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EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.,
Issuer
and
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS
TRUST COMPANY,
Trustee
---------------
Indenture
Dated as of June 27, 2001
---------------
9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions..................................................1
Section 1.02 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act...........19
Section 1.03 Rules of Construction.......................................19
ARTICLE II.
THE NOTES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating.............................................20
Section 2.02 Restrictive Legends.........................................21
Section 2.03 Execution, Authentication and Denominations.................23
Section 2.04 Registrar and Paying Agent..................................24
Section 2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.........................24
Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.......................................25
Section 2.07 Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes......................26
Section 2.08 Special Transfer Provisions.................................27
Section 2.09 Replacement Notes...........................................30
Section 2.10 Outstanding Notes...........................................30
Section 2.11 Temporary Notes.............................................31
Section 2.12 Cancellation................................................31
Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers...............................................31
Section 2.14 Defaulted Interest..........................................31
ARTICLE III.
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01 Right of Redemption.........................................32
Section 3.02 Notices to Trustee..........................................32
Section 3.03 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed...........................32
Section 3.04 Notice of Redemption........................................33
Section 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption..............................34
Section 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price.................................34
Section 3.07 Payment of Notes Called for Redemption......................34
Section 3.08 Notes Redeemed in Part......................................34
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ARTICLE IV.
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Notes............................................34
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.............................35
Section 4.03 Limitation on Indebtedness..................................35
Section 4.04 Limitation on Restricted Payments...........................38
Section 4.05 Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries...........................40
Section 4.06 Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock
of Restricted Subsidiaries..................................41
Section 4.07 Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted
Subsidiaries................................................42
Section 4.08 Limitation on Transactions with Stockholders and
Affiliates..................................................43
Section 4.09 Limitation on Liens.........................................43
Section 4.10 Limitation on Asset Sales...................................44
Section 4.11 Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control................45
Section 4.12 Existence...................................................45
Section 4.13 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims...........................45
Section 4.14 Maintenance of Properties and Insurance.....................46
Section 4.15 Notice of Defaults..........................................46
Section 4.16 Compliance Certificates.....................................46
Section 4.17 Commission Reports and Reports to Holders...................47
Section 4.18 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.....................47
Section 4.19 Limitation on Senior Subordinated Indebtedness..............47
ARTICLE V.
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
Section 5.01 When Company May Merge, Etc.................................48
Section 5.02 Successor Substituted.......................................49
ARTICLE VI.
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default...........................................49
Section 6.02 Acceleration................................................50
Section 6.03 Other Remedies..............................................51
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.....................................51
Section 6.05 Control by Majority.........................................51
Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.........................................52
Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment........................52
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee..................................52
Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim............................53
Section 6.10 Priorities..................................................53
Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.......................................53
Section 6.12 Restoration of Rights and Remedies..........................54
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Section 6.13 Rights and Remedies Cumulative..............................54
Section 6.14 Delay or Omission Not Waiver................................54
ARTICLE VII.
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 General.....................................................54
Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee...................................54
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee................................55
Section 7.04 Trustee's Disclaimer........................................55
Section 7.05 Notice of Default...........................................56
Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders...............................56
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity..................................56
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee......................................56
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc............................57
Section 7.10 Eligibility.................................................57
Section 7.11 Money Held in Trust.........................................57
Section 7.12 Withholding Taxes...........................................58
ARTICLE VIII.
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 8.01 Termination of Company's Obligations........................58
Section 8.02 Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture.......................59
Section 8.03 Defeasance of Certain Obligations...........................61
Section 8.04 Application of Trust Money..................................63
Section 8.05 Repayment to Company........................................63
Section 8.06 Reinstatement...............................................63
ARTICLE IX.
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders..................................64
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders.....................................64
Section 9.03 Revocation and Effect of Consent............................65
Section 9.04 Notation on or Exchange of Notes............................66
Section 9.05 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.............................66
Section 9.06 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.........................66
ARTICLE X.
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
Section 10.01 Notes Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness...................66
Section 10.02 No Payment on Notes in Certain Circumstances................66
Section 10.03 Payment of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc...................67
Section 10.04 Subrogation.................................................69
Section 10.05 Obligations of Company Unconditional........................70
Section 10.06 Notice to Trustee...........................................70
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Section 10.07 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating
Agent.......................................................71
Section 10.08 Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness...................71
Section 10.09 Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions
of the Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness............71
Section 10.10 Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination
of Notes....................................................71
Section 10.11 Not to Prevent Events of Default............................72
Section 10.12 Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced.......................72
Section 10.13 No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.......................72
Section 10.14 Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution...................72
Section 10.15 Consent of Holders of Senior Indebtedness Under the
Credit Agreement............................................72
Section 10.16 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated...............................73
ARTICLE XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01 Trust Indenture Act of 1939.................................73
Section 11.02 Notices 73
Section 11.03 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent..........74
Section 11.04 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion...............74
Section 11.05 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar.................75
Section 11.06 Payment Date Other Than a Business Day......................75
Section 11.07 Governing Law...............................................75
Section 11.08 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements...............75
Section 11.09 No Recourse Against Others..................................75
Section 11.10 Successors..................................................75
Section 11.11 Duplicate Originals.........................................76
Section 11.12 Separability................................................76
Section 11.13 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc............................76
EXHIBIT A Form of Note........................................ A-1
EXHIBIT B Form of Certificate................................. B-1
EXHIBIT C Form of Certificate to be Delivered in Connection
with Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors.. C-1
EXHIBIT D Form of Certificate to be Delivered in Connection
with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S......... D-1
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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
TIA Sections Indenture Sections
------------ ------------------
ss.310 (a)(1)...................................... 7.10
(a)(2)...................................... 7.10
(b)......................................... 7.08
ss.313 (c)......................................... 7.06; 11.02
ss.314 (a)......................................... 4.17; 11.02
(a)(4)...................................... 4.16; 11.02
(c)(1)...................................... 11.03
(c)(2)...................................... 11.03
(e)......................................... 11.04
ss.315 (b)......................................... 7.05; 11.02
ss.316 (a)(1)(A)................................... 6.05
(a)(1)(B)................................... 6.04
(b)......................................... 6.07
ss.317 (a)(1)...................................... 6.08
(a)(2)...................................... 6.09
ss.318 (a)......................................... 11.01
(c)......................................... 11.01
Note: The Cross-Reference Table shall not for any purpose be deemed to be a part
of this Indenture.
v
INDENTURE, dated as of June 27, 2001, between Extended Stay America,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Manufacturers and Traders
Trust Company, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (the "Trustee").
RECITALS
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance of up to $300,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of the Company's 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (the
"Notes") issuable as provided in this Indenture. All things necessary to make
this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms,
have been done, and the Company has done all things necessary to make the Notes,
when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
hereunder and duly issued by the Company, the valid obligations of the Company
as hereinafter provided.
This Indenture is subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions
of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, that are required to be a part of and to
govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
AND THIS INDENTURE FURTHER WITNESSETH
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders, the Company and the Trustee, as follows.
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
"Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person existing at the
time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with
an Asset Acquisition from such Person by a Restricted Subsidiary and not
Incurred by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation of, such Person
becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such Asset Acquisition; provided that
Indebtedness of such Person which is redeemed, defeased, retired or otherwise
repaid at the time of or immediately upon consummation of the transactions by
which such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or such Asset Acquisition
shall not be Acquired Indebtedness.
"Additional Notes" means any Notes (other than the Initial Notes or the
Exchange Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.03,
4.03 and 4.19 hereof after the date hereof. All Additional Notes will be
considered to be part of the same series as the Initial Notes.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the aggregate
net income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period determined on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP; provided that
the following items shall be excluded in computing Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income (without duplication): (i) the net
income of any Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), except
to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such Person during such
period; (ii) solely for the purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted
Payments that may be made pursuant to clause (C) of the first paragraph of
Section 4.04 (and in such case, except to the extent includable pursuant to
clause (i) above), the net income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the
date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or all or substantially all of
the property and assets of such Person are acquired by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary to
the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions
by such Restricted Subsidiary of such net income to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary is not at the time of such determination permitted by the
operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment,
decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such
Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) any gains or losses (on an after-tax basis)
attributable to Asset Sales; (v) except for purposes of calculating the amount
of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to clause (C) of the first
paragraph of Section 4.04, any amount paid or accrued as dividends on Preferred
Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owned by Persons other than
the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (vi) all extraordinary
gains and extraordinary losses.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of
assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (less applicable
depreciation, amortization and other valuation reserves), except to the extent
resulting from write-ups of capital assets (excluding write-ups in connection
with accounting for acquisitions in conformity with GAAP), after deducting
therefrom (i) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (excluding intercompany items) and (ii) all goodwill, trade names,
trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like
intangibles, all as set forth on the most recent quarterly or annual
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
prepared in conformity with GAAP and filed with the Commission or provided to
the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.17.
"Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as applied to any Person, means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
"Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent, authenticating agent or
co-Registrar.
"Agent Members" has the meaning provided in Section 2.07(a).
"Asset Acquisition" means (i) an investment by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person
shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be merged into or consolidated
with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such
Person's primary business is related, ancillary or
2
complementary to the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
on the date of such investment or (ii) an acquisition by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries of the property and assets of any Person other than
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that constitute substantially
all of a division or line of business, or one or more hotel properties, of such
Person; provided that the property and assets acquired are related, ancillary or
complementary to the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
on the date of such acquisition.
"Asset Disposition" means the sale or other disposition by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary) of (i) all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) all or substantially all of the
assets that constitute a division or line of business, or one or more hotel
properties, of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Asset Sale" means any sale, transfer or other disposition (including
by way of merger, consolidation or sale-leaseback transaction) in one
transaction or a series of related transactions by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person other than the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of (i) all or any of the Capital Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary, (ii) all or substantially all of the property and assets of an
operating unit or business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or (iii) any other property and assets of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (other than the Capital Stock or other Investment in an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) outside the ordinary course of business of the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary and, in each case, that is not governed by the
provisions of this Indenture applicable to mergers, consolidations and sales of
assets of the Company; provided that "Asset Sale" shall not include (a) sales or
other dispositions of inventory, receivables and other current assets, (b)
sales, transfers or other dispositions of assets with a fair market value not in
excess of $5 million in any transaction or series of related transactions, (c)
sales, transfers or other dispositions of assets constituting a Restricted
Payment permitted to be made under Section 4.04, (d) sales or other dispositions
of assets for consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the
assets sold or disposed of, to the extent that the consideration received would
satisfy clause (B) of Section 4.10 or (e) sales, transfers or other dispositions
of property or equipment that has become worn out, obsolete or damaged or
otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with the business of the Company or
its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Average Life" means, at any date of determination with respect to any
debt security, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products of
(a) the number of years from such date of determination to the dates of each
successive scheduled principal payment of such debt security and (b) the amount
of such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments.
"Bank Agent" means The Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited, or its
successors as agent for the lenders under the Credit Agreement.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
committee of such Board of Directors duly authorized to act under this
Indenture.
3
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution, certified by the
Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and
to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered
to the Trustee.
"Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which commercial banks in The City of New York, or in the city of the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee, are authorized by law to close.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the
Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all Common
Stock and Preferred Stock.
"Capitalized Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) of which the discounted present value
of the rental obligations of such Person as lessee, in conformity with GAAP, is
required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" means the discounted present value of
the rental obligations under a Capitalized Lease.
"Change of Control" means such time as (i) a "person" or "group"
(within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other
than the Existing Stockholders and their respective Affiliates, becomes the
ultimate "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of
more than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company on a
fully diluted basis and such ownership represents a greater percentage of the
total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, on a fully diluted basis,
than is held by or for the Existing Stockholders and their Affiliates on such
date; or (ii) individuals who on the Closing Date constitute the Board of
Directors (together with any new or replacement directors whose election by the
Board of Directors or whose nomination by the Board of Directors for election by
the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors then still in office who either were members
of the Board of Directors on the Closing Date or whose election or nomination
for election was so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of
the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
"Closing Date" means the date on which the Notes are originally issued
under this Indenture.
"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 instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the TIA, then the body performing such duties at
such time.
"Common Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) of such Person's equity, whether outstanding on the
Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all series and
classes of common stock.
4
"Company" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article V of this Indenture
and thereafter means the successor.
"Company Order" means a written request or order signed in the name of
the Company (i) by its Chairman, a Vice Chairman, its President or a Vice
President and (ii) by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary and delivered to the Trustee; provided, however, that such
written request or order may be signed by any two of the officers or directors
listed in clause (i) above in lieu of being signed by one of such officers or
directors listed in such clause (i) and one of the officers listed in clause
(ii) above.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income for such period plus, (A) to the extent such amount was deducted in
calculating such Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest
Expense, (ii) income taxes (other than income taxes (either positive or
negative) attributable to extraordinary gains or losses or sales of assets),
(iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense and (v) all other non-cash
items reducing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income less all non-cash items
increasing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, provided that increases or
decreases from changes in the amounts of current assets or current liabilities,
respectively, shall not result in adjustments to Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income pursuant to this clause (v), all as determined on a consolidated basis
for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP, and (B)
$10 million (for fiscal periods ending after December 31, 1999 and on or prior
to December 31, 2000); provided that, if any Restricted Subsidiary is not a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, Consolidated EBITDA shall be reduced (to the
extent not otherwise reduced in accordance with GAAP) by an amount equal to (X)
the amount of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income attributable to such
Restricted Subsidiary multiplied by (Y) the percentage ownership interest in the
income of such Restricted Subsidiary not owned on the last day of such period by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the aggregate
amount of interest in respect of Indebtedness (including, without limitation,
amortization of original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest
portion of any deferred payment obligation, calculated in accordance with the
effective interest method of accounting; all commissions, discounts and other
fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance
financing; the net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements; and
Indebtedness that is Guaranteed or secured by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries) and all but the principal component of rentals in
respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid
or to be accrued by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such
period; excluding, however, (i) any amount of such interest of any Restricted
Subsidiary if the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded in the
calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the
definition thereof (but only in the same proportion as the net income of such
Restricted Subsidiary is excluded from the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated
Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition thereof) and (ii) any
premiums, fees and expenses (and any amortization thereof) payable in connection
with the Financing Transactions, all as determined on a consolidated basis
(without taking into account Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in conformity with GAAP.
5
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, at any date of determination,
stockholders' equity as set forth on the most recently available quarterly or
annual consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(which shall be as of a date not more than 135 days prior to the date of such
computation, and which shall not take into account Unrestricted Subsidiaries),
less any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock or any equity security
convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness, the cost of treasury stock
and the principal amount of any promissory notes receivable from the sale of the
Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, each item to
be determined in conformity with GAAP (excluding the effects of foreign currency
exchange adjustments under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 52).
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which the
corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be
principally administered, which office is, at the date of this Indenture,
located at ▇▇▇ ▇&▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention:
Corporate Trust Department.
"Credit Agreement" means the credit agreement dated as of September 26,
1997 and amended and restated as of March 10, 1998 and further amended and
restated as of June 7, 2000 among the Company, various ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Senior Funding, Inc., as sole book runner and sole lead arranger, and The
Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited, as administrative agent, together with any
agreements, instruments and documents executed or delivered pursuant to or in
connection with such credit agreement (including without limitation any
Guarantees and security documents), in each case as such credit agreement or
such agreements, instruments or documents may be amended (including any
amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented, extended, renewed, replaced or
otherwise modified from time to time and including any agreement extending the
maturity of, refinancing (including the refinancing of such credit agreement as
contemplated by the commitment letter, dated June 1, 2001, between the Company
and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc.) or otherwise restructuring (including,
but not limited to, the inclusion of additional borrowers thereunder that are
Subsidiaries of the Company) all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such
agreement or any successor agreement, as such agreement may be amended, renewed,
extended, substituted, replaced, restated and otherwise modified from time to
time).
"Credit Facilities" means, one or more debt facilities (including,
without limitation, the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities, in
each case with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving
credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of
receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from
such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit.
"Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.
"Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time
or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Depositary" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and
their respective successors.
6
"Designated Debt" means Senior Indebtedness that: (1) is incurred under
a Credit Facility; (2) is a Capitalized Lease Obligation or other Indebtedness
Incurred to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of any equipment or
machinery used in the ordinary course of business; (3) is an obligation to pay
the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services; (4) is a
performance or surety bond or other similar obligation Incurred in the ordinary
course of business; (5) are obligations secured by Liens Incurred in the
ordinary course of business or arising out of contested judgments; (6) are
guarantees of Senior Indebtedness existing as of the Closing Date; (7)
Indebtedness under Currency Agreements or Interest Rate Agreements; or (8) is
any one or more items of Indebtedness that have been designated by the Company
as "Designated Debt;" provided that the aggregate principal amount of
Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (8) at any time may not exceed $75
million.
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) any Indebtedness under the
Credit Agreement (except that any Indebtedness which represents a partial
refinancing of Indebtedness theretofore outstanding pursuant to the Credit
Agreement, rather than a complete refinancing thereof, shall only constitute
Designated Senior Indebtedness if such partial refinancing meets the
requirements of clause (ii) below) and (ii) any other Indebtedness constituting
Senior Indebtedness that, at the date of determination, has an aggregate
principal amount outstanding of at least $25 million and that is specifically
designated by the Company, in the instrument creating or evidencing such Senior
Indebtedness, as "Designated Senior Indebtedness."
