EXHIBIT 4.5
FORM OF INDENTURE TO BE ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND A
TRUSTEE TO BE NAMED
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▇▇▇▇ COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
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INDENTURE
Dated as of ____________ 200_
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[Name of Trustee]
Trustee
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Subordinated Debt Securities
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE................................................. 1
Section 1.1 Definitions ............................................................ 1
Section 1.2 Other Definitions ...................................................... 6
Section 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act ...................... 6
Section 1.4 Rules of Construction .................................................. 7
ARTICLE II. SECURITIES................................................................................ 7
Section 2.1 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series ................................... 7
Section 2.2 Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities ......................... 7
Section 2.3 Authentication and Delivery of Securities .............................. 9
Section 2.4 Execution of Securities; Trustee's Certificate of Authentication;
Form of Securities...................................................... 11
Section 2.5 Registrar and Paying Agent ............................................. 11
Section 2.6 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .................................... 12
Section 2.7 Securityholder Lists ................................................... 12
Section 2.8 Transfer and Exchange .................................................. 13
Section 2.9 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities ....................... 13
Section 2.10 Outstanding Securities ................................................. 14
Section 2.11 Treasury Securities .................................................... 14
Section 2.12 Temporary Securities ................................................... 15
Section 2.13 Cancellation ........................................................... 15
Section 2.14 Defaulted Interest ..................................................... 15
Section 2.15 Global Securities ...................................................... 15
Section 2.16 CUSIP Numbers .......................................................... 16
ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION............................................................................... 17
Section 3.1 Notice to Trustee ...................................................... 17
Section 3.2 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed ................................. 17
Section 3.3 Notice of Redemption ................................................... 17
Section 3.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption ......................................... 18
Section 3.5 Deposit of Redemption Price ............................................ 18
Section 3.6 Securities Redeemed in Part ............................................ 18
ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS................................................................................. 18
Section 4.1 Payment of Principal and Interest ...................................... 18
Section 4.2 SEC Reports ............................................................ 18
Section 4.3 Compliance Certificate ................................................. 19
Section 4.4 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws ......................................... 19
Section 4.5 Corporate Existence .................................................... 19
Section 4.6 Taxes .................................................................. 19
ARTICLE V. SUCCESSORS................................................................................. 20
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Section 5.1 When Company May Merge, Etc ............................................ 20
Section 5.2 Successor Corporation Substituted ...................................... 20
ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES..................................................................... 20
Section 6.1 Events of Default ...................................................... 20
Section 6.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment ..................... 22
Section 6.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee ........ 23
Section 6.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim ....................................... 23
Section 6.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities ............ 24
Section 6.6 Application of Money Collected ......................................... 24
Section 6.7 Limitation on Suits .................................................... 25
Section 6.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest ....... 25
Section 6.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies ..................................... 26
Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative ......................................... 26
Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver ........................................... 26
Section 6.12 Control by Holders ..................................................... 26
Section 6.13 Waiver of Past Defaults ................................................ 27
Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs .................................................. 27
ARTICLE VII. TRUSTEE.................................................................................. 27
Section 7.1 Duties of Trustee ...................................................... 27
Section 7.2 Rights of Trustee ...................................................... 28
Section 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee ........................................... 29
Section 7.4 Trustee's Disclaimer ................................................... 29
Section 7.5 Notice of Defaults ..................................................... 29
Section 7.6 Reports by Trustee to Holders .......................................... 30
Section 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity ............................................. 30
Section 7.8 Replacement of Trustee ................................................. 31
Section 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc ....................................... 32
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification .......................................... 32
Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company ...................... 32
ARTICLE VIII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE.................................................. 32
Section 8.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture ................................ 32
Section 8.2 Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification ............................ 33
Section 8.3 Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series ........................... 34
Section 8.4 Covenant Defeasance .................................................... 35
Section 8.5 Repayment to Company ................................................... 36
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.................................................................... 37
Section 9.1 Without Consent of Holders ............................................. 37
Section 9.2 With Consent of Holders ................................................ 37
Section 9.3 Limitations ............................................................ 38
Section 9.4 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .................................... 39
Section 9.5 Revocation and Effect of Consents ...................................... 39
Section 9.6 Notation on or Exchange of Securities .................................. 39
Section 9.7 Trustee Protected ...................................................... 39
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ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS............................................................................... 39
Section 10.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls ........................................... 39
Section 10.2 Notices ................................................................ 40
Section 10.3 Communication by Holders with Other Holders ............................ 40
Section 10.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent ..................... 41
Section 10.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .......................... 41
Section 10.6 Rules by Trustee and Agents ............................................ 41
Section 10.7 Legal Holidays ......................................................... 41
Section 10.8 No Recourse Against Others ............................................. 42
Section 10.9 Counterparts ........................................................... 42
Section 10.10. Governing Laws ......................................................... 42
Section 10.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .......................... 42
Section 10.12. Successors ............................................................. 42
Section 10.13. Severability ........................................................... 42
Section 10.14. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc ....................................... 42
Section 10.15. Securities in a Foreign Currency ....................................... 43
Section 10.16. Judgment Currency ...................................................... 43
ARTICLE XI. SINKING FUNDS............................................................................. 44
Section 11.1 Applicability of Article ............................................... 44
Section 11.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities .................. 44
Section 11.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund .............................. 45
ARTICLE XII. SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES.............................................................. 45
Section 12.1 Agreement of Subordination ............................................. 45
Section 12.2 Payments to Holders .................................................... 45
Section 12.3 Subrogation of Securities .............................................. 48
Section 12.4 Authorization to Effect Subordination .................................. 49
Section 12.5 Notice to Trustee ...................................................... 49
Section 12.6 Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness .............................. 50
Section 12.7 No Impairment of Subordination ......................................... 50
Section 12.8 Article Applicable to Paying Agents .................................... 51
Section 12.9 Senior Indebtedness Entitled to Rely ................................... 51
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▇▇▇▇ COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and
Indenture, dated as of _____________, 200_
Section 310 (a)(1).............................................................. 7.10
(a)(2).............................................................. 7.10
(a)(3).............................................................. Not Applicable
(a)(4).............................................................. Not Applicable
(a)(5).............................................................. 7.10
(b) .............................................................. 7.10
Section 311 (a) .............................................................. 7.11
(b) .............................................................. 7.11
(c) .............................................................. Not Applicable
Section 312 (a) .............................................................. 2.7
(b) .............................................................. 10.3
(c) .............................................................. 10.3
Section 313 (a) .............................................................. 7.6
(b)(1).............................................................. 7.6
(b)(2).............................................................. 7.6
(c)(1).............................................................. 7.6
(d) .............................................................. 7.6
Section 314 (a) .............................................................. 4.2, 10.5
(b) .............................................................. Not Applicable
(c)(1).............................................................. 10.4
(c)(2).............................................................. 10.4
(c)(3).............................................................. Not Applicable
(d) .............................................................. Not Applicable
(e) .............................................................. 10.5
(f) .............................................................. Not Applicable
Section 315 (a) .............................................................. 7.1
(b) .............................................................. 7.5
(c) .............................................................. 7.1
(d) .............................................................. 7.1
(e) .............................................................. 6.14
Section 316 (a) .............................................................. 2.10
(a)(1)(A)........................................................... 6.12
(a)(1)(B)........................................................... 6.13
(b) .............................................................. 6.8
Section 317 (a)(1).............................................................. 6.3
(a)(2).............................................................. 6.4
(b) .............................................................. 2.6
Section 318 (a) .............................................................. 10.1
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
be part of the Indenture.
