meeting who
complies with the notice procedure set forth in this Section 3. Such nominations, other than those
made by or at the direction of the Board, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the
Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholders notice must be received by the
Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than 120 days nor later
than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting;
provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more
than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to
be timely must be received by the Secretary not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual
meeting and not later than the 90th day prior to such annual meeting, or if later, the 10th day
following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no
event shall the
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public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the
giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
A stockholders notice to the Secretary shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the
stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (a) the name, age,
business address and residence address of such person, (b) the principal occupation or employment
of such person, (c) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned
by such person on the date of such stockholders notice and (d) any other information relating to
such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors,
or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute thereto (the Exchange Act) (including without
limitation such persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to
serving as a director if elected); (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (a) the name and
address, as they appear on the Corporations (or its agents) books, of such stockholder and any
other stockholders known by such stockholder to be supporting such nominee(s), (b) the class and
number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder on the date of
such stockholders notice and by any other stockholders known by such stockholder to be supporting
such nominee(s) on the date of such stockholders notice, (c) a representation that the stockholder
is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to
appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the
notice; and (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and
each nominee and other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the
nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder. No person shall be eligible for
election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set
forth in this Section 3. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and
declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed
by this Section and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective
nomination shall be disregarded.
Section 4. Resignations
Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Chairman of the Board. Such
resignation shall take effect on the date of receipt of such notice or at any later time specified
therein; and the acceptance of such resignation, unless otherwise required by the terms thereof,
shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 5. Removals
Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, any director may be removed, with
or without cause, at any special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose, by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in number of shares of the Corporation entitled to
vote for the election of such director.
Section 6. Place of Meetings; Books and Records
The Board may hold its meetings and have an office or offices at such place or places within
or without the State of Maryland as the Board from time to time may determine.
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The Board, subject to the provisions of applicable statutes, may authorize the books and
records of the Corporation, and offices or agencies for the issue, transfer and registration of the
capital stock of the Corporation, to be kept at such place or places outside of the State of
Maryland as, from time to time, may be designated by the Board.
Section 7. Annual Meeting of the Board
The first meeting of each newly elected Board, to be known as the Annual Meeting of the Board,
for the purpose of electing officers, designating committees and the transaction of such other
business as may come before the Board, shall be held as soon as practicable on the same date as,
and after the adjournment of, the annual meeting of stockholders, and no notice of such meeting
shall be necessary to the newly elected directors, provided a quorum shall be present. In the
event the first meeting of the newly elected Board is not held on the same date as and after the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be
specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board, or as shall
be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the newly elected directors.
Section 8. Regular Meetings
The Board shall provide for regular meetings of the Board at such times and at such places as
it deems desirable. Notice of regular meetings need not be given.
Section 9. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive
Officer and shall be called by the Secretary on the written request of three directors on such
notice as the person or persons calling the meeting shall deem appropriate in the circumstances.
Notice of each such special meeting shall be mailed to each director or delivered to him by
telephone, facsimile, telegraph, internet or any other means of electronic communication, in each
case addressed to his residence or usual place of business, or delivered to him in person or given
to him orally. The notice of meeting shall state the time and place of the meeting but need not
state the purpose thereof. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any director under the
provisions of these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Maryland General Corporation Law,
a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether
before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the
Board or any committee appointed by the Board need be specified in the waiver of notice of such
meeting. Attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such
meeting except when a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
Section 10. Quorum and Manner of Acting
Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the
presence of a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at any regular or special meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority
of the directors present at any such meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the
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Board. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the
meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is present. Notice of any such adjourned meeting need
not be given.
Section 11. Organization
At every meeting of the Board, the Chairman of the Board or in his absence the Chief Executive
Officer, the President or the Vice Chairman of the Board, or if all of the said persons are absent,
a chairman chosen by a majority of the directors present shall act as chairman of the meeting. The
Secretary, or in his absence, an Assistant Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary and all
the Assistant Secretaries, any person appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as
secretary of the meeting.
