0000950103-20-015299.txt : 20200805 0000950103-20-015299.hdr.sgml : 20200805 20200805080150 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950103-20-015299 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 FILED AS OF DATE: 20200805 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20200805 GROUP MEMBERS: THL A21 LTD SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SOGOU INC. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001713947 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-COMPUTER PROGRAMMING SERVICES [7371] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: E9 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-90221 FILM NUMBER: 201075695 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: LEVEL 15, SOHU.COM INTERNET PLAZA STREET 2: NO. 1 UNIT ZHONGGUANCUN,HAIDIAN DISTRICT CITY: BEIJING STATE: F4 ZIP: 100084 BUSINESS PHONE: 86-10-5689-9999 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: LEVEL 15, SOHU.COM INTERNET PLAZA STREET 2: NO. 1 UNIT ZHONGGUANCUN,HAIDIAN DISTRICT CITY: BEIJING STATE: F4 ZIP: 100084 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Tencent Holdings Ltd CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001293451 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: E9 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ROOM 3506, 35TH FLOOR STREET 2: TOWER 2, LIPPO CENTRE CITY: ADMIRALTY STATE: K3 ZIP: 00000 BUSINESS PHONE: 86-755-86013388 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ROOM 3506, 35TH FLOOR STREET 2: TOWER 2, LIPPO CENTRE CITY: ADMIRALTY STATE: K3 ZIP: 00000 SC 13D 1 dp133823_sc13d.htm FORM SC 13D
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

(Amendment No. )*

 
 
Sogou Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
 
 
Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
 
 
83409V104**
(CUSIP Number)
 
 
Tencent Holdings Limited
29/F., Three Pacific Place
No. 1 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852 3148 5100
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)
 
 
July 27, 2020
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
 
 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 1(f) or 1(g), check the following box.

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

** This CUSIP number applies to the American Depositary Shares, evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, each representing one Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share. No CUSIP has been assigned to the Class A ordinary shares.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Exchange Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Exchange Act (however, see the Notes).

 

1

CUSIP No. 83409V104

 

1.

Names of Reporting Persons

 

Tencent Holdings Limited

2.

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)

(b)

 

3.

SEC Use Only

 

 

4.

Source of Funds (See Instructions)

 

AF, WC

5.

Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items 2(D) or 2(E)                      

 

 

6.

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 7.

Sole Voting Power

 

151,557,875 (1)

8.

Shared Voting Power

 

0

9.

Sole Dispositive Power

 

151,557,875 (1)

10.

Shared Dispositive Power

 

0

11.

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

151,557,875

12.

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)               

 

 

13.

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

58.3% (2)

14.

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

CO 

_____________________________

(1) Represents Class B ordinary shares of the Issuer held by THL A21 Limited, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent Holdings Limited. Each Class B ordinary share of the Issuer is convertible at the option of the holder at any time into one Class A ordinary share of the Issuer.

(2) The percentage is calculated based on 108,304,682 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer outstanding as of March 31, 2020, according to information provided by the Issuer. If the percentage ownership of the Reporting Person were to be calculated in relation to all of the Issuer’s outstanding Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, such percentage would be 39.2% based on 108,304,682 Class A ordinary shares and 278,757,875 Class B ordinary shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020, according to information provided by the Issuer. The voting power of the Class B ordinary shares beneficially owned by the Reporting Person represents approximately 52.3% of the aggregate voting power of the Issuer.

 

 

2

CUSIP No. 83409V104

 

1.

Names of Reporting Persons

 

THL A21 Limited

2.

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)

(b)

 

3.

SEC Use Only

 

 

4.

Source of Funds (See Instructions)

 

AF

5.

Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items 2(D) or 2(E)                  

 

 

6.

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

British Virgin Islands

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 7.

Sole Voting Power

 

151,557,875 (1)

8.

Shared Voting Power

 

0

9.

Sole Dispositive Power

 

151,557,875 (1)

10.

Shared Dispositive Power

 

0

11.

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

151,557,875

12.

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)            

 

 

13.

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

58.3% (2)

14.

