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Case 2 : 01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 1 of 18
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THE HONORABLE ROBERT S. LASNIK
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTWESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE
ARGENT CLASSIC CONVERTIBLEARBITRAGE FUND, L.P., on behalf of itselfall others similarly situated, No. C-01-0640-L
Plaintiff,
V.
AMAZON.COM INC., JEFFREY P. BEZOS,JOY COVEY, TOM A. ALBERG, SCOTT D.COOK, L. JOHN DOERR, AND PATRICIA Q.STONESIFER,
Defendants.
CLASS ACTION
AMENDED NOTICE OFPENDENCY AND PROPOSEDSETTLEMENT OF CLASSACTION
EXHIBIT A-1
TO: ALL PERSONS WHO PURCHASED AMAZON.COM, INC. 6.875% PREMIUMADJUSTABLE CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES DUE 2010 ("PEACS ) DURING THEPERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 2000 THROUGH AND INCLUDING OCTOBER 24,2000 (THE "CLASS AS MORE PARTICULARLY DEFINED BELOW)
PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY. YOUR
RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY PROCEEDINGS IN THIS LITIGATION. PLEASE NOTE
THAT IF YOU ARE A CLASS MEMBER (DEFINED BELOW), YOU MAY BE ENTITLED
TO SHARE IN THE PROCEEDS OF THE SETTLEMENT DESCRIBED IN THIS NOTICE.
TO CLAIM YOUR SHARE OF THIS FUND, THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR MUST
RECEIVE YOUR VALID PROOF OF CLAIM AND RELEASE FORM BY NOVEMBER 5,
AMENDED NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSED McKay Chadwell, PLLCSETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION (C-01-0640-L) - 1 600 University Street, Suite 1601G:\CLIENTS\01337\001\SETTLEMENT Seattle, Washington 98101PLEADINGS\AMENDED NOTICE PENDENCY PROPSETTLE EXA1_070605 .PLD.DOC (206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2 : 01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 2 of 18
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2005. IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE CLASS AND DO NOT SUBMIT A TIMELY
REQUEST FOR EXCLUSION, YOU WILL BE BOUND BY THE RELEASE WHETHER OR
NOT YOU SUBMIT A CLAIM.
1. SUMMARY OF SETTLEMENT AND RELATED MATTERS
This Notice has been sent to you pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure and an Order of the United States District Court for the Western District of
Washington (at Seattle) (the "Court ). The purpose of this Notice is to inform you of the
pendency of this class action (the "Litigation ) and the proposed settlement thereof and of the
hearing to be held by the Court to consider the fairness , reasonableness , and adequacy of the
settlement. This Notice describes the rights you may have in connection with participation in
this settlement , what steps you may take in relation to the settlement and this class action
litigation, and alternatively, what steps you must take if you wish to be excluded from the
settlement and this class action.
The proposed settlement creates a fund in the amount of $20,000,000.00 in cash (the
"Settlement Fund ) and will include interest that accrues on the fund prior to distribution. Based
on Lead Plaintiffs estimate of the number ofPEACS entitled to participate in the settlement and
the anticipated number of claims to be submitted by Class Members, the average distribution per
unit to Class Members who purchased the PEACS would be approximately $90 per €1,000 par
value ofPEACS, before deduction of Court-approved fees and expenses (see the Plan of
Allocation below for a more detailed description of how the Settlement Fund will be allocated).
Your actual recovery from this Settlement Fund will depend on a number of variables, including:
the number of claimants and the amounts ofPEACS they purchased, the amounts ofPEACS you
purchased, the expense of administering the claims process, the timing of your purchases and
AMENDED NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSED
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2:01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 3 of 18
sales , if any, and the amount (if any) of the PEACS you redeemed pursuant to Amazon.com's
