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EXHIBIT 4.1
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GETTY IMAGES, INC.
To
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
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INDENTURE
Dated as of
March 13, 2000
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5% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS .................................................................... 1
Section 1.1. Definitions ....................................................... 1
ARTICLE 2. ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES .............. 8
Section 2.1. Designation, Amount And Issue Of Notes ............................ 8
Section 2.2. Form Of Notes ..................................................... 8
Section 2.3. Date And Denomination Of Notes; Payments Of Interest .............. 9
Section 2.4. Execution Of Notes ................................................10
Section 2.5. Exchange And Registration Of Transfer Of Notes; Restrictions
On Transfer; Depositary ...........................................11
Section 2.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost Or Stolen Notes ........................18
Section 2.7. Temporary Notes ...................................................19
Section 2.8. Cancellation Of Notes Paid, Etc ...................................19
Section 2.9. CUSIP Numbers .....................................................19
ARTICLE 3. REDEMPTION OF NOTES ............................................................19
Section 3.1. Initial Prohibition On Redemption .................................19
Section 3.2. Notice Of Redemptions; Selection Of Notes .........................20
Section 3.3. Payment Of Notes Called For Redemption ............................22
Section 3.4. Conversion Arrangement On Call For Redemption .....................22
Section 3.5. Redemption At Option Of Holders ...................................23
ARTICLE 4. SUBORDINATION OF NOTES .........................................................25
Section 4.1. Agreement Of Subordination ........................................25
Section 4.2. Payments To Noteholders ...........................................25
Section 4.3. Subrogation Of Notes ..............................................28
Section 4.4. Authorization To Effect Subordination .............................29
Section 4.5. Notice To Trustee .................................................29
Section 4.6. Trustee's Relation To Senior Indebtedness .........................30
Section 4.7. No Impairment Of Subordination ....................................30
Section 4.8. Certain Conversions Not Deemed Payment ............................31
Section 4.9. Article Applicable To Paying Agents ...............................31
Section 4.10. Senior Indebtedness Entitled To Rely ..............................31
Section 4.11. Reliance On Judicial Order Or Certificate Of Liquidating Agent ....31
ARTICLE 5. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY ............................................32
Section 5.1. Payment Of Principal, Premium And Interest ........................32
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Section 5.2. Maintenance Of Office Or Agency ..................................32
Section 5.3. Appointments To Fill Vacancies In Trustee's Office ...............33
Section 5.4. Provisions As To Paying Agent ....................................33
Section 5.5. Existence ........................................................34
Section 5.6. Maintenance Of Properties ........................................34
Section 5.7. Payment Of Taxes And Other Claims ................................34
Section 5.8. Rule 144A Information Requirement ................................34
Section 5.9. Stay, Extension And Usury Laws ...................................35
Section 5.10. Compliance Certificate ...........................................35
Section 5.11. Liquidated Damages Notice ........................................36
ARTICLE 6. NOTEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE .................36
Section 6.1. Noteholders' Lists ...............................................36
Section 6.2. Preservation And Disclosure Of Lists .............................36
Section 6.3. Reports By Trustee ...............................................37
Section 6.4. Reports By Company ...............................................37
ARTICLE 7. REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND NOTEHOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT ................37
Section 7.1. Events Of Default ................................................37
Section 7.2. Payments Of Notes On Default; Suit Therefor ......................39
Section 7.3. Application Of Monies Collected By Trustee .......................41
Section 7.4. Proceedings By Noteholder ........................................41
Section 7.5. Proceedings By Trustee ...........................................42
Section 7.6. Remedies Cumulative And Continuing ...............................42
Section 7.7. Direction Of Proceedings And Waiver Of Defaults By Majority
Of Noteholders ...................................................42
Section 7.8. Notice Of Defaults ...............................................43
Section 7.9. Undertaking To Pay Costs .........................................43
ARTICLE 8. THE TRUSTEE ...................................................................44
Section 8.1. Duties And Responsibilities Of Trustee ...........................44
Section 8.2. Reliance On Documents, Opinions, Etc .............................45
Section 8.3. No Responsibility For Recitals, Etc ..............................46
Section 8.4. Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents Or Registrar May
Own Notes ........................................................46
Section 8.5. Monies To Be Held In Trust .......................................46
Section 8.6. Compensation And Expenses Of Trustee .............................46
Section 8.7. Officers' Certificate As Evidence ................................47
Section 8.8. Conflicting Interests Of Trustee .................................47
Section 8.9. Eligibility Of Trustee ...........................................47
Section 8.10. Resignation or Removal Of Trustee ................................48
Section 8.11. Acceptance By Successor Trustee ..................................49
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Section 8.12. Succession By Merger, Etc ..........................................49
Section 8.13. Preferential Collection Of Claims ..................................50
Section 8.14. Trustee's Application For Instructions From The Company ............50
ARTICLE 9. THE NOTEHOLDERS .................................................................50
Section 9.1. Action By Noteholders ..............................................50
Section 9.2. Proof Of Execution By Noteholders ..................................51
Section 9.3. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners .....................................51
Section 9.4. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded ....................................51
Section 9.5. Revocation Of Consents; Future Holders Bound .......................52
ARTICLE 10. MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS ........................................................52
Section 10.1. Purpose Of Meetings ................................................52
Section 10.2. Call Of Meetings By Trustee ........................................52
Section 10.3. Call Of Meetings By Company Or Noteholders .........................53
Section 10.4. Qualifications For Voting ..........................................53
Section 10.5. Regulations ........................................................54
Section 10.6. Voting .............................................................54
Section 10.7. No Delay Of Rights By Meeting ......................................54
ARTICLE 11. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES ........................................................54
Section 11.1. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent Of Noteholders .............54
Section 11.2. Supplemental Indenture With Consent Of Noteholders .................55
Section 11.3. Effect Of Supplemental Indenture ...................................56
Section 11.4. Notation On Notes ..................................................57
Section 11.5. Evidence Of Compliance Of Supplemental Indenture To Be
Furnished To Trustee ...............................................57
ARTICLE 12. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE ..............................57
Section 12.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc. On Certain Terms .....................57
Section 12.2. Successor Corporation To Be Substituted ............................57
Section 12.3. Opinion Of Counsel To Be Given Trustee .............................58
ARTICLE 13. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE ........................................58
Section 13.1. Discharge Of Indenture .............................................58
Section 13.2. Deposited Monies To Be Held In Trust By Trustee ....................59
Section 13.3. Paying Agent To Repay Monies Held ..................................59
Section 13.4. Return Of Unclaimed Monies .........................................59
Section 13.5. Reinstatement ......................................................59
ARTICLE 14. IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS ................60
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Section 14.1. Indenture And Notes Solely Corporate Obligations ...................60
ARTICLE 15. CONVERSION OF NOTES ............................................................60
Section 15.1. Right To Convert ...................................................60
Section 15.2. Exercise Of Conversion Privilege; Issuance Of Common Stock On
Conversion; No Adjustment For Interest Or Dividends ................60
Section 15.3. Cash Payments In Lieu Of Fractional Shares .........................62
Section 15.4. Conversion Price ...................................................62
Section 15.5. Adjustment Of Conversion Price .....................................62
Section 15.6. Effect Of Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger Or Sale ..........71
Section 15.7. Taxes On Shares Issued .............................................72
Section 15.8. Reservation Of Shares; Shares To Be Fully Paid; Compliance
With Governmental Requirements; Listing Of Common Stock ............72
Section 15.9. Responsibility Of Trustee ..........................................73
Section 15.10. Notice To Holders Prior To Certain Actions .........................73
ARTICLE 16. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS .......................................................74
Section 16.1. Provisions Binding On Company's Successors .........................74
Section 16.2. Official Acts By Successor Corporation .............................74
Section 16.3. Addresses For Notices, Etc .........................................74
Section 16.4. Governing Law ......................................................75
Section 16.5. Evidence Of Compliance With Conditions Precedent;
Certificates To Trustee ............................................75
Section 16.6. Legal Holidays .....................................................75
Section 16.7. Trust Indenture Act ................................................75
Section 16.8. No Security Interest Created .......................................76
Section 16.9. Benefits Of Indenture ..............................................76
Section 16.10. Table Of Contents, Headings, Etc ...................................76
Section 16.11. Authenticating Agent ...............................................76
Section 16.12. Execution In Counterparts ..........................................77
Section 16.13. Severability .......................................................77
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Reconciliation and Tie Between the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and
Indenture, dated as of March 13, 2000, between Getty Images, Inc. and The Bank
of New York, as Trustee.
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION
Section 310(a)(1) ............................................................. 8.9
(a)(2) ................................................................ 8.9
(a)(3) ................................................................N.A.
(a)(4) ................................................................N.A.
(a)(5) ................................................................ 8.9
(b) ...................................................8.8; 8.9; 8.10; 8.11
Section 311(a) ................................................................8.13
(b) ...................................................................8.13
(b)(2) ................................................................8.13
Section 312(a) .........................................................6.1; 6.2(a)
(b) .................................................................6.2(b)
(c) .................................................................6.2(c)
Section 313(a) ..............................................................6.3(a)
(b) .................................................................6.3(a)
(c) .................................................................6.3(a)
(d) .................................................................6.3(b)
Section 314(a) .................................................................6.4
(b) .................................................................. N.A.
(c)(1) ............................................................... 16.5
(c)(2) ............................................................... 16.5
(c)(3) ............................................................... N.A.
(d) .................................................................. N.A.
(e) .................................................................. 16.5
Section 315(a) ........................................................ 8.1
(b) ................................................................... 7.8
(c) ................................................................... 8.1
(d) ................................................................... 8.1
(d)(1) ..............................................................8.1(a)
(d)(2) ..............................................................8.1(b)
(d)(3) ..............................................................8.1(c)
(e) ................................................................... 7.9
Section 316(a) ................................................................ 7.7
(a)(1)(A) ............................................................. 7.7
(a)(1)(B) ............................................................. 7.7
(a)(2) ................................................................N.A.
(b) ................................................................... 7.4
Section 317(a)(1) ............................................................. 7.5
(a)(2) ................................................................ 7.5
(b) ................................................................... 5.4
Section 318(a) ............................................................... 16.7
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* Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed
to be a part of the Indenture.
** Note: N.A. means Not Applicable.
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INDENTURE
INDENTURE, dated as of March 13, 2000, between Getty Images,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Company"), having its
principal office at ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇,
and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as trustee hereunder
(hereinafter called the "Trustee"), having its principal corporate trust office
at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
W I T N E S S E T H:
- - - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly
authorized the issue of its 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007
(hereinafter called the "Notes"), in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$250,000,000 and, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are
to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the
execution and delivery of this Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Notes, the certificate of authentication to be borne
by the Notes, a form of assignment, a form of option to elect repayment upon a
Fundamental Change, and a form of conversion notice to be borne by the Notes are
to be substantially in the forms hereinafter provided for; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Notes, when
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or a duly
authorized authenticating agent, as in this Indenture provided, the valid,
binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to constitute this Indenture a
valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, and the
execution of this Indenture and the issue hereunder of the Notes have in all
respects been duly authorized.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the
Notes are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in
consideration of the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by
the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the
equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of
the Notes (except as otherwise provided below), as follows:
ARTICLE 1.
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.1
(except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise
requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental
hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1. All
other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act
or which are by reference therein defined in the Securities Act (except as
herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires)
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and
in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this
Indenture. The words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder", and words of similar
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import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article,
Section or other Subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the
plural as well as the singular.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control", when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise, and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have
meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company
or a committee of such Board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.
"Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday which is not a day on which the banking institutions in New York City
or the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close or be closed.
"Closing Price" has the meaning specified in Section 15.5(h)(1).
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as
from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any
time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the
body performing such duties at such time.
"Common Stock" means any stock of any class of the Company which
has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of
any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company and which is not subject to redemption by the Company. Subject to the
provisions of Section 15.6, however, shares issuable on conversion of Notes
shall include only shares of the class designated as common stock of the Company
at the date of this Indenture (namely, the Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share) or shares of any class or classes resulting from any reclassification or
reclassifications thereof and which have no preference in respect of dividends
or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company and which are not subject to redemption
by the Company; provided, however, that if at any time there shall be more than
one such resulting class, the shares of each such class then so issuable shall
be substantially in the proportion which the total number of shares of such
class resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the total number of
shares of all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications.
"Company" means the corporation named as the "Company" in the
first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article
Twelve, shall include its successors and assigns.
"Company Notice" has the meaning specified in Section 3.5(b).
"Conversion Price" has the meaning specified in Section 15.4.
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"Corporate Trust Office" or other similar term, means the
designated office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate
trust business shall be principally administered, which office is, as of the
date of this Indenture, located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ 21 West, New York,
New York 10286, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
"Credit Agreement" means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as
of October 25, 1999 and as amended on December 3, 1999, among the Company,
certain of its subsidiaries, HSBC Investment Bank plc, as arranger, facility
agent and security agent, the financial institutions named therein and HSBC Bank
plc, as over-draft bank (including all deferrals, renewals, extensions or
refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, the foregoing).
"Custodian" means The Bank of New York, as custodian with respect
to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
"Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of
time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 2.3.
"Depositary" means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued
in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.5(d) as
the Depositary with respect to such Notes, until a successor shall have been
appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Indenture, and thereafter, "Depositary" shall mean or include such successor.
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" means Senior Indebtedness under
the Credit Agreement and the Company's obligations under any other particular
Senior Indebtedness in which the instrument creating or evidencing the same or
the assumption or guarantee thereof (or related agreements or documents to which
the Company is a party) expressly provides that such Senior Indebtedness shall
be "Designated Senior Indebtedness" for purposes of this Indenture (provided
that such instrument, agreement or other document may place limitations and
conditions on the right of such Senior Indebtedness to exercise the rights of
Designated Senior Indebtedness); provided that while the Credit Agreement shall
be outstanding, "Designated Senior Indebtedness" shall not include any Senior
Indebtedness other than Senior Indebtedness incurred in connection with the
Credit Agreement and Senior Indebtedness incurred in connection with the
Indebtedness described in clause (c) of the definition of "Indebtedness." If any
payment made to any holder of any Designated Senior Indebtedness or its
Representative with respect to such Designated Senior Indebtedness is rescinded
or must otherwise be returned by such holder or Representative upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise, the
reinstated Indebtedness of the Company arising as a result of such rescission or
return shall constitute Designated Senior Indebtedness effective as of the date
of such rescission or return.
"Event of Default" means any event specified in Section 7.1(a),
(b), (c), (d) or (e).
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from
time to time.
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"Fundamental Change" means the occurrence of any transaction or
event in connection with which all or substantially all of the Common Stock
shall be exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitute solely the
right to receive consideration (whether by means of an exchange offer,
liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification,
recapitalization or otherwise) which is not all or substantially all common
stock listed (or, upon consummation of or immediately following such transaction
or event, which will be listed) on a United States national securities exchange
or approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market or any similar United
States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices.
"Global Note" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, and without
duplication, (a) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities (contingent
or otherwise) of such Person for borrowed money (including obligations of the
Company in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency exchange
agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or advances from
banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or similar instruments) or evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (whether or not the recourse of
the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or to only a portion
thereof), other than any account payable or other accrued current liability or
obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the
obtaining of materials or services; (b) all reimbursement obligations and other
liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such Person with respect to letters of
credit, bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances; (c) all obligations and
liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in respect of leases of such Person
required, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, to be
accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on the balance sheet of such
Person and all obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under
any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) in connection
with the lease of real property which provides that such Person is contractually
obligated to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and
thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor
and the obligations of such Person under such lease or related document to
purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property; (d) all
obligations of such Person (contingent or otherwise) with respect to an interest
rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar instrument or
agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or
agreement; (e) all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements by such
Person in respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise)
of such Person to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise assure a creditor
against loss in respect of, indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of another
Person of the kind described in clauses (a) through (d); (f) any indebtedness or
other obligations described in clauses (a) through (e) secured by any mortgage,
pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which is owned or held by
such Person, regardless of whether the indebtedness or other obligation secured
thereby shall have been assumed by such Person; and (g) any and all deferrals,
renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications or
supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described
in clauses (a) through (f).
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or, if
amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.
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"Initial Purchasers" means ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated,
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ &
▇▇▇▇▇ LLC.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institutional
"accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7)
under the Securities Act.
"Liquidated Damages" has the meaning specified for "Liquidated
Damages Amount" in Section 2(e) of the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Non-Payment Default" has the meaning specified in Section
4.2(ii).
"Note" or "Notes" means any Note or Notes, as the case may be,
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, including the Global Note.
"Note Register" has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(a).
"Note Registrar" has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(a).
"Noteholder" or "Holder" as applied to any Note, or other similar
terms (but excluding the term "beneficial holder"), means any Person in whose
name at the time a particular Note is registered on the Note registrar's books.
"Officers' Certificate", when used with respect to the Company,
means a certificate signed by both (a) the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President (whether or not
designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the
title "Vice President") and (b) the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, the
Controller or any Assistant Controller, or the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Company.
"Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion in writing signed by legal
counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
"Outstanding", when used with reference to Notes and subject to
the provisions of Section 9.4, means, as of any particular time, all Notes
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:
(a) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Notes, or portions thereof, (i) for the redemption of
which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the
Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or (ii) which shall
have been otherwise defeased in accordance with Article Thirteen;
(c) Notes paid pursuant to Section 2.6 or Notes in lieu of
which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated
and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.6; and
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(d) Notes converted into Common Stock pursuant to Article
Fifteen and Notes deemed not outstanding pursuant to Article Three.
"Payment Blockage Notice" has the meaning specified in Section
4.2(ii).
"Person" means a corporation, an association, a partnership, a
limited liability company, an individual, a joint venture, a joint stock
company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or
a political subdivision thereof.
"Portal Market" means The Portal Market operated by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any successor thereto.
"Predecessor Note" of any particular Note means every previous
Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Note, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note
authenticated and delivered under Section 2.6 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or
stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or
stolen Note that it replaces.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule
144A.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means that certain Registration
Rights Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2000, among the Company and the Initial
Purchasers, as amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.
"Representative" means (a) the indenture trustee or other
trustee, agent or representative for holders of Senior Indebtedness or (b) with
respect to any Senior Indebtedness that does not have any such trustee, agent or
other representative, (i) in the case of such Senior Indebtedness issued
pursuant to an agreement providing for voting arrangements as among the holders
or owners of such Senior Indebtedness, any holder or owner of such Senior
Indebtedness acting with the consent of the required persons necessary to bind
such holders or owners of such Senior Indebtedness and (ii) in the case of all
other such Senior Indebtedness, the holder or owner of such Senior Indebtedness.
"Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee,
means an officer of the Trustee in the Corporate Trust Office assigned and duly
authorized by the Trustee to administer this Indenture.
"Restricted Securities" has the meaning specified in Section
2.5(d).
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A as promulgated under the Securities
Act.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to
time.
"Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of, premium, if any,
interest (including all interest accruing subsequent to the commencement of any
bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether or not a claim for post-petition
interest is allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) and rent payable on or
in connection with, and all fees, costs, expenses and other amounts
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accrued or due on or in connection with, Indebtedness of the Company, whether
outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred,
assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by the Company (including all
deferrals, renewals, extensions or refundings of, or amendments, modifications
or supplements to, the foregoing), unless in the case of any particular
Indebtedness the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or
guarantee thereof expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall not be senior
in right of payment to the Notes or expressly provides that such Indebtedness is
"pari passu" or "junior" to the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term
Senior Indebtedness shall not include any Indebtedness of the Company to any
subsidiary of the Company, a majority of the voting stock of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company or the Company's 4.75% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2003. If any payment made to any holder of any Senior
Indebtedness or its Representative with respect to such Senior Indebtedness is
rescinded or must otherwise be returned by such holder or Representative upon
the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise, the
reinstated Indebtedness of the Company arising as a result of such rescission or
return shall constitute Senior Indebtedness effective as of the date of such
rescission or return.