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

CO

_____________________________

(1) Represents Class B ordinary shares of the Issuer held by THL A21 Limited. Each Class B ordinary share of the Issuer is convertible at the option of the holder at any time into one Class A ordinary share of the Issuer.

(2) The percentage is calculated based on 108,304,682 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer outstanding as of March 31, 2020, according to information provided by the Issuer. If the percentage ownership of the Reporting Person were to be calculated in relation to all of the Issuer’s outstanding Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, such percentage would be 39.2% based on 108,304,682 Class A ordinary shares and 278,757,875 Class B ordinary shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020, according to information provided by the Issuer. The voting power of the Class B ordinary shares beneficially owned by the Reporting Person represents approximately 52.3% of the aggregate voting power of the Issuer. 

 

3

Introduction

 

This Schedule 13D (this “Statement”) is being filed by Tencent Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands company (“Tencent”), and THL A21 Limited, a British Virgin Islands company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent (“THL A21”, and together with Tencent, the “Reporting Persons”), in respect of the Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”), of Sogou Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Issuer”).

 

Item 1. Security and Issuer

 

The title and class of equity securities to which this Statement relates are the Class A Ordinary Shares. The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is Level 15, Sohu.com Internet Plaza, No. 1 Unit Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of China.

 

The Issuer’s ordinary shares (the “Ordinary Shares”) consist of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”). The rights of the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares are identical, except with respect to conversion rights and voting rights. Each Class B Ordinary Share is convertible at the option of the holder at any time into one Class A Ordinary Share. Each Class B Ordinary Share is entitled to ten votes and each Class A Ordinary Share is entitled to one vote.

 

The Issuer’s American depositary shares, each representing one Class A Ordinary Share (the “ADSs”), are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SOGO.”

 

Item 2. Identity and Background

 

(a) – (c), (f) This Statement is being jointly filed by:

 

(i) Tencent Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands company; and

 

(ii) THL A21 Limited, a British Virgin Islands company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent.

 

Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k) promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Reporting Persons have entered into a joint filing agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 1, with respect to the joint filing of this Statement and any amendment or amendments hereto.

 

The address of Tencent’s principal office is Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman KY1-1111, Cayman Islands. The address of THL A21’s principal office is P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

 

Tencent is an internet service portal in China providing value-added internet, mobile and telecom services and online advertising and has been listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since June 16, 2004 (SEHK 700). THL A21 is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent and is principally engaged in the business of holding securities in portfolio companies in which Tencent invests.

 

Attached hereto as Appendix A, and incorporated herein by reference, is information concerning each executive officer and director of Tencent and THL A21, which is required to be disclosed in response to Item 2 and General Instruction C to Schedule 13D.

 

(d) – (e) None of the Reporting Persons nor any of the persons or entities referred to in Appendix A has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors) or been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree, or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

 

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

 

The Reporting Persons anticipate that, at the price per Ordinary Share set forth in the Proposal (as defined in Item 4), approximately US$2.1 billion would be expended in acquiring all of the Ordinary Shares owned by the shareholders of the Issuer other than the Reporting Persons and their affiliates.

 

4

The Reporting Persons intend to finance the Transaction (as defined in Item 4) with their cash on hand.

 

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction

 

Prior to the Issuer’s initial public offering on November 9, 2017, THL A21 held 151,557,875 shares in the Issuer in the aggregate (consisting of 6,757,875 pre-IPO Class A ordinary shares, 79,368,421 pre-IPO Class B ordinary shares and 65,431,579 pre-IPO Series B preferred shares). Upon the completion of the initial public offering of the Issuer, all such shares were automatically converted into and re-designated as Class B Ordinary Shares on a one-to-one basis.

 

On July 27, 2020, Tencent, for itself and on behalf of its affiliates, submitted a preliminary non-binding proposal (the “Proposal”) to the board of directors of the Issuer (the “Board”). In the Proposal, Tencent proposed to acquire all of the outstanding Ordinary Shares that are not already beneficially owned by Tencent and its affiliates for US$9 per share in a going private transaction (the “Transaction”).

