AIXI XIAO I Corporation

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of January 2025

 

Commission File Number 001-41631

 

Xiao-I Corporation

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

5/F, Building 2, No. 2570

Hechuan Road, Minhang District

Shanghai, China 201101

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

 

Form 20-F ☒      Form 40-F ☐

 

 

 

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Securities Purchase Agreement

 

On January 6, 2025, Xiao-I Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability (the “Company”), entered into two securities purchase agreements (each, a “SPA”) with two institutional investors (the “Investor”) to issue and sell two convertible promissory notes with the aggregate principal amount of $4,637,840 (collectively, the “Notes”), including the initial aggregate principal amount of $4,295,000 and an additional original issue discount in the aggregate amount of $342,840 to be added to the principal amount on the 30-day anniversary of the Purchase Price Date (as defined in the applicable Note). The Notes were sold to the Investors with an 8% Original Issue Discount and are convertible into the Company’s ordinary shares in the form of American Depositary Shares (“Conversion Shares”). Each ADS represents three ordinary shares.

 

The Notes were sold to the Investors in reliance upon an exemption from securities registration afforded by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Company received gross proceeds of $4,295,000. The Conversion Shares were offered through a prospectus supplement pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3 and the base prospectus therein. Such prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to and describing the terms of this offering will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). When available, copies of such prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be obtained at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov.

 

The Note

 

Conversion at Option of Holder

 

Each Note will mature 12 months after the Purchase Price Date (as defined in the applicable Note) and will be convertible into the Company’s ADSs at a conversion price equal to the lower of (i) $7.201 (the “Fixed Price”) or (ii) 85% multiplied by the lowest daily volume-weighted average price of the ADSs during the ten trading days preceding a conversion (the “Market Price”). The conversion price will be further reduced by $0.05 per ADS to cover any receipt issuance fees incurred by the holder in connection with any conversion (the “Conversion Price”).

 

An Investor may convert all, or any part, of the outstanding principal of the Note, together with accrued and unpaid interest, any make-whole amount and any late charges thereon, at any time, at the Investor’s option, into Conversion Shares as per the following conversion formula: the number of Conversion Shares equals the amount of the outstanding balance being converted (the “Conversion Amount”) divided by the Conversion Price (subject to pro rata adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination and/or similar transactions).

 

Interest Rate

 

Each Note will bear interest at a rate of 6% per annum, which will increase to 18% upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default and upon written notice from the Investor. Each Note represents a general obligation of the Company and ranks pari passu with other obligations. The holder of each Note may convert all, or any part, of the outstanding principal of the Note, together with accrued and unpaid interest, any make-whole amount and any late charges thereon, at any time, at the holder’s option, into Conversion Shares as per the following conversion formula: the number of Conversion Shares equals the amount of the outstanding balance being converted (the “Conversion Amount”) divided by the Conversion Price (subject to pro-rata adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination and/or similar transactions).

 

 

Security

 

The Note is unsecured.

 

Prepayment

 

We may prepay the Notes by providing the Investor ten-trading-days’ advance written notice. Any prepayment will be equal to 101% of the Outstanding Balance (as defined in the Note) if such prepayment is made on or prior to the date that is thirty (30) days from January 7, 2025 and 110% of the Outstanding Balance if such prepayment is made thereafter. We will not be obligated to pay a prepayment premium if the outstanding balance is less than $100,000.00. We may not prepay the Note if an event of default has occurred. 

 

Trigger Events & Events of Default

 

Each Note enumerates a number of events (referred to as “Trigger Events”) which include, but are not limited to, (a) failure to pay principal, interest or fees when due; (b) appointment of a receiver or similar official over the Company’s assets without resolution within the specified timeframe; (c) insolvency or inability to pay debts of the Company; (d) the Company’s general assignment of assets for creditors; (e) occurrence of a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding by the Company; (f) occurrence of an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding against the Company; (g) failure to perform any covenant agreed under the applicable SPA; (h) entering into a Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Note) without the applicable Investor’s consent while such Note is outstanding; (i) failure by the Company to maintain an effective registration statement covering Conversion Shares until the six-month anniversary of the Note; (j) failure to deliver any Conversion Shares within the time specified in such Note; (k) the Company’s breach of any covenant or obligation under the Transaction Documents (as defined in the SPA); (l) material misrepresentation in the warranties or statements of the Company; (m) reverse stock splits with respect to the ADSs without proper notice; (n) a court renders a money judgment against the Company of $100,000.00 or more that remains uncontested or unvacated; or (o) breaches of Other Agreements (as defined in the applicable Note) by us or related parties. Upon the occurrence of a Trigger Event, the applicable Investor may at its option, apply a trigger effect which increases the outstanding balance of the Note by an amount equal to 10% for any “Minor Trigger Event” and 15% for any “Major Trigger Event” (as defined in the Note). Additionally, such Investor may at its option, send a written request to the Company requiring a cure of such Trigger Event. In the event that we fail to cure the Trigger Event within ten days, the Trigger Event will automatically convert into an event of default (the “Event of Default”). Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default the applicable Investor may accelerate the Outstanding Balance of the Note and Default Interest (as defined in the note) equal to 18% per annum will apply.

 

Ranking

 

Each Note is a general obligation of the Company and ranks pari passu with other obligations.

 

Beneficial Ownership Limitation

 

Conversions and issuance of Conversion Shares pursuant to any Note are prohibited if such conversion or issuance would cause the applicable holder (together with its affiliates) to beneficially own a number of ADSs exceeding 9.99% of the number of ADSs outstanding on such date.

 

There was no placement agent for the sale of the Notes or in connection with the offering of Conversion Shares.

 

Copies of the forms of the Notes, the SPA, and the legal opinions delivered in connection with the closing of the transaction are attached hereto as exhibits and are incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the SPAs and Notes is a summary of the material terms of such agreements, does not purport to be complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the SPAs and the Notes.

 

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Exhibits 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, and 10.1 to this current report on Form 6-K are incorporated by reference into the registration statement on Form F-3 of Xiao-I Corporation, as amended (SEC File No. 333-279306), and shall be a part thereof from the date on which this report is furnished, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number		Description
4.1		Form of Convertible Promissory Note issued to Investors, dated as of January 7, 2025
5.1		Opinion of Jingtian & Gongcheng
5.2		Opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman
10.1		Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2025 between the Company and each Investor.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: January 10, 2025	Xiao-I Corporation
	By:	/s/ Hui Yuan
		Name:	Hui Yuan
		Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

 

5

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

Form CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Effective Date: January 7, 2025

U.S. $[  ]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Xiao-I Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Borrower”), promises to pay to [  ], a [  ]company, or its successors or assigns (“Lender”), $[  ] and any interest, fees, charges, and late fees accrued hereunder on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Purchase Price Date (the “Maturity Date”) in accordance with the terms set forth herein and to pay interest on the Outstanding Balance at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum simple interest from the Purchase Price Date until the same is paid in full. All interest calculations hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve (12) thirty (30) day months and shall be payable in accordance with the terms of this Note. This Convertible Promissory Note (this “Note”) is issued and made effective as of January 7, 2025 (the “Effective Date”). This Note is issued pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated January 6th, 2025, as the same may be amended from time to time, by and between Borrower and Lender (the “Purchase Agreement”). Certain capitalized terms used herein that are defined in Attachment 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Borrower agrees to pay $[  ] to Lender to cover Lender’s legal fees, accounting costs, due diligence, monitoring and other transaction costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of this Note (the “Transaction Expense Amount”). The Transaction Expense Amount is included in the initial principal balance of this Note and are deemed to be fully earned and non-refundable as of the Purchase Price Date. The purchase price for this Note shall be $[  ] (the “Purchase Price”), computed as follows: $[  ] original principal balance, less the Transaction Expense Amount. The Purchase Price shall be payable by Lender by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

 

1. Payment; Prepayment; OID.

 

1.1. Payment. All payments owing hereunder shall be in lawful money of the United States of America or Conversion Shares (as defined below), as provided for herein, and delivered to Lender at the address or bank account furnished to Borrower for that purpose. All payments shall be applied first to (a) costs of collection, if any, then to (b) fees and charges, if any, then to (c) accrued and unpaid interest, and thereafter, to (d) principal.

 

1.2. Prepayment. So long as no Event of Default (as defined below) has occurred, Borrower shall have the right, exercisable on not less than ten Trading Days prior written notice to Lender to prepay the Outstanding Balance (less such portion of the Outstanding Balance for which Borrower has received a Conversion Notice (as defined below) from Lender where the applicable Conversion Shares have not yet been delivered) of this Note, in part or in full, in accordance with this Section 1.2. Any notice of prepayment hereunder (an “Optional Prepayment Notice”) shall be delivered to Lender at its registered address or through email and shall state: (i) that Borrower is exercising its right to prepay this Note, and (ii) the date of prepayment, which shall be not less than ten Trading Days from the date of the Optional Prepayment Notice. On the date fixed for prepayment (the “Optional Prepayment Date”), Borrower shall make payment of the Optional Prepayment Amount (as defined below) to or upon the order of Lender as may be specified by Lender in writing to Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, Lender shall be entitled to exercise its Conversion (as defined below) rights until the Optional Prepayment Date. If Borrower exercises its right to prepay this Note, Borrower shall make payment to Lender of an amount in cash equal to 101% multiplied by the Outstanding Balance of this Note if such prepayment is made on or prior to the date that is thirty (30) days from the Effective Date and 110% multiplied by the Outstanding Balance of this Note if such prepayment is made after the date that is thirty (30) days from the Effective Date (the “Optional Prepayment Amount”). In the event Borrower delivers the Optional Prepayment Amount to Lender prior to the Optional Prepayment Date, the Optional Prepayment Amount shall not be deemed to have been paid to Lender until the Optional Prepayment Date. In the event Borrower delivers the Optional Prepayment Amount without an Optional Prepayment Notice, then the Optional Prepayment Date will be deemed to be the date that is ten Trading Days from the date that the Optional Prepayment Amount was delivered to Lender and Lender shall be entitled to exercise its Conversion rights during such ten (10) Trading Day period. In addition, if Borrower delivers an Optional Prepayment Notice and fails to pay the Optional Prepayment Amount due to Lender within two (2) Trading Days following the Optional Prepayment Date, Borrower shall forever forfeit its right to prepay this Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower will not be obligated pay a prepayment premium if the Outstanding Balance is less than $100,000.00.

 

 

1.3. OID. On the thirty (30) day anniversary of the Purchase Price Date, an OID of $[  ] will automatically be added to the Outstanding Balance of the Note. Once added, the OID will be fully earned and non-refundable.

 

2. Security. This Note is unsecured.

 

3. Conversions. Lender has the right at any time following the date hereof until the Outstanding Balance has been paid in full, at its election, to convert (each instance of conversion is referred to herein as a “Conversion”) all or any portion of the Outstanding Balance into fully paid and non-assessable American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) of Borrower (“Conversion Shares”) as per the following conversion formula: the number of Conversion Shares equals the amount of the Outstanding Balance being converted (the “Conversion Amount”) divided by the Conversion Price. Conversion notices in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each, a “Conversion Notice”) may be effectively delivered to Borrower by any method set forth in the “Notices” section of the Purchase Agreement, and all Conversions shall be cashless and not require further payment from Lender. Borrower shall deliver the Conversion Shares from any Conversion to Lender in accordance with Section 8 below. Lender shall be responsible to pay all fees related to the transfer of ordinary shares to ADSs in order to satisfy any Conversion hereunder.

 

4. Trigger Events; Defaults; and Remedies.

 

4.1. Trigger Events. The following are trigger events under this Note (each, a “Trigger Event”): (a) Borrower fails to pay any principal, interest, fees, charges, or any other amount when due and payable hereunder; (b) a receiver, trustee or other similar official shall be appointed over Borrower or a material part of its assets and such appointment shall remain uncontested for twenty (20) days or shall not be dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days; (c) Borrower becomes insolvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due; (d) Borrower makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (e) Borrower files a petition for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law (domestic or foreign); (f) an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding is commenced or filed against Borrower; (g) Borrower fails to observe or perform any covenant set forth in Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement; (h) the occurrence of a Fundamental Transaction without Lender’s prior written consent; provided, however, Lender’s consent will not be required if this Note is paid in full in connection with such Fundamental Transaction; (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Purchase Price Date and ending on the date that is six (6) months from the Purchase Price Date, Borrower fails to maintain an effective registration statement pursuant to which Lender is authorized to sell registered Conversion Shares; (j) Borrower fails to deliver any Conversion Shares in accordance with the terms hereof; (k) Borrower or any pledgor, trustor, or guarantor of this Note defaults or otherwise fails to observe or perform any covenant, obligation, condition or agreement of Borrower or such pledgor, trustor, or guarantor contained herein or in any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), other than those specifically set forth in this Section 4.1 and Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement; (l) any representation, warranty or other statement made or furnished by or on behalf of Borrower or any pledgor, trustor, or guarantor of this Note to Lender herein, in any Transaction Document, or otherwise in connection with the issuance of this Note is false, incorrect, incomplete or misleading in any material respect when made or furnished; (m) Borrower effectuates a reverse split, ratio change or other similar event with respect to its ADSs without twenty (20) Trading Days prior written notice to Lender; (n) any money judgment, writ or similar process is entered or filed against Borrower or any subsidiary of Borrower or any of its property or other assets for more than $100,000.00, and shall remain unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of twenty (20) calendar days unless otherwise consented to by Lender; or (o) Borrower, any subsidiary of Borrower, or any pledgor, trustor, or guarantor of this Note breaches any covenant or other term or condition contained in any Other Agreements.