"Significant Subsidiary" means, as of any date of determination,
a Subsidiary of the Company, if as of such date of determination either (a) the
assets of such subsidiary equal 10% or more of the Company's total consolidated
assets or (b) the total revenue of which represented 10% or more of the
Company's consolidated total revenue for the most recently completed fiscal
year.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any
corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the
total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interest entitled
(without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of
directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries
of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole
general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a
subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such
Person or of one or more subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination
thereof).
"Trading Day" has the meaning specified in Section 15.5(h)(5).
"Trigger Event" has the meaning specified in Section 15.5(d).
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, as it was in force at the date of this Indenture, except as provided in
Sections 11.3 and 15.6; provided, however, that, in the event the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term "Trust
Indenture Act" shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
"Trustee" means The Bank of New York and its successors and any
corporation resulting from or surviving any consolidation or merger to which it
or its successors may be a party and any successor trustee at the time serving
as successor trustee hereunder.
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The definitions of certain other terms are as specified in
Sections 2.5 and 3.5 and Article Fifteen.
ARTICLE 2.
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION,
REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES
Section 2.1. Designation, Amount And Issue Of Notes. The Notes shall be
designated as "5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007." Notes not to exceed
the aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000 (except pursuant to Sections 2.5,
2.6, 3.3, 3.5 and 15.2 hereof) upon the execution of this Indenture, or from
time to time thereafter, may be executed by the Company and delivered to the
Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and
deliver said Notes to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by (a)
its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice
President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words
added before or after the title "Vice President") and (b) its Treasurer or any
Assistant Treasurer, its Controller or any Assistant Controller or its Secretary
or any Assistant Secretary, without any further action by the Company hereunder.
Section 2.2. Form Of Notes. The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of
authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the form set
forth in Exhibit A, which is incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture.
Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of
identification and such notations, legends and endorsements as the officers
executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of
such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or
regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any
securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be
listed, or to conform to usage.
Any Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as
shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the
aggregate amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and
that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time
to time be increased or reduced to reflect transfers or exchanges permitted
hereby. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase
or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made
by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in such manner
and upon instructions given by the holder of such Notes in accordance with this
Indenture. Payment of principal of and interest and premium, if any, on any
Global Note shall be made to the holder of such Note.
The terms and provisions contained in the form of Note attached
as Exhibit A hereto shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of
this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by
their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms
and provisions and to be bound thereby.
Section 2.3. Date And Denomination Of Notes; Payments Of Interest. The
Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 principal amount and
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integral multiples thereof. Every Note shall be dated the date of its
authentication and shall bear interest from the applicable date in each case as
specified on the face of the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto. Interest
on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of
twelve (12) 30-day months.
The Person in whose name any Note (or its Predecessor Note) is
registered on the Note register at the close of business on any record date with
respect to any interest payment date shall be entitled to receive the interest
payable on such interest payment date, except (i) that the interest payable upon
redemption (unless the date of redemption is an interest payment date) will be
payable to the Person to whom principal is payable and (ii) as set forth in the
next succeeding sentence. In the case of any Note (or portion thereof) that is
converted into Common Stock during the period from (but excluding) a record date
to (but excluding) the next succeeding interest payment date either (x) if such
Note (or portion thereof) has been called for redemption on a redemption date
which occurs during such period, or is to be redeemed in connection with a
Fundamental Change on a Repurchase Date (as defined in Section 3.5) that occurs
during such period, the Company shall not be required to pay interest on such
interest payment date in respect of any such Note (or portion thereof) except to
the extent required to be paid upon redemption of such Note or portion thereof
pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.5 hereof or (y) if such Note (or portion thereof)
has not been called for redemption on a redemption date that occurs during such
period and is not to be redeemed in connection with a Fundamental Change on a
Repurchase Date that occurs during such period, such Note (or portion thereof)
that is submitted for conversion during such period shall be accompanied by
funds equal to the interest payable on such succeeding interest payment date on
the principal amount so converted, as provided in the penultimate paragraph of
Section 15.2 hereof. Interest shall be payable at the office of the Company
maintained by the Company for such purposes in the Borough of Manhattan, City of
New York, which shall initially be an office or agency of the Trustee and may,
as the Company shall specify to the paying agent in writing by each record date,
be paid either (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto
as it appears in the Note register (provided that the holder of Notes with an
aggregate principal amount in excess of $2,000,000 shall, at the written
election of such holder, be paid by wire transfer in immediately available
funds) or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by such Person located in
the United States; provided, however, that payments to the Depositary will be
made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the
Depositary or its nominee. The term "record date" with respect to any interest
payment date shall mean the March 1 or September 1 preceding the relevant March
15 or September 15, respectively.
Any interest on any Note which is payable, but is not punctually
paid or duly provided for, on any March 15 or September 15 (herein called
"Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Noteholder on
the relevant record date by virtue of his having been such Noteholder, and such
Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case,
as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted
Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective
Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a special record
date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the
following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount
of Defaulted Interest to be paid on each Note and the date of the payment
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(which shall be not less than twenty-five (25) days after the receipt by the
Trustee of such notice, unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date),
and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of
money equal to the aggregate amount to be paid in respect of such Defaulted
Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit
prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held
in trust for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in
this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than fifteen (15)
days and not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the proposed payment,
and not less than ten (10) days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice
of the proposed payment, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such
special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall
cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special
record date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each
Noteholder at his address as it appears in the Note register, not less than ten
(10) days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of
such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been so
mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the
Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) were registered at the close of
business on such special record date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to
the following clause (2) of this Section 2.3.
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest
in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be
listed or designated for issuance, and upon such notice as may be required by
such exchange or automated quotation system, if, after notice given by the
Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such
manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Section 2.4. Execution Of Notes. The Notes shall be signed in the name
and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President
(whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before
or after the title "Vice President") and attested by the manual or facsimile
signature of its Secretary or any of its Assistant Secretaries or its Treasurer
or any of its Assistant Treasurers (which may be printed, engraved or otherwise
reproduced thereon, by facsimile or otherwise). Only such Notes as shall bear
thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth on
the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto, manually executed by the Trustee
(or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee as provided by Section
16.11), shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee (or such an
authenticating agent) upon any Note executed by the Company shall be conclusive
evidence that the Note so authenticated has been duly authenticated and
delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this
Indenture.
In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of
the Notes shall cease to be such officer before the Notes so signed shall have
been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company,
such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as
though the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such officer of the
Company, and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as,
at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the proper officers
of the
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Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such
person was not such an officer.
Section 2.5. Exchange And Registration Of Transfer Of Notes;
Restrictions On Transfer; Depositary.
(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust
Office a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other
office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 5.2 being herein
sometimes collectively referred to as the "Note register") in which, subject to
such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for
the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. The Note register shall be
in written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form
within a reasonably prompt period of time. The Trustee is hereby appointed "Note
registrar" for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein
provided. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars in accordance with
Section 5.2.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note to the
Note registrar or any co-registrar, and satisfaction of the requirements for
such transfer set forth in this Section 2.5, the Company shall execute, and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee
or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denominations and of a
like aggregate principal amount and bearing such restrictive legends as may be
required by this Indenture.
Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized
denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the
Notes to be exchanged at any such office or agency maintained by the Company
pursuant to Section 5.2. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes
which the Noteholder making the exchange is entitled to receive bearing
registration numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt,
and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered
upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
All Notes presented or surrendered for registration of transfer
or for exchange, redemption or conversion shall (if so required by the Company
or the Note registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, and
the Notes shall be duly executed by the Noteholder thereof or his attorney duly
authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made to any holder for any
registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Company may require
payment by the holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of
transfer or exchange of Notes.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Note registrar shall
be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Notes for a period of
fifteen (15) days next preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes
to be redeemed, (b) any Notes or portions thereof
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called for redemption pursuant to Section 3.2, (c) any Notes or portions thereof
surrendered for conversion pursuant to Article Fifteen or (d) any Notes or
portions thereof tendered for redemption (and not withdrawn) pursuant to Section
3.5.
(b) So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry
settlement with the Depositary, or unless otherwise required by law, all Notes
that, upon initial issuance are beneficially owned by QIBs or as a result of a
sale or transfer after initial issuance are beneficially owned by QIBs, will be
represented by one or more Notes in global form registered in the name of the
Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary (the "Global Note"), except as
otherwise specified below. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in
any such Global Note shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with
this Indenture and the procedures of the Depositary therefor. The Trustee shall
make appropriate endorsements to reflect increases or decreases in the principal
amounts of any such Global Note as set forth on the face of the Note ("Principal
Amount") to reflect any such transfers. Except as provided below, beneficial
owners of a Global Note shall not be entitled to have certificates registered in
their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
certificates in definitive form and will not be considered holders of such
Global Note.
(c) So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry
settlement with the Depositary, or unless otherwise required by law, upon any
transfer of a definitive Note to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, and upon
receipt of the definitive Note or Notes being so transferred, together with a
certification, substantially in the form on the reverse of the Note, from the
transferor that the transfer is being made in compliance with Rule 144A (or
other evidence satisfactory to the Trustee), the Trustee shall make an
endorsement on the Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate Principal
Amount of the Notes represented by such Global Note, and the Trustee shall
cancel such definitive Note or Notes in accordance with the standing
instructions and procedures of the Depositary, the aggregate Principal Amount of
the Notes represented by such Global Note to be increased accordingly; provided,
however, that no definitive Note, or portion thereof, in respect of which the
Company or an Affiliate of the Company held any beneficial interest shall be
included in such Global Note until such definitive Note is freely tradable in
accordance with Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, provided further that the
Trustee shall issue Notes in definitive form upon any transfer of a beneficial
interest in the Global Note to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company.
Upon any sale or transfer of a Note to an Institutional
Accredited Investor (other than pursuant to a registration statement that has
been declared effective under the Securities Act), such Institutional Accredited
Investor shall, prior to such sale or transfer, furnish to the Company and/or
the Trustee a signed letter containing representations and agreements relating
to restrictions on transfer substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B to
this Indenture. Upon any transfer of a beneficial interest in the Global Note to
an Institutional Accredited Investor, the Trustee shall make an endorsement on
the Global Note to reflect a decrease in the aggregate Principal Amount of the
Notes represented by such Global Note, and the Company shall execute a
definitive Note or Notes in exchange therefor, and the Trustee, upon receipt of
such definitive Note or Notes and the written order of the Company, shall
authenticate and deliver such, definitive Note or Notes.
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Any Global Note may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the
text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Indenture as may be required by the Custodian, the Depositary
or by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. in order for the
Notes to be tradeable on the Portal Market or as may be required for the Notes
to be tradeable on any other market developed for trading of securities pursuant
to Rule 144A or required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation
thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or
automated quotation system upon which the Notes may be listed or traded or to
conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special
limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.
(d) Every Note that bears or is required under this Section
2.5(d) to bear the legend set forth in this Section 2.5(d) (together with any
Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes and required to bear the legend
set forth in Section 2.5(e), collectively, the "Restricted Securities") shall be
subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 2.5(d)
(including those set forth in the legend set forth below) unless such
restrictions on transfer shall be waived by written consent of the Company, and
the holder of each such Restricted Security, by such Noteholder's acceptance
thereof, agrees to be bound by all such restrictions on transfer. As used in
Sections 2.5(d) and 2.5(e), the term "transfer" encompasses any sale, pledge,
loan, transfer or other disposition whatsoever of any Restricted Security.
Until the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales
thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision),
any certificate evidencing such Note (and all securities issued in exchange
therefor or substitution thereof, other than Common Stock, if any, issued upon
conversion thereof, which shall bear the legend set forth in Section 2.5(e), if
applicable) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form, unless such
Note has been sold pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared
effective under the Securities Act (and which continues to be effective at the
time of such transfer), or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing,
with written notice thereof to the Trustee:
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED
STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD
WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, UNITED
STATES PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS
ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A
"QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT)
("INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR"); (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT,
PRIOR TO EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE
NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY
SUCCESSOR PROVISION), RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE NOTE EVIDENCED
HEREBY OR THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SUCH NOTE EXCEPT
(A) TO GETTY IMAGES, INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT, (C) TO AN
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INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER,
FURNISHES TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE,
AS APPLICABLE), A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND
AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE NOTE
EVIDENCED HEREBY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH
TRUSTEE OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), (D) PURSUANT TO THE
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (E) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS
BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AND WHICH CONTINUES TO
BE EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER); (3) PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER
(OTHER THAN A TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(E) ABOVE), IT WILL FURNISH
TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS
APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS
THE TRUSTEE MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT
SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT; AND (4)
AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE NOTE EVIDENCED
HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS
LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY
PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE
NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY
SUCCESSOR PROVISION), THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX SET
FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND
SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE). IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR IS A PURCHASER WHO IS NOT A UNITED
STATES PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE
BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE),
SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRUSTEE
MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE
PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THIS LEGEND WILL BE
REMOVED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(E) ABOVE OR UPON ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTE
EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY
SUCCESSOR PROVISION). AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "UNITED STATES" AND
"U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT.
Any Note (or security issued in exchange or substitution
therefor) as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in
accordance with their terms or as to conditions for removal of the foregoing
legend set forth therein have been satisfied may, upon surrender of
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such Note for exchange to the Note registrar in accordance with the provisions
of this Section 2.5, be exchanged for a new Note or Notes, of like tenor and
aggregate principal amount, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required
by this Section 2.5(d).
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other
than the provisions set forth in the second paragraph of Section 2.5(c) and in
this Section 2.5(d)), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole or in part
except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the
Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the
Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such
successor Depositary.
The Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the
Exchange Act. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act
as Depositary with respect to the Notes in global form. Initially, the Global
Note shall be issued to the Depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as
the nominee of the Depositary, and deposited with the Custodian for Cede & Co.
If at any time the Depositary for a Global Note notifies the
Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Note,
the Company may appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Note. If a
successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within ninety (90) days
after the Company receives such notice, the Company will execute, and the
Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers' Certificate for the authentication and
delivery of Notes, will authenticate and deliver, Notes in certificated form, in
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in
exchange for such Global Note.
If a Note in certificated form is issued in exchange for any
portion of a Global Note after the close of business at the office or agency
where such exchange occurs on any record date and before the opening of business
at such office or agency on the next succeeding interest payment date, interest
will not be payable on such interest payment date in respect of such
certificated Note, but will be payable on such interest payment date, subject to
the provisions of Section 2.3, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of
such portion of such Global Note is payable in accordance with the provisions of
this Indenture.
Notes in certificated form issued in exchange for all or a part
of a Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be registered in such names
and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions
from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the
Trustee. Upon execution and authentication, the Trustee shall deliver such Notes
in certificated form to the Persons in whose names such Notes in certificated
form are so registered.
At such time as all interests in a Global Note have been
redeemed, converted, canceled, exchanged for Notes in certificated form, or
transferred to a transferee who receives Notes in certificated form thereof,
such Global Note shall, upon receipt thereof, be canceled by the Trustee in
accordance with standing procedures and instructions existing between the
Depositary and the Custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any
interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Notes in certificated form, redeemed,
converted, repurchased or canceled, or transferred to a transferee who receives
Notes in certificated form therefor or any Note in
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certificated form is exchanged or transferred for part of a Global Note, the
principal amount of such Global Note shall, in accordance with the standing
procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian,
be appropriately reduced or increased, as the case may be, and an endorsement
shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the
direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction or increase.
(e) Until the expiration of the holding period applicable to
sales thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor
provision), any stock certificate representing Common Stock issued upon
conversion of any Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form,
unless such Common Stock has been sold pursuant to a registration statement that
has been declared effective under the Securities Act (and which continues to be
effective at the time of such transfer) or such Common Stock has been issued
upon conversion of Notes that have been transferred pursuant to a registration
statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act, or unless
otherwise agreed by the Company in writing with written notice thereof to the
transfer agent:
THE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"),
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR
SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF,
UNITED STATES PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. THE
HOLDER HEREOF AGREES THAT UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD
APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K)
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION), (1) IT WILL NOT
RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED HEREBY EXCEPT
(A) TO GETTY IMAGES, INC. OR TO ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A
"QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT) IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A, (C) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL
"ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7)
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) THAT PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE
BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRANSFER AGENT (OR A SUCCESSOR TRANSFER AGENT, AS
APPLICABLE), A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND
AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE COMMON STOCK
EVIDENCED HEREBY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH
TRANSFER AGENT OR A SUCCESSOR TRANSFER AGENT, AS APPLICABLE), (D)
PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), OR (E) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION
STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
(AND WHICH CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER); (2)
PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (1)(E)
ABOVE), IT WILL FURNISH TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRANSFER AGENT (OR
SUCCESSOR TRANSFER AGENT, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL
OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY
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REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN
EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT; AND (3) IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH
PERSON TO WHOM THE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED (OTHER
THAN A TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1(E) ABOVE) A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO
THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR IS A PURCHASER WHO IS NOT A UNITED
STATES PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE
BANK OF NEW YORK (OR A SUCCESSOR TRANSFER AGENT, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH
CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY
REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN
EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE
EARLIER OF THE TRANSFER OF THE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED HEREBY PURSUANT TO
CLAUSE (1)(E) ABOVE OR UPON ANY TRANSFER OF THE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED
HEREBY AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF
THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
(OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION). AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "UNITED STATES"
AND "UNITED STATES PERSON" HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION
S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
Any such Common Stock as to which such restrictions on transfer
shall have expired in accordance with their terms or as to which the conditions
for removal of the foregoing legend set forth therein have been satisfied may,
upon surrender of the certificates representing such shares of Common Stock for
exchange in accordance with the procedures of the transfer agent for the Common
Stock, be exchanged for a new certificate or certificates for a like number of
shares of Common Stock, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by
this Section 2.5(e).
(f) Any Note or Common Stock issued upon the conversion or
exchange of a Note that, prior to the expiration of the holding period
applicable to sales thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any
successor provision), is purchased or owned by the Company or any Affiliate
thereof may not be resold by the Company or such Affiliate unless registered
under the Securities Act or resold pursuant to an exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act in a transaction which results
in such Notes or Common Stock, as the case may be, no longer being "restricted
securities" (as defined under Rule 144).
The Trustee shall have no additional obligation or duty to
determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed
under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any
interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary
participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note), other than
to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as
are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the
terms of, this Indenture, and to
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examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express
requirements hereof.
Section 2.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost Or Stolen Notes. In case any
Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its
discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an
authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and make
available for delivery, a new Note, bearing a number not contemporaneously
outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of
and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the
applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee
and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as
may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability,
cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every
case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the
Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent
evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note
and of the ownership thereof.
Following receipt by the Trustee or such authenticating agent, as
the case may be, of satisfactory security or indemnity and evidence, as
described in the preceding paragraph, the Trustee or such authenticating agent
may authenticate any such substituted Note and make available for delivery such
Note. Upon the issuance of any substituted Note, the Company may require the
payment by the holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses connected therewith. In case any Note which has matured or is about to
mature or has been called for redemption or has been tendered for redemption
(and not withdrawn) or is to be converted into Common Stock shall become
mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a
substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the
conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a
mutilated Note), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or
conversion shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to
such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them
to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by
or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or
theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, the Trustee and, if
applicable, any paying agent or conversion agent evidence to their satisfaction
of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.
Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 2.6 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen
shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or
not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set
forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other
Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be
held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are
exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment or conversion of mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or
remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the
contrary with respect to the replacement or payment or conversion of negotiable
instruments or other securities without their surrender.
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Section 2.7. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Notes in
certificated form, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating
agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon the written request of the Company,
authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary
Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the
form of the Notes in certificated form, but with such omissions, insertions and
variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined
by the Company. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Company and
authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same
conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as
the Notes in certificated form. Without unreasonable delay the Company will
execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Notes in
certificated form (other than in the case of Notes in global form) and thereupon
any or all temporary Notes (other than any such Global Note) may be surrendered
in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Company
pursuant to Section 5.2 and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall
authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary
Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes in certificated form. Such
exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge
therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be
entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this
Indenture as Notes in certificated form authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.8. Cancellation Of Notes Paid, Etc. All Notes surrendered for
the purpose of payment, redemption, conversion, exchange or registration of
transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent or any Note
registrar or any conversion agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly
canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by
it, and no Notes shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted
by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of such
canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. If the Company shall
acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or
satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the
same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.9. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use
"CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use
"CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Noteholders;
provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made
as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as
contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on
the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption
shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company
will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the "CUSIP" numbers.
ARTICLE 3.
REDEMPTION OF NOTES
Section 3.1. Initial Prohibition On Redemption.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.5, the Notes may
not be redeemed by the Company, in whole or in part, at any time prior to March
20, 2003.
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(b) Optional Redemption By The Company. At any time on or
after March 20, 2003, and prior to maturity, the Notes may be redeemed at the
option of the Company, in whole or in part, upon notice as set forth in Section
3.2, at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the
principal amount), together in each case with accrued and unpaid interest, if
any (including Liquidated Damages, if any) to, but excluding, the date fixed for
redemption:
Period Redemption Price
------ ----------------
Beginning on March 20, 2003 and ending on March 14, 2004 ...... 102.857%
Beginning on March 15, 2004 and ending on March 14, 2005 ...... 102.143%
Beginning on March 15, 2005 and ending on March 14, 2006 ...... 101.429%
Beginning on March 15, 2006 and ending on March 14, 2007 ...... 100.714%
and 100% on March 15, 2007; provided, however, that if the date fixed for
redemption is on a March 15 or September 15, then the interest payable on such
date shall be paid to the holder of record on the preceding March 1 or September
1, respectively.
Section 3.2. Notice Of Redemptions; Selection Of Notes. In case the
Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be,
any part of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.1, it shall fix a date for
redemption and it or, at its written request received by the Trustee not fewer
than forty-five (45) days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be
acceptable to the Trustee) to the date fixed for redemption, the Trustee in the
name of and at the expense of the Company, shall mail or cause to be mailed a
notice of such redemption not fewer than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60)
days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the holders of Notes so to be
redeemed as a whole or in part at their last addresses as the same appear on the
Note register; provided, however, that if the Company shall give such notice, it
shall also give written notice, and written notice of the Notes to be redeemed,
to the Trustee. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice if mailed
in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly
given, whether or not the holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to
give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Note
designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of
the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Concurrently with the
mailing of any such notice of redemption, the Company shall issue a press
release announcing such redemption, the form and content of which press release
shall be determined by the Company in its sole discretion. The failure to issue
any such press release or any defect therein shall not affect the validity of
the redemption notice or any of the proceedings for the redemption of any Note
called for redemption.
Each such notice of redemption shall specify the aggregate
principal amount of Notes to be redeemed, the CUSIP number or numbers of the
Notes being redeemed, the date fixed for redemption (which shall be a Business
Day), the redemption price at which Notes are to be redeemed, the place or
places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of
such Notes, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid
as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or
on the portion thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. Such notice shall
also state the current Conversion Price and the date on which the right to
convert such Notes or portions thereof into Common Stock
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will expire. If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the notice of
redemption shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers, if
any). In case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption
shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall
state that, on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such
Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion
thereof will be issued.
On or prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of
redemption given as provided in this Section 3.2, the Company will deposit with
the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Company is acting as
its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in
Section 5.4) an amount of money in immediately available funds sufficient to
redeem on the redemption date all the Notes (or portions thereof) so called for
redemption (other than those theretofore surrendered for conversion into Common
Stock) at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to,
but excluding, the date fixed for redemption; provided, however, that if such
payment is made on the redemption date it must be received by the Trustee or
paying agent, as the case may be, by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such
date. The Company shall be entitled to retain any interest, yield or gain on
amounts deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent pursuant to this Section
3.2 in excess of amounts required hereunder to pay the redemption price together
with accrued interest to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption. If any
Note called for redemption is converted pursuant hereto prior to such
redemption, any money deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent or so
segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Note shall be paid to
the Company upon its written request, or, if then held by the Company, shall be
discharged from such trust. Whenever any Notes are to be redeemed, the Company
will give the Trustee written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate not
fewer than forty-five (45) days (or such shorter period of time as may be
acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the redemption date as to the aggregate
principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.
If less than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the
Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof of the Global Note or the
Notes in certificated form to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $1,000 or
integral multiples thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the
Trustee deems fair and appropriate. If any Note selected for partial redemption
is submitted for conversion in part after such selection, the portion of such
Note submitted for conversion shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the
portion to be selected for redemption. The Notes (or portions thereof) so
selected shall be deemed duly selected for redemption for all purposes hereof,
notwithstanding that any such Note is submitted for conversion in part before
the mailing of the notice of redemption.
Upon any redemption of less than all of the outstanding Notes,
the Company and the Trustee may (but need not), solely for purposes of
determining the pro rata allocation among such Notes as are unconverted and
outstanding at the time of redemption, treat as outstanding any Notes
surrendered for conversion during the period of fifteen (15) days next preceding
the mailing of a notice of redemption and may (but need not) treat as
outstanding any Note authenticated and delivered during such period in exchange
for the unconverted portion of any Note converted in part during such period.
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Section 3.3. Payment Of Notes Called For Redemption. If notice of
redemption has been given as above provided, the Notes or portion of Notes with
respect to which such notice has been given shall, unless converted into Common
Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, become due and payable on the date fixed for
redemption and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable
redemption price, together with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date
fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Company shall
default in the payment of such Notes at the redemption price, together with
interest accrued to said date) interest on the Notes or portion of Notes so
called for redemption shall cease to accrue and, after the close of business on
the Business Day next preceding the date fixed for redemption, such Notes shall
cease to be convertible into Common Stock and, except as provided in Sections
8.5 and 13.4, to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture,
and the holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Notes except the
right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to (but
excluding) the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such
Notes at a place of payment in said notice specified, the said Notes or the
specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the
applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to (but
excluding) the date fixed for redemption; provided, however, that if the
applicable redemption date is an interest payment date, the semi-annual payment
of interest becoming due on such date shall be payable to the holders of such
Notes registered as such on the relevant record date instead of the holders
surrendering such Notes for redemption on such date.
Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part only, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery
to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Note or Notes, of
authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of
the Notes so presented.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee shall not redeem any
Notes or mail any notice of redemption during the continuance of a default in
payment of interest or premium, if any, on the Notes. If any Note called for
redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the
principal and premium, if any, shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear
interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate borne by the Note and
such Note shall remain convertible into Common Stock until the principal and
premium, if any, and interest shall have been paid or duly provided for.
Section 3.4. Conversion Arrangement On Call For Redemption. In
connection with any redemption of Notes, the Company may arrange for the
purchase and conversion of any Notes by an agreement with one or more investment
bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Notes by paying to the Trustee in
trust for the Noteholders, on or before the date fixed for redemption, an amount
not less than the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to
(but excluding) the date fixed for redemption, of such Notes. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Article Three, the obligation of the
Company to pay the redemption price of such Notes, together with interest
accrued to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption, shall be deemed to be
satisfied and discharged to the extent such amount is so paid by such
purchasers. If such an agreement is entered into, a copy of which will be filed
with the Trustee prior to the date fixed for redemption, any Notes not duly
surrendered for conversion by the holders thereof may, at the option of the
Company, be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by law, acquired by such
purchasers from such holders and (notwithstanding anything
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to the contrary contained in Article Fifteen) surrendered by such purchasers for
conversion, all as of immediately prior to the close of business on the date
fixed for redemption (and the right to convert any such Notes shall be extended
through such time), subject to payment of the above amount as aforesaid. At the
direction of the Company, the Trustee shall hold and dispose of any such amount
paid to it in the same manner as it would monies deposited with it by the
Company for the redemption of Notes. Without the Trustee's prior written
consent, no arrangement between the Company and such purchasers for the purchase
and conversion of any Notes shall increase or otherwise affect any of the
powers, duties, responsibilities or obligations of the Trustee as set forth in
this Indenture.
Section 3.5. Redemption At Option Of Holders.
(a) If there shall occur a Fundamental Change at any time prior
to maturity of the Notes, then each Noteholder shall have the right, at such
holder's option, to require the Company to redeem all of such holder's Notes, or
any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount, on
the date (the "Repurchase Date") that is thirty (30) days after the date of the
Company Notice (as defined in Section 3.5(b) below) of such Fundamental Change
(or, if such 30th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day)
at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together
with accrued interest to (but excluding) the Repurchase Date; provided, however,
that, if such Repurchase Date is a March 15 or September 15, then the interest
payable on such date shall be paid to the holders of record of the Notes on the
next preceding March 1 or September 1, respectively.
Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part only, the Company
shall execute and, upon the Company's written direction to the Trustee, the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the holder thereof, at the expense of
the Company, a new Note or Notes, of authorized denominations, in principal
amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Notes so presented.
(b) On or before the tenth day after the occurrence of a
Fundamental Change, the Company or at its written request (which must be
received by the Trustee at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date the
Trustee is requested to give notice as described below, unless the Trustee shall
agree in writing to a shorter period), the Trustee, in the name of and at the
expense of the Company, shall mail or cause to be mailed to all holders of
record on the date of the Fundamental Change a notice (the "Company Notice") of
the occurrence of such Fundamental Change and of the redemption right at the
option of the holders arising as a result thereof. Such notice shall be mailed
in the manner and with the effect set forth in the first paragraph of Section
3.2 (without regard for the time limits set forth therein). If the Company shall
give such notice, the Company shall also deliver a copy of the Company Notice to
the Trustee at such time as it is mailed to Noteholders. Concurrently with the
mailing of any Company Notice, the Company shall issue a press release
announcing such Fundamental Change referred to in the Company Notice, the form
and content of which press release shall be determined by the Company in its
sole discretion. The failure to issue any such press release or any defect
therein shall not affect the validity of the Company Notice or any proceedings
for the redemption of any Note which any Noteholder may elect to have the
Company redeem as provided in this Section 3.5.
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Each Company Notice shall specify the circumstances constituting
the Fundamental Change, the Repurchase Date, the price at which the Company
shall be obligated to redeem Notes, that the holder must exercise the redemption
right on or prior to the close of business on the Repurchase Date (the
"Fundamental Change Expiration Time"), that the holder shall have the right to
withdraw any Notes surrendered prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time,
a description of the procedure which a Noteholder must follow to exercise such
redemption right and to withdraw any surrendered Notes, the place or places
where the holder is to surrender such holder's Notes, the amount of interest
accrued on each Note to the Repurchase Date and the "CUSIP" number or numbers of
the Notes (if then generally in use).
No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no
defect therein shall limit the Noteholders' redemption rights or affect the
validity of the proceedings for the redemption of the Notes pursuant to this
Section 3.5.
(c) For a Note to be so redeemed at the option of the holder, the
Company must receive at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose or, at the option of such holder, the Corporate Trust Office, such Note
with the form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment Upon A Fundamental Change" on
the reverse thereof duly completed, together with such Notes duly endorsed for
transfer, on or before the Fundamental Change Expiration Time. All questions as
to the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any
Note for repayment shall be determined by the Company, whose determination shall
be final and binding absent manifest error.
(d) On or prior to the Repurchase Date, the Company will deposit
with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Company is acting
as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in
Section 5.4) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Repurchase Date all
the Notes to be redeemed on such date at the appropriate redemption price,
together with accrued interest to (but excluding) the Repurchase Date; provided,
however, that if such payment is made on the Repurchase Date it must be received
by the Trustee or paying agent, as the case may be, by 10:00 a.m., New York City
time, on such date. Payment for Notes surrendered for redemption (and not
withdrawn) prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time will be made promptly
(but in no event more than five (5) Business Days) following the Repurchase Date
by mailing checks for the amount payable to the holders of such Notes entitled
thereto as they shall appear on the registry books of the Company.
(e) In the case of a reclassification, change, consolidation,
merger, combination, sale or conveyance to which Section 15.6 applies, in which
the Common Stock of the Company is changed or exchanged as a result into the
right to receive stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash),
which includes shares of Common Stock of the Company or shares of common stock
of another Person that are, or upon issuance will be, traded on a United States
national securities exchange or approved for trading on an established automated
over-the-counter trading market in the United States and such shares constitute
at the time such change or exchange becomes effective in excess of 50% of the
aggregate fair market value of such stock, securities or other property or
assets (including cash) (as determined by the Company, which determination shall
be conclusive and binding), then the Person formed by such consolidation or
resulting from such merger or which acquires such assets, as the case may be,
shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture (accompanied
by an Opinion of
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Counsel that such supplemental indenture complies with the Trust Indenture Act
as in force at the date of execution of such supplemental indenture) modifying
the provisions of this Indenture relating to the right of holders of the Notes
to cause the Company to repurchase the Notes following a Fundamental Change,
including without limitation the applicable provisions of this Section 3.5 and
the definitions of Common Stock and Fundamental Change, as appropriate, as
determined in good faith by the Company (which determination shall be conclusive
and binding), to make such provisions apply to such other Person if different
from the Company and the common stock issued by such Person (in lieu of the
Company and the Common Stock of the Company).
(f) The Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and
any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act to the extent then
applicable in connection with the redemption rights of the holders of Notes in
the event of a Fundamental Change.
ARTICLE 4.
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
Section 4.1. Agreement Of Subordination. The Company covenants and
agrees, and each holder of Notes issued hereunder by its acceptance thereof
likewise covenants and agrees, that all Notes shall be issued subject to the
provisions of this Article Four, and each Person holding any Note, whether upon
original issue or upon registration of transfer, assignment or exchange thereof,
accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.
The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
(including Liquidated Damages, if any) on all Notes (including, but not limited
to, the redemption price with respect to the Notes called for redemption in
accordance with Section 3.2 or submitted for redemption in accordance with
Section 3.5, as the case may be, as provided in this Indenture) issued hereunder
shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated
and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred.
No provision of this Article Four shall prevent the occurrence of
any default or Event of Default hereunder.
Section 4.2. Payments To Noteholders. No payment shall be made with
respect to the principal of, premium, if any, or interest (including Liquidated
Damages, if any) on the Notes (including, but not limited to, the redemption
price with respect to the Notes to be called for redemption in accordance with
Section 3.2 or submitted for redemption in accordance with Section 3.5, as the
case may be, as provided in this Indenture), except payments and distributions
made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section
4.5, if:
(i) a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any,
interest, rent or other obligations in respect of Designated Senior Indebtedness
occurs and is continuing (or, in the case of Designated Senior Indebtedness for
which there is a period of grace, in the event of such a default that continues
beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument or
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lease evidencing such Designated Senior Indebtedness) (a "Payment Default"),
unless and until such Payment Default shall have been cured or waived or shall
have ceased to exist; or
(ii) a default, other than a Payment Default, on any Designated
Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing that then permits holders of such
Designated Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity (or in the case of any
lease, a default occurs and is continuing that permits the lessor to either
terminate the lease or require the Company to make an irrevocable offer to
terminate the lease following an event of default thereunder) and the Trustee
receives a notice of the default (a "Payment Blockage Notice") from a holder of
Designated Senior Indebtedness, a Representative of Designated Senior
Indebtedness or the Company (a "Non-Payment Default").
If the Trustee receives any Payment Blockage Notice pursuant to
clause (ii) above, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice shall be effective for
purposes of this Section 4.2 unless and until at least 365 days shall have
elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment
Blockage Notice. No Non-Payment Default that existed or was continuing on the
date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be
made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.
The Company may and shall resume payments on and distributions in
respect of the Notes upon the earlier of:
(1) the date upon which any such Payment Default is cured
or waived or ceases to exist, or
(2) in the case of a Non-Payment Default, the earlier of
(a) the date upon which such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or
(b) 179 days after the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received by the
Trustee if the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness has not been
accelerated (or in the case of any lease, 179 days after notice is received if
the Company has not received notice that the lessor under such lease has
exercised its right to terminate the lease or require the Company to make an
irrevocable offer to terminate the lease following an event of default
thereunder), unless this Article Four otherwise prohibits the payment or
distribution at the time of such payment or distribution.
Upon any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the
Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to
creditors upon any dissolution or winding up or liquidation or reorganization of
the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all
Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full in cash or other payment
satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (and satisfactory to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness in the case such Senior Indebtedness includes
Designated Senior Indebtedness), or payment thereof in accordance with its terms
provided for in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness (and satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in the case
such Senior Indebtedness includes Designated Senior Indebtedness) before any
payment is made on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest
(including Liquidated Damages, if any) on the Notes (except payments made
pursuant to Article Thirteen from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant
thereto prior to commencement of proceedings for such dissolution,
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winding up, liquidation or reorganization), and upon any such dissolution or
winding up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company or bankruptcy,
insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, any payment by the
Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, to which the holders of the Notes or
the Trustee would be entitled, except for the provisions of this Article Four,
shall (except as aforesaid) be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee
in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or
distribution, or by the holders of the Notes or by the Trustee under this
Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of
Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, or as otherwise required by law or a
court order) or their Representative or Representatives, as their respective
interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in
full, in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness (and satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in the case
such Senior Indebtedness includes Designated Senior Indebtedness), after giving
effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the holders of the
Notes or to the Trustee.
For purposes of this Article Four, the words, "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation
provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which
is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article Four with
respect to the Notes to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness which may at the
time be outstanding, provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the
new corporation, if any, resulting from any reorganization or readjustment, and
(ii) the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (other than leases which
are not assumed by the Company or the new corporation, as the case may be) are
not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization as the
case may be) are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such
reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the
merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property
as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the
terms and conditions provided for in Article Twelve shall not be deemed a
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this
Section 4.2 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger,
conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Twelve.
In the event of the acceleration of the Notes because of an Event
of Default, no payment or distribution shall be made to the Trustee or any
holder of Notes in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest
(including Liquidated Damages, if any) on the Notes (including, but not limited
to, the redemption price with respect to the Notes called for redemption in
accordance with Section 3.2 or submitted for redemption in accordance with
Section 3.5, as the case may be, as provided in this Indenture), except payments
and distributions made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second
paragraph of Section 4.5, until all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in
cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (and
satisfactory to the holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness in the case such
Senior Indebtedness includes Designated Senior Indebtedness) or such
acceleration is rescinded in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. If
payment of the Notes is accelerated because of
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an Event of Default, the Company or the Trustee shall promptly notify holders of
Senior Indebtedness (including the agent under the Credit Agreement) of the
acceleration.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any
payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities (including, without limitation, by way
of setoff or otherwise), prohibited by the foregoing provisions in this Section
4.2, shall be received by the Trustee or the holders of the Notes before all
Senior Indebtedness is paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness (and satisfactory to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness in the case such Senior Indebtedness includes Designated Senior
Indebtedness), or provision is made for such payment thereof in accordance with
its terms in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness (and satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in the case
such Senior Indebtedness includes Designated Senior Indebtedness), such payment
or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over
or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their Representative or
Representatives, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the
Company, for application to the payment of any Senior Indebtedness remaining
unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full in cash or
other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (and
satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in the case such Senior
Indebtedness includes Designated Senior Indebtedness), after giving effect to
any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness.
Nothing in this Section 4.2 shall apply to claims of, or payments
to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 8.6. This Section 4.2 shall be
subject to the further provisions of Section 4.5.
Section 4.3. Subrogation Of Notes. Subject to the payment in full of all
Senior Indebtedness, the rights of the holders of the Notes shall be subrogated
to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this Article Four (equally and
ratably with the holders of all indebtedness of the Company which by its express
terms is subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company to substantially the
same extent as the Notes are subordinated and is entitled to like rights of
subrogation) to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive
payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company
applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal, premium, if any, and
interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) on the Notes shall be paid in
full, and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to
the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to
which the holders of the Notes or the Trustee would be entitled except for the
provisions of this Article Four, and no payment pursuant to the provisions of
this Article Four, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness
by holders of the Notes or the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its
creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of the
Notes, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior
Indebtedness, and no payments or distributions of cash, property or securities
to or for the benefit of the holders of the Notes pursuant to the subrogation
provisions of this Article Four, which would otherwise have been paid to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness, shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company
to or for the account of the Notes. It is understood that the provisions of this
Article
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Four are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative
rights of the holders of the Notes, on the one hand, and the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
Nothing contained in this Article Four or elsewhere in this
Indenture or in the Notes is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company,
its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of
the Notes, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional,
to pay to the holders of the Notes the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) on the Notes as and when the
same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended
to or shall affect the relative rights of the holders of the Notes and creditors
of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall
anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Note from
exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under
this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Four of the
holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the
Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company
referred to in this Article Four, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
Section 8.1, and the holders of the Notes shall be entitled to rely upon any
order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such
bankruptcy, dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings
are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy,
liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution,
delivered to the Trustee or to the holders of the Notes, for the purpose of
ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the
amount thereof or payable thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to
this Article Four.
Section 4.4. Authorization To Effect Subordination. Each holder of a
Note by the holder's acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on
the holder's behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article Four and appoints the
Trustee to act as the holder's attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
If the Trustee does not file a proper proof of claim or proof of debt in the
form required in any proceeding referred to in the third paragraph of Section
7.2 hereof at least thirty (30) days before the expiration of the time to file
such claim, the holders of any Senior Indebtedness or their Representatives are
hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the holders
of the Notes.
Section 4.5. Notice To Trustee. The Company shall give prompt written
notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate to a Responsible Officer of the
Trustee and to any paying agent of any fact known to the Company that would
prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee or any paying
agent in respect of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article Four.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article Four or any other provision of
this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence
of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by
the Trustee in respect of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article
Four, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received
written notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office from the Company (in the
form of an Officers' Certificate) or a Representative or a holder or holders of
Senior Indebtedness, and before the receipt of any such written notice, the
Trustee, subject to the
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provisions of Section 8.1, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no
such facts exist; provided, however, that if on a date not less than one
Business Day prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such monies
may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment
of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest (including Liquidated
Damages, if any) on any Note) the Trustee shall not have received, with respect
to such monies, the notice provided for in this Section 4.5, then, anything
herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full
power and authority to apply monies received to the purpose for which they were
received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be
received by it on or after such prior date.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article Four to the contrary,
nothing shall prevent any payment by the Trustee to the Noteholders of monies
deposited with it pursuant to Section 13.1, if a Responsible Officer of the
Trustee shall not have received written notice at the Corporate Trust Office on
or before one Business Day prior to the date such payment is due that such
payment is not permitted under Section 4.1 or 4.2.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 8.1, shall be
entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Representative
or a person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a
trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given
by a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of
any such holder or holders. The Trustee shall not be required to make any
payment or distribution to or on behalf of a holder of Senior Indebtedness
pursuant to this Article Four unless it has received satisfactory evidence as to
the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such
Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other
facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Four.
Section 4.6. Trustee's Relation To Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee, in
its individual capacity, shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this
Article Four in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to
the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in
Section 8.13 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of
its rights as such holder.
With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee
undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations
as are specifically set forth in this Article Four, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe
any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the
provisions of Section 8.1, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of
Senior Indebtedness (i) for any failure to make any payments or distributions to
such holder or (ii) if it shall pay over or deliver to holders of Notes, the
Company or any other Person money in compliance with this Article Four.
Section 4.7. No Impairment Of Subordination. No right of any present or
future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein
provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or
failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in
good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the
terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge
thereof
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which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. Senior Indebtedness
may be created, renewed or extended and holders of Senior Indebtedness may
exercise any rights under any instrument creating or evidencing such Senior
Indebtedness, including, without limitation, any waiver of default thereunder,
without any notice to or consent from the holders of the Notes or the Trustee.
No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other
change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or
obligation under or in respect of the Senior Indebtedness or any terms or
conditions of any instrument creating or evidencing such Senior Indebtedness
shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article Four or
the subordination of the Notes provided thereby.
Section 4.8. Certain Conversions Not Deemed Payment. For the purposes of
this Article Four only, (1) the issuance and delivery of junior securities upon
conversion of Notes in accordance with Article Fifteen shall not be deemed to
constitute a payment or distribution on account of the principal of, premium, if
any, or interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) on Notes or on account
of the purchase or other acquisition of Notes, and (2) the payment, issuance or
delivery of cash (except in satisfaction of fractional shares pursuant to
Section 15.3), property or securities (other than junior securities) upon
conversion of a Note shall be deemed to constitute payment on account of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest (including Liquidated Damages, if
any) on such Note. For the purposes of this Section 4.8, the term "junior
securities" means (a) shares of any stock of any class of the Company or (b)
securities of the Company that are subordinated in right of payment to all
Senior Indebtedness that may be outstanding at the time of issuance or delivery
of such securities to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent
than, the Notes are so subordinated as provided in this Article Four. Nothing
contained in this Article Four or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Notes is
intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors (other than
holders of Senior Indebtedness) and the Noteholders, the right, which is
absolute and unconditional, of the Holder of any Note to convert such Note in
accordance with Article Fifteen.
Section 4.9. Article Applicable To Paying Agents. If at any time any
paying agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and
be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee" as used in this Article Four shall
(unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and
including such paying agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and
purposes as if such paying agent were named in this Article Four in addition to
or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that the first paragraph of
Section 4.5 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it
or such Affiliate acts as paying agent.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions or inactions
of any other paying agents (including the Company if acting as its own paying
agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other paying agents.
Section 4.10. Senior Indebtedness Entitled To Rely. The holders of
Senior Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Designated Senior
Indebtedness) shall have the right to rely upon this Article Four, and no
amendment or modification of the provisions contained herein shall diminish the
rights of such holders unless such holders shall have agreed in writing thereto.
Section 4.11. Reliance On Judicial Order Or Certificate Of Liquidating
Agent. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in
this Article Four, the Trustee
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and the Noteholders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered
by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy,
receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar
case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy,
liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors,
agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the
Trustee or to the Noteholders, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons
entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or
payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other
facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Four.
ARTICLE 5.
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 5.1. Payment Of Principal, Premium And Interest. The Company
covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid
the principal of and premium, if any (including the redemption price upon
redemption pursuant to Article Three), and interest (including Liquidated
Damages, if any), on each of the Notes at the places, at the respective times
and in the manner provided herein and in the Notes.
Section 5.2. Maintenance Of Office Or Agency. The Company will maintain
an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, where the
Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for
presentation for payment or for conversion or redemption and where notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be
served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
location and any change in the location of such office or agency not designated
or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain
any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the
address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made
or served at the Corporate Trust Office or the office of agency of the Trustee
in The Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York (which shall initially be
located at The Bank of New York, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ 21 West, New York,
New York 10286, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
The Company may also from time to time designate co-registrars
and one or more offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or
surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such
designations. The Company will give prompt written notice of any such
designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other
office or agency.
The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as paying
agent, Note registrar, Custodian and conversion agent and each of the Corporate
Trust Office and the office of agency of the Trustee in The Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York (which shall initially be located at The Bank of
New York, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ 21 West, New York, New York 10286,
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, shall be considered as one such
office or agency of the Company for each of the aforesaid purposes.
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So long as the Trustee is the Note registrar, the Trustee agrees
to mail, or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 8.10(a) and the
third paragraph of Section 8.11. If co-registrars have been appointed in
accordance with this Section, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the
Company and the holders of Notes it can identify from its records.
Section 5.3. Appointments To Fill Vacancies In Trustee's Office. The
Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee,
will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 8.10, a Trustee, so that there
shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
Section 5.4. Provisions As To Paying Agent.
(a) If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the
Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a paying agent, the Company will
cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in
which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this
Section 5.4:
(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent
for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest (including
Liquidated Damages, if any) on the Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it
by the Company or by any other obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of
the holders of the Notes;
(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by
the Company (or by any other obligor on the Notes) to make any payment of the
principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when the same shall
be due and payable; and
(3) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of
Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all
sums so held in trust.
The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal
of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, deposit with the paying agent a
sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment)
sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest, and (unless such
paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any
failure to take such action; provided, however, that if such deposit is made on
the due date, such deposit shall be received by the paying agent by 10:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on such date.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on
or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest
(including Liquidated Damages, if any) on the Notes, set aside, segregate and
hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to
pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest (including Liquidated Damages,
if any) so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to
take such action and of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor under
the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest
(including Liquidated Damages, if any) on the Notes when the same shall become
due and payable.
(c) Anything in this Section 5.4 to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to
the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company
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or any paying agent hereunder as required by this Section 5.4, such sums to be
held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by
the Company or any paying agent to the Trustee, the Company or such paying agent
shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.
(d) Anything in this Section 5.4 to the contrary notwithstanding,
the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 5.4 is subject
to Sections 13.3 and 13.4.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other
paying agents (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent) and
shall have no control of any funds held by such other paying agents.
Section 5.5. Existence. Subject to Article Twelve, the Company will do
or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and
effect its existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided, however, that
the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right if the Company
shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the
conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the Noteholders.
Section 5.6. Maintenance Of Properties. The Company will cause all
properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any
Significant Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and
working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be
made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements
thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously
conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 5.6
shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any
of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company,
desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any subsidiary and
not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Noteholders.
Section 5.7. Payment Of Taxes And Other Claims. The Company will pay or
discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same may become
delinquent, (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or
imposed upon the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or upon the income,
profits or property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, (ii) all
claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a
lien or charge upon the property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
and (iii) all stamps and other duties, if any, which may be imposed by the
United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein in connection with
the issuance, transfer, exchange or conversion of any Notes or with respect to
this Indenture; provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii),
the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or
discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim (A) if the failure to do so
will not, in the aggregate, have a material adverse impact on the Company or (B)
if the amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings.
Section 5.8. Rule 144A Information Requirement. Within the period prior
to the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales thereof under Rule
144(k) under the
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Securities Act (or any successor provision), the Company covenants and agrees
that it shall, during any period in which it is not subject to Section 13 or
15(d) under the Exchange Act, make available to any holder or beneficial holder
of Notes or any Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof which continue to be
Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective
purchaser of Notes or such Common Stock designated by such holder or beneficial
holder, the information required pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act upon the request of any holder or beneficial holder of the Notes
or such Common Stock and it will take such further action as any holder or
beneficial holder of such Notes or such Common Stock may reasonably request, all
to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder or beneficial
holder to sell its Notes or Common Stock without registration under the
Securities Act within the limitation of the exemption provided by Rule 144A, as
such Rule may be amended from time to time. Upon the request of any holder or
any beneficial holder of the Notes or such Common Stock, the Company will
deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with
such requirements.
Section 5.9. Stay, Extension And Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to
the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist
upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage
of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law which would prohibit or
forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium,
if any, or interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) on the Notes as
contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or
which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the
Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all
benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort
to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein
granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such
power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 5.10. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the
Trustee, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year
of the Company, a certificate signed by either the principal executive officer,
principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company,
stating whether or not, to the best knowledge of the signer thereof, the Company
is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions
and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or
requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in
default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and the status thereof of
which the signer may have knowledge.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming
aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant,
agreement or condition contained in this Indenture or (ii) any Event of Default,
an Officers' Certificate specifying with particularity such default or Event of
Default and further stating what action the Company has taken, is taking or
proposes to take with respect thereto.
Any notice required to be given under this Section 5.10 or
Section 4.5 shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its
Corporate Trust Office. In the event that the payment of the Notes is
accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly provide
written notice to the Trustee specifying the names and addresses of the holders
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of Senior Indebtedness if the Trustee (and not the Company) is to provide
holders of Senior Indebtedness notice of such acceleration under Section 4.5 of
the Indenture.
Section 5.11. Liquidated Damages Notice. In the event that the Company
is required to pay Liquidated Damages to holders of Notes pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will provide written notice
("Liquidated Damages Notice") to the Trustee of its obligation to pay Liquidated
Damages no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the proposed payment date for
the Liquidated Damages, and the Liquidated Damages Notice shall set forth the
amount of Liquidated Damages to be paid by the Company on such payment date. The
Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty to responsibility to any holder
of Notes to determine the Liquidated Damages, or with respect to the nature,
extent or calculation of the amount of Liquidated Damages when made, or with
respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Liquidated Damages.
ARTICLE 6.
NOTEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Noteholders' Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that
it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semiannually, not more
than fifteen (15) days after each March 1 and September 1 in each year beginning
with September 1, 2000, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in
writing, within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of any such
request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to
enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list
in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of
the holders of Notes as of a date not more than fifteen (15) days (or such other
date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such
notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such
list need be furnished by the Company to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is
acting as the sole Note registrar.
Section 6.2. Preservation And Disclosure Of Lists.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the
holders of Notes contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided
in Section 6.1 or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note registrar or
co-registrar in respect of the Notes, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any
list furnished to it as provided in Section 6.1 upon receipt of a new list so
furnished.
(b) The rights of Noteholders to communicate with other holders
of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes,
and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by
the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) Every Noteholder, by receiving and holding the same, agrees
with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor
any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any
disclosure of information as to names and addresses of holders of Notes made
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
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Section 6.3. Reports By Trustee.
(a) Within sixty (60) days after May 15 of each year commencing
with the year 2000, the Trustee shall transmit to holders of Notes such reports
dated as of May 15 of the year in which such reports are made concerning the
Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the
Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
(b) A copy of such report shall, at the time of such transmission
to holders of Notes, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange and
automated quotation system upon which the Notes are listed and with the Company.
The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Notes are
listed on any stock exchange or automated quotation system or delisted
therefrom.
Section 6.4. Reports By Company. The Company shall file with the Trustee
(and the Commission if at any time the Indenture becomes qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act), and transmit to holders of Notes, such information,
documents and other reports and such summaries thereof, as may be required
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided
pursuant to such Act, whether or not the Notes are governed by such Act;
provided, however, that any such information, documents or reports required to
be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
shall be filed with the Trustee within fifteen (15) days after the same is so
required to be filed with the Commission. Delivery of such reports, information
and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the
Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any
information contained therein or determinable from information contained
therein, including the Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder
(as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers'
Certificates).
ARTICLE 7.
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND
NOTEHOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 7.1. Events Of Default. In case one or more of the following
Events of Default (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant
to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation
of any administrative or governmental body) shall have occurred and be
continuing:
(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest
(including Liquidated Damages, if any) upon any of the Notes as and when the
same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period
of thirty (30) days, whether or not such payment is permitted under Article Four
hereof; or
(b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if
any, on any of the Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable
either at maturity or in connection
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with any redemption pursuant to Article Three, by acceleration or otherwise,
whether or not such payment is permitted under Article Four hereof; or
(c) failure on the part of the Company duly to observe or perform
any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company in the Notes
or in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose
performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 7.1 specifically dealt
with) continued for a period of sixty (60) days after the date on which written
notice of such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same, shall have
been given to the Company by the Trustee, or the Company and a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee by the holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in
accordance with Section 9.4; or
(d) the Company shall commence a voluntary case or other
proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to
the Company or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law
now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company or any
substantial part of the property of the Company, or shall consent to any such
relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an
involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Company, or shall
make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally
to pay its debts as they become due; or
(e) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced
against the Company seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with
respect to the Company or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee,
receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company or any
substantial part of the property of the Company, and such involuntary case or
other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of ninety
(90) consecutive days;
then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified
in Section 7.1(d) or (e)), unless the principal of all of the Notes shall have
already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less
than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding hereunder determined in accordance with Section 9.4, by notice in
writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Noteholders), may declare
the principal of and premium, if any, on all the Notes and the interest accrued
thereon (including Liquidated Damages, if any) to be immediately due and
payable, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be
immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Notes
contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default specified in
Section 7.1(d) or (e) occurs, the principal of all the Notes and the interest
accrued thereon shall (including Liquidated Damages, if any) be immediately and
automatically due and payable without necessity of further action. This
provision, however, is subject to the conditions that if, at any time after the
principal of the Notes shall have been so declared due and payable, and before
any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been
obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall
deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of
interest upon (including Liquidated Damages, if any) all Notes and the principal
of and premium, if any, on any and all Notes which shall have become due
otherwise than by acceleration (with interest on overdue installments of
interest
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(including Liquidated Damages, if any) (to the extent that payment of such
interest is enforceable under applicable law) and on such principal and premium,
if any, at the rate borne by the Notes, to the date of such payment or deposit)
and amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.6, and if any and all
defaults under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of principal of and
premium, if any, and accrued interest on (including Liquidated Damages, if any)
Notes which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured or
waived pursuant to Section 7.7, then and in every such case the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written
notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults or Events of
Default and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences; but no such
waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any
subsequent default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent
thereon. The Company shall notify a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, promptly
upon becoming aware thereof, of any Event of Default.
In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right
under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or
abandoned because of such waiver or rescission and annulment or for any other
reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every
such case the Company, the holders of Notes, and the Trustee shall be restored
respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights,
remedies and powers of the Company, the holders of Notes, and the Trustee shall
continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.
Section 7.2. Payments Of Notes On Default; Suit Therefor. The Company
covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of any
installment of interest upon (including Liquidated Damages, if any) any of the
Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall
have continued for a period of thirty (30) days or (b) in case default shall be
made in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any of the Notes
as and when the same shall have become due and payable, whether at maturity of
the Notes or in connection with any redemption, by or under this Indenture by
declaration or otherwise, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay
to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, the whole amount
that then shall have become due and payable on all such Notes for principal and
premium, if any, or interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any), as the case
may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to
the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law)
upon the overdue installments of interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any)
at the rate borne by the Notes, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as
shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including
reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and
all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 8.6. Until such demand by the
Trustee, the Company may pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest
on (including Liquidated Damages, if any) the Notes to the registered holders,
whether or not the Notes are overdue.
In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon
such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust,
shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law
or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute
any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any
such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on the
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Notes and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the
Company or any other obligor on the Notes wherever situated the monies adjudged
or decreed to be payable.
In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or
for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes under
Title 11 of the United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a
receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator,
sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for, or taken
possession of, the Company or such other obligor, the property of the Company or
such other obligor, or in the case of any other judicial proceedings relative to
the Company or such other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or
property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of
whether the principal of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein
expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee
shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 7.2, shall
be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to
file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if
any, and interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) owing and unpaid in
respect of the Notes, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such
proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable
in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the Noteholders allowed in
such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the
Notes, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and
receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims,
and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due the Trustee
under Section 8.6, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or
reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized
by each of the Noteholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the
event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to
the Noteholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable
compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including counsel fees
incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such
payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of
the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of
the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all
distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property which the
holders of the Notes may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in
liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this
Indenture, or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the
possession of any of the Notes, or the production thereof at any trial or other
proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the
Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any
recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and
counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes.
In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings
involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the
Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders
of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Notes
parties to any such proceedings.
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Section 7.3. Application Of Monies Collected By Trustee. Any monies
collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Seven shall be applied in the
order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution
of such monies, upon presentation of the several Notes, and stamping thereon the
payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
Section 8.6;
SECOND: Subject to the provisions of Article Four, in case the
principal of the outstanding Notes shall not have become due and be unpaid, to
the payment of interest on (including Liquidated Damages, if any) the Notes in
default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with
interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee)
upon the overdue installments of interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any)
at the rate borne by the Notes, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons
entitled thereto;
THIRD: Subject to the provisions of Article Four, in case the
principal of the outstanding Notes shall have become due, by declaration or
otherwise, and be unpaid to the payment of the whole amount then owing and
unpaid upon the Notes for principal and premium, if any, and interest (including
Liquidated Damages, if any), with interest on the overdue principal and premium,
if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee)
upon overdue installments of interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) at
the rate borne by the Notes, and in case such monies shall be insufficient to
pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Notes, then to the
payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest (including
Liquidated Damages, if any) without preference or priority of principal and
premium, if any, over interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any), or of
interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) over principal and premium, if
any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest,
or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal
and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest; and
FOURTH: Subject to the provisions of Article Four, to the payment
of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person lawfully entitled
thereto.
Section 7.4. Proceedings By Noteholder. No holder of any Note shall have
any right by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to
institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or
with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee,
liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written
notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore
provided, and unless also the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%)
in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made
written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in
its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such
indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and
liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee for sixty (60)
days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall
have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and
no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the
Trustee pursuant to Section 7.7; it being understood and intended, and being
expressly covenanted by the taker and holder of every Note with every other
taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or
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more holders of Notes shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of
or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or
prejudice the rights of any other holder of Notes, or to obtain or seek to
obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any
right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the
equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Notes (except as otherwise
provided herein). For the protection and enforcement of this Section 7.4, each
and every Noteholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be
given either at law or in equity.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any
provision of any Note, the right of any holder of any Note to receive payment of
the principal of and premium, if any (including the redemption price upon
redemption pursuant to Article Three), and accrued interest on (including
Liquidated Damages, if any) such Note, on or after the respective due dates
expressed in such Note or in the event of redemption, or to institute suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates against
the Company shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such
holder.
Anything in this Indenture or the Notes to the contrary
notwithstanding, the holder of any Note, without the consent of either the
Trustee or the holder of any other Note, in its own behalf and for its own
benefit, may enforce, and may institute and maintain any proceeding suitable to
enforce, its rights of conversion as provided herein.
Section 7.5. Proceedings By Trustee. In case of an Event of Default
known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee may, in its
discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this
Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect
and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or
by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement
of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal
or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Section 7.6. Remedies Cumulative And Continuing. Except as provided in
Section 2.6, all powers and remedies given by this Article Seven to the Trustee
or to the Noteholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed
cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies
available to the Trustee or the holders of the Notes, by judicial proceedings or
otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and
agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee
or of any holder of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing
upon any default or Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall
impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such
default or any acquiescence therein, and, subject to the provisions of Section
7.4, every power and remedy given by this Article Seven or by law to the Trustee
or to the Noteholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall
be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Noteholders.
Section 7.7. Direction Of Proceedings And Waiver Of Defaults By Majority
Of Noteholders. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 9.4 shall
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Trustee or
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exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided, however, that
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this
Indenture, (b) the Trustee may take any other action which is not inconsistent
with such direction and (c) the Trustee may decline to take any action that
would benefit some Noteholders to the detriment of other Noteholders. The
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time
outstanding determined in accordance with Section 9.4 may, on behalf of the
holders of all of the Notes, waive any past default or Event of Default
hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of interest
(including Liquidated Damages, if any) or premium, if any, on, or the principal
of, the Notes, (ii) a failure by the Company to convert any Notes into Common
Stock, (iii) a default in the payment of the redemption price pursuant to
Article Three or (iv) a default in respect of a covenant or provisions hereof
which under Article Eleven cannot be modified or amended without the consent of
the holders of each or all Notes then outstanding or affected thereby. Upon any
such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Notes shall be
restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver
shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair
any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder
shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 7.7, said default or Event
of Default shall for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to
have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon.
Section 7.8. Notice Of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within ninety (90)
days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of the occurrence
of a default, mail to all Noteholders, as the names and addresses of such
holders appear upon the Note register, notice of all defaults known to a
Responsible Officer, unless such defaults shall have been cured or waived before
the giving of such notice; provided, however, that except in the case of default
in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest (including
Liquidated Damages, if any) on any of the Notes, the Trustee shall be protected
in withholding such notice if and so long as a trust committee of directors
and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the
withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Noteholders.
Section 7.9. Undertaking To Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture
agree, and each holder of any Note by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to
have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the
enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against
the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any
party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and
that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such
suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses
made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this
Section 7.9 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit
instituted by the Trustee, any suit instituted by any Noteholder, or group of
Noteholders, holding in the aggregate more than ten percent (10%) in principal
amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with
Section 9.4, any suit instituted by any Noteholder for the enforcement of the
payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Note on or
after the due date expressed in such Note or any suit for the enforcement of the
right to convert any Note in accordance with the provisions of Article Fifteen.
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ARTICLE 8.
THE TRUSTEE
Section 8.1. Duties And Responsibilities Of Trustee. The Trustee, prior
to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of
Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such
duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of
Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall
exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use
the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the
Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure
to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the
curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred:
(1) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be
determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trust
Indenture Act, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of
such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and
no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture and the
Trust Indenture Act against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith and willful misconduct on
the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely as to the truth of
the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any
certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the
requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or
opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be
furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same
to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;
(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless
the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written
direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 9.4 relating to
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee,
under this Indenture;
(d) whether or not therein provided, every provision of this
Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording
protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section
8.1;
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(e) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as
to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters
relating to payment) or notice effected by the Company or any paying agent or
any records maintained by any co-registrar with respect to the Notes; and
(f) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event
the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the
Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice
as reason to act as if no such event occurred.
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require
the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise
of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that
the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability
is not reasonably assured to it.
Section 8.2. Reliance On Documents, Opinions, Etc. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 8.1:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in
acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or
document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it in good
faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
parties;
(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company
mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate
(unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed);
and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by
a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company;
(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and
any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good
faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or
direction of any of the Noteholders pursuant to the provisions of this
Indenture, unless such Noteholders shall have offered to the Trustee security or
indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;
(e) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may
make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may
see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or
investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises
of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
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(f) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder
or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it with due care
hereunder;
(g) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken,
suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by
it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon
it by this Indenture; provided, however, that the Trustee's conduct does not
constitute willful misconduct or negligence;
(h) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default
or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual
knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a
default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee,
and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture;
(i) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits
given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be
indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each
of its capacities hereunder; and
(j) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers'
Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers
authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture,
which Officers' Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an
Officers' Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any
such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
Section 8.3. No Responsibility For Recitals, Etc. The recitals contained
herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustee's certificate of authentication)
shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no
responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no
representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the
Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by
the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 8.4. Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents Or Registrar May
Own Notes. The Trustee, any paying agent, any conversion agent or Note
registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee,
paying agent, conversion agent or Note registrar.
Section 8.5. Monies To Be Held In Trust. Subject to the provisions of
Section 13.4 and Section 4.2, all monies received by the Trustee shall, until
used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which
they were received. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee
shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder
except as may be agreed in writing from time to time by the Company and the
Trustee.
Section 8.6. Compensation And Expenses Of Trustee. The Company covenants
and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be
entitled to, such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any
capacity (which shall not be
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limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an
express trust) as mutually agreed to from time to time in writing between the
Company and the Trustee, and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon
its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably
incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this
Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its counsel) except any such expense, disbursement or advance
as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct, recklessness or bad faith.
The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee (or any officer, director or
employee of the Trustee), in any capacity under this Indenture and its agents
and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all
loss, liability, damage, claim or expense incurred without negligence, willful
misconduct, recklessness or bad faith on the part of the Trustee or such
officers, directors, employees and agent or authenticating agent, as the case
may be, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of this trust or in any other capacity hereunder, including the
costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted
by the Company, a holder of Notes or any other Person) of liability in the
premises. The obligations of the Company under this Section 8.6 to compensate or
indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses,
disbursements and advances shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Notes
upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except
funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Notes. The
obligation of the Company under this Section shall survive the satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture.
When the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent
incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section
7.1(d) or (e) with respect to the Company occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.
The provisions of this Section 8.6 shall not be subject to the
subordination provisions of Article Four.
Section 8.7. Officers' Certificate As Evidence. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 8.1, whenever in the administration of the provisions of
this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be
proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such
matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically
prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part
of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an
Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee.
Section 8.8. Conflicting Interests Of Trustee. If the Trustee has or
shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture
Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent
and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust
Indenture Act and this Indenture.
Section 8.9. Eligibility Of Trustee. There shall at all times be a
Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000 (or if such Person is a member of a bank holding company system, its
bank holding company shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000). If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually,
pursuant to
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law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for
the purposes of this Section 8.9 the combined capital and surplus of such Person
shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most
recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease
to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.9, it shall
resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in
this Article Eight.
Section 8.10. Resignation or Removal Of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice
of such resignation to the Company and to the holders of Notes. Upon receiving
such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of
Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning
Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall
have been so appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) days after the
mailing of such notice of resignation to the Noteholders, the resigning Trustee
may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction
for the appointment of a successor trustee, or, if any Noteholder who has been a
bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six (6) months may, subject to
the provisions of Section 7.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly
situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee.
Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and
prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 8.8
after written request therefor by the Company or by any Noteholder who has been
a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six (6) months;
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance
with the provisions of Section 8.9 and shall fail to resign after written
request therefor by the Company or by any such Noteholder; or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall
be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control
of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation,
conservation or liquidation;
then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a
successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the
Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the
Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the
provisions of Section 7.9, any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a
Note or Notes for at least six (6) months may, on behalf of himself and all
others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee; provided,
however, that if no successor Trustee shall have been appointed and have
accepted appointment sixty (60) days after either the Company or the Noteholders
has removed the Trustee, the Trustee so removed may petition, at the expense of
the
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Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor
trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Notes at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and
nominate a successor trustee which shall be deemed appointed as successor
trustee unless, within ten (10) days after notice to the Company of such
nomination, the Company objects thereto, in which case the Trustee so removed or
any Noteholder, or if such Trustee so removed or any Noteholder fails to act,
the Company, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in Section 8.10(a)
provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of
a successor trustee.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of
a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 8.10 shall
become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as
provided in Section 8.11.
Section 8.11. Acceptance By Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee
appointed as provided in Section 8.10 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to
the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such
appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without
any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as
if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request
of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall,
upon payment of any amount then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section
8.6, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee
all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any
such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in
writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor
trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall,
nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by
such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of holders
of particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the
provisions of Section 8.6.
No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this
Section 8.11 unless, at the time of such acceptance, such successor trustee
shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 8.8 and be eligible under the
provisions of Section 8.9.
Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided
in this Section 8.11, the Company (or the former trustee, at the written
direction of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed notice of the
succession of such trustee hereunder to the holders of Notes at their addresses
as they shall appear on the Note register. If the Company fails to mail such
notice within ten (10) days after acceptance of appointment by the successor
trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the
expense of the Company.
Section 8.12. Succession By Merger, Etc. Any corporation into which the
Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any
corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the
Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially
all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including any
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trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor to the Trustee
hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto, provided that in the case of any corporation
succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the
Trustee, such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 8.8
and eligible under the provisions of Section 8.9.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed
to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been
authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the
certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent
appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated;
and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any
successor to the Trustee or any authenticating agent appointed by such successor
trustee may authenticate such Notes in the name of the successor trustee; and in
all such cases such certificates shall have the full force that is provided in
the Notes or in this Indenture; provided, however, that the right to adopt the
certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Notes
in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or
successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 8.13. Preferential Collection Of Claims. If and when the Trustee
shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor on the
Notes), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture
Act regarding the collection of the claims against the Company (or any such
other obligor).
Section 8.14. Trustee's Application For Instructions From The Company.
Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company (other
than with regard to any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by
the Trustee that affects the rights of the holders of the Notes or holders of
Senior Indebtedness under this Indenture, including, without limitation, under
Article Four hereof) may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any
action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and
the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall
be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or
omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such
application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall
not be less than three (3) Business Days after the date any officer of the
Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have
consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action
(or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have
received written instructions in response to such application specifying the
action to be taken or omitted.
ARTICLE 9.
THE NOTEHOLDERS
Section 9.1. Action By Noteholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is
provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes may take any action (including the making of any demand or
request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other
action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action, the holders of
such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any
instrument or any
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number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Noteholders in person or by
agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the holders of Notes
voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Noteholders duly called and held in
accordance with the provisions of Article Ten, or (c) by a combination of such
instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Noteholders.
Whenever the Company or the Trustee solicits the taking of any action by the
holders of the Notes, the Company or the Trustee may fix in advance of such
solicitation, a date as the record date for determining holders entitled to take
such action. The record date shall be not more than fifteen (15) days prior to
the date of commencement of solicitation of such action.
Section 9.2. Proof Of Execution By Noteholders. Subject to the
provisions of Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 10.5, proof of the execution of any
instrument by a Noteholder or its agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in
accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by
the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The
holding of Notes shall be proved by the registry of such Notes or by a
certificate of the Note registrar.
The record of any Noteholders' meeting shall be proved in the
manner provided in Section 10.6.
Section 9.3. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. The Company, the Trustee,
any paying agent, any conversion agent and any Note registrar may deem the
Person in whose name such Note shall be registered upon the Note register to be,
and may treat it as, the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note
shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing
thereon made by any Person other than the Company or any Note registrar) for the
purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on such Note, for conversion of such Note and for all other
purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any
conversion agent nor any Note registrar shall be affected by any notice to the
contrary. All such payments so made to any holder for the time being, or upon
his order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid,
effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for monies payable upon any
such Note.
Section 9.4. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the
holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in
any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture, Notes which
are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Notes or any Affiliate of
the Company or any other obligor on the Notes shall be disregarded and deemed
not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided,
however, that, for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be
protected in relying on any such direction, consent, waiver or other action,
only Notes which a Responsible Officer actually knows are so owned shall be so
disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be
regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 9.4 if the pledgee
shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right to vote
such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company, any other obligor on the
Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of
a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of
counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee,
the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers' Certificate
listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Company to be owned or
held by or for the account of any of the above described Persons, and, subject
to Section 8.1, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers'
Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth
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and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the
purpose of any such determination.
Section 9.5. Revocation Of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time
prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section
9.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes specified in this Indenture in connection with
such action, any holder of a Note which is shown by the evidence to be included
in the Notes the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing
written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of
holding as provided in Section 9.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such
Note. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the holder of any Note shall
be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and
owners of such Note and of any Notes issued in exchange or substitution
therefor, irrespective of whether any notation in regard thereto is made upon
such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor.
ARTICLE 10.
MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS
Section 10.1. Purpose Of Meetings. A meeting of Noteholders may be
called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this
Article Ten for any of the following purposes:
(1) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee or
to give any directions to the Trustee permitted under this Indenture, or to
consent to the waiving of any default or Event of Default hereunder and its
consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Noteholders
pursuant to any of the provisions of Article Seven;
(2) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee
pursuant to the provisions of Article Eight;
(3) to consent to the execution of an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.2; or
(4) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or
on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the
Notes under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
Section 10.2. Call Of Meetings By Trustee. The Trustee may at any time
call a meeting of Noteholders to take any action specified in Section 10.1, to
be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of
every meeting of the Noteholders, setting forth the time and the place of such
meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting and
the establishment of any record date pursuant to Section 9.1, shall be mailed to
holders of Notes at their addresses as they shall appear on the Note register.
Such notice shall also be mailed to the Company. Such notices shall be mailed
not less than twenty (20) nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date fixed
for the meeting.
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Any meeting of Noteholders shall be valid without notice if the
holders of all Notes then outstanding are present in person or by proxy or if
notice is waived before or after the meeting by the holders of all Notes
outstanding, and if the Company and the Trustee are either present by duly
authorized representatives or have, before or after the meeting, waived notice.
Section 10.3. Call Of Meetings By Company Or Noteholders. In case at any
time the Company, pursuant to a resolution of its Board of Directors, or the
holders of at least ten percent (10%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of
Noteholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action
proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the
notice of such meeting within twenty (20) days after receipt of such request,
then the Company or such Noteholders may determine the time and the place for
such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section
10.1, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 10.2.
Section 10.4. Qualifications For Voting. To be entitled to vote at any
meeting of Noteholders a person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Notes on
the record date pertaining to such meeting or (b) be a person appointed by an
instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more Notes on the record
date pertaining to such meeting. The only persons who shall be entitled to be
present or to speak at any meeting of Noteholders shall be the persons entitled
to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee
and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 10.5. Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem
advisable for any meeting of Noteholders, in regard to proof of the holding of
Notes and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and
duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies,
certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters
concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a
temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by
the Company or by Noteholders as provided in Section 10.3, in which case the
Company or the Noteholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in
like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent
secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Notes represented at the meeting and entitled to vote
at the meeting.
Subject to the provisions of Section 9.4, at any meeting each
Noteholder or proxyholder shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000
principal amount of Notes held or represented by him; provided, however, that no
vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged
as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not
outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than
by virtue of Notes held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly
designating him as the proxy to vote on behalf of other Noteholders. Any meeting
of Noteholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.2 or 10.3
may be adjourned from time to time by the holders of a majority of the aggregate
principal amount of Notes represented at the meeting, whether or not
constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without
further notice.
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Section 10.6. Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any
meeting of Noteholders shall be by written ballot on which shall be subscribed
the signatures of the holders of Notes or of their representatives by proxy and
the outstanding principal amount of the Notes held or represented by them. The
chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count
all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make
and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in
duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the
proceedings of each meeting of Noteholders shall be prepared by the secretary of
the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of
the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by
one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the
notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in
Section 10.2. The record shall show the principal amount of the Notes voting in
favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by
the affidavits of the chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the
duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be
preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted
at the meeting.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of
the matters therein stated.
Section 10.7. No Delay Of Rights By Meeting. Nothing contained in this
Article Ten shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of
any call of a meeting of Noteholders or any rights expressly or impliedly
conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of
any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the
Noteholders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes.
ARTICLE 11.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 11.1. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent Of Noteholders.
The Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors, and
the Trustee may, from time to time, and at any time enter into an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) make provision with respect to the conversion rights of the
holders of Notes pursuant to the requirements of Section 15.6 and the redemption
obligations of the Company pursuant to the requirements of Section 3.5(e);
(b) subject to Article Four, to convey, transfer, assign,
mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Notes, any property or
assets;
(c) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company,
or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person of the
covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to Article Twelve;
(d) to add to the covenants of the Company such further
covenants, restrictions or conditions as the Board of Directors and the Trustee
shall consider to be for the benefit of the holders of Notes, and to make the
occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance,
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of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a
default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the
several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided,
however, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or
condition, such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of
grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in
the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon
such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such
default;
(e) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Notes in
coupon form (including Notes registrable as to principal only) and to provide
for exchangeability of such Notes with the Notes issued hereunder in fully
registered form and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;
(f) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any
provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture that may be
defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any
supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or
questions arising under this Indenture that shall not materially adversely
affect the interests of the holders of the Notes;
(g) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes; or
(h) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this
Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualifications of
this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, or under any similar federal
statute hereafter enacted.
Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of
the resolutions of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or
Assistant Secretary authorizing the execution of any supplemental indenture, the
Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any
such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and
stipulations that may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance,
transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be
obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any supplemental indenture
that affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture
or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this
Section 11.1 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent
of the holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any
of the provisions of Section 11.2.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture or the
Notes, the Registration Rights Agreement and the obligation to pay Liquidated
Damages thereunder may be amended, modified or waived in accordance with the
provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 11.2. Supplemental Indenture With Consent Of Noteholders. With
the consent (evidenced as provided in Article Nine) of the holders of not less
than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time
outstanding, the Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of
Directors, and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time,
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enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or of modifying in
any manner the rights of the holders of the Notes; provided, however, that no
such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Note, or
reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce the
principal amount thereof or premium, if any, thereon, or reduce any amount
payable on redemption thereof, or impair the right of any Noteholder to
institute suit for the payment thereof, or make the principal thereof or
interest or premium, if any, thereon payable in any coin or currency other than
that provided in the Notes, or modify the provisions of this Indenture with
respect to the subordination of the Notes in a manner adverse to the Noteholders
in any material respect, or change the obligation of the Company to redeem any
Note upon the happening of a Fundamental Change in a manner adverse to the
holder of Notes, or impair the right to convert the Notes into Common Stock
subject to the terms set forth herein, including Section 15.6, in each case,
without the consent of the holder of each Note so affected or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of Notes, the holders of which are required to consent to
any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of all Notes
then outstanding.
Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of
the resolutions of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or
Assistant Secretary authorizing the execution of any such supplemental
indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of
Noteholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the
execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture
affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or
otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Noteholders
under this Section 11.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed
supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve
the substance thereof.
Section 11.3. Effect Of Supplemental Indenture. Any supplemental
indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article Eleven shall
comply with the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect, provided that this
Section 11.3 shall not require such supplemental indenture or the Trustee to be
qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time such qualification is
in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has
been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any
admission or acknowledgment by any party to such supplemental indenture that any
such qualification is required prior to the time such qualification is in fact
required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been
qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Upon the execution of any supplemental
indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article Eleven, this Indenture
shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and
the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities
under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Notes shall
thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder, subject in all
respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions
of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the
terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
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Section 11.4. Notation On Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after
the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this
Article Eleven may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any
matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the
Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion
of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture
contained in any such supplemental indenture may, at the Company's expense, be
prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee (or an
authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 16.11)
and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such
Notes then outstanding.
Section 11.5. Evidence Of Compliance Of Supplemental Indenture To Be
Furnished To Trustee. Prior to entering into any supplemental indenture, the
Trustee may request an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as
conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto
complies with the requirements of this Article Eleven.
ARTICLE 12.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE
Section 12.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc. On Certain Terms. Subject to
the provisions of Section 12.2, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of
the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into
any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or
successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or
successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance or
lease (or successive sales, conveyances or leases) of all or substantially all
of the property of the Company, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated
with the Company), authorized to acquire and operate the same and that shall be
organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or
the District of Columbia; provided, however, that upon any such consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance or lease, the due and punctual payment of the principal
of and premium, if any, and interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) on
all of the Notes, according to their tenor and the due and punctual performance
and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be
performed by the Company, shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture
satisfactory in form to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by
the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation, or into
which the Company shall have been merged, or by the Person that shall have
acquired or leased such property, and such supplemental indenture shall provide
for the applicable conversion rights set forth in Section 15.6.
Section 12.2. Successor Corporation To Be Substituted. In case of any
such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or lease and upon the assumption by
the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the
Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment
of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Notes and
the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this
Indenture to be performed by the Company, such successor Person shall succeed to
and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named
herein as the party of this first part. Such successor Person thereupon may
cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of Getty
Images, Inc. any or all of the Notes,
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issuable hereunder that theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company
and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor Person
instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations
in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver,
or cause to be authenticated and delivered, any Notes that previously shall have
been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for
authentication, and any Notes that such successor Person thereafter shall cause
to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Notes so
issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this
Indenture as the Notes theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the
terms of this Indenture as though all of such Notes had been issued at the date
of the execution hereof. In the event of any such consolidation, merger, sale,
conveyance or lease, the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
this Indenture or any successor that shall thereafter have become such in the
manner prescribed in this Article Twelve may be dissolved, wound up and
liquidated at any time thereafter and such Person shall be released from its
liabilities as obligor and maker of the Notes and from its obligations under
this Indenture.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or
lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made
in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
Section 12.3. Opinion Of Counsel To Be Given Trustee. The Trustee shall
receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive
evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or lease and any
such assumption complies with the provisions of this Article Twelve.
ARTICLE 13.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 13.1. Discharge Of Indenture. When (a) the Company shall deliver
to the Trustee for cancellation all Notes theretofore authenticated (other than
any Notes that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and in lieu of or in
substitution for which other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered)
and not theretofore canceled or (b) all the Notes not theretofore canceled or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or
are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called
for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee
for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption of all
of the Notes (other than any Notes that shall have been mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen and in lieu of or in substitution for which other Notes shall
have been authenticated and delivered) not theretofore canceled or delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and
interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or redemption date, as
the case may be, accompanied by a verification report, as to the sufficiency of
the deposited amount, from an independent certified accountant or other
financial professional satisfactory to the Trustee, and if the Company shall
also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company,
then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to (i)
remaining rights of registration of transfer, substitution and exchange and
conversion of Notes, (ii) rights hereunder of Noteholders to receive payments of
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principal of and premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes and the other
rights, duties and obligations of Noteholders, as beneficiaries hereof with
respect to the amounts, if any, so deposited with the Trustee and (iii) the
rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder), and the Trustee,
on written demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel as required by Section 16.5 and at the cost and expense of
the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and
discharging this Indenture; the Company, however, hereby agrees to reimburse the
Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by
the Trustee and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably
and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the
Notes.
Section 13.2. Deposited Monies To Be Held In Trust By Trustee. Subject
to Section 13.4, all monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.1,
provided such deposit was not in violation of Article Four, shall be held in
trust for the sole benefit of the Noteholders and not to be subject to the
subordination provisions of Article Four, and such monies shall be applied by
the Trustee to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent
(including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the
particular Notes for the payment or redemption of which such monies have been
deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for
principal and interest and premium, if any.
Section 13.3. Paying Agent To Repay Monies Held. Upon the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture, all monies then held by any paying agent of the
Notes (other than the Trustee) shall, upon written request of the Company, be
repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be
released from all further liability with respect to such monies.
Section 13.4. Return Of Unclaimed Monies. Subject to the requirements of
applicable law, any monies deposited with or paid to the Trustee for payment of
the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Notes and not applied but
remaining unclaimed by the holders of Notes for two years after the date upon
which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes, as the case
may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the
Trustee on written demand and all liability of the Trustee shall thereupon cease
with respect to such monies; and the holder of any of the Notes shall thereafter
look only to the Company for any payment that such holder may be entitled to
collect unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.
Section 13.5. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the paying agent is
unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 13.2 by reason of any order
or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or
otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations under this
Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had
occurred pursuant to Section 13.1 until such time as the Trustee or the paying
agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 13.2;
provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of interest on or
principal of any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the
Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to
receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or paying agent.
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ARTICLE 14.
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS,
STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 14.1. Indenture And Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. No
recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on
any Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no
recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in
this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of
the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any
incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary, as
such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation,
either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such
liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a
consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.
ARTICLE 15.
CONVERSION OF NOTES
Section 15.1. Right To Convert. Subject to and upon compliance with the
provisions of this Indenture, including, without limitation, Article Four, the
holder of any Note shall have the right, at its option, at any time after the
original issuance of the Notes hereunder through the close of business on the
final maturity date of the Notes (except that, with respect to any Note or
portion of a Note that shall be called for redemption, such right shall
terminate, except as provided in Section 15.2, Section 3.2 or Section 3.4, at
the close of business on the Business Day next preceding the date fixed for
redemption of such Note or portion of a Note unless the Company shall default in
payment due upon redemption thereof) to convert the principal amount of any such
Note, or any portion of such principal amount which is $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof, into that number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of
Common Stock (as such shares shall then be constituted) obtained by dividing the
principal amount of the Note or portion thereof surrendered for conversion by
the Conversion Price in effect at such time, by surrender of the Note so to be
converted in whole or in part in the manner provided, together with any required
funds, in Section 15.2. A Note in respect of which a holder is exercising its
option to require redemption upon a Fundamental Change pursuant to Section 3.5
may be converted only if such holder withdraws its election to exercise in
accordance with Section 3.5. A holder of Notes is not entitled to any rights of
a holder of Common Stock until such holder has converted his Notes to Common
Stock, and only to the extent such Notes are deemed to have been converted to
Common Stock under this Article Fifteen.
Section 15.2. Exercise Of Conversion Privilege; Issuance Of Common Stock
On Conversion; No Adjustment For Interest Or Dividends. In order to exercise the
conversion privilege with respect to any Note in certificated form, the holder
of any such Note to be converted in whole or in part shall surrender such Note,
duly endorsed, at an office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to
Section 5.2, accompanied by the funds, if any, required by the penultimate
paragraph of this Section 15.2, and shall give written notice of conversion in
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the form provided on the Notes (or such other notice which is acceptable to the
Company) to the office or agency that the holder elects to convert such Note or
the portion thereof specified in said notice. Such notice shall also state the
name or names (with address or addresses) in which the certificate or
certificates for shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable on such
conversion shall be issued, and shall be accompanied by transfer taxes, if
required pursuant to Section 15.7. Each such Note surrendered for conversion
shall, unless the shares issuable on conversion are to be issued in the same
name as the registration of such Note, be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by
instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by,
the holder or his duly authorized attorney.
In order to exercise the conversion privilege with respect to any
interest in a Global Note, the beneficial holder must complete, or cause to be
completed, the appropriate instruction form for conversion pursuant to the
Depository's book-entry conversion program, deliver, or cause to be delivered,
by book-entry delivery an interest in such Global Note, furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents if required by the Company or the Trustee or
conversion agent, and pay the funds, if any, required by this Section 15.2 and
any transfer taxes if required pursuant to Section 15.7.
As promptly as practicable after satisfaction of the requirements
for conversion set forth above, subject to compliance with any restrictions on
transfer if shares issuable on conversion are to be issued in a name other than
that of the Noteholder (as if such transfer were a transfer of the Note or Notes
(or portion thereof) so converted), the Company shall issue and shall deliver to
such Noteholder at the office or agency maintained by the Company for such
purpose pursuant to Section 5.2, a certificate or certificates for the number of
full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of such Note or portion
thereof as determined by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this
Article Fifteen and a check or cash in respect of any fractional interest in
respect of a share of Common Stock arising upon such conversion, calculated by
the Company as provided in Section 15.3. In case any Note of a denomination
greater than $1,000 shall be surrendered for partial conversion, and subject to
Section 2.3, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to the holder of the Note so surrendered, without charge to him, a new
Note or Notes in authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal
to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Note.
Each conversion shall be deemed to have been effected as to any
such Note (or portion thereof) on the date on which the requirements set forth
above in this Section 15.2 have been satisfied as to such Note (or portion
thereof), and the Person in whose name any certificate or certificates for
shares of Common Stock shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to
have become on said date the holder of record of the shares represented thereby;
provided, however, that any such surrender on any date when the stock transfer
books of the Company shall be closed shall constitute the Person in whose name
the certificates are to be issued as the record holder thereof for all purposes
on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open, but such
conversion shall be at the Conversion Price in effect on the date upon which
such Note shall be surrendered.
No adjustment in respect of interest on any Note converted or
dividends on any shares issued upon conversion of such Note will be made upon
any conversion except as set forth
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in the next sentence. If this Note (or portion hereof) is surrendered for
conversion during the period from the close of business on any record date for
the payment of interest to the close of business on the Business Day preceding
the following interest payment date and either (x) has not been called for
redemption on a redemption date that occurs during such period or (y) is not to
be redeemed in connection with a Fundamental Change on a Repurchase Date that
occurs during such period, this Note (or portion hereof being converted) must be
accompanied by an amount, in New York Clearing House funds or other funds
acceptable to the Company, equal to the interest payable on such interest
payment date on the principal amount being converted; provided, however, that no
such payment shall be required if there shall exist at the time of conversion a
default in the payment of interest on the Notes.
Upon the conversion of an interest in a Global Note, the Trustee
(or other conversion agent appointed by the Company), or the Custodian at the
direction of the Trustee (or other conversion agent appointed by the Company),
shall make a notation on such Global Note as to the reduction in the principal
amount represented thereby. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of
any conversions of Notes effected through any conversion agent other than the
Trustee.
Section 15.3. Cash Payments In Lieu Of Fractional Shares. No fractional
shares of Common Stock or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued
upon conversion of Notes. If more than one Note shall be surrendered for
conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full shares that shall
be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof to the extent
permitted hereby) so surrendered. If any fractional share of stock would be
issuable upon the conversion of any Note or Notes, the Company shall make an
adjustment and payment therefor in cash at the current market price thereof to
the holder of Notes. The current market price of a share of Common Stock shall
be the Closing Price on the last Business Day immediately preceding the day on
which the Notes (or specified portions thereof) are deemed to have been
converted.
Section 15.4. Conversion Price. The conversion price shall be as
specified in the form of Note (herein called the "Conversion Price") attached as
Exhibit A hereto, subject to adjustment as provided in this Article Fifteen.
Section 15.5. Adjustment Of Conversion Price. The Conversion Price shall
be adjusted from time to time by the Company as follows:
(a) In case the Company shall hereafter pay a dividend or make a
distribution to all holders of the outstanding Common Stock in shares of Common
Stock, the Conversion Price shall be reduced so that the same shall equal the
price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of
business on the date following the date fixed for the determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of the Common
Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such
determination, and the denominator of which shall be the sum of such number of
shares and the total number of shares constituting such dividend or other
distribution, such reduction to become effective immediately after the opening
of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination. For the
purpose of this paragraph (a), the number of shares of Common Stock at any time
outstanding shall not include shares held in
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the treasury of the Company. The Company will not pay any dividend or make any
distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company. If
any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 15.5(a) is
declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted
to the Conversion Price that would then be in effect if such dividend or
distribution had not been declared.
(b) In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all
holders of its outstanding shares of Common Stock entitling them (for a period
expiring within forty-five (45) days after the date fixed for determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants) to subscribe for or
purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the Current
Market Price (as defined below) on the date fixed for determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, the Conversion Price
shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the price determined by
multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the date fixed
for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants by
a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants plus the number of
shares that the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares so
offered would purchase at such Current Market Price, and the denominator of
which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date
fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or
warrants plus the total number of additional shares of Common Stock offered for
subscription or purchase. Such adjustment shall be successively made whenever
any such rights or warrants are issued, and shall become effective immediately
after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for
determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants. To
the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of
such rights or warrants, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted to the
Conversion Price that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the
issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only
the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. In the event that such
rights or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Price shall again be
adjusted to be the Conversion Price that would then be in effect if such date
fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or
warrants had not been fixed. In determining whether any rights or warrants
entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less
than such Current Market Price, and in determining the aggregate offering price
of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any
consideration received by the Company for such rights or warrants and any amount
payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if
other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.
(c) In case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be
subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price
in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which
such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, and
conversely, in case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be combined into a
smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the
opening of business on the day following the day upon which such combination
becomes effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or
increase, as the case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening
of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or
combination becomes effective.
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(d) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise,
distribute to all holders of its Common Stock shares of any class of capital
stock of the Company (other than any dividends or distributions to which Section
15.5(a) applies) or evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including
securities, but excluding any rights or warrants referred to in Section 15.5(b),
and excluding any dividend or distribution (x) paid exclusively in cash or (y)
referred to in Section 15.5(a) (any of the foregoing hereinafter in this Section
15.5(d) called the "Securities")), then, in each such case (unless the Company
elects to reserve such Securities for distribution to the Noteholders upon the
conversion of the Notes so that any such holder converting Notes will receive
upon such conversion, in addition to the shares of Common Stock to which such
holder is entitled, the amount and kind of such Securities which such holder
would have received if such holder had converted its Notes into Common Stock
immediately prior to the Record Date (as defined in Section 15.5(h)(4) for such
distribution of the Securities)), the Conversion Price shall be reduced so that
the same shall be equal to the price determined by multiplying the Conversion
Price in effect on the Record Date with respect to such distribution by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price per share of
the Common Stock on such Record Date less the fair market value (as determined
by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive, and
described in a resolution of the Board of Directors) on the Record Date of the
portion of the Securities so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock
and the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price per share of the
Common Stock, such reduction to become effective immediately prior to the
opening of business on the day following such Record Date; provided, however,
that in the event the then fair market value (as so determined) of the portion
of the Securities so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is
equal to or greater than the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the
Record Date, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be
made so that each Noteholder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the
amount of Securities such holder would have received had such holder converted
each Note on the Record Date. In the event that such dividend or distribution is
not so paid or made, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to be the
Conversion Price that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution
had not been declared. If the Board of Directors determines the fair market
value of any distribution for purposes of this Section 15.5(d) by reference to
the actual or when issued trading market for any securities, it must in doing so
consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the
Current Market Price of the Common Stock.
In the event that the Company implements a rights agreement, such
rights agreement will provide that upon conversion of the notes into common
stock, the holders will receive, in addition to the common stock, the rights
under the rights agreement, whether or not the rights have separated from the
common stock at the time of conversion, subject to certain limited customary
exceptions.
Rights or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of
Common Stock entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares
of the Company's capital stock (either initially or under certain
circumstances), which rights or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified
event or events ("Trigger Event"): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such
shares of Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in
respect of future issuances of Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been
distributed for purposes of this Section 15.5 (and no adjustment to the
Conversion Price under this Section 15.5 will be required) until the occurrence
of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights and warrants shall be
deemed to
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have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the
Conversion Price shall be made under this Section 15.5(d). If any such right or
warrant, including any such existing rights or warrants distributed prior to the
date of this Indenture, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such
rights or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities,
evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of
any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and
record date with respect to new rights or warrants with such rights (and a
termination or expiration of the existing rights or warrants without exercise by
any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or
deemed distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event
(of the type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was
counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an
adjustment to the Conversion Price under this Section 15.5 was made, (1) in the
case of any such rights or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or
repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Price shall
be readjusted upon such final redemption r repurchase to give effect to such
distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash
distribution, equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by
a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights or warrants
(assuming such holder had retained such rights or warrants), made to all holders
of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or repurchase, and (2) in the
case of such rights or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated
without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Price shall be
readjusted as if such rights and warrants had not been issued.
No adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be made pursuant to
this Section 15.5(d) in respect of rights or warrants distributed or deemed
distributed on any Trigger Event to the extent that such rights or warrants are
actually distributed, or reserved by the Company for distribution to holders of
Notes upon conversion by such holders of Notes to Common Stock.
For purposes of this Section 15.5(d) and Sections 15.5(a) and
(b), any dividend or distribution to which this Section 15.5(d) is applicable
that also includes shares of Common Stock, or rights or warrants to subscribe
for or purchase shares of Common Stock (or both), shall be deemed instead to be
(1) a dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness, assets or
shares of capital stock other than such shares of Common Stock or rights or
warrants (and any Conversion Price reduction required by this Section 15.5(d)
with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made) immediately
followed by (2) a dividend or distribution of such shares of Common Stock or
such rights or warrants (and any further Conversion Price reduction required by
Sections 15.5(a) and (b) with respect to such dividend or distribution shall
then be made), except (A) the Record Date of such dividend or distribution shall
be substituted as "the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled
to receive such dividend or other distribution", "the date fixed for the
determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants" and
"the date fixed for such determination" within the meaning of Sections 15.5(a)
and (b), and (B) any shares of Common Stock included in such dividend or
distribution shall not be deemed "outstanding at the close of business on the
date fixed for such determination" within the meaning of Section 15.5(a).