 

If the Transaction is carried out and consummated, the ADSs will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the registration of the Ordinary Shares under Section 12 of the Exchange Act is expected to be terminated. No assurance can be given that any definitive agreement will be entered into or the Transaction will be consummated. The Proposal provides that it does not constitute any binding commitment with respect to the Transaction and that a binding commitment will result only from the execution of definitive agreements based on the terms and conditions therein.

 

Concurrently with the submission of the Proposal, Tencent entered into a support agreement (the “Support Agreement”) with Mr. Charles Zhang, who beneficially owns approximately 6.4% of the total issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares and 0.9% of the total voting power of the Issuer based on the Issuer’s public filings. Under the Support Agreement, Mr. Charles Zhang agreed, among other things, to vote all of the Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by him in favor of the Transaction and to sell to Tencent or its affiliates all the Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by him prior to or in the Transaction.

 

References to the Proposal and the Support Agreement in this Statement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Proposal and the Support Agreement, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 2 and 3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

 

Except as disclosed in this Statement, the Reporting Persons do not currently have any plans or proposals that relate to, or would result in, any of the matters listed in Items 4(a) – (j) of Schedule 13D, although, depending on the factors discussed herein, the Reporting Persons may change their purpose or formulate different plans or proposals with respect thereto at any time.

 

The Reporting Persons intend to review their investments in the Issuer on a continuing basis. Any actions the Reporting Persons might undertake may be made at any time and from time to time without prior notice and will be dependent upon the Reporting Persons’ review of numerous factors, including, but not limited to: an ongoing evaluation of the Issuer’s business, financial condition, operations and prospects; price levels of the Issuer’s securities; general market, industry and economic conditions; the relative attractiveness of alternative business and investment opportunities; and other future developments. The Reporting Persons may acquire additional securities of the Issuer, or retain or sell all or a portion of the securities then held, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with the Proposal, the Reporting Persons may engage in discussions with management, the Board, and securityholders of the Issuer and other relevant parties or encourage, cause or seek to cause the Issuer or such persons to consider or explore extraordinary corporate transactions.

 

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer

 

(a) – (b) As of the date of this Statement, each Reporting Person beneficially owns and has the sole power to vote or direct the vote, or to dispose or direct the disposition of, 151,557,875 Class B Ordinary Shares, which are directly held by THL A21.

 

The Class B Ordinary Shares held by the Reporting Persons represent approximately 58.3% of the total outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, based on a total of 259,862,557 Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020 (which consisted of 108,304,682 Class A Ordinary Shares, according to information provided by the Issuer, plus 151,557,875 Class B Ordinary Shares held by the Reporting Persons (assuming conversion of such Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares)).

 

The Class B Ordinary Shares held by the Reporting Persons represent approximately 39.2% of the total outstanding Ordinary Shares and approximately 52.3% of the total voting power of the Issuer, based on a total of 108,304,682 Class A Ordinary Shares and 278,757,875 Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020, according to information provided by the Issuer.

 

5

Because of the arrangements in the Support Agreement, the Reporting Persons may be deemed to constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act together with Mr. Charles Zhang, who beneficially owns 24,686,863 Class A Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 6.4% of the total outstanding Ordinary Shares and 0.9% of the total voting power of the Issuer based on the Issuer’s public filings. However, neither the filing of this Statement nor any of its contents shall be deemed to constitute an admission by any Reporting Person that it is the beneficial owner of any of the Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Mr. Charles Zhang or his affiliates for any purpose, and such beneficial ownership is expressly disclaimed.

 

Because of the arrangements in the Voting Agreement (as defined in Item 6 below), the Reporting Persons may be deemed to constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act together with Sohu Search (as defined in Item 6 below), which beneficially owns 3,717,250 Class A Ordinary Shares and 127,200,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 33.8% of the total outstanding Ordinary Shares and 44.1% of the total voting power of the Issuer based on the Issuer’s public filings. However, neither the filing of this Statement nor any of its contents shall be deemed to constitute an admission by any Reporting Person that it is the beneficial owner of any of the Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Sohu Search or its affiliates for any purpose, and such beneficial ownership is expressly disclaimed.