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Indenture dated as of __________200_ between ▇▇▇▇ Communications
Systems, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the "Company"), and [Name of Trustee], a
________________ ("Trustee").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the issuance, execution and
delivery, from time to time, of its unsecured debentures, notes or other
evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter referred to as the "Securities"),
without limit as to principal amount, issuable in one or more Series (as
hereinafter defined), the amount and terms of each such Series to be determined
as hereinafter provided; and, to provide the terms and conditions upon which
the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has
duly authorized the execution of this Indenture;
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid indenture
and agreement according to its terms have been done;
NOW, THEREFORE:
In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities
by the holders thereof, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree
for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to
time of the Securities as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.1. Definitions.
"Additional Amounts" means any additional amounts which are required
hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to
be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified
therein and which are owing to such Holders.
"Affiliate" of any specified person means any other person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" (including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlled by" and
"under common control with"), as used with respect to any person, shall mean
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.
"Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.
"Authorized Newspaper" means a newspaper in an official language of
the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at
least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the place
in connection with which the term is used. If it shall be impractical in the
opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice
required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in
lieu thereof that is made or given by the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient
publication of such notice.
"Bearer" means anyone in possession from time to time of a Bearer
Security.
"Bearer Security" means any Security, including any interest coupon
appertaining thereto, that does not provide for the identification of the
Holder thereof.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee thereof.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the
Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and
to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to
the Trustee.
"Business Day" means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution,
Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series,
any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in the City of New York on
which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or
executive order to close.
"Company" means the party named as such above until a successor
replaces it and thereafter means the successor.
"Company Order" means a written order signed in the name of the
Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company's chief executive
officer, chief financial officer or principal accounting officer.
"Company Request" means a written request signed in the name of the
Company by its Chairman of the Board, a President or a Vice President, and by
either its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at
any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally
administered.
"Debt" of any person as of any date means, without duplication, all
obligations of such person in respect of borrowed money, including all
interest, fees and expenses owed in respect thereto (whether or not the
recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such person or only to
a portion thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar
instruments.
"Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time
would be, an Event of Default.
"Depository" means, with respect to the Securities of any Series
issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global
Securities, the person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company,
which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act;
and if at any time there is more than one such person,
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"Depository" as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean
the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" means any of our senior indebtedness
that expressly provides that it is "designated senior indebtedness" for
purposes of this Indenture (provided that the instrument, agreement or other
document creating or evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may place limitations
and conditions on the right of such Senior Indebtedness to exercise the rights
of Designated Senior Indebtedness).
"Discount Security" means any Security that provides for an amount
less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.
"Dollars" means the currency of the United States of America.
"Euro" means the single currency of participating member states of the
European Union.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Foreign Currency" means any currency or currency unit issued by a
government other than the government of the United States of America.
"Foreign Government Obligations" means with respect to Securities of
any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (i) direct obligations
of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the
payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii)
obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or
instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is
unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such
government, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii), are not callable
or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
"Global Security" or "Global Securities" means a Security or
Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2
evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for
such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or
nominee.
"Holder" or "Securityholder" means a person in whose name a Security
is registered or the holder of a Bearer Security.
"Indenture" means this Indenture as amended from time to time and
shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established
as contemplated hereunder.
"interest" with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms
bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
"Maturity," when used with respect to any Security or installment of
principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or
such installment of principal
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becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated
Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, notice of
option to elect repayment or otherwise.
"Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, any President, any
Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any
Assistant Secretary of the Company.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers,
one of whom must be the Company's principal executive officer, principal
financial officer or principal accounting officer.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of legal counsel who is
acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the
Company.
"person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"principal" of a Security means the principal of the Security plus,
when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in
respect of, the Security.
"Representative" means the (a) indenture trustee or other trustee,
agent or representative for any Senior Indebtedness or (b) with respect to any
Senior Indebtedness that does not have any such trustee, agent or other
representative, (i) in the case of such Senior Indebtedness issued pursuant to
an agreement providing for voting arrangements as among the holders or owners
of such Senior Indebtedness, any holder or owner of such Senior Indebtedness
acting with the consent of the required persons necessary to bind such holders
or owners of such Senior Indebtedness and (ii) in the case of all other such
Senior Indebtedness, the holder or owner of such Senior Indebtedness.
"Responsible Officer" means any officer of the Trustee in its
Corporate Trust Office and also means, with respect to a particular corporate
trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred
because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities" has the meaning given such item in the preamble hereto.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Senior Indebtedness" means the principal, premium, if any, interest,
including any interest accruing after bankruptcy, and other amounts due on any
of our current or future Debt, whether created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed
or in effect guaranteed by us, including any deferrals, renewals, extensions,
refundings, amendments, modifications or supplements to the above. However,
Senior Indebtedness does not include: (i) any Debt that expressly provides that
it shall not be senior in right of payment to the Securities or expressly
provides that it is on the same basis or junior to the Securities; (ii) any
Debt by us to any of our majority-owned subsidiaries; and (iii) the Securities.
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"Series" or "Series of Securities" means each series of debentures,
notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1
and 2.2 hereof.
"Significant Subsidiary" means (i) any direct or indirect Subsidiary
of the Company that would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Article
1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as
such regulation is in effect on the date hereof, or (ii) any group of direct or
indirect Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together as a group, would be
a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation
S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in
effect on the date hereof.
"Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified
in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or
such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
"Subsidiary" of any specified person means any corporation of which at
least a majority of the outstanding stock having by the terms thereof ordinary
voting power for the election of directors of such corporation (irrespective of
whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes of such
corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of
any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such person, or
by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by such person and one or more other
Subsidiaries.
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however,
that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date,
"TIA" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture
Act as so amended.
"Trustee" means the person named as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Trustee" shall mean or include each person who is then a Trustee hereunder,
and if at any time there is more than one such person, "Trustee" as used with
respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to
Securities of that Series.
"U.S. Government Obligations" means securities which 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, and which in the case of
(i) and (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer
thereof, 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
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received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation
evidenced by such depository receipt.
Section 1.2. Other Definitions.
DEFINED IN
TERM SECTION
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"Bankruptcy Law" 6.1
"Custodian" 6.1
"Event of Default" 6.1
"Judgment Currency" 10.16
"Legal Holiday" 10.7
"mandatory sinking fund payment" 11.1
"Market Exchange Rate" 10.15
"New York Banking Day" 10.16
"optional sinking fund payment" 11.1
"Paying Agent" 2.5
"Registrar" 2.5
"Required Currency" 10.16
"Service Agent" 2.5
"successor person" 5.1
Section 1.3. 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:
"Commission" means the SEC.
"indenture securities" means the Securities.
"indenture security holder" means a Securityholder.
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the
Trustee.
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company and
any successor obligor upon the Securities.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the
TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.
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Section 1.4. Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the
meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles;
(c) "or" is not exclusive;
(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the
plural include the singular; and
(e) provisions apply to successive events and
transactions.
ARTICLE II.
SECURITIES
Section 2.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated
and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued
in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as
may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an
Officers' Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to
the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a
Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers'
Certificate or supplemental indenture may provide for the method by which
specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from
which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ
between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of
Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the
Indenture.
Section 2.2. Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.
At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the
following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of
subparagraph 2.2.1 and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to
the Series generally in the case of subparagraphs 2.2.2 through 2.2.22) by a
Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers' Certificate pursuant
to authority granted under a Board Resolution:
2.2.1. the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities
of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);
2.2.2. the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal
amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
2.2.3. any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities
of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture
(except for Securities
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authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange
for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.8,
2.9, 2.10, 3.6 or 9.6);
2.2.4. date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the
Series is payable;
2.2.5. the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum
or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including,
but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or
financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if
any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date
or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any
regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
2.2.6. the place or places where the principal of and interest, if
any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, or the method of such
payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
2.2.7. if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or
prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the
Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
2.2.8. the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase
the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods
within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon
which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in
part, pursuant to such obligation;
2.2.9. the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which
the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option
of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such
repurchase obligations;
2.2.10. if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall
be issuable;
2.2.11. the forms of the Securities of the Series in bearer or fully
registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities will
be issuable as Global Securities);
2.2.12. if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;
2.2.13. the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series,
which may be Dollars or any Foreign Currency, including, but not limited to,
the Euro, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency other
than the Euro, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing
such composite currency;
2.2.14. the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units
in which payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of
the Series will be made;
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2.2.15. if payments of principal of or interest, if any, on the
Securities of the Series are to be made in one or more currencies or currency
units other than that or those in which such Securities are denominated, the
manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be
determined;
2.2.16. the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of or
interest on, if any, the Securities of the Series will be determined, if such
amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or
currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange
index or financial index;
2.2.17. the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for
the Securities of the Series;
2.2.18. if the holders of Securities of the Series may convert or
exchange the Securities into or for securities of the Issuer or other property,
the period or periods within which, the rate or rates at which and the terms
and conditions upon which Securities of the Series may be converted or
exchanged, in whole or in part;
2.2.19. any addition to or change in the Events of Default which
applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the
Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal
amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;
2.2.20. any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in
Articles IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;
2.2.21. any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which terms
shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as
permitted by Section 9.1, but which may modify or delete any provision of this
Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series); and
2.2.22. any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange
rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such
Series if other than those appointed herein.
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time
and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this
Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental
indenture or Officers' Certificate referred to above, and the authorized
principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of
additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board
Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers' Certificate.
Section 2.3. Authentication and Delivery of Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of
this Indenture, the Company may deliver any Series of Securities executed by
the Company to the Trustee for authentication by it, and the Trustee shall
thereupon authenticate and deliver said Securities to or upon a Company Order,
without any further corporate action by the Company. If the form or terms of
such Series of Securities have been established in or pursuant to one or more
Board Resolutions or a supplemental indenture as permitted by this Section 2.3
and Section 2.2,
9
in authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities
under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be
entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in
relying upon:
(1) each Board Resolution relating to such Series of
Securities;
(2) an executed supplemental indenture, if any, relating
to such series of Securities;
(3) an Officers' Certificate setting forth the form and
terms of the Securities, stating that the form and terms of the
Securities have been established pursuant to Section 2.2 and
subparagraph 2.4.3 and comply with this Indenture, and covering such
other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request;
(4) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:
(a) if the form of such Securities has been established
by or pursuant to resolutions of the Board of Directors of
the Company as permitted by subparagraph 2.4.3 that such form
has been established in conformity with the provisions of
this Indenture;
(b) if the terms of such Securities have been
established by or pursuant to Board Resolutions as permitted
by this Section 2.1, that such terms have been established in
conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(c) that such Securities, when authenticated and
delivered by the Trustee and executed and issued by the
Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified
in such Opinion of Counsel, will be valid and binding
obligations of the Company, except as any rights thereunder
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar
laws affecting the enforcement of creditor's rights generally
and by general equity principles;
(d) that all laws and requirements in respect of the
execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities have
been complied with and that authentication and delivery of
the Securities by the Trustee will not violate the terms of
this Indenture; and
(e) covering such other matters as the Trustee may
reasonably request.
Each fully registered Security shall be dated the date of its
authentication. Any series of Bearer Securities shall be dated as provided in
the Board Resolution or the provisions of the supplemental indenture creating
such series.