(e) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise,
distribute to all holders of its Common Stock cash (excluding (x) any quarterly
cash dividend on the Common
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Stock to the extent the aggregate cash dividend per share of Common Stock in any
fiscal quarter does not exceed the greater of (A) the amount per share of Common
Stock of the next preceding quarterly cash dividend on the Common Stock to the
extent that such preceding quarterly dividend did not require any adjustment of
the Conversion Price pursuant to this Section 15.5(e) (as adjusted to reflect
subdivisions, or combinations of the Common Stock), and (B) 3.75% of the
arithmetic average of the Closing Price (determined as set forth in Section
15.5(h)) during the ten (10) Trading Days (as defined in Section 15.5(h))
immediately prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, and (y) any
dividend or distribution in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary), then, in such
case, the Conversion Price shall be reduced so that the same shall equal the
price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior
to the close of business on such record date by a fraction, the numerator of
which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the record date
less the amount of cash so distributed (and not excluded as provided above)
applicable to one share of Common Stock, and the denominator of which shall be
such Current Market Price of the Common Stock, such reduction to be effective
immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the record
date; provided, however, that in the event the portion of the cash so
distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is equal to or greater than
the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the record date, in lieu of the
foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be made so that each Noteholder
shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of cash such holder
would have received had such holder converted each Note on the record date. In
the event that such dividend or distribution is not so paid or made, the
Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Price that would
then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. If any
adjustment is required to be made as set forth in this Section 15.5(e) as a
result of a distribution that is a quarterly dividend, such adjustment shall be
based upon the amount by which such distribution exceeds the amount of the
quarterly cash dividend permitted to be excluded pursuant hereto. If an
adjustment is required to be made as set forth in this Section 15.5(e) above as
a result of a distribution that is not a quarterly dividend, such adjustment
shall be based upon the full amount of the distribution.
(f) In case a tender or exchange offer made by the Company or any
Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Common Stock shall expire and such
tender or exchange offer (as amended upon the expiration thereof) shall require
the payment to stockholders of consideration per share of Common Stock having a
fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination
shall be conclusive and described in a resolution of the Board of Directors)
that as of the last time (the "Expiration Time") tenders or exchanges may be
made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended) exceeds
the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding
the Expiration Time, the Conversion Price shall be reduced so that the same
shall equal the price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect
immediately prior to the Expiration Time by a fraction the numerator of which
shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (including any
tendered or exchanged shares) at the Expiration Time multiplied by the Current
Market Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the
Expiration Time and the denominator of which shall be the sum of (x) the fair
market value (determined as aforesaid) of the aggregate consideration payable to
stockholders based on the acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the terms
of the tender or exchange offer) of all shares validly tendered or exchanged and
not withdrawn as of the Expiration Time (the shares deemed so accepted, up to
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any such maximum, being referred to as the "Purchased Shares") and (y) the
product of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (less any Purchased
Shares) at the Expiration Time and the Current Market Price of the Common Stock
on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time, such reduction to become
effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the Trading Day
following the Expiration Time. In the event that the Company is obligated to
purchase shares pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer, but the Company
is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases or
all such purchases are rescinded, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted
to be the Conversion Price that would then be in effect if such tender or
exchange offer had not been made.
(g) In case of a tender or exchange offer made by a Person other
than the Company or any Subsidiary for an amount that increases the offeror's
ownership of Common Stock to more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Common
Stock outstanding and shall involve the payment by such Person of consideration
per share of Common Stock having a fair market value (as determined by the Board
of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive, and described in a
resolution of the Board of Directors) that as of the last time (the "Offer
Expiration Time") tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or
exchange offer (as it shall have been amended) that exceeds the Current Market
Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Offer
Expiration Time, and in which, as of the Offer Expiration Time the Board of
Directors is not recommending rejection of the offer, the Conversion Price shall
be reduced so that the same shall equal the price determined by multiplying the
Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the Offer Expiration Time by a
fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding (including any tendered or exchanged shares) at the Offer Expiration
Time multiplied by the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the Trading
Day next succeeding the Offer Expiration Time and the denominator of which shall
be the sum of (x) the fair market value (determined as aforesaid) of the
aggregate consideration payable to stockholders based on the acceptance (up to
any maximum specified in the terms of the tender or exchange offer) of all
shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the Offer
Expiration Time (the shares deemed so accepted, up to any such maximum, being
referred to as the "Accepted Purchased Shares") and (y) the product of the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (less any Accepted Purchased
Shares) at the Offer Expiration Time and the Current Market Price of the Common
Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Offer Expiration Time, such
reduction to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on
the Trading Day following the Offer Expiration Time. In the event that such
Person is obligated to purchase shares pursuant to any such tender or exchange
offer, but such Person is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting
any such purchases or all such purchases are rescinded, the Conversion Price
shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Price that would then be in effect
if such tender or exchange offer had not been made. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the adjustment described in this Section 15.5(g) shall not be made
if, as of the Offer Expiration Time, the offering documents with respect to such
offer disclose a plan or intention to cause the Company to engage in any
transaction described in Article Twelve.
(h) For purposes of this Section 15.5, the following terms shall
have the meaning indicated:
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(1) "Closing Price" with respect to any security on any
day shall mean the closing sale price, regular way, on such day or, in case no
such sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and
asked prices, regular way, in each case as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market
or, if such security is not quoted or listed or admitted to trading on such
Nasdaq National Market, on the principal national securities exchange or
quotation system on which such security is quoted or listed or admitted to
trading or, if not quoted or listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange or quotation system, the average of the closing bid and
asked prices of such security on the over-the-counter market on the day in
question as reported by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated, or a similar
generally accepted reporting service, or if not so available, in such manner as
furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm selected from time to time
by the Board of Directors for that purpose, or a price determined in good faith
by the Board of Directors or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, a duly
authorized committee thereof, whose determination shall be conclusive.
(2) "Current Market Price" shall mean the average of the
daily Closing Prices per share of Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive
Trading Days immediately prior to the date in question except as hereinafter
provided for purposes of any computation under Section 15.5(f) or (g); provided,
however, that (1) if the "ex" date (as hereinafter defined) for any event (other
than the issuance or distribution requiring such computation and other than the
tender or exchange offer requiring such computation under Section 15.5(f) or
(g)) that requires an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to Section
15.5(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) occurs during such ten (10) consecutive
Trading Days, the Closing Price for each Trading Day prior to the "ex" date for
such other event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the same
fraction by which the Conversion Price is so required to be adjusted as a result
of such other event, (2) if the "ex" date for any event (other than the issuance
or distribution requiring such computation and other than the tender or exchange
offer requiring such computation under Section 15.5(f) or (g)) that requires an
adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to Section 15.5(a), (b), (c), (d),
(e), (f) or (g) occurs on or after the "ex" date for the issuance or
distribution requiring such computation and prior to the day in question, the
Closing Price for each Trading Day on and after the "ex" date for such other
event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the reciprocal of
the fraction by which the Conversion Price is so required to be adjusted as a
result of such other event, and (3) if the "ex" date for the issuance or
distribution requiring such computation is prior to the day in question, after
taking into account any adjustment required pursuant to clause (1) or (2) of
this proviso, the Closing Price for each Trading Day on or after such "ex" date
shall be adjusted by adding thereto the amount of any cash and the fair market
value (as determined by the Board of Directors or, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, a duly authorized committee thereof in a manner consistent with
any determination of such value for purposes of Section 15.5(d), (f) or (g),
whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a resolution of the
Board of Directors or such duly authorized committee thereof, as the case may
be) of the evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock or assets being
distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock as of the close of business
on the day before such "ex" date. For purposes of any computation under Section
15.5(f) or (g), the "Current Market Price" of the Common Stock on any date shall
be deemed to be the average of the daily Closing Prices per share of Common
Stock for such day and the next two (2) succeeding Trading Days; provided,
however, that if the "ex" date for any event (other than the tender or exchange
offer requiring such computation under Section 15.5(f)
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or (g)) that requires an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to Section
15.5(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) occurs on or after the Expiration Time
or Offer Expiration Time, as the case may be, for the tender or exchange offer
requiring such computation and prior to the day in question, the Closing Price
for each Trading Day on and after the "ex" date for such other event shall be
adjusted as provided in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of the proviso contained in the
first sentence of this Section 15.5(h)(2). For purpose of this paragraph, the
term "ex" date, (1) when used with respect to any issuance or distribution,
means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular way, on the
relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the Closing Price was
obtained without the right to receive such issuance or distribution, (2) when
used with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock,
means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular way, on such
exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or
combination becomes effective, and (3) when used with respect to any tender or
exchange offer means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular
way, on such exchange or in such market after the Expiration Time or the Offer
Expiration Time of such offer.
(3) "Fair Market Value" shall mean the amount which a
willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an arm's-length transaction.
(4) "Record Date" shall mean, with respect to any
dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of
Common Stock have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or
in which the Common Stock (or other applicable security) is exchanged for or
converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date
fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such cash,
securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of
Directors or by statute, contract or otherwise).
(5) "Trading Day" shall mean (x) if the applicable
security is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, a day on which trades may be
made thereon, (y) if the applicable security is listed or admitted for trading
on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on
which the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange is
open for business or (z) if the applicable security is not so listed, admitted
for trading or quoted, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which
banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.
(i) The Company may make such reductions in the Conversion Price,
in addition to those required by Sections 15.5(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or
(g) as the Board of Directors considers to be advisable to avoid or diminish any
income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock
resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire
stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company from time
to time may reduce the Conversion Price by any amount for any period of time if
the period is at least twenty (20) days, the reduction is irrevocable during the
period and the Board of Directors shall have made a determination that such
reduction would be in the best interests of the Company, which determination
shall be conclusive. Whenever the Conversion Price is reduced pursuant to the
preceding sentence, the Company shall mail to holders of record of the Notes a
notice of the
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reduction at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date the reduced Conversion
Price takes effect, and such notice shall state the reduced Conversion Price and
the period during which it will be in effect.
(j) No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required
unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one
percent (1%) in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments that by
reason of this Section 15.5(j) are not required to be made shall be carried
forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations
under this Article Fifteen shall be made by the Company and shall be made to the
nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth (1/100) of a share, as the case may
be. No adjustment need be made for rights to purchase Common Stock pursuant to a
Company plan for reinvestment of dividends or interest. To the extent the Notes
become convertible into cash, assets, property or securities (other than capital
stock of the Company), no adjustment need be made thereafter as to the cash,
assets, property or such securities. Interest will not accrue on the cash.
(k) Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted as herein provided,
the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee and any conversion agent other
than the Trustee an Officers' Certificate setting forth the Conversion Price
after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring
such adjustment. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall
have received such Officers' Certificate, the Trustee shall not be deemed to
have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Price and may assume that the
last Conversion Price of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly
after delivery of such certificate, the Company shall prepare a notice of such
adjustment of the Conversion Price setting forth the adjusted Conversion Price
and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall mail such
notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Price to the holder of each Note at
his last address appearing on the Note register provided for in Section 2.5 of
this Indenture, within twenty (20) days after execution thereof. Failure to
deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such
adjustment.
(l) In any case in which this Section 15.5 provides that an
adjustment shall become effective immediately after (1) a record date or Record
Date for an event, (2) the date fixed for the determination of stockholders
entitled to receive a dividend or distribution pursuant to Section 15.5(a), (3)
a date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive rights or
warrants pursuant to Section 15.5(b), (4) the Expiration Time for any tender or
exchange offer pursuant to Section 15.5(f), or (5) the Offer Expiration Time for
a tender or exchange offer pursuant to Section 15.5(g) (each a "Determination
Date"), the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of the relevant
Adjustment Event (as hereinafter defined) (x) issuing to the holder of any Note
converted after such Determination Date and before the occurrence of such
Adjustment Event, the additional shares of Common Stock or other securities
issuable upon such conversion by reason of the adjustment required by such
Adjustment Event over and above the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion
before giving effect to such adjustment and (y) paying to such holder any amount
in cash in lieu of any fraction pursuant to Section 15.3. For purposes of this
Section 15.5(l), the term "Adjustment Event" shall mean:
(a) in any case referred to in clause (1) hereof, the
occurrence of such event,
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(b) in any case referred to in clause (2) hereof, the date
any such dividend or distribution is paid or made,
(c) in any case referred to in clause (3) hereof, the date
of expiration of such rights or warrants, and
(d) in any case referred to in clause (4) or clause (5)
hereof, the date a sale or exchange of Common Stock pursuant to
such tender or exchange offer is consummated and becomes
irrevocable.
(m) For purposes of this Section 15.5, the number of shares of
Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the
treasury of the Company but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip
certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Company
will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock
held in the treasury of the Company.
Section 15.6. Effect Of Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger Or Sale.
If any of the following events occur, namely (i) any reclassification or change
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a subdivision or
combination to which Section 15.5(c) applies), (ii) any consolidation, merger or
combination of the Company with another Person as a result of which holders of
Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, other securities or other
property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such
Common Stock or (iii) any sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the
properties and assets of the Company to any other Person as a result of which
holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, other securities or
other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for
such Common Stock, then the Company or the successor or purchasing Person, as
the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture (which
shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the date of execution
of such supplemental indenture) providing that such Note shall be convertible
into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property
or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance by a holder of a number
of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Notes (assuming, for
such purposes, a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock are
available to convert all such Notes) immediately prior to such reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance assuming such
holder of Common Stock did not exercise his rights of election, if any, as to
the kind or amount of stock, other securities or other property or assets
(including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation,
merger, combination, sale or conveyance (provided that, if the kind or amount of
stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable
upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or
conveyance is not the same for each share of Common Stock in respect of which
such rights of election shall not have been exercised ("non-electing share"),
then for the purposes of this Section 15.6 the kind and amount of stock, other
securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable upon such
reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance
for each non-electing share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so
receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares). Such
supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly
equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article
Fifteen.
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The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such
supplemental indenture to be mailed to each holder of Notes, at its address
appearing on the Note register provided for in Section 2.5 of this Indenture,
within twenty (20) days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice
shall not affect the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture.
The above provisions of this Section 15.6 shall similarly apply
to successive reclassifications, changes, consolidations, mergers, combinations,
sales and conveyances.
If this Section 15.6 applies to any event or occurrence, Section
15.5 shall not apply.
Section 15.7. Taxes On Shares Issued. The issue of stock certificates on
conversions of Notes shall be made without charge to the converting Noteholder
for any tax in respect of the issue thereof. The Company shall not, however, be
required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved
in the issue and delivery of stock in any name other than that of the holder of
any Note converted, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver
any such stock certificate unless and until the Person or Persons requesting the
issue thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall
have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.
Section 15.8. Reservation Of Shares; Shares To Be Fully Paid; Compliance
With Governmental Requirements; Listing Of Common Stock. The Company shall
provide, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares
or shares held in treasury, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for the
conversion of the Notes from time to time as such Notes are presented for
conversion.
Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing
the Conversion Price below the then par value, if any, of the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes, the Company will take all corporate
action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the
Company may validly and legally issue shares of such Common Stock at such
adjusted Conversion Price.
The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock which may
be issued upon conversion of Notes will upon issue be fully paid and
non-assessable by the Company and free from all taxes, liens and charges with
respect to the issue thereof.
The Company covenants that, if any shares of Common Stock to be
provided for the purpose of conversion of Notes hereunder require registration
with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law
before such shares may be validly issued upon conversion, the Company will in
good faith and as expeditiously as possible, to the extent then permitted by the
rules and interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any
successor thereto), endeavor to secure such registration or approval, as the
case may be.
The Company further covenants that, if at any time the Common
Stock shall be listed on the Nasdaq National Market or any other national
securities exchange or automated quotation system, the Company will, if
permitted by the rules of such exchange or automated quotation system, list and
keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or
automated quotation system, all Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
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Note; provided, however, that, if the rules of such exchange or automated
quotation system permit the Company to defer the listing of such Common Stock
until the first conversion of the Notes into Common Stock in accordance with the
provisions of this Indenture, the Company covenants to list such Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with the requirements of
such exchange or automated quotation system at such time.
Section 15.9. Responsibility Of Trustee. The Trustee and any other
conversion agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to
any holder of Notes to determine the Conversion Price or whether any facts exist
which may require any adjustment of the Conversion Price, or with respect to the
nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with
respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture
provided to be employed, in making the same. The Trustee and any other
conversion agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value
(or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities or
property, which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of
any Note; and the Trustee and any other conversion agent make no representations
with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be
responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any
shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or
cash upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion or to comply
with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained
in this Article Fifteen. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be under any responsibility
to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental
indenture entered into pursuant to Section 15.6 relating either to the kind or
amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable
by Noteholders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in
such Section 15.6 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but,
subject to the provisions of Section 8.1, may accept as conclusive evidence of
the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon,
the Officers' Certificate (which the Company shall be obligated to file with the
Trustee prior to the execution of any such supplemental indenture) with respect
thereto.
Section 15.10. Notice To Holders Prior To Certain Actions. In case:
(a) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other
distribution) on its Common Stock that would require an adjustment in the
Conversion Price pursuant to Section 15.5; or
(b) the Company shall authorize the granting to the holders of
all or substantially all of its Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe
for or purchase any share of any class or any other rights or warrants; or
(c) of any reclassification or reorganization of the Common Stock
of the Company (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding
Common Stock, or a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or
from no par value to par value), or of any consolidation or merger to which the
Company is a party and for which approval of any stockholders of the Company is
required, or of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; or
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(d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding up of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;
the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and to be mailed to each
holder of Notes at his address appearing on the Note register provided for in
Section 2.5 of this Indenture, as promptly as possible but in any event at least
ten (10) days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice
stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such
dividend, distribution or rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to be
taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled
to such dividend, distribution or rights are to be determined or (y) the date on
which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution,
liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective or occur, and the date
as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be
entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property
deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Failure to give such notice, or any
defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such dividend,
distribution, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up.
ARTICLE 16.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 16.1. Provisions Binding On Company's Successors. All the
covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements by the Company contained in
this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or
not.
Section 16.2. Official Acts By Successor Corporation. Any act or
proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done
or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be
done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or
officer of any Person that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the
Company.
Section 16.3. Addresses For Notices, Etc. Any notice or demand which by
any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served
by the Trustee or by the holders of Notes on the Company shall be deemed to have
been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being
deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office
letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company with the
Trustee) to Getty Images, Inc., ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: Chief Financial Officer. Any notice, direction,
request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been
sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being
deposited, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail in a post office
letter box addressed to the Corporate Trust Office, which office is, at the date
as of which this Indenture is dated, located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ 21
West, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
The Trustee, by notice to the Company, may designate additional
or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
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Any notice or communication mailed to a Noteholder shall be
mailed to him by first class mail, postage prepaid, at his address as it appears
on the Note register and shall be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within
the time prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Noteholder or any
defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Noteholders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly
given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
Section 16.4. Governing Law. This Indenture and each Note shall be
deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York, and for
all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
Section 16.5. Evidence Of Compliance With Conditions Precedent;
Certificates To Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the
Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the
Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the
proposed action have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that,
in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied
with, provided that such Opinion of Counsel shall not be required in connection
with the initial issuance of the Notes.
Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and
delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Indenture shall include: (1) a statement that the person
making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a
brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation
upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is
based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 16.6. Legal Holidays. In any case in which the date of maturity
of interest on or principal of the Notes or the date fixed for redemption of any
Note will not be a Business Day, then payment of such interest on or principal
of the Notes need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of
maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the
period from and after such date.
Section 16.7. Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is hereby made subject
to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act required
to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;
provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by law, notwithstanding the
foregoing, this Indenture and the Notes issued hereunder shall not be subject to
the provisions of subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of Section 314 of the
Trust Indenture Act as now in effect or as hereafter amended or modified;
provided further that this Section 16.7 shall not require this Indenture or the
Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time such
qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust
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Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any
party to the Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time
such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture
Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another
provision hereof which is required to be included in an indenture qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.
Section 16.8. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or
in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security
interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or
hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction in which property of the
Company or its subsidiaries is located.
Section 16.9. Benefits Of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the
Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties
hereto, any paying agent, any authenticating agent, any Note registrar and their
successors hereunder, the holders of Notes and the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under
this Indenture.