 

(c) To the knowledge of the Reporting Persons with respect to the persons named in response to Item 5(a), none of the persons named in response to Item 5(a) has effected any transactions in the Class A Ordinary Shares during the past 60 days.

 

(d) Except as disclosed in Item 2, no person is known to the Reporting Persons to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, any securities covered by this Statement.

 

(e) Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

 

The Issuer, Sohu.com (Search) Limited (“Sohu Search”) and THL A21 entered into a voting agreement (the “Voting Agreement”) on August 11, 2017. Under the Voting Agreement, Sohu Search and THL A21 have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, (i) within three years following the completion of the Issuer’s initial public offering, Sohu Search will vote all Class B Ordinary Shares and Class A Ordinary Shares held by Sohu, and THL A21 will vote 45,578,896 of THL A21’s Class B Ordinary Shares, to elect the Issuer’s directors such that the Board will consist of seven directors, four of whom will be appointed by Sohu, two of whom will be appointed by THL A21, and the seventh of whom will be the Issuer’s then chief executive officer, and (ii) after three years following the completion of the Issuer’s initial public offering, Sohu Search will be entitled to choose to change the size and composition of the Board, subject to THL A21’s right to appoint at least one director. References to the Voting Agreement in this Statement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Voting Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

 

The Issuer, Sohu Search, THL A21 and Photon Group Limited entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) on August 11, 2017. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, Sohu Search, THL A21, and Photon Group Limited are entitled to registration rights, including demand registration rights, Form F-3 registration rights and piggyback registration rights at any time after the termination of the underwriters’ lockup period applicable to the Issuer’s initial public offering. References to the Registration Rights Agreement in this Statement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Registration Rights Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 5 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

 

The information set forth in Items 3, 4 and 5 of this Statement is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Item 6.

 

To the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, except as provided herein, there are no other contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) between the Reporting Persons and any other person with respect to any securities of the Issuer, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, divisions of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies, or a pledge or contingency, the occurrence of which would give another person voting power over the securities of the Issuer.

 

Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number 

Description of Exhibits 

1

Joint Filing Agreement dated as of August 5, 2020 by and between Tencent Holdings Limited and THL A21 Limited.

   
2 Proposal from Tencent Holdings Limited to the Board dated July 27, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 6-K filed by the Issuer on July 28, 2020).
   
3 Support Agreement dated as of July 27, 2020 by and between Charles Zhang and Tencent Holdings Limited.
   
4 Voting Agreement dated as of August 11, 2017 by and among Sogou Inc., Sohu.com (Search) Limited, and THL A21 Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Issuer’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file no. 333-220928) filed on October 13, 2017).
   
5 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 11, 2017 by and among Sogou Inc., Sohu.com (Search) Limited, Photon Group Limited and THL A21 Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Issuer’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file no. 333-220928) filed on October 13, 2017).

 

6

 

SIGNATURE

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Date: August 5, 2020

 

TENCENT HOLDINGS LIMITED
 
 
By:  /s/ Martin Lau  
  Name: Martin Lau  
  Title:   Authorized Signatory  

 

 

 

THL A21 LIMITED
 
 
By:  /s/ Martin Lau  
  Name: Martin Lau  
  Title:   Authorized Signatory  
 

 

7

Appendix A

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF TENCENT HOLDINGS LIMITED

 

The names of the directors and the names and titles of the executive officers of Tencent Holdings Limited and their principal occupations are set forth below. The business address of each of the directors or executive officers is c/o Tencent Holdings Limited, 29/F., Three Pacific Place, No. 1 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Unless otherwise indicated, each occupation set forth opposite an individual’s name is with Tencent Holdings Limited.

 

Name 

Present Principal Employment 

Citizenship 

Directors:    
Ma Huateng Chairman of the Board and Executive Director People’s Republic of China
Lau Chi Ping Martin Executive Director People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong SAR)
Jacobus Petrus (Koos) Bekker Non-Executive Director Republic of South Africa
Charles St Leger Searle Non-Executive Director Republic of South Africa
Li Dong Sheng Independent Non-Executive Director People’s Republic of China
Iain Ferguson Bruce Independent Non-Executive Director People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong SAR)
Ian Charles Stone Independent Non-Executive Director People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong SAR)
Yang Siu Shun Independent Non-Executive Director People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong SAR)
Ke Yang Independent Non-Executive Director People’s Republic of China
     
Executive officers:    
Ma Huateng Chief Executive Officer People’s Republic of China
Lau Chi Ping Martin President People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong SAR)
Xu Chenye Chief Information Officer People’s Republic of China
Ren Yuxin Chief Operating Officer and President of Platform & Content Group and Interactive Entertainment Group People’s Republic of China
James Gordon Mitchell Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Executive Vice President United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
David A M Wallerstein Chief Exploration Officer and Senior Executive Vice President United States of America
John Shek Hon Lo Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong SAR)

 

8

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THL A21 LIMITED

 

The names of the directors and the names and titles of the executive officers of THL A21 Limited and their principal occupations are set forth below. The business address of each of the directors or executive officers is c/o Tencent Holdings Limited, 29/F., Three Pacific Place, No. 1 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Unless otherwise indicated, each occupation set forth opposite an individual’s name is with THL A21 Limited.

 

Name 

Title 

Citizenship 

Directors:    
Ma Huateng Director People’s Republic of China
Charles St Leger Searle Director Republic of South Africa
     
Executive officers:    
N/A    

 

9

EX-99.1 2 dp133823_ex9901.htm EXHIBIT 1

Exhibit 1

 

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

 

In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of a statement on Schedule 13D (including any future amendments) relating to the Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share, of Sogou Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. This Joint Filing Agreement shall be included as an Exhibit to such joint filing, and may be executed in any number of counterparts all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

In evidence thereof, each of the undersigned, being duly authorized, hereby execute this Joint Filing Agreement.

 

Date: August 5, 2020

 

 

TENCENT HOLDINGS LIMITED
 
 
By:  /s/ Martin Lau  
  Name: Martin Lau  
  Title:   Authorized Signatory  

 

 

 

THL A21 LIMITED
 
 
By:  /s/ Martin Lau  
  Name: Martin Lau  
  Title:   Authorized Signatory  
 

 

 

 

 

 

EX-99.3 3 dp133823_ex9903.htm EXHIBIT 3

Exhibit 3 

 

Support Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 27, 2020, is made by and between Mr. Charles Zhang (“Mr. Zhang”) and Tencent Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands company (“Tencent”, and together with Mr. Zhang, the “Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, substantially concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Tencent will submit a preliminary non-binding proposal letter (the “Proposal”) to the board of directors of Sogou Inc., an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Company”), to acquire all of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares represented by American depositary shares) and Class B ordinary shares of the Company (collectively, the “Ordinary Shares”) not already owned by Tencent or its Affiliates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), for US$9 in cash per Class A or Class B ordinary share (as the same may be revised from time to time and set forth in definitive agreements between Tencent and the Company, the “Transaction”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Mr. Zhang is the beneficial owner of 24,686,863 Class A ordinary shares of the Company (such Ordinary Shares, together with any Ordinary Shares or other voting share capital of the Company with respect to which Mr. Zhang acquires beneficial ownership after the date hereof, the “Covered Shares”).

 

WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to the willingness of Tencent to submit the Proposal and pursue the Transaction, Mr. Zhang agrees (in his capacity as the beneficial owner of the Covered Shares, and not in his capacity as an officer and director of the Company and Sohu.com Limited, an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and listed on NASDAQ (“Sohu”), or of any controlled Affiliate of the Company or Sohu, nor in his capacity as the beneficial owner of ordinary shares of Sohu) to support the Transaction and sell his Covered Shares to Tencent or its Affiliates upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.       Mr. Zhang agrees that he shall and shall cause his Affiliates (which for purposes of this Agreement will not include the Company, Sohu, or any controlled Affiliate of the Company or Sohu) to (a) work with Tencent to support and facilitate the Transaction; (b) at any annual or extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company or in connection with any written consent of the shareholders of the Company, vote or deliver a written consent covering all of his Covered Shares in favor of the approval, adoption and authorization of the Transaction; and (c) sell (by merger, share transfer or otherwise) all the Covered Shares to Tencent or its Affiliates prior to or in the Transaction at the price per Ordinary Share to be paid to the other shareholders of the Company in the Transaction.