"Disqualified Stock" means any class or series of Capital Stock of any
Person that by its terms or otherwise is (i) required to be redeemed prior to
the Stated Maturity of the Notes, (ii) redeemable at the option of the holder of
such class or series of Capital Stock at any time prior to the Stated Maturity
of the Notes or (iii) convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock
referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above or Indebtedness having a scheduled
maturity prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided that any Capital
Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof
giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to repurchase or redeem
such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an "asset sale" or "change of control"
occurring prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute
Disqualified Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of control" provisions
applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to the holders of such
Capital Stock than the provisions contained in Section 4.10 and Section 4.11 and
such Capital Stock specifically provides that such Person will not repurchase or
redeem any such stock pursuant to such provision prior to the Company's
repurchase of such Notes as are required to be repurchased pursuant to Section
4.10 and Section 4.11.
"Event of Default" has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.
"Excess Proceeds" has the meaning provided in Section 4.10.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
"Exchange Notes" means any securities of the Company containing terms
identical to the Notes (except that such Exchange Notes (i) shall be registered
under the Securities Act and (ii) shall have an interest rate equal to 9 7/8%
per annum, without provision for adjustment as provided in the fourth paragraph
of Section 1 of the Notes) that are issued and
7
exchanged for the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or any
similar agreement.
"Existing Stockholders" means H. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇.
and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, their spouses and any one or more of their lineal
descendants and their spouses or any trust created solely for the benefit of any
such Persons.
"Existing Notes" means the 9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 of
the Company.
"Extended Stay Assets" means (i) an investment by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person
shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be merged into or consolidated
with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such
Person's primary business is related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date;
(ii) an acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of the
property and assets of any Person other than the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, that are related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date;
or (iii) the construction or development of property or assets that are related,
ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, in each case including the costs and expenses
in connection therewith (including the cost of design, development,
construction, acquisition or improvement).
"fair market value" means the price that would be paid in an
arm's-length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no
compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy,
as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall
be conclusive if evidenced by a Board Resolution.
"Financing Transactions" means the issuance of the Notes on the Closing
Date, the entering into of a new credit agreement contemplated in the commitment
letter dated as of June 1, 2001 among the Company, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior
Funding, Inc., as sole lead arranger, sole book runner and administrative agent,
as such commitment letter may be amended, supplemented, extended, renewed,
replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, and the use of the net
proceeds from the sale of the Notes and borrowings under such new credit
agreement to repay all outstanding debt under the Credit Agreement.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of America as in effect as of the Closing Date, including, without
limitation, those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in
such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment
of the accounting profession. All ratios and computations contained or referred
to in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis, except that calculations made for purposes of determining
compliance with the terms of this Indenture shall be made without giving effect
to (i) the amortization of any expenses incurred in connection with the
Financing Transactions (including the write-off of debt issuance costs in
connection therewith), (ii) the costs related to the acquisition of Studio Plus
Hotels Inc., and (iii)
8
except as otherwise provided, the amortization of any amounts required or
permitted by Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17.
"Global Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Government Securities" means direct obligations of, obligations fully
guaranteed by, or participations in pools consisting solely of obligations of or
obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which
guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States of
America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the
issuer thereof.
"Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any
Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person
and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or
indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or
advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of
such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by
agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services
(unless such purchase arrangements are on arm's-length terms and are entered
into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain
financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes
of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment
thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or
in part); provided that the term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee"
used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
"Guaranteed Indebtedness" has the meaning provided in Section 4.07.
"Holder" or "Securityholder" means the registered holder of any Note.
"Incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, to incur, create,
issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for or with respect to, or
become responsible for, the payment of, contingently or otherwise, such
Indebtedness, including an "Incurrence" of Acquired Indebtedness; provided that
neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount
shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person at any date of
determination (without duplication), (i) all indebtedness of such Person for
borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such
Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (including
reimbursement obligations with respect thereto, but excluding obligations with
respect to letters of credit (including trade letters of credit) securing
obligations (other than obligations described in (i) or (ii) above or (v), (vi)
or (vii) below) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person
to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if drawn upon, to
the extent such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day
following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement), (iv) all
obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of
property or services, which purchase price is due more than six months after the
date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto or
the completion of such services, except Trade Payables, (v) all Capitalized
Lease Obligations,
9
(vi) all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such
Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided
that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of (A) the fair market
value of such asset at such date of determination and (B) the amount of such
Indebtedness, (vii) all Indebtedness of other Persons Guaranteed by such Person
to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by such Person and (viii) to the
extent not otherwise included in this definition, obligations under Currency
Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements. The amount of Indebtedness of any
Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all
unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent
obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving
rise to the obligation, provided (A) that the amount outstanding at any time of
any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount is the face amount of such
Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue
discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined in conformity with
GAAP, (B) that money borrowed and set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any
Indebtedness in order to prefund the payment of the interest on such
Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be "Indebtedness" so long as such money is
held to secure the payment of such interest, and (C) that Indebtedness shall not
include any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes.
"Indenture" means this Indenture as originally executed or as it may be
amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time by one or more
indentures supplemental to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture.
"Initial Notes" means the first $300,000,000 in aggregate principal
amounts of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an
"accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7)
under the Securities Act.
"Interest Coverage Ratio" means, on any Transaction Date, the ratio of
(i) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recent four
fiscal quarters prior to such Transaction Date for which reports have been filed
with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.17 (the
"Four Quarter Period") to (ii) the aggregate Consolidated Interest Expense
during such Four Quarter Period. In making the foregoing calculation, (A) pro
forma effect shall be given to any Indebtedness Incurred or repaid during the
period (the "Reference Period") commencing on the first day of the Four Quarter
Period and ending on the Transaction Date (other than Indebtedness Incurred or
repaid under a revolving credit or similar arrangement to the extent of the
commitment thereunder (or under any predecessor revolving credit or similar
arrangement) in effect on the last day of such Four Quarter Period unless any
portion of such Indebtedness is projected, in the reasonable judgment of the
senior management of the Company, to remain outstanding for a period in excess
of 12 months from the date of the Incurrence thereof), in each case as if such
Indebtedness had been Incurred or repaid on the first day of such Reference
Period (and pro forma effect shall be given to the purchase of any U.S.
government securities required to be purchased with the proceeds of any such
Indebtedness and set aside to prefund the payment of interest on such
Indebtedness at the time such Indebtedness is Incurred); (B) Consolidated
Interest Expense attributable to interest on any Indebtedness (whether existing
or being Incurred) computed on a pro forma basis and bearing a floating interest
rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the Transaction Date (taking
into
10
account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such
Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months or, if
shorter, at least equal to the remaining term of such Indebtedness) had been the
applicable rate for the entire period; (C) pro forma effect shall be given to
Asset Dispositions and Asset Acquisitions (including giving pro forma effect to
the application of proceeds of any Asset Disposition) and the designation of
Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries that occur during such
Reference Period as if they had occurred and such proceeds had been applied on
the first day of such Reference Period; and (D) pro forma effect shall be given
to asset dispositions and asset acquisitions (including giving pro forma effect
to the application of proceeds of any asset disposition) that have been made by
any Person that has become a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged with or
into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary during such Reference Period and
that would have constituted Asset Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions had such
transactions occurred when such Person was a Restricted Subsidiary as if such
asset dispositions or asset acquisitions were Asset Dispositions or Asset
Acquisitions that occurred on the first day of such Reference Period; provided
that to the extent that clause (C) or (D) of this sentence requires that pro
forma effect be given to an Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition, such pro
forma calculation shall be based upon the four full fiscal quarters immediately
preceding the Transaction Date of the Person, or division or line of business of
the Person, that is acquired or disposed for which financial information is
available.
"Interest Payment Date" means each semiannual interest payment date on
June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing December 15, 2001.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means any interest rate protection agreement,
interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate
swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement,
interest rate hedge agreement, option or future contract or other similar
agreement or arrangement.
"Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
or other extension of credit (including, without limitation, by way of Guarantee
or similar arrangement; but excluding advances to customers, suppliers or
contractors in the ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with
GAAP, recorded as accounts receivable, prepaid expenses or deposits on the
balance sheet of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries) or capital
contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or
any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any
purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other
similar instruments issued by, such Person and shall include (i) the designation
of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (ii) the fair
market value of the Capital Stock (or any other Investment), held by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, of (or in) any Person that has ceased to
be a Restricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, by reason of any
transaction permitted by clause (iii) of Section 4.06; provided that the fair
market value of the Investment remaining in any Person that has ceased to be a
Restricted Subsidiary shall not exceed the aggregate amount of Investments
previously made in such Person valued at the time such Investments were made
less the net reduction of such Investments. For purposes of the definition of
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" and Section 4.04, (i) "Investment" shall include the
fair market value of the assets (net of liabilities (other than liabilities to
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any Restricted Subsidiary
at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted
Subsidiary,
11
(ii) the fair market value of the assets (net of liabilities (other than
liabilities to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that such Unrestricted Subsidiary is
designated a Restricted Subsidiary shall be considered a reduction in
outstanding Investments and (iii) any property transferred to or from an
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of
such transfer.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien
or charge of any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or
other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any agreement
to give any security interest).
"Moody's" means ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
"Net Cash Proceeds" means, (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the
proceeds of such Asset Sale in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including
payments in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding
to the principal, but not interest, component thereof) when received in the form
of cash or cash equivalents (except to the extent such obligations are financed
or sold with recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds
from the conversion of other property received when converted to cash or cash
equivalents, net of (i) brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses
(including fees and expenses of counsel and investment bankers) related to such
Asset Sale, (ii) provisions for all taxes (whether or not such taxes will
actually be paid or are payable) as a result of such Asset Sale without regard
to the consolidated results of operations of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) payments made to repay Indebtedness or any
other obligation outstanding at the time of such Asset Sale that either (A) is
secured by a Lien on the property or assets sold or (B) is required to be paid
as a result of such sale and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a reserve against any liabilities
associated with such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and
other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental
matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with
such Asset Sale, all as determined in conformity with GAAP and (b) with respect
to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, the proceeds of such issuance or sale
in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including payments in respect of
deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but
not interest, component thereof) when received in the form of cash or cash
equivalents (except to the extent such obligations are financed or sold with
recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds from the
conversion of other property received when converted to cash or cash
equivalents, net of attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or
placement agents' fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and
other fees incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes
paid or payable as a result thereof.
"Non-U.S. Person" means a person who is not a U.S. person, as defined
in Regulation S.
"Notes" means any of the securities, as defined in the first paragraph
of the recitals hereof, that are authenticated and delivered under this
Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term "Notes" shall include
any Additional Notes and any Exchange Notes to be issued and exchanged for any
Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or any
12
similar agreement and, for purposes of this Indenture, all Notes, Additional
Notes and Exchange Notes shall vote together as one series of Notes under this
Indenture.
"Offer to Purchase" means an offer to purchase Notes by the Company
from the Holders commenced by mailing a notice to the Trustee and each Holder
stating: (i) the covenant pursuant to which the offer is being made and that all
Notes validly tendered will be accepted for payment on a pro rata basis; (ii)
the purchase price and the date of purchase (which shall be a Business Day no
earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed)
(the "Payment Date"); (iii) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue
interest pursuant to its terms; (iv) that, unless the Company defaults in the
payment of the purchase price, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the
Offer to Purchase shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Payment Date;
(v) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to the Offer to
Purchase will be required to surrender the Note, together with the form entitled
"Option of the Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse side of the Note
completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to
the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Payment
Date; (vi) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the
Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the third
Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date, a telegram, facsimile
transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal
amount of Notes delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Notes purchased; and (vii) that Holders
whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in
principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided
that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount
of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. On the Payment Date, the Company shall
(i) accept for payment on a pro rata basis Notes or portions thereof tendered
pursuant to an Offer to Purchase; (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent money
sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Notes or portions thereof so
accepted; and (iii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee all Notes
or portions thereof so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate
specifying the Notes or portions thereof accepted for payment by the Company.
The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to the Holders of Notes so accepted payment
in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee shall promptly
authenticate and mail to such Holders a new Note equal in principal amount to
any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered; provided that each Note
purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 or
integral multiples thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of an
Offer to Purchase as soon as practicable after the Payment Date. The Trustee
shall act as the Paying Agent for an Offer to Purchase. The Company will comply
with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and
regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable,
in the event that the Company is required to repurchase Notes pursuant to an
Offer to Purchase.
"Officer" means, with respect to the Company, (i) the Chairman of the
Board, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, and (ii)
the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by one Officer
listed in clause (i) of the definition thereof and one Officer listed in clause
(ii) of the definition thereof or two Officers listed in clause (i) of the
definition thereof. Each Officers' Certificate (other than
13
certificates provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall include the
statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e).
"Offshore Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Offshore Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion signed by legal counsel
who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company. Each such Opinion of
Counsel shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e).
"Paying Agent" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04, except that,
for the purposes of Article VIII, the Paying Agent shall not be the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any of them. The term "Paying
Agent" includes any additional Paying Agent.
"Payment Blockage Period" has the meaning provided in Section 10.02.
"Permitted Investment" means (i) an Investment in the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the making of such
Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary or be merged or consolidated with or
into or transfer or convey all or substantially all its assets to, the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Person's primary business is
related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such Investment; (ii) Temporary Cash
Investments; (iii) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that
are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses
in accordance with GAAP; (iv) stock, obligations or securities received in
satisfaction of judgments; (v) an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary
consisting solely of an Investment in another Unrestricted Subsidiary; (vi)
Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements designed solely to protect the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates or
foreign currency exchange rates; (vii) loans or advances to employees in the
ordinary course of business in aggregate amount outstanding not to exceed $35
million; provided that not more than an aggregate of $5 million of such loans at
any time outstanding may be to senior executive officers; and (viii) Investments
in any Person the primary business of which is related, ancillary or
complementary to the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
provided that the aggregate amount of such Investments does not exceed $50
million plus the net reduction in such Investments.
"Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited
liability company, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization,
including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality
thereof.
"Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all
shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated,
whether voting or non-voting) of such Person's preferred or preference stock,
whether outstanding on the Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without
limitation, all series and classes of such preferred or preference stock.
14
"principal" of a debt security, including the Notes, means the
principal amount due on the Stated Maturity as shown on such debt security.
"Private Placement Legend" means the legend initially set forth on the
Notes in the form set forth in Section 2.02.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
"Redemption Date" means, when used with respect to any Note to be
redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
"Redemption Price" means, when used with respect to any Note to be
redeemed, the price at which such Note is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.
"Registrar" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2001, between the Company and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ &
Co. Incorporated, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Sachs & Co., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Lynch, Pierce, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇
Incorporated, Bear, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Inc., and Fleet Securities, Inc. and certain
permitted assigns specified therein.
"Registration Statement" means the Registration Statement as defined
and described in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date means the June 1 or December 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case
may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
"Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means the
chairman or any vice chairman of the board of directors, the chairman or any
vice chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the chairman
of the trust committee, the president, any vice president, any assistant vice
president, the secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant
treasurer, the cashier, any assistant cashier, any trust officer or assistant
trust officer, the controller or any assistant controller or any other officer
of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by
any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a
particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is
referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject.
"Restricted Payments" has the meaning provided in Section 4.04.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other than
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
15
"Secured Indebtedness" has the meaning provided in Section 4.09.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933.
"Security Register" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.
"Senior Indebtedness" means the following obligations of the Company,
whether outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter Incurred: (i) all
Indebtedness and all other monetary obligations (including, without limitation,
expenses, fees, principal, interest, reimbursement obligations under letters of
credit and indemnities payable in connection therewith) of the Company under (or
in respect of) the Credit Agreement or any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency
Agreement relating to the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and (ii) all
other Indebtedness and all other monetary obligations of the Company (other than
the Notes), including principal and interest on such Indebtedness, unless such
Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of any agreement or instrument
pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, is pari passu with, or
subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes; provided that the term "Senior
Indebtedness" shall not include (a) the Existing Notes, (b) any Indebtedness of
the Company that, when Incurred, was without recourse to the Company, (c) any
Indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary of the Company, or to a joint
venture in which the Company has an interest, (d) any Indebtedness of the
Company, to the extent not permitted by Section 4.03 and Section 4.19, (but as
to any such Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, no such violation shall be
deemed to exist if the Bank Agent shall have received an Officer's Certificate
to the effect that the issuance of such Indebtedness does not violate the
Indenture); (e) any repurchase, redemption or other obligation in respect of
Disqualified Stock, (f) any Indebtedness to any employee of the Company or any
of its respective Subsidiaries, (g) any liability for taxes owed or owing by the
Company or (h) any Trade Payables. Senior Indebtedness will also include
interest accruing subsequent to events of bankruptcy of the Company and its
respective Subsidiaries at the rate provided for in the document governing such
Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim
enforceable against the debtor in a bankruptcy case under bankruptcy law.