Section 16.10. Table Of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents
and the titles and headings of the articles and Sections of this Indenture have
been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part
hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions
hereof.
Section 16.11. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an
authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf, and subject
to its direction, in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with
the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder,
including under Sections 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.3 and 3.5, as fully to all
intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly
authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver
Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of
Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and
delivery of such Notes "by the Trustee" and a certificate of authentication
executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to
satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee's certificate
of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person
eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 8.9.
Any corporation into which any authenticating agent may be merged
or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the
corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of
the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise
eligible under this Section 16.11, without the execution or filing of any paper
or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent
or such successor corporation.
Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written
notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any
time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice
of termination to such authenticating
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agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon
such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease
to be eligible under this Section, the Trustee shall either promptly appoint a
successor authenticating agent or itself assume the duties and obligations of
the former authenticating agent under this Indenture and, upon such appointment
of a successor authenticating agent, if made, shall give written notice of such
appointment of a successor authenticating agent to the Company and shall mail
notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to all holders of
Notes as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the Note register.
The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time
to time such reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon in
writing between the Company and the authenticating agent.
The provisions of Sections 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 9.3 and this Section
16.11 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.
Section 16.12. Execution In Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed
in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 16.13. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or
in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent
permitted by law) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
The Bank of New York hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture
declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions herein above set forth.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture
to be duly executed.
GETTY IMAGES, INC.
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
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EXHIBIT A
For Global Note only: UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇) (THE "DEPOSITARY", WHICH TERM INCLUDES ANY SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY
FOR THE CERTIFICATES) TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER,
EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF
CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREIN IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER
ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON
IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST
HEREIN.
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE
UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, UNITED STATES PERSONS
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE
HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL
"ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT) ("INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR"); (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL
NOT, PRIOR TO EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE NOTE
EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR
PROVISION), RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY OR THE COMMON
STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SUCH NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO GETTY IMAGES, INC. OR
ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE
WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS
TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING
CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH
TRUSTEE OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION
FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE)
OR (E) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AND WHICH CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF
SUCH TRANSFER); (3) PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER PURSUANT TO
CLAUSE (2)(E) ABOVE), IT WILL FURNISH TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER
86
INFORMATION AS THE TRUSTEE MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER
IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO,
THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT; AND (4) AGREES THAT IT WILL
DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD
APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION), THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE
APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH
TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE). IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR IS A PURCHASER WHO IS NOT A UNITED STATES
PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE BANK OF NEW
YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS,
LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRUSTEE MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO
CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A
TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE TRANSFER OF THE NOTE
EVIDENCED HEREBY PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(E) ABOVE OR UPON ANY TRANSFER OF THE
NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY
SUCCESSOR PROVISION). AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S.
PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT.
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GETTY IMAGES, INC.
5% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
CUSIP:_____________________
No. __________ $____________________
Getty Images, Inc., a corporation duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company",
which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on
the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or
its registered assigns, the principal sum of _______________ ($__________) on
March 15, 2007, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, in such coin or currency
of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender
for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually
on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2000, on
said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the
rate per annum of 5%, from the next preceding date to which interest has been
paid or duly provided for, unless no interest has been paid or duly provided for
on the Notes, in which case from March 13, 2000, until payment of said principal
sum has been made or duly provided for. Except as otherwise provided in the
Indenture, the interest payable on the Note pursuant to the Indenture on any
March 15 or September 15 will be paid to the Person entitled thereto as it
appears in the Note register at the close of business on the record date, which
shall be the March 1 or September 1 (whether or not a Business Day) next
preceding such March 15 or September 15, as provided in the Indenture; provided,
however, that any such interest not punctually paid or duly provided for shall
be payable as provided in the Indenture. Interest may, at the option of the
Company, be paid either (i) by check mailed to the registered address of such
Person (provided that the holder of Notes with an aggregate principal amount in
excess of $2,000,000 shall, at the written election of such holder, be paid by
wire transfer of immediately available funds) or (ii) by transfer to an account
maintained by such Person located in the United States; provided, however, that
payments to the Depositary will be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set
forth on the reverse hereof, including, without limitation, provisions
subordinating the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on
the Notes to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, as defined in
the Indenture, and provisions giving the holder of this Note the right to
convert this Note into Common Stock of the Company on the terms and subject to
the limitations referred to on the reverse hereof and as more fully specified in
the Indenture. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same
effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of
the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance
with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to
principles of conflicts of laws.
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This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose
until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed
by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly
executed.
GETTY IMAGES, INC.
By:
------------------------------
Name:
----------------------------
Title:
---------------------------
Attest:
----------------------
Name:
----------------------
Title:
----------------------
Dated:
----------------------
TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
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FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE
GETTY IMAGES, INC.
5% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
1. General.
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the
Company, designated as its 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007 (herein
called the "Notes"), limited to the aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000
all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of March
13, 2000 (herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of
New York, as trustee (herein called the "Trustee"), to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of
the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder
of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Notes.
In case an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) shall
have occurred and be continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued
interest (including Liquidated Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement), if any) on all Notes may be declared by either the Trustee or the
holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount
of the Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and
payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided
in the Indenture.
2. Amendment; Supplement; Waiver.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, to execute
supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or
eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental
indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Notes;
provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the
fixed maturity of any Note, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest thereon, or reduce the principal amount thereof or premium, if any,
thereon, or reduce any amount payable upon redemption thereof, or impair the
right of any Noteholder to institute suit for the payment thereof, or make the
principal thereof or interest or premium, if any, thereon payable in any coin or
currency other than that provided in the Notes, or modify the provisions of the
Indenture with respect to the subordination of the Notes in a manner adverse to
the Noteholders in any material respect, or change the obligation of the Company
to redeem any Note upon the happening of a Fundamental Change (as defined in the
Indenture) in a manner adverse to the holder of the Notes, or impair the right
to convert the Notes into Common Stock subject to the terms set forth in the
Indenture, including Section 15.6 thereof, without the consent of the holder of
each Note so affected or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes, the
holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture,
without the consent of the holders of all Notes then outstanding. Subject to the
provisions of the Indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all
of the Notes waive any past default or Event of Default under the Indenture and
its consequences except a default in the payment of
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interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) or any premium on, or the
principal of, any of the Notes, or a failure by the Company to convert any Notes
into Common Stock of the Company, or a default in the payment of the redemption
price pursuant to Article Three of the Indenture, or a default in respect of a
covenant or provisions of the Indenture which under Article Eleven of the
Indenture cannot be modified without the consent of the holders of each or all
Notes then outstanding or affected thereby. Any such consent or waiver by the
holder of this Note (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be
conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners
of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution
hereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this
Note or such other Notes.
3. Subordination.
The indebtedness evidenced by the Notes is, to the extent and in
the manner provided in the Indenture, expressly subordinated and subject in
right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, whether outstanding at the date of the Indenture or thereafter
incurred, and this Note is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture
with respect to such subordination. Each holder of this Note, by accepting the
same, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions and authorizes the Trustee
on its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate the subordination so provided and appoints the Trustee his
attorney-in-fact for such purpose.
4. Payment; Denominations; Exchange.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company,
which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and
interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) on this Note at the place, at
the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months.
The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons,
in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and any integral multiple of $1,000.
At the office or agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in
the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without
payment of any service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration or exchange of Notes, Notes may be exchanged for a like
aggregate principal amount of Notes of any other authorized denominations.
5. Redemption.
The Notes will not be redeemable at the option of the Company
prior to March 20, 2003. At any time on or after March 20, 2003, and prior to
maturity, the Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, upon notice as set forth in Section 3.2, at the following redemption
prices (expressed as percentages of the principal
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amount), together in each case with accrued and unpaid interest, if any
(including Liquidated Damages, if any) to, but excluding, the date fixed for
redemption:
Period Redemption Price
------ ----------------
Beginning on March 20, 2003 and ending on March 14, 2004 ....... 102.857%
Beginning on March 15, 2004 and ending on March 14, 2005 ....... 102.143%
Beginning on March 15, 2005 and ending on March 14, 2006 ....... 101.429%
Beginning on March 15, 2006 and ending on March 14, 2007 ....... 100.714%
and 100% on March 15, 2007; provided, however, that if the date fixed for
redemption is on a March 15 or September 15, then the interest payable on such
date shall be paid to the holder of record on the preceding March 1 or September
1, respectively.
The Company may not give notice of any redemption of the Notes if
a default in the payment of interest or premium, if any, on the Notes has
occurred and is continuing.
The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of
any sinking fund.
6. Fundamental Change.
If a Fundamental Change occurs at any time prior to maturity of
the Notes, the Notes will be redeemable on the 30th day after notice thereof
(the "Repurchase Date") at the option of the holder of the Notes at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued
interest to (but excluding) the date of redemption; provided, however, that, if
such Repurchase Date is a March 15 or September 15, the interest payable on such
date shall be paid to the holder of record of the Notes on the preceding March 1
or September 1, respectively. The Notes will be redeemable in multiples of
$1,000 principal amount. The Company shall mail to all holders of record of the
Notes a notice of the occurrence of a Fundamental Change and of the redemption
right arising as a result thereof on or before the 10th day after the occurrence
of such Fundamental Change. For a Note to be so redeemed at the option of the
holder, the Company must receive at the office or agency of the Company
maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, such
Note with the form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment Upon a Fundamental
Change" on the reverse thereof duly completed, together with such Note, duly
endorsed for transfer, on or before the 30th day after the date of such notice
of a Fundamental Change (or if such 30th day is not a Business Day, the
immediately succeeding Business Day).
7. Conversion.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the holder hereof has
the right, at its option, at any time after the original issuance of any Notes
through the close of business on the final maturity date of the Notes, or, as to
all or any portion hereof called for redemption, prior to the close of business
on the Business Day immediately preceding the date fixed for redemption (unless
the Company shall default in payment due upon redemption thereof), to convert
the principal hereof or any portion of such principal which is $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof into that number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock (as such shares shall be constituted
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at the date of conversion) obtained by dividing the principal amount of this
Note or portion thereof to be converted by the Conversion Price of $61.08, as
may adjusted from time to time as provided in the Indenture, upon surrender of
this Note, together with a conversion notice as provided in the Indenture (the
form entitled "Conversion Notice" on the reverse hereof), to the Company at the
office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture, or at the option of such holder, the Corporate Trust
Office, and, unless the shares issuable on conversion are to be issued in the
same name as this Note, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by instruments of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by, the holder or by
his duly authorized attorney. No adjustment in respect of interest on any Note
converted or dividends on any shares issued upon conversion of such Note will be
made upon any conversion except as set forth in the next sentence. If this Note
(or portion hereof) is surrendered for conversion during the period from the
close of business on any record date for the payment of interest to the close of
business on the Business Day preceding the following interest payment date and
either (x) has not been called for redemption on a redemption date that occurs
during such period or (y) is not to be redeemed in connection with a Fundamental
Change on a Repurchase Date that occurs during such period, this Note (or
portion hereof being converted) must be accompanied by an amount, in New York
Clearing House funds or other funds acceptable to the Company, equal to the
interest payable on such interest payment date on the principal amount being
converted; provided, however, that no such payment shall be required if there
shall exist at the time of conversion a default in the payment of interest on
the Notes. No fractional shares will be issued upon any conversion, but an
adjustment and payment in cash will be made, as provided in the Indenture, in
respect of any fraction of a share which would otherwise be issuable upon the
surrender of any Note or Notes for conversion. A Note in respect of which a
holder is exercising its right to require redemption upon a Fundamental Change
may be converted only if such holder withdraws its election to exercise such
right in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. Any Notes called for
redemption, unless surrendered for conversion by the holders thereof on or
before the close of business on the Business Day preceding the date fixed for
redemption, may be deemed to be redeemed from the holders of such Notes for an
amount equal to the applicable redemption price, together with accrued but
unpaid interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any) to (but excluding) the
date fixed for redemption, by one or more investment banks or other purchasers
who may agree with the Company (i) to purchase such Notes from the holders
thereof and convert them into shares of the Company's Common Stock and (ii) to
make payment for such Notes as aforesaid to the Trustee in trust for the
holders.
8. Transfer.
Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at
the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance
with the terms of the Indenture, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations
for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in
exchange thereof; subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without
charge except for any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed in
connection therewith.
9. Persons Deemed Owners.
The Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any paying
agent, any conversion agent and any Note registrar may deem and treat the
registered holder hereof as the
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absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue and
notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone
other than the Company or any Note registrar) for the purpose of receiving
payment hereof, or on account hereof, for the conversion hereof and for all
other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any other
authenticating agent nor any paying agent nor other conversion agent nor any
Note registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All payments
made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the
sum or sums paid, satisfy and discharge liability for monies payable on this
Note.
10. No Recourse.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or
interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect
hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of
the Company in the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or
because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had
against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, officer or director or
subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor
corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor
corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by
the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability
being, by acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue
hereof, expressly waived and released.
This Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of
New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
11. Defined Terms.
Terms used in this Note and defined in the Indenture are used
herein as therein defined.
12. Abbreviations.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the
face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM tenants in common
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT Uniform Gift to Minors Act
TEN ENT tenants by the entireties
CUST custodian
JT TEN joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above
list.
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CONVERSION NOTICE
TO: GETTY IMAGES, INC.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby irrevocably
exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion thereof (which is
$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, into shares of Common
Stock of Getty Images, Inc. in accordance with the terms of the Indenture
referred to in this Note, and directs that the shares issuable and deliverable
upon such conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares
and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued
and delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been
indicated below. If shares or any portion of this Note not converted are to be
issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will
provide the appropriate information below and pay all transfer taxes payable
with respect thereto. Any amount required to be paid by the undersigned on
account of interest accompanies this Note.
Dated:
------------------------
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
meeting the requirements of the Note registrar, which requirements
include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent
Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program"
as may be determined by the Note registrar in addition to, or in
substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
-------------------------------
Signature Guarantee
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Fill in the registration of shares of Common Stock if to be
issued, and Notes if to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the
registered holder:
-------------------------------------
(Name)
-------------------------------------
(Street Address)
-------------------------------------
(City, State and Zip Code)
-------------------------------------
Please print name and address
Principal amount to be converted
(if less than all):
$------------------------------------
Social Security or Other Taxpayer
Identification Number:
-------------------------------------
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OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT
UPON A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE
TO: GETTY IMAGES, INC.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby irrevocably
acknowledges receipt of a notice from Getty Images, Inc. (the "Company") as to
the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and requests
and instructs the Company to repay the entire principal amount of this Note, or
the portion thereof (which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) below
designated, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this
Note at the price of 100% of such entire principal amount or portion thereof,
together with accrued interest to, but excluding, such repayment date, to the
registered holder hereof.
Dated:
---------------------
---------------------------
---------------------------
Signature(s)
NOTICE: The above signatures of the
holder(s) hereof must correspond
with the name as written upon the
face of the Note in every particular
without alteration or enlargement or
any change whatever. Principal
amount to be repaid (if less than
all):
$
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
Social Security or Other Taxpayer
Identification Number
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ASSIGNMENT
For value received __________________________________________
hereby sell(s) assign(s) and transfer(s) unto__________________________________
(Please insert social security or other
Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby
irrevocably constitutes and appoints ____________________________________
attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of
substitution in the premises.
In connection with any transfer of the Note prior to the
expiration of the holding period applicable to sales thereof under Rule 144(k)
under the Securities Act (or any successor provision) (other than any transfer
pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the
Securities Act), the undersigned confirms that such Note is being transferred
within the United States only or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S.
persons only:
[ ] To Getty Images, Inc. or a subsidiary thereof;
[ ] To and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended;
[ ] To an Institutional Accredited Investor pursuant to and in
compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in a
minimum denomination of $100,000; or
[ ] Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended;
and unless the box below is checked, the undersigned confirms that such Note is
not being transferred to an "affiliate" of the Company as defined in Rule 144
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (an "Affiliate").
[ ] The transferee is an Affiliate of the Company.
Dated:
-------------------- ------------------------------------
Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by
an "eligible guarantor institution"
meeting the requirements of the Note
registrar, which requirements
include membership or participation
in the Security Transfer Agent
Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such
other "signature guarantee program"
as may be determined by the Note
registrar in addition to, or in
substitution for, STAMP, all in
accordance with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
-----------------------------------
Signature Guarantee
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NOTICE: The signature of the conversion notice, the option to elect repayment
upon a Fundamental Change or the assignment must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or
enlargement or any change whatever.
▇-▇▇
▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇
Getty Images, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
The Bank of New York
as Trustee
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed purchase of 5% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes") of Getty Images, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") we confirm that:
(i) we are an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule
501(a)(1), (2) or (3) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), or an entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited
investors within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2) or (3) under the Securities
Act (an "Institutional Accredited Investor");
(ii) (A) any purchase of Notes by us will be for our own account
or for the account of one or more other Institutional Accredited Investors or as
fiduciary for the account of one or more trusts, each of which is an "accredited
investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(7) under the Securities Act and for
each of which we exercise sole investment discretion or (B) we are a "bank,"
within the meaning of Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or a "savings and
loan association" or other institution described in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the
Securities Act that is acquiring Notes as fiduciary for the account of one or
more institutions for which we exercise sole investment discretion;
(iii) the event that we purchase any Notes, we will acquire Notes
having a minimum purchase price of not less than $100,000 for our own account or
for any separate account for which we are acting;
(iv) we have such knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters that we are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of
purchasing Notes; and
(v) we are not acquiring Notes with a view to distribution
thereof or with any present intention of offering or selling Notes or the Common
Stock of the Company issuable upon conversion thereof, except as permitted
below; provided that the disposition of our property and property of any
accounts for which we are acting as fiduciary shall remain at all times within
our control.
100
We understand that the Notes are being offered in a transaction
not involving any public offering within the United States within the meaning of
the Securities Act and that the Notes and the Common Stock of the Company
issuable upon conversion thereof have not been registered under the Securities
Act, and we agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of each account for which we
acquire any Notes, that if in the future we decide to resell or otherwise
transfer such Notes or the Common Stock of the Company issuable upon conversion
thereof, such Notes or Common Stock of the Company may be resold or otherwise
transferred only (i) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (ii) to a person
who is a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the
Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (iii) to
an Institutional Accredited Investor that, prior to such transfer, furnishes to
the Trustee for the Notes (or in the case of Common Stock of the Company, the
transfer agent therefor) a signed letter containing certain representations and
agreements relating to the restrictions on transfer of such securities (the form
of which letter can be obtained from the Trustee or the transfer agent, as the
case may be), (iv) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule
144 under the Securities Act (if applicable), or (v) pursuant to a registration
statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act (and which
continues to be effective at the time of such transfer), and in each case, in
accordance with any applicable securities law of any state of the United States
and in accordance with the legends set forth on the Notes or the Common Stock of
the Company issuable upon conversion thereof. We further agree to provide any
person purchasing any of the Notes or the Common Stock of the Company issuable
upon conversion thereof (other than pursuant to clause (iv) or (v) above) from
us a notice advising such purchaser that resales of such securities are
restricted as stated herein. We understand that the Trustee and transfer agent
for the Notes and the Common Stock of the Company will not be required to accept
for registration of transfer any Notes or any Common Stock of the Company issued
upon conversion of the Notes, except upon presentation of evidence satisfactory
to the Company that the foregoing restrictions on transfer have been complied
with. We further understand that any Notes and any Common Stock of the Company
issued upon conversion of the Notes will be in the form of definitive physical
certificates and that such certificates will bear a legend reflecting the
substance of this paragraph other than certificates transferred pursuant to (iv)
or (v) above.
The Company and the Trustee and their respective counsel are
entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this
letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal
proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
THIS LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(Name of Purchaser)
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------------
Address:
---------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
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