Section 12. Consent of directors in Lieu of Meeting
Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, any action
required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or any committee designated by the
Board, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee consent thereto in
writing, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or
committee.
Section 13. Telephonic Meetings
Members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in any meeting
of the Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by
means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in
such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 14. Compensation
Each director who is not a full-time salaried officer of the Corporation or any of its wholly
owned subsidiaries, when authorized by resolution of the Board, may receive as a director a stated
salary, an annual retainer, compensation based on the number of meetings held or attended, and/or
any other benefits as the Board may determine, and in addition may be allowed a fixed fee or
reimbursement of his reasonable expenses for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the
Board or any committee thereof.
Section 15. Interested Directors
No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or
officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other
organization in which one or more of its directors or officers is a director or officer of this
Corporation, or in which one of the directors or officers of this Corporation has a financial
interest in such contract or transaction, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or
solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board or
committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their
votes are counted for such purpose, if: (1) the material facts as to his relationship or interest
and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board or the committee, and
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the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative
votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less
than a quorum; or (2) the material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract
or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the
contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (3)
the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved
or ratified by the Board, a committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested directors
may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board or of a committee
which authorizes the contract or transaction.
Article IV
Committees of the Board of Directors
Section 1. Committees
The Board may designate such other committees, consisting of such number of directors as the
Board may from time to time determine, and each such committee shall serve for such term and shall
have and may exercise, during intervals between meetings of the Board, such duties, functions and
powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
Section 2. Committee Chairman, Books and Records
As determined or delegated by the Board, each committee shall elect a chairman to serve for
such term as it may determine, shall fix its own rules of procedure and shall meet at such times
and places and upon such call or notice as shall be provided by such rules. It shall keep a record
of its acts and proceedings, and all action of the committee shall be reported to the Board at the
next meeting of the Board.
Section 3. Alternates
Alternate members of the committees prescribed by this Article IV may be designated by the
Board from among the directors to serve as occasion may require. Whenever a quorum cannot be
secured for any meeting of any such committee from among the regular members thereof and designated
alternates, the member or members of such committee present at such meeting and not disqualified
from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member
of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of such absent or disqualified member.
Alternate members of such committees shall receive a reimbursement for expenses and
compensation at the same rate as regular members of such committees.
Section 4. Quorum and Manner of Acting
At each meeting of any committee, the presence of a majority of the members of such committee,
whether regular or alternate, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, and if a quorum is present the concurrence of a majority of those present shall be
necessary for the taking of any action.
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Article V
Officers
Section 1. Number
The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive
Officer or President, a Secretary, and such other officers with such titles and powers and/or
duties as the Board shall from time to time determine. Officers of the Corporation may
simultaneously serve as officers of subsidiaries or divisions thereof. Any number of offices may
be held by the same person.
Section 2. Election
The officers of the Corporation, except the assistant officers who may be appointed by the
Chief Executive Officer or the Chairman of the Board as provided in this Article V, shall be
elected or appointed as soon as practicable after the annual meeting of stockholders in each year
to hold office until the first meeting of the Board after the annual meeting of stockholders next
succeeding his election, or until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier
death, resignation or removal.
Section 3. Resignations
Any elected or appointed officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Chairman of
the Board or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect upon the date of
its receipt or at such later time as may be specified therein, and unless otherwise required by the
terms thereof, no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective.
Section 4. Removals
Any elected or appointed officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board at any
regular or special meeting of the Board, and in the case of an assistant officer appointed by the
Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to this Article V, may be so removed
by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. Any such removal shall be without
prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Corporation, but the election
or appointment of any officer shall not of itself create contractual rights.
Section 5. Vacancies
Any vacancy occurring in any office by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled
for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board at any regular or special meeting or as
otherwise provided in these Bylaws.
Section 6. Chairman of the Board
The Chairman of the Board shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the stockholders and
the Board, shall have authority to call special meetings of the Board. He also shall have the
power to appoint and remove assistant officers of the Corporation with such titles
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and duties as he may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate, and shall have such
other powers and duties as are expressly provided in these Bylaws.
Section 7. Chief Executive Officer
The Chief Executive Officer, if any, shall assist the Chairman of the Board in the performance
of his duties and shall perform those duties assigned to him in other provisions of the Bylaws and
such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board. In the absence or
disability of the Chairman of the Board, or at his request, the Chief Executive Officer may preside
at any meeting of the stockholders or of the Board and, in such circumstances, may exercise any of
the other powers or perform any of the other duties of the Chairman of the Board. The Chief
Executive Officer may sign or execute, in the name of the Corporation, all stock certificates,
deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other documents and instruments, except in cases where the
signing or execution thereof shall be required by law or shall have been expressly delegated by the
Board or these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation.
The Chief Executive Officer shall have authority to sign and acknowledge in the name and on
behalf of the Corporation all stock certificates, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other
documents and instruments, except where the signing thereof shall be expressly delegated to some
other officer or agent by the Board or required by law to be otherwise signed or executed and,
unless otherwise provided by law or by the Board may authorize any officer, employee or agent of
the Corporation to sign, execute and acknowledge in his place and stead all such documents and
instruments. He shall have the power to appoint and remove assistant officers of the Corporation
with such titles and duties as he may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate. He shall
have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by
the Board.
The Chief Executive Officer shall have such other power and authority as is usual, customary
and desirable to perform all the duties of the office (including, but not limited to, the approval
of payments or arrangements made in connection with the Corporations debt, interest, tax,
contractual and regulatory obligations) necessary to, and consistent with, the businesses of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Chief Executive Officer (and other officers of the
Corporation as delegated by the Chief Executive Officer or as authorized in these Bylaws) may
delegate the foregoing authorization to other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation by
either written authorization (including powers of attorney) or otherwise, unless such authorization
is expressly reserved for the Chief Executive Officer or other officer, as applicable.
Section 8. President
The President, if any, shall have general authority over the property, business and affairs of
the Corporation, and over all subordinate officers, agents and employees of the Corporation,
subject to the control and direction of each of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer,
including the power to sign and acknowledge in the name and on behalf of the Corporation all stock
certificates, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other documents and instruments except when the
signing thereof shall be expressly delegated to some other officer or agent by the Board or
required by law to be otherwise signed or executed and, unless otherwise provided by law or
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by the Board, may delegate to any officer, employee or agent of the Corporation authority to
sign, execute and acknowledge in his place and stead all such documents and instruments.
Section 9. Vice Presidents
Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President and Vice President, if any, shall have
such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him, directly or
indirectly, either generally or in specific instances, by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
Subject to delegations by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to this Article V,
each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President and Vice President shall perform all duties
incident to the office of vice president of a corporation and shall have authority to sign or
execute, in the name of the Corporation, all stock certificates, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts
or other documents or instruments, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall
have been expressly delegated by the Board or these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the
Corporation.
Section 10. Secretary
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings of the stockholders and of the Board in books
provided for the purpose; he shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the
provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; he shall be custodian of the records and of the
corporate seal or seals of the Corporation; he shall see that the corporate seal is affixed to all
documents requiring same, the execution of which, on behalf of the Corporation, under its seal, is
duly authorized, and when said seal is so affixed he may attest same; and, in general, he shall
perform all duties incident to the office of the secretary of a corporation, and such other duties
as from time to time may be assigned to him directly or indirectly by the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer and the President, or as may be provided by law. Any Assistant Secretary may
perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Secretary at the request of, or in
the absence or disability of, the Secretary or otherwise as occasion may require in the
administration of the business and affairs of the Corporation.
Section 11. Absence or Disability of Officers
In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the
President, the Board or a committee thereof may designate individuals to perform the duties of
those absent or disabled.
