8-A12G 1 v103029_8a12g.htm
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 8-A

For Registration of Certain Classes of Securities
Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

CLARUS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
(State of incorporation or organization)
58-1972600 
(I.R.S Employer Identification No.)

One Landmark Square, 22nd Floor, Stamford, CT
(State of incorporation or organization)
06901
(Zip Code)

If this Form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(c), check the following box. q

If this Form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(d), check the following box. x

Securities Act registration statement file number to which this Form relates: (if applicable)

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class to be so registered:  
 
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock



Item 1.   Description of Registrants Securities to be Registered.

On February 12, 2008, Clarus Corporation (“Clarus” or the “Company”) entered into a Rights Agreement (the “Rights Agreement”) with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company that provides for the terms of a rights plan including a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 (the “Common Stock”). The dividend is payable to Clarus’ stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 12, 2008 (the “Record Date”).
 
The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted the Rights Agreement to protect the Company’s ability to carry forward its net operating losses (the “NOLs”), which the Company believes are a substantial asset. The Board Rights Agreement is designed to assist in limiting the number of 5% or more owners and thus reduce the risk of a possible “change of ownership” under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the “Code”). Any such “change of ownership” under these rules would limit or eliminate the ability of the Company to use its existing NOLs for federal income tax purposes. However, there is no guaranty that the objective of preserving the value of the NOLs will be achieved. There is a possibility that certain stock transactions may be completed by stockholders or prospective stockholders that could trigger a “change of ownership,” and there are other limitations on the use of NOL’s set forth in the Internal Revenue Code.

The Rights Agreement imposes a significant penalty upon any person or group that acquires 4.9% or more (but less than 50%) of Clarus’ then-outstanding Common Stock without the prior approval of Clarus’ Board. Stockholders who own 4.9% or more of Clarus’ then-outstanding Common Stock as of the close of business on the Record Date, will not trigger the Rights Agreement so long as they do not increase their ownership of the Company’s Common Stock. Moreover, Clarus’ Board may exempt any person or group that owns 4.9% or more. A person or group that acquires a percentage of Clarus’s Common Stock in excess of the applicable threshold but less than 50% of Clarus then-outstanding Common Stock is called an “Acquiring Person.” Any rights held by an Acquiring Person are void and may not be exercised.
 
Clarus’ Board authorized the issuance of one Right per each share of Clarus’ Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date. If the Rights become exercisable, each Right would allow its holder to purchase from Clarus one one-hundredth of a share of Clarus’ Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 (the “Preferred Stock”), for a purchase price of $12.00. Each fractional share of Preferred Stock would give the stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as one share of Clarus’ Common Stock. Prior to exercise, however, a Right will not give its holder any dividend, voting or liquidation rights.
 
The Rights will not be exercisable until 10 days after a public announcement by Clarus that a person or group has become an Acquiring Person. Until the date that the Rights become exercisable (the “Distribution Date”), Clarus’ Common Stock certificates will evidence the Rights and will contain a notation to that effect. Any transfer of shares of Common Stock prior to the Distribution Date will constitute a transfer of the associated Rights. After the Distribution Date, the Rights will be separated from the Common Stock and be evidenced by a rights certificate, which Clarus will mail to all holders of the rights that are not void.
 
If a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person after the Distribution Date or already is an Acquiring Person and acquires more shares after the Distribution Date, all holders of Rights, except the Acquiring Person, may exercise their rights to purchase shares of Clarus’ Common Stock with a market value of two times the purchase price (or other securities or assets as determined by Clarus’ Board of Directors) upon payment of the purchase price (a “Flip-In Event”). After the Distribution Date, if a Flip-In Event has already occurred and Clarus is acquired in a merger or similar transaction, all holders of the Rights except the Acquiring Person may exercise their Rights upon payment of the purchase price to purchase shares of the acquiring corporation with a market value of two times the purchase price of the Rights (a “Flip-Over Event”). Rights may be exercised to purchase shares of Clarus Preferred Stock only after the occurrence of the Distribution Date and prior to the occurrence of a Flip-In Event as described above. A Distribution Date resulting from any occurrence described above would necessarily follow the occurrence of a Flip-In Event, in which case the Rights could be exercised to purchase shares of Common Stock or other securities as described above.
 

 
The Rights will expire at such time the Company’s Board determines that the NOLs are fully utilized or no longer available under Section 382 of the Code or the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company as described below. Clarus’ Board may redeem all (but not less than all) of the Rights for a redemption price of $0.0001 per Right at any time prior to the later of the Distribution Date and the date of the first public announcement or disclosure by Clarus that a person or group has become an Acquiring Person. Once the Rights are redeemed, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate, and the only right of the holders of the Rights will be to receive the redemption price. The redemption price will be adjusted if Clarus declares a stock split or issues a stock dividend on its Common Stock. After the later of the Distribution Date and the date of the first public announcement by Clarus that a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, but before an Acquiring Person owns 50% or more of Clarus’ outstanding Common Stock, Clarus’ Board may exchange each Right (other than the Rights that have become void) for one share of Common Stock or an equivalent security.
 
Clarus’ Board may adjust the purchase price of the Preferred Stock, the number of shares of the preferred shares issuable and the number of outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that may occur as a result of certain events, including a stock dividend, a stock split or a reclassification of the Preferred Stock or Common Stock. No adjustments to the purchase price of less than 1% will be made.
 
Before the time the Rights cease to be redeemable, Clarus’ Board may amend or supplement the Rights Agreement without the consent of the holders of the Rights, except that no amendment may decrease the redemption price below $0.0001 per right. At any time thereafter, Clarus’ Board may amend or supplement the Rights Agreement only to cure an ambiguity, to alter time period provisions, to correct inconsistent provisions or to make any additional changes to the Rights Agreement, but only to the extent that those changes do not impair or adversely affect any Rights holder and do not result in the Rights becoming redeemable.

The foregoing description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference.



Item 2.
 
Exhibit.

Number
 
Description
     
1.
 
Form of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.01 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2008).
     
2.
 
Form of Rights Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.01 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2008).
     
3.
 
Rights Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2008, by and between Clarus Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.01 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2008).
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
CLARUS CORPORATION
     
     
Dated: February 12, 2008
By:
/s/ Philip A. Baratelli                    
 
Name: 
Philip A. Baratelli
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer