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EXHIBIT 4.29
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of February 23, 1998
By and Among
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CONTAINER CORPORATION
as Issuer
and
BT ALEX. ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, LUFKIN & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
SECURITIES CORPORATION
BEAR, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. INC.
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
and
NATIONSBANC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES LLC,
as Initial Purchasers
9 3/8% Senior Notes due 2007
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. Definitions...............................................................1
2. Exchange Offer............................................................5
3. Shelf Registration.......................................................10
4. Additional Interest......................................................12
5. Registration Procedures..................................................14
6. Registration Expenses....................................................28
7. Indemnification..........................................................35
8. Rule 144A................................................................36
9. Underwritten Registrations...............................................36
10. Miscellaneous............................................................36
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements.......................................36
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes..........................36
(c) Amendments and Waivers...........................................37
(d) Notices..........................................................37
(e) Successors and Assigns...........................................38
(f) Counterparts.....................................................38
(g) Headings.........................................................38
(h) Governing Law....................................................38
(i) Severability.....................................................39
(j) Securities Held by the Issuer or its Affiliates..................39
(k) Third-Party Beneficiaries........................................39
(l) Entire Agreement.................................................39
(m) Information Supplied by the Participants.........................40
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is dated
as of February 23, 1998, by and among ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CONTAINER CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Issuer"), as issuer, and BT ALEX. ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, LUFKIN & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES CORPORATION, BEAR, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. INC.,
SALOMON BROTHERS INC and NATIONSBANC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES LLC, as initial
purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of February 13, 1998, by and among the Issuer and the
Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement"), which provides for the sale by
the Issuer to the Initial Purchasers of $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of the Issuer's 9 3/8% Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Notes") and $250,000,000
aggregate principal amount of the Issuer's 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes. In
order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the
Issuer has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement
for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and any subsequent holder or holders
of the Notes. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the
Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase the Notes under the Purchase
Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Additional Interest: See Section 4 hereof.
Advice: See Section 5 hereof.
Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Applicable Period: See Section 2 hereof.
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Effectiveness Date: The 150th day after the Issue Date.
Effectiveness Period: See Section 3 hereof.
Event Date: See Section 4 hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Notes: See Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Offer: See Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: See Section 2 hereof.
Filing Date: The 60th day after the Issue Date.
Guarantors: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Holder: Any holder of a Registrable Note or Registrable
Notes.
Indemnified Person: See Section 7(c) hereof.
Indemnifying Person: See Section 7(c) hereof.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of February 23, 1998, by
and among the Issuer and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee,
pursuant to which the Notes are being issued, as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Initial Purchasers: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 3(a) hereof.
Inspectors: See Section 5(o) hereof.
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Issue Date: February 23, 1998, the date of original issuance
of the Notes.
Issuer: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
NASD: See Section 5(t) hereof.
Participant: See Section 7(a) hereof.
Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2 hereof.
Person: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership,
joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, union, business
association, firm or other legal entity.
Private Exchange: See Section 2 hereof.
Private Exchange Notes: See Section 2 hereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration
Statement (including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion
and a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a
prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon
Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act and any term sheet filed pursuant
to Rule 434 under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any
prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
Purchase Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereof.
Records: See Section 5(o) hereof.
Registrable Notes: Each Note upon its original issuance and at
all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv)
hereof is applicable upon original issuance and at all times
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subsequent thereto and each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof
and at all times subsequent thereto, until (i) a Registration Statement (other
than, with respect to any Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is
applicable, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) covering such Note,
Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note has been declared effective by the SEC
and such Note, Exchange Note or such Private Exchange Note, as the case may be,
has been disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration Statement
(unless such Note could have been tendered for exchange by the Holder thereof
under applicable law and currently prevailing interpretations of the staff of
the SEC and such Note was not tendered for exchange by the Holder thereof), (ii)
such Note has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Note
or Exchange Notes that may be resold without restriction under state and federal
securities laws, (iii) such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the
case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the Indenture or (iv) such
Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, may be resold
without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the
Issuer that covers any of the Notes, the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange
Notes filed with the SEC under the Securities Act, including the Prospectus,
amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including
post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material incorporated by
reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration
statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as
such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule
144A) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales
of securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of the issuer of such securities
being free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as
such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any
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similar rule (other than Rule 144) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as
such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Shelf Notice: See Section 2 hereof.
Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.
Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Trustee: The trustee under the Indenture and the trustee
under any indenture (if any) governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange
Notes.
Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A
registration in which securities of the Issuer are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.
