Attached files

file filename
S-1 - HPIL Holdingfinalforms1.htm
EX-5 - HPIL Holdingtrimholdinggroupopinion.htm
EX-3 - HPIL Holdingfinancials.htm
EX-23 - HPIL Holdinguhyconsentletter.htm
EX-23 - HPIL Holdinglicoconsentletter.htm
EX-99.4 ACQ AGREEMNT - HPIL Holdingthgrelatedpartyprocedure.htm
EX-99.3 VOTING TRUST - HPIL Holdingthgnominatingcommitteeproced.htm

 

Exhibit 14.1

 

TRIM HOLDING GROUP

CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

 

The Code of Ethics has been designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

 

  • Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.

 

  • Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that Trim Holding Group files with, or submits to, government agencies and in other public communications.

 

  • Protecting Trim Holding Group confidential and proprietary information and that of our customers and vendors

 

  • Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations.

 

  • Prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code.

 

  • Accountability for adherence to this Code.

 

OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS ETHICS

 

We believe that long-term, trusting business relationships are built by being honest, open and fair.  We promise to uphold the highest professional standards in all business operations.  We also expect that those with whom we do business (including suppliers and customers) will adhere to the standards set by Trim Holding Group’s Code of Ethics.

 

Outstanding employees are the key to Trim Holding Group’s success.  Everyone is part of the Company team, and each of use deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.  In addition, every employee is responsible for his/her own conduct.  No one has the authority to make another employee violate Trim Holding Group’s Code of Ethics.  Any attempt to direct or otherwise influence someone else to commit a violation is unacceptable.

 

Managers, in particular, set an example for other employees and are often responsible for directing the actions of others.  Trim Holding Group requires all employees, including managers, to know and understand the Code of Ethics, as it applies personally to the employee or manager and to those under his/her supervision.

 

The fundamental principle that underlies the way we do business at Trim Holding Group is good judgment.  An understanding of our legal and ethical parameters enhances that judgment.  Trim Holding Group has a responsibility to pay constant attention to all legal boundaries and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in all of its operations.  We have the same obligation to the communities in which we do business and to the customers with whom we do business.  For everyone at Trim Holding Group, this means following the spirit of the law and doing the right, ethical things, even when the law is not specific.

 

 


 

 

 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

Employees are expected to make or participate in business decisions and actions in the course of their employment with Trim Holding Group based on the best interests of the Company as a whole, and not based on personal relationships or benefits. Conflicts of interest can compromise employees’ business ethics.  Employees are expected to apply sound judgment to avoid conflicts of interest that could negatively affect Trim Holding Group or its business.  At Trim Holding Group, conflict of interest is any activity that is inconsistent with or opposed to Trim Holding Group’s interests or gives the appearance of impropriety.

 

Employees should avoid any relationship that would cause a conflict of interest with their duties and responsibilities at Trim Holding Group.  Employees are expected to disclose to us any situations that may involve conflicts of interest affecting them personally or affecting other employees or those with whom we do business.

 

PAYMENTS, FAVORS, GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

 

All Trim Holding Group employees should pay for and receive only that which is proper.  Trim Holding Group employees should not make payments or promises to influence another’s acts or decisions.  Trim Holding Group employees must not give gifts beyond those extended in normal business.  Trim Holding Group employees must observe all government restrictions on gifts and entertainment.  Employees must not receive payments of any kind from Trim Holding Group customers.

 

Trim Holding Group employees and members of their families must not give or receive valuable gifts to or from any person associated with Trim Holding Group’s vendors or customers. 

 

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS

 

Supervisory relationships with family members present special workplace problems, including a conflict of interest, or at least the appearance of conflict, in various personnel decisions that the supervisor makes.  Accordingly, Trim Holding Group employees must avoid a direct reporting relationship with any member of their family or others with whom they have a significant relationship.  If such a relationship exists or occurs, the employee must report it in writing to Human Resources.

 

COMMUNICATION WITH THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY

 

Any employee who is contacted by a member of the financial community, the press or any other outside organization is not to provide information regarding Trim Holding Group or any subsidiary’s business without prior approval.  This includes, among other things, answers to questions on the following:

 

  • Overall business trends
  • Product bookings/shipments
  • Pricing
  • Suppliers
  • Customers

 

 

 


 

 

 

PUBLIC DISCLOSURES

 

As a public company, it is of critical importance that Trim Holding Group’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other government agencies be accurate and timely.  Depending on their position with Trim Holding Group, employees may be called upon to provide information to assure that Trim Holding Group’s public reports are complete, fair and understandable.  Trim Holding Group expects all of its employee to take this responsibility very seriously and to provide information that is accurate, complete, objective, relevant, timely, and understandable to ensure full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that Trim Holding Group files with, or submits to, government agencies and in other public communications.

 

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

 

Trim Holding Group’s business and business relationships center on the confidential and proprietary information of Trim Holding Group and those with whom we do business – customers, vendors and others.  Each employee has the duty to respect and protect the confidentiality of all such information.  The disclosure or use of confidential and proprietary information – whether Trim Holding Group or a third party’s – should be covered by a written agreement.  In addition to the obligations imposed by that agreement, all employees should comply with the following requirements:

 

  • Confidential information should be received and disclosed only under the auspices of a written agreement.

 

  • Confidential information of a third party should not be used or copied by any Trim Holding Group’s employee except as permitted by the third-party owner (except as permitted in a written agreement between Trim Holding Group and the third party owner.)

 

LAWS REGULATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES

 

Anti-Trust:  The economy of the United States, and of most nations, is based on the principle of a free, competitive market.  To ensure that this principle is played out in the marketplace, most countries have laws prohibiting certain business practices that could inhibit effective competition.  The anti-trust laws are broad and far-reaching.  Trim Holding Group fully embraces all anti-trust laws and avoids conduct that may even give the appearance of being questionable under those laws.  Each employee should keep these thoughts in mind while going about his/her job because the penalties for violations can be quite serious, both the Trim Holding Group and to the individual. 

 

Insider Trading:  If an employee has material, non-public information relating to Trim Holding Group or its business, it is Trim Holding Group’s policy that the employee, the employee’s family members, or any entities controlled by the employee or his/her family members, may not buy or sell securities of Trim Holding Group or engage in any other action to take advantage of, or pass on to others, that information.  This policy also applies to trading in the securities of any other company, including our customers, suppliers, vendors, or other business partners, if an employee has material, non-public information about that company which the employee obtained by virtue of his/her position at Trim Holding Group.

 

 


 

 

Besides the obligation to refrain from trading while in possession of material, non-public information, employees are also prohibited from “tipping” others.  The concept of unlawful tipping includes passing on information to friends or family members under circumstances that suggest that employees were trying to help them make a profit or avoid a loss.  Besides being considered a form of insider trading, tipping is also a serious breach of corporate confidentiality.  For this reason, employees should be careful to avoid discussing sensitive information in any place (for instance, at lunch, on public transportation, in elevators) where others may hear such information.

 

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act:  Trim Holding Group requires full compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by all of its employees, consultants, and agents.  The anti-bribery and corrupt payment provisions of the FCPA make illegal any corrupt offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization to pay any money, gift or anything of value to any foreign official, or any foreign political party, candidate or official, for the purpose of:

 

  • Influencing any act, or failure to act, in the official capacity of that foreign official or party

 

  • Inducing the foreign official or party to use influence to affect a decision of a foreign government or agency, in order to obtain or retain business for anyone, or direct business to anyone.

 

Payments, offers, promises or authorizations to pay any other person, U.S. or foreign, are likewise prohibited if any portion of that money or gift will be offered, given or promised to a foreign official or foreign political party or candidate for any of the illegal purposes outlined above.

