1. INTRODUCTION
”Even though LV8 is a private company, we have internal guidelines to control transactions involving its securities by all LV8 Team Members (as defined below) to ensure LV8 Team Members are aware of and comply with their legal obligations and LV8 policy with respect to “insider trading” and “tipping” (the (“Policy”).” “LV8” or the “Company”, as used in this Policy, means LV8 and its subsidiaries. “LV8 Team Members”, as used in this Policy, means the directors, officers, employees, consultants, contractors and agents of LV8, as well as their “Associates” and “Affiliates”.
We expect every LV8 Team Member to fully comply with all applicable legal requirements, including requirements of the applicable stock exchange, and this Policy. The objectives of this Policy are to:
- Educate LV8 Team Members about their legal obligations with respect to insider trading and tipping;
- Foster and facilitate compliance with applicable laws to prevent transactions by LV8 Team Members that would not be in full compliance with the legal requirements;
- Help satisfy the Company’s obligations to prevent insider trading and tipping and to help LV8 Team Members avoid the severe consequences associated with violations of insider trading laws and;
- To help protect against the Company violating securities laws related to “selective disclosure”.
1.1. Scope of this Policy
This Policy applies to all LV8 Team Members.
Significant Shareholders of LV8 are subject to similar restrictions and obligations as those discussed in this Policy. However, this Policy is not intended to describe or be exhaustive of the restrictions and obligations applicable to Significant Shareholders of LV8. As a result, Significant Shareholders should consult with legal counsel to determine their restrictions and obligations under applicable law.
2. LEGAL BACKGROUND
2.1. Insider Trading
a) Securities legislation prohibits anyone from trading in LV8 securities with knowledge of a material fact or material change that has not been generally disclosed. This prohibited activity is commonly known as “insider trading”. Definitions of “material fact” and “material change” are set out in Section 2.3 below.
b) Securities legislation also prohibits anyone from trading in the securities of any public company other than LV8 when he or she has knowledge of an undisclosed material fact or material change regarding LV8 that may affect the other public company.
2.2. Tipping
Securities legislation prohibits any person from informing any other person of a material fact or material change before the material fact or material change has been generally disclosed. This prohibited activity is commonly known as “tipping”. Both the person who provides the information and the person who receives the information could be liable under securities laws if the person who receives the information trades in securities based on the provided non-public information.
2.3. Definitions
a) “Associate” means with respect to a person or company:
(i) any company of which such person or company beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, voting securities carrying more than 10 per cent of the voting rights attached to all voting securities of the company for the time being outstanding,
(ii) any partner of that person or company,
(iii) any trust or estate in which such person or company has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which such person or company serves as trustee or in a similar capacity,
(iv) any relative of that person who resides in the same home as that person,
(v) any person who resides in the same home as that person and to whom that person is married or with whom that person is living in a conjugal relationship outside marriage, or
(vi) any relative of a person mentioned in clause (e) who has the same home as that person.
b) “Affiliate” means, with respect to (i) a company, such company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of another company if one of them is the subsidiary of the other or if both are subsidiaries of the same company or if each of them is controlled by the same person or company, and (ii) a specified person, such person is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.
c) “Insider” means a LV8 Team Member who is a director or officer of LV8 or a director or officer of a subsidiary of LV8.
d) “Major Subsidiary” means a subsidiary of LV8 if:
a. the assets of the subsidiary, as included in LV8’s most recent annual audited or interim balance sheet, or, for a period relating to a financial year beginning on or after January 1, 2011, a statement of financial position, are 30 per cent or more of the consolidated assets of LV8 reported on that balance sheet or statement of financial position, as the case may be, or
b. the revenue of the subsidiary, as included in LV8’s most recent annual audited or interim income statement, or, for a period relating to a financial year beginning on or after January 1, 2011, a statement of comprehensive income, is 30 per cent or more of the consolidated revenue of LV8 reported on that statement.