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Section 2.4. Execution of Securities; Trustee's Certificate of
Authentication; Form of Securities.
2.4.1. Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the
Company by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no
longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the
Security shall nevertheless be valid.
2.4.2. Only such Securities bearing a certificate of
authentication executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its
Responsible Officers, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any
Security executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Security
so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that
the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to
authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee,
being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be
taken; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or
trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or
vice-presidents shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to
personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent
acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent
may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in
this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such
agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the
Company or an Affiliate.
2.4.3. The Securities of each series shall be substantially
of the tenor and purport as shall be authorized by a Board Resolution or in an
indenture or indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate
insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or
permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks
of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements thereon as
the Board of Directors of the Company may deem appropriate and as are not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to
comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or
with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may
be listed, or to conform to usage.
The definitive Securities may be printed,
lithographed or fully or partly engraved or produced in any other manner, all
as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their
executions thereof.
Section 2.5. Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of
Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series
pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series
may be presented or surrendered for payment ("Paying Agent"),
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where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer
or exchange ("Registrar") and where notices and demands to or upon the Company
in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served
("Service Agent"). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each
Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in
the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at
any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying
Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and
address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be
made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company
hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more
co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional service agents and may
from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such
designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each
place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series 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 name or address of
any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional service agent. The
term "Registrar" includes any co-registrar; the term "Paying Agent" includes
any additional paying agent; and the term "Service Agent" includes any
additional service agent.
The Company hereby appoints the Trustee the initial
Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another
Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed
prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.
Section 2.6. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the
Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the
benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all
money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on
the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the
Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the
Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.
The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it
to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other
than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the
money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate
and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any
Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.
Section 2.7. Securityholder Lists.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and
addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise
comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the
Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest
payment
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date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in
such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the
names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.
Section 2.8. Transfer and Exchange.
Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar
with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal
principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register
the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are
met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall
authenticate Securities at the Registrar's request. No service charge shall be
made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise
expressly permitted herein), 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 tax or similar governmental
charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.12, 3.6 or 9.6).
Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a)
to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for
the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days immediately preceding
the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for
redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or
(b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected,
called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed
of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.
Section 2.9. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the
Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in
exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and
principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee
(i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any
Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save
each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of
notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a
bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee
shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such
destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of
like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously
outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its
discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 2.9,
the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
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Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this
Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an
original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the
destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone,
and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued
hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall
preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to
the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 2.10. Outstanding Securities.
The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities
authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered
to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security
effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those
described in this Section as not outstanding.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.9, it ceases
to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or
an Affiliate of any thereof) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series
money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after
that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on
them ceases to accrue.
A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the
Company or an Affiliate holds the Security.
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal
amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a
Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes
shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as
of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the
Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.
Section 2.11. Treasury Securities.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal
amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series
owned by the Company or an Affiliate shall be disregarded, except that for the
purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on
any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
only Securities of a Series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so
disregarded.
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Section 2.12. Temporary Securities.
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the
Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities
upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form
of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers
appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company
shall prepare and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate definitive
Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary
Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights
under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.
Section 2.13. Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee
for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the
Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer,
exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for
transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy such
canceled Securities (subject to the record retention requirement of the
Exchange Act) and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company,
unless the Company otherwise directs. The Company may not issue new Securities
to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation.
Section 2.14. Defaulted Interest.
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series
of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent
permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the
persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record
date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 30 days
before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each
Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment
date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted
interest in any other lawful manner.
Section 2.15. Global Securities.
2.15.1. Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a
supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate shall establish
whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository for such Global
Security or Securities.
2.15.2. Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions
to the contrary contained in Section 2.8 of the Indenture and in addition
thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.8 of
the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the
Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depository
notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository
for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the
Company fails to appoint a successor Depository within 90 days of such event,
(ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an
Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global
Security shall have happened and be
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continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding
sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the
Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to
the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.
Except as provided in this Section 2.15.2, a Global Security
may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such
Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such
Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the
Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a
successor Depository.
2.15.3. Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall
bear a legend in substantially the following form:
"This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the
Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the
Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for
Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its
nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may
not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the
Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee
of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor
Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository."
2.15.4. Acts of Holders. The Depository, as a Holder, may
appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
2.15.5. Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of
this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2,
payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall
be made to the Holder thereof.
2.15.6. Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as
provided in subparagraph 2.15.5, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall
treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities
of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a
written statement of the Depository with respect to such Global Security, for
purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions
required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 2.16. CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers
(if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers
in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such
notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such
numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a
redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of
identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be
affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
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ARTICLE III.
REDEMPTION
Section 3.1. Notice to Trustee.
The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities,
reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to
redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated
Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such
Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is
obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the
Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify
the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of
Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 45 days
before the redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the
Trustee).
Section 3.2. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board
Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers' Certificate, if less than
all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the
Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems
fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of
the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may
select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the Series
that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of the Series and
portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of
$1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other
denominations pursuant to Section 2.2.10, the minimum principal denomination
for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture
that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to
portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.
Section 3.3. Notice of Redemption.
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board
Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate, 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
Securities are to be redeemed and if any Bearer Securities are outstanding,
publish on one occasion a notice in an Authorized Newspaper.
The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be
redeemed and shall state:
(a) the redemption date;
(b) the redemption price;
(c) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(d) that Securities of the Series called for redemption
must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption
price;
17
(e) that interest on Securities of the Series called for
redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; and
(f) any other information as may be required by the
terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being
redeemed.
At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice
of redemption in the Company's name and at its expense.
Section 3.4. Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided
in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and
payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. A notice of
redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such
Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the
redemption date.
Section 3.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit
with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and
accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
Section 3.6. Securities Redeemed in Part.
Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the
Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and
the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the
Security surrendered.
ARTICLE IV.
COVENANTS
Section 4.1. Payment of Principal and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the
Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the
principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in
accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
Section 4.2. SEC Reports.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after
it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information,
documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the
foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company
is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA
Section 314(a).
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Section 4.3. Compliance Certificate.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days
after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers' Certificate
stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries
during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the
signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept,
observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and
further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the
best of his knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled
each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in
the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions
hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing
all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he may have knowledge).
The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are
outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming aware of any
Default or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying such Default
or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto.
Section 4.4. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do
so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner
whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or
usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may
affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities;
and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives
all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by
resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power
herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.5. Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done
all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its
corporate existence and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each
Significant Subsidiary in accordance with the respective organizational
documents of each Significant Subsidiary and the rights (charter and
statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Significant
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or
other existence of any Significant Subsidiary, if the Board of Directors shall
determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct
of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that
the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
Section 4.6. Taxes.
The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Significant
Subsidiaries to, pay prior to delinquency all taxes, assessments and
governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings.
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ARTICLE V.
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.1. When Company May Merge, Etc.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into, or
convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets
to, any person (a "successor person"), and may not permit any person to merge
into, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as
an entirety to, the Company, unless:
(a) the successor person (if any) is a corporation,
partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing
under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes
the Company's obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture
and
(b) immediately after giving effect to the transaction,
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the
consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers' Certificate to the
foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed
transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.
Section 5.2. Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease,
conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor corporation formed by
such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such
sale, lease, conveyance 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 has been named
as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company in the
case of a sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall not be released
from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the
Securities.
ARTICLE VI.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.1. Events of Default.
"Event of Default," wherever used herein with respect to
Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the
establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers' Certificate
it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of
Default:
(a) default in the payment of any interest on any
Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and
continuance of such default for a period of 30 days
20
(unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company
with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of
such period of 30 days); or
(b) default in the payment of the principal of any
Security of that Series at its Maturity; or
(c) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment,
when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series; or
(d) default in the performance or breach of any covenant
or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or
warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the
benefit of Series of Securities other than that Series), which default
continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given,
by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to
the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a
written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to
be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default"
hereunder; or
(e) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries
pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences a voluntary case,
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for
relief against it in an involuntary case,
(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian
of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit
of its creditors, or
(v) generally is unable to pay its debts as the
same become due; or
(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or
decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company or any of
its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case,
(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any
of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially
all of its property, or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or
any of its Significant Subsidiaries,
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or
21
(g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to
Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a
supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate, in
accordance with subparagraph 2.2.19.
The term "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any
similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term "Custodian"
means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any
Bankruptcy Law.
Section 6.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any
Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of
Default referred to in Section 6.1(e) or (f)) then in every such case the
Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if
any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the
principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to
be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to
the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal
amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall
become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section
6.1(e) or (f) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of and
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities 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 with
respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment
of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this
Article VI provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a
sum sufficient to pay:
(i) all overdue interest, if any, on all
Securities of that Series,
(ii) the principal of any Securities of that
Series which have become due otherwise than by such
declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate
or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest
is lawful, interest upon any overdue principal and overdue
interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such
Securities, and
(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee
hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and
counsel;
and
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(b) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of
that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities
of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of
acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or
impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement
by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
(a) default is made in the payment of any interest on
any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such
default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(b) default is made in the payment of principal of any
Security at the Maturity thereof, or
(c) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund
payment when and as due by the terms of a Security,
then, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit
of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on
such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of
such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal
or any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such
Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further 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.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such
demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may
institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and
unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may
enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities
and collect the moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided
by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such
Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any
Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to
protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of
such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem
most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 6.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency,
liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition
or other judicial proceeding relative to the
23
Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company
or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of
whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as
therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether
the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of
overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention
in such proceeding or otherwise,
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of
principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities
and to file such 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 of the Holders
allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property
payable or deliverable on 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 it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements
and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize 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 Securities 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 6.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of
Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the
Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession
of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating
thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in
its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment
shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be
for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which
such judgment has been recovered.
Section 6.6. Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article
VI shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the
Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal
or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of
the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.7; and
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Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
principal of and interest on the Securities 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
Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
Third: To the Company.
Section 6.7. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right
to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this
Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other
remedy hereunder, unless
(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to
the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of that Series;
(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written
request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such
Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be
incurred in compliance with such request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such
notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any
such proceeding; and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request
has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of
that Series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any
other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in
the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such
Holders.
Section 6.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal
and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the
Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and
unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on
such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such
Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall
not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
25
Section 6.9. 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 Trustee and the Holders
shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement
or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.9,
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 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any
Securities 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.
Section 6.12. Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to 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, with
respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any
rule of law or with this Indenture,
(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper
by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(c) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the
Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction
if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the
Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the
Trustee in personal liability.
26
Section 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount
of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all
the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to
such Series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the
principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however,
that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences,
including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration).
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 impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.14. Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any
Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any
court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any
right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for
any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party
litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that
such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to
the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party
litigant; but the provisions of this Section 6.14 shall not apply to any suit
instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit
instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more
than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to
any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the
principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or
Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on
the redemption date).
ARTICLE VII.
TRUSTEE
Section 7.1. Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in
it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its
exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of
Default:
(i) The Trustee need perform only those duties
that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no
others.
(ii) In the absence of bad faith on its part,
the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the
statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed
therein, upon Officers' Certificates or Opinions of Counsel
furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements
of this Indenture;
27
however, in the case of any such Officers' Certificates or
Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are
specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the
Trustee shall examine such Officers' Certificates and
Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform
to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for
its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own
willful misconduct, except that:
(i) This paragraph does not limit the effect of
paragraph (b) of this Section.
(ii) The Trustee shall not be liable for any
error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible
Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent
in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(iii) The Trustee shall not be liable with
respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken
by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith
in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such
Series 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 with respect to the Securities of such
Series.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way
relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of
this Section 7.1.
(e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or
exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory
to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any
money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with
the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the
Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties, 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 is not reasonably assured to it.
(h) The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any
authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities
and standard of care as are set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c)
of this Section with respect to the Trustee.
Section 7.2. Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in
acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to
be genuine and to have been signed or
28
presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any
fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it
may require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The
Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take
in good faith in reliance on such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of
Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be
responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed
with due care. No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee
and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by
any Depository.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it
takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be
authorized or within its rights or powers.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice
of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered
or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(f) 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 of Securities unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be
incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
Section 7.3. Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may
become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the
Company or an Affiliate with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also
subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
Section 7.4. Trustee's Disclaimer.
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or
adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for
the Company's use of the proceeds from the Securities and it shall not be
responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.
Section 7.5. Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing
with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each
Securityholder of the Securities of that Series and, if any Bearer Securities
are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, notice of
a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later,
after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has
29
knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default
or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of
any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate
trust committee or a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith
determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders
of that Series.