2 March 2005 partial redemption of the PEACS (see Plan of Allocation below).
Lead Plaintiff and Defendants do not agree on the average amount of damages per €1,000
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par value ofPEACS that would be recoverable if Lead Plaintiff were to have prevailed on each
claim asserted. The issues on which the parties disagree include: (1) the appropriate method for
determining the amount by which the PEACS were allegedly artificially inflated (if at all) during
the Class Period; (2) the amount by which the PEACS were allegedly artificially inflated (if at
all) during the Class Period; (3) the effect of various market forces influencing the trading price
of the PEACS at various times during the Class Period; (4) the extent to which external factors,
such as general market conditions , influenced the trading price of the PEACS at various times
during the Class Period; (5) the extent to which the various matters that Lead Plaintiff alleged
were materially false or misleading influenced (if at all) the price of the PEACS at various times
during the Class Period; (6) the extent to which the various allegedly adverse material facts that
Lead Plaintiff alleged were omitted influenced (if at all) the price of the PEACS at various times
during the Class Period; and (7) whether the statements made or facts allegedly omitted were
false, material or otherwise actionable under the federal securities laws.
Counsel for the Lead Plaintiff believes that the proposed settlement is a good recovery
and is in the best interests of the Class. Because of the risks associated with continuing to
litigate and proceeding to trial, there was a danger that Lead Plaintiff would not have prevailed
on any of its claims , in which case the Class would receive nothing. For example, if the
Litigation did not settle, Defendants intended to file a number of summary judgment motions
with respect to the merits of claims. In addition, the amount of damages recoverable by the
Class was and is challenged by Defendants. Recoverable damages in this case are limited to
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2 : 01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 4 of 18
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losses caused by conduct actionable under applicable law and, had the Litigation gone to trial,
Defendants intended to assert that all or most of the losses of Class Members were caused by
non-actionable market, industry or general economic factors. Defendants would also assert that
throughout the Class Period, the uncertainties and risks associated with Amazon.com's business
and financial condition were fully and adequately disclosed.
Lead Plaintiffs counsel have not received any payment for their services in conducting
the Litigation on behalf of the Lead Plaintiff and the Members of the Class, nor have they been
reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenditures . If the settlement is approved by the Court, Lead
Counsel for the plaintiffs in this case will apply to the court for attorneys' fees of 30% of the
settlement proceeds, as well as reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses not to exceed
$325,000.00 paid from the Settlement Fund. If the amount requested by counsel is approved by
the Court, the average cost per €1 ,000 par value of PEACS would be $30. The average cost per
€1,000 par value ofPEACS could vary depending on the number ofPEACS for which claims are
filed.
This Notice is not an expression of any opinion by the court about the merits of any of the
claims or defenses asserted by any party in this Litigation or the fairness or adequacy of the
proposed settlement.
For further information regarding this settlement you may contact: Mark Strauss, Kirby
McInerney & Squire LLP, 830 Third Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, New York, 10022,
Telephone: (888) 529-4787. Please do not call any representative of Amazon.com or the Court.
II. NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
A settlement hearing will be held on October 20, 2005 at 8:30a.m., before the Honorable
Robert S. Lasnik, Chief United States District Judge, at the Western District of Washington (at
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
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Seattle), U. S. Courthouse, 700 Stewart Street, Seattle, Washington (the "Settlement Hearing )
The purpose of the Settlement Hearing will be to determine : (1) whether the settlement
consisting of $20,000,000 in cash plus accrued interest should be approved as fair, reasonable
and adequate to each of the parties; (2) whether the proposed plan to distribute the settlement
proceeds (the "Plan of Allocation ) is fair, reasonable and adequate; (3) whether the application
by Lead Plaintiffs counsel for an award of attorneys' fees and expenses should be approved; and
(4) whether the Litigation should be dismissed with prejudice. The Court may adjourn or
continue the Settlement Hearing without further notice to the Class.
III. DEFINITIONS USED IN THIS NOTICE
1. "PEACS means the 6 . 875% Premium Adjustable Convertible Securities of
Amazon.com due 2010.
2. "Class means a class consisting of all Persons (other than those Persons who timely
and validly request exclusion from the Class) who purchased PEACS during the Class Period.
Excluded from the Class are Defendants, members of the immediate families of the Defendants,
any entity in which any Defendant has or had a controlling interest, present or former directors
and officers of Amazon.com, and the legal representatives , heirs , successors , or assigns of any
such Defendant.
3. "Class Period means the period from February 7, 2000 through and including
October 24, 2000.
4. "Class Member or "Member of the Class mean a Person who falls within the
definition of the Class as set forth in 12 above.