e) “material change” means a change in the business, operations, assets or ownership of LV8 that would reasonably be expected to have a significant effect on the market price or value of any of the securities of LV8, or a decision to implement such a change made by: (a) the board of directors of LV8; or (b) senior management of LV8 who believe that confirmation of the decision by the board of directors of LV8 is probable.
f) “material fact” means a fact that (i) would reasonably be expected to have a significant effect on the market price of value of the securities of LV8 or (ii) a reasonable investor would consider important in making a decision to buy, sell or hold securities of LV8.
g) “Material Information” means any information relating to the business and affairs of LV8 that relate to (i) a “material change” or (ii) a “material fact.”
h) “Reporting Insider” means:
a. the CEO, CFO or COO of LV8, of a Significant Shareholder of LV8 or of a Major Subsidiary of LV8;
b. a director of LV8, of a Significant Shareholder of LV8 or of a Major Subsidiary of LV8;
c. a person or company responsible for a principal business unit, division or function of LV8;
d. a Significant Shareholder of LV8;
e. a Significant Shareholder based on post-conversion beneficial ownership of LV8’s securities and the CEO, CFO, COO and every director of the Significant Shareholder based on post-conversion beneficial ownership;
f. a management company that provides significant management or administrative services to LV8 or a Major Subsidiary of LV8, every director of the management company, every CEO, CFO and COO of the management company, and every Significant Shareholder of the management company;
g. an individual performing functions similar to the functions performed by any of the insiders described in paragraphs a. to f.;
h. LV8 itself, if it has purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired a security of its own issue, for so long as it continues to hold that security; or
i. any other Insider that:
i. in the ordinary course receives or has access to information as to material facts or material changes concerning LV8 before the material facts or material changes are generally disclosed; and
ii. directly or indirectly exercises, or has the ability to exercise, significant power or influence over the business, operations, capital or development of LV8.
i) ‘Significant Shareholder” means a person or company that has beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, whether direct or indirect, or a combination of beneficial ownership of, and control or direction over, whether direct or indirect, securities of an issuer carrying more than 10 per cent of the voting rights attached to all the issuer’s outstanding voting securities, excluding, for the purpose of the calculation of the percentage held, any securities held by the person or company as underwriter in the course of a distribution.
3. OBLIGATIONS
3.1. Obligations on all LV8 Team Members
a) LV8 Team Members cannot trade in securities of LV8, including exercising LV8 stock options, while in possession of Material Information with respect to LV8 that has not yet been generally disclosed.
b) LV8 Team Members cannot trade in securities of another public company while in possession of Material Information with respect to LV8 that has not yet been generally disclosed and that would affect such other public company.
c) LV8 Team Members cannot inform other people of Material Information regarding LV8 or any other public company before that Material Information has been generally disclosed.
d) LV8 Team Members must inform the CFO prior to a trade in securities of LV8.
The provisions of this Section 3.1 and the following Section 3.2 also apply to all family members of a LV8 Team Member who reside with the LV8 Team Member.
3.2. Imposition of Blackout Periods
All LV8 Team Members are prohibited from trading in securities of LV8, including exercising LV8 stock options, during an applicable “blackout periods.”
Blackout Periods for directors and officers of LV8 and those employees, consultants, agents and contractors designated by the Chief Financial Officer who participate in the preparation of LV8’s financial statements or who are privy to material financial or operational information relating to the Company, begin at 5 p.m. (EST) on the last day of each fiscal quarter of LV8 and end on the second clear and full trading session day following the issuance of a news release disclosing quarterly results or annual results (the “Executive Financial Blackout”). Expressed another way, the Executive Financial Blackout permits trading during a “window” which extends from the close of the second business day following an earnings release with respect to the preceding fiscal quarter until the close of business on the last day of each fiscal quarter of LV8.