2. Exchange Offer
(a) The Issuer shall file with the SEC, no later than the
Filing Date, a Registration Statement (the "Exchange Offer Registration
Statement") on an appropriate registration form with respect to a registered
offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange any and all of the Registrable Notes
for a like aggregate principal amount of notes (the "Exchange Notes") of the
Issuer that are identical in all material respects to the Notes (other than such
changes to the Indenture or any such identical trust indenture as are necessary
to comply with any requirements of the SEC to effect or maintain the
qualification
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thereof under the TIA) except that the Exchange Notes shall contain no
restrictive legend thereon. The Exchange Offer shall comply with all applicable
tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act and other applicable
law. The Issuer shall use its best efforts to (x) cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or
before the Effectiveness Date; (y) keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 30
days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the
Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders; and (z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or
prior to the 180th day following the Issue Date.
Each Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer will be
required, as a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, to
represent to the Issuer in writing (which may be contained in the applicable
letter of transmittal) that any Exchange Notes to be received by it will be
acquired in the ordinary course of its business, that at the time of the
consummation of the Exchange Offer such Holder will have no arrangement or
understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange
Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, and that such Holder
is not an affiliate of the Issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act.
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with
this Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply,
mutatis mutandis, solely with respect to Registrable Notes that are Private
Exchange Notes, Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is applicable and
Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers (as defined), and the Issuer
shall have no further obligation to register Registrable Notes (other than
Private Exchange Notes and other than in respect of any Exchange Notes as to
which clause 2(c)(iv) hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
No securities other than the Exchange Notes shall be included
in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
(b) The Issuer shall include within the Prospectus contained
in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section
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entitled "Plan of Distribution," reasonably acceptable to the Holders, which
shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the
staff of the SEC with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any
broker-dealer that is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) of Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange
Offer (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), whether such positions or policies have
been publicly disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies
represent the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC. Such "Plan of
Distribution" section shall also expressly permit, to the extent permitted by
applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all
Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act,
including, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the
SEC, all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the
means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes in
compliance with the Securities Act.
The Issuer shall use its best efforts to keep the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the
Prospectus contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully
delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act for such period of time as is necessary to comply with applicable
law in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes covered thereby;
provided, however, that such period shall not exceed 180 days after such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective (or such longer
period if extended pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof) (the
"Applicable Period").
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, any Holder
holds any Notes acquired by it that have, or that are reasonably likely to be
determined to have, the status of an unsold allotment in an initial
distribution, or any Holder is not entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer
(other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of the
Issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act), the Issuer
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upon the request of any such Holder shall, simultaneously with the delivery of
the Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to any such Holder,
in exchange (the "Private Exchange") for such Notes held by any such Holder, a
like principal amount of notes (the "Private Exchange Notes") of the Issuer that
are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Notes. The Private
Exchange Notes shall be issued pursuant to the same indenture as the Exchange
Notes and bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuer shall:
(1) mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder entitled to
participate in the Exchange Offer a copy of the Prospectus forming part of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate
letter of transmittal and related documents;
(2) keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 30 days
after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders (or
longer if required by applicable law);
(3) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange
Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York;
(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time
prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last business day on
which the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and
(5) otherwise comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer
and the Private Exchange, if any, the Issuer shall:
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(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly tendered
and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the Private
Exchange, if any;
(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable
Notes so accepted for exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to
each Holder of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case
may be, equal in principal amount to the Notes of such Holder so accepted
for exchange.
The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be
subject to any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or Private
Exchange, as the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, (ii) no action or proceeding shall have
been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which
might materially impair the ability of the Issuer to proceed with the Exchange
Offer or the Private Exchange, and no material adverse development shall have
occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to the Issuer and
(iii) all governmental approvals shall have been obtained, which approvals the
Issuer deems necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer or Private
Exchange.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes shall be
issued under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material
respects to the Indenture and which, in either case, has been qualified under
the TIA or is exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange
Notes shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the
Indenture. The Indenture or such other indenture shall provide that the Exchange
Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Notes shall vote and consent together
on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the Private
Exchange Notes or the Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate
class on any matter.
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(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently
prevailing interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Issuer is not permitted
to effect the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within
180 days of the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes so
requests in writing to the Issuer within 60 days after the consummation of the
Exchange Offer, or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in the
Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the
exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities
laws (other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of the
Issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act), then in the case of each of
clauses (i) through (iv) of this sentence, the Issuer shall promptly deliver to
the Holders and the Trustee written notice thereof (the "Shelf Notice") and
shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
3. Shelf Registration
If at any time a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by
Section 2(c) hereof, then:
(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuer shall file with the SEC a
Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Notes not exchanged in the Exchange
Offer, Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is
applicable (the "Initial Shelf Registration"). The Issuer shall use its
reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration on
or before the applicable Filing Date. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on
Form S-1 or another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable
Notes for resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by them
(including, without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings). The Issuer
shall not permit any securities other than the Registrable Notes to be included
in the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration (as
defined below).
The Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Initial Shelf Registration to be declared effective
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under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Date and to keep the
Initial Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until
the date which is two years from the Effectiveness Date, subject to extension
pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof (the "Effectiveness Period"),
or such shorter period ending when (i) all Registrable Notes covered by the
Initial Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as
contemplated in the Initial Shelf Registration or (ii) a Subsequent Shelf
Registration covering all of the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under
the Initial Shelf Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration has
been declared effective under the Securities Act; provided, however, that the
Effectiveness Period in respect of the Initial Shelf Registration shall be
extended to the extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable
prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the Securities Act and as
otherwise provided herein.
(b) Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the Initial Shelf
Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any
reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the
sale of all of the securities registered thereunder), the Issuer shall use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending
the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of such
cessation of effectiveness amend the Initial Shelf Registration in a manner to
obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file
an additional "shelf" Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all
of the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf
Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration (each, a "Subsequent
Shelf Registration"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Issuer
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration
to be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after
such filing and to keep such subsequent Shelf Registration continuously
effective for a period equal to the number of days in the Effectiveness Period
less the aggregate number of days during which the Initial Shelf Registration or
any Subsequent Shelf Registration
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was previously continuously effective. As used herein the term "Shelf
Registration" means the Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf
Registration.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Issuer shall promptly
supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the rules,
regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such
Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably
requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or by any underwriter
of such Registrable Notes.
4. Additional Interest
(a) The Issuer and the Initial Purchasers agree that the
Holders will suffer damages if the Issuer fails to fulfill its obligations under
Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the
extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Issuer agrees to pay, as
liquidated damages, additional interest on the Notes ("Additional Interest")
under the circumstances and to the extent set forth below (each of which shall
be given independent effect):
(i) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
nor the Initial Shelf Registration has been filed on or prior to the
Filing Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Issuer has consummated or
will consummate the Exchange Offer, the Issuer is required to file a
Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior
to the Filing Date applicable thereto, then, commencing on the day
after the Filing Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the
principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the
first 90 days immediately following the Filing Date, and such
Additional Interest rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per
annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period; or
(ii) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
nor the Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective by the SEC on
or prior to the Effectiveness Date
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or (B) notwithstanding that the Issuer has consummated or will
consummate the Exchange Offer, the Issuer is required to file a Shelf
Registration and such Shelf Registration is not declared effective by
the SEC on or prior to the Effectiveness Date, then, commencing on the
day after such Effectiveness Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on
the principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the
first 90 days immediately following the day after the Effectiveness
Date, and such Additional Interest rate shall increase by an
additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day
period; or
(iii) if (A) the Issuer has not exchanged Exchange Notes for
all Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange
Offer on or prior to the 180th day after the Issue Date or (B) if
applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such
Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the
Effectiveness Period, then Additional Interest shall accrue on the
principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the
first 90 days commencing on the (x) 180th day after such Issue Date, in
the case of (A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration ceases to
be effective in the case of (B) above, and such Additional Interest
rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning
of each such subsequent 90-day period (it being understood and agreed
that, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, so long as any
Note which is the subject of the Shelf Notice is then covered by an
effective Shelf Registration Statement, no Additional Interest shall
accrue on such Note);
provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not exceed
at any one time in the aggregate 1.0% per annum; provided, further, however,
that (1) upon the filing of the applicable Exchange Offer Registration Statement
or the applicable Shelf Registration as required hereunder (in
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the case of clause (i) above of this Section 4), (2) upon the effectiveness of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the applicable Shelf Registration
Statement as required hereunder (in the case of clause (ii) of this Section 4),
or (3) upon the exchange of the applicable Exchange Notes for all Notes validly
tendered (in the case of clause (iii)(A) of this Section 4), or upon the
effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to
remain effective (in the case of (iii)(B) of this Section 4), Additional
Interest on the Notes in respect of which such events relate as a result of such
clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to
accrue.
(b) The Issuer shall notify the Trustee within three business
days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which
Additional Interest is required to be paid (an "Event Date"). Any amounts of
Additional Interest due pursuant to (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of this Section
4 will be payable in cash semiannually on each June 15 and December 15 (to the
holders of record on the June 1 and December 1 immediately preceding such
dates), commencing with the first such date occurring after any such Additional
Interest commences to accrue. The amount of Additional Interest will be
determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the
principal amount of the Registrable Notes, multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was
applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of a partial month, the
actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.
