UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 26, 2020

 

GOLDEN MATRIX GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

 

000-54840

 

46-1814729

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

file number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

3651 Lindell Road, Suite D131

Las Vegas, NV 89103

(Address of principal executive offices)(zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 318-7548

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

  

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

Employment Agreement with Mr. Anthony Brian Goodman

 

On October 26, 2020, Golden Matrix Group, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” and “us”) entered into an Employment Agreement with Anthony Brian Goodman, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and director.

 

The agreement, which provides for Mr. Goodman to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, was effective October 26, 2020, and remains in effect until October 26, 2023, unless terminated earlier pursuant to its terms, provided that the term of the agreement continues year-to-year thereafter unless either party provides notice to the other of its intent not to renew the agreement at least three months prior to the end of the initial term or any renewal term. Notwithstanding the above, the agreement may be terminated at any time by either party with or without cause. The agreement does not restrict Mr. Goodman’s ability to provide services to Luxor Capital LLC or Articulate Pty Ltd.

 

Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Goodman is to receive an annual salary of $144,000, plus a superannuation (an employee funded pension required by the Government of Australia), which is currently equal to 9.5% of Mr. Goodman’s salary, and pursuant to Australian law is to increase by 0.5% per year, beginning June 30, 2021, until it reaches 12% in 2025 (the “Superannuation”), payable every two weeks. Mr. Goodman’s salary may be increased every 12 months by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in connection with increases in the cost of living, the responsibilities of Mr. Goodman and/or his performance. Increases of salary are not required to be set forth in an amendment to the Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, the Board of Directors has discretion to establish a cash bonus plan payable to Mr. Goodman and to set forth goals in connection with such plan, provided no plan has been established to date. The Board of Directors (or Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors) may also grant Mr. Goodman bonuses from time to time in its discretion, in cash, stock or the form of options in amounts determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors (or Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors).

 

Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Goodman is eligible to participate in all benefit programs offered by the Company to its senior executives. Mr. Goodman is entitled to holidays and annual leave in conformity with Australian law, along with seven additional days of leave pursuant to the terms of the agreement and up to 14 days per year of sick leave.

 

The agreement contains standard confidentiality and indemnification requirements. The agreement prohibits Mr. Goodman from competing against the Company in connection with the business of marketing of gaming intellectual property, tool bar technology, adware and ad serving products, in the United States, for a period of one year from the date of termination of the agreement.

 

The agreement may be terminated by the Company (a) with not less than 2 weeks’ notice to Mr. Goodman of him being adjudicated disabled due to illness or accident; or (b) immediately if he (i) commits any act which may detrimentally affect the Company or its related companies, including any act of dishonesty, fraud, willful disobedience, misconduct or breach of duty; (ii) breaches any terms of the non-compete; (iii) materially breaches the Employment Agreement, and fails to cure such breach within 14 days after notice thereof is provided to Mr. Goodman; or (iv) is of unsound mind. Mr. Goodman may terminate the agreement immediately if (a) the Company has gone into bankruptcy; or (b) any amount owed to him under the agreement is not paid within two months after notice of such non-payment is provided to the Company. Additionally, if Mr. Goodman is involuntarily terminated, any unvested options vest immediately and are exercisable until the later of the original termination date thereof and 24 months after such termination date.

 

 
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In the event the Company terminates the agreement other than for cause (defined as his gross negligence or willful misconduct which has a material adverse effect on the Company or his ability to perform his duties under the agreement), Mr. Goodman is due a severance payment equal to twelve months of salary, which is payable in a lump sum ten business days following the effective date of termination.

 

Employment Agreement with Ms. Weiting Feng

 

On October 26, 2020, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Weiting Feng, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and director.

 

The agreement, which provides for Ms. Feng to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, was effective October 26, 2020, and remains in effect until October 26, 2021, unless terminated earlier pursuant to its terms, provided that the term of the agreement continues year-to-year thereafter unless either party provides notice to the other of its intent not to renew the agreement at least three months prior to the end of the initial term or any renewal term. Notwithstanding the above, the agreement may be terminated at any time by either party with or without cause. The agreement does not restrict Ms. Feng’s ability to provide services to Etrader Pty Ltd or Articulate Pty Ltd.

 

Pursuant to the agreement, Ms. Feng is to receive an annual salary of $120,000, plus a Superannuation, payable every two weeks. Ms. Feng’s salary may be increased every 12 months by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in connection with increases in the cost of living, the responsibilities of Ms. Feng and/or her performance. Increases of salary are not required to be set forth in an amendment to the Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, the Board of Directors has discretion to establish a cash bonus plan payable to Ms. Feng and to set forth goals in connection with such plan, provided no plan has been established to date. The Board of Directors (or Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors) may also grant Ms. Feng bonuses from time to time in its discretion, in cash, stock or the form of options in amounts determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors (or Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors).

 

Pursuant to the agreement, Ms. Feng is eligible to participate in all benefit programs offered by the Company to its senior executives. Ms. Feng is entitled to holidays and annual leave in conformity with Australian law, along with seven additional days of leave pursuant to the terms of the agreement and up to 14 days per year of sick leave.

 

The agreement contains standard confidentiality and indemnification requirements. The agreement prohibits Ms. Feng from competing against the Company in connection with the business of marketing of gaming intellectual property, tool bar technology, adware and ad serving products, in the United States, for a period of one year from the date of termination of the agreement.

 

The agreement may be terminated by the Company (a) with not less than 2 weeks’ notice to Ms. Feng of when she is adjudicated disabled due to illness or accident; or (b) immediately if she (i) commits any act which may detrimentally affect the Company or its related companies, including any act of dishonesty, fraud, willful disobedience, misconduct or breach of duty; (ii) breaches any terms of the non-compete; (iii) materially breaches the Employment Agreement, and fails to cure such breach within 14 days after notice thereof is provided to Ms. Feng; or (iv) is of unsound mind. Ms. Feng may terminate the agreement immediately if (a) the Company has gone into bankruptcy; or (b) any amount owed to her under the agreement is not paid within two months after notice of such non-payment is provided to the Company.

 

In the event the Company terminates the agreement other than for cause (defined as her gross negligence or willful misconduct which has a material adverse effect on the Company or her ability to perform her duties under the agreement), Ms. Feng is due a severance payment equal to six months of salary, which is payable as if Ms. Feng remained employed by the Company for such six month period.

  

 
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The descriptions of the Employment Agreements with Mr. Goodman and Ms. Feng above are not complete and are qualified in their entirety to the full text of the employment agreements, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 hereto, and are incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference in their entity.

 

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

As described in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 27, 2020, on April 27, 2020, the Company filed a Certificate of Change Pursuant to NRS 78.209 (the “Certificate of Change”) with the Nevada Secretary of State (the “Nevada SOS”) whereby it proportionately reduced its authorized and outstanding shares of common stock in a ratio of 1-for-150 (the “Reverse Stock Split”). It was the Company’s intention that such Reverse Stock Split would be effective on the same date that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) affected the Reverse Stock Split in the marketplace (which date the Company anticipated being May 20, 2020).

 

As disclosed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Commission on May 18, 2020, FINRA actually affected the Reverse Stock Split in the marketplace on June 26, 2020.

 

Because the Company’s intention was that the Reverse Stock Split be effective on the date affected by FINRA, on October 20, 2020, the Board of Directors approved, and on October 26, 2020, the Company filed, a Certificate of Correction with the Nevada SOS to correct the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split as set forth in the Certificate of Change to June 26, 2020.

 

A copy of the Certificate of Correction is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2.

 

Item 5.05 Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

 

Effective on August 13, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a new Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which describes the general code of conduct and ethical principles and guidelines applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the Company.

 

The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is filed herewith as Exhibit 14.1.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

3.1

 

Certificate of Change Pursuant to NRS 78.209 (1 for 150 reverse stock split) filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on April 27, 2020 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-KT/A for the Fiscal Year ended January 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on October 28, 2020 and incorporated herein (File No. 000-54840))

3.2*

 

Certificate of Correction (correcting Certificate of Change filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on April 27, 2020) filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on October 26, 2020

10.1*

 

Employment Agreement between Golden Matrix Group, Inc. and Anthony Brian Goodman dated October 26, 2020

10.2*

 

Employment Agreement between Golden Matrix Group, Inc. and Weiting Feng dated October 26, 2020

14.1*

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

* Filed herewith.