Blackout Periods for LV8 Team Members who are not subject to the Executive Financial Blackout, begin at 5 p.m. (EST) on the 15th trading day prior to the issuance of a news release disclosing quarterly results or annual results and end on the second clear and full trading session day following the issuance of a news release disclosing quarterly results or annual results (the “General Financial Blackout”). Expressed another way, the General Financial Blackout permits trading during a “window” which extends from the close of the second business day following an earnings release with respect to the preceding fiscal quarter until the close of business on the 15th trading day prior to the issuance of a news release disclosing quarterly results or annual results for the previous quarter or year (as applicable).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, LV8 Team Members (whether or not Insiders) are prohibited from trading in securities of LV8, even during the applicable trading “window” while such LV8 Team Members possess Material Information which has not been publicly disclosed.
In addition, when Material Information is deemed worthy of a blackout period or anticipated to have an impact (e.g. when merger & acquisition discussions are ongoing, a significant financing is contemplated), either positive or negative, on the price of LV8 shares after review by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or another designated person, a blackout period will be instituted for LV8 Team Members as designated by the Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer or another designated person (“Special Blackout Period”) for a period of time they see necessary. These restrictions will also apply to Related Persons of the persons described above. No one may disclose to any outside third party that a Special Blackout Period has been designated. LV8’s policy will be to err on the side of caution in designating Special Blackout Periods and related practices, in recognition of the fact that trades that create notoriety, even if they are ultimately found to be proper, may tarnish LV8’s goodwill and reputation.
Grants and pricing of stock options or other incentive securities during the Executive Financial Blackout Period will be prohibited, except (i) with the express approval of the board of directors of the Company if it determines that there is no undisclosed Material Information; or (ii) in respect to grants to person who are prospective employees of the Company in order to attract and retain such persons, provided they are not otherwise current employees or insiders of the Company, and provided further that no such grant shall be made (a) during the General Blackout, and (b) unless otherwise authorized by the Compliance Committee, if a “Special Blackout” is in place or there is otherwise undisclosed Material Information in respect of which, in the view of the Compliance Committee, it would be advisable not to effect any grant of incentive securities until such Material Information is disclosed.
To provide assistance in preventing inadvertent violations and avoiding even the appearance of an improper transaction, the procedures set forth below must be followed by LV8’s directors, officers and certain other designated employees (as determined by the Compliance Committee from time to time) who may have access to Material Information which has not been publicly disclosed (“Restricted Insiders”). For greater certainty, Restricted Insiders shall include all Reporting Insiders, all employees at the level of U Director” or above and all employees in the Finance/Accounting, Investor Relations/Public Relations and Legal Departments.
At no time may any Restricted Insider, directly or indirectly, trade in LV8’s securities unless such person obtains the prior approval of the Compliance Committee (or its designated representative). Preclearance requirements also apply to trades by a Restricted Insider’s Associates.
Pre-clearance requests, which should outline the trading request (i.e., purchase or sale, possible level of securities to be traded, if any automatic trading plan is to be instituted as a result) are to be sent by fax or email to LV8’s Chief Financial Officer. The Compliance Committee will respond to such requests within one (1) business day.
Pre-clearance also applies to sales of LV8 stock in connection with exercises of stock options.
LV8’s policy will be to err on the side of caution in granting or denying trading clearance, in recognition of the fact that trades the create notoriety, even if they are ultimately found to be proper, may tarnish LV8’s goodwill and reputation.
If the Compliance Committee denies trading clearance to a Restricted Insider, LV8 will immediately impose a Special Blackout Period as described above.
Clearance for a transaction is valid only for a 48 hour period. If the transaction order is not placed within that 48 hour period, clearance for the transaction must be re-requested . If clearance is denied, then the fact of such denial of clearance must be kept confidential by the Restricted Insider.
3.3. Waiver
Notwithstanding any of the prohibitions contained in Section 3.2, the Audit Committee may, at its discretion, waive the prohibitions contained in Section 3.2 in exceptional circumstances, provided that the LV8 Team Member seeking the waiver does not have any undisclosed Material Information and that making such an exception would not violate any applicable securities laws. All requests for waivers pursuant to this section 3.3 shall be made in writing, shall contain a certification that the requesting LV8 Team Member does not have any undisclosed Material Information, and shall be addressed to the Chair of the Audit Committee.
