sc13d
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
RULE 13d-2(a)
ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Name of issuer)
Ordinary Shares*
American Depositary Shares
(Title of class of securities)
004854105**
(CUSIP number)
Bireme Limited
c/o Codan Trust Company (Cayman) Limited
Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive
P.O. Box 2681
Grand Cayman, KY1-1111
Cayman Islands
Telephone: (+1) (345) 945-3901
(Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive notices and communications)
July 18, 2011
(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 that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of
§§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.o
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the
schedule, including all exhibits. See §240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies of this statement
are to be sent.
The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons 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.
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Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares
each representing three ordinary shares. |
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This CUSIP applies to the American Depositary 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 (Act) or otherwise subject to
the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act
(however, see the Notes).
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NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
Bireme Limited |
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CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
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(a) o |
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(b) þ |
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SEC USE ONLY |
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SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) |
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WC |
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CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) |
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CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION |
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Cayman Islands
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7 |
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SOLE VOTING POWER |
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NUMBER OF |
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17,540,000 |
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SHARES |
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SHARED VOTING POWER |
BENEFICIALLY |
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OWNED BY |
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2,460,000 |
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EACH |
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SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER |
REPORTING |
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PERSON |
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17,540,000 |
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WITH |
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SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER |
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2,460,000 |
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AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON |
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20,000,0001 |
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CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) |
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PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) |
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22.39%2 |
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TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) |
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CO |
1) Includes (i)
129,770 ordinary shares and 6,623,410 ADSs.
2) Based on 89,311,634 total outstanding shares of the Issuer as of March 31, 2011, as disclosed by the Issuer in the 20-F filed with
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2011.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Item 1. Security and Issuer
The class of equity securities to which this statement on Schedule 13D (the Statement) relates to
is the ordinary shares, par value US$0.01 per ordinary share (the Shares), and American
Depositary Shares (the ADSs), each representing 3 Shares, of Acorn International, Inc., a Cayman
Islands company (Acorn or the Issuer). The principal executive office of the Issuer is 18th
Floor, 20th Building, 487 Tianlin Road, Shanghai, 200233, Peoples Republic of China.
Item 2. Identity and Background
This Statement is filed on behalf of:
(a)-(c) This Statement is being filed by Bireme Limited, a company incorporated with limited
liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (Bireme). Bireme is a holding company with no
operations. Biremes business address and the address of its principal office is c/o Codan Trust
Company (Cayman) Limited, Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681 Grand Cayman, KY1-1111
Cayman Islands and its telephone number is (+1) (345) 945-3901.
The name, citizenship, business address, present principal occupation or employment of each
director of Bireme, and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other
organization in which such employment is conducted are set forth in Schedule I to this
Statement, which is incorporated herein by this reference.
(d) During the last five years, none of Bireme, its executive officers, directors or
stockholders have been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding, if any, traffic violations or
similar misdemeanors).
(e) During the last five years, none of Bireme, its executive officers, directors or stockholders
have been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding were or are 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.
(f) See Schedule I hereto.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
The aggregate purchase price of the 6,623,410 ADSs and 129,770 Ordinary Shares acquired by Bireme
is $40,000,000. The ADSs and Ordinary Shares were acquired with Biremes working capital, which
was contributed by the owners of Bireme, Ritsuko Hattori-Roche and Don Dongjie Yang in exchange for
their respective ownership interests in Bireme.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction
On June 3, 2011, Bireme, Mr. Don Dongjie Yang, Mr. Robert Roche and Ms. Ritsuko Hattori-Roche
commenced a tender offer to purchase Shares and ADSs in an aggregate amount not to exceed
20,000,000 Shares (taking into account both Shares that are tendered and Shares underlying ADSs
that are tendered) for $2.00 per Share, which represents $6.00 per ADS, in cash without interest,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated June 3, 2011
(the Offer to Purchase) and in the related Letter of Transmittal to Tender Shares (the Share
Letter of Transmittal) or the Letter of Transmittal to Tender ADSs (the ADS Letter of
Transmittal, collectively with the Share Letter of Transmittal, the Letters of Transmittal), as
applicable. Such offer, as amended or supplemented from time to time, is referred to as the
Offer.
The Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 1, 2011. A total of 28,233,934 Shares
of Acorn, including Shares represented by 9,350,245 ADSs, were properly tendered and not withdrawn.
Since the Offer was oversubscribed, the number of Shares that the Company purchased from each of
the tendering stockholders was prorated by a factor of 70.83677%. The price paid per Share was
$2.00 (equivalent to $6.00 per ADS).
The Schedule TO, dated June 3, 2011, as amended, filed by Bireme, is listed as Exhibit (a) hereto
and incorporated herein by reference.
Subject to applicable legal requirements, Bireme may purchase additional securities of the Issuer
from time to time in open market transactions or private transactions, depending on its evaluation
of the Issuers business, prospects and financial condition, the market for the Issuers
securities, other developments concerning the Issuer, the reaction of the Issuer to Biremes
ownership of the Issuers securities, other opportunities available to Bireme, and general
economic, money market and stock market conditions. In addition, depending upon the factors
referred to above, Bireme may dispose of all or a portion of its securities of the Issuer at any
time. Bireme reserves the right to increase or decrease its holdings on such terms and at such
times as each may decide.