 

 

4.2. Trigger Event Remedies. At any time following the occurrence of any Trigger Event, Lender may, at its option, increase the Outstanding Balance by applying the Trigger Effect (subject to the limitation set forth below).

 

4.3. Defaults. At any time following the occurrence of a Trigger Event, Lender may, at its option, send written notice to Borrower demanding that Borrower cure the Trigger Event within ten (10) days. If Borrower fails to cure the Trigger Event within the required ten (10) day cure period, the Trigger Event will automatically become an event of default hereunder (each, an “Event of Default”).

 

4.4. Default Remedies. At any time and from time to time following the occurrence of any Event of Default, Lender may accelerate this Note by written notice to Borrower, with the Outstanding Balance becoming immediately due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of any Trigger Event described in clauses (b) – (f) of Section 4.1, an Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred and the Outstanding Balance as of the date of the occurrence of such Trigger Event shall become immediately and automatically due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount, without any written notice required by Lender for the Trigger Event to become an Event of Default. At any time following the occurrence of any Event of Default, upon written notice given by Lender to Borrower, interest shall accrue on the Outstanding Balance beginning on the date the applicable Event of Default occurred at an interest rate equal to the lesser of eighteen percent (18%) per annum simple interest or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law (“Default Interest”). For the avoidance of doubt, Lender may continue making Conversions at any time following a Trigger Event or Event of Default until such time as the Outstanding Balance is paid in full. In connection with acceleration described herein, Lender need not provide, and Borrower hereby waives, any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, and Lender may immediately and without expiration of any grace period enforce any and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and all other remedies available to it under applicable law. Such acceleration may be rescinded and annulled by Lender at any time prior to payment hereunder and Lender shall have all rights as a holder of the Note until such time, if any, as Lender receives full payment of this Note. No such rescission or annulment shall affect any subsequent Trigger Event or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Nothing herein shall limit Lender’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to Borrower’s failure to timely deliver Conversion Shares upon Conversion of the Note as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

5. Unconditional Obligation; No Offset. Borrower acknowledges that this Note is an unconditional, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of Borrower not subject to offset, deduction or counterclaim of any kind. Borrower hereby waives any rights of offset it now has or may have hereafter against Lender, its successors and assigns, and agrees to make the payments or Conversions called for herein in accordance with the terms of this Note.

 

6. Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Note shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver. No waiver of any provision or consent to any prohibited action shall constitute a waiver of any other provision or consent to any other prohibited action, whether or not similar. No waiver or consent shall constitute a continuing waiver or consent or commit a party to provide a waiver or consent in the future except to the extent specifically set forth in writing.

 

 

7. Rights Upon Issuance of Securities.

 

7.1. Subsequent Equity Sales. Except with respect to Excluded Securities, if Borrower or any subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time this Note is outstanding, shall sell, issue or grant any ordinary shares, ADSs, option to purchase ADSs, right to reprice, preferred shares convertible into ADSs, or debt, warrants, options or other instruments or securities to any third party which are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs (collectively, the “Equity Securities”), at an effective price per ADS less than the then-effective Fixed Price (such issuance is referred to herein as a “Dilutive Issuance”), then, the Fixed Price shall be automatically reduced and only reduced to equal such lower effective price per ADS. If the holder of any Equity Securities so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options, or rights per ADS which are issued in connection with such Dilutive Issuance, be entitled to receive ADSs at an effective price per ADS that is less than the Fixed Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Fixed Price on the date of such Dilutive Issuance, and the then effective Fixed Price shall be reduced and only reduced to equal such lower effective price per ADS. Such adjustments described above to the Fixed Price shall be permanent (subject to additional adjustments under this section), and shall be made whenever such Equity Securities are issued. Borrower shall notify Lender, in writing, no later than two (2) Trading Days following the issuance of any Equity Securities subject to this Section 7.1, indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price, or other pricing terms.

 

7.2. Adjustment of Conversion Price upon Subdivision or Combination of ADSs. Without limiting any provision hereof, if Borrower at any time on or after the Effective Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, change in ordinary share to ADS ratio or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding ADSs into a greater number of ADSs, the Fixed Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced. Without limiting any provision hereof, if Borrower at any time on or after the Effective Date combines (by combination, reverse stock split, change in ADS to ordinary share ratio or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding ADSs into a smaller number of ADSs, the Fixed Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 7.2 shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such subdivision or combination. If any event requiring an adjustment under this Section 7.2 occurs during the period that a Market Price is calculated hereunder, then the calculation of such Market Price shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect such event.

 

7.3. Other Events. In the event that Borrower (or any subsidiary) shall take any action to which the provisions hereof are not strictly applicable, or, if applicable, would not operate to protect Lender from dilution or if any event occurs of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Section 7 but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features), then Borrower’s board of directors shall in good faith determine and implement an appropriate adjustment in the Conversion Price so as to protect the rights of Lender, provided that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 7.3 will increase the Conversion Price as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 7, provided further that if Lender does not accept such adjustments as appropriately protecting its interests hereunder against such dilution, then Borrower’s board of directors and Lender shall agree, in good faith, upon an independent investment bank of nationally recognized standing to make such appropriate adjustments, whose determination shall be final and binding and whose fees and expenses shall be borne by Borrower.

 

 

8. Method of Conversion Share Delivery. On or before the close of business on the third (3^rd) Trading Day following the date of delivery of a Conversion Notice (the “Delivery Date”), Borrower shall, deliver or cause its depositary bank to issue and deliver the applicable Conversion Shares electronically to the account designated by Lender in the applicable Conversion Notice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Transaction Document, in the event Borrower or its depositary bank refuses to deliver any Conversion Shares without a restrictive securities legend to Lender on grounds that such issuance is in violation of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Rule 144”), Borrower shall deliver or cause its depositary bank to deliver the applicable Conversion Shares to Lender with a restricted securities legend, but otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8. In conjunction therewith, Borrower will also deliver to Lender a written explanation from its counsel or its depositary bank’s counsel opining as to why the issuance of the applicable Conversion Shares violates Rule 144.

 

9. Conversion Delays. If Borrower fails to deliver Conversion Shares in accordance with the timeframe stated in Section 8, Lender may at any time prior to receiving the applicable Conversion Shares rescind in whole or in part such Conversion, with a corresponding increase to the Outstanding Balance (any returned amount will tack back to the Purchase Price Date for purposes of determining the holding period under Rule 144). In addition, for each Conversion, in the event that Conversion Shares are not delivered by the Delivery Date, a late fee equal to 2% of the applicable Conversion Share Value rounded to the nearest multiple of $100.00 but with a floor of $350.00 per day (but in any event the cumulative amount of such late fees for each Conversion shall not exceed 200% of the applicable Conversion Share Value) will be assessed for each day after the Delivery Date until Conversion Share delivery is made; and such late fees will be added to the Outstanding Balance (such fees, the “Conversion Delay Late Fees”).

 

10. Issuance Fees. Lender will be responsible for any fees that must be paid in order to issue any Conversion Shares to Lender.

 

11. Sales Limitation. Lender agrees that so long as no Trigger Event has occurred, Lender will limit its sales of Conversion Shares on the open market in any given calendar week to fifteen percent (15%) of the weekly trading volume of the ADSs on all trading markets for such week (the “Sales Limitation”), unless otherwise authorized by Borrower in writing. In the event Lender breaches such covenant, Borrower’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the reduction of the Outstanding Balance in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the net proceeds Lender received from excess sales in any given week (or payable in cash if this Note has been satisfied in full). For the avoidance of doubt, both the Sales Limitation and Borrower’s remedy related to such limitation shall expire thirty (30) days after satisfaction in full of the Note.

 

12. Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note or the other Transaction Documents, Borrower shall not effect any conversion of this Note to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion would cause Lender (together with its affiliates) to beneficially own a number of ADSs exceeding 9.99% of the number of ADSs outstanding on such date (including for such purpose the ADSs issuable upon such issuance) (the “Maximum Percentage”). For purposes of this section, beneficial ownership of ADSs will be determined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. The Maximum Percentage is enforceable, unconditional and non-waivable and shall apply to all affiliates and assigns of Lender.

 

13. Opinion of Counsel. In the event that an opinion of counsel is needed for any Conversion under this Note, Lender has the right to have any such opinion provided by its counsel.

 

14. Governing Law; Venue. This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Note shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. The provisions set forth in the Purchase Agreement to determine the proper venue for any disputes are incorporated herein by this reference.

 

 

15. Arbitration of Disputes. By its issuance or acceptance of this Note, each party agrees to be bound by the Arbitration Provisions (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) set forth as an exhibit to the Purchase Agreement.

 

16. Cancellation. After repayment or conversion of the entire Outstanding Balance, this Note shall be deemed paid in full, shall automatically be deemed canceled, and shall not be reissued.

 

17. Amendments. The prior written consent of both parties hereto shall be required for any change or amendment to this Note.

 

18. Assignments. Borrower may not assign this Note without the prior written consent of Lender. This Note and any Conversion Shares issued upon conversion of this Note may be offered, sold, assigned or transferred by Lender without the consent of Borrower, so long as such transfer is in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

 

19. Notices. Whenever notice is required to be given under this Note, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in accordance with the subsection of the Purchase Agreement titled “Notices.”

 

20. Liquidated Damages. Lender and Borrower agree that in the event Borrower fails to comply with any of the terms or provisions of this Note, Lender’s damages would be uncertain and difficult (if not impossible) to accurately estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates, future share prices, future trading volumes and other relevant factors. Accordingly, Lender and Borrower agree that any fees, balance adjustments, Default Interest or other charges assessed under this Note are not penalties but instead are intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, liquidated damages (under Lender’s and Borrower’s expectations that any such liquidated damages will tack back to the Purchase Price Date for purposes of determining the holding period under Rule 144). Therefore, no additional penalty claims, lost profits or liquidated damages shall be claimed in excess of agreed liquidated damage amounts under this Note.

 

21. Severability. If any part of this Note is construed to be in violation of any law, such part shall be modified to achieve the objective of Borrower and Lender to the fullest extent permitted by law and the balance of this Note shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed as of the Effective Date.

 

	BORROWER:
	Xiao-I Corporation
	By:
		Yuan Hui, Chief Executive Officer

 

ACKNOWLEDGED, ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
LENDER:
[  ]
By:
	[   ]

 

[Signature Page to Convertible Promissory Note]

 

 

ATTACHMENT 1

DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of this Note, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

A1. “Approved ADS Plan” means any equity compensation plan which has been approved by the shareholders of Borrower and is in effect as of the Purchase Price Date, pursuant to which Borrower’s securities may be issued to any employee, officer or director for services provided to Borrower.

 

A2. “Conversion Price” means the lesser of (a) the Fixed Price, and (b) the Market Price, less $0.05 to cover ADS issuance fees.

 

A3. “Conversion Share Value” means the product of the number of Conversion Shares deliverable pursuant to any Conversion Notice multiplied by the daily VWAP of the ADSs on the Delivery Date for such Conversion.

 

A4. “Excluded Securities” means any ADSs, options, or convertible securities issued or issuable in connection with any Approved ADS Plan; provided that the option term, exercise price or similar provisions of any issuances pursuant to such Approved ADS Plan are not amended, modified or changed on or after the Purchase Price Date.

 

A5. “Fixed Price” $7.201, as may be adjusted from time to time as set forth herein.

 

A6. “Fundamental Transaction” means that (a) (i) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is the surviving corporation) any other person or entity, (ii) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its respective properties or assets to any other person or entity, (iii) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, allow any other person or entity to make a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Borrower (not including any shares of voting stock of Borrower held by the person or persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the persons or entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer), (iv) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with any other person or entity whereby such other person or entity acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Borrower (not including any shares of voting stock of Borrower held by the other persons or entities making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other persons or entities making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination), (v) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify the ordinary shares or ADSs, other than an increase in the number of authorized shares of Borrower’s ordinary shares or ADSs, (vi) Borrower transfers any material asset to any Subsidiary, affiliate, person or entity under common ownership or control with Borrower, or (vii) Borrower pays or makes any monetary or non-monetary dividend or distribution to its shareholders; or (b) any “person” or “group” (as these terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) is or shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding voting stock of Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries entering into a definitive agreement that contemplates a Fundamental Transaction will be deemed to be a Fundamental Transaction unless such agreement contains a closing condition that this Note is repaid in full upon consummation of the transaction.

 

A7. “Major Trigger Event” means any Trigger Event occurring under Sections 4.1(a) - 4.1(i).

 

A8. “Mandatory Default Amount” means the Outstanding Balance following the application of the Trigger Effect.

 

A9. “Market Price” means 85% multiplied by the lowest daily VWAP in the ten (10) Trading Day period immediately preceding the applicable measurement date.

 

A10. “Minor Trigger Event” means any Trigger Event that is not a Major Trigger Event.

 

 

A11. “OID” means original issue discount.

 

A12. “Other Agreements” means, collectively, (a) all existing and future agreements and instruments between, among or by Borrower (or a subsidiary), on the one hand, and Lender (or an affiliate), on the other hand, and (b) any financing agreement or a material agreement that affects Borrower’s ongoing business operations.