5. "Defendants means Amazon. com, Jeffrey P. Bezos, Joy Covey, Tom A. Alberg,
Scott D . Cook, L. John Doerr, and Patricia Q. Stonesifer.
AMENDED NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSED
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
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Case 2:01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 6 of 18
6. "Related Persons means each of a Defendant's past or present directors, officers,
managers, employees, partners, members, principals, agents, underwriters, insurers and co-
insurers and their reinsurers, controlling shareholders, venture capital investors, attorneys,
accountants or auditors, banks or investment banks, financial advisors, indenture trustees, foreign
exchange representatives, associates, personal or legal representatives, predecessors, successors,
parents, subsidiaries, divisions, joint ventures, assigns, spouses, heirs, related or affiliated
entities, any entity in which a Defendant has a controlling interest, any members of an Individual
Defendant's immediate families, or any trust of which any Defendant is the settlor or which is
for the benefit of any Defendant and/or member(s) of his or her family.
7. "Released Claims shall collectively mean all claims (including "Unknown Claims
as defined in 19 hereof), demands, rights, liabilities and causes of action under federal or state
law, including the Securities Act of 1933, whether based upon statutory or common law, class or
individual in nature, known or unknown, concealed or hidden, and that either were asserted or
could have been asserted, by Lead Plaintiff or Class Members against the Released Amazon
Parties arising from both: (a) the purchase of the PEACS during the Class Period, and (b) the
acts, facts, statements , or omissions that were or could have been alleged in the Litigation;
provided, however, that Released Claims do not include any claims under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act ) that are being separately settled and released pursuant to
a Stipulation of Settlement in In re Amazon.com, Inc. Securities Litigation , No. C-01-0358-L,
pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington; and further
provided that Lead Plaintiff and Plaintiffs Counsel herein covenant and agree not to seek to
amend the Complaint in the Litigation, or to assert in any other forum, any claim arising under
the 1934 Act.
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2 : 01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 7 of 18
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8. "Released Amazon Parties means each and all of the Defendants and their Related
Persons.
9. "Unknown Claims means any Released Claims that the Lead Plaintiff or Class
Member does not know or suspect to exist in his, her, or its favor at the time of the release of the
Released Amazon Parties, which, if known by him, her, or it, might have affected his, her, or its
settlement with and release of the Released Amazon Parties, or might have affected his, her, or
its decision(s) with respect to the settlement . With respect to any and all Released Claims, the
Settling Parties stipulate and agree that, upon the Effective Date, Lead Plaintiff shall expressly
waive, and each of the Class Members shall be deemed to have, and by operation of the
Judgment shall have, expressly waived the provisions, rights, and benefits conferred by any law
of any state or territory of the United States, or principle of common law, which is similar,
comparable or equivalent to California Civil Code § 1542, which provides:
A general release does not extend to claims which thecreditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or herfavor at the time of executing the release, which if knownby him or her must have materially affected his or hersettlement with the debtor.
The Lead Plaintiff and Class Members may hereafter discover facts in addition to or
different from those that any of them now knows or believes to be true related to the subject
matter of the Released Claims, but the Lead Plaintiff shall expressly and each Class Member,
upon the Effective Date, shall be deemed to have, and by operation of the Judgment shall have,
fully, finally, and forever settled and released any and all Released Claims, known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, contingent or non-contingent, whether or not concealed or hidden,
which now exist, or heretofore have existed upon any theory of law or equity now existing or
coming into existence in the future, including, but not limited to, conduct that is negligent,
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
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intentional, with or without malice, or a breach of any duty, law or rule, without regard to the
subsequent discovery or existence of such different or additional facts. The Lead Plaintiff
acknowledges, and the Class Members shall be deemed by operation of the Judgment to have
acknowledged, that the inclusion of "Unknown Claims in the definition of Released Claims was
separately bargained for and is a key element of the settlement of which this release is a part.
IV. THE LITIGATION AND RELATED PROCEEDINGS
This action was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of
Washington (the "Court ) as a securities class action on behalf ofpersons who purchased the
6.875% Premium Adjusted Convertibles Securities due 2010 ("PEACS ) of Amazon.com, Inc.
By Order dated July 12, 2001, the Court appointed Argent Classic Convertible Arbitrage
Fund, L.P. as Lead Plaintiff and approved Lead Plaintiffs selection of Lead Counsel.
On April 8, 2002, Lead Plaintiff filed a First Amended Complaint (the "Complaint ) for
violation of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act ). The Complaint alleges violations
of §§ 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act. The Complaint is brought on behalf of a class of all
persons who purchased PEACS during the period February 7, 2000 through and including
October 24, 2000. The Defendants are Amazon.com and certain directors and officers of the
company.
Defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint on May 24, 2002. On January 6,
2003, the Court granted Defendants' motions in part and denied them in part. On February 21,
2003, Defendants filed their Answer to the Complaint. On March 9, 2004, the Court granted
Plaintiffs motion for class certification.
The parties have engaged in extensive settlement discussions over the course of nearly
twenty (20) months. In 2003, the parties agreed to participate in formal mediation before the
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2 : 01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 9 of 18
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Honorable Layn Phillips (Ret.). The parties mediated face-to-face before Judge Phillips on June
20, 2003. The parties were unable to reach agreement before Judge Phillips. Subsequently, the
parties agreed to mediation before the Honorable Nicholas Politan (Ret.). The parties mediated
face-to-face with Judge Politan for two days in New York on July 1 and 2, 2004, and again on
August 9, 2004 in San Francisco, with all parties, including representatives from Amazon.com's
insurance carriers, present. While the parties made substantial progress at these mediations, it
was only after continued negotiations that the parties reached an agreement-in-principle to settle
the Litigation. On April 25, 2005, the parties executed a Memorandum of Understanding.
There is a separate action pending in the United States District Court for the Western
District of Washington, In re Amazon.com, Inc. Securities Litigation, No. C-01-0358-L, which
asserts claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This settlement does not release any
claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 asserted in the In re Amazon. com action.
V. CLAIMS OF THE LEAD PLAINTIFF AND BENEFITS OF SETTLEMENT
The Lead Plaintiff believes that the claims asserted in the Litigation have merit.
However, counsel for the Lead Plaintiff recognizes and acknowledges the expense and length of
continued proceedings necessary to prosecute the Litigation against the Defendants through trial
and through appeals . Counsel for the Lead Plaintiff also has taken into account the uncertain
outcome and the risk of any litigation, especially in complex actions such as the Litigation, as
well as the difficulties and delays inherent in such litigation. Counsel for the Lead Plaintiff also
is mindful of the inherent problems ofproof under and possible defenses to the violations
asserted in the Litigation. Counsel for the Lead Plaintiff believes that the settlement set forth in
the Stipulation confers substantial benefits upon the Class. Based on their evaluation, counsel
for the Lead Plaintiff has determined that the settlement set forth in the Stipulation is in the best
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2:01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 10 of 18
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interests of the Lead Plaintiff and the Class.
VI. DEFENDANTS' DENIALS OF WRONGDOING AND LIABILITY
The Defendants have denied and continue to deny each and all of the claims and
contentions alleged by the Lead Plaintiffs in the Litigation. The Defendants expressly have
denied and continue to deny all charges of wrongdoing or liability against them arising out of
any of the conduct, statements , acts or omissions alleged, or that could have been alleged, in the
Litigation. The Defendants also have denied and continue to deny, inter alia, the allegations that
the Lead Plaintiff or the Class have suffered damage, that the price of the PEACS was artificially
inflated by reasons of alleged misrepresentations , non-disclosures or otherwise, that any such
misrepresentations or non-disclosures caused the alleged losses to any Class Member, or that the
Lead Plaintiff or the Class were otherwise harmed by the conduct alleged in the Litigation.
Defendants believe that if the case did not settle, they would prevail.
Nonetheless, the Defendants have concluded that further conduct of the Litigation would
be protracted and expensive, and that it is desirable that the Litigation be fully and finally settled
in the manner and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Stipulation. The Defendants
also have taken into account the uncertainty and risks inherent in any litigation, especially in
complex cases like the Litigation. The Defendants have, therefore, determined that it is desirable
and beneficial to them that the Litigation be settled in the manner and upon the terms and
conditions set forth in the Stipulation.