 

 
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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, hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

GOLDEN MATRIX GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

Date: October 28, 2020

By:

/s/ Anthony Brian Goodman

 

 

 

Anthony Brian Goodman

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

  

 
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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

3.1

 

Certificate of Change Pursuant to NRS 78.209 (1 for 150 reverse stock split) filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on April 27, 2020 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-KT/A for the Fiscal Year ended January 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on October 28, 2020 and incorporated herein (File No. 000-54840))

3.2*

 

Certificate of Correction (correcting Certificate of Change filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on April 27, 2020) filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on October 26, 2020

10.1*

 

Employment Agreement between Golden Matrix Group, Inc. and Anthony Brian Goodman dated October 26, 2020

10.2*

 

Employment Agreement between Golden Matrix Group, Inc. and Weiting Feng dated October 26, 2020

14.1*

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

* Filed herewith.

 

 
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EXHIBIT 3.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 10.1

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT 14.1

 

GOLDEN MATRIX GROUP, INC.

 

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

All employees, officers, and directors of Golden Matrix Group, Inc. (the “Company”) are responsible for conducting themselves in compliance with this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”). The Company adopted this Code in order to assist the Company and its employees, officers and directors with the Company’s goals of conducting its business and affairs in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations and to promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.

 

The Company expects that any consultants or other service providers it retains will adhere to the Code. In addition, for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder, Sections I through IV of the Code shall constitute the Company’s code of ethics for “Senior Financial Officers” (as defined in Section I below).

 

I. Compliance and Reporting

 

Employees, officers, and directors should strive to identify and raise potential issues before they lead to problems for the Company and should ask about the application of the Code whenever there is a question as to whether a violation of the Code has occurred or will occur. Any employee or officer who becomes aware of any existing or potential violation of the Code should promptly notify the appropriate supervisor. Should the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and/or the Principal Accounting Officer (collectively, the “Senior Financial Officers”) or any director become aware of an existing or potential violation of the Code, he or she should promptly notify the Company’s general counsel or outside counsel, if no general counsel exists. The Company shall take such disciplinary, corrective or preventative action as it deems appropriate to address any existing or potential violation of this Code brought to its attention.

 

Confidentiality regarding those who make compliance reports and those potentially involved is maintained to the extent possible during a compliance investigation. The Company does not tolerate retribution, retaliation, or adverse personnel action of any kind against any person for lawfully reporting a situation of potential noncompliance with the Code, or providing to the Company or any law enforcement or other governmental agency any information or assistance relating to the commission or possible commission of any federal or state offense.

 

The Senior Financial Officers have a responsibility to create an environment within the Company in which compliance with the Code is treated as a serious obligation and in which violations of the Code are not tolerated. The Senior Financial Officers will establish and, if necessary, modify the procedures by which violations of the Code are to be reported.

 

II. Conflicts of Interest

 

All business decisions must be made in the Company’s best interest. A “conflict of interest” arises when an individual’s judgment is or may be influenced by considerations of improper personal gain or benefit to the individual or another person. Even if no actual conflict of interest occurs, situations that create the appearance of a conflict may harm the Company’s public relations or cause other problems damaging to the Company, and, as such, also should be avoided. Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of Company policy, unless they have been approved in advance by the Company.

 

For example, an employee, officer, or director must never use or attempt to use his or her position at the Company to obtain any improper personal benefit for himself or herself, for his or her family members or for any other person, including loans or guarantees of obligations, from any other person or entity. In this regard, service to the Company should never be subordinated to personal gain and advantage. To the extent possible, conflicts of interest always should be avoided. Any employee, officer, or director who is aware of a material transaction or relationship that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest should promptly discuss the matter with the General Counsel or outside counsel, if no general counsel exists.

 

 
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Transactions with outside firms must be conducted within a framework established and controlled by the executive level of the Company. Business dealings with outside firms should not result in unusual gains for those firms or their employees. Unusual gain refers to bribes, product bonuses, special fringe benefits, unusual price breaks, and other windfalls designed to ultimately benefit either the outside firm, its employee, or both. Promotional plans that could be interpreted to involve unusual gain require specific executive-level approval.

 

An actual or potential conflict of interest occurs when an employee is in a position to influence a decision that may result in a personal gain for that employee or for a relative as a result of the Company’s business dealings. For the purposes of this policy, a relative is any person who is related by blood or marriage, or whose relationship with the employee is similar to that of persons who are related by blood or marriage.

 

No “presumption of guilt” is created by the mere existence of a relationship with outside firms. However, if employees have any influence on transactions involving purchases, contracts, or leases, it is imperative that they disclose to an officer of the Company as soon as possible the existence of any actual or potential conflict of interest so that safeguards can be established to protect all parties.

 

Personal gain may result not only in cases where an employee or relative has an ownership interest in a firm with which the Company does business, but also when an employee or relative receives any kickback, bribe, substantial gift or special consideration from any Company, customer, or vendor. Any employee who receives a gift from a customer or vendor must advise his or her supervisor immediately. If the supervisor determines that the gift is of a normal and customary nature (e.g., not excessively expensive), the employee may retain the gift. If the gift is determined by the supervisor to be excessive, the employee must return the gift with a brief explanation that it is against the Company’s policy for employees to accept gifts of an excessive nature. Employees who do not report the receipt of gifts to their immediate supervisor will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. In addition, employees who solicit gifts will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

 

In addition, as a result of their close relationships to the Company and its business, the Senior Financial Officers have a special responsibility to: refrain, without the approval of the Board of directors, from transacting business with the Company through any entity in which the officer or a member of his or her immediate family owns all or a controlling interest; refrain, without the approval of the Board of directors, from participating in other employment or serving as a director for other organizations if such activity reasonably could be expected to interfere with the officer’s ability to act in the best interests of the Company or reasonably could be expected to require the officer to use proprietary, confidential or non-public information of the Company; refuse gifts, favors or hospitality that would influence or appear to influence the recipient to act other than in the best interests of the Company; and report to the Board of directors any existing or potential director positions they hold, including positions on non-profit or charitable organization boards of directors.

 

III. Public Disclosure

 

It is the Company’s policy that the information in its public communications and disclosures, including its filings with the SEC, be full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. All employees, officers, and directors who are involved in the Company’s disclosure process, including the Senior Financial Officers, are responsible for acting in furtherance of this policy. Specifically, these individuals are required to maintain familiarity with the disclosure requirements applicable to the Company and are prohibited from knowingly misrepresenting, omitting or causing others to misrepresent or omit, material facts regarding the Company to others, whether within or outside the Company, including the Company’s independent accountants. In addition, any employee, officer or director who has a supervisory role in the Company’s disclosure process has an obligation to diligently discharge his or her responsibilities.

 

The Senior Financial Officers, in particular, must act in good faith and with due care and diligence in connection with the preparation of the Company’s public disclosures. The Senior Financial Officers must ensure that the financial statements and reports submitted to the SEC are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. The Senior Financial Officers must also promptly report any irregularities or deficiencies in the Company’s internal controls for financial reporting to the Board of directors.

 

 
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IV. Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations

 

It is the Company’s policy to comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. It is the personal responsibility of each employee, officer and director to adhere to the standards and restrictions imposed by those laws, rules, and regulations.

 

It is both illegal and against Company policy for any employee, officer, or director who is aware of material, nonpublic information relating to the Company, any of the Company’s customers or clients or any other private or governmental issuer or securities, to purchase or sell any securities of those issuers, or recommend that another person purchase, sell or hold the securities of those issuers.

 

In general, information is “material” if it could affect a person’s decision to purchase, sell or hold a company’s securities. Material information includes, for example, a company’s anticipated earnings, plans to acquire or sell significant assets, and changes in senior executives. Employees, officers, and directors should try to limit transactions to times when it can reasonably be assumed that all material information about a company has been disclosed. All employees, and officers and directors of the Company in particular, should consult with the General Counsel, or outside counsel, if no general counsel exists, regarding the safest times to trade in the Company’s securities. In addition, employees, officers, and directors may not disclose material, nonpublic information about the Company or another company to any person (i) inside the Company, unless they need to know the information for legitimate business purposes, or (ii) outside of the Company, unless prior approval is obtained from management in consultation with the General Counsel, or outside counsel, if no general counsel exists. Bear in mind that this information belongs to the Company and no person may misappropriate it for anyone’s benefit. Providing a “tip” based on material, nonpublic information is unethical and illegal, and is prohibited, even if you do not profit from it. All employees must obtain clearance from the Compliance Officer prior to trading in the Company’s securities. The Company has appointed its Chief Financial Officer as the Compliance Officer. If there is no Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Financial Officer is not able to serve as the Compliance Officer for any reason, or because he or she would be conflicted in such role (e.g. in making a determination about his or her own trading in the Company’s securities), then the Chair of the Company’s Audit Committee shall serve as the temporary Compliance Officer in such instance.

 

Other laws, rules, regulations, and Company policies to which employees, officers and directors are subject relate to business practices. For example, employees, officers, and directors may not misrepresent facts, contractual terms or Company policies to a stockholder, service provider, or regulator. Even if done inadvertently, you must correct the misrepresentation as soon as possible after consulting with the General Counsel, or outside counsel, if no general counsel exists. In addition, employees, officers, and directors must adhere to appropriate procedures governing the retention and destruction of the Company’s records, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, Company policies, and business needs. No person should destroy, alter, or falsify any document that may be relevant to a threatened or pending lawsuit or governmental investigation. You should consult with, and follow the instructions of, the General Counsel or outside counsel, if no general counsel exists, in these situations.

 

Employees, officers, and directors must also comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits American businesses, and in many cases their foreign subsidiaries, from offering, paying or authorizing payment to foreign government officials, political parties or their officials, or political candidates.

 

The Senior Financial Officers, in particular, have a responsibility to ensure compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of federal, state, and local governments and of appropriate public and private regulatory agencies or organizations.

 

In addition to adhering to established Company policies and procedures, these individuals must take steps to ensure that other employees and officers follow such policies and procedures.

 

Any employee, officer, or director who is uncertain about the legal rules and regulations to which he or she or the Company is subject should consult with the General Counsel or outside counsel, if no general counsel exists.

 

 
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V. Employment Practices

 

In making employment and personnel decisions, the Company employment decisions must be based only on an employee’s or applicant’s qualifications, demonstrated skills and achievements without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

 

All employees are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. Management must not tolerate harassment of, or by, any employee in situations involving another employee, stockholder, service provider, or business associate.

 

Employees, officers, and directors must not engage in conduct that could be construed as sexual harassment, which may include, for example, unwelcome sexual advances, offensive touching, sexually suggestive statements, offensive jokes, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

 

Any person who believes he or she has been harassed in the course of performing his or her employment with the Company should notify the General Counsel or outside counsel, if no general counsel exists. Company policy prohibits retaliation against any individual who complains of, or reports an instance of, harassment or participates in an investigation of a harassment complaint.

 

VI. Corporate Opportunities

 

Employees, officers, and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance the Company’s legitimate business interests when the opportunity to do so arises. In this regard, employees, officers, and directors are prohibited from (i) taking for themselves personally (or directing to a third party) business opportunities that are discovered through the use of Company property, information or position (unless the Company has already been offered the opportunity and rejected it); (ii) using Company property, information, or position for improper personal gain; and (iii) competing with the Company.

 

It may be difficult to decipher whether or not a particular personal benefit is proper, as sometimes both personal and Company benefits may be derived from certain activities. The best course of action in these circumstances is to consult with the General Counsel or outside counsel, if no general counsel exists.

 

VII. Confidentiality

 

In carrying out the Company’s business, employees, officers, and directors may learn confidential or proprietary information about the Company or third parties. Employees, officers and directors must maintain the confidentiality of all information entrusted to them, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential or proprietary information includes, for example, any nonpublic information concerning the Company, including its business, properties, financial performance, results or prospects, and any nonpublic information provided by a third party with the expectation or contractual agreement that the information will be kept confidential and used solely for the business purpose for which it was conveyed. Employees, officers and directors are required to secure from unauthorized access and public view documents under their control that contain confidential or proprietary information. When such information is discarded, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure proper and complete destruction.

 

In addition, employees, officers, and directors are prohibited from taking confidential or proprietary information with them upon termination of employment with the Company or from using or disclosing such information for any purpose elsewhere, including with a different employer or company. Any confidential or proprietary information must be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of employment or affiliation with the Company.

 

 
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VIII. Fair Dealing

 

Company policy is to conduct business fairly through honest business competition and the Company does not seek competitive advantages through unethical or illegal business practices. Each employee, officer, and director should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s stockholders, service providers, competitors, and employees. No employee, officer, or director should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation or omission of material facts, or any other practice involving unfair dealing.

 

IX. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets

 

All employees, officers and directors should protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. It is important to bear in mind that theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability. Thus, all assets of the Company should be used only for legitimate business purposes.

 

X. Waivers of the Code

 

The Company may elect to waive certain provisions of the Code on a case-by-case basis. Any employee, officer, or director who would like to request a waiver of one or more of the Code’s provisions must discuss the matter with the General Counsel or outside counsel, if no general counsel exists. Waivers for executive officers and directors of the Company only may be granted by the Board of directors or a committee of the Board.

 

XI. Specific Written Agreements

 

To the extent there is any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Code and any specific written agreements with the Company (which agreements are, have been or will be approved by the Company’s board of directors), the terms of such written agreements will control the conduct of the parties and such conduct will not be considered to be in conflict with any provisions of this Code.

 

 
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