 

A13. “Outstanding Balance” means as of any date of determination, the Purchase Price, as reduced or increased, as the case may be, pursuant to the terms hereof for payment, Conversion, offset, or otherwise, plus the Transaction Expense Amount, plus the OID, plus accrued but unpaid interest, collection and enforcements costs (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by Lender, transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes and fees related to Conversions, and any other fees or charges (including without limitation Conversion Delay Late Fees) incurred under this Note.

 

A14. “Purchase Price Date” means the date the Purchase Price is delivered by Lender to Borrower.

 

A15. “Trading Day” means any day on which the NASDAQ (or such other principal market for the ADSs) is open for trading.

 

A16. “Trigger Effect” means multiplying the Outstanding Balance as of the date the applicable Event of Default occurred by (a) fifteen percent (15%) for each occurrence of any Major Trigger Event, or (b) ten percent (10%) for each occurrence of any Minor Trigger Event, and then adding the resulting product to the Outstanding Balance as of the date the applicable Event of Default occurred, with the sum of the foregoing then becoming the Outstanding Balance under this Note as of the date the applicable Event of Default occurred; provided, however, that the Trigger Effect may only be applied up to three (3) time with respect to a Major Trigger Event and up to three (3) times with respect to a Minor Trigger Event; provided, further, that the Trigger Effect will not apply to any Trigger Event pursuant to Section 4.1(j).

 

A17. “VWAP” means the volume weighted average price of the ADSs on the principal market for a particular Trading Day or set of Trading Days, as the case may be, as reported by Bloomberg.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[  ]

 

Xiao-I Corporation

Attn: Yuan Hui, CEO

 

CONVERSION NOTICE

 

The above-captioned Lender hereby gives notice to Xiao-I Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Borrower”), pursuant to that certain Convertible Promissory Note made by Borrower in favor of Lender on January 7, 2025 (the “Note”), that Lender elects to convert the portion of the Note balance set forth below into fully paid and non-assessable ADSs of Borrower as of the date of conversion specified below. Said conversion shall be based on the Conversion Price set forth below. In the event of a conflict between this Conversion Notice and the Note, the Note shall govern, or, in the alternative, at the election of Lender in its sole discretion, Lender may provide a new form of Conversion Notice to conform to the Note. Capitalized terms used in this notice without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the Note.

 

A.

Date of Conversion: ____________

B.

Conversion #: ____________

C.

Conversion Amount: ____________

D.

Conversion Price: _______________

E.

Conversion Shares: _______________ (C divided by D)

F.

Remaining Outstanding Balance of Note: ____________*

 

*

Subject to adjustments for corrections, defaults, interest and other adjustments permitted by the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), the terms of which shall control in the event of any dispute between the terms of this Conversion Notice and such Transaction Documents.

 

Please transfer the Conversion Shares electronically to the following account:

 

Broker:			Address:
DTC#:
Account #:
Account Name:

 

	Lender:
	[  ]
	By:
		[  ]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

January 7, 2025

 

To: XIAO-I CORPORATION (the “Company”)

 

606, 6th floor, Building 23,

 

No. 1555 West Jinshajiang Rd.,

 

Shanghai, China 201803

 

Dear Mesdames/Sirs:

 

RE: PRC Legal Opinion in relation to the Issuance of Convertible Notes of XIAO-I CORPORATION

 

We are qualified lawyers of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) and are qualified to issue opinions on the PRC Laws (as defined below) (the “Opinion”). For the purpose of this Opinion, the PRC shall not include the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

 

We have acted as PRC legal counsel in relation to an issue and sale of an aggregate principal amount of $4,295,000 convertible notes (the “Notes”) for XIAO-I CORPORATION (the “Company”), an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Offering”), in connection with (i) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 6-K, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the “6-K”), (ii) the Prospectus Supplement in relation to up to $4,637,840 American Depositary Shares representing Ordinary Shares Issuable upon Conversion of Convertible Promissory Notes due January 6, 2026 (the “Prospectus Supplement”); (iii) the Securities Purchase Agreement dated January 6, 2025 by and between STREETERVILLE CAPITAL, LLC and the Company and the Securities Purchase Agreement dated January 6, 2025 by and between 3i, LP and the Company (collectively, the “Securities Purchase Agreements”); (iv) the CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE issued on January 7,2025 (the “Convertible Notes”); and (v) the Deposit Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2023 (the “Previous Deposit Agreement”), among the Company, Citibank, N.A. (the “Depositary”), and all holders and beneficial owners from time to time of the American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) issued thereunder, as amended, and (vi) the Convertible Promissory Note Letter Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2025 (the Convertible Promissory Note Letter Agreement together with the Previous Deposit Agreement, the “Deposit Agreement”; the Deposit Agreement, together with the Securities Purchase Agreements, the Convertible Notes, collectively the “Transaction Documents”).

 

We have been requested to give this Opinion on the matters set forth herein.

 

In so acting, we have examined the originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of documents provided to us by the Company and such other documents, corporate records, certificates issued by Governmental Authorities (as defined below) and officers of the Company and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purposes of rendering this Opinion (the “Documents”).

 

 

In our examination and for purpose of rendering this Opinion, we have assumed without further inquiry, (a) the genuineness of all the signatures, seals and chops, the authenticity of the Documents submitted to us as original and the conformity with authentic original documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of such originals; (b) the truthfulness, accuracy, fairness and completeness of the Documents, as well as the factual statements contained in the Documents, and the Documents and the factual statements contained therein is and will remain to be non-misleading; (c) that the Documents provided to us remain in full force and effect up to the date of this Opinion and that none of the Documents has been revoked, amended, varied or supplemented except as otherwise indicated in such documents; (d) that information provided to us by the Group Companies (as defined below) in response to our enquiries for the purpose of this Opinion is true, accurate, complete and not misleading, and that the Group Companies have not withheld anything that, if disclosed to us, would reasonably cause us to alter this Opinion in whole or in part; (e) all Governmental Authorizations (as defined below) and other official statement or documentation are obtained by lawful means in due course; (f) that each of the parties other than PRC Entities (as defined below) is duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and/or incorporation (as the case may be); (g) that all parties other than the PRC Entities have the requisite power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform all the Documents to which they are parties and have duly executed, delivered, performed, and will duly perform their obligations under all the Documents to which they are parties; (h) all documents submitted to us are legal, valid, binding and enforceable under all such laws as govern or relate to them other than the PRC Laws (as defined below); and (i) all required consents, licenses, permits, approvals, exemptions or authorizations required of or by, and any required registrations or filings with, any governmental authority or regulatory body of any jurisdiction other than the PRC in connection with the transactions contemplated under the Prospectus Supplement have been obtained or made, or where such required consents, licenses, permits, approvals, exemptions or authorizations have not been obtained or made as of the date hereof, no circumstance will cause or result in any failure for the same to be obtained or made.

 

In giving this opinion, we have assumed and have not verified the accuracy as to financial or auditing matters of each document we have reviewed, and have relied upon opinions or reports issued by overseas legal advisers, auditors and reporting accountants of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, we render no opinion as to and are not responsible for: (a) tax structuring or other tax matters; (b) financial, appraisal or accounting matters; and (c) review of technical or environmental issues.

 

We do not purport to be experts on and do not purport to be generally familiar with or qualified to express legal opinions based on any laws other than the laws of the PRC and accordingly express no legal opinion herein based upon any laws other than the laws of the PRC.

 

For the purpose of rendering this Opinion, where important facts were not independently established to us, we have relied upon certificates issued by Governmental Authorities and representatives of the shareholders of the Company and the Group Companies with proper authority and upon representations, made in or pursuant to the Documents.

 

 

The following terms as used in this opinion are defined as follows:

 

“Prospectus Supplement” shall have the meaning set forth above in this Opinion;

 

“Governmental Authorities” means any national, provincial or local court, governmental agency or body, stock exchange authorities or any other regulator in the PRC, and “Governmental Authority” means any of them;

 

“Governmental Authorizations” means any approval, consent, permit, authorization, filing, registration, exemption, waiver, endorsement, annual inspection, qualification and license required by the PRC Laws to be obtained from any Government Authority;

 

“PRC Entities” means, collectively, all entities listed in Schedule I hereto;

 

“Group Companies” means the Company, the BVI Subsidiary, the HK Subsidiary, AIPO Corporation, Zhihe Holding Limited, Jin li jin Technology Limited, Xiaoi USA, Inc., XIAOI ROBOT TE[C]HNOLOGY (HK) LIMITED, Xiao-I Automation, Hong Kong Zhiyan Automation Limited, the PRC Entities, Zhizhen Artificial Intelligent Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Baizhuzhuang Network Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Ruixiang Investment Management Co., Ltd., Zhizhen Zhilian Artificial Intelligence Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Zhizhen Ruihong Artificial Intelligence Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Zhizhen Zhihe Artificial Intelligence Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Fengai Network Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Zhizhen Xinhong Network Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Xiao-i Robot Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Xiangyin Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) and Shanghai Feirong Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership);

 

“BVI Subsidiary” means AI PLUS HOLDING LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands, which is directly and wholly owned by the Company;

 

“HK Subsidiary” means Xiao-i Technology Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong, which is directly and wholly owned by the BVI Subsidiary;

 

“PRC Laws” means any and all laws, regulations, statues, rules, decrees, notices, and supreme court’s judicial interpretations currently in force and publicly available in the PRC as of the date hereof;

 

“Transaction Documents” shall have the meaning set forth above in this Opinion;

 

“WFOE” means Zhizhen Artificial Intelligence Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.;

 

“Shanghai Xiao-i” means Shanghai Xiao-i Robot Technology Co., Ltd.; and Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the same meanings as specified in the Transaction Documents.

 

 

Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set out below, we are of the opinion:

 

1.

As a matter of PRC Laws, as confirmed by the Company, the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, the Transaction Documents and the due consummation of the transactions contemplated therein, including the deposit of the Ordinary Shares with the Depositary against the issuance of ADSs and the issuance and sale of the Notes, the ADSs and the Ordinary Shares, do not and will not, (a) to the best of our knowledge after due and reasonable inquiries, conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms any of the PRC Entities is bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the PRC Entities is subject, (b) result in any violation of any provisions of the articles of association, business license or any other organizational documents of any of the PRC Entities, (c) result in any violation of any provision of PRC Laws, or (d) result in a violation of any order, decree, judgment, ruling or regulation of any governmental or regulatory agency or any court in the PRC, except as disclosed in the 6-K, Securities Purchase Agreements and the Prospectus Supplement.

 

2.

No Governmental Authorization from by any Governmental Authority in the PRC is required with respect to (a) the issuance and sale of the Notes and the ADSs under the Securities Purchase Agreements and the Deposit Agreement, (b) the deposit of the Ordinary Shares with the Depositary against the issuance of the ADSs, (c) the due consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, as applicable, except as disclosed in the 6-K, Securities Purchase Agreements and the Prospectus Supplement.

 

3.

To the best of our knowledge after due and reasonable inquiries and as confirmed by the Company, no action or any other steps have been taken nor have any steps been taken or legal or administrative proceedings been commenced for the winding up, dissolution, bankruptcy or liquidation, the appointment of a liquidation committee or similar officers in respect of the assets, or for the suspension, withdrawal, revocation or cancellation of the business licenses of any PRC Entity in the PRC.

 

4.

As a matter of PRC Laws, in order to support the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of the Transaction Documents in the PRC courts, it is not necessary that any such document be filed or recorded with any court or other authority in the PRC or that any stamp duty be paid on or in respect of any such document, provided that such document is not executed in the PRC and that the parties of such Transaction Documents would not be considered as a PRC resident enterprise or individuals.

 

5.

Except as disclosed in the 6-K Securities Purchase Agreements and the Prospectus Supplement, no stamp or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties and no capital gains, income, withholding or other taxes are payable by or on behalf of the Company, any of the PRC Entities, or the Depositary to the PRC government or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein in connection with (a) the creation, issuance, sale and delivery of the Notes, the ADSs and the Ordinary Shares, (b) the deposit with the Depositary of the Ordinary Shares by the Company pursuant to the Deposit Agreement against the issuance of ADSs, (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Deposit Agreement by the Company, or (d) the delivery outside the PRC by the Depositary of the ADSs to the purchasers thereof in the manner contemplated in the 6-Kthe Securities Purchase Agreements, the Prospectus Supplement, and the Deposit Agreement.

 

 

6.

The entry into, and performance or enforcement of the Deposit Agreement in accordance with its respective terms will not subject the Depositary to any requirement to be licensed or otherwise qualified to do business in the PRC, nor will the Depositary be deemed to be resident, domiciled, carrying on business through an establishment or place in the PRC or in breach of any PRC Laws by reason of entry into, performance or enforcement of the Deposit Agreement, so long as such performance and enforcement are carried out outside PRC.

 

7.	As a matter of PRC Laws, the Depositary will not be subject to any potential liability under PRC Laws for taking any due action contemplated in the Deposit Agreement.

 

This Opinion is subject to the following qualifications:

 

(a)

This Opinion is rendered only with respect to the PRC Laws and we have made no investigations in any other jurisdiction and no opinion is expressed or implied as to the laws of any other jurisdiction. PRC Laws as used in this Opinion refers to PRC Laws publicly available and currently in force as of the date of this Opinion and there is no guarantee that any of such PRC Laws will not be changed, amended or revoked in the immediate future or in the longer term with or without retroactive effect.

 

(b)	This Opinion is subject to the discretion of any competent Governmental Authorities in exercising their authority in the PRC in connection with the interpretation, implementation and application of relevant PRC Laws.