3.4. No Speculating
Purchases of securities of LV8 should be for investment purposes only and not short-term speculation. This includes all dealings in puts and calls, all short sales and all buying or selling on the market with the intention of quickly re-selling or buying back at a profit. In addition, there should be no trading in securities of other companies with the knowledge that LV8 is contemplating or engaged in acquiring such company or its securities or negotiating significant business arrangements. LV8 also strongly discourages LV8 Team Members from making purchases using “margin loans” in order to remove the risk of their being put into a difficult situation as a result of a margin loan shortfall (margin call).
Account
If any LV8 Team Member has a discretionary account with a broker or other investment manager (i.e. the broker or other investment manager has a certain amount of discretion to buy and sell stock on behalf of the LV8 Team Member), they must be advised in writing that there are to be no purchases or sales of the Company shares in the discretionary account without first discussing it with such LV8 Team Member in order to ensure compliance with this Policy and applicable insider trading laws.
3.6. Insider Reports
Under U.S. securities laws and LV8 policy, Reporting Insiders are required to file a report (the “Insider Report”) with securities regulators any time they trade in shares, debt securities, options (including the grant and exercise of options), deferred share units or restricted stock units of the Company (which involve the issuance or potential issuance of securities from treasury). Reporting Insiders must file an Insider Report electronically through the “System for Electronic Disclosure by Insiders” (“SEDI”) within 5 days after each trade.
3.7. Confidentiality
In the course of conducting business, LV8 Team Members may be in possession of information which may be of a market sensitive nature. Access to such information must be limited strictly to those persons who require it in order to perform the duties expected of them. Precautions must be adopted by each LV8 Team Member to ensure that sensitive information within their department is not available or accessible to individuals inside or outside of the Company who have no requirement for such information. LV8 Team Members are reminded to review the LV8 Disclosure Policy for further information.
Nothing contained in Section 3.7 of this policy limits LV8 Team Members’ ability to file a charge or complaint with a governmental regulatory agency in the United States and nothing herein limits their ability to communicate with any such agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any such agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to LV8.
3.8. Automatic Plans
Trading restrictions during blackout periods will normally not be applicable when the LV8 Team Member has entered into a plan allowing him or her to purchase or sell Company securities on an automatic basis according to a pre-established set of instructions with respect to timing and price, regardless of whether a blackout period may be in effect and regardless of whether the LV8 Team Member may be in possession of material undisclosed information about LV8 at the time of such purchase or sale.
These plans must be preapproved by board of directors of LV8, acting in its sole discretion, and must meet the following conditions:
At the time the plan is entered into, (i) the LV8 Team Member is not in possession of any material undisclosed information relating to the Company;
Trading parameters are clearly documented in writing at the time the plan is established;
The plan contains meaningful restrictions on the ability of the LV8 Team Member to profit from material undisclosed information by varying, suspending, or terminating the plan;
The plan provides that the broker may not consult with the LV8 Team Member regarding any sales under the plan and that the LV8 Team Member cannot disclose information to the broker that might influence the broker’s execution of the plan; and
The plan was entered into in good faith.
Plans of this nature include automatic securities purchase plans, dividend reinvestment plans and automatic pre-arranged sales plans structured in compliance with applicable securities laws. It should be noted that the insider reporting obligations discussed above continue to apply in respect to these plans, subject to certain exemptions.
4. MISCELLANEOUS
4.1. Potential Civil and Criminal Penalties
The consequences of prohibited insider trading or tipping where required on a timely basis can be severe and may include dismissal, fines and criminal sanctions. In the United States, criminal penalties for violations of insider trading laws by individuals include possible imprisonment for a term of up to twenty years and fines of up to $5,000,000 or, for non-natural persons, $25,000,000.