 

2.       Mr. Zhang irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees to cause to be waived and to prevent the exercise of, any dissenters’ rights, rights of appraisal and any similar rights relating to the Transaction that he or any other person may have by virtue of, or with respect to, any of his Covered Shares.

 

1

3.       This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except by an instrument in writing signed by each Party.

 

4.       This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by electronic transmission) in one or more counterparts, and by the different Parties in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

5.       This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof. Any disputes, actions and proceedings against any Party or arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement shall be submitted to the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”) and resolved in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of HKIAC in force at the relevant time.

 

6.       The Parties agree that the obligations imposed on them in this Agreement are special, unique and of an extraordinary character and irreparable damage would occur if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly each Party (a) shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions, specific performance and other equitable relief to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in the forum described in Section 5, without proof of damages or otherwise, this being in addition to any other remedy at law or in equity, and (b) hereby waives any requirement for the posting of any bond or similar collateral in connection therewith. Each Party agrees that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief on the basis that (i) any other Party has an adequate remedy at law or (ii) an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or equity.

 

7.       Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by operation of law (including, but not limited to, by merger or consolidation) or otherwise by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Parties. Any assignment in violation of the preceding sentence shall be void. Subject to the preceding sentences, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

 

8.       The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any party or any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.

 

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9.       This Agreement is for the sole benefit of, shall be binding upon, and may be enforced solely by the Parties and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any person (other than the Parties) any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever.

 

10.       All costs and expenses (including all fees and disbursements of counsel, accountants, investment bankers, experts and consultants to a party) incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the Party incurring such costs and expenses.

 

11.       Each Party (the “Recipient”) shall not, and shall cause his or its Representatives not to, without the prior written consent of the other Party (the “Discloser”), disclose any Confidential Information obtained from the Discloser to any other person, except that the Recipient may disclose any Confidential Information to any of his or its Representatives who are engaged in pursuing or evaluating the Transaction and whose knowledge of such information is reasonably necessary for such purpose and who (prior to such disclosure) agree with the Recipient to maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information as set out herein or are otherwise bound by applicable law or rules of professional conduct to keep such information confidential. Each Recipient shall not and shall cause his or its Representatives to whom Confidential Information is disclosed not to, use any Confidential Information of the Discloser for any purpose other than exclusively for the purposes of this Agreement or the Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) a Recipient may make disclosures if required by applicable laws or the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction over the Recipient, but only after the form and terms of such disclosure have been notified to the Discloser and the Discloser has had a reasonable opportunity to comment thereon, in each case to the extent legally permissible and reasonably practicable, (y) either Party may disclose the existence or terms of, and any negotiations or discussions relating to, this Agreement, the Proposal and any definitive documentation in respect of the Transaction to the Company and its Representatives, for the purpose of pursuing the Transaction, and (z) Tencent may disclose the existence and the terms of this Agreement in the Proposal. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means (a) all written, oral or other information obtained by one Party from the other Party in connection with this Agreement, the Proposal or the Transaction, unless such information (i) is already or becomes known to the receiving Party prior to the disclosure thereof by the disclosing Party, (ii) is provided to the receiving Party by a third party which is not known by such receiving Party to be bound by a duty of confidentiality to the disclosing Party, (iii) is or becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement by such receiving Party, or (iv) is developed independently by or for the receiving Party without using any Confidential Information, and (b) the existence or terms of, and any negotiations or discussions relating to, this Agreement, the Proposal and any definitive documentation in respect of the Transaction; “Representative” of a person means the Affiliates of such person and the officers, directors, employees, attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, agents and other representatives of such person and its Affiliates and its and their potential debt financing sources.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

Charles Zhang
 
 
/s/ Charles Zhang  
     
     

 

 

 

Tencent Holdings Limited  
   
   
By: /s/ Martin Lau  
  Name: Martin Lau  
  Title: Authorized Signatory  
 

 

[Signature Page to Support Agreement]