Section 7.6. Reports by Trustee to Holders.
Within 60 days after [date] in each year, the Trustee shall
transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on
the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are
outstanding, publish in an Authorized Newspaper, a brief report dated as of
such [date], in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section
313.
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to
Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock
exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall
promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any
stock exchange.
Section 7.7. Compensation and Indemnity.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time
reasonable compensation for its services. The Trustee's compensation 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 incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the
reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee (including the cost
of defending itself) against any loss, liability or expense incurred by it
except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties
under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company
promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend
the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have
separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of
such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its
consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification
shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the
Trustee.
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify
against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer,
director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through negligence or
bad faith.
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section
7.7, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all
money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust
to pay principal and interest on particular Securities of that Series.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an
Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and
the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
30
Section 7.8. 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 7.8.
The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one
or more Series by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with
respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company
may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or an
order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any
Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the
Trustee or its property; or
(d) 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 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 then outstanding Securities may
appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the
Company.
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any
one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring
Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders
of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor Trustee.
If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or
more Series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder of the
applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and 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 that,
the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the
successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the
successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee
under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession
to each Securityholder of each such Series and, if any Bearer Securities are
outstanding, publish such notice on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper.
Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the
Company's obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of
the retiring trustee with respect to reasonable expenses and liabilities
incurred by it prior to such replacement.
31
Section 7.9. 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, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the
successor Trustee.
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the
requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee shall always
have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its
most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with
TIA Section 310(b).
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any
creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned
or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.
ARTICLE VIII.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 8.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further
effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at
the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(a) either
(i) all Securities theretofore authenticated and
delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed,
lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all such Securities not theretofore
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to (i)
above
(1) have become due and payable, or
(2) will become due and payable at
their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(3) are to be called for redemption
within one year under arrangements satisfactory to
the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by
the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the
Company, or
32
(4) are deemed paid and discharged
pursuant to Section 8.3, as applicable;
and the Company, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has deposited or caused
to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient
for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such
Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for
principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities
which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to
the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other
sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and,
if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of
this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.5, 2.8, 2.9, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.5 shall
survive.
Section 8.2. Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S.
Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with
the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by
the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign
Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section
8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance
with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the
payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the
Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine,
to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for
whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the
Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous
payments as contemplated by Sections 8.3 or 8.4.
(b) The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee
against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against
U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited
pursuant to Sections 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and principal received
in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf
of Holders.
(c) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from
time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government Obligations or
Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in
Sections 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written
certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of
the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited
for the purpose for which
33
such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or
money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize
the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign
Government Obligations held under this Indenture.
Section 8.3. Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.
Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to
subparagraph 2.2.21, to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company
shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the
outstanding Securities of such Series on the 91st day after the date of the
deposit referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) hereof, and the provisions of this
Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no
longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, at
Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as
to:
(a) the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to
receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (c)(1) hereof,
(i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of
and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated
Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and
(ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to
the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due
and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the
Securities of such Series;
(b) the provisions of Sections 2.5, 2.8, 2.9, 8.2, 8.3
and 8.5; and
(c) the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the
Trustee hereunder;
provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(1) the Company shall have deposited or caused
to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in
trust for the purpose of making the following payments,
specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to
the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case
of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in
Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be
legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government
Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series
denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite
currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which
through the payment of interest and principal in respect
thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and
without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be
imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the
due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash,
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 each installment of principal (including mandatory
sinking fund or analogous payments) of and interest, if any,
on all the Securities of such Series on the dates such
installments of interest or principal are due;
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(2) 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;
(3) no Default or Event of Default with respect
to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period
ending on the 91st day after such date;
(4) the Company shall have delivered to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to
the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there
has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling,
or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there
has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in
either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion
of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities
of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for
Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit,
defeasance and discharge 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, defeasance
and discharge had not occurred;
(5) the Company shall have delivered to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit was
not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the
Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other
creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating,
hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the
Company;
(6) such deposit shall not result in the trust
arising from such deposit constituting an investment company
(as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended), or such trust shall be qualified under such Act or
exempt from regulation thereunder; and
(7) the Company shall have delivered to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel,
each stating that all conditions precedent provided for
relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.3
have been complied with.
Section 8.4. Covenant Defeasance.
Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to
subparagraph 2.2.21 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after
the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a)
hereof, the Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set
forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, and 5.1 as well as any additional
covenants contained in a supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series
of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers' Certificate delivered
pursuant to subparagraph 2.2.21 (and the failure to comply with any such
covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 6.1)
and the occurrence of any event described in clause (e) of Section
35
6.1 shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect
to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall
have been satisfied:
(a) With reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has
deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in
Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically
pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series
denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or
currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or
U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such
Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite
currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through
the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof, in accordance
with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming
no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one
day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash,
sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent certified public accountants expressed in a written
certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay principal and
interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund in respect of the
Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or
principal are due;
(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;
(c) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the
date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after
such date;
(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Opinion of Counsel confirming that Holders of the Securities of such
Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject
to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and
defeasance had not occurred;
(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate stating the deposit was not made by the Company
with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such
Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of
defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the
Company; and
(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance
contemplated by this Section 8.4 have been complied with.
Section 8.5. Repayment to Company.
The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon
request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that
remains unclaimed for two
36
years. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the
Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property
law designates another person.
ARTICLE IX.
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders.
The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this
Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any
Securityholder:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(b) to comply with Article V;
(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition
to or in place of certificated Securities, and to convey, transfer,
assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the
Securities of one or more Series any property or assets;
(d) to make any change that does not adversely affect the
rights of any Securityholder;
(e) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form
and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by
this Indenture;
(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of
appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the
provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or
facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one
Trustee; or
(g) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to
effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.
Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders.
The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental
indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such
supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender
offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in
any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series. Except as
provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount
of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such waiver by notice
to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or
exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the
Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to
such Series.
37
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of
Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed
supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent
approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under
this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of
Securities affected thereby and, if any Bearer Securities affected thereby are
outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, a notice
briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the
Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not,
however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental
indenture or waiver.
An amendment under this Section 9.2 or Section 9.1 may not
make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article XII of any
holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the requisite holders of
such Senior Indebtedness consent to such change pursuant to the terms of such
Senior Indebtedness.