5. Registration Procedures
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement
pursuant to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuer shall effect such registrations
to permit the sale of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the
intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in
connection with any Registration Statement filed by the Issuer hereunder the
Issuer shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC prior to the applicable
Filing Date, a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as
prescribed by Sections 2 or 3
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hereof, and use its best efforts to cause each such Registration
Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided herein;
provided, however, that, if (1) such filing is pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period relating thereto, before filing any Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Issuer shall
furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes covered by
such Registration Statement or each such Participating Broker-Dealer,
as the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if
any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents
(including copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference
therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in each case
at least five days prior to such filing, or such later date as is
reasonable under the circumstances). The Issuer shall not file any
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements
thereto if the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, or any
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel,
or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration Statement or
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be
necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective
for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may
be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus
supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to be
filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force)
promulgated under the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to each of them with
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respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so
supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale of any
securities being sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any
such Prospectus. The Issuer shall be deemed not to have used its best
efforts to keep a Registration Statement effective during the Effective
Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be, relating thereto
if the Issuer voluntarily takes any action that directly results in
selling Holders of the Registrable Notes covered thereby or
Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Notes not being
able to sell such Registrable Notes or such Exchange Notes during that
period unless such action is required by applicable law or permitted by
this Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions of
paragraph 5(k) hereof and the last paragraph of this Section 5.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period relating thereto from whom the Issuer has received written
notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange
Offer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable Notes, or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and the
managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within one
day), and confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and,
with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment, when the same has become effective under the Securities Act
(including in such notice a written statement that any Holder may, upon
request, obtain, at the sole expense of the Issuer, one conformed copy
of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment including
financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed to
be
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incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the
SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any
preliminary prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that
purpose, (iii) if at any time when a prospectus is required by the
Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the
Registrable Notes or resales of Exchange Notes by Participating
Broker-Dealers the representations and warranties of the Issuer
contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement)
contemplated by Section 5(m) hereof cease to be true and correct in all
material respects, (iv) of the receipt by the Issuer of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or
exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the
Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating
Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation
or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening
of any event, the existence of any condition or any information
becoming known that makes any statement made in such Registration
Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect
or that requires the making of any changes in or amendments or
supplements to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so
that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will
not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the Issuer's determination that
a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be
appropriate.
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(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any
order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending
the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the
Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating
Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction, and, if any such order is
issued, to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such
order at the earliest possible moment.
(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
and if requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any),
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes being sold in connection with an underwritten
offering or any Participating Broker-Dealer, (i) as promptly as
practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment such information as the managing underwriter or underwriters
(if any), such Holders, any Participating Broker-Dealer or counsel for
any of them reasonably request to be included therein, (ii) make all
required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective
amendment as soon as practicable after the Issuer has received
notification of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment, and (iii) supplement or make
amendments to such Registration Statement.
(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, furnish
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to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes and to each such
Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests and to their respective
counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, at the sole expense of
the Issuer, one conformed copy of the Registration Statement or
Registration Statements and each post-effective amendment thereto,
including financial statements and schedules, and, if requested, all
documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference
and all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes, or each
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their respective
counsel, and the underwriters, if any, at the sole expense of the
Issuer, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including
each form of preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or supplement
thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein as such
Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the last paragraph of
this Section 5, the Issuer hereby consents to the use of such
Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the
selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters or agents, if
any, and dealers (if any), in connection with the offering and sale of
the Registrable Notes covered by, or the sale by Participating
Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes pursuant to, such Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any
delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, use their best efforts to register
or
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qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes
or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, and their respective
counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or
exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable
Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder,
Participating Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or
underwriters reasonably request in writing; provided, however, that
where Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers or
Registrable Notes are offered other than through an underwritten
offering, upon the request of such persons, the Issuer agrees to cause
its counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and file registrations
and qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h),
use its best efforts to process such registrations or qualifications to
effectiveness, keep each such registration or qualification (or
exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration
Statement is required to be kept effective and do any and all other
acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes held by
Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the
applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Issuer
shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any
jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action
that would subject it to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to
taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any such jurisdiction
where they are not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes
to be sold, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive
23
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legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository
Trust Company; and enable such Registrable Notes to be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter
or underwriters, if any, or Holders may request.
(j) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes
covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved
by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be reasonably
necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter or
underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable
Notes, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature
of such selling Holder's business, in which case the Issuer will
cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filing of such
Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals.