"Senior Subordinated Obligations" means any principal of, premium, if
any, interest, or other amounts due, on the Notes payable pursuant to the terms
of the Notes or upon acceleration, including any amounts received upon the
exercise of rights of rescission or other rights of action (including claims for
damages) or otherwise, to the extent relating to the purchase price of the Notes
or amounts corresponding to such principal, premium, if any, or interest on the
Notes.
"Significant Subsidiary" means, at any date of determination, any
Restricted Subsidiary that, together with its Subsidiaries, (i) for the most
recent fiscal year of the Company, accounted for more than 10% of the
consolidated revenues of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) as
of the end of such fiscal year, was the owner of more than 10% of the
consolidated assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, all as set
forth on the most recently available consolidated financial statements of the
Company for such fiscal year.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Companies, and its successors.
16
"Stated Maturity" means, (i) with respect to any debt security, the
date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which the final
installment of principal of such debt security is due and payable and (ii) with
respect to any scheduled installment of principal of or interest on any debt
security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which
such installment is due and payable.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
association, business trust or other business entity of which more than 50% of
the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or
indirectly, by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.
"Temporary Cash Investment" means any of the following: (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations
fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America or any
agency thereof, (ii) time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, demand
accounts and money market deposits maturing within one year of the date of
acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under
the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign
country recognized by the United States of America, and which bank or trust
company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $50
million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt
which is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one
nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436
under the Securities Act) or any money market fund sponsored by a registered
broker dealer or mutual fund distributor, (iii) repurchase obligations with a
term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described
in clause (i) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications
described in clause (ii) above, (iv) commercial paper, maturing not more than
one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an
Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the
United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by
the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any
investment therein is made of "P-1" (or higher) according to ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ or "A-1"
(or higher) according to S&P, (v) securities with maturities of one year or less
from the date of acquisition issued or fully and unconditionally guaranteed by
any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any
political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least "A" by S&P
or ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ and (vi) other dollar denominated securities issued by any Person
incorporated in the United States rated at least "A" or the equivalent by S&P or
at least "A2" or the equivalent by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ and in each case either (A) maturing
not more than one year after the date of acquisition or (B) which are subject to
a repricing arrangement (such as a Dutch auction) not more than one year after
the date of acquisition (and reprices at least yearly thereafter) which the
Person making the investment believes in good faith will permit such Person to
sell such security at par in connection with such repricing mechanism.
"TIA" or "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(15 U.S. Code ▇▇.▇▇. 77aaa-77bbb), as in effect on the date this Indenture was
executed, except as provided in Section 9.06.
"Trade Payables" means, with respect to any Person, any accounts
payable or any other indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors
created, assumed or Guaranteed by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries arising
in the ordinary course of business in connection
17
with the acquisition of goods or services, including without limitation,
obligations under (or in respect of) construction contracts (to the extent such
obligations do not constitute Indebtedness for borrowed money).
"Transaction Date" means, with respect to the Incurrence of any
Indebtedness by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the date such
Indebtedness is to be Incurred and, with respect to any Restricted Payment, the
date such Restricted Payment is to be made.
"Trustee" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of
Article VII of this Indenture and thereafter means such successor.
"United States Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Reform Act of
1978, as amended and as codified in Title 11 of the United States Code, as
amended from time to time hereafter, or any successor federal bankruptcy law.
"U.S. Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and
credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are
not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof at any time prior
to the Stated Maturity of the Notes, and shall also include a depository receipt
issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S.
Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any
such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the
holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the
holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in
respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on
or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository
receipt.
"U.S. Person" means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(o) under the
Securities Act.
"U.S. Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that
at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by
the Board of Directors in the manner provided below; and (ii) any Subsidiary of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted
Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the
Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any
Capital Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (A) any Guarantee by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary being so designated
shall be deemed an "Incurrence" of such Indebtedness and an "Investment" by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (or both, if applicable) at the time of
such designation; (B) either (I) the Subsidiary to
18
be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (II) if such Subsidiary
has assets greater than $1,000, such designation would be permitted under
Section 4.04; and (C) if applicable, the Incurrence of Indebtedness and the
Investment referred to in clause (A) of this proviso would be permitted under
Section 4.03 and Section 4.04. The Board of Directors may designate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of
or after giving effect to such designation and (ii) all Liens and Indebtedness
of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately after such designation
would, if Incurred at such time, have been permitted to be Incurred (and shall
be deemed to have been Incurred) for all purposes of this Indenture. Any such
designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by
promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to
such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation
complied with the foregoing provisions.
"Voting Stock" means with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any
class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors,
managers or other voting members of the governing body of such Person.
"Wholly Owned" means, with respect to any Subsidiary of any Person, the
ownership of all of the outstanding Capital Stock of such Subsidiary (other than
any director's qualifying shares or Investments by foreign nationals mandated by
applicable law) by such Person or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such
Person.
Section 1.02 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
"indenture securities" means the Notes;
"indenture security holder" means a Holder or a Securityholder;
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee; and
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company or any other
obligor on the Notes.
All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by a rule of the
Commission and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them
therein.
Section 1.03 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise
requires:
(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
19
(iii) "or" is not exclusive;
(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and words in
the plural include the singular;
(v) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(vi) "herein," "hereof" and other words of similar import
refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article,
Section or other subdivision;
(vii) all ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in
this Indenture shall be computed in accordance with the definition of
GAAP set forth in Section 1.01; and
(viii) all references to Sections or Articles refer to
Sections or Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated.
ARTICLE II.
THE NOTES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating. The Notes and the Trustee's certificate
of authentication shall be substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit
A. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock
exchange agreements to which the Company is subject or usage. The Company shall
approve the form of the Notes and any notation, legend or endorsement on the
Notes. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
The terms and provisions contained in the form of the Notes annexed
hereto as Exhibit A shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of
this Indenture. 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.
Notes offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued
initially in the form of a single permanent global Note in registered form,
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the "U.S. Global Note"),
deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by
the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The
aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Global Note may from time to time be
increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as
custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.
Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on
Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of a single permanent global
Note in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the
"Offshore Global Note") deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the
Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as
hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of the Offshore Global Note
may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the
records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, as
hereinafter provided.
20
Notes transferred to Institutional Accredited Investors shall be issued
in the form of permanent certificated Notes in registered form in substantially
the form set forth in Exhibit A (the "U.S. Physical Notes"). Notes issued
pursuant to Section 2.07 in exchange for interests in the Offshore Global Note
shall be in the form of permanent certificated Notes in registered form
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the "Offshore Physical
Notes").
The Offshore Physical Notes and U.S. Physical Notes are sometimes
collectively herein referred to as the "Physical Notes." The U.S. Global Note
and the Offshore Global Note are sometimes referred to herein as the "Global
Notes."
The definitive Notes shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved
or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other
manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Notes may
be listed, all as determined by the Officers executing such Notes, as evidenced
by their execution of such Notes.
Section 2.02 Restrictive Legends. Unless and until a Note is exchanged
for an Exchange Note in connection with an effective Registration Statement
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or any similar agreement, (i) the
U.S. Global Note and each U.S. Physical Note shall bear the legend, set forth
below on the face thereof and (ii) the Offshore Physical Notes and the Offshore
Global Note shall bear the legend set forth below on the face thereof until at
least 41 days after the Closing Date and receipt by the Company and the Trustee
of a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS,
AND ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR
BENEFIT OF, U.S. 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) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT) (AN "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR") OR (C) IT IS
NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION
IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
(2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO UNDER
RULE 144(k) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF SUCH
TRANSFER, RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO EXTENDED
STAY AMERICA, INC. OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) TO A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A
SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS
RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF
WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND IF SUCH
21
TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF
LESS THAN $100,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO EXTENDED STAY
AMERICA, INC. THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES
ACT, (D) TO A PERSON OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE
TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
(E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT
WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
TRANSFER OF THE NOTE WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE, 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 TRUSTEE. IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
INVESTOR, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE
TRUSTEE AND EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC. SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL
OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM 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 REQUIREMENT
OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE
TRANSACTION," "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN
TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE INDENTURE
CONTAINS PROVISIONS REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY
TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
Each Global Note, whether or not an Exchange Note, shall also
bear the following legend on the face thereof:
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY 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 TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY
AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR
SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO.
OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE
REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
22
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE,
BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR
SUCH SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE
SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS
SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE.
Section 2.03 Execution, Authentication and Denominations. The Notes
shall be executed by two Officers of the Company. The signature of any of these
Officers on the Notes may be by facsimile or manual signature in the name and on
behalf of the Company.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office
at the time the Trustee or authenticating agent authenticates the Note, the Note
shall be valid nevertheless.
A Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent
manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature
shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this
Indenture.
The Trustee or an authenticating agent shall from time to time upon
receipt of a Company Order authenticate for original issue Notes in the
aggregate principal amount of up to $300,000,000 plus any Additional Notes or
Exchange Notes that may be issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement
or any similar agreement; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive
an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company in connection
with each authentication of Notes. The Opinion of Counsel shall state:
(a) that the form and terms of such Notes have been
established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an indenture
supplemental hereto in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture;
(b) that such supplemental indenture, if any, when executed
and delivered by the Company and the Trustee, will constitute a valid
and binding obligation of the Company;
(c) that such Notes, when authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any
conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid
and binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms
and will be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium
and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and
(d) that the Company has been duly incorporated in, and is a
validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of, the
State of Delaware.
Such Company Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the
date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated. The aggregate
principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the amount set
forth above except for Additional
23
Notes or Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or
in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Section 2.06, 2.09, 2.10
or 2.11.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent to authenticate Notes.
An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.
Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes
authentication by such authenticating agent. An authenticating agent has the
same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and
only in denominations of $1,000 in principal amount and any integral multiple of
$1,000 in excess thereof.
Section 2.04 Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain an
office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or
for exchange (the "Registrar"), an office or agency where Notes may be presented
for payment (the "Paying Agent") and an office or agency where notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be
served, which shall be in The City of Buffalo, New York. The Company shall cause
the Registrar to keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange
(the "Security Register"). The Company may have one or more co-Registrars and
one or more additional Paying Agents.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any
agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the
provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent
and any change in the address of such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a
Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of notices and demands, the
Trustee shall act as such Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of
notices and demands. The Company may remove any agent upon written notice to
such agent and the Trustee; provided that no such removal shall become effective
until (i) the acceptance of an appointment by a successor agent to such agent as
evidenced by an appropriate agency agreement entered into by the Company and
such successor agent and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the
Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as such agent until the appointment of a
successor agent in accordance with clause (i) of this proviso. The Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company, or any Affiliate of any of them may act as Paying
Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar, and/or agent for service of notice and
demands.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent,
authenticating agent and agent for service of notice and demands. If, at any
time, the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Registrar shall make available to
the Trustee on or before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as
the Trustee may reasonably request, the names and addresses of the Holders as
they appear in the Security Register.
Section 2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Not later than each
due date of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on any Notes, the
Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds
sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent
24
other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in
trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying
Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
Notes (whether such money has been paid to it by the Company or any other
obligor on the Notes), and such Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Trustee
of any default by the Company (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any
such payment. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all
money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed, and the
Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any payment default, upon
written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay all money
held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon doing so,
the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money so paid over to
the Trustee. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of
any of them acts as Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of any
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, segregate and hold in a
separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders a sum of money sufficient to
pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due until such sum
of money shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in
this Indenture, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure to
act.
Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange. The Notes are issuable only in
registered form. A Holder may transfer a Note by written application to the
Registrar stating the name of the proposed transferee and otherwise complying
with the terms of this Indenture. No such transfer shall be effected until, and
such transferee shall succeed to the rights of a Holder only upon, final
acceptance and registration of the transfer by the Registrar in the Security
Register. The Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company shall treat the
person in whose name the Note is registered as the owner thereof for all
purposes whether or not the Note shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee, nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Furthermore, any Holder of a U.S. Global Note shall, by acceptance of such U.S.
Global Note, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such U.S. Global
Note may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder
of such U.S. Global Note (or its agent) and that ownership of a beneficial
interest in the Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry. When
Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to
register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes
of other authorized denominations (including an exchange of Notes for Exchange
Notes), the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as
requested if its requirements for such transactions are met; provided that no
exchanges of Notes for Exchange Notes shall occur until a Registration Statement
shall have been declared effective by the Commission and that any Notes that are
exchanged for Exchange Notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee. To permit
registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the
Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar's request. No service charge
shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of the
Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith
(other than any such transfer taxes or other similar governmental charge payable
upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.08 or 9.04).
The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer
of or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of business 15
days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes selected
for redemption under Section 3.03 and ending at the close of business on the day
of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or
25
exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
Section 2.07 Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes. (a) The U.S.
Global Note and Offshore Global Note initially shall (i) be registered in the
name of the Depositary for such Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary,
(ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear
legends as set forth in Section 2.02.
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ("Agent Members") shall
have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on
their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the
Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and
any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global
Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein
shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the
Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary
and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the
exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.
(b) Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to transfers of such
Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or
their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Note may
be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary and
the provisions of Section 2.08. In addition, U.S. Physical Notes and Offshore
Physical Notes shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for
their beneficial interests in the U.S. Global Note or the Offshore Global Note,
respectively, if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as Depositary for the U.S. Global Note or the Offshore Global
Note, as the case may be, and a successor depositary is not appointed by the
Company within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request to the foregoing
effect from the Depositary.
(c) Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is
transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the
other Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global
Note and become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly, will
thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures
applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as long as it
remains such an interest.
(d) In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial
interests in a Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this Section, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and
a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Note in an amount equal to the
principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Global Note to be
transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver, one or more Physical Notes of like tenor and amount.
(e) In connection with the transfer of the entire U.S. Global Note or
Offshore Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this
Section, the U.S. Global Note or Offshore Global Note, as the case may be, shall
be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee
26
for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary
in exchange for its beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note or Offshore
Global Note, as the case may be, an equal aggregate principal amount of U.S.
Physical Notes or Offshore Physical Notes, as the case may be, of authorized
denominations.
(f) Any U.S. Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the
U.S. Global Note pursuant to paragraph (b) or (d) of this Section shall, except
as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear the legend
regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the U.S. Physical Note set forth
in Section 2.02.
(g) Any Offshore Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest in
the Offshore Global Note pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section shall, except
as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear the legend
regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Offshore Physical Note set
forth in Section 2.02.
(h) The registered holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and
otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may
hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is
entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
(i) QIBs that are beneficial owners of interests in a U.S. Global Note
may receive Physical Notes (which shall bear the Private Placement Legend if
required by Section 2.02) in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary.
In connection with the execution, authentication and delivery of such Physical
Notes, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records a decrease in the
principal amount of the relevant U.S. Global Note equal to the principal amount
of such Physical Notes, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver one or more Physical Notes having an equal aggregate
principal amount.
Section 2.08 Special Transfer Provisions. Unless and until a Note is
exchanged for an Exchange Note in connection with an effective registration
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or any similar agreement, the
following provisions shall apply:
(a) Transfers to Non-QIB Institutional Accredited Investors.
The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration
of any proposed transfer of a Note to any Institutional Accredited
Investor which is not a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons):
(i) The Registrar shall register the transfer of any
Note, whether or not such Note bears the Private Placement
Legend, if (x) the requested transfer is after the time period
referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act as in
effect with respect to such transfer or (y) the proposed
transferee has delivered to the Registrar (A) a certificate
substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto and (B) if the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes being transferred is
less than $100,000 at the time of such transfer, an opinion of
counsel acceptable to the Company that such transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act.
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(ii) If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member
holding a beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note, upon
receipt by the Registrar of (x) the documents, if any,
required by paragraph (i) and (y) instructions given in
accordance with the Depositary's and the Registrar's
procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the
U.S. Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of
the beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note to be
transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, one or more U.S. Physical
Notes of like tenor and amount.
(b) Transfers to QIBs. The following provisions shall apply
with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a U.S.
Physical Note or an interest in the U.S. Global Note to a QIB
(excluding Non-U.S. Persons):
(i) If the Note to be transferred consists of (x)
U.S. Physical Notes, the Registrar shall register the transfer
if such transfer is being made by a proposed transferor who
has checked the box provided for on the form of Note stating,
or has otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in
writing, that the sale has been made in compliance with the
provisions of Rule 144A to a transferee who has signed the
certification provided for on the form of Note stating, or has
otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in writing,
that it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an
account with respect to which it exercises sole investment
discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB within
the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware that the sale to it is
being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it
has received such information regarding the Company as it has
requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to
request such information and that it is aware that the
transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in
order to claim the exemption from registration provided by
Rule 144A or (y) an interest in the U.S. Global Note, the
transfer of such interest may be effected only through the
book entry system maintained by the Depositary.
(ii) If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member,
and the Note to be transferred consists of U.S. Physical
Notes, upon receipt by the Registrar of the documents referred
to in clause (i) and instructions given in accordance with the
Depositary's and the Registrar's procedures, the Registrar
shall reflect on its books and records the date and an
increase in the principal amount of the U.S. Global Note in an
amount equal to the principal amount of the U.S. Physical
Notes, to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the
U.S. Physical Note so transferred.
(c) Transfers of Interests in the Offshore Global Note or
Offshore Physical Notes. The following provision shall apply with
respect to any transfer of interests in the Offshore Global Note or
Offshore Physical Notes: prior to the removal of the Private Placement
Legend from the Offshore Global Note or Offshore Physical Notes
pursuant to Section 2.02, the Registrar shall refuse to register such
transfer and, after such removal,
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the Registrar shall register the transfer of any such Note without
requiring any additional certification.
(d) Intentionally Omitted.
(e) Transfers to Non-U.S. Persons at Any Time. The following
provisions shall apply with respect to any transfer of a Note to a
Non-U.S. Person:
(i) The Registrar shall register any proposed
transfer to any Non-U.S. Person if the Note to be transferred
is a U.S. Physical Note or an interest in the U.S. Global Note
only upon receipt of a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit D from the proposed transferor.
(ii) (A) If the proposed transferor is an Agent
Member holding a beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note,
upon receipt by the Registrar of (x) the documents required by
paragraph (i) and (y) instructions in accordance with the
Depositary's and the Registrar's procedures, the Registrar
shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease
in the principal amount at maturity of the U.S. Global Note in
an amount equal to the principal amount at maturity of the
beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note to be transferred,
and (B) if the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, upon
receipt by the Registrar of instructions given in accordance
with the Depositary's and the Registrar's procedures, the
Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and
an increase in the principal amount at maturity of the
Offshore Global Note in an amount equal to the principal
amount at maturity of the U.S. Physical Notes or the U.S.
Global Note, as the case may be, to be transferred, and the
Trustee shall cancel the Physical Note, if any, so transferred
or decrease the amount of the U.S. Global Note.
(f) Private Placement Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or
replacement of Notes not bearing the Private Placement Legend, the
Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Private Placement
Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the
Private Placement Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that
bear the Private Placement Legend unless either (i) the circumstances
contemplated by paragraphs (a)(i)(x) or (e)(ii) of this Section 2.08
exist or (ii) there is delivered to the Registrar an Opinion of Counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee to the effect
that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are
required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Act.
(g) General. By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Private
Placement Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges the
restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and
in the Private Placement Legend and agrees that it will transfer such
Note only as provided in this Indenture. The Registrar shall not
register a transfer of any Note unless such transfer complies with the
restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture. In
connection with any transfer of Notes, each Holder agrees by its
acceptance of the Notes to furnish the Registrar or the Company such
certifications, legal opinions or other information as either of them
may reasonably
29
require to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an
exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, the registration
requirements of the Securities Act; provided that the Registrar shall
not be required to determine (but may rely on a determination made by
the Company with respect to) the sufficiency of any such
certifications, legal opinions or other information.
The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other
written communications received pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08.
The Company shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters,
notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving
of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.
Section 2.09 Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to
the Trustee or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or
wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a
replacement Note of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding; provided that the requirements of the second
paragraph of Section 2.10 are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an
indemnity bond must be furnished that is sufficient in the judgment of both the
Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from
any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may
charge such Holder for its expenses and the expenses of the Trustee in replacing
a Note. In case any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has
become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may
pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and
shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.10 Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are all
Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by
it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section
2.10 as not outstanding.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be
outstanding unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof
satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company) holds on the maturity date money sufficient to pay Notes payable on
that date, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and
interest on them shall cease to accrue.
A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of
its Affiliates holds such Note, provided, however, that, in determining whether
the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Notes have
given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and
deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee
shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which the Trustee knows to be
so owned shall be so disregarded.
30
Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as
outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Notes and
that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes
or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
Section 2.11 Temporary Notes. Until definitive Notes are ready for
delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary
Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes
but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations
determined to be appropriate by the Officers executing the temporary Notes, as
evidenced by their execution of such temporary Notes. If temporary Notes are
issued, the Company will cause definitive Notes to be prepared without
unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Notes, the temporary
Notes shall be exchangeable for definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary
Notes at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose
pursuant to Section 4.02, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for
cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes, the Company shall execute and
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal
amount of definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as
definitive Notes.
Section 2.12 Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver to the
Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered
hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may
deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated
hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold. The Registrar and the
Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for
transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Notes surrendered
for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall destroy them in
accordance with its normal procedure. The Company may not issue new Notes to
replace Notes it has paid in full or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use
"CUSIP" and "CINS" numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use
CUSIP numbers or CINS numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or
exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice shall 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 redemption or exchange and
that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on
the Notes.
Section 2.14 Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment
of interest on the Notes, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the Paying Agent
money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay, the defaulted interest,
plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to
the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. A special
record date, as used in this Section 2.14 with respect to the payment of any
defaulted interest, shall mean the 15th day next preceding the date fixed by the
Company for the payment of defaulted interest, whether or not such day is a
Business Day. At least 15 days before the subsequent special record date, the
Company shall mail to each Holder and to the Trustee a notice that states the
subsequent special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted
interest to be paid.
31
Section 2.15 Additional Notes. The Company may, subject to Article IV
of this Indenture, issue Additional Notes. The Notes issued on the Closing Date,
the Exchange Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued shall be treated
as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.
ARTICLE III.
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01 Right of Redemption. The Notes will be redeemable, at the
Company's option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or
after June 15, 2006 and prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than
60 days' prior notice mailed by first class mail to each Holder's last address
as it appears in the Security Register, at the following Redemption Prices
(expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is on or prior to the Redemption
Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during
the 12-month period commencing June 15 of the years set forth below:
Year Redemption Price
---- ----------------
2006 104.938%
2007 103.292
2008 101.646
2009 and thereafter 100.000
In addition, at any time prior to June 15, 2004, the Company may redeem
up to 35% of the principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of one or more
sales by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock), at
any time or from time to time in part, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a
percentage of principal amount) of 109.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to
the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant
Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due
on an Interest Payment Date); provided that at least 65% of the original
aggregate principal amount of Notes remains outstanding after each such
redemption and that notice of such redemption is mailed within 60 days after the
consummation of such sale or sales.
Section 3.02 Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Notes
pursuant to Section 3.01, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
Redemption Date and the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.
The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.02 in
an Officers' Certificate at least 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless a
shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).
Section 3.03 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If less than all of the
Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be
redeemed in compliance with the requirements, as certified to it by the Company,
of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are
listed or, if the Notes are not listed on a national securities exchange, on a
pro rata basis by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole
32
discretion shall deem fair and appropriate; provided that no Notes of $1,000 in
principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part.
The Trustee shall make the selection from the Notes outstanding and not
previously called for redemption. Notes in denominations of $1,000 in principal
amount may only be redeemed in whole. The Trustee may select for redemption
portions (equal to $1,000 in principal amount or any integral multiple thereof)
of Notes that have denominations larger than $1,000 in principal amount.
Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also
apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the
Company and the Registrar promptly in writing of the Notes or portions of Notes
to be called for redemption.
Section 3.04 Notice of Redemption. With respect to any redemption of
Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days
before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first
class mail to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price;
(iii) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(iv) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to
the Paying Agent in order to collect the Redemption Price;
(v) unless the Company defaults in making the redemption
payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on
and after the Redemption Date and the only remaining right of the
Holders is to receive payment of the Redemption Price plus accrued
interest to the Redemption Date upon surrender of the Notes to the
Paying Agent;
(vi) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the
principal amount (equal to $1,000 in principal amount or any integral
multiple thereof) of such Note to be redeemed and that, on and after
the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes
in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be
reissued; and
(vii) that, if any Note contains a CUSIP number as provided in
Section 2.13, no representation is being made as to the correctness of
the CUSIP number either as printed on the Notes or as contained in the
notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on the Notes.
At the Company's request (which request may be revoked by the Company
at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given such notice
to the Holders), made in writing to the Trustee at least 45 days (or such
shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the
33
Trustee) before a Redemption Date, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the name and at the expense of the Company. If, however,
the Company gives such notice to the Holders, the Company shall
concurrently deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating
that such notice has been given.
Section 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption
is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption
Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender of any Notes to the Paying
Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the Redemption Price, plus accrued interest,
if any, to the Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption shall be deemed to be given when mailed, whether
or not the Holder receives the notice. In any event, failure to give such
notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings
for the redemption of Notes held by Holders to whom such notice was properly
given.
Section 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to any Redemption
Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is
acting as its own Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in
Section 2.05) money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued
interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions
thereof called for redemption on that date that have been delivered by the
Company to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 3.07 Payment of Notes Called for Redemption. If notice of
redemption has been given in the manner provided above, the Notes or portion of
Notes specified in such notice to be redeemed shall become due and payable on
the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price stated therein, together with
accrued interest to such Redemption Date, and on and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price and
accrued interest to the Redemption Date, in which case the principal, until
paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed in the
Notes), such Notes shall cease to accrue interest. Upon surrender of any Note
for redemption in accordance with a notice of redemption, such Note shall be
paid and redeemed by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided that installments of interest
whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to
the Holders registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular
Record Date.
Section 3.08 Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of any Note that is
redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver to the Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed
portion of such surrendered Note.
ARTICLE IV.
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Notes. The Company shall pay the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner
provided in the Notes and this Indenture. An installment of principal, premium,
if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or
Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the
34
Company, or any Affiliate of any of them) holds on that date money designated
for and sufficient to pay the installment. If the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company or any Affiliate of any of them acts as Paying Agent, an installment
of principal, premium, if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the due
date if the entity acting as Paying Agent complies with the last sentence of
Section 2.05. As provided in Section 6.09, upon any bankruptcy or reorganization
procedure relative to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as the Paying Agent,
if any, for the Notes.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal, premium, if any,
and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at the
rate per annum specified in the Notes.
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain
in The City of Buffalo, New York an office or agency where Notes may be
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for
payment 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. 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 address of the Trustee set forth in Section 11.02.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
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; provided
that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company
of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in The City of Buffalo, New
York for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the
Trustee 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 corporate trust office of
the Trustee at One M&T Plaza, 7th Floor, Buffalo, N.Y. 14203, as such office of
the Company in accordance with Section 2.04.
Section 4.03 Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Company will not,
and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur any
Indebtedness (other than the Notes, the Existing Notes and Indebtedness existing
on the Closing Date); provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may
Incur Indebtedness if, after giving effect to the Incurrence of such
Indebtedness and the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom, the
Interest Coverage Ratio would be greater than 2.00:1.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary (except as specified below) may Incur each and all of the following:
(i) Indebtedness outstanding at any time in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed $900 million (together with any
refinancings thereof) under this clause (i), less
35
any amount of such Indebtedness permanently repaid since the date of
this Indenture as provided under Section 4.10;
(ii) Indebtedness owed (A) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the
Company; provided that if such Indebtedness exceeds $500,000 it shall
be evidenced by a promissory note or (B) by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary to any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any event which
results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted
Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than
to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in
each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not
permitted by this clause (ii);
(iii) Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds
of which are used to refinance or refund, then outstanding Indebtedness
(other than Indebtedness Incurred under clause (ii), (iv) or (vi) of
this paragraph) and any refinancings thereof in an amount not to exceed
the amount so refinanced or refunded (plus premiums, accrued interest,
fees and expenses); provided that Indebtedness the proceeds of which
are used to refinance or refund the Notes or Indebtedness that is pari
passu with, or subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes shall
only be permitted under this clause (iii) if (A) in case the Notes are
refinanced in part or the Indebtedness to be refinanced is pari passu
with the Notes, such new Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of
any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such new Indebtedness is
outstanding, is expressly made pari passu with, or subordinate in right
of payment to, the remaining Notes, (B) in case the Indebtedness to be
refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such new
Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of any agreement or
instrument pursuant to which such new Indebtedness is issued or remains
outstanding, is expressly made subordinate in right of payment to the
Notes at least to the extent that the Indebtedness to be refinanced is
subordinated to the Notes and (C) such new Indebtedness, determined as
of the date of Incurrence of such new Indebtedness, does not mature
prior to the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness to be refinanced or
refunded (or, if earlier, the Stated Maturity of the Notes), and the
Average Life of such new Indebtedness is at least equal to the
remaining Average Life of the Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded
(or, if less, the remaining Average Life of the Notes); and provided
further that in no event may Indebtedness of the Company that is pari
passu with or subordinated in right of payment to the Notes be
refinanced by means of any Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary
pursuant to this clause (iii);
(iv) Indebtedness (A) in respect of performance, surety or
appeal bonds provided in the ordinary course of business, (B) under
Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements; provided that such
agreements (a) are designed solely to protect the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates or interest rates and (b) do not increase the
Indebtedness of the obligor outstanding at any time other than as a
result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or interest
rates or by reason of fees, indemnities and compensation payable
thereunder and (C) arising from agreements providing for
indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations,
or from Guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance
bonds securing any obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, in any case Incurred in
connection with the
36
disposition of any business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary (other
than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or
any portion of such business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary for the
purpose of financing such acquisition), in a principal amount not to
exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such disposition;
(v) Indebtedness of the Company, to the extent the net
proceeds thereof are promptly (A) used to purchase Notes tendered in an
Offer to Purchase made as a result of a Change in Control or (B)
deposited to defease the Notes as described in Section 8.03;
(vi) Guarantees of the Notes and Guarantees of Indebtedness of
the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary provided the Guarantee of such
Indebtedness is permitted by and made in accordance with Section 4.07;
(vii) Indebtedness Incurred to finance Extended Stay Assets,
in an aggregate amount (together with any refinancings thereof) not to
exceed at any one time outstanding the Net Cash Proceeds, or the fair
market value of property other than cash, received by the Company after
the Closing Date from the issuance and sale of its Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock), including an Incurrence (permitted by this
Indenture) of Indebtedness of the Company upon conversion of such
Indebtedness into Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Company, to a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Company, to the
extent such sale of Capital Stock has not been used pursuant to clause
(C)(2) of the first paragraph, or clause (iii), (iv) or (vi) of the
second paragraph, of Section 4.04 to make a Restricted Payment; and
(viii) Indebtedness, in addition to Indebtedness permitted
under clauses (i) through (viii) above, in an aggregate principal
amount outstanding at any time (together with any refinancings thereof)
not to exceed $30 million less any amount of such Indebtedness
permanently repaid as provided under Section 4.10.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.03, the
maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may
Incur pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with
respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, due solely to the result of
fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies.
(c) For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness
under this Section 4.03, (1) Indebtedness Incurred under the Credit Agreement on
or prior to the Closing Date shall be treated as Incurred pursuant to clause (i)
of the second paragraph of this Section 4.03, (2) Guarantees, Liens or
obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting Indebtedness otherwise
included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included
and (3) any Liens granted pursuant to the equal and ratable provisions referred
to in Section 4.09 shall not be treated as Indebtedness. For purposes of
determining compliance with this Section 4.03, in the event that an item of
Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness
permitted above (other than Indebtedness referred to in clause (1) of the
preceding sentence), the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify, and
from time to time may reclassify, such item of Indebtedness and only be required
to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of such clauses.
37
Section 4.04 Limitation on Restricted Payments. The Company will not,
and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly,
(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or
with respect to its Capital Stock (other than (x) dividends or
distributions payable solely in shares of its Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire
shares of such Capital Stock and (y) pro rata dividends or
distributions on Common Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries held by
minority stockholders) held by Persons other than the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries,
(ii) purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value
any shares of Capital Stock of (A) the Company or an Unrestricted
Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to acquire such
shares of Capital Stock) held by any Person or (B) a Restricted
Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to acquire such
shares of Capital Stock) held by any Affiliate of the Company (other
than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary) or any holder (or any
Affiliate of such holder) of 5% or more of the Capital Stock of the
Company,
(iii) make any voluntary or optional principal payment, or
voluntary or optional redemption, repurchase, defeasance, or other
acquisition or retirement for value, of Indebtedness of the Company
that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or
(iv) make any Investment, other than a Permitted Investment,
in any Person (such payments or any other actions described in clauses
(i) through (iv) being collectively "Restricted Payments")
if, at the time of, and after giving effect to, the proposed
Restricted Payment:
(A) a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing,
(B) the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness
under the first paragraph of Section 4.03(a) or
(C) the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments (the
amount, if other than in cash, to be determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and
evidenced by a Board Resolution) made after March 10, 1998 shall exceed
the sum of (1) 50% of the aggregate amount of the Adjusted Consolidated
Net Income (or, if the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income is a loss,
minus 100% of the amount of such loss) (determined by excluding income
resulting from transfers of assets by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary to an Unrestricted Subsidiary) accrued on a cumulative basis
during the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning on the
first day of the fiscal quarter immediately following March 10, 1998
and ending on the last day of the last fiscal quarter preceding the
Transaction Date for which reports have been filed with the Commission
or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.17 plus (2) the
aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company after March 10,
1998 from the issuance and sale permitted by this Indenture (or, if
prior to the Closing Date, the terms of the Existing Notes) of its
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) to a Person who is not a
Subsidiary of the Company, including an issuance or sale permitted
38
by this Indenture (or, if prior to the Closing Date, the terms of the
Existing Notes) of Indebtedness of the Company for cash subsequent to
March 10, 1998 upon the conversion of such Indebtedness into Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, or from the
issuance to a Person who is not a Subsidiary of the Company of any
options, warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock of the
Company (in each case, exclusive of any Disqualified Stock or any
options, warrants or other rights that are redeemable at the option of
the holder, or are required to be redeemed, prior to the Stated
Maturity of the Notes), in each case except to the extent such Net Cash
Proceeds are used to Incur Indebtedness outstanding under clause (vii)
of Section 4.03(a), plus (3) an amount equal to the net reduction in
Investments (other than reductions in Permitted Investments) in any
Person resulting from payments of interest on Indebtedness, dividends,
repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each
case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or from the Net Cash
Proceeds from the sale of any such Investment (except, in each case, to
the extent any such payment or proceeds are included in the calculation
of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income), or from redesignations of
Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries (valued in each
case as provided in the definition of "Investments"), not to exceed, in
each case, the amount of Investments previously made by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provision shall not be violated by reason of:
(i) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date
of declaration thereof if, at said date of declaration, such payment
would comply with the foregoing paragraph;
(ii) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other
acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness that is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes including premium, if
any, and accrued and unpaid interest, with the proceeds of, or in
exchange for, Indebtedness Incurred under clause (iii) of the second
paragraph of part (a) of Section 4.03;
(iii) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition of
Capital Stock of the Company or an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or options,
warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock) in exchange
for, or out of the proceeds of a substantially concurrent offering of,
shares of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company
(or options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock);
(iv) the making of any principal payment or the repurchase,
redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition for value of
Indebtedness of the Company which is subordinated in right of payment
to the Notes in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a substantially
concurrent offering of, shares of the Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or options, warrants or other
rights to acquire such Capital Stock);
39
(v) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders
pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a
consolidation, merger or transfer of assets that complies with Article
V;
(vi) Investments acquired in exchange for Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; or
(vii) Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$100 million; provided that, except in the case of clauses (i) and
(iii), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or occur as a consequence of the actions or payments set
forth therein.
