A Maine Registration Rights Agreement is a legal document that outlines the rights and obligations of Visible Genetics, Inc. and the purchasers of common shares of the company. This agreement enables the purchasers to have certain privileges regarding the registration of their shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the state of Maine. Visible Genetics, Inc., a biotechnology company based in Maine, offers this agreement to its investors who hold common shares. It is designed to ensure transparency and protect the interests of shareholders by providing them with registration rights, allowing them to register their shares for public sale under certain conditions and within specific timeframes. The Maine Registration Rights Agreement may consist of various types depending on the specific terms and conditions agreed upon by Visible Genetics, Inc. and its purchasers. The two common types are demand rights and piggyback rights. Demand rights grant the purchaser the ability to demand the company to register their shares with the SEC. This means that the purchaser can request Visible Genetics, Inc. to file a registration statement to facilitate the public sale of their shares under applicable securities laws. Piggyback rights, on the other hand, allow the purchaser to "piggyback" on any registration filed by Visible Genetics, Inc. The company may decide to register additional shares for public sale, either for itself or other stockholders. In this case, the purchasers with piggyback rights have the opportunity to include their shares in the registration statement, thereby gaining the ability to sell their shares alongside the company or other stockholders. The Maine Registration Rights Agreement will also outline the specific terms and conditions that apply to the exercise of these rights. This may include limitations on the number of shares that can be registered, the timing and manner of notice required by the purchaser, and any associated registration expenses to be borne by the purchaser. Overall, the Maine Registration Rights Agreement between Visible Genetics, Inc. and the purchasers of common shares plays a critical role in protecting the interests of shareholders. It allows for enhanced liquidity of their investments and ensures a fair and transparent process for registering and selling their shares in accordance with applicable securities laws.