Other than described in this Item 4, Bireme does not have any other plans or proposals which would
result in:
(a) The acquisition by any person of additional securities of the Issuer, or the disposition of
securities of the Issuer, except that the Reporting Persons may, depending upon prevailing market
prices or conditions, decide to increase or decrease their position in the Issuer through open
market or privately negotiated transactions with third parties;
(b) An extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation,
involving the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries;
(c) A sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries;
(d) Any change in the present board of directors or management of the Issuer, including any plans
or proposals to change the number or term of the board of directors or management of the Issuer,
including any plans or proposals to change the number or term of directors;
(e) Any material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of the Issuer;
(f) Any other material change in the Issuers business or corporate structure;
(g) Changes in the Issuers charter, bylaws or instruments corresponding thereto or other actions
which may impede the acquisition of control of the Issuer by any person;
(h) Causing a class of securities of the Issuer to be delisted from a national securities exchange
or to cease to be authorized to be quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system of a registered
national securities association;
(i) A class of equity securities of the Issuer becoming eligible for termination of registration
pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Act; or
(j) Any action similar to any of those actions enumerated above.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer
(a)-(b) The following information with respect to the ownership of the Shares (including Shares
represented by ADSs) by Bireme is provided as of July 13, 2011:
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Sole power to |
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Shared power to |
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Shared power to |
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dispose or to |
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dispose or to |
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Amount beneficially |
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Percent |
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Sole power to vote |
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vote or to direct |
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direct the |
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direct the |
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Reporting Person |
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owned: |
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of class: |
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or direct the vote: |
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the vote: |
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disposition of: |
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disposition of: |
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Bireme Limited |
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20,000,000 |
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22.39 |
% |
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17,540,000 |
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2,460,000 |
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17,540,000 |
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2,460,000 |
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The following information with respect to the ownership of the Shares (including Shares
represented by ADSs) by the Directors of Bireme is provided as of July 13, 2011:
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Sole power to |
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Shared power to |
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Shared power to |
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dispose or to |
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dispose or to |
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Amount beneficially |
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Percent |
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Sole power to vote |
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vote or to direct |
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direct the |
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direct the |
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Reporting Person |
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owned: |
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of class: |
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or direct the vote: |
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the vote: |
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disposition of: |
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disposition of: |
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Ritsuko Hattori-Roche |
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20,000,000 |
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22.39 |
% |
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17,540,000 |
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2,460,000 |
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17,540,000 |
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2,460,000 |
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Robert Roche |
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13,900,959 |
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15.56 |
% |
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13,900,959 |
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0 |
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13,900,959 |
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0 |
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Don Dongjie Yang |
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10,478,656 |
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11.54 |
% |
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8,018,656 |
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2,460,000 |
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8,018,656 |
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2,460,000 |
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Bireme disclaims any membership in a group for purposes of this Schedule 13D.
(c) During the past 60 days, Bireme has not entered into any transaction in the Shares (including
Shares represented by ADSs) except as otherwise specified in Item 3 herein.
(d) No other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of
dividends from, or any proceeds from the sale of, the Shares (including Shares represented by ADSs)
beneficially owned by Bireme.
(e) Not applicable.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the
Issuer
The Schedule TO, dated June 3, 2011, as amended, filed by Bireme, is listed as Exhibit (a) hereto
and incorporated herein by reference. Except as described in this Statement, neither Bireme, and
to the best knowledge of Bireme, none of the persons listed on Schedule I hereto, has any
contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships with any other person with respect to any
securities of the Company, including but not limited to the transfer or voting of any Shares,
finders fees, joint ventures, loans or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits,
division of profits or loss or the giving or withholding of proxies.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as an Exhibit
(a) Schedule TO dated June 3, 2011, filed by Bireme Limited, Don Dongjie Yang, Robert Roche and
Ritsuko Hattori-Roche (filed by the foregoing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June
3, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
SCHEDULE I
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF BIREME
The name, current principal occupation or employment and material occupations, positions,
offices or employment for the past five years of each director of Bireme is set forth below.
Bireme has no executive officers.
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Name |
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Citizenship |
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Current Principal Occupation |
Don Dongjie Yang
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Peoples Republic
of China
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Mr. Yang is a co-founder,
director, the president and
was reappointed chief
executive officer of Acorn
in October 2010. Mr. Yang
is a member of Acorns
corporate governance and
nominating committee. The
business address of Mr.
Yang is 18/F, 20th
Building, 487 Tianlin Road,
Shanghai 200233, Peoples
Republic of China. |
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Ritsuko Hattori-Roche
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Japan
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Ms. Hattori-Roche is an
investor and an artist.
The business address of Ms.
Hattori-Roche is c/o
Conyers Dill & Pearman,
Boundary Hall, 2nd Floor,
Cricket Square, PO Box
2681, Grand Cayman,
KY1-1111, Cayman Islands. |
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Robert Roche
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United States
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Mr. Roche is a co-founder
and director of Acorn and
has served as Executive
Chairman of Acorn and Acorn
Trade since October 2010.
Mr. Roche serves as
chairman of Acorns
corporate governance and
nominating committee. Mr.
Roche is a co-founder and
has served as chairman of
Oak Lawn Marketing, Inc.,
an infomercial, branding
and sales company, since
1993. Mr. Roche has
served as president of
Acorn Composite
Corporation, a Nevada
corporation, since 1992.
He has served as a Member
of the Presidents Advisory
Committee for Trade Policy
and Negotiations which
operates under the USTR
since September 2010. Mr.
Roche has been a Board
Member at the USA Pavilion
at the Shanghai 2010 World
Expo since June 2010. In
2010 Mr. Roche was the
chairman of the American
Chamber of Commerce in
Shanghai and he is
currently the vice
chairman. The business
address of Mr. Roche is
18/F, 20th Building, 487
Tianlin Road, Shanghai
200233, Peoples Republic
of China. |
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.
Dated:
July 18, 2011
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Bireme Limited
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By: |
/s/ Ritsuko Hattori-Roche
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Name: |
Ritsuko Hattori-Roche |
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Title: |
Director |
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