This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
(“Code”) covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. It does not
cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all
directors, officers and employees of ZZLL Information Technology Inc. and its
subsidiaries (the “Company”). All of our directors, officers and employees must
conduct themselves accordingly and seek to avoid even the appearance of
improper behavior. The Code should also be provided to and followed by the
Company’s agents and representatives, including consultants. If a law conflicts
with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law; however, if a local
custom or policy conflicts with this Code, you must comply with the Code. If
you have any questions about these conflicts, you should ask your supervisor
how to handle the situation. Those who violate the standards in this Code will
be subject to disciplinary action, which may include termination of employment.
1. Compliance with Laws, Rules and
Regulations
Obeying the law, both in letter and in
spirit, is the foundation on which this Company’s ethical standards are built.
All directors, officers and employees must respect and obey the laws of the
cities, states and countries in which we operate. Although not everyone is
expected to know the details of these laws, it is important to know enough to
determine when to seek advice from supervisors, managers or other appropriate
personnel. The Company holds information and training sessions or provides
periodic legal memoranda to promote compliance with laws, rules and
regulations, including insider-trading laws.
2. Conflicts of Interest
A “conflict of interest” exists when a person’s
private interest interferes in any way with the interests of the Company. A
conflict situation can arise when an employee, officer or director takes
actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her
Company work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise
when an employee, officer or director, or members of his or her family,
receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the
Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees, officers,
directors and their family members may create conflicts of interest.
It is almost always a conflict of interest for a Company employee to work
simultaneously for a competitor, customer or supplier. You are not allowed to
work for a competitor as a consultant or board member. The best policy is to
avoid any direct or indirect business connection with our customers, suppliers
or competitors, except on our behalf.
Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a
matter of Company policy, except under guidelines approved by the Board of
Directors. Conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut, so if you have a
question, you should consult with the Company’s General Counsel or Deputy
General Counsel. Any employee, officer or director who becomes aware of a
conflict or potential conflict should bring it to the attention of a
supervisor, manager or other appropriate personnel.
3. Insider Trading
Directors, officers and employees who have
access to confidential information about the Company or about any other company
are not permitted to use or share that information for stock trading purposes
or for any other purpose except the conduct of our business. All non-public
information about the Company and all non-public information about other
companies which becomes available to you in connection with your employment by
the Company should be considered confidential information. To use non-public
information for personal financial benefit or to “tip” others who might make an
investment decision on the basis of this information is not only unethical but
also illegal.
4. Corporate Opportunities
Employees, officers and directors are
prohibited from taking for themselves personally opportunities that are
discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position
without the consent of the Board of Directors. No employee, officer or director
may use corporate property, information, or position for improper personal
gain, and no employee, officer or director may compete with the Company
directly or indirectly. Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the
Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so
arises.
5. Competition and Fair Dealing
We seek to outperform our competition fairly
and honestly. We seek competitive advantages through superior performance,
never through unethical or illegal business practices. Stealing proprietary
information, possessing trade secret information that was obtained without the
owner’s consent, or inducing such disclosures by past or present employees of
other companies is prohibited. Each employee, officer and director should
endeavor to respect the rights of and deal fairly and honestly with the
Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No employee, officer or director should take
unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of
privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other
intentional unfair-dealing practice.
The purpose of business entertainment and
gifts in a commercial setting is to create good will and sound working
relationships, not to gain unfair advantage with customers. No gift or
entertainment should ever be offered, given, provided or accepted by any
Company employee, officer or director, or by any of their family members,
unless it: (1) is not a cash gift, (2) is consistent with customary business
practices, (3) is not excessive in value, (4) cannot reasonably be construed as
a bribe or payoff and (5) does not violate any laws or regulations. Please discuss
with your supervisor any gifts or proposed gifts which you are not certain are
appropriate.
6. Discrimination and Harassment
The diversity of the Company’s employees is a
tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all
aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or
harassment of any kind. Examples include derogatory comments based on racial or
ethnic characteristics and unwelcome sexual advances.
7. Health and Safety
The Company strives to provide each employee
with a safe and healthful work environment. Each employee has responsibility
for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees by following
safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and
unsafe equipment, practices or conditions.
Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Employees should
report to work in condition to perform their duties, free from the influence of
illegal drugs or alcohol. The use of illegal drugs or alcohol in the workplace
will not be tolerated.
8. Record-Keeping and Disclosures
The Company
requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to
make responsible business decisions. For example, only the true and actual
number of hours worked should be reported.
Many employees, officers and directors regularly use business expense
accounts, which must be documented and recorded accurately. If you are not sure
whether a certain expense is legitimate, ask your supervisor or the Company’s
Controller.
All of the Company’s books, records, accounts
and financial statements must be maintained in appropriate detail, must
appropriately reflect the Company’s transactions and must conform both to
applicable legal and accounting requirements and to the Company’s system of
internal controls. Unrecorded or “off the books” funds or assets should not be
maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.
Business records and communications often become public, and we should avoid
exaggeration, derogatory remarks, guesswork, or inappropriate characterizations
of people and companies that can be misunderstood. This applies equally to
e-mail, internal memos, and formal reports. Full, fair, accurate, timely and
understandable disclosure shall be made by the Company in all reports and
documents that the Company files with or submits to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and in all public communications made by the Company. Any employee,
officer or director who becomes aware or believes that any disclosure that the
Company has made or intends to make is inaccurate or misleading should
immediately contact the Company’s Chief Financial Officer or the Company’s
General Counsel.
9. Confidentiality and Use of Company
Assets
Employees, officers and directors must
maintain the confidentiality of confidential information entrusted to them by
the Company or others with whom the Company does business, except when
disclosure is authorized by the Legal Department or required by laws or
regulations. In instances where you believe laws or regulations require the
disclosure of confidential information, you must check first with the Legal
Department. Confidential information includes all non-public information that
might be of use to competitors, or harmful to the Company or others with whom
the Company does business, if disclosed. It also includes information that
suppliers, customers and other companies have entrusted to us. The obligation
to preserve confidential information continues even after employment ends.
All employees, officers and directors should
endeavor to protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft,
carelessness, and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability.
Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately reported for
investigation. Company equipment should not be used for non-Company business,
though incidental personal use may be permitted. The obligation of employees,
officers and directors to protect the Company’s assets includes its proprietary
information. Proprietary information includes seismic, geological and
geophysical data, prospect and trend information, intellectual property such as
trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as exploration,
production and marketing plans, engineering and manufacturing ideas, designs,
databases, records, salary information and any unpublished financial data and
reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information is a violation of
Company policy. It could also be illegal and result in civil or even criminal
penalties.
10. Unauthorized Use of Corporate
Funds
The use of corporate funds for any unlawful
or improper purpose is strictly prohibited. Examples include illegal corporate
political contributions to candidates, parties, or government officials in any
country, and payments to any government officials or private individuals to induce
customers to purchase the Company’s goods and services. You should refrain from
offering gifts for personal use, gratuities, or non-business related
entertainment to employees of any government agency. You may not make or
approve even token gifts, travel, food or lodging expenses for U.S. government
employees or to any foreign government employees.
11. Payments to Government Personnel
The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
prohibits giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to officials of
foreign governments or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or
retain business. It is strictly prohibited to make illegal payments to government
officials of any country. Under certain circumstances it may be permissible to
make facilitating payments to government employees to obtain or expedite the
performance of non-discretionary, legitimate and customary duties such as mail
delivery, security, customs clearance and the like, where the practice is usual
or customary in the country concerned. Before such payments are made, the
Company’s Legal Department shall have made a determination.
12. Waivers of the Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics
Any waiver of this Code for officers or
directors may be made only by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and
will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulation. Any
waiver of this Code for other employees of the Company may be made only by the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the Company’s General
Counsel, and with prompt disclosure to the Company’s Executive Officers and
Board of Directors.
13. Reporting any Illegal or
Unethical Behavior
Employees are encouraged to talk to
supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel about observed illegal or
unethical behavior, as well as observed violations of this Code or any other
Company policy, and when in doubt about the best course of action in a particular
situation. It is the policy of the Company not to allow retaliation for reports
of misconduct by others made in good faith by employees. Employees, officers
and directors are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of
misconduct.