 

(c)

This Opinion is, in so far as it relates to the validity, effectiveness and enforceability, subject to (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) possible judicial or administrative actions or any laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (iii) certain equitable, legal or statutory principles affecting the enforceability of contractual rights generally under concepts of public interest, state interest, national security, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and applicable statutes of limitation; (iv) any circumstance in connection with formulation, execution or implementation of any legal documents that would be deemed materially mistaken, clearly unconscionable, unlawful, fraudulent, coercionary at the conclusions thereof; and (v) judicial discretion with respect to the availability of indemnifications, remedies or defenses, the calculation of damages, the entitlement to attorney’s fees and other costs, the waiver of immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from legal process.

 

(d)

Under relevant PRC laws and regulations, foreign investment is restricted in certain businesses. The interpretation and implementation of these laws and regulations, and their application to and effect on the legality, binding effect and enforceability of contracts and transactions are subject to the discretion of competent PRC legislative, administrative and judicial authorities.

 

The foregoing Opinions are strictly limited to matters of the PRC Laws. We assume no responsibility to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments that may be brought to our attention in the future and that may alter, affect or modify the Opinions expressed herein. We have not investigated, and we do not express or imply any Opinion whatsoever with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction, and we have assumed that no such other laws would affect the Opinions stated herein.

 

This Opinion is intended to be used in the context which is specifically referred to herein, and each paragraph should be looked at as a whole and no part should be extracted and referred to independently.

 

We are not permitted to address this Opinion to the Buyer in the Offering, this Opinion is addressed to the Company instead. It shall not be relied upon by anyone else in connection with this Offering or used for any other purpose, in each instance, without our prior written consent, we assume no liability to any third party other than the Company. In addition, without our prior written consent, this Opinion shall not be disclosed to any third parties who are not involved in this Offering.

 

Yours Sincerely,
/s/ Jintian & Gongcheng
Jintian & Gongcheng

 

 

Schedule I List of PRC Entities¹

 

No.		Name		Shareholders (% of Equity Interests)
1.		Shanghai Xiao-i		Shanghai Rongzhi Industry Co., Ltd.(51.8131%); Ani Li(9.5848%); Hui Yuan(9.3057%); Pinpin Zhu(7.5446%); Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.(6.5327%); Qingdao Light Control Low Carbon New Energy Equity Investment Limited(4.4788%); Shanghai Aoshu Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)(3.2849%); Tongding Interconnection Information Co., Ltd.(2.8610%); Shanghai Zhaoyang Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)(2.5319%); Zhang Chuan(1.6783%); Lihua Ma(0.0904%); Yue Xu(0.0897%); Xiaofen Li(0.0708%); Jinfeng Li(0.0452%); Lian Jin(0.0400%); Xinlong Shi(0.0347%); Caoyin Zhang(0.0133%)
2.		Guizhou Xiao-i Robot Technology Co., Ltd.		Shanghai Xiao-i(70.00%); Guizhou Aoshu Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)(30.00%)
3.		Nanjing Xiao-i Zhizhen Network Technology Co., Ltd.		Shanghai Xiao-i(100.00%)
4.		Shanghai Ruijia Network Technology Co., Ltd.		Shanghai Ruixiang Investment Management Co., Ltd.(100.00%)

 

1

For the avoidance of doubt, the criteria for the delineation of PRC Entities hereunder: PRC Entities in which the absolute value of any one of the following items, namely, total assets, net assets, revenues, and profit/(loss) before tax, accounted for more than 5% of the consolidated figures of all subsidiaries within the consolidated scope of the Company in FY2023 and FY2024, or PRC Entities of the Company that hold a significant license for its business.

 

 

6

 

Exhibit 5.2

 

CONYERS DILL & PEARMAN   29th Floor One Exchange Square 8 Connaught Place Central Hong Kong   T +852 2524 7106 | F +852 2845 9268   conyers.com

 

7 January 2025

Matter No.: 1005357/110572024
(852) 2842 9588
Lilian.Woo@conyers.com

 

XIAO-I CORPORATION

7th floor, Building 398, No. 1555 West

Jinshajiang Rd

Shanghai, China 201803

 

Dear Sir/ Madam,

 

Re: XIAO-I CORPORATION (the “Company”)

 

We have acted as special legal counsel in the Cayman Islands to the Company in connection with an offer of US$4,637,840 of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) issuable in the aggregate upon conversion of two convertible promissory notes, each due in 2026 (both of which are hereinafter referred to as a “Note”, and collectively, the “Notes”) (the “Offer”). Each Note is convertible into ordinary shares of US$0.00005 each of the Company in the form of ADSs (the “Conversion Shares”). Each ADS represents three (3) ordinary shares of par value US$0.00005 each in the capital of the Company (the “Shares”). The Offer is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (Reg. No. 333-279306)( the “Registration Statement”). The terms of the Offer and the Notes are more fully described in the Prospectus Supplement dated 7 January 2025 to the Prospectus dated 20 May 2024 issued by the Company (together, the “Prospectus”).

 

1.

DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

 

For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined copies of the following documents:

 

1.1.

the Registration Statement;

 

1.2.

the Prospectus;

 

1.3.

the securities purchase agreements made among the Company and the subscribers to the Notes dated 6 January 2025 relating to the issue of the Notes (the “Securities Purchase Agreements”); and

 

1.4.

the form of the Notes attached as Exhibit A to each of the Securities Purchase Agreements.

 

Partners: Piers J. Alexander, Christopher W. H. Bickley, Peter H. Y. Ch’ng, Anna W. T. Chong, Angie Y. Y. Chu, Vivien C. S. Fung, Richard J. Hall, Norman Hau, Wynne Lau, Paul M. L. Lim, Ryan A. McConvey, Teresa F. Tsai, Flora K. Y. Wong, Lilian S. C. Woo, Mark P. Yeadon

 

Consultant: David M. Lamb

 

BERMUDA | BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS | CAYMAN ISLANDS

 

 

We have also reviewed copies of:

 

1.5.

the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company each certified by a director of the Company on 6 January 2025 (the “Amended M&A”);

 

1.6.

the written resolutions of the directors of the Company dated 3 January 2025 (the “Resolutions”);

 

1.7.

a Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Registrar of Companies in relation to the Company on 3 January 2025 (the “Certificate Date”); and

 

1.8.

such other documents and made such enquiries as to questions of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth below.

 

2.

ASSUMPTIONS

 

We have assumed:

 

2.1.

the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures and the conformity to the originals of all copies (whether or not certified) examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies were taken;

 

2.2.

that where a document has been examined by us in draft form, it will be or has been executed and/or filed in the form of that draft, and where a number of drafts of a document have been examined by us all changes thereto have been marked or otherwise drawn to our attention;

 

2.3.

the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other documents reviewed by us;

 

2.4.

that the issuance and sale of the Notes and the Conversion Shares will be in accordance with the Securities Purchase Agreements, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus;

 

2.5.

that the Resolutions were passed at one or more duly convened, constituted and quorate meetings or by unanimous written resolutions, remain in full force and effect and have not been rescinded or amended;

 

2.6.

that upon the issue of any Conversion Shares, the Company will receive consideration for the full issue price thereof which shall be equal to at least the par value thereof;

 

2.7.

that the Company will have sufficient authorized and unissued share capital to effect the issue of the Conversion Shares at the time of issuance;

 

2.8.

the capacity, power and authority of all parties other than the Company to enter into and perform their obligations under the Securities Purchase Agreements and the Notes, and the due execution and delivery thereof by each party thereto;

 

2.9.

the validity and binding effect under the laws of the United States of America of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and that the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will be duly filed with by the Commission;

 

2.10.

that there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than the Cayman Islands, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein; and

 

2.11.

the Company has not taken any action to appoint a restructuring officer.

 

3.

QUALIFICATIONS

 

“Non-assessability” is not a legal concept under Cayman Islands law, but when we describe the Conversion Shares herein as being “non-assessable” we mean, subject to any contrary provision in any agreement between the Company and any one of its members holding any of the Conversion Shares (but only with respect to such member), that no further sums are payable with respect to the issue of such Conversion Shares and no member shall be bound by an alteration in the constitutional documents of the Company after the date upon which it became a member if and so far as the alteration requires such member to take or subscribe for additional Conversion Shares or in any way increases its liability to contribute to the share capital of, or otherwise pay money to, the Company.

 

We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands.  This opinion is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in the Cayman Islands.

 

4.

OPINION

 

On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:-

 

4.1.

The Company is duly incorporated and validly existing as an exempted company with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands and, based on the Certificate of Good Standing, is in good standing as at the Certificate Date. Pursuant to the Companies Act (the “Act”), a company is deemed to be in good standing if all fees and penalties under the Act have been paid and the Registrar of Companies has no knowledge that the Company is in default under the Act.

 

4.2.

Based solely on our review of the amended and restated memorandum of association of the Company, the authorised share capital of the Company is US$50,000 divided into 1,000,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.00005 each.

 

4.3.

The issue of the Notes and the Conversion Shares has been duly authorised and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the Securities Purchase Agreements, the terms of the Notes and the Registration Statement, the Conversion Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (which term when used herein means that no further sums are required to be paid by the holders thereof in connection with the issue of such Conversion Shares).

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as an exhibit to a Report of Foreign Private issuer on Form 6-K that is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement). In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Conyers Dill & Pearman

 

 

conyers.com | 3

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

FORM Securities Purchase Agreement

 

This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of January 6th, 2025, is entered into by and between Xiao-I Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Company”), and [   ], a [   ] company, its successors and/or assigns (“Investor”; together with the Company, each a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”).

 

A. Company and Investor are executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon an exemption from securities registration afforded by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

B. Investor desires to purchase and Company desires to issue and sell, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, a Convertible Promissory Note, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, in the original principal amount of $[   ] (the “Note”), convertible into American Depositary Shares of Company (the “ADSs”), upon the terms and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in such Note.

 

C. This Agreement, the Note, and all other certificates, documents, agreements, resolutions and instruments delivered to any party under or in connection with this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time, are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction Documents”.

 

D. For purposes of this Agreement: “Conversion Shares” means all ADSs issuable upon conversion of all or any portion of the Note; and “Securities” means the Note and the Conversion Shares.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Company and Investor hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Purchase and Sale of Securities.

 

1.1. Note. Company shall issue and sell to Investor and Investor shall purchase from Company the Note. In consideration thereof, Investor shall pay the Purchase Price (as defined below) to Company.

 

1.2. Form of Payment. On the Closing Date (as defined below), Investor shall pay the Purchase Price to Company via wire transfer of immediately available funds.

 

1.3. Closing Date. Subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver) of the conditions set forth in Section 5 and Section 6 below, the date of the issuance and sale of the Note pursuant to this Agreement (the “Closing Date”) shall be January 7th, 2025, or another mutually agreed upon date. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall occur on the Closing Date by means of the exchange by email of signed .pdf documents, but shall be deemed for all purposes to have occurred at the offices of Hansen Black Anderson Ashcraft PLLC in Lehi, Utah.

 

1.4. Collateral for the Note. The Note shall be unsecured.

 

1.5. Transaction Expense Amount. Company agrees to pay $[   ] to Investor to cover Investor’s legal fees, accounting costs, due diligence, monitoring and other transaction costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Note (the “Transaction Expense Amount”). The Transaction Expense Amount will be included in the initial principal balance of the Note. The “Note Purchase Price”, therefore, shall be $[   ] computed as follows: $[   ] initial principal balance, less the Transaction Expense Amount.

 

1.6. Issuance Fees. Investor agrees that it will pay for the fees associated with the issuance of the Conversion Shares.

 

 

2. Investor’s Representations and Warranties. Investor represents and warrants to Company that as of the Closing Date: (i) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by Investor; (ii) this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Investor enforceable in accordance with its terms; and (iii) Investor is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the 1933 Act.

 

3. Company’s Representations and Warranties. Company represents and warrants to Investor that as of the Closing Date: (i) Company is an exempted company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted; (ii) Company is duly qualified as a foreign company to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary; (iii) Company has registered its ADSs under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and is obligated to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act; (iv) each of the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly and validly authorized by Company and all necessary actions have been taken; (v) this Agreement, the Note and the other Transaction Documents have been duly executed and delivered by Company and constitute the valid and binding obligations of Company enforceable in accordance with their terms; (vi) the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by Company, the issuance of the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, and the consummation by Company of the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach by Company of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (a) Company’s formation documents, as currently in effect, or other applicable organizational documents, (b) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other material agreement or instrument to which Company is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets are bound, including, without limitation, any listing agreement for the ADSs, or (c) any existing applicable law, rule, or regulation or any applicable decree, judgment, or order of any court, United States federal, state or foreign regulatory body, administrative agency, or other governmental body having jurisdiction over Company or any of Company’s properties or assets; (vii) except as have been obtained prior to the Closing, no further authorization, approval or consent of any court, governmental body, regulatory agency, self-regulatory organization, or stock exchange or market or the stockholders or any lender of Company is required to be obtained by Company for the issuance of the Securities to Investor or the entering into of the Transaction Documents; (viii) none of Company’s filings with the SEC contained, at the time they were filed, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (ix) Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by Company with the SEC under the 1934 Act on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such report, schedule, form, statement or other document prior to the expiration of any such extension; (x) except as disclosed in a periodic filing or current report with the SEC under the 1934 Act (collectively, the “SEC Reports”), there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board or body pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against or affecting Company before or by any governmental authority or non-governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality or any other person; (xi) Company has not consummated any financing transaction that has not been disclosed in the SEC Reports; (xii) Company is not, nor has it been at any time in the previous twelve (12) months, a “Shell Company,” as such type of “issuer” is described in Rule 144(i)(1) under the 1933 Act; (xiii) with respect to any commissions, placement agent or finder’s fees or similar payments that will or would become due and owing by Company to any person or entity as a result of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Broker Fees”), any such Broker Fees will be made in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and only to a person or entity that is a registered investment adviser or registered broker-dealer; (xiv) Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any Broker Fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other persons for fees of a type contemplated in this subsection that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each of Investor, Investor’s employees, officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, agents, and partners, and their respective affiliates, from and against all claims, losses, damages, costs (including the costs of preparation and attorneys’ fees) and expenses suffered in respect of any such claimed Broker Fees; (xv) neither Investor nor any of its officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, employees, agents or representatives has made any representations or warranties to Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents and, in making its decision to enter into the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, Company is not relying on any representation, warranty, covenant or promise of Investor or its officers, directors, members, managers, employees, agents or representatives other than as set forth in the Transaction Documents; (xvi) Company acknowledges that the State of Utah has a reasonable relationship and sufficient contacts to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and any dispute that may arise related thereto such that the laws of the State of Delaware and venue of the State of Utah, as set forth more specifically in Section 11.2 below, shall be applicable to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated therein¹; (xvii) Company acknowledges that Investor is not registered as a ‘dealer’ under the 1934 Act; and (xviii) Company has performed due diligence and background research on Investor and its affiliates and has received and reviewed the due diligence packet provided by Investor. Company, being aware of the matters and legal issues described in subsections (xvii) and (xviii) above, acknowledges and agrees that such matters, or any similar matters, have no bearing on the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and covenants and agrees it will not use any such information or legal theory as a defense to performance of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or in any attempt to avoid, modify, reduce, rescind or void such obligations.

 

1	Subparagraph 3(xvi) is intentionally omitted in one investor’s securities purchase agreement.

 

 

4. Company Covenants. Until all of Company’s obligations under all of the Transaction Documents are paid and performed in full, or within the timeframes otherwise specifically set forth below, Company will at all times comply with the following covenants: (i) so long as Investor beneficially owns any of the Securities and for at least twenty (20) Trading Days (as defined in the Note) thereafter, Company will timely file on the applicable deadline all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, and will take all reasonable action under its control to ensure that adequate current public information with respect to Company, as required in accordance with Rule 144 of the 1933 Act, is publicly available, and will not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the 1934 Act even if the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would permit such termination; (ii) when issued, the Conversion Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances; (iii) the ADSs shall be listed or quoted for trading on NYSE or Nasdaq; (iv) trading in Company’s ADSs will not be suspended, halted, chilled, frozen, reach zero bid or otherwise cease trading on Company’s principal trading market; (v) Company will not make any Restricted Issuance (as defined below) without Investor’s prior written consent, which consent may be granted or withheld in Investor’s sole and absolute discretion; (vi) Company will at all time have sufficient ordinary shares available to issue Conversion Shares as required under the Note; and (vii) Company will not enter into any agreement or otherwise agree to any covenant, condition, or obligation that locks up, restricts in any way or otherwise prohibits Company: (a) from entering into a variable rate transaction with Investor or any affiliate of Investor, or (b) from issuing ADSs, preferred stock, warrants, convertible notes, other debt securities, or any other Company securities to Investor or any affiliate of Investor. For purposes hereof, the term “Restricted Issuance” means the issuance, incurrence or guaranty of any debt obligations, other than trade payables in the ordinary course of business, or the issuance of any securities that (1) have or may have conversion rights of any kind, contingent, conditional or otherwise, in which the number of shares that may be issued pursuant to such conversion right varies with the market price of the ADSs; (2) are or may become convertible into ADSs (including without limitation convertible debt, warrants or convertible preferred shares), with a conversion price that varies with the market price of the ADSs, even if such security only becomes convertible following an event of default, the passage of time, or another trigger event or condition; (3) have a fixed conversion price, exercise price or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security (A) due to a change in the market price of Company’s ADSs since the date of the initial issuance or (B) upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of Company (including, without limitation, any “full ratchet” or “weighted average” anti-dilution provisions, but not including any standard anti-dilution protection for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction); or (4) ADSs issued or to be issued in connection with a Section 3(a)(9) exchange, a Section 3(a)(10) settlement, or any other similar settlement or exchange. For the avoidance of doubt, ADSs issued pursuant to any of the following will not be considered Restricted Issuances: (i) at the market facilities; (ii) primary equity or debt offerings without variable price mechanics; (iii) primary offerings with variable priced warrants provided that the variable priced warrants have no provision that will increase the number of warrants issued at closing or increase the number of ADSs issuable under each warrant to a ratio of more than 1:1 (except for any adjustments for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, share split or similar transaction); (iv) share issuances to non-US persons; or (v) the issuance of ADSs in conjunction with any acquisitions, mergers, licensing arrangements and partnerships provided that such issuances do not cause a change of control or have variable price mechanisms.

 

5. Conditions to Company’s Obligation to Sell. The obligation of Company hereunder to issue and sell the Securities to Investor at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:

 

5.1. Investor shall have executed this Agreement and delivered the same to Company.

 

5.2. Investor shall have delivered the Purchase Price to Company in accordance with Section 1.2 above.

 

6. Conditions to Investor’s Obligation to Purchase. The obligation of Investor hereunder to purchase the Securities at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for Investor’s sole benefit and may be waived by Investor at any time in its sole discretion:

 

6.1. Company shall have executed this Agreement and the Note and delivered the same to Investor.

 

 

6.2. Company shall have filed a Form 424B prospectus supplement to its registration statement on Form F-3 (333-279306) that is reasonably acceptable to Investor for the registration of all Conversion Shares that may be issuable pursuant to any conversion by Investor under the Note and delivered to Investor any legal opinions deemed necessary by Investor to trade the Conversion Shares under such 424B prospectus.

 

6.3. Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Officer’s Certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B evidencing Company’s approval of the Transaction Documents.

 

7. Most Favored Nation. So long as the Note is outstanding, upon any issuance by Company of any security with any economic term or condition more favorable to the holder of such security or with a term in favor of the holder of such security that was not similarly provided to Investor in the Transaction Documents, then Company shall notify Investor of such additional or more favorable term and such term, at Investor’s option, shall become a part of the Transaction Documents for the benefit of Investor. Additionally, if Company fails to notify Investor of any such additional or more favorable term, but Investor becomes aware that Company has granted such a term to any third party, Investor may notify Company of such additional or more favorable term and such term shall become a part of the Transaction Documents retroactive to the date on which such term was granted to the applicable third party. The types of terms contained in another security that may be more favorable to the holder of such security include, but are not limited to, terms addressing conversion discounts, conversion lookback periods, interest rates, original issue discounts, stock sale prices, conversion prices, warrant coverage, warrant exercise prices, and anti-dilution/conversion and exercise price resets.

 

8. Participation Right. Beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date the Note is paid in full, Company hereby grants to Investor a participation right, whereby Investor shall have the right to participate at Investor’s discretion in up to thirty percent (30%) of the amount sold in any Restricted Issuance (the “Participation Right”). Within two (2) Trading Days following the consummation of a Restricted Issuance, Company will provide Investor with written notice of the consummation of such Restricted Issuance, along with copies of the transaction documents. Investor will then have up to five (5) Trading Days to elect to purchase up to thirty percent (30%) of the amount of debt or equity securities issued in such transaction on the most favorable terms and conditions offered to any other purchaser of the same securities. The parties agree that in the event Company breaches its obligations with respect to the Participation Right, Investor’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be to receive, as liquidated damages, an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the amount Investor would have been entitled to invest under the Participation Right. For the avoidance of doubt, Company’s breach of its obligations with respect to the Participation Right will not be considered a Trigger Event (as defined in the Note) under the Note.

 

9. No Shorting. During the period beginning thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date and ending on the date the Note been repaid in full or sold by Investor to a third party that is not an affiliate of Investor, neither Investor nor any of its subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees or other affiliates has or will directly or indirectly engage in any open market Short Sales (as defined below) of ADSs of Company; provided, however, that unless and until Company has affirmatively demonstrated by the use of specific evidence that Investor is engaging in open market Short Sales, Investor shall be assumed to be in compliance with the provisions of this Section 9 and Company shall remain fully obligated to fulfill all of its obligations under the Transaction Documents; and provided, further, that (A) Company shall under no circumstances be entitled to request or demand that Investor either (1) provide trading or other records of Investor or of any party or (2) affirmatively demonstrate that Investor or any other party has not engaged in any such Short Sales in breach of these provisions as a condition to Company’s fulfillment of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents, (B) Company shall not assert Investor’s or any other party’s failure to demonstrate such absence of such Short Sales or provide any trading or other records of Investor or any other party as all or part of a defense to any breach of Company’s obligations under any of the Transaction Documents, and (C) Company shall have no setoff right with respect to any such Short Sales. As used herein, “Short Sale” has the meaning provided in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the 1934 Act, and all short positions effected through any direct or indirect stock pledges (other than pledges in the ordinary course of business as part of prime brokerage arrangements), forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, swaps and similar arrangements (including on a total return basis), or sales or other short transactions through non-U.S. broker dealers or foreign regulated brokers.

 

10. OFAC; Patriot Act.

 

10.1. OFAC Certification. Company certifies that (i) it is not acting on behalf of any person, group, entity, or nation named by any Executive Order or the United States Treasury Department, through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) or otherwise, as a terrorist, “Specially Designated Nation”, “Blocked Person”, or other banned or blocked person, entity, nation, or transaction pursuant to any law, order, rule or regulation that is enforced or administered by OFAC or another department of the United States government, and (ii) Company is not engaged in this transaction on behalf of, or instigating or facilitating this transaction on behalf of, any such person, group, entity or nation.

 

 

10.2. Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither Company, nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or other person acting on behalf of Company or any subsidiary has, in the course of his actions for, or on behalf of, Company, used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee.

 

10.3. Patriot Act. Company shall not (i) be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation, or list of any government agency (including, without limitation, the OFAC) that prohibits or limits Investor from making any advance or extension of credit to Company or from otherwise conducting business with Company, or (ii) fail to provide documentary and other evidence of Company’s identity as may be requested by Investor at any time to enable Investor to verify Company’s identity or to comply with any applicable law or regulation, including, without limitation, Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act of 2001, 31 U.S.C. Section 5318. Company shall comply with all requirements of law relating to money laundering, anti-terrorism, trade embargos and economic sanctions, now or hereafter in effect. Upon Investor’s request from time to time, Company shall certify in writing to Investor that Company’s representations, warranties and obligations under this Section 10.3 remain true and correct and have not been breached. Company shall immediately notify Investor in writing if any of such representations, warranties or covenants are no longer true or have been breached or if Company has a reasonable basis to believe that they may no longer be true or have been breached. In connection with such an event, Company shall comply with all requirements of law and directives of governmental authorities and, at Investor’s request, provide to Investor copies of all notices, reports and other communications exchanged with, or received from, governmental authorities relating to such an event. Company shall also reimburse Investor any expense incurred by Investor in evaluating the effect of such an event on the loan secured hereby, in obtaining any necessary license from governmental authorities as may be necessary for Investor to enforce its rights under the Transaction Documents, and in complying with all requirements of law applicable to Investor as the result of the existence of such an event and for any penalties or fines imposed upon Investor as a result thereof.

 

11. Miscellaneous. The provisions set forth in this Section 11 shall apply to this Agreement, as well as all other Transaction Documents as if these terms were fully set forth therein; provided, however, that in the event there is a conflict between any provision set forth in this Section 11 and any provision in any other Transaction Document, the provision in such other Transaction Document shall govern.

 

11.1. Arbitration of Claims². The parties shall submit all Claims (as defined in Exhibit C) arising under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any other agreement between the parties and their affiliates or any Claim relating to the relationship of the parties to binding arbitration pursuant to the arbitration provisions set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto (the “Arbitration Provisions”). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that the injunction described in Section 11.3 below may be pursued in an arbitration that is separate and apart from any other arbitration regarding all other Claims arising under the Transaction Documents. The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Arbitration Provisions are unconditionally binding on the parties hereto and are severable from all other provisions of this Agreement. By executing this Agreement, Company represents, warrants and covenants that Company has reviewed the Arbitration Provisions carefully, consulted with legal counsel about such provisions (or waived its right to do so), understands that the Arbitration Provisions are intended to allow for the expeditious and efficient resolution of any dispute hereunder, agrees to the terms and limitations set forth in the Arbitration Provisions, and that Company will not take a position contrary to the foregoing representations. Company acknowledges and agrees that Investor may rely upon the foregoing representations and covenants of Company regarding the Arbitration Provisions.