 

Political Contributions:  No Trim Holding Group assets, including employees’ work time, use of Trim Holding Group premises, use of Trim Holding Group equipment or direct monetary payment, may be contributed to any political candidate, political actions committees (aka “PACs”), party, or ballot measure without the permission of the Chief Executive Officer.  Of course, Trim Holding Group’s employees may participate in any political activities of their choice on an individual basis, with their own money and on their own time.

 

Using Third-Party Copyrighted Material:  Employees may sometimes need to use third-party copyrighted material to perform their jobs.  Before such third-party material may be used, appropriate authorization from the copyright holder must be obtained.  The need for such permission may exist whether or not the end product containing third-party material is for personal use, for Trim Holding Group internal or other use.  It is against Trim Holding Group’s policy and it may be unlawful for any employee to copy, reproduce, scan, digitize, broadcast, or modify third-party copyrighted material when developing Trim Holding Group products, promotional materials or written communication (such as manuals, presentations, etc.), unless written permission from the copyright holder has been obtained prior to the proposed use.  Improper use could subject both Trim Holding Group and the individuals involved to possible civil and criminal actions for copyright infringement.  It is against Trim Holding Group’s policy for employees to use Trim Holding Group’s facilities for the purpose of making or distributing unauthorized copies of third-party copyrighted materials for personal use or for use by others.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Customs Compliance for International Shipping:  Trim Holding Group’s policy is to comply fully with customs laws, regulations and policies in all countries where Trim Holding Group does business.  Accurate customs information on shipping documents is required for all international shipments.  Employees should not initiate shipping documents outside approved, automated shipping systems or non-production shipping tool.

 

Privacy:  Trim Holding Group has established guidelines for the collection, use and disclosure of personal data.  All Trim Holding Group operations, activities and functions that collect, use, receive or distribute personal data must adhere to this policy.  Moreover, all electronic and physical resources, whether owned or leased by Trim Holding Group, and the messages, files, data, software, or other information stored or transmitted on them are, and remain at all times, the property of Trim Holding Group, and Trim Holding Group reserves the right to inspect these items.

 

VIOLATIONS OF THE POLICY

 

Violations of the policy are grounds for discharge or other disciplinary action, adapted to the circumstances of the particular violation and having as a primary objective furtherance of the Company’s interest in preventing violations and making clear that violations are neither tolerated nor condoned.

 

Disciplinary action will be taken not only against individuals who authorize or participate directly in a violation of the policy but also against:

 

  • Any employee who may have deliberately failed to report a violation of the policy;

 

  • Any employee who may have deliberately withheld relevant and material information concerning a violation of this Policy, and

 

  • The violator’s managerial superiors, to the extent that the circumstances of the violation reflect inadequate leadership and lack of diligence.

 

Where an employee is accused of violating the anti-trust laws and the employee has relied in good faith on the advise of Company legal counsel after full disclosure of the material facts, no disciplinary action may be taken against the employee under this policy.  The Company may, within the limits permitted by law, assist in the employee’s defense.

 

REPORTS AND PERIODIC REVIEWS

 

Any employee who is required to engage in any activity which is or may be contrary to this policy will promptly report such information to the manager to whom the individual reports, or, if the employee was so directed by the manager, then to assigned Company legal counsel.

 

Any employee who acquires information that gives the employee reason to believe that any other employee is engaged in conduct forbidden by the policy will promptly report such information to the manager to whom the employee reports or, if the manager is engaged in such conduct, then to the assigned Company legal counsel.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

It is Trim Holding Group’s policy to promote and implement prompt and consistent enforcement of this code, fair treatment for persons reporting unethical behavior, objective and clear standards for compliance and a fair process by which to determine violations of this code and other Trim Holding Group policies.  It is against Trim Holding Group policy to retaliate against any employee for good faith reporting of violations of this code or any other Trim Holding Group policy.

 

I (name of employee) have received and read a copy of this Code of Ethics, understand all of its terms and agree to be bound by the provisions contained therein.

 

Printed Name

 

__________________________________

Signature

 

 

 

                                   

Date: