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8-K 1 d841371d8k.htm 8-K 8-K

 

 

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): July 1, 2024 (June 25, 2024)

 

 

WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-42144   81-3830533
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)   File Number)   Identification Number)

5700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 220, Los Angeles, CA 90036

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (323) 424-3795

 

 

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:

 

Title of each class Symbol(s)

on which registered

 

Trading

 

Name of each exchange

Common Stock, $0.0001 Par Value   WBTN   Nasdaq Global Select Market

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 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On June 28, 2024, in connection with the initial public offering (the “IPO”) by WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. (the “Company”) of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), described in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-279863), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), the Company entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with certain stockholders identified therein (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein. The terms of this agreement are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the form of such agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and as described therein under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions––Registration Rights Agreement,” which description is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

On June 28, 2024, substantially concurrently with the closing of the IPO and as previously described in the Registration Statement, the Company issued 2,380,952 shares of Common Stock to NAVER U.Hub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NAVER Corporation, at the Offering Price (as defined below) for aggregate proceeds of $50.0 million. The shares of Common Stock were issued under a Stock Purchase Agreement entered into on June 16, 2024 and pursuant to a private placement transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Item 3.03.

Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders.

The information provided in Item 1.01 regarding the Registration Rights Agreement and the information set forth under Item 5.03 below is incorporated by reference in this Item 3.03.

 

Item 5.03.

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

On June 26, 2024, the Company filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) became effective on such date. The Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are filed herewith as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions and forms of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are substantially the same as the descriptions set forth in, and forms filed as exhibits to, the Registration Statement.

 

Item 8.01.

Other Events.

Stockholder Agreements

On June 25, 2024, in connection with the IPO, the Company entered into a Stockholder Agreement with NAVER Corporation and a Stockholder Agreement with LY Corporation, a copy of which is filed as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Initial Public Offering

On June 26, 2024, the Company announced the pricing of its IPO of 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock at a price to the public of $21.00 per share (the “Offering Price”). The IPO closed on June 28, 2024.

In connection with the pricing, the Company issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

 3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated June 26, 2024
 3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company effective June 26, 2024
10.1    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2024, by and among the Company and certain stockholders identified therein
10.2    Stockholder Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2024, by and between the Company and NAVER Corporation
10.3    Stockholder Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2024, by and between the Company and LY Corporation
99.1    Press Release of the Company, dated June 26, 2024


SIGNATURE

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.

 

    WEBTOON Entertainment Inc.
    By:  

/s/ Junkoo Kim

    Name:   Junkoo Kim
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

Date: July 1, 2024

EX-3.1 2 d841371dex31.htm EX-3.1 EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.

The name of the corporation is WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. (the “Corporation”). The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was originally filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 9, 2016. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), which amends, restates and integrates the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and/or restated, was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and by the written consent of the stockholders in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and/or restated is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

Section 1.1 Name. The name of the Corporation is WEBTOON Entertainment Inc.

ARTICLE II

Section 2.1 Address. The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 8 The Green, Ste A, Dover, DE 19901 Kent County; and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is A Registered Agent, Inc.

ARTICLE III

Section 3.1 Purpose. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE IV

Section 4.1 Capitalization. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 2,100,000,000 shares, consisting of (i) 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”), and (ii) 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”). The number of authorized shares of any of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) without a separate class vote of the holders of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), unless expressly required pursuant to this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock).


Section 4.2 Preferred Stock.

(A) The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions, at any time and from time to time, to provide, out of the undesignated shares of Preferred Stock, for one or more series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of such series, and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series and to cause to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of designation with respect thereto. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

(B) Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Preferred Stock, as such, shall have no voting rights except as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock).

Section 4.3 Common Stock.

(A) Voting Rights.

(1) Except as provided in Article VI, each holder of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote.

(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall have no voting power with respect to, and shall not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL. Except as otherwise provided in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or required by applicable law, the holders of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class (or, if the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Common Stock, as a single class with the holders of such other series of Preferred Stock) on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders generally.

(B) Dividends and Distributions. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and other distributions in cash, property of the Corporation or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, such dividends and other distributions may be declared and paid ratably on the Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board in its discretion shall determine.

 

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(C) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock as to distributions upon dissolution or liquidation or winding up, the holders of all outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder.

Section 4.4 Forward Stock Split. At the date and time this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Split Effective Time”) first becomes effective in accordance with the DGCL, a 1-for-30 forward split of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be effected, whereby each one share of the Corporation’s Common Stock held in treasury or issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Split Effective Time shall automatically and without any further action by the holder thereof or the Corporation, be subdivided into 30 shares of Common Stock (the “Forward Stock Split”); provided further, that if the Forward Stock Split would result in any fractional share (after aggregating all fractional shares a holder would otherwise be entitled to receive in connection with the Forward Stock Split), the Corporation shall, in lieu of issuing any such fractional share, pay the holder thereof an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such fractional share on the effective date of the Forward Stock Split as determined by the Board. From and after the Forward Stock Split, certificates that represented shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the Split Effective Time shall represent the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Common Stock represented by such certificate were subdivided pursuant to the Forward Stock Split; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not be obligated to issue certificates evidencing the shares resulting from the Forward Stock Split unless either the certificates evidencing such shares of Common Stock are delivered to the Corporation or its transfer agent, or the holder notifies the Corporation or its transfer agent that such certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation from any loss incurred by it in connection with such certificates.

ARTICLE V

Section 5.1 Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, at any time when the NAVER Group (as defined below) beneficially owns, in the aggregate, less than fifty percent (50%) in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, in addition to any vote required by applicable law, the following provisions in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class: this Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX and Article X. For the purposes of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, beneficial ownership of shares shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

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Section 5.2 Amendment of Bylaws. The Board is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind, in whole or in part, the bylaws of the Corporation (as in effect from time to time, the “Bylaws”) without the assent or vote of the stockholders in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote of the stockholders, at any time when the NAVER Group beneficially owns, in the aggregate, less than fifty percent (50%) in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required herein (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock), the Bylaws or applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Corporation to alter, amend, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, any provision of the Bylaws or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.

ARTICLE VI

Section 6.1 Board of Directors.

(A) Except as provided in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV (including any certificate of designation with respect to any series of Preferred Stock) and this Article VI relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors, the total number of directors shall be determined from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by the Board; provided that, at any time the NAVER Group Beneficially Owns (as defined below), in the aggregate, at least fifty percent (50%) in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, the stockholders may also fix the number of directors by resolution adopted by the stockholders by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

(B) The directors (other than those directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Class I directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the initial closing of the registered initial underwritten public offering of the Common Stock (the “IPO Date”), Class II directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the IPO Date and Class III directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the IPO Date. Commencing with the first annual meeting of stockholders following the IPO Date, the directors of the class to be elected at each annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term. Any such director shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or his or her death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office.

 

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(C) (1) NAVER Group Director. Without limiting the NAVER Group’s rights under the DGCL, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise, the NAVER Group shall have the right (but not the obligation) to designate up to a number of individuals for election as directors consistent with clauses (i) through (iii) of this Section 6.1(C)(1), and the Corporation shall include such individuals as nominees for election as directors at each meeting of stockholders of the Corporation at which directors are to be elected, that, if elected, will result in the NAVER Group having a number of directors serving on the Board as follows:

 

  (i)

any time when the NAVER Group Beneficially Owns, in the aggregate, fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors: a number of individuals representing a majority of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board;

 

  (ii)

any time when the NAVER Group Beneficially Owns, in the aggregate, less than fifty percent (50%) but at least five percent (5%) of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors: a number of individuals proportionate to the NAVER Group’s beneficial ownership of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number; and

 

  (iii)

any time when the NAVER Group Beneficially Owns, in the aggregate, less than five percent (5%) of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors: zero (0).

Each individual who is designated by the NAVER Group pursuant to this Section 6.1(C)(1) and who is thereafter elected to serve as a director shall be referred to herein as a “NAVER Group Director.”

(2) LY Group Director. Without limiting the LY Group’s (as defined below) rights under the DGCL, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise, the LY Group shall have the right (but not the obligation) to designate up to one individual for election as director consistent with clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 6.1(C)(2), and the Corporation shall include such individual as a nominee for election as director at each meeting of stockholders of the Corporation at which director are to be elected, that, if elected, will result in the LY Group having one director serving on the Board as follows:

 

  (i)

any time when the LY Group Beneficially Owns, in the aggregate, twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors: one (1) individual; and

 

  (ii)

any time when the LY Group Beneficially Owns, in the aggregate, less than twenty percent (20%) of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors: zero (0).

 

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Each individual who is designated by the LY Group pursuant to this Section 6.1(C)(2) and who is thereafter elected to serve as a director shall be referred to herein as an “LY Group Director.”

(3) Removal and Filling Vacancies. The NAVER Group or the LY Group, as applicable, shall have the exclusive right to (i) remove without cause any NAVER Group Director or LY Group Director, respectively, from the Board (and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein or otherwise, for so long as the NAVER Group or the LY Group have the right to designate their respective nominees, the shares of Common Stock held by the NAVER Group and the LY Group, as applicable, shall be the only shares entitled to vote on the removal without cause of any NAVER Group Director or LY Group Director, respectively, and the shares of Common Stock owned by any other holders as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote thereon shall have no voting rights on such matter), and the Corporation shall facilitate the removal of any such NAVER Group Director or LY Group Director from the Board upon the receipt by the Corporation of action by NAVER Group and the LY Group, as applicable, effecting such removal and (ii) fill any vacancy created by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal of such NAVER Group Director or LY Group Director, as applicable (and the Corporation shall facilitate the appointment to the Board of the person designated by the applicable party to fill any such vacancy).

(D) Subject to the rights granted to (1) the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, (2) the NAVER Group (as defined below) pursuant to Sections 2.1(a) and (b) of the Stockholder Agreement, dated on or about June 25, 2024, by and among the Corporation and NAVER Corporation, a company duly incorporated and existing under the laws of the Republic of Korea, together with its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors and assigns, but excluding the Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “NAVER Group”), as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time (the “NAVER Stockholder Agreement”), but without limiting any rights granted to the NAVER Group under this Article VI, and (3) the LY Group (as defined below) pursuant to Sections 2.1(a) and (b) of the Stockholder Agreement, dated on or about June 25, 2024, by and among the Corporation and LY Corporation, a company duly incorporated and existing under the laws of Japan, together with its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors and assigns, but excluding the Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “LY Group”), as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time (the “LY Stockholder Agreement”), but without limiting any rights granted to the LY Group under this Article VI, and subject to Section 6.1(A) or Section 6.1(C), any newly created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board (whether by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause) shall be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, by a sole remaining director or by the stockholders; provided, however, that at any time when the NAVER Group Beneficially Owns, in the aggregate, less than thirty-five percent (35%) in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, any newly created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders other than the NAVER Group and the LY Group with respect to the NAVER Group Directors and the LY Group Directors, respectively).

 

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Any director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

(E) Subject to Section 6.1(C)(3), any or all of the directors (other than the directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) may be removed at any time either with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power of all outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting as a single class; provided, however, that at any time when the NAVER Group Beneficially Owns, in the aggregate, less than thirty-five percent (35%) in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, any such director or all such directors other than the NAVER Group Directors and the LY Group Directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty six and two thirds percent (66 2/3%) in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

(F) During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more series, have the right to elect additional directors, then upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues: (1) the then otherwise total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be increased by such specified number of directors, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for or fixed pursuant to said provisions; and (2) each such additional director shall serve until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to said provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, except as otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such stock, such additional directors shall cease to be qualified to serve as such additional director and the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be automatically reduced accordingly.

(G) Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws shall so provide.

(H) In accordance with this Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws, (1) the Board shall establish and maintain committees of the Board for (i) Audit, (ii) Compensation and (iii) Nominating and Corporate Governance, and (2) the Board may from time to time by resolution establish and maintain other committees of the Board.

 

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(I) Subject to applicable laws and stock exchange regulations, and subject to requisite independence requirements applicable to such committee, unless otherwise agreed by NAVER Group, all committees of the Board must include a number of the NAVER Group Directors designated by the NAVER Group not exceeding the number of directors that is proportionate (rounding up to the next whole director) to the ratio of the NAVER Group Directors relative to the total number of directors constituting the entire Board.

(J) For purposes of this Article VI, (1) “Beneficially Own” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act; and (2) “Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, association, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or entity, or any government, governmental department or agency or political subdivision thereof.

ARTICLE VII

Section 7.1 Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers/Indemnification.

(A) To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, a director or officer of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Corporation or its stockholders. All references in this Article VII to a director shall also be deemed to refer to such other person or persons, if any, who, pursuant to a provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation) in accordance with Section 141(a) of the DGCL, exercise or perform any of the powers or duties otherwise conferred or imposed upon the Board by the DGCL (any such person, a “141(a) Person”).

(B) Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, any modification of law shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any right or protection of a current or former director or officer of the Corporation or 141(a) Person existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, adoption or modification.

ARTICLE VIII

Section 8.1 Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. At any time when the NAVER Group beneficially owns, in the aggregate, at least thirty-five percent (35%) in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a written consent or consents, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law. At any time when the NAVER Group beneficially owns, in the aggregate, at least thirty-five percent (35%) in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, the Board shall not take any action (including, without limitation, amending, altering or repealing the Bylaws or adopting any new bylaw) that would require or purport to require any stockholder seeking to take action by consent without a meeting to comply with any procedures or other requirements except those expressly set forth in Section 228 of the DGCL, this Section 8.1, or Section 2.11(b) of the Bylaws.

 

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At any time when the NAVER Group beneficially owns, in the aggregate, less than thirty-five percent (35%) in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable certificate of designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock.

Section 8.2 Special Meetings of the Stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time only by or at the direction of the Board or the Chairman of the Board; provided, however, that at any time when the NAVER Group beneficially owns, in the aggregate, at least thirty-five percent (35%) in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes shall also be called by or at the direction of the Board or the Chairman of the Board at the request of the NAVER Group.

Section 8.3 Annual Meetings of the Stockholders. An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, on such date, and at such time as shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof; provided, that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that any such meeting shall, in addition to or instead of a physical location, be held by means of remote communication (including virtually).

ARTICLE IX

Section 9.1 Competition and Corporate Opportunities.

(A) In recognition and anticipation that (1) certain directors, principals, officers, employees and/or other representatives of the NAVER Group and the LY Group (the “Major Stockholders”) and their respective Affiliates (as defined below) may serve as directors, officers or agents of the Corporation, (2) the Major Stockholders and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (3) members of the Board who are not employees of the Corporation (the “Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates (the Persons (as defined below) identified in clauses (1) and (3) of this Section 9.1(A), being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, individually, as an “Identified Person”) may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article IX are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve any of the Major Stockholders, the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith.

 

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(B) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation hereby renounces any interest or expectancy that it would otherwise be entitled to have in, and any right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity that from time to time may be presented to or acquired, created, developed, or that otherwise may come into the possession of the Identified Persons (including any director of the Corporation who serves as an officer of the Corporation in both his or her director and officer capacities) or any of their respective Affiliates (the Persons (as defined below) identified in (1) and (2) above being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, individually, as an “Identified Person”), and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, including but not limited to opportunities with respect to the NAVER Group or the LY Group. None of the Identified Persons shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (i) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its Affiliates now engages or proposes to engage or (ii) otherwise competing with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates. In the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity that may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates.

(C) In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article IX, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that (1) the Corporation is neither financially or legally able, nor contractually permitted to undertake, (2) from its nature, is not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Corporation or (3) is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

(D) For purposes of this Article IX, (1) “Affiliate” shall mean (i) in respect of any of the Major Stockholders, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by any of the Major Stockholders, controls any of the Major Stockholders or is under common control with any of the Major Stockholders and shall include any principal, member, director, partner, stockholder, officer, employee or other representative of any of the foregoing (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation), (ii) in respect of a Non-Employee Director, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Non-Employee Director (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation) and (iii) in respect of the Corporation, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Corporation; and (2) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any other entity.

(E) To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article IX.

 

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ARTICLE X

Section 10.1 DGCL Section 203. The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

Section 10.2 Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the Corporation shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below), at any point in time at which the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, with (or involving in any manner contemplated by the definition of “business combination” below) any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

(A) prior to such time the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

(B) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the voting stock (as defined below) of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (1) persons (as defined below) who are directors and also officers and (2) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

(C) at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 10.3 Exceptions to Prohibition on Interested Stockholder Transactions. The restrictions contained in this Article X shall not apply if:

(A) a stockholder becomes an interested stockholder inadvertently and (1) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the stockholder ceases to be an interested stockholder; and (2) would not, at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to a business combination between the Corporation and such stockholder, have been an interested stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or

(B) the business combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required hereunder of a proposed transaction which (1) constitutes one of the transactions described in the second sentence of this Section 10.3(B); (2) is with or by a person who either was not an interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of the Board; and (3) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the directors then in office (but not less than one) who were directors prior to any person becoming an interested stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors.

 

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The proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to (x) a merger or consolidation of the Corporation (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to Section 251(f) of the DGCL, no vote of the stockholders of the Corporation is required); (y) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (other than to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary or to the Corporation) having an aggregate market value equal to fifty percent (50%) or more of either that aggregate market value of all of the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock (as defined below) of the Corporation; or (z) a proposed tender or exchange offer for fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation. The Corporation shall give not less than 20 days’ notice to all interested stockholders prior to the consummation of any of the transactions described in clause (x) or (y) of the second sentence of this Section 10.3(B).

Section 10.4 For purposes of this Article X, references to:

(A) “affiliate” shall mean a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person;

(B) “associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, shall mean (1) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of any class of voting stock; (2) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a twenty percent (20%) beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (3) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person;

(C) “business combination” shall mean:

(1) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation with (i) the interested stockholder, or (ii) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Section 10.2 is not applicable to the surviving entity;

 

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(2) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to ten percent (10%) or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation; (3) any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except (i) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of the securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (ii) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (iii) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (iv) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (v) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (iii)-(v) of this Section 10.4(C)(3) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments);

(4) any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or

(5) any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in clauses (1)-(4) of this Section 10.4(C)) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation;

(D) “control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract or otherwise. A person who is the owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary; notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this Article X, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act as such rule is in effect as of the date of this Certificate) have control of such entity;

(E) “interested stockholder” shall mean any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (1) is the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, or (2) is an affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder, and the affiliates and associates of such person.

 

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Notwithstanding anything in this Article X to the contrary, the term “interested stockholder” shall not include (x) the NAVER Group or the LY Group or any of their current or future affiliates, any direct or indirect transferees of the NAVER Group or any of their current or future affiliates, or any other person with whom any of the foregoing is or are in the future acting as a group or in concert for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of shares of stock of the Corporation or (y) any person whose ownership of share in excess of the fifteen percent (15%) limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation; provided that, for purposes of this clause (y) only, such person shall be an interested stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person; provided, that, for the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include voting stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise;

(F) “owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, shall mean a person that individually or with or through any of its affiliates or associates beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly; or has (1) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (2) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to ten or more persons; or (3) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in clause (2) of this Section 10.4(F)) or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock;

(G) “person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity;

(H) “stock” shall mean, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest; and

(I) “voting stock” shall mean, with respect to any corporation, stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity. Every reference to a percentage of voting stock shall refer to such percentage of votes of such voting stock.

 

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Section 10.5 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever, (1) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (2) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the provisions of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Section 10.6 Forum.

(A) Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) and any appellate court therefrom shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a duty (including any fiduciary duty) by, or other wrongdoing by, any current or former director, officer, employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer, employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation arising out of or relating to any provision of the DGCL, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as either may be amended and/or restated from time to time), (4) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (5) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer, employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine, (6) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL or (7) any action as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 10.6(A) shall not apply to any action or proceeding asserting a claim under the Securities Act of 1933.

(B) Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933 against the Corporation or any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation.

 

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(C) To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation (including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock) shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Section 10.6.

* * * * * IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by Junkoo Kim, its Chief Executive Officer, on June 26 , 2024.

 

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WEBTOON Entertainment Inc.
By:  

/s/ Junkoo Kim

Name:   Junkoo Kim
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of WEBTOON Entertainment Inc.]

EX-3.2 3 d841371dex32.htm EX-3.2 EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.

A Delaware Corporation

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. (the “Corporation”) will be as set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

Section 1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may have other offices, both inside and outside the State of Delaware, as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require. Article II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.1 Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, either inside or outside the State of Delaware, or in whole or in part by means of remote communication, as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board and stated in the notice of meeting.

Section 2.2 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting in accordance with these bylaws (the “Bylaws”) shall be held at such date, time, and place, if any, as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 2.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may only be called in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation and may be held at such place, if any, either inside or outside the State of Delaware, on such date and at such time, and for such purpose or purposes, as the Board shall determine and state in the notice of meeting, if any. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that with respect to any special meeting of stockholders called at the request of the NAVER Group (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), the Board shall not postpone, reschedule or cancel such special meeting without the prior written consent of the NAVER Group.

Section 2.4 Adjournments. Any meeting of the stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, if any, and, except as provided in this Section 2.4, notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communication, if any, are (i) announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, (ii) displayed, during the time scheduled for the meeting, on the same electronic network used to enable stockholders and proxy holders to participate in the meeting by means of remote communication or (iii) set forth in the notice of meeting.


At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of the adjourned meeting and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of the adjourned meeting.

Section 2.5 Notice. Notice of the place (if any), date, hour, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), and means of remote communication, if any, of every meeting of stockholders shall be given by the Corporation not less than ten days nor more than 60 days before the meeting (unless a different time is specified by law) to every stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. Notices of special meetings shall also specify the purpose or purposes for which the meeting has been called. Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notice to stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the stockholders at their address appearing on the books of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, notice of meetings may be given to stockholders by means of electronic transmission in accordance with applicable law. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any stockholder who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a waiver of notice or who shall attend such meeting, except when the stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of the meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of the meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.

Section 2.6 Stockholders List. The Corporation shall prepare, no later than the tenth day before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of ten days ending on the day before the meeting date: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list was provided with the notice of the meeting; or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. Except as provided by applicable law, the stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger and the list of stockholders or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

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Section 2.7 Quorum. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at each meeting of the stockholders, a majority in voting power of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. The chair of the meeting shall have the power to adjourn meetings of stockholders for any reason from time to time and, if a quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall also have the power, by the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power thereof, to adjourn the meeting from time to time, in the manner provided in Section 2.4, until a quorum shall be present or represented. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the subsequent withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. At any such adjourned meeting at which there is a quorum, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting originally called.

Section 2.8 Organization. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of the stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. At every meeting of the stockholders, the Chair of the Board, or such other officer of the Corporation designated by the Board, shall act as chair of, and preside at, the meeting. The Corporate Secretary or, in the Corporate Secretary’s absence or inability to act, the person whom the chair of the meeting shall appoint secretary of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chair of any meeting of the stockholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations, and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chair, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations, or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chair of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following:

(a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting;

(b) the determination of when the polls shall open and close for any given matter to be voted on at the meeting;

(c) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present;

(d) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies, or such other persons as the chair of the meeting shall determine;

(e) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof;

(f) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; and

(g) restrictions on the use of cell phones, audio or video recording devices and other devices at the meeting.

Section 2.9 Voting; Proxies.

(a) General. Unless otherwise required by law or provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot.

 

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(b) Election of Directors. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at any election of directors conducted at a meeting of stockholders or by action by written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation, each director nominee shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

(c) Other Matters. Unless a different or minimum vote is otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the rules and regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, in which case such minimum or different vote shall be the required vote for such matter, any matter, other than the election of directors, brought before any meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter.

(d) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Such authorization must be in writing and executed by the stockholder or his or her authorized officer, director, employee, or agent. To the extent permitted by law, a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization, or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that the electronic transmission either sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. A copy, facsimile transmission, or other reliable reproduction of a writing or transmission authorized by this Section 2.9(d) may be substituted for or used in lieu of the original writing or electronic transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile transmission, or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Corporate Secretary a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date.

Section 2.10 Inspectors at Meetings of Stockholders. In advance of any meeting of the stockholders, the Corporation shall appoint one or more inspectors, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspector or inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspector or inspectors in the performance of their duties. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders, the inspector or inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. When executing the duties of inspector, the inspector or inspectors shall:

 

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(a) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each;

(b) determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots;

(c) count all votes and ballots;

(d) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and

(e) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots.

Section 2.11 Fixing the Record Date.

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the first day before the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the first day before the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date that is fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.11(a) at the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), (i) if no prior action by the Board is required by the DGCL, the record date shall be the first date on which a signed consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the DGCL, unless the Board has previously fixed a record date for such action by written consent (which record date fixed by the Board shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board and shall be no more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board), and (ii) if prior action of the Board is required by the DGCL, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board.

 

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If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action is required by the DGCL, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL shall be the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such action. Stockholders shall not be required to provide advance notice to the Corporation, the Board or any other person or body of an intent to take an action by written consent pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL.

(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 2.12 Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals.

(a) Annual Meetings. At a meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations of persons for the election of directors and such other business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations or such other business must be:

(i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof;

(ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof; or

(iii) otherwise properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record of the Corporation at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.12 is delivered to the Corporate Secretary, on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and at the time of such meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. Nothing in this Section 2.12 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the NAVER Group or the LY Group (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) to nominate, designate or appoint directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.12, so long as the NAVER Group or the LY Group shall have the express right to nominate, designate or appoint directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, such stockholders shall not be subject to the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.12 with respect to any annual or special meeting of stockholders with respect to the directors such stockholders are entitled to nominate, designate or appoint pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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In addition, any proposal of business (other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board) must be a proper matter for stockholder action. For business (including, but not limited to, director nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 2.12(a)(iii), the stockholder or stockholders of record intending to propose the business (each, a “Proposing Stockholder”) must have given timely notice thereof pursuant to this Section 2.12(a), in writing (electronic transmission alone is not sufficient) to the Corporate Secretary. To be timely, a Proposing Stockholder’s notice for an annual meeting must comply with the requirements of this Section 2.12 and must be delivered to the principal executive offices of the Corporation: (A) if such meeting is to be held on a day which is not more than 30 days in advance of the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting or not later than 70 days after the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day, nor earlier than the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting (which prior year’s annual meeting shall, for purposes of the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders following its initial public offering of shares of its common stock, be deemed to have occurred on May 15, 2024); and (B) with respect to any other annual meeting of stockholders, including in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year, not earlier than the 120th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of: (1) the 90th day prior to the annual meeting and (2) the close of business on the tenth day following the first date of Public Disclosure of the date of such meeting. In no event shall the Public Disclosure of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new notice time period (or extend any notice time period). Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased and there is no Public Disclosure by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director proposed by the Board or specifying the size of the increased Board at least ten days prior to the last day a Proposing Stockholder may deliver a notice of nominations in accordance with the second sentence of this paragraph, a Proposing Stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.12 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to proposed nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Corporate Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which Public Disclosure of such increase is first made by the Corporation.

For the purposes of this Section 2.12, (a) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (b) “Public Disclosure” shall mean a disclosure made in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Services, The Associated Press, or a comparable national news service or in a document filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; (c) the “close of business” means 5:00 p.m. local time at the Corporation’s principal executive offices, and if an applicable deadline falls on the “close of business” on a day that is not a Business Day, then the applicable deadline shall be deemed to be the close of business on the immediately preceding Business Day; (d) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required by law to be closed in Delaware; (e) a “Related Person” means, with respect to any Holder (as defined below), (x) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A, or any successor instructions) with any such Holder in a solicitation of proxies in respect of any business or director nomination proposed by such Holder, (y) any Affiliate or Associate (each within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision)) of such Holder, and (z) any person who is a member of a “group” (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision)) with such Holder; and (f) “delivered” shall mean and require both (i) hand delivery, overnight courier service, or by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the Corporate Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, and (ii) electronic mail to the Corporate Secretary.

 

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(b) Stockholder Nominations. For the nomination of any person or persons for election to the Board pursuant to Section 2.12(a)(iii) or Section 2.12(d), a Proposing Stockholder’s notice to the Corporate Secretary must be timely (pursuant to Section 2.12(a)) and must set forth or include:

(i) As to each individual, if any, whom the Proposing Stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board:

(A) the name, age, business address, and residence address of such proposed nominee;

(B) the principal occupation or employment of such proposed nominee (at present and for the past five years);

(C) the Specified Information (as defined below) of such proposed nominee;

(D) all information relating to such proposed nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

(E) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material agreements, arrangements or understandings, and any other material relationships, between or among any Holder or Related Person of any Holder, on the one hand, and such proposed nominee, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all biographical and related party transaction and other information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if any such Holder or any such Related Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and such proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and

(F) a complete and accurate, signed written questionnaire with respect to such proposed nominee (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporate Secretary upon written request of any stockholder of record identified by name within five Business Days of such written request) and a written statement and agreement executed by such proposed nominee acknowledging that such person:

(1) consents to being named in any proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected,

 

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(2) intends to serve as a director for the full term for which such person is standing for election, and (3) makes the following representations: (I) that the proposed nominee has read and agrees to adhere to the Bylaws, all publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation applicable to directors, including with regard to securities trading, and (II) that the proposed nominee is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, and (III) that the proposed nominee is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement, or indemnification that has not been disclosed to the Corporation in connection with such person’s nomination for director or service as a director; and

(ii) as to the Proposing Stockholder and each beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the business (including, but not limited to, director nominations) is proposed to be brought (collectively with the Proposing Stockholder, the “Holders” and each a “Holder”):

(A) the name and address of the Proposing Stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and of any other Holder and any Related Person of any Holder;

(B) a description of any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with respect to such nomination between or among such Holder and any other Holder or any Related Person of any Holder (including the names of such persons);

(C) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are directly or indirectly owned by such Holder and any Related Person of such Holder (beneficially and of record); provided, that for purposes of this Section 2.12, any such person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of the Corporation as to which such person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of a condition or both);

 

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(D) a description of any short position, profits interest, option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class of shares of the Corporation, or any derivative or synthetic arrangement having the characteristics of a long position in any class of shares of the Corporation, or any contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions designed to produce economic benefits and risks that correspond substantially to the ownership of any class of shares of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions is determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any class of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument, contract or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class of shares of the Corporation, through the delivery of cash or other property, or otherwise, and without regard to whether such Holder or any Related Person of such Holder may have entered into transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such instrument, contract or right, or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned or held, including beneficially, by such Holder and any Related Person of such Holder;

(E) a description of any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Holder or any Related Person of such Holder has any right to vote or has granted a right to vote any shares of stock or any other security of the Corporation (other than a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Exchange Act);

(F) any agreement, arrangement or understanding, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, involving such Holder or any Related Person of such Holder, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate, directly or indirectly, loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of any class of the shares of the Corporation by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Holder or any such Related Person with respect to any class of the shares or other securities of the Corporation, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the price or value of any class of the shares or other securities of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Short Interest”), and any Short Interest held by such Holder or any Related Person of such Holder within the last 12 months in any class of the shares or other securities of the Corporation;

(G) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to any rights to dividends or payments in lieu of dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such Holder or any Related Person of such Holder that are separated or separable pursuant to such agreement, arrangement or understanding from the underlying shares of stock or other security of the Corporation;

(H) any direct or indirect legal, economic or financial interest (including Short Interest) of such Holder or any Related Person of such Holder in the outcome of any (x) vote to be taken at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation or (y) any meeting of stockholders of any other entity with respect to any matter that is related, directly or indirectly, to any nomination or business proposed by any Holder under these Bylaws;

 

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(I) any direct or indirect interest of such Holder or any Related Person of such Holder in any contract with or litigation involving the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement); (J) any material pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, investigative, administrative or otherwise) in which such Holder or any Related Person of such Holder is, or is reasonably expected to be made, a party or material participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers, directors or employees, or any affiliate of the Corporation, or any officer, director or employee of such affiliate (subclauses (C)–(J) of this Section 2.12(b)(ii) shall be referred to as the “Specified Information”); provided, however, that the Specified Information shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who otherwise would be required to disclose Specified Information hereunder solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by this Section 2.12 on behalf of a beneficial owner;

(K) any other information relating to such Holder or any Related Person of such Holder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement and form of proxy or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the business proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

(L) a certification that such Holder and each Related Person of such Holder has complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with its acquisition of shares or other securities of the Corporation and such person’s acts or omissions as a stockholder of the Corporation;

(M) a representation that the Proposing Stockholder is a holder of record of shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice;

(N) a representation as to whether the Proposing Stockholder intends to (x) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to elect such proposed nominees and/or approve or adopt any other business proposed to be brought and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such nominations or other business proposed to be brought and, if applicable, (z) solicit proxies in support of any proposed nominee in accordance with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act;

(O) the information and statement required by Rule 14a-19(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor provision);

(P) the names and addresses of other stockholders (including beneficial owners) known by such Holder or any Related Person of such Holder to financially or otherwise materially support such proposals and/or nominations (it being understood that delivery of a revocable proxy with respect to such proposal or nomination given in response to a public proxy solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Exchange Act shall not in itself require disclosure under this clause (P)), and to the extent known the class and number of all shares of the Corporation owned beneficially or of record by each such other stockholder or other beneficial owner; and

 

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(Q) a representation by the Proposing Stockholder as to the accuracy of the information set forth in the notice.

The Corporation and the Board may, as a condition to any such business (including, but not limited to, director nominations) being deemed properly brought before a meeting of stockholders, require any Holder or any proposed nominee to deliver to the Corporate Secretary within five Business Days of any such request, such other information as may be reasonably required by the Board, in its sole discretion, including (x) such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Board, in its sole discretion, to determine (I) the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation and (II) whether such proposed nominee qualifies as an “independent director” or “audit committee financial expert,” or otherwise meets heightened standards of independence, under applicable law, securities exchange rule or regulation or any publicly disclosed corporate governance guideline or committee charter of the Corporation or (y) such other information that the Board determines, in its sole discretion, could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.