Each Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to the preceding paragraph
(other than the Restricted Payment referred to in clause (ii) or (vii) thereof,
an exchange of Capital Stock for Capital Stock or Indebtedness referred to in
clause (iii) or (iv) thereof and an Investment referred to in clause (vi)
thereof), and the Net Cash Proceeds from any issuance of Capital Stock referred
to in clauses (iii) and (iv), shall be included in calculating whether the
conditions of clause (C) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.04 have been
met with respect to any subsequent Restricted Payments. In the event the
proceeds of an issuance of Capital Stock of the Company are used for the
redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of the Notes, or Indebtedness that
is pari passu with the Notes, then the Net Cash Proceeds of such issuance shall
be included in clause (C) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.04 only to
the extent such proceeds are not used for such redemption, repurchase or other
acquisition of Indebtedness.
Section 4.05 Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability
of any Restricted Subsidiary to
(i) pay dividends or make any other distributions permitted by
applicable law on any Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary owned
by the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary;
(ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any other
Restricted Subsidiary;
(iii) make loans or advances to the Company or any other
Restricted Subsidiary; or
(iv) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or
any other Restricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provisions shall not restrict any encumbrances
or restrictions:
(i) existing on the Closing Date in the Credit Agreement, this
Indenture or any other agreements in effect on the Closing Date, and
any modifications, extensions, refinancings, renewals, substitutions or
replacements of such agreements; provided that the encumbrances and
restrictions in any such modifications, extensions, refinancings,
renewals, substitutions or
40
replacements are no less favorable in any material respect to the
Holders than those encumbrances or restrictions that are then in effect
and that are being modified, extended, refinanced, renewed, substituted
or replaced;
(ii) existing under or by reason of applicable law;
(iii) existing with respect to any Person or the property or
assets of such Person acquired by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, existing at the time of such acquisition and not incurred
in contemplation thereof, which encumbrances or restrictions are not
applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other
than such Person or the property or assets of such Person so acquired
and any modifications, extensions, refinancings, renewals,
substitutions or replacements of such agreements; provided that the
encumbrances and restrictions in any such modifications, extensions,
refinancings, renewals, substitutions or replacements are no less
favorable in any material respect to the holders of Notes than those
encumbrances or restrictions that are then in effect and that are being
modified, extended, refinanced, renewed, substituted or replaced;
(iv) in the case of clause (iv) of the first paragraph of this
Section 4.05, (A) that restrict in a customary manner the subletting,
assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is a lease,
license, conveyance or contract or similar property or asset, (B)
existing by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or
right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this
Indenture or (C) arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of
business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not,
individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property or
assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner
material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(v) with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary and imposed
pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or
disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of, or
property and assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary; or
(vi) contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or any
agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was issued if (A) the
encumbrance or restriction applies only in the event of a payment
default or a default with respect to a financial covenant contained in
such Indebtedness or agreement, (B) the encumbrance or restriction is
not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes than is
customary in comparable financings (as determined by the Company) and
(C) the Company determines that any such encumbrance or restriction
will not materially affect the Company's ability to make principal or
interest payments on the Notes. Nothing contained in this Section 4.05
shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from (1)
creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any Liens otherwise
permitted in Section 4.09 or (2) restricting the sale or other
disposition of property or assets of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Section 4.06 Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of
Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not sell, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary, directly
41
or indirectly, to issue or sell, any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted
Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of
such Capital Stock) except
(i) to the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary;
(ii) issuances of director's qualifying shares or sales to
foreign nationals of shares of Capital Stock of foreign Restricted
Subsidiaries, to the extent required by applicable law;
(iii) if, immediately after giving effect to such issuance or
sale, such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a
Restricted Subsidiary and any Investment in such Person remaining after
giving effect to such issuance or sale would have been permitted to be
made under Section 4.04 if made on the date of such issuance or sale;
or
(iv) issuances or sales of Common Stock of a Restricted
Subsidiary, provided that the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
applies the Net Cash Proceeds, if any, of any such sale in accordance
with clause (A) or (B) of Section 4.10.
Section 4.07 Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted
Subsidiaries. The Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to Guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company, other than Designated
Debt ("Guaranteed Indebtedness"), unless
(i) such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and
delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture providing for a
senior subordinated Guarantee (a "Subsidiary Guarantee") of payment of
the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary and
(ii) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any
manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of any rights
of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against
the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any
payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee;
provided that this paragraph shall not be applicable to any Guarantee
of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person
became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not Incurred in connection with,
or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.
If the Guaranteed Indebtedness is
(1) senior to the Notes, then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed
Indebtedness shall be senior to or pari passu with, the Subsidiary
Guarantee or
(2) pari passu with the Notes, then the Guarantee of such
Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be pari passu with, or subordinated to,
the Subsidiary Guarantee or
(3) subordinated to the Notes,
then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be
subordinated to the Subsidiary Guarantee at least to the extent that
the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes.
42
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantee by a Restricted
Subsidiary may provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and
unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) any sale, exchange or transfer,
to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company's and each
Restricted Subsidiary's Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all the assets
of, such Restricted Subsidiary (which sale, exchange or transfer is not
prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) the release or discharge of the Guarantee
which resulted in the creation of such Subsidiary Guarantee, except a discharge
or release by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee.
Section 4.08 Limitation on Transactions with Stockholders and
Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, enter into, renew or extend any transaction
(including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of
property or assets, or the rendering of any service) with any holder (or any
Affiliate of such holder) of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of the
Company or with any Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
except upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary than could be obtained, at the time of such transaction
or, if such transaction is pursuant to a written agreement, at the time of the
execution of the agreement providing therefor, in a comparable arm's-length
transaction with a Person that is not such a holder or an Affiliate.
The foregoing limitation does not limit, and shall not apply to
(i) transactions (A) approved by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board of Directors or (B) for which the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary delivers to the Trustee a written
opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm stating that
the transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
from a financial point of view;
(ii) any transaction solely between the Company and any of its
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries or solely between Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiaries;
(iii) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and
expenses to directors of the Company who are not employees of the
Company;
(iv) any payments or other transactions pursuant to any
tax-sharing agreement between the Company and any other Person with
which the Company files a consolidated tax return or with which the
Company is part of a consolidated group for tax purposes; or
(v) any Restricted Payments not prohibited by Section 4.04.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transaction or series of related
transactions covered by the first paragraph of this Section 4.08 and
not covered by clauses (ii) through (v) of this paragraph, (a) the
aggregate amount of which exceeds $5 million in value, must be approved
or determined to be fair in the manner provided for in clause (i)(A) or
(B) above and (b) the aggregate amount of which exceeds $10 million in
value, must be determined to be fair in the manner provided for in
clause (i)(B) of this second paragraph of Section 4.08.
Section 4.09 Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not Incur any
Indebtedness secured by a Lien ("Secured Indebtedness") which is not Senior
Indebtedness
43
unless contemporaneously therewith effective provision is made to secure the
Notes equally and ratably with (or, if the Secured Indebtedness is subordinated
in right of payment to the Notes, prior to) such Secured Indebtedness for so
long as such Secured Indebtedness is secured by a Lien.
Section 4.10 Limitation on Asset Sales. The Company will not, and will
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate any Asset Sale, unless
(i) the consideration received by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary is at least equal to the fair market value of the
assets sold or disposed of and
(ii) at least 75% of the consideration received consists of
cash or Temporary Cash Investments or the assumption of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary,
provided that the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is irrevocably
released from all liability under such Indebtedness.
In the event and to the extent that the Net Cash Proceeds received by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from one or more Asset Sales
occurring on or after the Closing Date in any period of 12 consecutive months
exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (determined as of the
date closest to the commencement of such 12-month period for which a
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been filed
with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.17), then
the Company shall or shall cause the relevant Restricted Subsidiary to
(i) within twelve months after the date Net Cash Proceeds so
received exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets
(A) apply an amount equal to such excess Net Cash
Proceeds to permanently repay Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, or any Restricted Subsidiary providing a Subsidiary
Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.07 or Indebtedness of any
other Restricted Subsidiary, in each case owing to a Person
other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
or the Existing Notes or
(B) invest an equal amount, or the amount not so
applied pursuant to clause (A) (or enter into a definitive
agreement committing to so invest within 12 months after the
date of such agreement), in property or assets (other than
current assets) of a nature or type or that are used in a
business (or in a company having property and assets of a
nature or type, or engaged in a business) similar or related
to the nature or type of the property and assets of, or the
business of, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
existing on the date of such investment and
(ii) apply (no later than the end of the 12-month period
referred to in clause (i)) such excess Net Cash Proceeds (to the extent
not applied pursuant to clause (i)) as provided in the following
paragraph of this Section 4.10.
The amount of such excess Net Cash Proceeds required to be applied (or
to be committed to be applied) during such 12-month period as set forth in
clause (i) of the preceding
44
sentence and not applied as so required by the end of such period shall
constitute "Excess Proceeds."
If, as of the first day of any calendar month, the aggregate amount of
Excess Proceeds not theretofore subject to an Offer to Purchase pursuant to this
Section 4.10 totals at least $35 million, the Company must commence, not later
than the fifteenth Business Day of such month, and consummate an Offer to
Purchase from the holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is
pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in
this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of
sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other
pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The
offer price in any such Offer to Purchase will be equal to 100% of principal
amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, and will be
payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Offer to
Purchase, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not
otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of
Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Offer to Purchase
exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee will select the Notes and
such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon
completion of each Offer to Purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be
reset at zero.
Section 4.11 Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control. The Company
must commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, and
consummate an Offer to Purchase for all Notes then outstanding, at a purchase
price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest (if
any) to the Payment Date. The Company will not be required to make an Offer to
Purchase pursuant to this Section 4.11 if a third party makes an Offer to
Purchase in compliance with this Section 4.11 and repurchases all Notes validly
tendered and not withdrawn under such Offer to Purchase.
Section 4.12 Existence. Subject to Articles IV and V of this Indenture,
the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and
keep in full force and effect its existence and the existence of each of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the respective organizational
documents of the Company and each such Subsidiary and the rights (whether
pursuant to charter, partnership certificate, agreement, statute or otherwise),
material licenses and franchises of the Company and each such Subsidiary;
provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right,
license or franchise, or the existence of any Restricted Subsidiary, if the
maintenance or preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the
business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section 4.13 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company will pay or
discharge and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, or cause
to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent (i) all
material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon (a)
the Company or any such Subsidiary, (b) the income or profits of any such
Subsidiary which is a corporation or (c) the property of the Company or any such
Subsidiary and (ii) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies
that, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or
any such Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay or
discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, any such tax, assessment, charge
or claim the amount, applicability or
45
validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and for which adequate reserves have been established.
Section 4.14 Maintenance of Properties and Insurance. The Company will
cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the
business of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries 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 that nothing in
this Section 4.14 shall prevent the Company or any such Subsidiary from
discontinuing the use, operation or maintenance of any of such properties or
disposing of any of them, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment
of the Company, desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such
Subsidiary.
The Company will provide or cause to be provided, for itself and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, insurance (including appropriate self-insurance)
against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by corporations
similarly situated and owning like properties, including, but not limited to,
products liability insurance and public liability insurance, with reputable
insurers or with the government of the United States of America, or an agency or
instrumentality thereof, in such amounts, with such deductibles and by such
methods as shall be customary for corporations similarly situated in the
industry in which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,
is then conducting business.
Section 4.15 Notice of Defaults. In the event that the Company becomes
aware of any Default or Event of Default the Company, promptly after it becomes
aware thereof, will give written notice thereof to the Trustee.
Section 4.16 Compliance Certificates. (a) The Company shall deliver
to the Trustee, within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter (105 days
after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year), an Officers' Certificate
stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default that
occurred during such fiscal quarter. In the case of the Officers' Certificate
delivered within 105 days of the end of the Company's fiscal year, such
certificate shall contain a certification from the principal executive officer,
principal financial officer or principal accounting officer that a review has
been conducted of the activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
and the Company's and its Restricted Subsidiaries' performance under this
Indenture and that the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants
under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 4.16, such compliance shall
be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice
provided under this Indenture. If they do know of such a Default or Event of
Default, the certificate shall describe any such Default or Event of Default and
its status. The first certificate to be delivered pursuant to this Section
4.16(a) shall be for the first fiscal quarter beginning after the execution of
this Indenture.
(b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 105 days after the
end of the Company's fiscal year, a certificate signed by the Company's
independent certified public accountants stating (i) that their audit
examination has included a review of the terms of this
46
Indenture and the Notes as they relate to accounting matters, (ii) that they
have read the most recent Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4.16 and (iii) whether, in connection
with their audit examination, anything came to their attention that caused them
to believe that the Company was not in compliance with any of the terms,
covenants, provisions or conditions of Article IV and Section 5.01 of this
Indenture as they pertain to accounting matters and, if any Default or Event of
Default has come to their attention, specifying the nature and period of
existence thereof; provided that such independent certified public accountants
shall not be liable in respect of such statement by reason of any failure to
obtain knowledge of any such Default or Event of Default that would not be
disclosed in the course of an audit examination conducted in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards in effect at the date of such examination.
Section 4.17 Commission Reports and Reports to Holders. Whether or not
the Company is required to file reports with the Commission, for so long as any
Notes are outstanding, the Company shall file with the Commission all such
reports and other information as it would be required to file with the
Commission by Sections 13(a) or 15(d) under the Exchange Act if it were subject
thereto; provided that, if filing such documents by the Company with the
Commission is not permitted under the Exchange Act, the Company shall provide
such documents to the Trustee and upon written request supply copies of such
documents to any prospective Holder. The Company shall supply the Trustee and
each Holder who so requests or shall supply to the Trustee for forwarding to
each such Holder, without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports and other
information. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA
Section 314(a).
Section 4.18 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. The Company
covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any
time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law
that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein,
wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the
covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of
any such law and covenants that it will not 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 4.19 Limitation on Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. The
Company will not Incur any Indebtedness that is subordinate in right of payment
to any Senior Indebtedness unless such Indebtedness is pari passu with, or
subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes; provided that the foregoing
limitation shall not apply to distinctions between categories of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company that exist by reason of any Liens or Guarantees
arising or created in respect of some but not all of such Senior Indebtedness.
47
ARTICLE V.
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
Section 5.01 When Company May Merge, Etc. The Company will not
consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property and assets (as an
entirety or substantially an entirety in one transaction or a series of related
transactions) to, any Person or permit any Person to merge with or into the
Company unless:
(i) the Company shall be the continuing Person, or the Person
(if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which
the Company is merged or that acquired or leased such property and
assets of the Company shall be a corporation organized and validly
existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state or
jurisdiction thereof and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental
indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all of the
obligations of the Company on all of the Notes and under this
Indenture;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a
pro forma basis, the Company or any Person becoming the successor
obligor of the Notes shall have a Consolidated Net Worth equal to or
greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately
prior to such transaction;
(iv) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a
pro forma basis the Company, or any Person becoming the successor
obligor of the Notes, as the case may be, could Incur at least $1.00 of
Indebtedness under the first paragraph of Section 4.03(a); provided
that this clause (iv) shall not apply to a consolidation, merger or
sale of all (but not less than all) of the assets of the Company if all
Liens and Indebtedness of the Company or any Person becoming the
successor obligor of the Notes, as the case may be, and its Restricted
Subsidiaries outstanding immediately after such transaction would, if
Incurred at such time, have been permitted to be Incurred (and all such
Liens and Indebtedness, other than Liens and Indebtedness of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior
to the transaction, shall be deemed to have been Incurred) for all
purposes of this Indenture; and
(v) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate (attaching the arithmetic computations to demonstrate
compliance with clauses (iii) and (iv)) and Opinion of Counsel, in each
case stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such
supplemental indenture complies with this provision and that all
conditions precedent provided for herein relating to such transaction
have been complied with;
provided, however, that clauses (iii) and (iv) above do not apply if, in the
good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, the principal purpose of
such transaction is to change the state
48
of incorporation of the Company and that any such transaction shall not have as
one of its purposes the evasion of the foregoing limitations.