Section 9.3. Limitations.
Nothwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of each
Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:
(a) change the amount of Securities whose Holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(b) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of
interest (including default interest) on any Security;
(c) reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of
any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for,
the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
(d) reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities
payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(e) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of
the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a
rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that
resulted from such acceleration);
(f) make the principal of or interest, if any, on any
Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the
Security;
(g) make any change in Sections 6.8, 6.13, 9.3 (this
sentence), 10.15 or 10.16; or
(h) waive a redemption payment with respect to any
Security or change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption
of any Securities.
38
Section 9.4. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or
more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies
with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.5. Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to
it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every
subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same
debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of the consent is not
made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke
the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives
the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes
effective.
Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every
Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is
of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that
case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has
consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a
Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security.
Section 9.6. Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an
amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The
Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee
shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the
amendment or waiver.
Section 9.7. Trustee Protected.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by,
any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article IX or the modifications
thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled
to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying
upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental
indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall sign
all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any
supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights.
ARTICLE X.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1. Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or
conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in
this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.
39
Section 10.2. Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to
the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by
first-class mail:
if to the Company:
▇▇▇▇ Communications Systems, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
if to the Trustee:
[Name of Trustee]
[Address]
---------------
---------------
Attention:
-----------------
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may
designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.
Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be
mailed by first-class mail to his or her address shown on the register kept by
the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, published in an
Authorized Newspaper. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a
Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its
sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.
If a notice or communication is mailed, personally delivered
or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is
duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to
Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same
time.
Section 10.3. Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA
Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series
with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that
Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else
shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
40
Section 10.4. 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:
(a) 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
(b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of
such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Section 10.5. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate
provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of
TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the person making such certificate
or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he
has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable
him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of
such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 10.6. Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a
meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable
rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 10.7. Legal Holidays.
Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers'
Certificate or supplemental indenture for a particular Series, a "Legal Holiday"
is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a
place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day
that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening
period.
41
Section 10.8. No Recourse Against Others.
A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the
Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under
the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by
reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a
Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part
of the consideration for the issue of the Securities. All Securities, including
Global Securities, shall bear a legend in a form substantially setting forth the
foregoing statements in this Section 10.8.
Section 10.9. Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts
and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
Section 10.10. Governing Laws.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED
IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.
Section 10.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture,
loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan
or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 10.12. Successors.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the
Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this
Indenture shall bind its successor.
Section 10.13. Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities
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 10.14. 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 or provisions hereof.
42
Section 10.15. Securities in a Foreign Currency.
Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a
supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate delivered pursuant to
Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities,
whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders
of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all
Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding
and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are
denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars (including Euros), then the
principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be
outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of
Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at
such time. For purposes of this Section 10.15, "Market Exchange Rate" shall mean
the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that
currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. If such Market
Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the
Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part,
such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as of the most recent
available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in the City of New
York, London or in the country of issue of the currency in question or such
other quotations as the Trustee, upon consultation with the Company, shall deem
appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the
equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in
currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of
Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the
Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the
preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of
manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes
and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.
Section 10.16. Judgment Currency.
The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may
effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining
judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the
principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the
"Required Currency") into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the
"Judgment Currency"), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in
accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in the City
of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which
final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York
Banking Day, then, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in
accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in the City
of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York
Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered
and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required
Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery
pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection
(a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent
that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee,
of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect
of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional
cause of action for the purpose of
43
recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual
receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so
expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being
obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the
foregoing, "New York Banking Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a
legal holiday in the City of New York on which banking institutions are
authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
ARTICLE XI.
SINKING FUNDS
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article XI shall be applicable to any
sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as
otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued
pursuant to this Indenture.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by
the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a "mandatory
sinking fund payment" and any other amount provided for by the terms of
Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund
payment." If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash
amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in
Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of
Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such
Series.
Section 11.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any
sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made
pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of
such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of
such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (2)
apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is
applicable and which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company
pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any
mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking
fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such
Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited.
Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers'
Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on
which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and
shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such
Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount
of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the
delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this
Section 11.2. The principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed
in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the
Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon
receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment
shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next
succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over
and deliver to
44
the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such
Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that
Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the
cash payment required to be released to the Company.
Section 11.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board
Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers' Certificate in respect of
a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for
any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund
payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of
Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2. and the optional amount, if
any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and
the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified.
Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution,
Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular
Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee
shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date
in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption
thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the
manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the
redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner
stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.
ARTICLE XII.
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 12.1. Agreement of Subordination.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of
Securities issued hereunder by his or her acceptance thereof likewise covenants
and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of
this Article XII; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original
issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees to be
bound by such provisions.
The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on all Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with
respect to the Securities called for redemption in accordance with Article 3 as
provided in the Indenture) issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the
manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to
the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the
date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.
No provision of this Article XII shall prevent the occurrence
of any Default or Event of Default hereunder.
Section 12.2. Payments to Holders.
No payment shall be made with respect to the principal of, or
premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (including, but not limited to,
the redemption price with respect to the
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Securities to be called for redemption in accordance with Article III as
provided in the Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the
Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section 12.5, if:
(i) a default in the payment of principal, premium, interest
or other obligations due on any Senior Indebtedness occurs and
is continuing (or, in the case of Senior Indebtedness for
which there is a period of grace, in the event of such a
default that continues beyond the period of grace, if any,
specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Senior
Indebtedness), unless and until such default shall have been
cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist; or
(ii) a default, other than a payment default, on a Designated
Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing that then permits
holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness to accelerate
its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of the default
(a "Payment Blockage Notice") from a Representative or the
Company.
If the Trustee receives any Payment Blockage Notice pursuant
to clause (ii) above, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice shall be effective
for purposes of this Section 12.1 unless and until (A) at least 365 days shall
have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment
Blockage Notice, and (B) all scheduled payments of principal, premium, if any,
and interest on the Securities that have come due have been paid in full in
cash. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of
delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the
basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.
The Company may and shall resume payments on and distributions
in respect of the Securities upon the earlier of:
(1) the date upon which the default is cured or
waived or ceases to exist, or
(2) in the case of a default referred to in
clause (ii) above, 179 days after notice is received if the
maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness has not been
accelerated,
unless this Article XII otherwise prohibits the payment or distribution at the
time of such payment or distribution.