(c) Other Stockholder Proposals. For all business other than director nominations, a Proposing Stockholder’s notice to the Corporate Secretary must be timely (pursuant to Section 2.12(a)) and must set forth as to each matter the Proposing Stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting:

(i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting;

(ii) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting;

(iii) the text of any proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment);

(iv) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is being made, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the proposal and pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

(v) a description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings between any Holder and any Related Person of any Holder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business; and

(vi) any material interest of any Holder or any Related Person of any Holder in such business, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such Holder or such Related Person.

 

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(d) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders called by the Board at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting:

(i) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof; or

(ii) provided that the Board or the stockholders requesting the calling of such special meeting have determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.12(d) is delivered to the Corporate Secretary, on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and at the time of such meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.12.

In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder of record entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if such stockholder delivers a stockholder’s notice that complies with the requirements of Section 2.12(b) to the Corporate Secretary at its principal executive offices not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of: (x) the 90th day prior to such special meeting; or (y) the tenth day following the date of the first Public Disclosure of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the Public Disclosure of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any notice time period).

(e) Updates and Supplements. In addition, to be considered timely, a Proposing Stockholder’s notice shall be further updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten Business Days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Corporate Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five Business Days after the record date for the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight Business Days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment, recess, rescheduling or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten Business Days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. In addition, if the Proposing Stockholder has delivered to the Corporation a notice relating to director nominations, the Proposing Stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation not later than eight Business Days prior to the date of the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof reasonable evidence that it has complied with the requirements of Rule 14a-19 of the Exchange Act (or any successor provision). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business and/or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of stockholders.

 

 

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(f) Effect of Noncompliance. Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12 and the Certificate of Incorporation shall be eligible to be elected at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such other business shall be conducted at a meeting as shall be brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12, as applicable. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, the Board shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws. If the Board determines that any proposed nomination was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.12, or other business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.12, then except as otherwise required by law, at the meeting, the chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty to declare that such nomination or other business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws, and that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed other business shall not be transacted. If at any meeting of stockholders a nomination or any other business is proposed to be brought before the meeting from the floor of the meeting, the chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws, and if the chair of the meeting determines that any proposed nomination was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.12, or other business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.12, then except as otherwise required by law, at the meeting, the chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty to declare that such nomination or other business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws, and that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed other business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, unless otherwise required by law, if a Proposing Stockholder intending to propose business or make nominations at an annual meeting or propose a nomination at a special meeting pursuant to this Section 2.12 does not appear at the meeting to present the proposed business or nominations, such business or nominations shall not be considered, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of nominations or other business may have been received by the Corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Proposing Stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act and such Proposing Stockholder subsequently either (x) notifies the Corporation that such Proposing Stockholder no longer intends to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act or (y) fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act (or fails to timely provide reasonable evidence sufficient to satisfy the Corporation that the stockholder has satisfied the requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act), then the nomination of such proposed nominee for election or reelection to the Board will be disregarded and no vote on the election of such proposed nominee will occur (notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation).

(g) Rule 14a-8. This Section 2.12 shall not apply to a proposal proposed to be made by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of the stockholder’s intention to present the proposal at an annual or special meeting only pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and such proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such meeting.

 

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ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 3.1 General Powers. Except as required by law or set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. The Board may adopt such rules and procedures, not inconsistent with the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or applicable law, as it may deem proper for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the Corporation.

Section 3.2 Number and Term. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board. The term of each director shall be as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 3.3 Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice by the Corporation or at such later effective date or upon the happening of an event or events as is therein specified.

Section 3.4 Fees and Expenses. Directors shall receive such fees for their services on the Board and any committee thereof and such reimbursement of their expenses as may be fixed or determined by the Board.

Section 3.5 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times and at such places (if any) as may be determined from time to time by the Board.

Section 3.6 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be held at such times and at such places (if any) as may be determined by the (i) Chair of the Board, (ii) Chief Executive Officer, (iii) lead independent director (if one exists) or (iv) Corporate Secretary on the written request of at least two of the directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, in each case on at least 24 hours’ notice to each director given by one of the means specified in Section 3.9 hereof other than by mail or on at least two days’ notice if given by mail. The notice need not state the purposes of the special meeting and, unless indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

Section 3.7 Remote Meetings. Board or Board committee meetings may be held by means of telephone conference or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and be heard. Participation by a director in a meeting pursuant to this Section 3.7 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 3.8 Adjourned Meetings. A majority of the directors present at any meeting of the Board, including an adjourned meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn and reconvene such meeting to another time and place. At least 24 hours’ notice of any adjourned meeting of the Board shall be given to each director whether or not present at the time of the adjournment, if such notice shall be given by one of the means specified in Section 3.9 hereof other than by mail, or at least three days’ notice if by mail. Any business may be transacted at an adjourned meeting that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

 

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Section 3.9 Notices. Subject to Section 3.6, Section 3.8 and Section 3.10 hereof, whenever notice is required to be given to any director by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, such notice shall be deemed given effectively if given in person or by telephone, mail addressed to such director at such director’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, facsimile, e-mail, or by other means of electronic transmission.

Section 3.10 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice to directors is required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof, in writing signed by, or by electronic transmission by, the director entitled to the notice, whether before or after such notice is required, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance by a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when the director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special Board or Board committee meeting need be specified in any waiver of notice.

Section 3.11 Organization. At each regular or special meeting of the Board, the lead independent director (if one exists) or, in his or her absence, the Chair of the Board or, in his or her absence, another director or officer selected by the Board shall preside. The Corporate Secretary shall act as secretary at each meeting of the Board. If the Corporate Secretary is absent from any meeting of the Board, an assistant corporate secretary of the Corporation shall perform the duties of secretary at such meeting; and in the absence from any such meeting of the Corporate Secretary and all assistant corporate secretaries of the Corporation, the person presiding at the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 3.12 Quorum of Directors. Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, or required by applicable law, the presence of a majority of the total number of directors on the Board shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board.

Section 3.13 Action by Majority Vote. Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, or required by applicable law, the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.

Section 3.14 Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable law, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all directors or members of such Board committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. After an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained.

 

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Section 3.15 Chair of the Board. The Board shall annually elect one of its members to be its chair (the “Chair of the Board”), which may be an executive chair or a non-executive chair, and shall fill any vacancy in the position of Chair of the Board at such time and in such manner as the Board shall determine. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the Chair of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board and of stockholders. The Chair of the Board shall perform such other duties and services as shall be assigned to or required of the Chair of the Board by the Board.

Section 3.16 Committees of the Board. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation, subject to any requirements set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. If a member of a committee shall be absent from any meeting, or disqualified from voting thereat, the remaining member or members present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it to the extent so authorized by the Board. Unless the Board provides otherwise, at all meetings of such committee, a majority of the then authorized members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the members of the committee present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the committee. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings. Unless the Board provides otherwise, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter and repeal rules and procedures for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules and procedures each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board conducts its business pursuant to this Article III. Nothing in this Section 3.16 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the NAVER Group to designate NAVER Group Directors (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) as members of any committee of the Board pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 4.1 Position and Election. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board and shall include a chief executive officer (the “Chief Executive Officer”), a chief financial officer, and a corporate secretary (the “Corporate Secretary”) and such other officers as the Board may from time to time determine including, but not limited to, one or more presidents, vice presidents, treasurers, assistant treasurers and assistant corporate secretaries. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

Section 4.2 Term of Office. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office until such officer’s successor is elected and qualified or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation, or removal. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board may be removed by the Board at any time with or without cause by the majority vote of the members of the Board then in office. The removal of an officer shall be without prejudice to his or her contract rights, if any.

 

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The election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create contract rights. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Chief Executive Officer or the Corporate Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Should any vacancy occur among the officers, the position shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by appointment made by the Board.

Section 4.3 Powers and Duties. The powers and duties of the officers of the Corporation shall be as provided from time to time by resolution of the Board. In the absence of such resolution, the respective officers shall have the powers and shall discharge the duties customarily and usually held and performed by like officers of corporations similar in organization and business purposes to the Corporation subject to the control of the Board.

Section 4.4 Duties of Officers May Be Delegated. In case any officer is absent, or for any other reason that the Board may deem sufficient, the Chief Executive Officer or the Board may delegate for the time being the powers or duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director.

ARTICLE V

CERTIFICATES OF STOCK AND THEIR TRANSFER

Section 5.1 Certificates Representing Shares. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates; provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any class or series shall be uncertificated shares that may be evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock. If shares are represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in the form, other than bearer form, approved by the Board. The certificates representing shares of stock shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by any two authorized officers of the Corporation. Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles. Although any officer, transfer agent, or registrar whose manual or facsimile signature is affixed to such a certificate ceases to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate has been issued, it may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent, or registrar were still such at the date of its issue.

Section 5.2 Transfer of Stock. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books administered by or on behalf of the Corporation only by the direction of the registered holder thereof or such person’s attorney, lawfully constituted in writing, and, in the case of certificated shares, upon the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent or other designated agent of the certificate thereof, which shall be cancelled before a new certificate or uncertificated shares shall be issued.

Section 5.3 Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Board may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars.

 

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Section 5.4 Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Certificates. The Board or the Corporate Secretary may direct a new certificate or uncertificated shares to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the owner of the allegedly lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or uncertificated shares, the Board or the Corporate Secretary may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of the lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate, or the owner’s legal representative to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 6.1 Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise, as may be prescribed by law or custom or by the Board.

Section 6.2 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 of each year or such other date as may be fixed from time to time by the Board.

Section 6.3 Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc. All checks, notes, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money of the Corporation shall be signed, endorsed, or accepted in the name of the Corporation by such officer, officers, person, or persons as from time to time may be designated by the Board or by an officer or officers authorized by the Board to make such designation.

Section 6.4 Books and Records. Any records administered by or on behalf of the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be maintained on any information storage device, method, or one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases) at such place or places, whether inside or outside of the State of Delaware, as may from time to time be designated by the Board; provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time, and, with respect to the stock ledger, the records so kept comply with Section 224 of the DGCL. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to applicable law.

Section 6.5 Manner of Notice.

(a) Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws may be given in writing directed to the stockholder’s mailing address (or by electronic transmission directed to the stockholder’s electronic mail address, as applicable) as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Notice shall be given (i) if mailed, when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, (ii) if delivered by courier service, the earlier of when the notice is received or left at the stockholder’s address, or (iii) if given by electronic mail, when directed to such stockholder’s electronic mail address (unless the stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail or such notice is prohibited by the DGCL to be given by electronic transmission).

 

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A notice by electronic mail must include a prominent legend that the communication is an important notice regarding the Corporation. A notice by electronic mail will include any files attached thereto and any information hyperlinked to a website if such electronic mail includes the contact information of an officer or agent of the Corporation who is available to assist with accessing such files or information. Any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws provided by means of electronic transmission (other than any such notice given by electronic mail) may only be given in a form consented to by such stockholder, and any such notice by such means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to be given as provided by the DGCL. The terms “electronic mail,” “electronic mail address,” “electronic signature” and “electronic transmission” as used herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the DGCL.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notices to any director may be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to such director at such director’s address appearing on the books of the Corporation, or may be given by telephone or by any means of electronic transmission (including, without limitation, electronic mail) directed to an address for receipt by such director of electronic transmissions appearing on the books of the Corporation.

(c) Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, and except as prohibited by applicable law, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send the single notice permitted under this Section 6.5(c), shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

Section 6.6 Emergency Bylaws. This Section 6.6 shall be operative during any emergency condition as contemplated by Section 110 of the DGCL (an “Emergency”), notwithstanding any different or conflicting provisions in these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL. In the event of any Emergency, or other similar emergency condition, if a quorum cannot be readily convened for a meeting, the director or directors in attendance at a meeting of the Board or a standing committee thereof shall constitute a quorum. Such director or directors in attendance may further take action to appoint one or more of themselves or other directors of the Corporation to membership on any standing or temporary committees of the Board as they shall deem necessary and appropriate. Except as the Board may otherwise determine, during any Emergency, the Corporation and its directors and officers, may exercise any authority and take any action or measure contemplated by Section 110 of the DGCL.

 

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ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS

Section 7.1 AmendmentsSection 7.2 . In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by applicable law, these Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws made in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation; provided, that any proposal by a stockholder to amend these Bylaws will be subject to the provisions of Article II of these Bylaws except as otherwise required by law.

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

Section 8.1 Right to Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (a “Covered Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 8.3, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the Board.

Section 8.2 Advancement of Expenses. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise.

Section 8.3 Claims. If a claim for indemnification under this Article VIII (following the final disposition of such proceeding) is not paid in full within sixty days after the Corporation has received a claim therefor by the Covered Person, or if a claim for any advancement of expenses under this Article VIII is not paid in full within thirty days after the Corporation has received a statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced, the Covered Person shall thereupon (but not before) be entitled to file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. If successful in whole or in part, the Covered Person shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any such action, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.

 

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Section 8.4 Nonexclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 8.5 Other Sources. The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Covered Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such Covered Person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit enterprise.

Section 8.6 Amendment or Repeal. Any right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses of any Covered Person arising hereunder shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal of these Bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought.

Section 8.7 Other Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.

 

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EX-10.1 4 d841371dex101.htm EX-10.1 EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of June 28th , 2024 among WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), NAVER Corporation, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Korea (“NAVER”), LY Corporation, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Japan (“LY”), and each Person listed on the signature pages under the caption “Other Investors” or who executes a Joinder as an “Other Investor” after the date hereof (collectively, the “Other Investors”). Except as otherwise specified herein, all capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Exhibit A attached hereto.

In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

Section 1 Demand Registrations.

(a) Requests for Registration. Each of the Majority NAVER Holders and the Majority LY Holders, at any time and from time to time, may request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of their Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement (“Long-Form Registrations”) or on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration statement (“Short-Form Registrations”), if available (any such requested registration, a “Demand Registration”). Each of the Majority NAVER Holders and the Majority LY Holders may request that any Demand Registration be made pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (a “Shelf Registration”) and (if the Company is a WKSI at the time any such request is submitted to the Company or will become one by the time of the filing of such Shelf Registration) that such Shelf Registration be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (an “Automatic Shelf Registration Statement”). Each request for a Demand Registration must specify the approximate number or dollar value of Registrable Securities requested to be registered by the requesting Holders and (if known) the intended method of distribution. The Majority NAVER Holders will be entitled to request not more than four (4) Long Form Registrations and unlimited Short-Form Registrations, and the Majority LY Holders will be entitled to request not more than two (2) Long Form Registrations and unlimited Short-Form Registrations; provided, that, in each case, the aggregate offering value of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered in any Long-Form Registration must equal at least $25,000,000 or in any Short-Form Registration must equal at least $10,000,000 or, in each case, if less, all of the Registrable Securities held by such requesting Holder. The Company will pay all Registration Expenses, whether or not any such registration is consummated. The Company will, as expeditiously as possible, but subject to Section 1(e), use its best efforts to consummate such Demand Registration.

(b) Notice to Other Holders. Within four (4) Business Days after receipt of any such request, the Company will give written notice of the Demand Registration to all other Holders and, subject to the terms of Section 1(e), will include in such Demand Registration (and in all related registrations and qualifications under state blue sky laws and in any related underwriting) all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within ten (10) days after the receipt of the Company’s notice; provided that, with the written consent of the Majority NAVER Holders, the Company may, or at the written request of the Majority NAVER Holders, the Company shall, instead provide notice of the Demand Registration to all other Holders within three (3) Business Days following the non-confidential filing of the registration statement with respect to the Demand Registration so long as such registration statement is not an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s obligation to include Registrable Securities in the Demand Registration as set forth above will not be affected by its decision to provide notice after the non-confidential filing of a registration statement.


(c) Form of Registrations. All Long-Form Registrations will be underwritten registrations unless otherwise approved by the Applicable Approving Party. Demand Registrations will be Short-Form Registrations whenever the Company is permitted to use any applicable short form unless otherwise requested by the Applicable Approving Party; provided that such Short Form Registrations shall not be counted against the number of Long-Form Registrations permitted under Section 1(a).

(d) Shelf Registrations.

(i) For so long as a registration statement for a Shelf Registration (a “Shelf Registration Statement”) is and remains effective, each of the Majority NAVER Holders and the Majority LY Holders will have the right at any time or from time to time to elect to sell pursuant to an offering (including an underwritten offering) Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement (“Shelf Registrable Securities”). If either of the Majority NAVER Holders or the Majority LY Holders desire to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to an underwritten offering, then such Holders may deliver to the Company a written notice (a “Shelf Offering Notice”) specifying the number of Shelf Registrable Securities that such Holders desire to sell pursuant to such underwritten offering (the “Shelf Offering”). As promptly as practicable, but in no event later than two (2) Business Days after receipt of a Shelf Offering Notice, the Company will give written notice of such Shelf Offering Notice to all other Holders of Shelf Registrable Securities that have been identified as selling stockholders in such Shelf Registration Statement and are otherwise permitted to sell in such Shelf Offering, which such notice shall request that each such Holder specify, within seven (7) days after the Company’s receipt of the Shelf Offering Notice, the maximum number of Shelf Registrable Securities such Holder desires to be disposed of in such Shelf Offering. The Company, subject to Section 1(e) and Section 7, will include in such Shelf Offering all Shelf Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received timely written requests for inclusion. The Company will, as expeditiously as possible (and in any event within fourteen (14) days after the receipt of a Shelf Offering Notice), but subject to Section 1(e), use its best efforts to consummate such Shelf Offering. For purposes of clarity, any Shelf Registration effected pursuant to Section 1(d) shall not be counted against the number of Long-Form Registrations permitted under Section 1(a).