Article VI
Stock Certificates and Transfer Therof
Section 1. Stock Certificates
Except as otherwise permitted by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or resolution or
resolutions of the Board, every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a
certificate, signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President and by the
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Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares, and the class and series thereof,
owned by him in the Corporation. Any and all of the signatures on the certificate may be a
facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile
signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent
or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same
effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The Board or
the Chief Executive Officer shall determine the form of stock certificate of the Corporation.
Section 2. Transfer of Stock
Transfer of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books
(whether physically or electronically) of the Corporation by the holder thereof, or by his attorney
duly authorized, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares. A person in
whose name shares of stock stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof
as regards the Corporation, and the Corporation shall not, except as expressly required by statute,
be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such shares on the part of
any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof.
Section 3. Transfer Agents and Registrars
The Board may appoint responsible companies from time to time to act as transfer agents and
registrars of the stock of the Corporation, as may be required by and in accordance with applicable
laws, rules and regulations. Except as otherwise provided by the Board in respect of temporary
certificates, no certificates for shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be valid unless
countersigned by a transfer agent and registered by one of such registrars.
Section 4. Additional Regulations
The Board may make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning
the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation.
Section 5. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates
The Board may provide for the issuance of new certificates of stock to replace certificates of
stock lost, stolen or destroyed, or alleged to be lost, stolen or destroyed, upon such terms and in
accordance with such procedures as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer shall deem proper and
prescribe.
Article VII
Dividends, Surplus, Etc.
Except as otherwise provided by statute or the Articles of Incorporation, the Board may
declare dividends upon the shares of its capital stock either (1) out of its surplus, or (2) in
case there shall be no surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year, whenever, and in such
amounts as, in its opinion, the condition of the affairs of the Corporation shall render it
advisable. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation.
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No distribution may be made if, after giving effect to the distribution, (1) the Corporation
would not be able to pay indebtedness of the Corporation as the indebtedness becomes due in the
usual course of business, or (2) the Corporations total assets would be less than the sum of its
total liabilities plus, unless the Articles of Incorporation permit otherwise, the amount that
would be needed if the Corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution to satisfy
the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights on dissolution
are superior to those receiving the distribution.
Article VIII
Seal
The Corporation may have a corporate seal which shall have inscribed thereon the name of the
Corporation, the year of its organization and the words Corporate Seal, Maryland. The corporate
seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other
manner reproduced.
Article IX
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of April of each year, or on
such other day as may be fixed from time to time by the Board.
Article X
Indemnification
Section 1. Right to Indemnification
Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved
(including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a proceeding),
by reason of the fact that he is or was a director (as that term is used in this Article X only, to
include directors elected or appointed pursuant to Article III of these Bylaws, Advisory Directors
and Emeritus Directors acting at the request of the Board), officer or employee of the Corporation
or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including
service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an indemnitee), whether the basis
of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or
agent or in any other capacity while serving as such a director, officer, employee or agent, shall
be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the full extent authorized by the Maryland
General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any
such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader
indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment),
or by other applicable law as then in effect, against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts to be paid in
settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith
and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or agent and shall inure to
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the benefit of the indemnitees heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that
except as provided in Section 2 of this Article with respect to proceedings seeking to enforce
rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee seeking
indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only
if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of the Corporation. The right to
indemnification conferred in this Section shall be a contract right and shall include the right to
be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its
final disposition (hereinafter an advancement of expenses); further provided, however, that, if
the Maryland General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee
in his capacity as a director, officer or employee (and not in any other capacity in which service
was or is rendered by such indemnitee while a director, officer or employee, including, without
limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the
Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced
if it shall ultimately be determined that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under
this Section 1, or otherwise.
Section 2. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit
If a claim under Section 1 of this Article X is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60
days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for
an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty days, the
indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid
amount of the claim and, to the extent successful in whole or in part, the indemnitee shall be
entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such suit. The indemnitee shall be presumed to be
entitled to indemnification under this Article upon submission of a written claim (and, in an
action brought to enforce a claim for an advancement of expenses, where the required undertaking,
if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation), and thereafter the Corporation shall
have the burden of proof to overcome the presumption that the indemnitee is not so entitled.
Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board, independent legal counsel or its
stockholders), to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that
indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances, nor an actual determination by
the Corporation (including its Board, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the
indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, shall be a defense to the suit or create a
presumption that the indemnitee is not so entitled.
Section 3. Nonexclusivity of Rights
The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article X
shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any
statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 4. Insurance, Contracts and Funding
The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation
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would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under
the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Corporation may enter into contracts with any indemnitee
in furtherance of the provisions of this Article and may create a trust fund, grant a security
interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the
payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided in this Article.
Section 5. Majority Owned Subsidiaries
Any person who is or was serving as a director of a majority owned subsidiary of the
Corporation shall be deemed, for purposes of this Article only, to be a director, officer or
employee of the Corporation entitled to indemnification under this Article.
Section 6. Indemnification of Agents of the Corporation
The Corporation may, by action of the Board from time to time, grant rights to indemnification
and advancement of expenses to agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the
provisions of this Article with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of
directors, officers and employees of the Corporation.
Article XI
Checks, Drafts, Bank Accounts, Etc.
Section 1. Checks, Drafts, Etc.; Loans
All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of
indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers,
agent or agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall, from time to time, be determined by
resolution of the Board. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation unless
authorized by the Board. Such authority may be general or confined to specific circumstances.
Section 2. Deposits
All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited, from time to time, to the credit of the
Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board may select, or as may
be selected by any officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation to whom such power may,
from time to time, be delegated by the Board; and for the purpose of such deposit, the appropriate
officer or agent to whom such power may be delegated by the Board, may endorse, assign and deliver
checks, drafts and other order for the payment of money which are payable to the order of the
Corporation.
Article XII
Amendments
Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be altered or
repealed, and new Bylaws may be made, by the affirmative vote, at any meeting of the Board, of a
majority of the entire Board, subject to the rights of the stockholders of the Corporation to amend
or repeal Bylaws made or amended by the Board by the affirmative vote of the holders of
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record of a majority in number of shares of the outstanding stock of the Corporation present
or represented at any meeting of the stockholders and entitled to vote thereon, provided that
notice of the proposed action be included in the notice of such meeting.
Article XIII
Miscellaneous
All references and uses herein of the masculine pronouns he or his shall have equal
applicability to and shall also mean their feminine counterpart pronouns, such as she or her.
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B-19
Exhibit C
Articles Of Merger Of
Digital Ecosystems Corp.
(A Nevada Corporation)
With And Into
PetroHunter Energy Corporation
(A Maryland Corporation)
Pursuant to Section 3-107 of the
General Corporation Law of Maryland
1. The names and states of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations
(collectively, the Constituent Corporations) are as follows:
Digital
Ecosystems Corp., a Nevada corporation (Digital Ecosystems Nevada)
and
PetroHunter Energy Corporation, a Maryland corporation (PetroHunter Maryland).
2. An agreement and plan of merger (the Agreement And Plan Of Merger) has been approved,
adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by the board of directors and the holders of common
stock of each of the Constituent Corporations in accordance with the laws under which it is formed
and in particular, in accordance with the applicable provisions of Title 7 of the Nevada Revised
Statutes, and the General Corporation Law of Maryland, respectively. The Agreement And Plan Of
Merger provides for, among other things, the merger of Digital Ecosystems Nevada with and into
PetroHunter Maryland pursuant to which each stockholder of Digital Ecosystems Nevada will receive
one share of common stock of PetroHunter Maryland for each share of common stock of Digital
Ecosystems Nevada that each stockholder of Digital Ecosystems Nevada owns.
3. Digital Ecosystems Nevada was incorporated on February 21, 2002 pursuant to Title 7 of the
Nevada Revised Statutes.
4. Neither Digital Ecosystems Nevada nor PetroHunter Maryland owns any interest in land in
Maryland. No interest in land in Maryland is affected by the merger of Digital Ecosystems Nevada
with and into PetroHunter Maryland.
5. The surviving corporation shall be PetroHunter Maryland. The name of the surviving
corporation shall be PetroHunter Energy Corporation.
6. The Articles Of Incorporation of PetroHunter Maryland shall be the articles of
incorporation of the surviving corporation.
7. The executed Agreement And Plan Of Merger is on file at the principal place of business of
PetroHunter Maryland, 1875 Lawrence Street, Suite 1400, Denver, Colorado 80202.
8. A copy of the Agreement And Plan Of Merger will be furnished by PetroHunter Maryland on
request without cost to any stockholder of Digital Ecosystems Nevada and to any stockholder of
PetroHunter Maryland.
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9. The authorized capital stock of Digital Ecosystems Nevada consists of shares
of $.001 par value common stock, of which were issued and outstanding as of the
___, 2006 record date for determining stockholders eligible to vote on the merger, and
shares of $.001 par value preferred stock, none of which are issued and outstanding.
10. The authorized capital stock of PetroHunter Maryland consists of shares of
$.001 par value common stock, ___ of which are issued and outstanding and owned by Digital
Ecosystems Nevada Maryland, and shares of $.001 par value preferred stock, none of
which are issued and outstanding.
11. Upon the merger becoming effective, (a) each outstanding share of common stock of Digital
Ecosystems Nevada shall be immediately deemed to be one share of common stock of PetroHunter
Maryland without an exchange of certificates, and (b) the ___ shares of common stock of
PetroHunter Maryland owned by Digital Ecosystems Nevada, which shall then be owned by PetroHunter
Maryland by virtue of the merger, shall be retired and resume the status of authorized and unissued
shares and any capital represented by the shares shall be eliminated.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, these Articles Of Merger have been executed by each of PetroHunter
Maryland and Digital Ecosystems Nevada by its duly authorized officers on the dates set forth
below.
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PETROHUNTER ENERGY CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation |
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Date:
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, President |
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DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS CORP., a Nevada corporation |
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Date:
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By: |
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, President |
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ATTEST: |
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STATE OF COLORADO
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COUNTY OF DENVER
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On
this ___ day of
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personally appeared
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President of PetroHunter Energy Corporation, a Maryland corporation, who, being duly sworn by me,
acknowledged that he executed the foregoing instrument in the name of said entity, that he had the
authority to execute same, and that he executed the same as the act and deed of said entity for the
uses and purposes therein stated.
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My commission expires: |
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Notary Public |
[SEAL]
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STATE OF COLORADO
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COUNTY OF DENVER
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On
this ___ day of
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me personally appeared
,
President of Digital Ecosystems Corp., a Nevada corporation, who, being duly sworn by me,
acknowledged that he executed the foregoing instrument in the name of said entity, that he had the
authority to execute same, and that he executed the same as the act and deed of said entity for the
uses and purposes therein stated.
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My commission expires: |
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Notary Public |
[SEAL]
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STATE OF COLORADO
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COUNTY OF DENVER
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On
this ___ day of
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me personally appeared
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Secretary of PetroHunter Energy Corporation, a Maryland corporation, who, being duly sworn by me,
acknowledged that he executed the foregoing instrument in the name of said entity, that he had the
authority to execute same, and that he executed the same as the act and deed of said entity for the
uses and purposes therein stated.
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My commission expires: |
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Notary Public |
[SEAL]
C-3
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STATE OF COLORADO
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COUNTY OF DENVER
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On
this ___ day of
, 2006,
before me personally appeared
,
Secretary of Digital Ecosystems Corp., a Nevada corporation, who, being duly sworn by me,
acknowledged that he executed the foregoing instrument in the name of said entity, that he had the
authority to execute same, and that he executed the same as the act and deed of said entity for the
uses and purposes therein stated.
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My commission expires: |
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Notary Public |
[SEAL]
* * * * *
C-4