VII. TERMS OF THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
Amazon.com, on behalf of itself and each of the Individual Defendants, will pay or cause
to be paid into an escrow account, pursuant to the terms of the Stipulation of Settlement dated as
of July 6, 2005 (the "Stipulation ), cash in the amount of $20,000,000 . 00 which will earn
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
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interest for the benefit of the Class.
Fifteen Million, Six Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Two
Dollars ($15,635,792.00) (the "Initial Sum ) will be paid into an interest bearing account within
thirty (30) business days following the Court's issuance of an order preliminarily approving the
Settlement (the "Preliminary Order ) (the "Due Date ). Any amount not paid by the Due Date
will bear interest at the rate of two (2) percent per annum, until the monies are paid. The final
Four Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Eight Dollars
($4,364,208.00) of the Settlement Fund shall be paid by Amazon.com within nine months
following the Court's issuance of the preliminary order (the "Final Payment ) or such earlier
date as is necessary to fully fund a final distribution of the Settlement Amount to the Class
Members prior to the expiration of such nine month period; provided, however, that
Amazon.com shall be given written notice of such earlier deadline for making the final payment,
which deadline shall be no sooner than two weeks prior to such final distribution. The Final
Payment shall bear interest at the rate of two (2) percent per annum, beginning on the Due Date,
and such interest shall be paid into the Settlement Fund by Amazon.com at the same time as the
Final Payment. If such amounts are not paid, Lead Plaintiff can terminate the settlement or enter
a consent judgment against Defendants for the unpaid amount, plus any interest due.
A portion of the Settlement Fund will be used for certain administrative expenses,
including costs of printing and mailing this Notice, the cost ofpublishing newspaper notices,
payment of any taxes assessed against the Settlement Fund and costs associated with the
processing of claims submitted. In addition, as explained below, a portion of the Settlement
Fund may be awarded by the Court to counsel for Lead Plaintiff for attorneys' fees and for
reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses . The balance of the Settlement Fund (the "Net
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
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Settlement Fund ) will be distributed according to the Plan of Allocation described below to
Class Members who submit valid and timely Proof of Claim forms and establish their right to
recovery.
VIII. PLAN OF ALLOCATION
The Net Settlement Fund will be distributed to Class Members who submit valid, timely
Proof of Claim forms ("Authorized Claimants ) under the Plan of Allocation described below.
The Plan of Allocation provides that you will be eligible to participate in the distribution of the
Net Settlement Fund only if you purchased PEACS during the Class Period and sold those
PEACS, during the Class Period or thereafter, at a loss.
Each Authorized Claimant shall be paid the percentage of the Net Settlement Fund that
each Authorized Claimant's claim (the "Recognized Loss ) bears to the total of the claims of all
Authorized Claimants. Payment in this manner shall be deemed conclusive against all
Authorized Claimants.
Calculation of each Authorized Claimant's Recognized Loss proceeds as follows:
A. For PEACS purchased during the Class Period and sold, at a loss , prior to the end
of the Class Period (i.e., prior to October 25, 2000), the Recognized Loss shall be 40% of
the actual loss (i.e., 40% of the difference between the cost of the purchase and the
proceeds from the sale).
B. For PEACS purchased during the Class Period and sold, at a loss , after the Class
Period (i.e., after October 24, 2000), the Recognized Loss shall be calculated by
disaggregating the PEACS price declines into pre- and post-Class Period declines. Such
claimants' Recognized Loss shall be: (i) 40% of losses stemming from PEACS price
declines between 100% of Par Value (the start of the Class Period) and 60% of Par Value
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McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2:01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 13 of 18
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(the PEACS price at the close of the Class Period on October 24, 2000); and (ii) 80% of
losses stemming from PEACS price declines below 60% of Par Value.
C. For any PEACS purchased during the Class Period and either (i) redeemed at par
value pursuant to Amazon. com's February/March 2005 partial redemption of the PEACS,
or (ii) still held by the Authorized Claimant, there is no actual loss and thus the
Recognized Loss shall be $0.
The date ofpurchase or sale is the "contract or "trade date as distinguished from the
"settlement date. The determination of the price paid and the price received shall be exclusive
of all commissions, taxes, fees and charges.
For Class Members who made multiple purchases during the Class Period and multiple
sales during or subsequent to the Class Period, the earliest sale shall be matched with the earliest
purchase and chronologically thereafter for purposes of the claim calculations.
The Court has reserved jurisdiction to allow, disallow or adjust the claim of any Class
Member on equitable grounds.
IX. ORDER CERTIFYING A CLASS
On March 29, 2004, the Court certified a class comprised of all persons or entities who
purchased PEACS during the period between February 7, 2000, and October 24, 2000 whose
purchases were pursuant to or traceable to an offering by Amazon.com occurring on or about
February 7, 2000 and who were damaged. Excluded from the Class are the defendants, members
of the Amazon.com Individual Defendants' families, any entity in which any defendant has a
controlling interest or is a part or subsidiary of or is controlled by the Company, and officers,
directors, employees, affiliates, legal representatives, heirs, predecessors, successors and assigns
of any of the defendants.
AMENDED NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSEDSETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION (C-01-0640-L) - 13G:\CLIENTS\01337\001\SETTLEMENTPLEADINGS\AMENDED NOTICE PENDENCY PROPSETTLE EXA1_070605 .PLD.DOC
McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2 : 01 -cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 14 of 18
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X. PARTICIPATION IN THE CLASS
If you fall within the definition of the Class, you will remain a Class Member unless you
I elect to be excluded from the Class. If you do not request to be excluded from the Class, you
will be bound by any judgment entered with respect to the settlement in the Litigation whether or
not you file a Proof of Claim.
Ifyou wish to remain a Class Member, you need do nothing (other than timely file a
ProofofClaim and Release ifyou wish to participate in the distribution ofthe Net Settlement
Fund). Your interests will be represented by counselfor Lead Plaintiff. If you choose, you
may enter an appearance individually or through your own counsel at your own expense.
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE NET SETTLEMENT
FUND, YOU MUST TIMELY COMPLETE AND RETURN THE PROOF OF CLAIM
AND RELEASE FORM THAT ACCOMPANIES THIS NOTICE AND WAS FILED
WITH THE COURT ON JULY 6, 2005. The Proof of Claim and Release must be received on
or before November 5, 2005, and delivered to the Claims Administrator at: Amazon PEACS
Securities Litigation, c/o The Garden City Group , Inc., P.O. Box 9000 #6293, Merrick, NY
11566-9000. Unless the Court orders otherwise, if you do not timely submit a valid Proof of
Claim, you will be barred from receiving any payments from the Net Settlement Fund, but will in
all other respects be bound by the provisions of the Stipulation and the Judgment.
XI. EXCLUSION FROM THE CLASS
You may request to be excluded from the Class. To do so, you must mail a written
request, stating that you wish to be excluded from the Class, to all three addresses listed below:
Amazon PEACS Securities LitigationEXCLUSIONS
c/o The Garden City Group, Inc. - and -Claims Administrator
AMENDED NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSED
SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION (C-01-0640-L) - 14G:\CLIENTS\01337\001\SETTLEMENTPLEADINGS\AMENDED NOTICE PENDENCY PROPSETTLE EXA1_070605 .PLD.DOC
Mark A. StraussKirby McInerney & Squire LLP830 Third Avenue, 10' Floor
New York, NY 10022
McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2:01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 15 of 18
P.O. Box 9000 #62931 Merrick, N.Y. 11566-90002 - and - Jonathan C. Dickey
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP3 1881 Page Mill Road4 Palo Alto, CA 94304
5 The request for exclusion must state: (a) your name, address, and telephone number; and
6 (b) all purchases and sales of PEACS, including the dates ofpurchase or sale, the face value of
7 PEACS purchased or sold and the price paid or received per PEAC. YOUR EXCLUSION
8REQUEST MUST BE RECEIVED OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 16, 2005. If you submit a valid
9
10and timely request for exclusion, you shall have no rights under the settlement, shall not share in
11 the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund, and shall not be bound by the Stipulation or the
12 Judgment. Defendants may withdraw from and terminate the settlement if Class Members who
13purchased in excess of a certain amount ofPEACS exclude themselves from the Class.