 

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware. The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Wilmington, Delaware, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or under any of the other Transaction Documents or with any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. The Company hereby appoints GKL Corporate/Search, Inc. (with offices located at One Capitol Mall, Suite 660, Sacramento, CA 95814, and Telephone No. (800) 446-5455), as its agent for service of process in Delaware. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or operate to preclude any Buyer from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company’s obligations to such Buyer or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of such Buyer. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. The choice of the laws of the State of Delaware as the governing law of this Agreement is a valid choice of law and would be recognized and given effect to in any action brought before a court of competent jurisdiction in the Cayman Islands, except for those laws (i) which such court considers to be procedural in nature, (ii) which are revenue or penal laws or (iii) the application of which would be inconsistent with public policy, as such term is interpreted under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The choice of laws of the State of Delaware as the governing law of this Agreement will be honored by competent courts in the PRC, subject to compliance with relevant PRC civil procedural requirements. The Company or any of their respective properties, assets or revenues does not have any right of immunity under Cayman Islands, the PRC or Delaware law, from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any such legal action, suit or proceeding, from set-off or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any Cayman Islands and the PRC, Delaware or United States federal court, from service of process, attachment upon or prior to judgment, or attachment in aid of execution of judgment, or from execution of a judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of a judgment, in any such court, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; and, to the extent that the Company, or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to any such right of immunity in any such court in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, the Company hereby waives such right to the extent permitted by law and hereby consents to such relief and enforcement as provided in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

2	The securities purchase agreement of the other institutional investor does not have Sections 11.1 (Arbitration of Claims) and 11.2 (Governing Law Venue), instead, it has the following provisions as Section 11.1

 

 

11.2. Governing Law; Venue³. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Each party consents to and expressly agrees that the exclusive venue for arbitration of any dispute arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document or the relationship of the parties or their affiliates shall be in Salt Lake County, Utah. Without modifying the parties’ obligations to resolve disputes hereunder pursuant to the Arbitration Provisions, for any litigation arising in connection with any of the Transaction Documents (and notwithstanding the terms (specifically including any governing law and venue terms) of any transfer agent services agreement or other agreement between the Transfer Agent and Company, such litigation specifically includes, without limitation any action between or involving Company and the Transfer Agent or otherwise related to Investor in any way (specifically including, without limitation, any action where Company seeks to obtain an injunction, temporary restraining order, or otherwise prohibit the Transfer Agent from issuing ADSs to Investor for any reason)), each party hereto hereby (i) consents to and expressly submits to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, (ii) expressly submits to the exclusive venue of any such court for the purposes hereof, (iii) agrees to not bring any such action (specifically including, without limitation, any action where Company seeks to obtain an injunction, temporary restraining order, or otherwise prohibit the Transfer Agent from issuing ADSs to Investor for any reason) outside of any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, and (iv) waives any claim of improper venue and any claim or objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or any other claim, defense or objection to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdiction or to any claim that such venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Finally, Company covenants and agrees to name Investor as a party in interest in, and provide written notice to Investor in accordance with Section 11.11 below prior to bringing or filing, any action (including without limitation any filing or action against any person or entity that is not a party to this Agreement, including without limitation the Transfer Agent) that is related in any way to the Transaction Documents or any transaction contemplated herein or therein, including without limitation any action brought by Company to enjoin or prevent the issuance of any ADSs to Investor by the Transfer Agent or depositary bank, and further agrees to timely name Investor as a party to any such action. Company acknowledges that the governing law and venue provisions set forth in this Section 11.2 are material terms to induce Investor to enter into the Transaction Documents and that but for Company’s agreements set forth in this Section 11.2 Investor would not have entered into the Transaction Documents.

 

11.3. Specific Performance. Company acknowledges and agrees that Investor may suffer irreparable harm in the event that Company fails to perform any material provision of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents in accordance with its specific terms. It is accordingly agreed that Investor shall be entitled to one or more injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement or such other Transaction Document and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof or thereof, this being in addition to any other remedy to which Investor may be entitled under the Transaction Documents, at law or in equity. Company specifically agrees that: (i) following an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) under the Note, Investor shall have the right to seek and receive injunctive relief from a court or an arbitrator prohibiting Company from issuing any of its Ordinary Shares, ADSs or preferred stock to any party unless fifty percent (50%) of the gross proceeds received by Company in connection with such issuance are simultaneously used by Company to make a payment under the Note; (ii) following a breach of Section 4(vii) above, Investor shall have the right to seek and receive injunctive relief from a court or arbitrator invalidating such lock-up; and (iii) if Company enters into a definitive agreement that contemplates a Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Note), unless such agreement contains a closing condition that the Note is repaid in full upon consummation of the transaction or Investor has provided its written consent in writing to such Fundamental Transaction, Investor shall have the right to seek and receive injunctive relief from a court or arbitrator preventing the consummation of such transaction. Company specifically acknowledges that Investor’s right to obtain specific performance constitutes bargained for leverage and that the loss of such leverage would result in irreparable harm to Investor. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event Investor seeks to obtain an injunction from a court or an arbitrator against Company or specific performance of any provision of any Transaction Document, such action shall not be a waiver of any right of Investor under any Transaction Document, at law, or in equity, including without limitation its rights to arbitrate any Claim pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Documents, nor shall Investor’s pursuit of an injunction prevent Investor, under the doctrines of claim preclusion, issues preclusion, res judicata or other similar legal doctrines, from pursuing other Claims in the future in a separate arbitration.

 

3	See Footnote 2 above.

 

 

11.4. Cayman Proceeding. Notwithstanding anything herein or in any of the other Transaction Documents to the contrary and without limiting any other rights and remedies set forth in the Transaction Documents, each of Company and Investor agrees that: (i) Investor has the right to make an application to the Cayman Islands Court to wind up Company pursuant to Cayman Islands statutes, regulations and rules, specifically but not limited to the Cayman Islands Companies Act (as revised) (a “Cayman Proceeding”) following an Event of Default under the Note, to the extent permitted by Cayman Islands law; (ii) the Cayman Islands will be the exclusive venue for the Cayman Proceeding; (iii) the Cayman Proceeding will be governed by Cayman Islands law; and (iv) in the event Investor brings a Cayman Proceeding and the Cayman Islands Court rules that there is a bona fide dispute between the parties with respect to the debt that needs to be resolved, then such dispute between the parties will immediately be removed to Utah for arbitration pursuant to the Arbitration Provisions.

 

11.5. Calculation Disputes. Notwithstanding the Arbitration Provisions, in the case of a dispute as to any determination or arithmetic calculation under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation, calculating the Outstanding Balance, Conversion Price, Conversion Shares, or VWAP (as defined in the Note) (each, a “Calculation”), Company or Investor (as the case may be) shall submit any disputed Calculation via email or facsimile with confirmation of receipt (i) within two (2) Trading Days after receipt of the applicable notice giving rise to such dispute to Company or Investor (as the case may be) or (ii) if no notice gave rise to such dispute, at any time after Investor learned of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute. If Investor and Company are unable to agree upon such Calculation within two (2) Trading Days of such disputed Calculation being submitted to Company or Investor (as the case may be), then Investor will promptly submit via email or facsimile the disputed Calculation to Unkar Systems Inc. (“Unkar Systems”). Investor shall cause Unkar Systems to perform the Calculation and notify Company and Investor of the results no later than ten (10) Trading Days from the time it receives such disputed Calculation. Unkar Systems’ determination of the disputed Calculation shall be binding upon all parties absent demonstrable error. Unkar Systems’ fee for performing such Calculation shall be paid by the incorrect party, or if both parties are incorrect, by the party whose Calculation is furthest from the correct Calculation as determined by Unkar Systems. In the event Company is the losing party, no extension of the Delivery Date (as defined in the Note) shall be granted and Company shall incur all effects for failing to deliver the applicable shares in a timely manner as set forth in the Transaction Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Investor may, in its sole discretion, designate an independent, reputable investment bank or accounting firm other than Unkar Systems to resolve any such dispute and in such event, all references to “Unkar Systems” herein will be replaced with references to such independent, reputable investment bank or accounting firm so designated by Investor.

 

11.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

 

11.7. Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

11.8. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform to such statute or rule of law. Any provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.

 

11.9. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Transaction Documents, contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither Company nor Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. For the avoidance of doubt, all prior term sheets or other documents between Company and Investor, or any affiliate thereof, related to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (collectively, “Prior Agreements”), that may have been entered into between Company and Investor, or any affiliate thereof, are hereby null and void and deemed to be replaced in their entirety by the Transaction Documents. To the extent there is a conflict between any term set forth in any Prior Agreement and the term(s) of the Transaction Documents, the Transaction Documents shall govern.

 

11.10. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto.

 

11.11. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing (unless otherwise specified herein) and shall be deemed effectively given on the earliest of: (i) the date delivered, if delivered by personal delivery as against written receipt therefor or by email to an executive officer named below or such officer’s successor, or by facsimile (with successful transmission confirmation which is kept by sending party), (ii) the earlier of the date delivered or the third Trading Day after deposit, postage prepaid, in the United States Postal Service by certified mail or with an international courier, or (iii) the earlier of the date delivered or the third Trading Day after mailing by express courier, with delivery costs and fees prepaid, in each case, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as such party may designate by five (5) calendar days’ advance written notice similarly given to each of the other parties hereto):

 

If to Company:

 

Xiao-I Corporation

Attn: Yuan Hui, CEO

5/F, Building 2, No. 2570

Hechuan Road, Minhang District

Shanghai, China 201101

 

If to Investor:

 

[   ]

 

With a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):

 

[   ]

 

 

11.12. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement or any of the severable rights and obligations inuring to the benefit of or to be performed by Investor hereunder may be assigned by Investor to a third party, including its affiliates, in whole or in part, without the need to obtain Company’s consent thereto. Company may not assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement or delegate its duties hereunder, whether directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of Investor, and any such attempted assignment or delegation shall be null and void.

 

11.13. Survival. The representations and warranties of Company and the agreements and covenants set forth in this Agreement shall survive the Closing hereunder notwithstanding any due diligence investigation conducted by or on behalf of Investor. Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Investor and all its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents for loss or damage arising as a result of or related to any breach or alleged breach by Company of any of its representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Agreement or any of its covenants and obligations under this Agreement, including advancement of expenses as they are incurred.

 

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

 

11.15. Investor’s Rights and Remedies Cumulative. All rights, remedies, and powers conferred in this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights or remedies, and shall be in addition to every other right, power, and remedy that Investor may have, whether specifically granted in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or existing at law, in equity, or by statute, and any and all such rights and remedies may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as Investor may deem expedient.

 

11.16. Attorneys’ Fees and Cost of Collection. In the event any suit, action or arbitration is filed by either party against the other to interpret or enforce any of the Transaction Documents, the unsuccessful party to such action agrees to pay to the prevailing party all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred therein, including the same with respect to an appeal. The “prevailing party” shall be the party in whose favor a judgment is entered, regardless of whether judgment is entered on all claims asserted by such party and regardless of the amount of the judgment; or where, due to the assertion of counterclaims, judgments are entered in favor of and against both parties, then the arbitrator shall determine the “prevailing party” by taking into account the relative dollar amounts of the judgments or, if the judgments involve nonmonetary relief, the relative importance and value of such relief. Nothing herein shall restrict or impair an arbitrator’s or a court’s power to award fees and expenses for frivolous or bad faith pleading. If (i) the Note is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or enforcement prior to commencing arbitration or legal proceedings, or is collected or enforced through any arbitration or legal proceeding, or Investor otherwise takes action to collect amounts due under the Note or to enforce the provisions of the Note, or (ii) there occurs any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership of Company or other proceedings affecting Company’s creditors’ rights and involving a claim under the Note; then Company shall pay the costs incurred by Investor for such collection, enforcement or action or in connection with such bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses, deposition costs, and disbursements.

 

 

11.17. Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver. No waiver of any provision or consent to any prohibited action shall constitute a waiver of any other provision or consent to any other prohibited action, whether or not similar. No waiver or consent shall constitute a continuing waiver or consent or commit a party to provide a waiver or consent in the future except to the extent specifically set forth in writing.

 

11.18. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO DEMAND THAT ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, OR THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PARTIES HERETO BE TRIED BY JURY. THIS WAIVER EXTENDS TO ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY ARISING UNDER COMMON LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE, LAW, RULE OR REGULATION. FURTHER, EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH PARTY IS KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING SUCH PARTY’S RIGHT TO DEMAND TRIAL BY JURY.

 

11.19. Time is of the Essence. Time is expressly made of the essence with respect to each and every provision of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

11.20. Voluntary Agreement. Company has carefully read this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and has asked any questions needed for Company to understand the terms, consequences and binding effect of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and fully understand them. Company has had the opportunity to seek the advice of an attorney of Company’s choosing, or has waived the right to do so, and is executing this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence by Investor or anyone else.

 

11.21. Document Imaging. Investor shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to image or make copies of all or any selection of the agreements, instruments, documents, and items and records governing, arising from or relating to any of Company’s loans, including, without limitation, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and Investor may destroy or archive the paper originals. The parties hereto (i) waive any right to insist or require that Investor produce paper originals, (ii) agree that such images shall be accorded the same force and effect as the paper originals, (iii) agree that Investor is entitled to use such images in lieu of destroyed or archived originals for any purpose, including as admissible evidence in any demand, presentment or other proceedings, and (iv) further agree that any executed facsimile (faxed), scanned, emailed, or other imaged copy of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall be deemed to be of the same force and effect as the original manually executed document.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Investor and Company have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

	INVESTOR:
	[   ]
	By:
	COMPANY:
	Xiao-I Corporation
	By:
		Yuan Hui, Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Securities Purchase Agreement]

 

 

ATTACHED EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A	Note
Exhibit B	Officer’s Certificate
Exhibit C	Arbitration Provisions4

 

4	Only one investor has arbitration clause in its securities purchase agreement.

 

 

Exhibit C

 

ARBITRATION PROVISIONS

 

1. Dispute Resolution. For purposes of these arbitration provisions (the “Arbitration Provisions”), the term “Claims” means any disputes, claims, demands, causes of action, requests for injunctive relief, requests for specific performance, liabilities, damages, losses, or controversies whatsoever arising from, related to, or connected with the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents and any communications between the parties related thereto, including without limitation any claims of mutual mistake, mistake, fraud, misrepresentation, failure of formation, failure of consideration, promissory estoppel, unconscionability, failure of condition precedent, rescission, and any statutory claims, tort claims, contract claims, or claims to void, invalidate or terminate the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions (defined below)) or any of the other Transaction Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, Investor’s pursuit of an injunction or other Claim pursuant to these Arbitration Provisions or with a court will not later prevent Investor under the doctrines of claim preclusion, issue preclusion, res judicata or other similar legal doctrines from pursuing other Claims in a separate arbitration in the future. The parties to the Agreement (the “parties”) hereby agree that the Claims may be arbitrated in one or more arbitrations pursuant to these Arbitration Provisions (one for an injunction or injunctions and a separate one for all other Claims). The term “Claims” specifically excludes a dispute over Calculations. The parties to the Agreement hereby agree that these Arbitration Provisions are binding on each of them. As a result, any attempt to rescind the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions) or any other Transaction Document) or declare the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions) or any other Transaction Document invalid or unenforceable pursuant to Section 29 of the 1934 Act or for any other reason is subject to these Arbitration Provisions. Any capitalized term not defined in these Arbitration Provisions shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

 

2. Arbitration. Except as otherwise provided herein, all Claims must be submitted to arbitration (“Arbitration”) to be conducted exclusively in Salt Lake County, Utah and pursuant to the terms set forth in these Arbitration Provisions. Subject to the arbitration appeal right provided for in Paragraph 5 below (the “Appeal Right”), the parties agree that the award of the arbitrator rendered pursuant to Paragraph 4 below (the “Arbitration Award”) shall be (a) final and binding upon the parties, (b) the sole and exclusive remedy between them regarding any Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded to the arbitrator, and (c) promptly payable in United States dollars free of any tax, deduction or offset (with respect to monetary awards). Subject to the Appeal Right, any costs or fees, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with or incident to enforcing the Arbitration Award shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be charged against the party resisting such enforcement. The Arbitration Award shall include default interest (as defined or otherwise provided for in the Note, “Default Interest”) (with respect to monetary awards) at the rate specified in the Note for Default Interest both before and after the Arbitration Award. Judgment upon the Arbitration Award will be entered and enforced by any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah.

 

3. The Arbitration Act. The parties hereby incorporate herein the provisions and procedures set forth in the Utah Uniform Arbitration Act, U.C.A. § 78B-11-101 et seq. (as amended or superseded from time to time, the “Arbitration Act”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to, and to the maximum extent permitted by, Section 105 of the Arbitration Act, in the event of conflict or variation between the terms of these Arbitration Provisions and the provisions of the Arbitration Act, the terms of these Arbitration Provisions shall control and the parties hereby waive or otherwise agree to vary the effect of all requirements of the Arbitration Act that may conflict with or vary from these Arbitration Provisions.

 

4. Arbitration Proceedings. Arbitration between the parties will be subject to the following:

 

4.1 Initiation of Arbitration. Pursuant to Section 110 of the Arbitration Act, the parties agree that a party may initiate Arbitration by giving written notice to the other party (“Arbitration Notice”) in the same manner that notice is permitted under Section 11.11 of the Agreement (the “Notice Provision”); provided, however, that the Arbitration Notice may not be given by email or fax. Arbitration will be deemed initiated as of the date that the Arbitration Notice is deemed delivered to such other party under the Notice Provision (the “Service Date”). After the Service Date, information may be delivered, and notices may be given, by email or fax pursuant to the Notice Provision or any other method permitted thereunder. The Arbitration Notice must describe the nature of the controversy, the remedies sought, and the election to commence Arbitration proceedings. All Claims in the Arbitration Notice must be pleaded consistent with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.

 

 

4.2 Selection and Payment of Arbitrator.

 

(a) Within ten (10) calendar days after the Service Date, Investor shall select and submit to Company the names of three (3) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Services (http://www.utahadrservices.com) (such three (3) designated persons hereunder are referred to herein as the “Proposed Arbitrators”). For the avoidance of doubt, each Proposed Arbitrator must be qualified as a “neutral” with Utah ADR Services. Within five (5) calendar days after Investor has submitted to Company the names of the Proposed Arbitrators, Company must select, by written notice to Investor, one (1) of the Proposed Arbitrators to act as the arbitrator for the parties under these Arbitration Provisions. If Company fails to select one of the Proposed Arbitrators in writing within such 5-day period, then Investor may select the arbitrator from the Proposed Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to Company.

 

(b) If Investor fails to submit to Company the Proposed Arbitrators within ten (10) calendar days after the Service Date pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, then Company may at any time prior to Investor so designating the Proposed Arbitrators, identify the names of three (3) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Service by written notice to Investor. Investor may then, within five (5) calendar days after Company has submitted notice of its Proposed Arbitrators to Investor, select, by written notice to Company, one (1) of the Proposed Arbitrators to act as the arbitrator for the parties under these Arbitration Provisions. If Investor fails to select in writing and within such 5-day period one (1) of the three (3) Proposed Arbitrators selected by Company, then Company may select the arbitrator from its three (3) previously selected Proposed Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to Investor.

 

(c) If a Proposed Arbitrator chosen to serve as arbitrator declines or is otherwise unable to serve as arbitrator, then the party that selected such Proposed Arbitrator may select one (1) of the other three (3) Proposed Arbitrators within three (3) calendar days of the date the chosen Proposed Arbitrator declines or notifies the parties he or she is unable to serve as arbitrator. If all three (3) Proposed Arbitrators decline or are otherwise unable to serve as arbitrator, then the arbitrator selection process shall begin again in accordance with this Paragraph 4.2.

 

(d) The date that the Proposed Arbitrator selected pursuant to this Paragraph 4.2 agrees in writing (including via email) delivered to both parties to serve as the arbitrator hereunder is referred to herein as the “Arbitration Commencement Date”. If an arbitrator resigns or is unable to act during the Arbitration, a replacement arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with this Paragraph 4.2 to continue the Arbitration. If Utah ADR Services ceases to exist or to provide a list of neutrals and there is no successor thereto, then the arbitrator shall be selected under the then prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association.

 

(e) Subject to Paragraph 4.10 below, the cost of the arbitrator must be paid equally by both parties. Subject to Paragraph 4.10 below, if one party refuses or fails to pay its portion of the arbitrator fee, then the other party can advance such unpaid amount (subject to the accrual of Default Interest thereupon), with such amount being added to or subtracted from, as applicable, the Arbitration Award.

 

4.3 Applicability of Certain Utah Rules. The parties agree that the Arbitration shall be conducted generally in accordance with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure and the Utah Rules of Evidence. More specifically, the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply, without limitation, to the filing of any pleadings, motions or memoranda, the conducting of discovery, and the taking of any depositions. The Utah Rules of Evidence shall apply to any hearings, whether telephonic or in person, held by the arbitrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the parties’ intent that the incorporation of such rules will in no event supersede these Arbitration Provisions. In the event of any conflict between the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure or the Utah Rules of Evidence and these Arbitration Provisions, these Arbitration Provisions shall control.

 

4.4 Answer and Default. An answer and any counterclaims to the Arbitration Notice shall be required to be delivered to the party initiating the Arbitration within twenty (20) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date. If an answer is not delivered by the required deadline, the arbitrator must provide written notice to the defaulting party stating that the arbitrator will enter a default award against such party if such party does not file an answer within five (5) calendar days of receipt of such notice. If an answer is not filed within the five (5) day extension period, the arbitrator must render a default award, consistent with the relief requested in the Arbitration Notice, against a party that fails to submit an answer within such time period.

 

 

4.5 Related Litigation. The party that delivers the Arbitration Notice to the other party shall have the option to also commence concurrent legal proceedings with any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah (“Litigation Proceedings”), subject to the following: (a) the complaint in the Litigation Proceedings is to be substantially similar to the claims set forth in the Arbitration Notice, provided that an additional cause of action to compel arbitration will also be included therein, (b) so long as the other party files an answer to the complaint in the Litigation Proceedings and an answer to the Arbitration Notice, the Litigation Proceedings will be stayed pending an Arbitration Award (or Appeal Panel Award (defined below), as applicable) hereunder, (c) if the other party fails to file an answer in the Litigation Proceedings or an answer in the Arbitration proceedings, then the party initiating Arbitration shall be entitled to a default judgment consistent with the relief requested, to be entered in the Litigation Proceedings, and (d) any legal or procedural issue arising under the Arbitration Act that requires a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction may be determined in the Litigation Proceedings. Any award of the arbitrator (or of the Appeal Panel (defined below)) may be entered in such Litigation Proceedings pursuant to the Arbitration Act. In the event either party successfully petitions a court to compel arbitration, the losing party in such action shall be required to pay the prevailing party’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with such action.

 

4.6 Discovery. Pursuant to Section 118(8) of the Arbitration Act, the parties agree that discovery shall be conducted as follows:

 

(a) Written discovery will only be allowed if the likely benefits of the proposed written discovery outweigh the burden or expense thereof, and the written discovery sought is likely to reveal information that will satisfy a specific element of a claim or defense already pleaded in the Arbitration. The party seeking written discovery shall always have the burden of showing that all of the standards and limitations set forth in these Arbitration Provisions are satisfied. The scope of discovery in the Arbitration proceedings shall also be limited as follows:

 

(i) To facts directly connected with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

 

(ii) To facts and information that cannot be obtained from another source or in another manner that is more convenient, less burdensome or less expensive than in the manner requested.

 

(b) No party shall be allowed (i) more than fifteen (15) interrogatories (including discrete subparts), (ii) more than fifteen (15) requests for admission (including discrete subparts), (iii) more than ten (10) document requests (including discrete subparts), or (iv) more than three (3) depositions (excluding expert depositions) for a maximum of seven (7) hours per deposition. The costs associated with depositions will be borne by the party taking the deposition. The party defending the deposition will submit a notice to the party taking the deposition of the estimated attorneys’ fees that such party expects to incur in connection with defending the deposition. If the party defending the deposition fails to submit an estimate of attorneys’ fees within five (5) calendar days of its receipt of a deposition notice, then such party shall be deemed to have waived its right to the estimated attorneys’ fees. The party taking the deposition must pay the party defending the deposition the estimated attorneys’ fees prior to taking the deposition, unless such obligation is deemed to be waived as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence. If the party taking the deposition believes that the estimated attorneys’ fees are unreasonable, such party may submit the issue to the arbitrator for a decision. All depositions will be taken in Utah.

 

(c) All discovery requests (including document production requests included in deposition notices) must be submitted in writing to the arbitrator and the other party. The party submitting the written discovery requests must include with such discovery requests a detailed explanation of how the proposed discovery requests satisfy the requirements of these Arbitration Provisions and the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure. The receiving party will then be allowed, within five (5) calendar days of receiving the proposed discovery requests, to submit to the arbitrator an estimate of the attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to such written discovery requests and a written challenge to each applicable discovery request. After receipt of an estimate of attorneys’ fees and costs and/or challenge(s) to one or more discovery requests, consistent with subparagraph (c) above, the arbitrator will within three (3) calendar days make a finding as to the likely attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to the discovery requests and issue an order that (i) requires the requesting party to prepay the attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to the discovery requests, and (ii) requires the responding party to respond to the discovery requests as limited by the arbitrator within twenty-five (25) calendar days of the arbitrator’s finding with respect to such discovery requests. If a party entitled to submit an estimate of attorneys’ fees and costs and/or a challenge to discovery requests fails to do so within such 5-day period, the arbitrator will make a finding that (A) there are no attorneys’ fees or costs associated with responding to such discovery requests, and (B) the responding party must respond to such discovery requests (as may be limited by the arbitrator) within twenty-five (25) calendar days of the arbitrator’s finding with respect to such discovery requests. Any party submitting any written discovery requests, including without limitation interrogatories, requests for production subpoenas to a party or a third party, or requests for admissions, must prepay the estimated attorneys’ fees and costs, before the responding party has any obligation to produce or respond to the same, unless such obligation is deemed waived as set forth above.

 

 

(d) In order to allow a written discovery request, the arbitrator must find that the discovery request satisfies the standards set forth in these Arbitration Provisions and the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure. The arbitrator must strictly enforce these standards. If a discovery request does not satisfy any of the standards set forth in these Arbitration Provisions or the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, the arbitrator may modify such discovery request to satisfy the applicable standards, or strike such discovery request in whole or in part.

 

(e) Each party may submit expert reports (and rebuttals thereto), provided that such reports must be submitted within sixty (60) days of the Arbitration Commencement Date. Each party will be allowed a maximum of two (2) experts. Expert reports must contain the following: (i) a complete statement of all opinions the expert will offer at trial and the basis and reasons for them; (ii) the expert’s name and qualifications, including a list of all the expert’s publications within the preceding ten (10) years, and a list of any other cases in which the expert has testified at trial or in a deposition or prepared a report within the preceding ten (10) years; and (iii) the compensation to be paid for the expert’s report and testimony. The parties are entitled to depose any other party’s expert witness one (1) time for no more than four (4) hours. An expert may not testify in a party’s case-in-chief concerning any matter not fairly disclosed in the expert report.

 

4.6 Dispositive Motions. Each party shall have the right to submit dispositive motions pursuant Rule 12 or Rule 56 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure (a “Dispositive Motion”). The party submitting the Dispositive Motion may, but is not required to, deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a memorandum in support (the “Memorandum in Support”) of the Dispositive Motion. Within seven (7) calendar days of delivery of the Memorandum in Support, the other party shall deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a memorandum in opposition to the Memorandum in Support (the “Memorandum in Opposition”). Within seven (7) calendar days of delivery of the Memorandum in Opposition, as applicable, the party that submitted the Memorandum in Support shall deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a reply memorandum to the Memorandum in Opposition (“Reply Memorandum”). If the applicable party shall fail to deliver the Memorandum in Opposition as required above, or if the other party fails to deliver the Reply Memorandum as required above, then the applicable party shall lose its right to so deliver the same, and the Dispositive Motion shall proceed regardless.

 

4.7 Confidentiality. All information disclosed by either party (or such party’s agents) during the Arbitration process (including without limitation information disclosed during the discovery process or any Appeal (defined below)) shall be considered confidential in nature. Each party agrees not to disclose any confidential information received from the other party (or its agents) during the Arbitration process (including without limitation during the discovery process or any Appeal) unless (a) prior to or after the time of disclosure such information becomes public knowledge or part of the public domain, not as a result of any inaction or action of the receiving party or its agents, (b) such information is required by a court order, subpoena or similar legal duress to be disclosed if such receiving party has notified the other party thereof in writing and given it a reasonable opportunity to obtain a protective order from a court of competent jurisdiction prior to disclosure, or (c) such information is disclosed to the receiving party’s agents, representatives and legal counsel on a need to know basis who each agree in writing not to disclose such information to any third party. Pursuant to Section 118(5) of the Arbitration Act, the arbitrator is hereby authorized and directed to issue a protective order to prevent the disclosure of privileged information and confidential information upon the written request of either party.

 

4.8 Authorization; Timing; Scheduling Order. Subject to all other sections of these Arbitration Provisions, the parties hereby authorize and direct the arbitrator to take such actions and make such rulings as may be necessary to carry out the parties’ intent for the Arbitration proceedings to be efficient and expeditious. Pursuant to Section 120 of the Arbitration Act, the parties hereby agree that an Arbitration Award must be made within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date. The arbitrator is hereby authorized and directed to hold a scheduling conference within ten (10) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date in order to establish a scheduling order with various binding deadlines for discovery, expert testimony, and the submission of documents by the parties to enable the arbitrator to render a decision prior to the end of such 120-day period.

 

 

4.9 Relief. The arbitrator shall have the right to award or include in the Arbitration Award (or in a preliminary ruling) any relief which the arbitrator deems proper under the circumstances, including, without limitation, specific performance and injunctive relief, provided that the arbitrator may not award exemplary or punitive damages.

 

4.10 Fees and Costs. As part of the Arbitration Award, the arbitrator is hereby directed to require the losing party (the party being awarded the least amount of money by the arbitrator, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any party) to (a) pay the full amount of any unpaid costs and fees of the Arbitration, and (b) reimburse the prevailing party for all reasonable attorneys’ fees, arbitrator costs and fees, deposition costs, other discovery costs, and other expenses, costs or fees paid or otherwise incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the Arbitration.

 

4.11 Motion to Vacate. Following the entry of the Arbitration Award, if either party desires to file a Motion to Vacate the Arbitration Award with a court in Salt Lake County, Utah, it must do so within the earlier of: (a) thirty (30) days of entry of the Arbitration; and (b) in response to the prevailing party’s Motion of Confirm the Arbitration Award.

 

5. Arbitration Appeal.

 

5.1 Initiation of Appeal. Following the entry of the Arbitration Award, either party (the “Appellant”) shall have a period of thirty (30) calendar days in which to notify the other party (the “Appellee”), in writing, that the Appellant elects to appeal (the “Appeal”) the Arbitration Award (such notice, an “Appeal Notice”) to a panel of arbitrators as provided in Paragraph 5.2 below. The date the Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee is referred to herein as the “Appeal Date”. The Appeal Notice must be delivered to the Appellee in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4.1 above with respect to delivery of an Arbitration Notice. In addition, together with delivery of the Appeal Notice to the Appellee, the Appellant must also pay for (and provide proof of such payment to the Appellee together with delivery of the Appeal Notice) a bond in the amount of 110% of the sum the Appellant owes to the Appellee as a result of the Arbitration Award the Appellant is appealing. In the event an Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee (together with proof of payment of the applicable bond) in compliance with the provisions of this Paragraph 5.1, the Appeal will occur as a matter of right and, except as specifically set forth herein, will not be further conditioned. In the event a party does not deliver an Appeal Notice (along with proof of payment of the applicable bond) to the other party within the deadline prescribed in this Paragraph 5.1, such party shall lose its right to appeal the Arbitration Award. The Arbitration Award will be considered final until the Appeal Notice has been properly delivered and the applicable appeal bond has been posted (along with proof of payment of the applicable bond). The parties acknowledge and agree that any Appeal shall be deemed part of the parties’ agreement to arbitrate for purposes of these Arbitration Provisions and the Arbitration Act.

 

5.2 Selection and Payment of Appeal Panel. In the event an Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee (together with proof of payment of the applicable bond) in compliance with the provisions of Paragraph 5.1 above, the Appeal will be heard by a three (3) person arbitration panel (the “Appeal Panel”).

 

(a) Within ten (10) calendar days after the Appeal Date, the Appellee shall select and submit to the Appellant the names of five (5) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Services (http://www.utahadrservices.com) (such five (5) designated persons hereunder are referred to herein as the “Proposed Appeal Arbitrators”). For the avoidance of doubt, each Proposed Appeal Arbitrator must be qualified as a “neutral” with Utah ADR Services, and shall not be the arbitrator who rendered the Arbitration Award being appealed (the “Original Arbitrator”). Within five (5) calendar days after the Appellee has submitted to the Appellant the names of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators, the Appellant must select, by written notice to the Appellee, three (3) of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators to act as the members of the Appeal Panel. If the Appellant fails to select three (3) of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators in writing within such 5-day period, then the Appellee may select such three (3) arbitrators from the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to the Appellant.

 

 

(b) If the Appellee fails to submit to the Appellant the names of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators within ten (10) calendar days after the Appeal Date pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, then the Appellant may at any time prior to the Appellee so designating the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators, identify the names of five (5) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Service (none of whom may be the Original Arbitrator) by written notice to the Appellee. The Appellee may then, within five (5) calendar days after the Appellant has submitted notice of its selected arbitrators to the Appellee, select, by written notice to the Appellant, three (3) of such selected arbitrators to serve on the Appeal Panel. If the Appellee fails to select in writing within such 5-day period three (3) of the arbitrators selected by the Appellant to serve as the members of the Appeal Panel, then the Appellant may select the three (3) members of the Appeal Panel from the Appellant’s list of five (5) arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to the Appellee.

 

(c) If a selected Proposed Appeal Arbitrator declines or is otherwise unable to serve, then the party that selected such Proposed Appeal Arbitrator may select one (1) of the other five (5) designated Proposed Appeal Arbitrators within three (3) calendar days of the date a chosen Proposed Appeal Arbitrator declines or notifies the parties he or she is unable to serve as an arbitrator. If at least three (3) of the five (5) designated Proposed Appeal Arbitrators decline or are otherwise unable to serve, then the Proposed Appeal Arbitrator selection process shall begin again in accordance with this Paragraph 5.2; provided, however, that any Proposed Appeal Arbitrators who have already agreed to serve shall remain on the Appeal Panel.

 

(d) The date that all three (3) Proposed Appeal Arbitrators selected pursuant to this Paragraph 5.2 agree in writing (including via email) delivered to both the Appellant and the Appellee to serve as members of the Appeal Panel hereunder is referred to herein as the “Appeal Commencement Date”. No later than five (5) calendar days after the Appeal Commencement Date, the Appellee shall designate in writing (including via email) to the Appellant and the Appeal Panel the name of one (1) of the three (3) members of the Appeal Panel to serve as the lead arbitrator in the Appeal proceedings. Each member of the Appeal Panel shall be deemed an arbitrator for purposes of these Arbitration Provisions and the Arbitration Act, provided that, in conducting the Appeal, the Appeal Panel may only act or make determinations upon the approval or vote of no less than the majority vote of its members, as announced or communicated by the lead arbitrator on the Appeal Panel. If an arbitrator on the Appeal Panel ceases or is unable to act during the Appeal proceedings, a replacement arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with Paragraph 5.2 above to continue the Appeal as a member of the Appeal Panel. If Utah ADR Services ceases to exist or to provide a list of neutrals, then the arbitrators for the Appeal Panel shall be selected under the then prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association.

 

(d) Subject to Paragraph 5.7 below, the cost of the Appeal Panel must be paid entirely by the Appellant.

 

5.3 Appeal Procedure. The Appeal will be deemed an appeal of the entire Arbitration Award. In conducting the Appeal, the Appeal Panel shall conduct a de novo review of all Claims described or otherwise set forth in the Arbitration Notice. Subject to the foregoing and all other provisions of this Paragraph 5, the Appeal Panel shall conduct the Appeal in a manner the Appeal Panel considers appropriate for a fair and expeditious disposition of the Appeal, may hold one or more hearings and permit oral argument, and may review all previous evidence and discovery, together with all briefs, pleadings and other documents filed with the Original Arbitrator (as well as any documents filed with the Appeal Panel pursuant to Paragraph 5.4(a) below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the Appeal, the Appeal Panel shall not permit the parties to conduct any additional discovery or raise any new Claims to be arbitrated, shall not permit new witnesses or affidavits, and shall not base any of its findings or determinations on the Original Arbitrator’s findings or the Arbitration Award.

 

5.4 Timing.

 

(a) Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appeal Commencement Date, the Appellant (i) shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Appeal Panel copies of the Appeal Notice, all discovery conducted in connection with the Arbitration, and all briefs, pleadings and other documents filed with the Original Arbitrator (which material Appellee shall have the right to review and supplement if necessary), and (ii) may, but is not required to, deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellee a Memorandum in Support of the Appellant’s arguments concerning or position with respect to all Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded in the Arbitration. Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appellant’s delivery of the Memorandum in Support, as applicable, the Appellee shall deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellant a Memorandum in Opposition to the Memorandum in Support. Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appellee’s delivery of the Memorandum in Opposition, as applicable, the Appellant shall deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellee a Reply Memorandum to the Memorandum in Opposition. If the Appellant shall fail to substantially comply with the requirements of clause (i) of this subparagraph (a), the Appellant shall lose its right to appeal the Arbitration Award, and the Arbitration Award shall be final. If the Appellee shall fail to deliver the Memorandum in Opposition as required above, or if the Appellant shall fail to deliver the Reply Memorandum as required above, then the Appellee or the Appellant, as the case may be, shall lose its right to so deliver the same, and the Appeal shall proceed regardless.

 

 

(b)  Subject to subparagraph (a) above, the parties hereby agree that the Appeal must be heard by the Appeal Panel within thirty (30) calendar days of the Appeal Commencement Date, and that the Appeal Panel must render its decision within thirty (30) calendar days after the Appeal is heard (and in no event later than sixty (60) calendar days after the Appeal Commencement Date).

 

5.5 Appeal Panel Award. The Appeal Panel shall issue its decision (the “Appeal Panel Award”) through the lead arbitrator on the Appeal Panel. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the Appeal Panel Award shall (a) supersede in its entirety and make of no further force or effect the Arbitration Award (provided that any protective orders issued by the Original Arbitrator shall remain in full force and effect), (b) be final and binding upon the parties, with no further rights of appeal, (c) be the sole and exclusive remedy between the parties regarding any Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded in the Arbitration, and (d) be promptly payable in United States dollars free of any tax, deduction or offset (with respect to monetary awards). Any costs or fees, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with or incident to enforcing the Appeal Panel Award shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be charged against the party resisting such enforcement. The Appeal Panel Award shall include Default Interest (with respect to monetary awards) at the rate specified in the Note for Default Interest both before and after the Arbitration Award. Judgment upon the Appeal Panel Award will be entered and enforced by a state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah.

 

5.6 Relief. The Appeal Panel shall have the right to award or include in the Appeal Panel Award any relief which the Appeal Panel deems proper under the circumstances, including, without limitation, specific performance and injunctive relief, provided that the Appeal Panel may not award exemplary or punitive damages.

 

5.7 Fees and Costs. As part of the Appeal Panel Award, the Appeal Panel is hereby directed to require the losing party (the party being awarded the least amount of money by the arbitrator, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any party) to (a) pay the full amount of any unpaid costs and fees of the Arbitration and the Appeal Panel, and (b) reimburse the prevailing party (the party being awarded the most amount of money by the Appeal Panel, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any part) the reasonable attorneys’ fees, arbitrator and Appeal Panel costs and fees, deposition costs, other discovery costs, and other expenses, costs or fees paid or otherwise incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the Arbitration (including without limitation in connection with the Appeal).

 

6.  Miscellaneous.

 

6.1 Severability. If any part of these Arbitration Provisions is found to violate or be illegal under applicable law, then such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision enforceable under applicable law, and the remainder of the Arbitration Provisions shall remain unaffected and in full force and effect.

 

6.2 Governing Law. These Arbitration Provisions shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah without regard to the conflict of laws principles therein.

 

6.3 Interpretation. The headings of these Arbitration Provisions are for convenience of reference only and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, these Arbitration Provisions.

 

6.4 Waiver. No waiver of any provision of these Arbitration Provisions shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver.

 

6.5 Time is of the Essence. Time is expressly made of the essence with respect to each and every provision of these Arbitration Provisions.

 

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