Section 5.02 Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger,
or any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company in accordance with
Section 5.01 of this Indenture, the successor Person formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and
be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named
as the Company herein; provided that the Company shall not be released from its
obligation to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes in
the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its property and assets.
ARTICLE VI.
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default. An "Event of Default" shall occur with
respect to the Notes if:
(a) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of
(or premium, if any, on) any Note when the same becomes due and payable
at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise, whether or not
such payment is prohibited by Article X;
(b) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on any
Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues
for a period of 30 days, whether or not such payment is prohibited by
Article X;
(c) the Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches
the provisions of, Article V or fails to make or consummate an Offer to
Purchase in accordance with Section 4.10 or 4.11;
(d) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any
other covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or under
the Notes (other than a default specified in clause (a), (b) or (c)
above) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30
consecutive days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or
the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes;
(e) there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of
Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary having an
outstanding principal amount of $25 million or more in the aggregate
for all such issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now
exists or shall hereafter be created, (I) an event of default that has
caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and
payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been
discharged in full or such acceleration has not been rescinded or
annulled within 30 days of such acceleration and/or (II) the failure to
make a principal payment at the final (but not any interim) fixed
maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have been made, waived or
extended within 30 days of such payment default;
49
(f) any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for
the payment of money in excess of $25 million in the aggregate for all
such final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any
deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) shall be
rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and shall
not be paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of 60
consecutive days following entry of the final judgment or order that
causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders
outstanding and not paid or discharged against all such Persons to
exceed $25 million during which a stay of enforcement of such final
judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall
not be in effect;
(g) a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a
decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect,
(B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property
and assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) the
winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or order shall
remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a
voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an
order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B)
consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar
official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment for the
benefit of creditors.
Section 6.02 Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event
of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 that occurs with
respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the
Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes, then outstanding, by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if
such notice is given by the Holders), may, and the Trustee at the request of
such Holders shall, declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued
interest on the Notes to be immediately due and payable. Upon a declaration of
acceleration, such principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest shall be
immediately due and payable; provided that any such declaration of acceleration
shall not become effective until the earlier of (A) five Business Days after
receipt of the acceleration notice by the Bank Agent and the Company or (B)
acceleration of the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement; provided further
that such acceleration shall automatically be rescinded and annulled without any
further action required on the part of the Holders in the event that any and all
Events of Default specified in the acceleration notice under this Indenture
shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided in this
Indenture prior to the expiration of the period referred to in clauses (A) and
(B) of this Section 6.02. In the event of a declaration of acceleration because
an Event of Default set forth in clause (e) of Section 6.01 has occurred and is
continuing, such declaration of acceleration shall be automatically rescinded
and annulled if the event of default triggering such
50
Event of Default pursuant to clause (e) of Section 6.01 shall be remedied or
cured by the Company or the relevant Significant Subsidiary or waived by the
holders of the relevant Indebtedness within 60 days after the declaration of
acceleration with respect thereto. If an Event of Default specified in clause
(g) or (h) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the Company, the principal of,
premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall ipso
facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other
act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration, but before a
judgment or decree for the payment of the money due has been obtained by the
Trustee, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may
waive all past Defaults and rescind and annul such declaration of acceleration
and its consequences if (i) all existing Events of Default, other than the
non-payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the
Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been
cured or waived and (ii) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or
decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 6.03 Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or
in equity to collect the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest
on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this
Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any
of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.07
and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes, by notice to the Trustee, may waive an existing Default or
Event of Default and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note as specified in clause
(a) or (b) of Section 6.01 or in respect of a covenant or provision of this
Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder
of each outstanding Note affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall
cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to
have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any
right consequent thereto.
Section 6.05 Control by Majority. The Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee
or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided, that the
Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this
Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability, or that the
Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of
Holders of Notes not joining in the giving of such direction; and provided
further that the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not
inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders of Notes pursuant to
this Section 6.05.
51
Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits. A Holder may not institute any
proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Notes,
or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless:
(i) the Holder has previously given to the Trustee written
notice of a continuing Event of Default;
(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount
of outstanding Notes shall have made written request to the Trustee to
pursue the remedy;
(iii) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee
indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liabilities or
expenses to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(iv) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
request and offer of indemnity has failed to comply with such request;
and
(v) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the
Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such written request.
For purposes of Section 6.05 of this Indenture and this Section 6.06,
the Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 316(a) in making any determination of
whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of outstanding
Notes have concurred in any request or direction of the Trustee to pursue any
remedy available to the Trustee or the Holders with respect to this Indenture or
the Notes or otherwise under the law.
A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another
Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other Holder.
The limitations set forth in this Section 6.06 shall not apply to the
right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of the principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on, such Note or to bring suit for the enforcement of any
such payment, on or after the due date expressed in the Notes, which right shall
not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive
payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Holder's Note on
or after the respective due dates expressed on such Note, or to bring suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not
be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default in
payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (a), (b) (c) or
(d) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment
in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any
other obligor of the Notes for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any,
and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue
principal, premium, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is
lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate
specified in the Notes, and such further
52
amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection,
including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may 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 (including any claim for
the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to
the Company (or any other obligor of the Notes), its creditors or its property
and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies,
securities or other property payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange
of the Notes or upon any such claims and to distribute the same, and any
custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other
similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each
Holder 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 Holders, to pay to
the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to empower the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on
behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding.
Section 6.10 Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to
this Article VI, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee for all amounts due under Section 7.07;
Second: to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, as and to the extent
required by Article X;
Third: to Holders for amounts then due and unpaid for principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in respect of which or for the
benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or
priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Notes for
principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
Fourth: to the Company or any other obligors of the Notes, as their
interests may appear, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix a record
date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.
Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs. 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, a court may require any party
litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and
the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in the suit having due regard to the merits and good
faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11
does not apply to a suit by the
53
Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 of this Indenture, or a
suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.
Section 6.12 Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any
Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this
Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason,
or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then, and in
every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company,
the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to
their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the
Company, Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had
been instituted.
Section 6.13 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise
provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or wrongfully taken Notes in Section 2.09, no right or remedy herein
conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be
exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the
extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and
remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or
otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or
otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other
appropriate right or remedy.
Section 6.14 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the
Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event
of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any
such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given
by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised
from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by
the Holders, as the case may be.
ARTICLE VII.
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 General. The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee
shall be as provided by the TIA and as set forth herein. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or
risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance
of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or
powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such
funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so 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
Article VII.
Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to TIA Sections 315(a)
through (d):
(i) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent,
order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness
54
or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have
been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not
investigate any fact or matter stated in the document;
(ii) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall
conform to Section 11.04. The Trustee shall not be liable for any
action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such
certificate or opinion;
(iii) the Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and
shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent
appointed with due care;
(iv) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request
or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the
costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in
compliance with such request or direction;
(v) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within
its rights or powers or for any action it takes or omits to take in
accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding Notes 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; provided that the Trustee's conduct does not constitute
negligence or bad faith;
(vi) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the
Trustee shall deem it desirable that a making be proved or established
prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the
Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may,
in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer's
Certificate; and
(vii) 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, note, other evidence of indebtedness
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.
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and
may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it
would have if it were not the Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like
rights. However, the Trustee is subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311.
Section 7.04 Trustee's Disclaimer. The Trustee (i) makes no
representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes,
(ii) shall not be accountable for the
55
Company's use or application of the proceeds from the Notes and (iii) shall not
be responsible for any statement in the Notes other than its certificate of
authentication.
Section 7.05 Notice of Default. If any Default or any Event of Default
occurs and is continuing and if such Default or Event of Default is known to the
Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder in the manner and to the extent
provided in TIA Section 313(c) notice of the Default or Event of Default within
45 days after it occurs, unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured;
provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors,
the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible
Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such
notice is in the interest of the Holders.
Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each
May 15, beginning with May 15, 2001, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder as
provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such May 15, if
required by TIA Section 313(a).
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the
Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing for its services.
The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any law on compensation
of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon
request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and advances incurred or made
by the Trustee. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and
expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless
against, any loss or liability or expense incurred by it without negligence or
bad faith on its part in connection with the acceptance or administration of
this Indenture and its duties under this Indenture and the Notes, including the
costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability and of
complying with any process served upon it or any of its officers in connection
with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties under this
Indenture and the Notes.
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the
Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or
collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property
held in trust to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on particular
Notes.
If the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after the occurrence
of an Event of Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01, the
expenses and the compensation for the services will be intended to constitute
expenses of administration under Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code
or any applicable federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the
Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon
the successor Trustee's acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section
7.08.
The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company in
writing at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove
the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee in writing
56
and may appoint a successor Trustee with the consent of the Company. The Company
may remove the Trustee if: (i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section
7.10; (ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent; (iii) a receiver
or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) the
Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed, or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company or, after the occurrence and
continuation of an Event of Default, the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of Notes outstanding, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within
one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to
replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If the successor Trustee
does not deliver its written acceptance required by the next succeeding
paragraph of this Section 7.08 within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns
or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after the
delivery of such written acceptance, subject to the lien provided in Section
7.07, (i) the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee
to the successor Trustee, (ii) the resignation or removal of the retiring
Trustee shall become effective and (iii) the successor Trustee shall have all
the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor
Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder.
If the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10, any Holder who
satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(b) may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a
successor Trustee.
The Company shall give notice of any resignation and any removal of the
Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders. Each notice
shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate
Trust Office.
Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
7.08, the Company's obligation under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit
of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. If the Trustee
consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially
all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national banking
association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national
banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with
the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee
herein.
Section 7.10 Eligibility. This Indenture shall always have a Trustee
who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1). The Trustee shall have
a combined capital and surplus of at least $25 million as set forth in its most
recent published annual report of condition.
Section 7.11 Money Held in Trust. The Trustee shall not be liable for
interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree with the
Company. Money held in
57
trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law and except for money held in trust under Article VIII of
this Indenture.
Section 7.12 Withholding Taxes. The Trustee, as agent for the Company,
shall exclude and withhold from each payment of principal and interest and other
amounts due hereunder or under the Notes any and all withholding taxes
applicable thereto as required by law. The Trustee agrees to act as such
withholding agent and, in connection therewith, whenever any present or future
taxes or similar charges are required to be withheld with respect to any amounts
payable in respect of the Notes, to withhold such amounts and timely pay the
same to the appropriate authority in the name of and on behalf of the holders of
the Notes, that it will file any necessary withholding tax returns or statements
when due, and that, as promptly as possible after the payment thereof, it will
deliver to each Holder of a Note appropriate documentation showing the payment
thereof, together with such additional documentary evidence as such Holders may
reasonably request from time to time.
ARTICLE VIII.
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 8.01 Termination of Company's Obligations. Except as otherwise
provided in this Section 8.01, the Company may terminate its obligations under
the Notes and this Indenture if:
(i) all Notes previously authenticated and delivered (other
than destroyed, lost or stolen Notes that have been replaced or Notes
that are paid pursuant to Section 4.01 or Notes for whose payment money
or securities have theretofore been held in trust and thereafter repaid
to the Company, as provided in Section 8.05) have been delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation and the Company has paid all sums payable by
it hereunder; or
(ii) (A) the Notes mature within one year or all of them are
to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for giving the notice of redemption, (B)
the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee during such
one-year period, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in
form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, as trust funds solely
for the benefit of the Holders for that purpose, money or U.S.
Government Obligations sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee), without
consideration of any reinvestment of any interest thereon, to pay
principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to maturity or
redemption, as the case may be, and to pay all other sums payable by it
hereunder, (C) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes
shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, (D)
such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute
a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to
which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and (E) the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent
provided for herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture have been complied with.
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With respect to the foregoing clause (i), the Company's obligations
under Section 7.07 shall survive. With respect to the foregoing clause (ii), the
Company's obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08,
2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04, 8.05, 8.06 and Article X (with respect
to payments in respect of Senior Subordinated Obligations other than with the
assets held in trust as described in the foregoing clause (ii)) shall survive
until the Notes are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company's
obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive. After any such
irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the
discharge of the Company's obligations under the Notes and this Indenture except
for those surviving obligations specified above.
Section 8.02 Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture. The Company will be
deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all obligations in
respect of the Notes on the 123rd day after the date of the deposit referred to
in clause (A) of this Section 8.02, and the provisions of this Indenture will no
longer be in effect with respect to the Notes, and the Trustee, at the expense
of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, except
as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, (ii) substitution of
apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes, (iii) rights of
Holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, (iv) the
Company's obligations under Section 4.02, (v) the rights, obligations and
immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (vi) the rights of the Holders as
beneficiaries of this Indenture with respect to the property so deposited with
the Trustee payable to all or any of them; provided that the following
conditions shall have been satisfied:
(A) with reference to this Section 8.02, the Company has
irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the
Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10
of this Indenture) and conveyed all right, title and interest for the
benefit of the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust
funds in trust, specifically pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of
the Holders as security for payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on the Notes, and dedicated solely to the
benefit of the Holders, in and to (1) money in an amount, (2) U.S.
Government Obligations that, through the payment of interest, premium,
if any, and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their
terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any
payment referred to in this clause (A), money in an amount or (3) a
combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed
in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
discharge, without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest
and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other
charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the
principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the outstanding
Notes at the Stated Maturity of such principal or interest or on any
earlier Redemption Date; provided that the Trustee shall have been
irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S.
Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium, if
any, and interest with respect to the Notes and, with respect to any
Redemption Date, the Company shall have provided the Trustee with
irrevocable instructions to redeem all Notes on such Redemption Date;
59
(B) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of,
or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and
is permitted by Article X;
(C) immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro
forma basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on
the 123rd day after such date of deposit, and such deposit shall not
result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any
other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is bound;
(D) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee (1) either
(x) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the Internal Revenue
Service to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain
or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company's
exercise of its option under this Section 8.02 and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such option had not been
exercised or (y) an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect as the ruling
described in clause (x) above accompanied by a ruling to that effect
published by the Internal Revenue Service, unless there has been a
change in the applicable federal income tax law since the date of this
Indenture such that a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service is no
longer required and (2) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (x)
the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and (y) after the passage of 123 days following the
deposit (except, with respect to any trust funds for the account of any
Holder who may be deemed to be an "insider" for purposes of the United
States Bankruptcy Code, after one year following the deposit), the
trust funds will not be subject to the effect of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and
Creditor Law in a case commenced by or against the Company under either
such statute, and either (I) the trust funds will no longer remain the
property of the Company (and therefore will not be subject to the
effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally) or (II) if a court
were to rule under any such law in any case or proceeding that the
trust funds remained property of the Company, (a) assuming such trust
funds remained in the possession of the Trustee prior to such court
ruling to the extent not paid to the Holders, the Trustee will hold,
for the benefit of the Holders, a valid and perfected security interest
in such trust funds that is not avoidable in bankruptcy or otherwise
except for the effect of Section 552(b) of the United States Bankruptcy
Code on interest on the trust funds accruing after the commencement of
a case under such statute and (b) the Holders will be entitled to
receive adequate protection of their interests in such trust funds if
such trust funds are used in such case or proceeding;
(E) if the Notes are then listed on a national securities
exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that such deposit defeasance and discharge will
not cause the Notes to be delisted; and
60
(F) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all
conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance
contemplated by this Section 8.02 have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the end of the 123-day (or one
year) period referred to in clause (D)(2)(y) of this Section 8.02, none of the
Company's obligations under this Indenture shall be discharged. Subsequent to
the end of such 123-day (or one year) period with respect to this Section 8.02,
the Company's obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08,
2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.05 and 8.06 and Article X (with respect to
payments in respect of Senior Subordinated Obligations other than with the
assets held in trust as described in this Section 8.02) shall survive until the
Notes are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company's obligations in
Sections 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive. If and when a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service or an Opinion of Counsel referred to in clause (D)(1)
of this Section 8.02 is able to be provided specifically without regard to, and
not in reliance upon, the continuance of the Company's obligations under Section
4.01, then the Company's obligations under such Section 4.01 shall cease upon
delivery to the Trustee of such ruling or Opinion of Counsel and compliance with
the other conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance
contemplated by this Section 8.02.
After any such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall
acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company's obligations under the
Notes and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations in the
immediately preceding paragraph.
Section 8.03 Defeasance of Certain Obligations. The Company may omit to
comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in clauses (iii) and (iv)
of Section 5.01 and Sections 4.03 through 4.17, and clause (c) of Section 6.01
with respect to clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 5.01 and Sections 4.03 through
4.17, and clauses (d), (e) and (f) of Section 6.01 shall be deemed not to be
Events of Default, in each case with respect to the outstanding Notes if:
(i) with reference to this Section 8.03, the Company has
irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the
Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section
7.10) and conveyed all right, title and interest to the Trustee for the
benefit of the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust
funds in trust, specifically pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of
the Holders as security for payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on the Notes, and dedicated solely to, the
benefit of the Holders, in and to (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S.
Government Obligations that, through the payment of interest and
principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will
provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment
referred to in this clause (i), money in an amount or (C) a combination
thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
discharge, without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest
and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other
charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on
the Stated Maturity of such principal or interest
61
or on any earlier Redemption Date; provided that the Trustee shall have
been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such
U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium,
if any, and interest with respect to the Notes and, with respect to any
Redemption Date, the Company shall have provided the Trustee with
irrevocable instructions to redeem all Notes on such Redemption Date;
(ii) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of,
or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and
is permitted by Article X;
(iii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing on the date of such deposit;
(iv) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that (A) the creation of the defeasance trust
does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940, (B) the Holders
have a valid first priority security interest in the trust funds, (C)
the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain
obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred and (D) after
the passage of 123 days following the deposit (except, with respect to
any trust funds for the account of any Holder who may be deemed to be
an "insider" for purposes of the United States Bankruptcy Code, after
one year following the deposit), the trust funds will not be subject to
the effect of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Bankruptcy Code or
Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law in a case commenced
by or against the Company under either such statute, and either (1) the
trust funds will no longer remain the property of the Company (and
therefore will not be subject to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally) or (2) if a court were to rule under any
such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained
property of the Company, (x) assuming such trust funds remained in the
possession of the Trustee prior to such court ruling to the extent not
paid to the Holders, the Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the
Holders, a valid and perfected security interest in such trust funds
that is not avoidable in bankruptcy or otherwise (except for the effect
of Section 552(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code on interest on
the trust funds accruing after the commencement of a case under such
statute), (y) the Holders will be entitled to receive adequate
protection of their interests in such trust funds if such trust funds
are used in such case or proceeding and (z) no property, rights in
property or other interests granted to the Trustee or the Holders in
exchange for, or with respect to, such trust funds will be subject to
any prior rights of holders of other Indebtedness of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries;
(v) if the Notes are then listed on a national securities
exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that such deposit defeasance and discharge will
not cause the Notes to be delisted; and
62
(vi) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all
conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance
contemplated by this Section 8.03 have been complied with.
Section 8.04 Application of Trust Money. Subject to Section 8.06, the
Trustee or Paying Agent shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations
deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be,
and shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government
Obligations in accordance with the Notes and this Indenture to the payment of
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes; but such money need
not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 8.05 Repayment to Company. Subject to Sections 7.07, 8.01, 8.02
and 8.03, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company
upon request set forth in an Officers' Certificate any excess money held by them
at any time and thereupon shall be relieved from all liability with respect to
such money. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon
request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest that remains unclaimed for two years; provided that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent before being required to make any payment may cause to be published
at the expense of the Company once in a newspaper of general circulation in The
City of New York or mail to each Holder entitled to such money at such Holder's
address (as set forth in the Security Register) notice that such money remains
unclaimed and that after a date specified therein (which shall be at least 30
days from the date of such publication or mailing) any unclaimed balance of such
money then remaining will be repaid to the Company. After payment to the
Company, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Company for payment as
general creditors unless an applicable law designates another Person, and all
liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall
cease.
Section 8.06 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to
apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01,
8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of any legal proceeding or 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 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be,
until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such
money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01, 8.02 or
8.03, as the case may be; provided that, if the Company has made any payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of 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 or U.S.
Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
63
ARTICLE IX.
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders. The Company, when authorized
by a resolution of its Board of Directors, and the Trustee may amend or
supplement this Indenture or the Notes without notice to or the consent of any
Holder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this
Indenture; provided that such amendments or supplements shall not
adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect;
(2) to comply with Article V;
(3) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in
connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(4) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor Trustee;
(5) to make any change that does not materially and adversely
affect the rights of any Holder;
(6) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in
accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the
date hereof.
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07
and without prior notice to the Holders, the Company, when authorized by its
Board of Directors (as evidenced by a Board Resolution), and the Trustee may
amend this Indenture and the Notes with the written consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to
the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of
this Indenture or the Notes.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9.02, without the
consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver
pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:
(i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of interest on, any Note;
(ii) reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or
interest on, any Note;
(iii) change the place or currency of payment of principal of,
or premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;
(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
any payment on or after the Stated Maturity (or, in the case of a
redemption, on or after the Redemption Date) of any Note;
64
(v) reduce the percentage of outstanding Notes the consent of
whose Holders is necessary to modify or amend this Indenture;
(vi) waive a Default in the payment of principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on the Notes;
(vii) modify any of the provisions of Article X in a manner
adverse to the Holders; or
(viii) reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Notes the consent of whose Holders is necessary for waiver
of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or for waiver
of certain defaults.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment,
supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the
substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02
becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a
notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. The Company will
mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request. Any failure of the Company
to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way
impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
Section 9.03 Revocation and Effect of Consent. Until an amendment or
waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by
the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that
evidences the same debt as the Note of the consenting Holder, even if notation
of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent
Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note or portion of its Note. Such
revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of
revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes
effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective on receipt
by the Trustee of written consents from the Holders of the requisite percentage
in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for
the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment,
supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the last
two sentences of the immediately preceding paragraph, those persons who were
Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies) and only those
persons shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or
to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to
be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective
for more than 90 days after such record date.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall
bind every Holder unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (i)
through (v) of Section 9.02. In case of an amendment or waiver of the type
described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 9.02, the amendment or waiver
shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a
Note that evidences the same indebtedness as the Note of the consenting Holder.
65
Section 9.04 Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment,
supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the
Holder to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate
notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder and the
Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Note thereafter authenticated.
Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in
exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note
that reflects the changed terms.
Section 9.05 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. The Trustee shall be
entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of
Counsel stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver
authorized pursuant to this Article IX is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Trustee shall sign such
amendment, supplement or waiver if the same does not adversely affect the rights
of the Trustee. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such
amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.06 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental
indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX shall conform to the requirements
of the TIA as then in effect.
ARTICLE X.
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
Section 10.01 Notes Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness. The Company
and the Trustee each covenants and agrees, and each Holder, by its acceptance of
a Note, likewise covenants and agrees that all Notes shall be issued subject to
the provisions of this Article X; and each Person holding any Note, whether upon
original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and
agrees that Senior Subordinated Obligations shall, to the extent and in the
manner set forth in this Article X, be subordinated in right of payment to the
prior payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of all existing and future
Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the Company's obligations
under the Credit Agreement (including any interest accruing subsequent to an
event specified in Sections 6.01(g) and 6.01(h) of this Indenture, whether or
not such interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the debtor under the
United States Bankruptcy Code).
Section 10.02 No Payment on Notes in Certain Circumstances. (a) No
direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of the Company of Senior Subordinated
Obligations (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any
defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), whether
pursuant to the terms of the Notes or upon acceleration or otherwise shall be
made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment of
all or any portion of the obligations on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company
and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this
sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
(b) During the continuance of any other event of default with respect
to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity thereof may
be accelerated, upon
66
receipt by the Trustee of written notice from the trustee or other
representative for the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness (or the
holders of at least a majority in principal amount of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness then outstanding), no payment of Senior Subordinated Obligations
(other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance
trust established in accordance with this Indenture) may be made by or on behalf
of the Company upon or in respect of the Notes for a period (a "Payment Blockage
Period") commencing on the date of receipt of such notice and ending 179 days
thereafter (unless, in each case, such Payment Blockage Period shall be
terminated by written notice to the Trustee from such trustee of, or other
representatives for, such holders or by payment in full in cash or cash
equivalents of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or such event of default has
been cured or waived). Not more than one Payment Blockage Period may be
commenced with respect to the Notes during any period of 360 consecutive days.
Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, there must be 180
consecutive days in any 360-day period in which no Payment Blockage Period is in
effect. No event of default (other than an event of default pursuant to the
financial maintenance covenants under the Credit Agreement) that existed or was
continuing (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action that would give
rise to an event of default pursuant to any provision under which an event of
default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new event of
default for this purpose) on the date of the commencement of any Payment
Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating
such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or shall be made, the basis for the
commencement of a second Payment Blockage Period by the representative for, or
the holders of, such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a
period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of default shall have been
cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall
be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited by
Section 10.02(a) or 10.02(b) of this Indenture, the Trustee shall promptly
notify the holders of Senior Indebtedness of such prohibited payment and such
payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or
delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective
representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to
which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective
interests may appear, but only to the extent that, upon notice from the Trustee
to the holders of Senior Indebtedness that such prohibited payment has been
made, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or
representatives of a trustee) within 30 days of receipt of such notice from the
Trustee notify the Trustee of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior
Indebtedness, if any, and only the amounts specified in such notice to the
Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and any excess above
such amounts due and owing on Senior Indebtedness shall be paid to the Company.
Section 10.03 Payment of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc. (a) Upon
any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind
or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than with the
money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in
accordance with this Indenture), in connection with any dissolution or winding
up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other
proceedings or other marshalling of assets for the benefit of creditors, all
amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Indebtedness (including any
interest accruing subsequent to an event
67
specified in Sections 6.01(g) and 6.01(h) of this Indenture, whether or not such
interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the debtor under the United
States Bankruptcy Code) shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash
equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall be entitled
to receive any payment by (or on behalf of) the Company on account of Senior
Subordinated Obligations, or any payment to acquire any of the Notes for cash,
property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the Notes of any
cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf
of, the Company on any Senior Subordinated Obligations (other than with the
money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in
accordance with this Indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding
up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or
securities for the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property
or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be
entitled, but for the provisions of this Article X, shall be made by the Company
or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other
similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or the
Trustee 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 their representatives or to any
trustee or trustees under any other indenture pursuant to which any such Senior
Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests appear, to the
extent necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full, in cash or cash
equivalents after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or
provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
(b) To the extent any payment of Senior Indebtedness (whether by or on
behalf of the Company, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of
setoff or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or
required to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee,
agent or other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership,
fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by, or
paid over to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee or other
similar Person, the Senior Indebtedness or part thereof originally intended to
be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment
had not occurred. To the extent the obligation to repay any Senior Indebtedness
is declared to be fraudulent, invalid, or otherwise set aside under any
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then
the obligation so declared fraudulent, invalid or otherwise set aside (and all
other amounts that would come due with respect thereto had such obligation not
been so affected) shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as Senior
Indebtedness for all purposes hereof as if such declaration, invalidity or
setting aside had not occurred.
(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provision
prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets
or securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property
or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder at a time when
such payment or distribution is prohibited by Section 10.03(a) of this Indenture
and before all obligations in respect of Senior Indebtedness are paid in full,
in cash or cash equivalents, such payment or distribution shall be received and
held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of such
respective amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or their
representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to
which any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective
interests appear, for application to
68
the payment of Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior
Indebtedness has been paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving
effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
(d) For purposes of this Section 10.03, the words "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include, so long as the effect of this clause
is not to cause the Notes to be treated in any case or proceeding or similar
event described in this Section 10.03 as part of the same class of claims as the
Senior Indebtedness or any class of claims pari passu with, or senior to, the
Senior Indebtedness for any payment or distribution, securities of the Company
or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or
readjustment that are subordinated, at least to the extent that the Notes are
subordinated, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then outstanding;
provided that (1) if a new corporation results from such reorganization or
readjustment, such corporation assumes the Senior Indebtedness and (2) the
rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness 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 with or into, another
corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of
its property and assets to another corporation upon the terms and conditions
provided in Article V of this Indenture (including in connection with the
Acquisition) shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation or
reorganization for the purposes of this Section 10.03 if such other corporation
shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer,
lease or other disposition, comply (to the extent required) with the conditions
stated in Article V of this Indenture.
Section 10.04 Subrogation. (a) Upon the payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness in cash or cash equivalents, the Holders shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or
distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company made on such Senior
Indebtedness until the principal of, premium, if any, and interest 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 or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled
except for the provisions of this Article X, and no payment pursuant to the
provisions of this Article X to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders or
the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between the Company, its creditors other
than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment
by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness. It is understood
that the provisions of this Article X are intended solely for the purpose of
defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of
the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
(b) If any payment or distribution to which the Holders would otherwise
have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article X shall have been
applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article X, to the payment of all
amounts payable under Senior Indebtedness, then, and in such case, the Holders
shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Senior Indebtedness any
payments or distributions received by such holders of Senior Indebtedness in
excess of the amount required to make payment in full, in cash or cash
equivalents, of such Senior Indebtedness of such holders.
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Section 10.05 Obligations of Company Unconditional. (a) Nothing
contained in this Article X or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Notes is
intended to or shall impair, as among the Company and the Holders, the
obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the
Holders the principal of, premium, if any, and interest 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 and creditors of
the Company other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall
anything herein or therein prevent the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf
from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default
under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article X of the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained
in this Article X will restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take
any action to declare the Notes to be due and payable prior to their Stated
Maturity pursuant to Section 6.01 of this Indenture or to pursue any rights or
remedies hereunder; provided, however, that all Senior Indebtedness then due and
payable or thereafter declared to be due and payable shall first be paid in
full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee are
entitled to receive any direct or indirect payment from the Company of Senior
Subordinated Obligations.
Section 10.06 Notice to Trustee. (a) The Company shall give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would
prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Notes
pursuant to the provisions of this Article X. The Trustee shall not be charged
with the knowledge of the existence of any default or event of default with
respect to any Senior Indebtedness or of any other facts that would prohibit the
making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall
have received notice in writing at its Corporate Trust Office to that effect
signed by an Officer of the Company, or by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or
trustee or agent thereof; and prior to the receipt of any such written notice,
the Trustee shall, subject to Article VII, be entitled to assume that no such
facts exist; provided that, if the Trustee shall not have received the notice
provided for in this Section 10.06 at least two Business Days prior to the date
upon which, by the terms of this Indenture, any monies shall become payable for
any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any Note), then, notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive any
monies from the Company and to apply the same 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 except for an acceleration of the
Notes prior to such application. Nothing contained in this Section 10.06 shall
limit the right of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to recover payments as
contemplated by this Article X. The foregoing shall not apply if the Paying
Agent is the Company. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to
it of a written notice by a Person representing himself or itself to be a holder
of any Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of, or other representative
of, such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of
such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such
holder.
(b) In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that any
evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of
Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to
this Article X, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior
70
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 X and, if such evidence is not
furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person
pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.
Section 10.07 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating
Agent. Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities referred to in
this Article X, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any
order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which bankruptcy,
dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending,
or upon a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating
trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution,
delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders 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, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other
facts pertinent thereto or to this Article X.
Section 10.08 Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness. (a) The
Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in
this Article X with respect to any Senior Indebtedness that may at any time be
held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same extent as any
other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive
the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as such holder.
(b) 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 X, 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 (except as provided in
Sections 10.02(c) and 10.03(c) of this Indenture) and shall not be liable to any
such holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or
distribute to Holders of Notes or to the Company or to any other person cash,
property or securities to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be
entitled by virtue of this Article X or otherwise.
Section 10.09 Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of
the Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness. No right of any present or future
holders of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as provided in this
Article X will 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 of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such
holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions of this Article X
are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness.
Section 10.10 Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of
Notes. Each Holder by his acceptance of any Notes authorizes and expressly
directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article X, and
appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the
event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the
71
Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or
similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or
otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the property and assets of the
Company, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its Notes in the form
required in those proceedings. If the Trustee does not file a proper claim or
proof in indebtedness in the form required in such proceeding at least 30 days
before the expiration of the time to file such claim or claims, each holder of
Senior Indebtedness is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on
behalf of the Holders.
Section 10.11 Not to Prevent Events of Default. The failure to make a
payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes by
reason of any provision of this Article X will not be construed as preventing
the occurrence of an Event of Default.
Section 10.12 Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced. Nothing in this
Article X will apply to amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to other sections of
this Indenture, including Section 7.07.
Section 10.13 No Waiver of Subordination Provisions. Without in any way
limiting the generality of Section 10.09, the holders of Senior Indebtedness
may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the
Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and
without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article X or
the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of Senior Indebtedness,
do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of
payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Indebtedness
or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior
Indebtedness is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise
deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior
Indebtedness; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of
Senior Indebtedness; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights
against the Company and any other Person.
Section 10.14 Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution. Nothing
contained in this Article X or elsewhere in this Indenture shall prevent (i) the
Company except under the conditions described in Section 10.02 or 10.03, from
making payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, or
from depositing with the Trustee any money for such payments, or (ii) the
application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it for the purpose of
making such payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
to the holders entitled thereto unless, at least two Business Days prior to the
date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee shall have
received the written notice provided for in Section 10.02(b) of this Indenture
(or there shall have been an acceleration of the Notes prior to such
application) or in Section 10.06 of this Indenture. The Company shall give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation
or reorganization of the Company.
Section 10.15 Consent of Holders of Senior Indebtedness Under the
Credit Agreement. The provisions of this Article X (including the definitions
contained in this Article and references to this Article contained in this
Indenture) shall not be amended in a manner that would adversely affect the
rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, and no
such amendment shall become effective unless the holders of Senior
72
Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement shall have consented (in accordance with
the provisions of the Credit Agreement) to such amendment. The Trustee shall be
entitled to receive and rely on an Officer's Certificate stating that such
consent has been given.
Section 10.16 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of U.S.
Government Obligations held in trust under Article VIII by the Trustee for the
payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall not be
subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness (provided that, at
the time deposited, such deposit did not violate any then outstanding Senior
Indebtedness), and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such
amount to any holder of Senior Indebtedness.
ARTICLE XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01 Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Prior to the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement, this Indenture shall incorporate and be governed
by the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of and to govern
indentures qualified under the TIA. After the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, this Indenture shall be subject to the provisions of the TIA that are
required to be a part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be
governed by such provisions.
Section 11.02 Notices. Any notice or communication shall be
sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first
class mail addressed as follows:
if to the Company:
Extended Stay America, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇.
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with copies to:
Shearman & Sterling
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
if to the Trustee:
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
▇▇▇ ▇&▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
73
Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to him
at his address as it appears on the Security Register by first class mail and
shall be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within the time prescribed.
Copies of any such communication or notice to a Holder shall also be mailed to
the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in
it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. Except for a
notice to the Trustee, which is deemed given only when received, and except as
otherwise provided in this Indenture, if a notice or communication is mailed in
the manner provided in this Section 11.02, it is duly given, whether or not the
addressee receives it.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may
be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either
before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such
notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such
filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in
reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by
reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail,
then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall
constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Section 11.03 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon
any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action
under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(i) an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of
the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of
such Counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Section 11.04 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each
certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(i) a statement that each person signing such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
relating thereto;
(ii) 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;
(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of each 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
74
(iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each
such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with;
provided, however, that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of
Counsel may rely on an Officers' Certificate or certificates of public
officials.
Section 11.05 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar. The Trustee
may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Paying
Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.
Section 11.06 Payment Date Other Than a Business Day. If an Interest
Payment Date, Redemption Date, Change of Control Payment Date, Excess Proceeds
Payment Date, Stated Maturity or date of maturity of any Note shall not be a
Business Day, then payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such
Note, as the case may be, 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
Interest Payment Date, Change of Control Payment Date, Excess Proceeds Payment
Date, or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity or date of maturity of such
Note; provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such
Interest Payment Date, Change of Control Payment Date, Excess Proceeds Payment
Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or date of maturity, as the case may be.
Section 11.07 Governing Law. The laws of the State of New York shall
govern this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee, the Company and the Holders
agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in
any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the
Notes.
Section 11.08 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This
Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement
of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or
debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 11.09 No Recourse Against Others. No recourse for the payment
of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Notes, 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 contained in this
Indenture, or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation of any
Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator or
against any past, present or future partner, shareholder, other equityholder,
officer, director, employee or controlling person, as such, of the Company or of
any successor Person, either directly or through the Company or any successor
Person, 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.
Section 11.10 Successors. All agreements of the Company in this
Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee
in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
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Section 11.11 Duplicate Originals. The parties may sign any number of
copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together represent the same agreement.
Section 11.12 Separability. In case any provision in this Indenture or
in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected
or impaired thereby.
Section 11.13 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents,
Cross-Reference Table 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
and provisions hereof.
76
SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT A
---------
[FACE OF NOTE]
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
9 7/8%
Senior Subordinated Note due 2011
CUSIP / CINS] ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇/
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
No. $_________
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company",
which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, promises to pay to [_____________], or its registered
assigns, the principal sum of [____________] ($[____]) on June 15, 2011.
Interest Payment Dates: June 15, and December 15, commencing December
15, 2001.
Regular Record Dates: June 1 and December 1.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be
signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.
Date: [____________] EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
(Trustee's Certificate of Authentication)
This is one of the 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 described in the
within-mentioned Indenture.
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
By:
------------------------------------
Authorized Signatory:
A-2
[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
9 7/8%
Senior Subordinated Note due 2011
1. Principal and Interest.
----------------------
The Company will pay the principal of this Note on June 15, 2011.
The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this
Note on each Interest Payment Date, as set forth below, at the rate per annum
shown above.
Interest will be payable semiannually (to the holders of record of the
Notes at the close of business on the June 1 or December 1 immediately preceding
the Interest Payment Date) on each Interest Payment Date, commencing December
15, 2001.
If an exchange offer registered under the Securities Act is not
consummated, or a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act with
respect to resales of the Notes is not declared effective by the Commission, on
or before December 27, 2001 in accordance with the terms of the Registration
Rights Agreement dated June 27, 2001 between the Company and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ &
Co. Incorporated, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Sachs & Co., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Lynch, Pierce, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇
Incorporated, Bear, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Inc., and Fleet Securities, Inc.,the annual
interest rate borne by the Notes shall be increased by 0.5% from the rate shown
above accruing from December 27, 2001 until such exchange offer is consummated
or such shelf registration is declared effective (as applicable), payable in
cash semiannually, in arrears, on each June 15 and December 15, commencing June
15, 2002. The Holder of this Note is entitled to the benefits of such
Registration Rights Agreement.
Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from June 27, 2001;
provided that, if there is no existing default in the payment of interest and
this Note is authenticated between a Regular Record Date referred to on the face
hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from
such Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if
any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at
a rate per annum that is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise payable.
2. Method of Payment.
-----------------
The Company will pay interest (except defaulted interest) on the
principal amount of the Notes as provided above on each June 15 and December 15
to the persons who are Holders (as reflected in the Security Register at the
close of business on such June 1 and December 1 immediately preceding the
Interest Payment Date), in each case, even if the Note is cancelled on
registration of transfer or registration of exchange after such record date;
provided that, with respect to the payment of principal, the Company will make
payment to the Holder that surrenders this Note to a Paying Agent on or after
June 15, 2011.
The Company will pay principal, premium, if any, and as provided above,
interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts. However, the Company may pay
principal, premium, if any, and interest by its check payable in such money. It
may mail an interest check to a Holder's registered address (as reflected in the
Security Register). If a payment date is a date other than a Business Day at a
place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day
that is a Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
3. Paying Agent and Registrar.
--------------------------
Initially, the Trustee will act as authenticating agent, Paying Agent
and Registrar. The Company may change any authenticating agent, Paying Agent or
Registrar without notice. The Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of
them may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.
4. Indenture; Limitations.
----------------------
The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of June 27,
2001 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and Manufacturers and Traders Trust
Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"). Capitalized terms herein are used as
defined in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated. The terms of the Notes
include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by
reference to the Trust Indenture Act. The Notes are subject to all such terms,
and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a
statement of all such terms. To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the
event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Note and the terms of the
Indenture, the terms of the Indenture shall control.
The Notes are unsecured, general obligations of the Company.
5. Redemption.
----------
The Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after June 15, 2006 and prior to maturity, upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each
Holder's last address as it appears in the Security Register, at the following
Redemption Prices (expressed in percentages of their principal amount), plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the
right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is on or
prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment
Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on June 15 of the
applicable year set forth below:
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Year Redemption Price
---- ----------------
2006 104.938%
2007 103.292
2008 101.646
2009 and thereafter 100.000
In addition, at any time prior to June 15, 2004, the Company may redeem
up to 35% of the principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of one or more
sales by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock), at
any time or from time to time in part, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a
percentage of principal amount) of 109.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to
the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant
Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due
on an Interest Payment Date); provided that at least 65% of the original
principal amount of Notes remains outstanding after each such redemption and
that notice of such redemption is mailed within 60 days after the consummation
of such sale or sales.
Notes in original denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in
part. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or
portions of Notes called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the
payment of the Redemption Price.
6. Repurchase upon Change of Control.
---------------------------------
Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, each Holder shall have
the right to require the repurchase of its Notes by the Company in cash pursuant
to the offer described in the Indenture at a purchase price equal to 101% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date
of purchase (the "Payment Date").
A notice of such Change of Control will be mailed within 30 days after
any Change of Control occurs to each Holder at his last address as it appears in
the Security Register. Notes in original denominations larger than $1,000 may be
sold to the Company in part. On and after the Payment Date, interest ceases to
accrue on Notes or portions of Notes surrendered for purchase by the Company,
unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price.
7. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange.
---------------------------------
The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 of principal amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder
may register the transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture.
The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by
law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer
or exchange of any Notes selected for redemption. Also, it need not register the
transfer or exchange of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of
Notes to be redeemed is made.
8. Persons Deemed Owners.
---------------------
A Holder shall be treated as the owner of a Note for all purposes.
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9. Unclaimed Money.
---------------
If money for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest
remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and the Paying Agent will pay the
money back to the Company at its request. After that, Holders entitled to the
money must look to the Company for payment, unless an abandoned property law
designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying
Agent with respect to such money shall cease.
10. Discharge Prior to Redemption or Maturity.
-----------------------------------------
If the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government
Obligations sufficient to pay the then outstanding principal of, premium, if
any, and accrued interest on the Notes (a) to redemption or maturity, the
Company will be discharged from the Indenture and the Notes, except in certain
circumstances for certain sections thereof, and (b) to the Stated Maturity, the
Company will be discharged from certain covenants set forth in the Indenture.
11. Amendment; Supplement; Waiver.
-----------------------------
Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be
amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority
in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing default or
compliance with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of
at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Without
notice to or the consent of any Holder, the parties thereto may amend or
supplement the Indenture or the Notes to, among other things, cure any
ambiguity, defect or inconsistency and make any change that does not materially
and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
12. Restrictive Covenants.
---------------------
The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries, among other things, to Incur additional
Indebtedness, make Restricted Payments, use the proceeds from Asset Sales,
engage in transactions with Affiliates or merge, consolidate or transfer
substantially all of its assets. Within 45 days after the end of each fiscal
quarter (105 days after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year), the
Company must report to the Trustee on compliance with such limitations.
13. Successor Persons.
-----------------
When a successor person or other entity assumes all the obligations of
its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture, the predecessor person will
be released from those obligations.
14. Defaults and Remedies.
---------------------
The following events constitute "Events of Default" under the
Indenture: (a) default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on)
any Note when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration,
redemption or otherwise, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the
subordination provisions set forth in Article X; (b) default
A-6
in the payment of interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable,
and such default continues for a period of 30 days, whether or not such payment
is prohibited by the subordination provisions set forth in Article X; (c)
default in the performance or breach of the provisions of the Indenture
applicable to mergers, consolidations and transfers of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company or the failure to make or consummate an Offer to
Purchase in accordance with Section 4.10 or 4.11 of the Indenture; (d) the
Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or
agreement of the Company in the Indenture or under the Notes (other than a
default specified in clause (a), (b) or (c) above) and such default or breach
continues for a period of 30 consecutive days after written notice by the
Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes; (e) there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of Indebtedness of
the Company or any Significant Subsidiary having an outstanding principal amount
of $25 million or more in the aggregate for all such issues of all such Persons,
whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, (I) an event
of default that has caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be
due and payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been
discharged in full or such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled
within 30 days of such acceleration and/or (II) the failure to make a principal
payment at the final (but not any interim) fixed maturity and such defaulted
payment shall not have been made, waived or extended within 30 days of such
payment default; (f) any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for
the payment of money in excess of $25 million in the aggregate for all such
final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any deductibles,
self-insurance or retention as not so covered) shall be rendered against the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary and shall not be paid or discharged, and
there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days following entry of the final
judgment or order that causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments
or orders outstanding and not paid or discharged against all such Persons to
exceed $25 million during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or
order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; (g) a
court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree or order for (A)
relief in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary
case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, (B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and
assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) the winding up or
liquidation of the affairs of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and, in
each case, such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period
of 60 consecutive days; or (h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (A)
commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for
relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the
appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and
assets of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or (C) effects any
general assignment for the benefit of creditors.
If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable. If a bankruptcy or
insolvency default with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
occurs and is continuing, the Notes automatically become due and payable.
Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the
Indenture. The
A-7
Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the
Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the
Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.
15. Subordination.
-------------
The payment of the Notes will, to the extent set forth in the
Indenture, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full, in
cash or cash equivalents, of all Senior Indebtedness.
16. Trustee Dealings with Company.
-----------------------------
The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other
capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from and perform services for the
Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its
Affiliates as if it were not the Trustee.
17. No Recourse Against Others.
--------------------------
No incorporator or any past, present or future partner, stockholder,
other equity holder, officer, director, employee or controlling person as such,
of the Company or of any successor Person shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim
based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.
Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
18. Authentication.
--------------
This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent
signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
19. Abbreviations.
-------------
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an
assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian) and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act).
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to Extended Stay America,
Inc., ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention:
Chief Financial Officer.
A-8
[FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
________________________________________________________________________________
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee
________________________________________________________________________________
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing ___________________________________ attorney to transfer said Note on
the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.
[THE FOLLOWING PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED
ON ALL NOTES OTHER THAN EXCHANGE NOTES,
UNLEGENDED OFFSHORE GLOBAL NOTES AND
UNLEGENDED OFFSHORE PHYSICAL NOTES]
In connection with any transfer of this Note occurring prior to the
date which is the earlier of (i) the date the shelf registration statement is
declared effective or (ii) the end of the period referred to in Rule 144(k)
under the Securities Act, the undersigned confirms that without utilizing any
general solicitation or general advertising that:
[Check One]
|_|(a) this Note is being transferred in compliance with the exemption from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Rule 144A
thereunder.
or
--
|_|(b) this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a) above
and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of
transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.
A-9
If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Registrar shall
not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the
Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of
registration set forth herein and in Section 2.08 of the Indenture shall have
been satisfied.
Date: ____________________ _______________________________________________
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must
correspond with the name as written upon the
face of the within-mentioned instrument in
every particular, without alteration or any
change whatsoever.
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note
for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933 and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request
such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the
undersigned's foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from
registration provided by Rule 144A.
Date: ____________________ _______________________________________________
NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer
A-10
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11 of the Indenture, check the Box: |_|
If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11 of the Indenture, state the
amount: $___________________.
Date: __________________
Your Signature:_________________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)
Signature Guarantee:____________________________________________________________
A-11
EXHIBIT B
Form of Certificate
-------------------
[__________, ___]
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
▇▇▇ ▇&▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
Re: Extended Stay America, Inc. (the "Company")
9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2011 (the "Notes")
Dear Sirs:
This letter relates to U.S. $ _________ principal amount of Notes
represented by a Note (the "Legended Note") which bears a legend outlining
restrictions upon transfer of such Legended Note. Pursuant to Section 2.02 of
the Indenture dated as of June 27, 2001 (the "Indenture") relating to the Notes,
we hereby certify that we are (or we will hold such securities on behalf of) a
person outside the United States to whom the Notes could be transferred in
accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities
Act of 1933. Accordingly, you are hereby requested to exchange the legended
certificate for an unlegended certificate representing an identical principal
amount of Notes, all in the manner provided for in the Indenture.
You and the Company 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 proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the
matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set
forth in Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Holder]
By: ________________________________
Authorized Signature
EXHIBIT C
Form of Certificate to Be
Delivered in Connection with
Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors
[__________, ___]
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
▇▇▇ ▇&▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
Re: Extended Stay America, Inc. (the "Company")
9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2011 (the "Notes")
Dear Sirs:
In connection with our proposed purchase of $______________ aggregate
principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that:
1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes is subject
to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture dated as of
June 27, 2001 (the "Indenture"), relating to the Notes, and the undersigned
agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes
except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act").
2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been
registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes may not be offered or
sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf
and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated,
that if we should sell any Notes, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any
subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to
a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional
"accredited investor" (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes
(or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the
Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter, (D) outside
the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the
Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule
144 under the Securities Act, or (F) pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any
person purchasing any of the Notes from us a notice advising such purchaser that
resales of the Notes are restricted as stated herein.
3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of any Notes, we will be
required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions
and other
information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm
that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further
understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing
effect.
4. We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have
such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable
of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and
any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of
our or its investment.
5. We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our own account or
for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional "accredited
investor") as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.
You and the Company 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 proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferee]
By: _____________________________________
Authorized Signature
C-2
EXHIBIT D
Form of Certificate to Be Delivered
in Connection with Transfers
Pursuant to Regulation S
[__________, ___]
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
▇▇▇ ▇&▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
Re: Extended Stay America, Inc. (the "Company")
9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2011 (the "Notes")
Dear Sirs:
In connection with our proposed sale of U.S.$________ aggregate
principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected
pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933
and, accordingly, we represent that:
(1) the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United
States;
(2) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was
outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably
believed that the transferee was outside the United States;
(3) no directed selling efforts have been made by us in the United
States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of
Regulation S, as applicable; and
(4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the
registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
You and the Company 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 proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the
meanings set forth in Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferor]
By: _____________________________________
Authorized Signature
D-2