(ii) If the Majority NAVER Holders or the Majority LY Holders desire to engage in an underwritten block trade or bought deal pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement (either through filing an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement or through a take-down from an already existing Shelf Registration Statement) (each, an “Underwritten Block Trade”), then notwithstanding the time periods set forth in Section 1(d)(i), such Holders may notify the Company of the Underwritten Block Trade (such notifying Holders, the “Block Trade Initiating Holders”) not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the day such offering is first anticipated to commence. Upon receiving such notice of the Underwritten Block Trade from the Block Trade Initiating Holders, the Company will promptly notify the other Principal Holders and, only if requested by the Block Trade Initiating Holders, all other Holders, of such Underwritten Block Trade and such notified Holders (each, a “Potential Participant”) may elect whether or not to participate no later than the next Business Day (i.e. one (1) Business Day prior to the day such offering is to commence) (unless a longer period is agreed to by the Block Trade Initiating Holders), and the Company will as expeditiously as possible use its best efforts to facilitate such Underwritten Block Trade (which may close as early as two (2) Business Days after the date it commences); provided further that, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1(d)(i), no Holder (other than a Principal Holder) will be permitted to participate in an Underwritten Block Trade without the written consent of the Block Trade Initiating Holders. Any Potential Participant’s request to participate in an Underwritten Block Trade shall be binding on the Potential Participant.

 

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(iii) All determinations as to whether to complete any Shelf Offering and as to the timing, manner, price and other terms of any Shelf Offering contemplated by this Section 1(d) shall be determined by the Applicable Approving Party, and the Company shall use its best efforts to cause any Shelf Offering to occur in accordance with such determinations as promptly as practicable.

(iv) The Company will, at the request of the NAVER Holders or LY Holders, file any prospectus supplement or any post-effective amendments and otherwise take any action necessary to include therein all disclosure and language deemed necessary or advisable by such Holders to effect such Shelf Offering.

(e) Priority on Demand Registrations and Shelf Offerings. The Company will not include in any Demand Registration any securities which are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the Applicable Approving Party. If a Demand Registration or a Shelf Offering is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of Registrable Securities and (if permitted hereunder) other securities requested to be included in such offering exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of Registrable Securities and other securities (if any), which can be sold therein without adversely affecting the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company will include in such offering (prior to the inclusion of any securities which are not Registrable Securities) (i) first, the number of NAVER Registrable Securities and LY Registrable Securities requested to be included which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold, without any such adverse effect, pro rata among the respective Participating Principal Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Participating Principal Holders; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included by any other Holder which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold, without any such adverse effect, pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Common Equity of other Persons that the Company is obligated to include in such offering pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements and that can be sold without any such adverse effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if any Holders of Other Investor Registrable Securities have requested to include such securities in an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters for such offering advise the Company that in their opinion the inclusion of some or all of such Other Investor Registrable Securities could adversely affect the marketability, proposed offering price, timing and/or method of distribution of the offering, then the Company shall exclude from such offering the number of such Other Investor Registrable Securities identified by the managing underwriters as having any such adverse effect prior to the exclusion of any Registrable Securities of any other Holders as set forth in this Section 1(e), which, for the avoidance of doubt, may be all such Other Investor Registrable Securities requested to be included such offering.

(f) Restrictions on Demand Registration and Shelf Offerings.

 

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(i) The Company may postpone, for up to 60 days (or with the consent of the Applicable Approving Party, a longer period) from the date of the request (the “Suspension Period”), the filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for a Demand Registration or suspend the use of a prospectus that is part of a Shelf Registration Statement (and therefore suspend sales of the Shelf Registrable Securities) by providing written notice to the Holders if the following conditions are met: (A) the Company determines that the offer or sale of Registrable Securities would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any proposal or plan by the Company or any Subsidiary to engage in any material acquisition of assets or stock (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any material merger, consolidation, tender offer, recapitalization, reorganization, financing or other transaction involving the Company and (B) upon advice of counsel, the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement would require disclosure of material non-public information not otherwise required to be disclosed under applicable law, and either (x) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving the confidentiality of such transaction, (y) disclosure would have a material adverse effect on the Company or the Company’s ability to consummate such transaction, or (z) such transaction renders the Company unable to comply with SEC requirements, in each case under circumstances that would make it impractical or inadvisable to cause the registration statement (or such filings) to become effective or to promptly amend or supplement the registration statement on a post effective basis, as applicable. The Company may delay or suspend the effectiveness of a Demand Registration or Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 1(f)(i) only once in any twelve (12)-month period (for avoidance of doubt, in addition to the Company’s rights and obligations under Section 4(a)(vi)) unless additional delays or suspensions are approved by the Applicable Approving Party.

(ii) In the case of an event that causes the Company to suspend the use of a Shelf Registration Statement as set forth in Section 1(f)(i) above or pursuant to Section 4(a)(vi) (a “Suspension Event”), the Company will give a notice to the Holders whose Registrable Securities are registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement (a “Suspension Notice”) to suspend sales of the Registrable Securities and such notice must state generally the basis for the notice and that such suspension will continue only for so long as the Suspension Event or its effect is continuing. Each Holder agrees not to effect any sales of its Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement (or such filings) at any time after it has received a Suspension Notice from the Company and prior to receipt of an End of Suspension Notice. A Holder may recommence effecting sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (or such filings) following further written notice to such effect (an “End of Suspension Notice”) from the Company, which End of Suspension Notice will be given by the Company to the Holders promptly following the conclusion of any Suspension Event (and in any event during the permitted Suspension Period). Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if the Company gives a Suspension Notice with respect to any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 1(f), the Company will extend the period of time during which such Shelf Registration Statement will be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from the date of receipt by the Holders of the Suspension Notice to and including the date of receipt by the Holders of the End of Suspension Notice and provide copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus necessary to resume sales, with respect to each Suspension Event.

(g) Selection of Underwriters. The Applicable Approving Party shall select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer any underwritten offering in connection with any Demand Registration or Shelf Offering.

(h) Other Registration Rights. Except as provided in this Agreement, the Company will not grant to any Person(s) the right to request the Company or any Subsidiary to register any equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, without the prior written consent of the Majority Holders; provided that, with the prior approval of the Majority Holders, the Company may grant rights to employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries to participate in Piggyback Registrations so long as they sign a Joinder as an “Other Investor” and Holder of “Other Investor Registrable Securities” hereunder.

 

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(i) Revocation of Demand Notice or Shelf Offering Notice. At any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating to a Demand Registration or the “pricing” of any offering relating to a Shelf Offering Notice, the applicable Principal Holders who initiated such Demand Registration or Shelf Offering may revoke or withdraw such notice of a Demand Registration or Shelf Offering Notice on behalf of all Holders participating in such Demand Registration or Shelf Offering without liability to such Holders (including, for the avoidance of doubt and if applicable, the other Participating Principal Holders), in each case by providing written notice to the Company. A notice of Demand Registration or Shelf Offering Notice that has been revoked or withdrawn shall not count as one of the permitted Long-Form Registrations or Short-Form Registrations.

(j) Confidentiality. Each Holder agrees to treat as confidential the receipt of any notice hereunder (including notice of a Demand Registration, a Shelf Offering Notice and a Suspension Notice) and the information contained therein, and not to disclose or use the information contained in any such notice (or the existence thereof) without the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally (other than as a result of disclosure by such Holder in breach of the terms of this Agreement).

Section 2 Piggyback Registrations.

(a) Right to Piggyback. Whenever the Company proposes to register any of its equity securities under the Securities Act (including primary and secondary registrations, and other than pursuant to an Excluded Registration) (a “Piggyback Registration”), the Company will give prompt written notice (and in any event within three (3) Business Days after the public filing of the registration statement relating to the Piggyback Registration) to all Holders of its intention to effect such Piggyback Registration and, subject to the terms of Section 2(b) and Section 2(c), will include in such Piggyback Registration (and in all related registrations or qualifications under blue sky laws and in any related underwriting) all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within ten (10) days after delivery of the Company’s notice; provided that the Company shall not be required to provide such notice or include any Registrable Securities in such registration if the Principal Holders elect not to include any NAVER Registrable Securities or LY Registrable Securities, as applicable, in such registration, unless the Majority NAVER Holders otherwise consent in writing. Any participating Holder may withdraw its request for inclusion at any time prior to executing the underwriting agreement, or if none, prior to the applicable registration statement becoming effective. For purposes of clarity, any Piggyback Registration effected pursuant to Section 2 shall not be counted against the number of Long-Form Registrations permitted under Section 1(a).

(b) Priority on Primary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, the Company will include in such registration (i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the number of NAVER Registrable Securities and LY Registrable Securities requested to be included which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold, without any such adverse effect, pro rata among the respective Participating Principal Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Participating Principal Holders, (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Holder which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold, without any such adverse effect, pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder and (iv) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), other securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if any Holders of Other Investor Registrable Securities have requested to include such securities in a Piggyback Registration that is an underwritten primary offering on behalf of the Company and the managing underwriters for such offering advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of some or all of such Other Investor Registrable Securities could adversely affect the marketability, proposed offering price, timing and/or method of distribution of the offering, the Company shall first exclude from such offering the number (which may be all) of such Other Investor Registrable Securities identified by the managing underwriters as having any such adverse effect prior to the exclusion of any securities in such offering.

(c) Priority on Secondary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company’s equity securities (other than pursuant to Section 1 hereof), and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering, the Company will include in such registration (i) first, the securities requested to be included therein by the holders initially requesting such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect, (ii) second, the number of NAVER Registrable Securities and LY Registrable Securities requested to be included which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold, without any such adverse effect, pro rata among the respective Participating Principal Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Participating Principal Holders, (iii) third, the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Holder which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold, without any such adverse effect, pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder and (iv) fourth, other securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if any Holders of Other Investor Registrable Securities have requested to include such securities in a Piggyback Registration that is an underwritten secondary offering and the managing underwriters for such offering advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of some or all of such Other Investor Registrable Securities could adversely affect the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering, the Company shall be permitted to first exclude from such offering the number (which may be all) of such Other Investor Registrable Securities identified by the managing underwriters as having any such adverse effect prior to the exclusion of any securities in such offering.

(d) Right to Terminate Registration. The Company will have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 2, whether or not any holder of Registrable Securities has elected to include securities in such registration.

(e) Selection of Underwriters. If any Piggyback Registration is an underwritten offering, the Applicable Approving Party, if any, shall select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) for the offering.

Section 3 Stockholder Lock-Up Agreements and Company Holdback Agreement.

(a) Stockholder Lock-up Agreements. In connection with any underwritten Public Offering, each Holder will enter into any lock-up, holdback or similar agreements requested by the underwriter(s) managing such offering, in each case with such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Majority Holders.

 

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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Holder hereby agrees that in connection with the initial Public Offering and in connection with any Demand Registration, Shelf Offering or Piggyback Registration that is an underwritten Public Offering, not to (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (including sales pursuant to Rule 144), directly or indirectly, any equity securities of the Company (including equity securities of the Company that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such Holder in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC) (collectively, “Securities”), or any securities, options or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Securities (collectively, “Other Securities”), (ii) enter into a transaction which would have the same effect as described in clause (i) above, (iii) enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences or ownership of any Securities or Other Securities, whether such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such Securities or Other Securities, in cash or otherwise (each of (i), (ii) and (iii) above, a “Sale Transaction”), or (iv) publicly disclose the intention to enter into any Sale Transaction, commencing on the date on which the Company gives notice to the Holders that a preliminary prospectus has been circulated for such underwritten Public Offering or the “pricing” of such offering and continuing to the date that is (x) 180 days following the date of the final prospectus for such underwritten Public Offering in the case of the initial Public Offering or (y) 90 days following the date of the final prospectus in the case of any other such underwritten Public Offering (each such period, or such shorter period as agreed to by the managing underwriters, a “Holdback Period”), in each case with such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Majority Holders. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to any Securities or Other Securities subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 3(a) until the end of such Holdback Period.

(b) Company Holdback Agreement. The Company (i) will not file any registration statement for a Public Offering or cause any such registration statement to become effective, or effect any public sale or distribution of its Securities or Other Securities during any Holdback Period (other than as part of such underwritten Public Offering, or a registration on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor or similar form which is (x) then in effect or (y) shall become effective upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any then outstanding Other Securities) and (ii) will cause each holder of Securities and Other Securities (including each of its directors and executive officers) to agree not to effect any Sale Transaction during any Holdback Period, except as part of such underwritten registration (if otherwise permitted), unless approved in writing by the Majority Holders and the underwriters managing the Public Offering and to enter into any lock-up, holdback or similar agreements requested by the underwriter(s) managing such offering, in each case with such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Majority Holders.

Section 4 Registration Procedures.

(a) Company Obligations. Whenever the Holders have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to this Agreement or have initiated a Shelf Offering, the Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will as expeditiously as possible:

(i) prepare and file with (or submit confidentially to) the SEC a registration statement, and all amendments and supplements thereto and related prospectuses, with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective, all in accordance with the Securities Act and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (provided that before filing or confidentially submitting a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company will furnish to the counsel selected by the Applicable Approving Party copies of all such documents proposed to be filed or submitted, which documents will be subject to the review and comment of such counsel); (ii) notify each Holder of (A) the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (B) the receipt by the Company or its counsel of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (C) the effectiveness of each registration statement filed hereunder;

 

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(iii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period ending when all of the securities covered by such registration statement have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement (but not in any event before the expiration of any longer period required under the Securities Act or, if such registration statement relates to an underwritten Public Offering, such longer period as in the opinion of counsel for the underwriters a prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sale of Registrable Securities by an underwriter or dealer) and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement;

(iv) furnish, without charge, to each seller of Registrable Securities thereunder and each underwriter, if any, such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) (in each case including all exhibits and documents incorporated by reference therein), each amendment and supplement thereto, each Free Writing Prospectus and such other documents as such seller or underwriter, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller (the Company hereby consenting to the use in accordance with all applicable laws of each such registration statement, each such amendment and supplement thereto, and each such prospectus (or preliminary prospectus or supplement thereto) or Free Writing Prospectus by each such seller of Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or prospectus);

(v) use its best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller (provided that the Company will not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subparagraph or (B) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or (C) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction);

(vi) notify in writing each seller of such Registrable Securities (A) promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the date and time when such registration statement and each post-effective amendment thereto has become effective or a prospectus or supplement to any prospectus relating to a registration statement has been filed and when any registration or qualification has become effective under a state securities or blue sky law or any exemption thereunder has been obtained, (B) promptly after receipt thereof, of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplementing of such registration statement or prospectus or for additional information, and (C) at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event or of any information or circumstances as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, subject to Section 1(f), if required by applicable law or to the extent requested by the Applicable Approving Party, the Company will use its best efforts to promptly prepare and file a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (D) if at any time the representations and warranties of the Company in any underwriting agreement, securities sale agreement, or other similar agreement, relating to the offering shall cease to be true and correct;

 

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(vii) (A) use best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and, if not so listed, to be listed on a securities exchange and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two market markers to register as such with respect to such Registrable Securities with FINRA, and (B) comply (and continue to comply) with the requirements of any self-regulatory organization applicable to the Company, including without limitation all corporate governance requirements;

(viii) use best efforts to provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(ix) enter into and perform such customary agreements (including, as applicable, underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the Applicable Approving Party or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, making available the executive officers of the Company and participating in “road shows,” investor presentations, marketing events and other selling efforts and effecting a stock or unit split or combination, recapitalization or reorganization);

(x) make available for inspection by any seller of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition or sale pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate and business documents and properties of the Company as will be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement and the disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant thereto;

(xi) take all actions to ensure that any Free-Writing Prospectus utilized in connection with any Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration or Shelf Offering hereunder complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby and, when taken together with the related prospectus, prospectus supplement and related documents, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(xii) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder; (xiii) permit any Holder which, in its sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling person of the Company, to participate in the preparation of such registration or comparable statement and to allow such Holder to provide language for insertion therein, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which in the reasonable judgment of such Holder and its counsel should be included;

 

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(xiv) use best efforts to (A) make Short-Form Registration available for the sale of Registrable Securities and (B) prevent the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or the issuance of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any Common Equity included in such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction use, and in the event any such order is issued, best efforts to obtain promptly the withdrawal of such order;

(xv) use its best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(xvi) cooperate with the Holders covered by the registration statement and the managing underwriter or agent, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates, if any, representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends (or arrange for book entry transfer of securities in the case of uncertificated securities), and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter, or agent, if any, or such Holders may request at least two (2) Business Days prior to any proposed sale of Registrable Securities to the underwriters;