14XII. DISMISSAL AND RELEASES
15
16 If the proposed settlement is approved, the Court will enter a Final Judgment and Order
17 of Dismissal with Prejudice (the "Judgment ). The Judgment will dismiss the Released Claims
18 with prejudice as to all Released Amazon Parties.
19The Judgment will provide that all Class Members who do not validly and timely request
20
21to be excluded from the Class shall be deemed to have released and forever discharged all
22 Released Claims (to the extent Members of the Class have such claims) against all Released
23 Amazon Parties.
24XIII. MOTION FOR FEES AND EXPENSES
25At the Settlement Hearing, counsel for Lead Plaintiff will request the Court to award
26
27attorneys' fees of 30% of the Settlement Fund, plus reimbursement of the expenses, not to
28 exceed $325,000.00, which were advanced in connection with the Litigation, plus interest
AMENDED NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSED McKay Chadwell, PLLCSETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION (C-01-0640-L) - 15 600 University Street, Suite 1601G:\CLIENTS\01337\001\SETTLEMENT Seattle, Washington 98101PLEADINGS\AMENDEDNOTICE PENDENCY PROPSETTLE EXA1_070605.PLD.DOC (206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2:01-cv-00640-RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 16 of 18
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thereon. Class Members are not personally liable for any such fees or expenses.
To date, counsel for Lead Plaintiff have not received any payment for their services in
conducting this Litigation on behalf of Lead Plaintiff and the Members of the Class, nor have
counsel been reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses. The fee requested by counsel for
Lead Plaintiff would compensate counsel for their efforts in achieving the Settlement Fund for
the benefit of the Class, and for their risk in undertaking this representation on a contingency
basis. The fee requested is within the range of fees awarded to plaintiffs' counsel under similar
circumstances in litigation of this type.
XIV. CONDITIONS FOR SETTLEMENT
The settlement is conditioned upon the occurrence of certain events described in the
Stipulation. Those events include , among other things : (a) entry of the Judgment by the Court,
as provided for in the Stipulation; and (b) expiration of the time to appeal from or alter or amend
the Judgment. If, for any reason, any one of the conditions described in the Stipulation is not
met, the Stipulation might be terminated and, if terminated, will become null and void, and the
parties to the Stipulation will be restored to their respective positions as of June 30, 2005.
XV. THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD AT THE HEARING
Any Class Member who has not validly and timely requested to be excluded from the
Class, and who objects to any aspect of the settlement, the Plan of Allocation, or the application
for attorneys' fees, costs and expenses, may appear and be heard at the Settlement Hearing. Any
such Person must submit a written notice of objection, filed with the Clerk of the Court at the
address listed below on or before September 16, 2005:
CLERK OF THE COURTWESTERN DISTRICT WASHINGTONU. S. COURTHOUSE700 Stewart Street
AMENDED NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSED McKay Chadwell, PLLCSETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION (C-01-0640-L) - 16 600 University Street, Suite 1601G:\CLIENTS\01337\001\SETTLEMENT Seattle, Washington 98101PLEADINGS\AMENDED NOTICE PENDENCY PROPSETTLE EXA1_070605 .PLD.DOC (206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2 : 01-cv-00640 -RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 17 of 18
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Seattle , WA 98101
The written notice of objection must also be received on or before September 16, 2005 by
each of the following:
Lead Counsel for Lead Plaintiff and the Class
Mark A. StraussKIRBY McINERNEY & SQUIRE, LLP830 Third Avenue, 10th FloorNew York, NY 10022
Lead Counsel for Defendants
Jonathan C. DickeyGIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP1881 Page Mill RoadPalo Alto , CA 94304
The notice of objection must demonstrate the objecting Person's membership in the Class,
including the par value ofPEACS purchased during the Class Period and sold during or after the
Class Period, and contain a statement of the reasons for objection. Only Members of the Class
who have submitted written notices of objection in this manner will be entitled to be heard at the
Settlement Hearing, unless the Court orders otherwise.
XVI. SPECIAL NOTICE TO NOMINEES
If you hold any PEACS purchased during the Class Period as nominee for a beneficial
owner, then, within ten (10) days after you receive this Notice, you must either: (a) send a copy
of this Notice and the Proof of Claim by first class mail to all such Persons; or (b) provide a list
of the names and addresses of such Persons to the Claims Administrator:
Amazon PEACS Securities Litigationc/o The Garden City Group, Inc.Claims AdministratorP.O. Box 9000 #6293Merrick, N.Y. 11566-9000
AMENDED NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSED
SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION (C-01-0640-L) - 17G:\CLIENTS\01337\001\SETTLEMENTPLEADINGS\AMENDED NOTICE PENDENCY PROPSETTLE EXA1_070605 .PLD.DOC
McKay Chadwell, PLLC
600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2 : 01-cv-00640 -RSL Document 148 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 18 of 18
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If you choose to mail the Notice and Proof of Claim yourself, you may obtain from the Claims
Administrator (without cost to you) as many additional copies of these documents as you will
need to complete the mailing.
Regardless of whether you choose to complete the mailing yourself or elect to have the
mailing performed for you, you may obtain reimbursement for or advancement of reasonable
administrative costs actually incurred or expected to be incurred in connection with forwarding
the Notice and Proof of Claim and which would not have been incurred but for the obligation to
forward the Notice and Proof of Claim, upon submission of appropriate documentation to the
Claims Administrator.
XVII. EXAMINATION OF PAPERS
This Notice is a summary and does not describe all of the details of the Stipulation. For
full details of the matters discussed in this Notice, you may review the Stipulation filed with the
Court, which may be inspected during business hours , at the office of the Clerk of the Court,
Western District Washington, U.S. Courthouse, 700 Stewart Street, Seattle, Washington.
If you have any questions about the settlement of the Litigation, you may contact
Plaintiffs Settlement Counsel by writing or telephoning:
Mark A. StraussKIRBY McINERNEY & SQUIRE, LLP830 Third Avenue, 10th FloorNew York, NY 10022Telephone: (212) 371-6600Toll-Free: (888) 529-4787
DO NOT TELEPHONE THE COURT REGARDING THIS NOTICE.
DATED: 12005 BY ORDER OF THE COURTUNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTWESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AMENDED NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSED McKay Chadwell, PLLCSETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION (C-01-0640-L) - 18 600 University Street, Suite 1601G:\CLIENTS\01337\001\SETTLEMENT Seattle, Washington 98101PLEADINGS\AMENDEDNOTICE PENDENCY PROPSETTLE EXA1_070605.PLD.DOC (206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2:01-cv-00640- SL Document 148-2 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 1 of 2
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on July 11, 2005, I presented the foregoing to the Clerk of the Courtfor filing and uploading to the CM/ECF system which will send notification of such filing to thefollowing:
Jonathan C. DickeyJdi ckey@gib sondunn. com,
Paul J . Collinspcollins@gib sondunn. com
Kimberley A. Fortner
[email protected] , vmartin c ,gibsondunn.com
Steven J. JohnsonS j j ohnson(c^r,gib sondunn. com
Courtney Greene Powercpower(c gibsondunn.com
David A. Zapolskydavidz cr,amazon.com, lbaron Q,amazon.com
Anne E. Hawkins
Robert P. [email protected]
Stephen M. [email protected]
Jonathan B. Gaskini gaskin@orrick. com
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICEG:ACLIENTS\01337\001\PLEADINGS\CERT_SERVENOTICEOFPENDENCY071105.PLD.DOC
McKay Chadwell, PLLC600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809
Case 2:01-cv-00640- SL Document 148-2 Filed 07/11/2005 Page 2 of 2
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and I hereby certify that I have sent via U. S. Mail the document to the following non-CM/ECF participants:
Noran J. CampGibson Dunn & CrutcherOne Montgomery Street31st FloorSan Francisco , CA 94104
s/ Kathryn C. PinedaKathryn PinedaLegal AssistantMcKay Chadwell, PLLC600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle , WA 98101
Phone : (206) 233-2800Facsimile : (206) 233-2833E-mail : kcpic ,mckay-chadwell. com
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICEG:ACLIENTS\01337\001\PLEADINGS\CERT_SERVENOTICEOFPENDENCY071105.PLD.DOC
McKay Chadwell, PLLC600 University Street, Suite 1601
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 233-2800 Fax (206) 233-2809