Upon any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of
the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities,
to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization
of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all
Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full in cash or other payment
satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, or payment thereof in
accordance with its terms provided for in cash or other payment satisfactory to
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment is made on account
of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (except
payments made pursuant to Article VI from monies deposited with the Trustee
pursuant
46
thereto prior to commencement of proceedings for such dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or reorganization); and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or
liquidation or reorganization of the Company or bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other proceeding, any payment by the Company, or distribution of
assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or
securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be
entitled, except for the provision of this Article XII, shall (except as
aforesaid) be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy,
liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution,
or by the Holders of the Securities or by the Trustee under this Indenture if
received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata
to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness
held by such holders, or as otherwise required by law or a court order) or their
representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any
indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness
may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent
necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full, in cash or other payment
satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to
any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution or provision therefor is made
to the Holders of the Securities or to the Trustee.
For purposes of this Article XII, the words, "cash, property
or securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation
provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which
is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XII with respect
to the Securities to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness which may at the
time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the
new corporation, if any, resulting from any reorganization or readjustment, and
(ii) the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (other than leases which
are not assumed by the Company or the new corporation, as the case may be) are
not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or
readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the
Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the
Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or
substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and
conditions provided for in Article V shall not be deemed a dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 12.2
if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger,
conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article V.
In the event of the acceleration of the Securities because of
an Event of Default, no payment or distribution shall be made to the Trustee or
any Holder of Securities in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on the Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price
with respect to the Securities called for redemption in accordance with Article
III as provided in the Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the
Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section 12.5, until all
Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory
to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or such acceleration is rescinded in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture. If payment of the Securities is
accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify
holders of Senior Indebtedness of the acceleration.
47
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions,
any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities (including, without limitation, by way
of setoff or otherwise), prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the
Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid
in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness, or provision is made for such payment thereof in accordance with
its terms in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the
benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or
trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any
Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may
appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all
Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior
Indebtedness in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
Nothing in this Section 12.2 shall apply to claims of, or
payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.7. This Section 12.2
shall be subject to the further provisions of Section 12.5.
Section 12.3. Subrogation of Securities.
Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the
rights of the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the extent of the
payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII (equally and ratably with the
holders of all indebtedness of the Company which by its express terms is
subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same
extent as the Securities are subordinated and is entitled to like rights of
subrogation) to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive
payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company
applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal, premium, if any, and
interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such
subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the
Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this
Article XII, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII,
to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the
Securities or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other
than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, be
deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior
Indebtedness; and no payments or distributions of cash, property or securities
to or for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the
subrogation provisions of this Article XII, which would otherwise have been paid
to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed to be a payment by the
Company to or for the account of the Securities. It is understood that the
provisions of this Article XII are and are intended solely for the purposes of
defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand,
and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
Nothing contained in this Article XII or elsewhere in this
Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the
Company, its creditors other than the
48
holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the
obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the
Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on
the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance
with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the
Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of
the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the
Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise
permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the
rights, if any, under this Article XII of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in
respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the
exercise of any such remedy.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company
referred to in this Article XII, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
Section 7.1, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon
any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such
bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings
are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy,
liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such payment or distribution,
delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities, for the purpose of
ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the
amount thereof or payable thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to
this Article XII.
Section 12.4. Authorization to Effect Subordination.
Each Holder of a Security by the Holder's acceptance thereof
authorizes and directs the Trustee on the Holder's behalf to take such action as
may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in
this Article XII and appoints the Trustee to act as the Holder's
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. If the Trustee does not file a
proper proof of claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding
referred to in Section 6.3 hereof at least 30 days before the expiration of the
time to file such claim, the holders of any Senior Indebtedness or their
representatives are hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on
behalf of the Holders of the Securities.
Section 12.5. Notice to Trustee.
The Company shall give prompt written notice in the form of an
Officers' Certificate to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and to any Paying
Agent of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any
payment of monies to or by the Trustee or any Paying Agent in respect of the
Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Article XII or any other provision of this Indenture, the
Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which
would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in
respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, unless
and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written
notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office from the Company (in the form of an
Officers' Certificate) or a Representative or a holder or holders of Senior
Indebtedness or from any trustee thereof; and before the receipt of any such
written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, shall be
entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if on
a date not fewer than two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the
49
terms hereof any such monies may become payable for any purpose (including,
without limitation, the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or
interest on any Security) the Trustee shall not have received, with respect to
such monies, the notice provided for in this Section 12.5, then, anything herein
contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and
authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which
they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary
which may be received by it on or after such prior date.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article XII to the contrary,
nothing shall prevent any payment by the Trustee to the Holders of monies
deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.1, and any such payment shall not be
subject to the provisions of Section 12.1 or 12.2.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, shall
be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a
Representative or a person representing himself to be a holder of Senior
Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such
notice has been given by a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or
a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee
determines in good faith that further 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 XII, the Trustee may request
such person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as
to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such person, the extent to which
such person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any
other facts pertinent to the rights of such person under this Article XII, and
if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such
person pending judicial determination as to the right of such person to receive
such payment.
Section 12.6. Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to
all the rights set forth in this Article XII in respect of any Senior
Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of
Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in Section 7.11 or elsewhere in this Indenture
shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the
Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and
obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XII, and no implied
covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be
deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and,
subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall not be liable to any
holder of Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of
Securities, the Company or any other person money or assets to which any holder
of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XII or
otherwise.
Section 12.7. No Impairment of Subordination.
No right of any present or future holder of any Senior
Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in
any way be prejudiced or impaired by any
50
act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to
act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company
with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any
knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.
Section 12.8. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.
If at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall
have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term
"Trustee" as used in this Article XII shall (unless the context otherwise
requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within
its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were
named in this Article XII in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided,
however, that the first paragraph of Section 12.5 shall not apply to the Company
or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.
Section 12.9. Senior Indebtedness Entitled to Rely.
The holders of Senior Indebtedness (including, without
limitation, Designated Senior Indebtedness) shall have the right to rely upon
this Article XII, and no amendment or modification of the provisions contained
herein shall diminish the rights of such holders unless such holders shall have
agreed in writing thereto.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
▇▇▇▇ COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
By:
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Name:
Title:
[Name of Trustee]
By:
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Name:
Title:
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