(xvii) if requested by any managing underwriter, include in any prospectus or prospectus supplement updated financial or business information for the Company’s most recent period or current quarterly period (including estimated results or ranges of results) if required for purposes of marketing the offering in the view of the managing underwriter;

(xviii) take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that to the extent that any prohibition is applicable to the Company, the Company will take such action as is necessary to make any such prohibition inapplicable;

(xix) cooperate with each Holder covered by the registration statement and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with the preparation and filing of applications, notices, registrations and responses to requests for additional information with FINRA, the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq or any other national securities exchange on which the shares of Common Equity are or are to be listed, and (B) to the extent required by the rules and regulations of FINRA, retain a Qualified Independent Underwriter acceptable to the managing underwriter;

 

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(xx) in the case of any underwritten offering, use its best efforts to obtain, and deliver to the underwriter(s), in the manner and to the extent provided for in the applicable underwriting agreement, one or more cold comfort letters from the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters; (xxi) use its best efforts to provide (A) a legal opinion of the Company’s outside counsel, dated the effective date of such registration statement addressed to the Company, (B) on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale in connection with a Demand Registration or Shelf Offering, if such securities are being sold through underwriters, or, if such securities are not being sold through underwriters, on the closing date of the applicable sale, (1) one or more legal opinions of the Company’s outside counsel, dated such date, in form and substance as customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering or, in the case of a non-underwritten offering, to the broker, placement agent or other agent of the Holders assisting in the sale of the Registrable Securities and (2) one or more “negative assurances letters” of the Company’s outside counsel, dated such date, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering or, in the case of a non-underwritten offering, to the broker, placement agent or other agent of the Holders assisting in the sale of the Registrable Securities, in each case, addressed to the underwriters, if any, or, if requested, in the case of a non-underwritten offering, to the broker, placement agent or other agent of the Holders assisting in the sale of the Registrable Securities and (3) customary certificates executed by authorized officers of the Company as may be requested by any Holder or any underwriter of such Registrable Securities;

(xxii) if the Company files an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement covering any Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to remain a WKSI (and not become an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act)) during the period during which such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is required to remain effective;

(xxiii) if the Company does not pay the filing fee covering the Registrable Securities at the time an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is filed, pay such fee at such time or times as the Registrable Securities are to be sold;

(xxiv) if the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement has been outstanding for at least three (3) years, at the end of the third year, refile a new Automatic Shelf Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities, and, if at any time when the Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, use its best efforts to refile the Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 and, if such form is not available, Form S-1 and keep such registration statement effective during the period during which such registration statement is required to be kept effective; and

(xxv) if requested by any Holder, cooperate with such Holder and with the managing underwriter or agent, if any, on reasonable notice to facilitate any Charitable Gifting Event and to prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to permit any such recipient Charitable Organization to sell in the underwritten offering if it so elects.

(b) Officer Obligations. Each Holder that is an officer of the Company agrees that if and for so long as he or she is employed by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, he or she will participate fully in the sale process in a manner customary for persons in like positions and consistent with his or her other duties with the Company, including the preparation of the registration statement and the preparation and presentation of any road shows.

 

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(c) Automatic Shelf Registration Statements. If the Company files any Automatic Shelf Registration Statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, and no Principal Holders request that their Registrable Securities be included in such Shelf Registration Statement, the Company agrees that, at the request of any Principal Holder, it will include in such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B in order to ensure that the Principal Holders may be added to such Shelf Registration Statement at a later time through the filing of a prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment. If the Company has filed any Automatic Shelf Registration Statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, the Company shall, at the request of any Principal Holder, file any post-effective amendments necessary to include therein all disclosure and language necessary to ensure that the holders of Registrable Securities may be added to such Shelf Registration Statement.

(d) Additional Information. The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish the Company such information regarding such seller and the distribution of such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing, as a condition to such seller’s participation in such registration.

(e) In-Kind Distributions. If any Principal Holder (and/or any of their Affiliates) seeks to effectuate an in-kind distribution of all or part of their Registrable Securities to their respective direct or indirect equityholders, the Company will, subject to any applicable lock-ups, reasonably cooperate with and assist such Stockholder, such equityholders and the Company’s transfer agent to facilitate such in-kind distribution in the manner reasonably requested by such Stockholder (including the delivery of instruction letters by the Company or its counsel to the Company’s transfer agent, the delivery of customary legal opinions by counsel to the Company and the delivery of the Registrable Securities without restrictive legends, to the extent no longer applicable).

(f) Suspended Distributions. Each Person participating in a registration hereunder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 4(a)(vi), such Person will immediately discontinue the disposition of its Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement until such Person’s receipt of the copies of of a supplemented or amended prospectus as contemplated by Section 4(a)(vi), subject to the Company’s compliance with its obligations under Section 4(a)(vi).

(g) Registerable Securities Transactions. If requested by any Holder in connection with any transaction involving any Registrable Securities (including any sale or other transfer of such securities without registration under the Securities Act, any margin loan with respect to such securities and any pledge of such securities), the Company agrees to provide such Holder with customary and reasonable assistance to facilitate such transaction, including, without limitation, (i) such action as such Holder may reasonably request from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act and (ii) entering into an “issuer’s agreement” in connection with any margin loan with respect to such securities in customary form.

(h) Other. To the extent that any of the Participating Principal Holders is or may be deemed to be an “underwriter” of Registrable Securities pursuant to any SEC comments or policies, the Company agrees that (i) the indemnification and contribution provisions contained in Section 6 shall be applicable to the benefit of such Participating Principal Holder in their role as an underwriter or deemed underwriter in addition to their capacity as a holder and (ii) such Participating Principal Holder shall be entitled to conduct the due diligence which they would normally conduct in connection with an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act, including without limitation receipt of customary opinions and comfort letters addressed to such Participating Principal Holder.

 

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Section 5 Registration Expenses.

Except as expressly provided herein, all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Company or any Principal Holder in connection with the performance of or compliance with this Agreement and/or in connection with any Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Shelf Offering, whether or not the same shall become effective, shall be paid by the Company, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees, and any other fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with the SEC or FINRA, (ii) all fees and expenses in connection with compliance with any securities or “blue sky” laws, (iii) all printing, duplicating, word processing, messenger, telephone, facsimile and delivery expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company or other depositary and of printing prospectuses and Company Free Writing Prospectuses), (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of all independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and cold comfort letters required by or incident to such performance), (v) Securities Act liability insurance or similar insurance if the Company so desires or the underwriters so require in accordance with then-customary underwriting practice, (vi) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which similar securities of the Company are then listed (or on which exchange the Registrable Securities are proposed to be listed in the case of the initial Public Offering), (vii) all applicable rating agency fees with respect to the Registrable Securities, (viii) all fees and disbursements of legal counsel for the Company, (ix) all reasonable fees and disbursements of one legal counsel for selling Holders selected by the Applicable Approving Party (which may be the same counsel as selected for the Company) together with any necessary local counsel as may be required by the Principal Holders, (x) any fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities, (xi) all fees and expenses of any special experts or other Persons retained by the Company or the Applicable Approving Party in connection with any Registration, (xii) all of the Company’s internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties) and (xiii) all expenses related to the “road-show” for any underwritten offering, including all travel, meals and lodging. All such expenses are referred to herein as “Registration Expenses.” The Company shall not be required to pay, and each Person that sells securities pursuant to a Demand Registration, Shelf Offering or Piggyback Registration hereunder will bear and pay, all underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Registrable Securities sold for such Person’s account and all transfer taxes (if any) attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities.

Section 6 Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) By the Company. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law and without limitation as to time, each Holder, such Holder’s officers, directors employees, agents, fiduciaries, stockholders, managers, partners, members, affiliates, direct and indirect equityholders, consultants and representatives, and any successors and assigns thereof, and each Person who controls such holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) (the “Indemnified Parties”) against all losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities and expenses (including with respect to actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, and including reasonable attorney fees and expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) caused by, resulting from, arising out of, based upon or related to any of the following (each, a “Violation”) by the Company: (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in (A) any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus or Free-Writing Prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or (B) any application or other document or communication (in this Section 6, collectively called an “application”) executed by or on behalf of the Company or based upon written information furnished by or on behalf of the Company filed in any jurisdiction in order to qualify any securities covered by such registration under the “blue sky” or securities laws thereof, (ii) any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any other similar federal or state securities laws or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration, qualification or compliance.

 

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In addition, the Company will reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Losses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such Losses result from, arise out of, are based upon, or relate to an untrue statement, or omission, made in such registration statement, any such prospectus, preliminary prospectus or Free-Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any application, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information prepared and furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Party expressly for use therein or by such Indemnified Party’s failure to deliver a copy of the registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such Indemnified Party with a sufficient number of copies of the same. In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company will indemnify such underwriters, their officers and directors, and each Person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Indemnified Parties or as otherwise agreed to in the underwriting agreement executed in connection with such underwritten offering. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such seller.

(b) By Holders. In connection with any registration statement in which a Holder is participating, each such Holder will furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement or prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, will indemnify the Company, its officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives, and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any Losses resulting from (as determined by a final and appealable judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction) any untrue statement of material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided that the obligation to indemnify will be individual, not joint and several, for each Holder and will be limited to the net amount of proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement.

(c) Claim Procedure. Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder will (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice will impair any Person’s right to indemnification hereunder only to the extent such failure has prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. In such instance, the conflicted indemnified parties will have a right to retain one separate counsel, chosen by the majority of the conflicted indemnified parties involved in the indemnification and approved by the Applicable Approving Party, at the expense of the indemnifying party.

 

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(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to, or is insufficient to hold harmless, an indemnified party or is otherwise unenforceable with respect to any Loss referred to herein, then such indemnifying party will contribute to the amounts paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Loss, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Loss as well as any other relevant equitable considerations or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) of this Section 6(d) is not permitted by applicable law, then in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative fault but also the relative benefit of the Company on the one hand and of the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement on the other in connection with the statement or omissions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided that the maximum amount of liability in respect of such contribution will be limited, in the case of each seller of Registrable Securities, to an amount equal to the net proceeds actually received by such seller from the sale of Registrable Securities effected pursuant to such registration. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party will be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue (or, as applicable alleged) untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just or equitable if the contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account such equitable considerations. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses referred to herein will be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending against any action or claim which is the subject hereof. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e) Release. No indemnifying party will, except with the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

(f) Non-exclusive Remedy; Survival. The indemnification and contribution provided for under this Agreement will be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution that any indemnified party may have pursuant to law or contract (and the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be considered the indemnitors of first resort in all such circumstances to which this Section 6 applies) and will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and will survive the transfer of Registrable Securities and the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

Section 7 Cooperation with Underwritten Offerings. No Person may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements (including, without limitation, pursuant to the terms of any over-allotment or “green shoe” option requested by the underwriters; provided that no Holder will be required to sell more than the number of Registrable Securities such Holder has requested to include in such registration) and (ii) completes, executes and delivers all questionnaires, powers of attorney, stock powers, custody agreements, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents and agreements required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements or as may be reasonably requested by the Company and the lead managing underwriter(s). To the extent that any such agreement is entered into pursuant to, and consistent with, Section 3, Section 4 and/or this Section 7, the respective rights and obligations created under such agreement will supersede the respective rights and obligations of the Holders, the Company and the underwriters created thereby with respect to such registration.

 

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Section 8 Subsidiary Public Offering.

(a) Subsidiary Public Offering. If, after an initial Public Offering of the common equity securities of one of its Subsidiaries, the Company distributes securities of such Subsidiary to its equityholders, then the rights and obligations of the Company pursuant to this Agreement will apply, mutatis mutandis, to such Subsidiary, and the Company will cause such Subsidiary to comply with such Subsidiary’s obligations under this Agreement as if it were the Company hereunder.

Section 9 Joinder; Additional Parties. The Company may from time to time (with the prior written consent of the Majority Holders) permit any Person who acquires Common Equity (or rights to acquire Common Equity) to become a party to this Agreement and to be entitled to and be bound by all of the rights and obligations as a Holder by obtaining an executed joinder to this Agreement from such Person in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto (a “Joinder”). Upon the execution and delivery of a Joinder by such Person, the Common Equity held by such Person shall become the category of Registrable Securities (i.e. NAVER Registrable Securities, LY Registrable Securities or Other Investor Registrable Securities), and such Person shall be deemed the category of Holder (i.e. NAVER Holder, LY Holder or Other Investor), in each case as set forth on the signature page to such Joinder.

Section 10 General Provisions.

(a) Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and the Majority Holders; provided that (i) any amendment, modification or waiver that materially and adversely affects the rights of the LY Holders shall be subject to the Majority LY Holders’ prior written consent and (ii) no such amendment, modification or waiver that would treat a specific Holder or group of Holders of Registrable Securities (i.e., NAVER Holders, LY Holders or Other Investors) in a manner materially and adversely different than any other Holder or group of Holders will be effective against such Holder or group of Holders without the consent of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities that are held by the group of Holders that is materially and adversely affected thereby. The failure or delay of any Person to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement will in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and will not affect the right of such Person thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. A waiver or consent to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by that Person of his, her or its obligations under this Agreement will not be deemed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Person of the same or any other obligations of that Person under this Agreement.

(b) Remedies. The parties to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm and money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach and that, in addition to any other rights and remedies existing hereunder, any party will be entitled to specific performance and/or other injunctive relief from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

(c) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or regulation in any jurisdiction, such prohibition, invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or in any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

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(d) Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement contains the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way including the other documents referred to herein.

(e) Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement will bind and inure to the benefit and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and permitted assigns and the Holders and their respective successors and permitted assigns (whether so expressed or not).

(f) Notices. Any notice, demand or other communication to be given under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been given (i) when delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; but if not, then on the next Business Day, (iii) one Business Day after it is sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or (iv) three Business Days after it is mailed to the recipient by first class mail, return receipt requested. Such notices, demands and other communications will be sent to the Company at the address specified on the signature page hereto or any Joinder and to any holder, or at such address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any party may change such party’s address for receipt of notice by giving prior written notice of the change to the sending party as provided herein. The Company’s address is:

WEBTOON Entertainment Inc.

5700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 220

Los Angeles, CA 90036

Attn:  Junkoo Kim

 David J. Lee

 Maximilian Jo

Email:  [***]

 [***]

 [***]

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

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attn:  Joshua N. Korff, P.C.

 Michael Kim, P.C.

 Alborz Tolou

Email:  jkorff@kirkland.com

 michael.kim@kirkland.com

 alborz.tolou@kirkland.com

or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

 

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(g) Business Days. If any time period for giving notice or taking action hereunder expires on a day that is not a Business Day, the time period will automatically be extended to the Business Day immediately following such Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

(h) Governing Law. The corporate law of the State of Delaware will govern all issues and questions concerning the relative rights of the Company and its equityholders. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (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.

(i) MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL), EACH PARTY HERETO EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

(j) CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR DOCUMENT BY U.S. REGISTERED MAIL TO SUCH PARTY’S RESPECTIVE ADDRESS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTERS TO WHICH IT HAS SUBMITTED TO JURISDICTION IN THIS PARAGRAPH. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, AND HEREBY AND THEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

(k) No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company and each Holder agrees and acknowledges that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement, will be had against any current or future director, officer, employee, general or limited partner or member of any Holder or any Affiliate or assignee thereof, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever will attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any current or future officer, agent or employee of any Holder or any current or future member of any Holder or any current or future director, officer, employee, partner or member of any Holder or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, as such for any obligation of any Holder under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.

 

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(l) Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement will be by way of example rather than by limitation.

(m) No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any party.

(n) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signature of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same agreement.

(o) Electronic Delivery. This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent executed and delivered by means of a photographic, photostatic, facsimile or similar reproduction of such signed writing using a facsimile machine or electronic mail will be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and will be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto will re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument will raise the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

(p) Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each Holder agrees to execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

(q) Dividends, Recapitalizations, Etc. If at any time or from time to time there is any change in the capital structure of the Company by way of a stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through a merger, consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment will be made in the provisions hereof so that the rights and privileges granted hereby will continue.

(r) No Third-Party Beneficiaries. No term or provision of this Agreement is intended to be, or shall be, for the benefit of any Person not a party hereto, and no such other Person shall have any right or cause of action hereunder, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

(s) Current Public Information. At all times after the Company has filed a registration statement with the SEC pursuant to the requirements of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, the Company will file all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will take such further action as the Majority Holders may reasonably request, all to the extent required to enable such Holders to sell Registrable Securities, unless otherwise agreed by the Majority Holders.

* * * * *

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.
By:  

/s/ Junkoo Kim

Name:   Junkoo Kim
Title:   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


NAVER HOLDER:

 

NAVER CORPORATION

By:  

/s/ Soo Yeon Choi

Name:   Soo Yeon Choi
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

Address: NAVER 1784, 95, Jeongjail-ro,
Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeongi-do,
Republic of Korea
Email: [***]

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


LY HOLDER:

 

LY CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Takeshi Idezawa

Name:   Takeshi Idezawa
Title:   Representative Director
Address:   1-3 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Email:   [***]

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


OTHER INVESTORS:

/s/ Junkoo Kim

Name: Junkoo Kim
Email: [***]

/s/ David J. Lee

Name: David J. Lee
Email: [***]:

_/s/ Yongsoo Kim

Name: Yongsoo Kim
Email: [***]

/s/ Chankyu Park

Name: Chankyu Park
Email: [***]

/s/ Hyojung Kim

Name: Hyojung Kim
Email: [***]

/s/ Hyeeun Son

Name: Hyeeun Son
Email: [***]

/s/ Haejin Lee

Name: Haejin Lee
Email: [***]

 

/s/ Namsun Kim

Name: Namsun Kim
Email: [***]

/s/ Jun Masuda

Name: Jun Masuda
Email: [***]

/s/ Isabelle Winkles

Name: Isabelle Winkles
Email: [***]

/s/ Nancy Dubuc

Name: Nancy Dubuc
Email: [***]

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

DEFINITIONS

“Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person controlled by, controlling or under common control with such Person and, in the case of an individual, also includes any member of such individual’s Family Group; provided that the Company and its Subsidiaries will not be deemed to be Affiliates of any holder of Registrable Securities. As used in this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) will mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities, by contract or otherwise).

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

“Applicable Approving Party” means a majority (as measured by the aggregate number of Registrable Securities included in the applicable offering or registration) of the Principal Holders that are participating or requesting to participate in the applicable offering or registration.

“Automatic Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a).

“Business Day” means a day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banks in New York City are authorized or requested by law to close.

“Charitable Gifting Event” means any transfer by a Holder, or any subsequent transfer by such holder’s members, partners or other employees, in connection with a bona fide gift to any Charitable Organization on the date of, but prior to, the execution of the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with any underwritten offering.

“Charitable Organization” means a charitable organization as described by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect from time to time.

“Common Equity” means the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall include its successor(s).

“Demand Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a).

“End of Suspension Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(f)(ii).

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor federal law then in force, together with all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Excluded Registration” means any registration (i) pursuant to a Demand Registration (which is addressed in Section 1(a)), or (ii) in connection with registrations on Form S-4 or S-8 promulgated by the SEC or any successor or similar forms).

“Family Group” means with respect to any individual, such individual’s current or former spouse, their respective parents, descendants of such parents (whether natural or adopted) and the spouses of such descendants, any trust, limited partnership, corporation or limited liability company established solely for the benefit of such individual or such individual’s current or former spouse, their respective parents, descendants of such parents (whether natural or adopted) or the spouses of such descendants.

 

A-1


“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

“Free Writing Prospectus” means a free-writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.

“Holdback Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

“Holder” means a holder of Registrable Securities who is a party to this Agreement (including by way of Joinder).

“Indemnified Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

“Joinder” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.

“Long-Form Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a).

“Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(c).

“LY Holders” means LY Corporation that is a signatory hereto and its Permitted Transferees who hold Registrable Securities; provided, that with respect to any calculation of the Common Equity held by a LY Holder pursuant to this Agreement, such calculation shall include the aggregate Common Equity held by LY Corporation and its Permitted Transferees.

“LY Registrable Securities” means (i) any Common Equity held (directly or indirectly) by any LY Holders or any of their Affiliates, and (ii) any equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way of dividend, distribution, split or combination of securities, or any recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

“Majority Holders” means the NAVER Holders so long as the NAVER Holders continue to hold any Registrable Securities and, from and after the date that the NAVER Holders no longer hold any Registrable Securities, the holders of the majority of the Registrable Securities.

“Majority LY Holders” means the holders of a majority of the LY Registrable Securities.

“Majority NAVER Holders” means the holders of a majority of the NAVER Registrable Securities.

“NAVER Holders” means NAVER Corporation that is a signatory hereto and its Permitted Transferees who hold Registrable Securities; provided, that with respect to any calculation of the Common Equity held by a NAVER Holder pursuant to this Agreement, such calculation shall include the aggregate Common Equity held by NAVER Corporation and its Permitted Transferees.

“NAVER Registrable Securities” means (i) any Common Equity held (directly or indirectly) by any NAVER Holders or any of their Affiliates, and (ii) any equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way of dividend, distribution, split or combination of securities, or any recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

 

A-2


“Other Investor Registrable Securities” means (i) any Common Equity held (directly or indirectly) by any Other Investors or any of their Affiliates, and (ii) any equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way of dividend, distribution, split or combination of securities, or any recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

“Other Investors” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

“Participating Principal Holders” means any Principal Holder(s) participating in the request for a Demand Registration, Shelf Offering, Piggyback Registration or Underwritten Block Trade.

“Permitted Transferee” means any transferee pursuant to a transfer of Common Equity (i) by any Holder to or among such Holder’s Family Group (including, without limitation, for estate planning purposes) or pursuant to applicable laws of descent and distribution, provided that (x) Common Equity may not be transferred to a Holder’s spouse in connection with a divorce proceeding and (y) any Holder that is a trust or estate planning vehicle or entity must remain for the benefit of the same person(s) for so long as such trust holds Common Equity or (ii) in the case of the Principal Holders, to any of their respective Affiliates (other that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), that agrees to become party to, and be bound to the same extent as its transferor by, the terms of this Agreement by signing a transfer agreement.

“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Piggyback Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

“Principal Holder” means any of NAVER Holders or LY Holders.

“Public Offering” means any sale or distribution by the Company, one of its Subsidiaries and/or Holders to the public of Common Equity or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act.

“Registrable Securities” means NAVER Registrable Securities, LY Registrable Securities and Other Investor Registrable Securities. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities will cease to be Registrable Securities when they have been (a) sold or distributed pursuant to a Public Offering, (b) sold in compliance with Rule 144 following the consummation of the initial Public Offering, or (c) repurchased by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities, and the Registrable Securities will be deemed to be in existence, whenever such Person has the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, such Registrable Securities (upon exchange, conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person will be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Registrable Securities hereunder (it being understood that a holder of Registrable Securities may only request that Registrable Securities in the form of Common Equity be registered pursuant to this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, following the consummation of an initial Public Offering, any Registrable Securities held by any Person (other than any Principal Holder or its Affiliates) that may be sold under Rule 144(b)(1)(i) without limitation under any of the other requirements of Rule 144 will be deemed not to be Registrable Securities.

“Registration Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.

 

A-3


“Rule 144”, “Rule 158”, “Rule 405”, “Rule 415”, “Rule 403B” and “Rule 462” mean, in each case, such rule promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor provision) by the SEC, as the same will be amended from time to time, or any successor rule then in force.

“Sale of the Company” means any transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which any Person(s) or a group of related Persons (other than any Principal Holder and/or its Affiliates) in the aggregate acquires: (i) Common Equity of the Company entitled to vote (other than voting rights accruing only in the event of a default, breach, event of noncompliance or other contingency) to elect directors with a majority of the voting power of the Company’s board of directors (whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination, sale or transfer of the Company’s Common Equity) or (ii) all or substantially all of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets determined on a consolidated basis; provided that a Public Offering will not constitute a Sale of the Company.

“Sale Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor federal law then in force, together with all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Shelf Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(d)(i).

“Shelf Offering Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(d)(i).

“Shelf Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a).

“Shelf Registrable Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(d)(i).

“Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(d).

“Short-Form Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a).

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of the Company or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the limited liability company, partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or one or more Subsidiaries of the Company or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons will be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons will be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or will be or control the managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

“Suspension Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(f)(ii).

“Suspension Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(f)(ii).

 

A-4


“Suspension Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(f)(i).

“Violation” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

“WKSI” means a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined under Rule 405.

 

A-5


EXHIBIT B

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of __________________, 20__ (as amended, modified and waived from time to time, the “Registration Agreement”), among WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the other persons named as parties therein (including pursuant to other Joinders). Capitalized terms used herein have the meaning set forth in the Registration Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder to the Company, the undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the provisions of, the Registration Agreement as a Holder in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Registration Agreement, and the undersigned will be deemed for all purposes to be a Holder, and a [NAVER Holder][LY Holder][Other Investor] thereunder and the undersigned’s [ ] shares of Common Equity will be deemed for all purposes to be [NAVER][LY][Other Investor] Registrable Securities under the Registration Agreement.

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder as of the ___ day of ____________, 20___.

 

 

Signature

 

Print Name 
Address:                     

 

 

 

Agreed and Accepted as of
________________, 20___:
WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.

By:________________________

 

Its:________________________

 

B-1

EX-10.2 5 d841371dex102.htm EX-10.2 EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.

STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT

Dated as of June 25, 2024


Table of Contents

 

       Page  

Article I DEFINITIONS

     1  

1.1

  Certain Matters of Construction      1  

1.2

  Definitions      1  

Article II CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     4  

2.1

  Board of Directors      4  

2.2

  Confidentiality      4  

Article III MISCELLANEOUS

     5  

3.1

  Remedies      5  

3.2

  Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver      5  

3.3

  Severability      6  

3.4

  Notices      6  

3.5

  Binding Effect; Assignment      7  

3.6

  Governing Law      7  

3.7

  Termination      7  

3.8

  Recapitalizations, Exchanges, Etc.      7  

3.9

  Action Necessary to Effectuate the Agreement      8  

3.10

  Purchase for Investment; Legend on Certificate      8  

3.11

  No Waiver      8  

3.12

  Costs and Expenses      8  

3.13

  Counterparts      8  

3.14

  Headings      8  

3.15

  Third-Party Beneficiaries      8  

3.16

  Consent to Jurisdiction      8  

3.17

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      9  

3.18

  Representations and Warranties      9  

3.19

  Consents, Approvals and Actions      10  

3.20

  Aggregation of Securities      10  

3.21

  Effectiveness      10  

ANNEXES

 

ANNEX I    FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

i


STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT

This Stockholder Agreement (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms, this “Agreement”) of WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. (together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is entered into as of June 25th, 2024, by and between the Company and the NAVER Group. Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 1.2.

WHEREAS, the Company intends to consummate an initial Public Offering of shares of Common Stock; and

WHEREAS, in connection with such events, the parties hereto desire to provide for certain governance rights and other matters with respect to the Company upon the effectiveness of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, representations, warranties, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree, subject to Section 3.21 as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Certain Matters of Construction. In addition to the definitions referred to or set forth below in this Article I:

(a) The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import shall, unless the context requires otherwise, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or provision of this Agreement, and reference to a particular Section of this Agreement shall include all subsections thereof;

(b) The words “include,” “includes” and “including” are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(c) References to Sections and Articles refer to Sections and Articles of this Agreement;

(d) Definitions shall be equally applicable to both nouns and verbs and the singular and plural forms of the terms defined; and

(e) The masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall each include the others.

1.2 Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“1933 Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

1


“1934 Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, an “affiliate” as defined in Rule 405 of the regulations promulgated under the 1933 Act; provided, that, for purposes of this Agreement, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be Affiliates of any member of the NAVER Group (and vice versa).

“Agreement” shall have the meaning as set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Beneficially Own” shall have the meaning as set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act.

“Board” or “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company as the same shall be constituted from time to time.

“Common Stock” shall mean the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and shall also include any common stock of the Company hereafter authorized and any capital stock of the Company of any other class hereafter authorized which does not have a preference as to dividends or distribution of assets in liquidation over any other class of capital stock of the Company.

“Company” shall have the meaning as set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Confidential Information” shall mean all confidential information concerning the Company or its Subsidiaries (including with respect to the financial condition, business, operations or prospects of the Company or its Subsidiaries) in the possession of or furnished to the NAVER Group (including by virtue of its present or former right to nominate director(s) to the Board).

“Governmental Entity” shall mean any nation or government, any state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof and any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau or court, whether domestic, foreign, multinational, or supranational exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, self-regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government and any executive official thereof.

“Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Annex I attached hereto or such other form as may be agreed by the Company.

“LY Group” shall mean LY Corporation, a company duly incorporated and existing under the laws of Japan, together with its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, successors and assigns, but excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries.

“NAVER Group” shall mean NAVER Corporation, a company duly incorporated and existing under the laws of the Republic of Korea, together with its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, successors and assigns, but excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries, and its Permitted Transferees (excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries) who obtain Shares pursuant to a Permitted Transfer as evidenced by an executed Joinder Agreement indicating that such Permitted Transferee will be a NAVER Group member and only for so long as such Permitted Transferee is a holder of Shares.

“NAVER Group Director” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.1(b).

 

2


“Permitted Transfer” shall mean a Transfer of Shares by any member of the NAVER Group to any Affiliate of such member of the NAVER Group.

On subsequent Transfers by a Permitted Transferee, the determination of whether the transferee is a Permitted Transferee shall be determined by reference to the NAVER Group member who was an original party to this Agreement, not by reference to the transferring Permitted Transferee in such subsequent transfer. If at any time after a Permitted Transfer, a transferee ceases to be a Permitted Transferee of the NAVER Group, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, without affecting any other provision of this Agreement requiring termination of any rights in favor of any party to this Agreement, the provisions of Article II (other than Section 2.2) shall terminate as to such transferee. No Transfer shall be a Permitted Transfer if such Transfer conflicts with or results in any violation of a judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule, or regulation.

“Permitted Transferee” shall mean any Person who shall have acquired and who shall hold Shares pursuant to a Permitted Transfer.

“Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, association, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or entity, or any government, governmental department or agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Public Offering” shall mean the completion of a sale of Common Stock pursuant to a Registration Statement which has become effective under the 1933 Act (excluding Registration Statements on Form S-4, S-8, or similar limited purpose forms), in which some or all of the Common Stock shall be listed and traded on a national securities exchange (including the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ National Market).

“register,” “registered,” and “registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC (a “Registration Statement”) in compliance with the 1933 Act.

“Registration Rights Agreement” shall mean the Registration Rights Agreement of the Company, by and among the Company, the NAVER Group, the LY Group, and certain other parties identified therein, dated as of the date hereof, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Representatives” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2.

“Restated Certificate of Incorporation” shall mean the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be filed and effective in connection with the closing of the initial Public Offering, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

“SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Shares” shall mean (i) shares of Common Stock held by the NAVER Group from time to time, (ii) other equity securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries held by the NAVER Group from time to time or (iii) securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, upon reclassification of, or as a dividend or distribution in respect of, the foregoing.

 

3


“Subsidiary” with respect to any entity (the “parent”) shall mean any corporation, limited liability company, company, firm, association, trust or other entity of which such parent, at the time in respect of which such term is used, (i) owns directly or indirectly more than fifty percent (50%) of the equity, membership interest, or beneficial interest, on a consolidated basis, or (ii) owns directly or controls with power to vote, directly or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, shares of the equity, membership interest, or beneficial interest having the power to elect more than fifty percent (50%) of the directors, trustees, managers, or other officials having powers analogous to that of directors of a corporation. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, when used herein the term Subsidiary shall refer to a direct or indirect Subsidiary.

“Transfer” and “Transferred” shall mean to transfer, sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate, give, create a security interest in or lien on, place in trust (voting or otherwise), assign or in any other way encumber or dispose of, directly or indirectly, and whether or not by operation of law or for value, any Shares or any legal, economic, or beneficial interest therein.

ARTICLE II

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.7 hereof relating to the termination of certain provisions of this Agreement, the following covenants and conditions shall apply.

2.1 Board of Directors.

(a) Composition of the Board. Without limiting any rights granted to the NAVER Group under Section 6.1 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, at and following the date hereof, the NAVER Group agrees with the Company to vote or cause to be voted, at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company, all Shares then owned by it in favor of the election of the nominees recommended by the Board for election by the Company’s stockholders, provided such nominees include each of the individuals designated by NAVER Group pursuant to Section 2.1(b).

(b) NAVER Group Director. The NAVER Group shall have rights to designate individuals for nomination to the Board as set forth in Section 6.1(C)(1) of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Each individual who is designated by the NAVER Group pursuant to Section 6.1(C)(1) of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and who is thereafter elected to serve as a director shall be referred to herein as a “ NAVER Group Director.”

2.2 Confidentiality.

 

4


The NAVER Group agrees that it will, and will direct its Representatives to, keep confidential and not disclose any Confidential Information; provided, that the NAVER Group and its Representatives may disclose Confidential Information (a) to its Affiliates and its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, agents, stockholders, attorneys, accountants, consultants, insurers, financing sources and other advisors in connection with or related to the NAVER Group’s investment in the Company or in the ordinary course of business (the Persons referenced in the foregoing, collectively, “Representatives”) or to the LY Group and its Representatives; provided, that the NAVER Group agrees to be responsible for any breaches of this Section 2.2 by the NAVER Group’s Representatives, (b) to the extent the NAVER Group is required or compelled to disclose any such Confidential Information by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, or decree or stock exchange rule or to the extent advised by outside counsel in connection with a proceeding brought by a Governmental Entity that it is advisable to do so, (c) as required in connection with any legal or other proceeding by one party to this Agreement against another party to this Agreement or in respect of claims by one party to this Agreement against another party to this Agreement brought in a proceeding, (d) as necessary in order to permit the NAVER Group to prepare and disclose its financial statements in connection with any regulatory or tax filings, (e) as necessary for the NAVER Group to enforce its rights or perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (f) to Governmental Entities in accordance with applicable procurement regulations and contract requirements, (g) to other Persons in connection with their evaluation of, and negotiating and consummating, a potential strategic transaction, to the extent reasonably necessary in connection therewith, provided an appropriate and customary confidentiality agreement has been entered into with the Person receiving such Confidential Information, or (h) as the Company may otherwise consent in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any demand or request for disclosure of Confidential Information is made by a third party pursuant to clause (b), (c), (e) or (f) above, the NAVER Group shall promptly notify (to the extent permissible by applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, or decree) the Company of the existence of such request, demand or disclosure requirement and shall provide the Company a reasonable opportunity to seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy, which the NAVER Group shall cooperate (at the Company’s expense) in obtaining to the extent reasonably practicable. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the NAVER Group shall furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is required to be disclosed and shall take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that confidential treatment is accorded such Confidential Information.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

3.1 Remedies. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that the covenants of the Company and the NAVER Group set forth in this Agreement may be enforced in equity by a decree requiring specific performance. In the event of a breach of any material provision of this Agreement, the aggrieved party will be entitled to institute and prosecute a proceeding to enforce specific performance of such provision, as well as to obtain damages for breach of this Agreement. Such remedies shall be cumulative and nonexclusive and shall be in addition to any other rights and remedies the parties may have under this Agreement or otherwise.

3.2 Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement, together with the Annexes hereto, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Company’s organizational documents set forth the entire understanding of the parties, and as of the date hereof supersedes all prior agreements and all other arrangements and communications, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented, restated or terminated upon the prior written consent of each of the Company and the NAVER Group. The Company agrees that it shall not, without the NAVER Group’s prior written consent, consent to any amendment, modification or supplement to or restatement or termination of, that certain Stockholder Agreement, dated on or around the date hereof, by and between the Company and the LY Group.

 

5


Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained herein, any party may waive (in writing) any rights with respect to which such party is entitled to benefits under this Agreement. No waiver of or consent to any departure from any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless signed in writing by the party entitled to the benefit thereof.

3.3 Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, the invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so more narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

3.4 Notices. Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices, consents, approvals, reports, designations, requests, waivers, elections and other communications authorized or required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered, (b) the day following the day (except if not a business day then the next business day) on which the same has been delivered prepaid to a reputable national overnight air courier service, (c) when transmitted via email (including via attached pdf document) to the email address set out below if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized delivery service (charges prepaid) or (d) the third (3rd) business day following the day on which the same is sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case, to the respective parties, as applicable, at the address, facsimile number or email address set forth below (or such other address, facsimile number or email address as the NAVER Group may specify by notice to the Company in accordance with this Section 3.4):

 

  (a)

For notices and communications to the Company, to:

WEBTOON Entertainment Inc.

5700 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 220

Los Angeles, CA 90036

Attention:  Junkoo Kim

Email:    [***]

with a copy to (which shall not constitute actual or constructive notice):

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:   Michael Kim, P.C.

    Joshua N. Korff, P.C.

    Edward J. Lee, P.C.

Email:    michael.kim@kirkland.com

   joshua.korff@kirkland.com

   edward.lee@kirkland.com

 

6


  (b)

for notices and communications to the NAVER Group:

NAVER Corporation

Naver 1784, 95 Jeongjail-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si

Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

Attention:   [***]

Email:     [***]

with a copy to (which shall not constitute actual or constructive notice):

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:   Michael Kim, P.C.

    Joshua N. Korff, P.C.

    Edward J. Lee, P.C.

Email:     michael.kim@kirkland.com

    joshua.korff@kirkland.com

    edward.lee@kirkland.com

By notice complying with the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4, each party shall have the right to change the mailing address for future notices and communications to such party.

3.5 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective transferees, successors and assigns; provided, that no right or obligation under this Agreement may be assigned except as expressly provided herein (including in connection with a Permitted Transfer of Shares in accordance herewith), it being understood that (i) the Company’s rights hereunder may be assigned by the Company to any corporation or other entity which is the surviving entity in a merger, consolidation or like event involving the Company and (ii) the rights of the NAVER Group shall be automatically assigned with respect to any Share that is Transferred to a Permitted Transferee thereof; provided, that such Permitted Transferee executes a Joinder Agreement and becomes bound to the provisions hereof.

3.6 Governing Law. All matters relating to the interpretation, construction, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, including all claims (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

3.7 Termination

. Without affecting any other provision of this Agreement requiring termination of any rights in favor of any party to this Agreement, the provisions of Article II (other than Section 2.2) shall terminate as to the NAVER Group, when, pursuant to and in accordance with this Agreement, the NAVER Group no longer owns any Shares.

3.8 Recapitalizations, Exchanges, Etc. The provisions of this Agreement shall apply, to the full extent set forth herein with respect to Shares, to any and all shares of capital stock of the Company or any successor or assign of the Company (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of the Shares, by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, stock issuance, reverse stock split, combination, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or otherwise.

 

7


3.9 Action Necessary to Effectuate the Agreement. The parties hereto agree to take or cause to be taken all such corporate and other action as may be reasonably necessary to effect the intent and purposes of this Agreement; provided that no party shall be obligated to take any actions or omit to take any actions that would be inconsistent with applicable law.

3.10 Purchase for Investment; Legend on Certificate. The NAVER Group acknowledges that all of the Shares held by the NAVER Group are being (or have been) acquired for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof and that no transfer, hypothecation or assignment of such Shares may be made except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws. Each certificate (or book entry share) evidencing Shares owned by the NAVER Group and which are subject to the terms of this Agreement shall bear the following legend, either as an endorsement or stamped or printed, thereon, or in a notice to the NAVER Group or transferee:

“The securities represented by this Certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, offered for sale, pledged or hypothecated in the absence of an effective registration statement as to the securities under said Act or an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and its counsel that such registration is not required.”

All shares shall also bear all legends required by federal and state securities laws. The legends set forth in this Section 3.10 shall be removed at the expense of the Company at the request of the NAVER Group at any time when they have ceased to be applicable.

3.11 No Waiver. No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement shall operate as waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such party’s rights, powers and remedies. No single or partial exercise of any rights, powers or remedies conferred by this Agreement shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.

3.12 Costs and Expenses. Each party shall pay its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, and any and all other documents furnished pursuant hereto or in connection herewith.

3.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and all signatures need not appear on any one counterpart.

3.14 Headings. All headings and captions in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not be construed to limit or affect the substance of this Agreement.

3.15 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to entitle any Person other than the Company and the NAVER Group to any claim, cause of action, right or remedy of any kind.

3.16 Consent to Jurisdiction. Each party to this Agreement, by its, his or her execution hereof, (a) hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Delaware for the purposes of any claim or action arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof, (b) hereby waive, to the extent not prohibited

 

8


by applicable law, and agree not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such claim or action, any claim that it or he is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its, his or her property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such proceeding brought in the above-named court is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court, and (c) hereby agree not to commence any claim or action arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof other than before the above-named courts nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such claim or action to any court other than the above-named courts whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise. Each party to this Agreement hereby consent, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to service of process in any such proceeding, and agree that service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section 3.4 is reasonably calculated to give actual notice.

3.17 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION, OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING, OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO THAT THIS SECTION 3.17 CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THEY ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT. ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 3.17 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

3.18 Representations and Warranties. Each member of the NAVER Group executing this Agreement hereby represents and warrants severally and not jointly to the Company on the date hereof (and in respect of Persons who become a party to this Agreement after the date hereof, such Persons hereby represents and warrants to each of the other parties to this Agreement on the date of its execution of a Joinder Agreement) as follows:

(a) Such Person, to the extent applicable, is duly organized or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation, and has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and is proposed to be conducted. Such Person has the full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action, corporate or otherwise, of such Person. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Person and constitutes its, his or her legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it, him or her in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

 

9


(b) The execution and delivery by such Person of this Agreement, the performance by such Person of its, his or her obligations hereunder by such Person does not and will not violate (i) in the case of parties who are not individuals, any provision of its organizational or constituent documents, (ii) any provision of any material agreement to which it, he or she is a party or by which it, he or she is bound or (iii) any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, or decree to which it, he or she is subject. No notice, consent, waiver, approval, authorization, exemption, registration, license or declaration is required to be made or obtained by such Person in connection with the execution, delivery or enforceability of this Agreement.

(c) Such Person is not currently in violation of any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, or decree, which violation could reasonably be expected at any time to have a material adverse effect upon such Person’s ability to enter into this Agreement or to perform its, his or her obligations hereunder. There is no pending legal action, suit or proceeding that would materially and adversely affect the ability of such Person to enter into this Agreement or to perform its, his or her obligations hereunder.

3.19 Consents, Approvals and Actions.

(a) If any consent, approval, or action of the NAVER Group is required at any time pursuant to this Agreement, such consent, approval, or action shall be deemed given if the holders of a majority of the Shares held by the NAVER Group at such time provide such consent, approval, or action in writing at such time.

(b) For purposes of clarity, the operation of this Section 3.19 shall not deprive the NAVER Group of its rights pursuant to Section 2.1.

3.20 Aggregation of Securities. All securities held by members of the NAVER Group shall be aggregated together for purposes of determining the rights or obligations of the NAVER Group or the application of any restrictions to the NAVER Group under this Agreement in which such right, obligation, or restriction is determined by any ownership threshold. The NAVER Group may allocate the ability to exercise any rights of the NAVER Group under this Agreement in any manner among members of the NAVER Group that the NAVER Group sees fit.

3.21 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on the day immediately preceding the date on which a registration statement on Form 8-A, or any successor form thereto, with respect to the Common Stock first becomes effective under the 1934 Act. This Agreement shall automatically terminate if the initial Public Offering is not consummated on or before the tenth (10th) business day following the date of this Agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this Agreement (or caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its officer or representative thereunto duly authorized) as of the date first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:
WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.
By:  

/s/ Junkoo Kim

Name:   Junkoo Kim
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Stockholder Agreement]


NAVER GROUP:

 

NAVER CORPORATION

By:  

/s/ Soo Yeon Choi

Name:   Soo Yeon Choi
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Stockholder Agreement]


Annex I

FORM OF

JOINDER AGREEMENT

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement pursuant to that certain Stockholder Agreement of WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., dated as of [●], 2024 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Stockholder Agreement”) by and between WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the NAVER Group. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Stockholder Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement to the Stockholder Agreement, the undersigned hereby adopts and approves the Stockholder Agreement and agrees, effective commencing on the date hereof and as a condition to the undersigned’s becoming the transferee of Shares, to become a party to, and to be bound by and comply with the provisions of, the Stockholder Agreement applicable to the NAVER Group, in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Stockholder Agreement.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that, pursuant to this Joinder Agreement and the Stockholder Agreement, it is a Permitted Transferee of the NAVER Group and will be the lawful record owner of      shares of Common Stock of the Company as of the date hereof. The undersigned further represents and warrants to each of the other parties to the Stockholder Agreement that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.18 of the Stockholder Agreement, with respect to the undersigned, are true and correct on the date hereof. The undersigned hereby covenants and agrees that it will take all such actions as required of a Permitted Transferee as set forth in the Stockholder Agreement. The undersigned acknowledges that if at any time after the date hereof the undersigned ceases to be a Permitted Transferee of the NAVER Group, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Joinder Agreement and the Stockholder Agreement, without affecting any other provision thereof requiring termination of any rights in favor of any party thereto, the provisions of Article II (other than Section 2.2) of the Stockholder Agreement shall terminate as to the undersigned.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Sections 3.1, 3.6, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Stockholder Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder Agreement as of the ____ day of ____________, _____.

 

 

Signature

 

Print Name

 

Address:  

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone:  

 

Facsimile:  

 

Email:  

 


AGREED AND ACCEPTED
as of the ____ day of ____________, _____.
WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.
By:  

    

  Name:
  Title:
EX-10.3 6 d841371dex103.htm EX-10.3 EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.

STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT

Dated as of June 25, 2024


Table of Contents

 

       Page  

Article I DEFINITIONS

     1  

1.1

  Certain Matters of Construction      1  

1.2

  Definitions      1  

Article II CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     4  

2.1

  Board of Directors      4  

2.2

  Confidentiality      4  

Article III MISCELLANEOUS

     5  

3.1

  Remedies      5  

3.2

  Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver      5  

3.3

  Severability      6  

3.4

  Notices      6  

3.5

  Binding Effect; Assignment      7  

3.6

  Governing Law      7  

3.7

  Termination      7  

3.8

  Recapitalizations, Exchanges, Etc.      7  

3.9

  Action Necessary to Effectuate the Agreement      8  

3.10

  Purchase for Investment; Legend on Certificate      8  

3.11

  No Waiver      8  

3.12

  Costs and Expenses      8  

3.13

  Counterparts      8  

3.14

  Headings      8  

3.15

  Third-Party Beneficiaries      8  

3.16

  Consent to Jurisdiction      8  

3.17

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      9  

3.18

  Representations and Warranties      9  

3.19

  Consents, Approvals and Actions      10  

3.20

  Aggregation of Securities      10  

3.21

  Effectiveness      10  

ANNEXES

 

ANNEX I    FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

i


STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT

This Stockholder Agreement (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms, this “Agreement”) of WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. (together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is entered into as of June25th, 2024, by and between the Company and the LY Group. Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 1.2.

WHEREAS, the Company intends to consummate an initial Public Offering of shares of Common Stock; and

WHEREAS, in connection with such events, the parties hereto desire to provide for certain governance rights and other matters with respect to the Company upon the effectiveness of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, representations, warranties, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree, subject to Section 3.21 as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Certain Matters of Construction. In addition to the definitions referred to or set forth below in this Article I:

(a) The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import shall, unless the context requires otherwise, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or provision of this Agreement, and reference to a particular Section of this Agreement shall include all subsections thereof;

(b) The words “include,” “includes” and “including” are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(c) References to Sections and Articles refer to Sections and Articles of this Agreement;

(d) Definitions shall be equally applicable to both nouns and verbs and the singular and plural forms of the terms defined; and

(e) The masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall each include the others.

1.2 Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“1933 Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

1


“1934 Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, an “affiliate” as defined in Rule 405 of the regulations promulgated under the 1933 Act; provided, that, for purposes of this Agreement, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be Affiliates of any member of the LY Group (and vice versa).

“Agreement” shall have the meaning as set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Beneficially Own” shall have the meaning as set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act.

“Board” or “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company as the same shall be constituted from time to time.

“Common Stock” shall mean the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and shall also include any common stock of the Company hereafter authorized and any capital stock of the Company of any other class hereafter authorized which does not have a preference as to dividends or distribution of assets in liquidation over any other class of capital stock of the Company.

“Company” shall have the meaning as set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Confidential Information” shall mean all confidential information concerning the Company or its Subsidiaries (including with respect to the financial condition, business, operations or prospects of the Company or its Subsidiaries) in the possession of or furnished to the LY Group (including by virtue of its present or former right to nominate director(s) to the Board).

“Governmental Entity” shall mean any nation or government, any state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof and any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau or court, whether domestic, foreign, multinational, or supranational exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, self-regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government and any executive official thereof.

“Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Annex I attached hereto or such other form as may be agreed by the Company.

“LY Group” shall mean LY Corporation, a company duly incorporated and existing under the laws of Japan, together with its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, successors and assigns, but excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries, and its Permitted Transferees (excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries) who obtain Shares pursuant to a Permitted Transfer as evidenced by an executed Joinder Agreement indicating that such Permitted Transferee will be a LY Group member and only for so long as such Permitted Transferee is a holder of Shares.

“LY Group Director” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.1(b).

 

2


“NAVER Group” shall mean NAVER Corporation, a company duly incorporated and existing under the laws of the Republic of Korea, together with its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, successors and assigns, but excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries.

“Permitted Transfer” shall mean a Transfer of Shares by any member of the LY Group to any Affiliate of such member of the LY Group.

On subsequent Transfers by a Permitted Transferee, the determination of whether the transferee is a Permitted Transferee shall be determined by reference to the LY Group member who was an original party to this Agreement, not by reference to the transferring Permitted Transferee in such subsequent transfer. If at any time after a Permitted Transfer, a transferee ceases to be a Permitted Transferee of the LY Group, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, without affecting any other provision of this Agreement requiring termination of any rights in favor of any party to this Agreement, the provisions of Article II (other than Section 2.2) shall terminate as to such transferee. No Transfer shall be a Permitted Transfer if such Transfer conflicts with or results in any violation of a judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule, or regulation.

“Permitted Transferee” shall mean any Person who shall have acquired and who shall hold Shares pursuant to a Permitted Transfer.

“Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, association, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or entity, or any government, governmental department or agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Public Offering” shall mean the completion of a sale of Common Stock pursuant to a Registration Statement which has become effective under the 1933 Act (excluding Registration Statements on Form S-4, S-8, or similar limited purpose forms), in which some or all of the Common Stock shall be listed and traded on a national securities exchange (including the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ National Market).

“register,” “registered,” and “registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC (a “Registration Statement”) in compliance with the 1933 Act.

“Registration Rights Agreement” shall mean the Registration Rights Agreement of the Company, by and among the Company, the NAVER Group, the LY Group and certain other parties identified therein, dated as of the date hereof, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Representatives” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2.

“Restated Certificate of Incorporation” shall mean the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be filed and effective in connection with the closing of the initial Public Offering, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

“SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Shares” shall mean (i) shares of Common Stock held by the LY Group from time to time, (ii) other equity securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries held by the LY Group from time to time or (iii) securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, upon reclassification of, or as a dividend or distribution in respect of, the foregoing.

 

3


“Subsidiary” with respect to any entity (the “parent”) shall mean any corporation, limited liability company, company, firm, association, trust or other entity of which such parent, at the time in respect of which such term is used, (i) owns directly or indirectly more than fifty percent (50%) of the equity, membership interest, or beneficial interest, on a consolidated basis, or (ii) owns directly or controls with power to vote, directly or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, shares of the equity, membership interest, or beneficial interest having the power to elect more than fifty percent (50%) of the directors, trustees, managers, or other officials having powers analogous to that of directors of a corporation. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, when used herein the term Subsidiary shall refer to a direct or indirect Subsidiary.

“Transfer” and “Transferred” shall mean to transfer, sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate, give, create a security interest in or lien on, place in trust (voting or otherwise), assign or in any other way encumber or dispose of, directly or indirectly, and whether or not by operation of law or for value, any Shares or any legal, economic, or beneficial interest therein.

ARTICLE II

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.7 hereof relating to the termination of certain provisions of this Agreement, the following covenants and conditions shall apply.

2.1 Board of Directors.

(a) Composition of the Board. Without limiting any rights granted to the LY Group under Section 6.1 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, at and following the date hereof, the LY Group agrees with the Company to vote or cause to be voted, at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company, all Shares then owned by it in favor of the election of the nominees recommended by the Board for election by the Company’s stockholders, provided such nominees include the individual designated by LY Group pursuant to Section 2.1(b).

(b) LY Group Director. The LY Group shall have rights to designate individuals for nomination to the Board as set forth in Section 6.1(C)(2) of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Each individual who is designated by the LY Group pursuant to Section 6.1(C)(2) of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and who is thereafter elected to serve as a director shall be referred to herein as an “LY Group Director.”

2.2 Confidentiality.

 

4


The LY Group agrees that it will, and will direct its Representatives to, keep confidential and not disclose any Confidential Information; provided, that the LY Group and its Representatives may disclose Confidential Information (a) to its Affiliates and its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, agents, stockholders, attorneys, accountants, consultants, insurers, financing sources and other advisors in connection with or related to the LY Group’s investment in the Company or in the ordinary course of business (the Persons referenced in the foregoing, collectively, “Representatives”) or to the NAVER Group and its Representatives; provided, that the LY Group agrees to be responsible for any breaches of this Section 2.2 by the LY Group’s Representatives, (b) to the extent the LY Group is required or compelled to disclose any such Confidential Information by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, or decree or stock exchange rule or to the extent advised by outside counsel in connection with a proceeding brought by a Governmental Entity that it is advisable to do so, (c) as required in connection with any legal or other proceeding by one party to this Agreement against another party to this Agreement or in respect of claims by one party to this Agreement against another party to this Agreement brought in a proceeding, (d) as necessary in order to permit the LY Group to prepare and disclose its financial statements in connection with any regulatory or tax filings, (e) as necessary for the LY Group to enforce its rights or perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (f) to Governmental Entities in accordance with applicable procurement regulations and contract requirements, (g) to other Persons in connection with their evaluation of, and negotiating and consummating, a potential strategic transaction, to the extent reasonably necessary in connection therewith, provided an appropriate and customary confidentiality agreement has been entered into with the Person receiving such Confidential Information, or (h) as the Company may otherwise consent in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any demand or request for disclosure of Confidential Information is made by a third party pursuant to clause (b), (c), (e) or (f) above, the LY Group shall promptly notify (to the extent permissible by applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, or decree) the Company of the existence of such request, demand or disclosure requirement and shall provide the Company a reasonable opportunity to seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy, which the LY Group shall cooperate (at the Company’s expense) in obtaining to the extent reasonably practicable. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the LY Group shall furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is required to be disclosed and shall take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that confidential treatment is accorded such Confidential Information.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

3.1 Remedies. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that the covenants of the Company and the LY Group set forth in this Agreement may be enforced in equity by a decree requiring specific performance. In the event of a breach of any material provision of this Agreement, the aggrieved party will be entitled to institute and prosecute a proceeding to enforce specific performance of such provision, as well as to obtain damages for breach of this Agreement. Such remedies shall be cumulative and nonexclusive and shall be in addition to any other rights and remedies the parties may have under this Agreement or otherwise.

3.2 Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement, together with the Annexes hereto, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Company’s organizational documents set forth the entire understanding of the parties, and as of the date hereof supersedes all prior agreements and all other arrangements and communications, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented, restated or terminated upon the prior written consent of each of the Company and the LY Group.

 

5


Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained herein, any party may waive (in writing) any rights with respect to which such party is entitled to benefits under this Agreement. No waiver of or consent to any departure from any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless signed in writing by the party entitled to the benefit thereof.

3.3 Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, the invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so more narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

3.4 Notices. Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices, consents, approvals, reports, designations, requests, waivers, elections and other communications authorized or required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered, (b) the day following the day (except if not a business day then the next business day) on which the same has been delivered prepaid to a reputable national overnight air courier service, (c) when transmitted via email (including via attached pdf document) to the email address set out below if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized delivery service (charges prepaid) or (d) the third (3rd) business day following the day on which the same is sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case, to the respective parties, as applicable, at the address, facsimile number or email address set forth below (or such other address, facsimile number or email address as the LY Group may specify by notice to the Company in accordance with this Section 3.4):

 

  (a)

For notices and communications to the Company, to:

WEBTOON Entertainment Inc.

5700 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 220

Los Angeles, CA 90036

Attention:  Junkoo Kim

Email:    [***]

with a copy to (which shall not constitute actual or constructive notice):

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:   Michael Kim, P.C.

    Joshua N. Korff, P.C.

    Edward J. Lee, P.C.

Email:    michael.kim@kirkland.com

   joshua.korff@kirkland.com

   edward.lee@kirkland.com

 

6


  (b)

for notices and communications to the LY Group:

LY Corporation

Kioi Tower, 1-3 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku

Tokyo, 102-8282, Japan

Attention: Kim Byungsoo

Email:   

By notice complying with the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4, each party shall have the right to change the mailing address for future notices and communications to such party.

3.5 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective transferees, successors and assigns; provided, that no right or obligation under this Agreement may be assigned except as expressly provided herein (including in connection with a Permitted Transfer of Shares in accordance herewith), it being understood that (i) the Company’s rights hereunder may be assigned by the Company to any corporation or other entity which is the surviving entity in a merger, consolidation or like event involving the Company and (ii) the rights of the LY Group shall be automatically assigned with respect to any Share that is Transferred to a Permitted Transferee thereof; provided, that such Permitted Transferee executes a Joinder Agreement and becomes bound to the provisions hereof.

3.6 Governing Law. All matters relating to the interpretation, construction, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, including all claims (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

3.7 Termination

. Without affecting any other provision of this Agreement requiring termination of any rights in favor of any party to this Agreement, the provisions of Article II (other than Section 2.2) shall terminate as to the LY Group, when, pursuant to and in accordance with this Agreement, the LY Group no longer owns any Shares.

3.8 Recapitalizations, Exchanges, Etc. The provisions of this Agreement shall apply, to the full extent set forth herein with respect to Shares, to any and all shares of capital stock of the Company or any successor or assign of the Company (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of the Shares, by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, stock issuance, reverse stock split, combination, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or otherwise.

 

7


3.9 Action Necessary to Effectuate the Agreement. The parties hereto agree to take or cause to be taken all such corporate and other action as may be reasonably necessary to effect the intent and purposes of this Agreement; provided that no party shall be obligated to take any actions or omit to take any actions that would be inconsistent with applicable law.

3.10 Purchase for Investment; Legend on Certificate. The LY Group acknowledges that all of the Shares held by the LY Group are being (or have been) acquired for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof and that no transfer, hypothecation or assignment of such Shares may be made except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws. Each certificate (or book entry share) evidencing Shares owned by the LY Group and which are subject to the terms of this Agreement shall bear the following legend, either as an endorsement or stamped or printed, thereon, or in a notice to the LY Group or transferee:

“The securities represented by this Certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, offered for sale, pledged or hypothecated in the absence of an effective registration statement as to the securities under said Act or an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and its counsel that such registration is not required.”

All shares shall also bear all legends required by federal and state securities laws. The legends set forth in this Section 3.10 shall be removed at the expense of the Company at the request of the LY Group at any time when they have ceased to be applicable.

3.11 No Waiver. No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement shall operate as waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such party’s rights, powers and remedies. No single or partial exercise of any rights, powers or remedies conferred by this Agreement shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.

3.12 Costs and Expenses. Each party shall pay its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, and any and all other documents furnished pursuant hereto or in connection herewith.

3.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and all signatures need not appear on any one counterpart.

3.14 Headings. All headings and captions in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not be construed to limit or affect the substance of this Agreement.

3.15 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to entitle any Person other than the Company and the LY Group to any claim, cause of action, right or remedy of any kind.

3.16 Consent to Jurisdiction. Each party to this Agreement, by its, his or her execution hereof, (a) hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Delaware for the purposes of any claim or action arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof, (b) hereby waive, to the extent not prohibited

 

8


by applicable law, and agree not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such claim or action, any claim that it or he is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its, his or her property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such proceeding brought in the above-named court is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court, and (c) hereby agree not to commence any claim or action arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof other than before the above-named courts nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such claim or action to any court other than the above-named courts whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise. Each party to this Agreement hereby consent, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to service of process in any such proceeding, and agree that service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section 3.4 is reasonably calculated to give actual notice.

3.17 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION, OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING, OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO THAT THIS SECTION 3.17 CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THEY ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT. ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 3.17 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

3.18 Representations and Warranties. Each member of the LY Group executing this Agreement hereby represents and warrants severally and not jointly to the Company on the date hereof (and in respect of Persons who become a party to this Agreement after the date hereof, such Persons hereby represents and warrants to each of the other parties to this Agreement on the date of its execution of a Joinder Agreement) as follows:

(a) Such Person, to the extent applicable, is duly organized or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation, and has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and is proposed to be conducted. Such Person has the full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action, corporate or otherwise, of such Person. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Person and constitutes its, his or her legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it, him or her in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

 

9


(b) The execution and delivery by such Person of this Agreement, the performance by such Person of its, his or her obligations hereunder by such Person does not and will not violate (i) in the case of parties who are not individuals, any provision of its organizational or constituent documents, (ii) any provision of any material agreement to which it, he or she is a party or by which it, he or she is bound or (iii) any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, or decree to which it, he or she is subject. No notice, consent, waiver, approval, authorization, exemption, registration, license or declaration is required to be made or obtained by such Person in connection with the execution, delivery or enforceability of this Agreement.

(c) Such Person is not currently in violation of any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, or decree, which violation could reasonably be expected at any time to have a material adverse effect upon such Person’s ability to enter into this Agreement or to perform its, his or her obligations hereunder. There is no pending legal action, suit or proceeding that would materially and adversely affect the ability of such Person to enter into this Agreement or to perform its, his or her obligations hereunder.

3.19 Consents, Approvals and Actions.

(a) If any consent, approval, or action of the LY Group is required at any time pursuant to this Agreement, such consent, approval, or action shall be deemed given if the holders of a majority of the Shares held by the LY Group at such time provide such consent, approval, or action in writing at such time.

(b) For purposes of clarity, the operation of this Section 3.19 shall not deprive the LY Group of its rights pursuant to Section 2.1.

3.20 Aggregation of Securities. All securities held by members of the LY Group shall be aggregated together for purposes of determining the rights or obligations of the LY Group or the application of any restrictions to the LY Group under this Agreement in which such right, obligation, or restriction is determined by any ownership threshold. The LY Group may allocate the ability to exercise any rights of the LY Group under this Agreement in any manner among members of the LY Group that the LY Group sees fit.

3.21 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on the day immediately preceding the date on which a registration statement on Form 8-A, or any successor form thereto, with respect to the Common Stock first becomes effective under the 1934 Act. This Agreement shall automatically terminate if the initial Public Offering is not consummated on or before the tenth (10th) business day following the date of this Agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this Agreement (or caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its officer or representative thereunto duly authorized) as of the date first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:
WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.
By:  

/s/ Junkoo Kim

Name:   Junkoo Kim
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Stockholder Agreement]


LY GROUP:

 

LY CORPORATION

By:  

/s/ Takeshi Idezawa

Name:   Takeshi Idezawa
Title:   Representative Director

[Signature Page to Stockholder Agreement]


Annex I

FORM OF

JOINDER AGREEMENT

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement pursuant to that certain Stockholder Agreement of WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., dated as of [●], 2024 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Stockholder Agreement”) by and between WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the LY Group. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Stockholder Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement to the Stockholder Agreement, the undersigned hereby adopts and approves the Stockholder Agreement and agrees, effective commencing on the date hereof and as a condition to the undersigned’s becoming the transferee of Shares, to become a party to, and to be bound by and comply with the provisions of, the Stockholder Agreement applicable to the LY Group in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Stockholder Agreement.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that, pursuant to this Joinder Agreement and the Stockholder Agreement, it is a Permitted Transferee of the LY Group and will be the lawful record owner of      shares of Common Stock of the Company as of the date hereof. The undersigned further represents and warrants to each of the other parties to the Stockholder Agreement that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.18 of the Stockholder Agreement, with respect to the undersigned, are true and correct on the date hereof. The undersigned hereby covenants and agrees that it will take all such actions as required of a Permitted Transferee as set forth in the Stockholder Agreement. The undersigned acknowledges that if at any time after the date hereof the undersigned ceases to be a Permitted Transferee of the LY Group, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Joinder Agreement and the Stockholder Agreement, without affecting any other provision thereof requiring termination of any rights in favor of any party thereto, the provisions of Article II (other than Section 2.2) of the Stockholder Agreement shall terminate as to the undersigned.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Sections 3.1, 3.6, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Stockholder Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder Agreement as of the ____ day of ____________, _____.

 

 

Signature

 

Print Name

 

Address:  

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone:  

 

Facsimile:  

 

Email:  

 


AGREED AND ACCEPTED
as of the ____ day of ____________, _____.
WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC.
By:  

    

  Name:
  Title:
EX-99.1 7 d841371dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

WEBTOON Entertainment Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

LOS ANGELES – JUNE 26, 2024 – WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. (“WEBTOON” or “the Company”), a leading global entertainment company and home to some of the world’s largest storytelling platforms, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of an aggregate of 15,000,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $21.00 per share. In addition, WEBTOON has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,250,000 shares of its common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

The shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 27, 2024 under the ticker symbol “WBTN” and the offering is expected to close on June 28, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Morgan Stanley are acting as lead bookrunning managers for the proposed offering. J.P. Morgan and Evercore ISI are acting as active bookrunning managers for the proposed offering. Deutsche Bank Securities, UBS Investment Bank and HSBC are acting as joint bookrunning managers. Raymond James and LionTree are acting as co-managers.

The gross proceeds to WEBTOON from the offering, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by WEBTOON, are expected to be approximately $315 million, excluding any exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock. In addition, the Company will separately issue 2,380,952 shares of common stock to a subsidiary of NAVER Corporation at a price per share of $21.00, generating approximately an additional $50 million of proceeds.

A registration statement relating to the sale of these securities has been filed with, and was declared effective on June 26, 2024 by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This offering is made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. A copy of the prospectus relating to the offering, when available, may be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or from any of the following sources:

 

   

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, by telephone at 1-866-471-2526 or by email at prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com

 

   

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014 or by email at prospectus@morganstanley.com

 

   

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com and postsalemanualrequests@broadridge.com

 

   

Evercore Group L.L.C., Attn: Equity Capital Markets, 55 East 52nd Street, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10055, by telephone at (888) 474-0200, or by email at ecm.prospectus@evercore.com

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

About WEBTOON Entertainment

WEBTOON Entertainment is a leading global entertainment company and home to some of the world’s largest storytelling platforms. As the global leader and pioneer of the mobile webcomic format, WEBTOON Entertainment has transformed comics and visual storytelling for fans and creators.


With its CANVAS UGC platform empowering anyone to become a creator, and a growing roster of superstar WEBTOON Originals creators and series, WEBTOON Entertainment’s passionate fandoms are the new face of pop culture. WEBTOON adaptations are available on Netflix, Prime Video, Crunchyroll, and other screens around the world, and the company’s content partners include Discord, HYBE and DC Comics, among many others.

With approximately 170 million monthly active users (as of the quarter ended March 31, 2024), WEBTOON Entertainment’s IP & Creator Ecosystem of aligned companies include WEBTOON, Wattpad--the world’s leading webnovel platform—Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, Studio N, Studio LICO, WEBTOON Unscrolled, LINE MANGA, and eBookJapan, among others.

CONTACTS

Edelman Smithfield for WEBTOON

Hunter Stenback & Ashley Firlan

webtoonIR@edelmansmithfield.com

WEBTOON Entertainment

webtoonpress@webtoon.com

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