A Delaware Distribution Agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions for the continuous offering of a fund's shares. It is designed to govern the sale and distribution of the fund's shares and ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws. Here is a detailed description of the Delaware Distribution Agreement, including relevant keywords: 1. Purpose: The primary purpose of the Delaware Distribution Agreement is to establish a framework for the continuous offering of a fund's shares to potential investors. 2. Parties involved: The agreement is typically entered into between the fund sponsor or investment adviser and the selected distributor(s) responsible for selling and marketing the fund's shares. 3. Offering terms: The agreement specifies the terms and conditions of the offering, including the initial offering price, any subsequent sales charges, and minimum investment requirements. This section may also highlight any sales commissions or fees payable to the distributor. 4. Compliance and registration: The agreement ensures compliance with federal and state securities laws, requiring the distributor to be appropriately registered or exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and relevant state authorities. 5. Distribution rights: The agreement defines the distributor's rights to offer, sell, and distribute the fund's shares to investors. It may include geographic restrictions, limitations on target audience, and the distributor's authorization to use the fund's marketing materials. 6. Reporting requirements: The agreement sets forth the distributor's obligation to provide periodic reports to the fund sponsor. This may include sales reports, investor feedback, and updates on marketing activities. 7. Termination provisions: The agreement outlines the circumstances under which either party can terminate the distribution arrangement. It may include provisions for termination for cause, termination without cause, or termination upon a specific notice period. Types of Delaware Distribution Agreements regarding the continuous offering of the Fund's shares: 1. Exclusive Distribution Agreement: This type of agreement grants the distributor exclusive rights to sell and distribute the fund's shares, prohibiting the fund sponsor from engaging any other distributor for the designated territory. 2. Multiple Distribution Agreement: In this scenario, the fund sponsor may enter into agreements with multiple distributors for the sale and distribution of the fund's shares, either within different geographic regions or to target different investor segments. 3. Limited Time Distribution Agreement: This type of agreement specifies a defined time period or a specific offering for the continuous distribution of the fund's shares. Once the predetermined period is over, the agreement terminates, and the fund sponsor may choose to enter into a new agreement or engage in another distribution strategy. 4. Sub-Distribution Agreement: In certain cases, a primary distributor may enter into a sub-distribution agreement with other intermediaries or financial institutions, allowing them to sell the fund's shares on behalf of the primary distributor. This allows for broader distribution capabilities. Overall, the Delaware Distribution Agreement plays a crucial role in facilitating the ongoing offering and distribution of a fund's shares, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and establishing a mutually beneficial relationship between the fund sponsor and the distributor(s).