(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraph
5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable prepare and
(subject to Section 5(a) hereof) file with the SEC, at the sole expense
of the Issuer, a supplement or post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter
delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Notes being sold
thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes to whom such
Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer, any such
Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding
24
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the foregoing, the Issuer shall not be required to amend or supplement
a Registration Statement, any related Prospectus or any document
incorporated therein by reference, in the event that, and for a period
not to exceed an aggregate of 30 days in any calendar year if, (i) an
event occurs and is continuing as a result of which the Shelf
Registration would, in the Issuer's good faith judgment, contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (ii) (a)
the Issuer determines in its good faith judgment that the disclosure of
such event at such time would have a material adverse effect on the
business, operations or prospects of the Issuer or (b) the disclosure
otherwise relates to a pending material business transaction that has
not yet been publicly disclosed.
(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration
Statement relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee
with certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for
deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP
number for the Registrable Notes.
(m) In connection with any underwritten offering of
Registrable Notes pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an
underwriting agreement as is customary in underwritten offerings of
debt securities similar to the Notes in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Issuer and take all such other actions as are
reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in
order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of
such Registrable Notes and, in such connection, (i) make such
representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters
with respect to the business of the Issuer (including any acquired
business, properties or entity, if applicable) and the Registration
Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference therein, in each
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case, as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in
underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, and
confirm the same in writing if and when requested in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer; (ii) obtain the written opinions
of counsel to the Issuer and written updates thereof in form, scope and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or
underwriters, addressed to the underwriters covering the matters
customarily covered in opinions reasonably requested in underwritten
offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters; (iii) use its best efforts to
obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof in form, scope and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or
underwriters from the independent auditors of the Issuer (and, if
necessary, any other independent auditors of the Issuer or of any
business acquired by the Issuer for which financial statements and
financial data are, or are required to be, included or incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the
underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters
of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection
with underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes and
such other matters as reasonably requested by the managing underwriter
or underwriters as permitted by the Statement on Auditing Standards No.
72; and (iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same
shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less
favorable to the sellers and underwriters, if any, than those set forth
in Section 7 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable
to Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable
Notes covered by such Registration Statement and the managing
underwriter or underwriters or agents, if any). The above shall be done
at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as and to the
extent required thereunder.
(n) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the
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Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2
hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any selling Holder
of such Registrable Notes being sold, or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any
such disposition of Registrable Notes, if any, and any attorney,
accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder or each
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter
(collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices where normally kept,
during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and instruments of the Issuer
(collectively, the "Records") as shall be reasonably necessary to
enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities,
and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Issuer to supply
all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in
connection with such Registration Statement and Prospectus. Each
Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep the Records
confidential and that it will not disclose any of the Records that the
Issuer determines, in good faith, to be confidential and notifies the
Inspectors in writing are confidential unless (i) the disclosure of
such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a material misstatement
or material omission in such Registration Statement or Prospectus, (ii)
the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other
order from a court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of such
information is necessary or advisable, in the written opinion of
counsel for any Inspector, in connection with any action, claim, suit
or proceeding, directly or indirectly, involving or potentially
involving such Inspector and arising out of, based upon, relating to,
or involving this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement, or any
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or arising hereunder or
thereunder, or (iv) the information in such Records has been made
generally available to the public; provided, however, that prior notice
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shall be provided as soon as practicable to the Issuer of the potential
disclosure of any information by such Inspector pursuant to clauses
(i), (ii) or (iii) of this sentence to permit the Issuer to obtain a
protective order (or waive the provisions of this paragraph (n)) and
that such Inspector shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary
to protect the confidentiality of such information (if practicable) to
the extent such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an
impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests of the
Holder or any Inspector. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes
and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree
that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall
be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any
market transactions in the securities of the Issuer unless and until
such information is generally available to the public. Each selling
Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such Participating
Broker-Dealer will be required to further agree that it will, upon
learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of
competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Issuer and allow the Issuer
to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records
deemed confidential at the Issuer's sole expense.
(o) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or
the Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the
trust indenture provided for in Section 2(a) hereof, as the case may
be, to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of
the first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes; and
in connection therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such
indenture and the Holders of the Registrable Notes, to effect such
changes to such indenture as may be required for such indenture to be
so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and
use its best efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all documents as
may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and
documents required to be filed with the
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SEC to enable such indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.
(p) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
SEC and make generally available to its securityholders earnings
statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities
Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the
Securities Act) no later than 60 days after the end of any fiscal
quarter (or 120 days after the end of any 12-month period if such
period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal
quarter in which Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a firm
commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold
to underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the
first fiscal quarter of the Issuer after the effective date of a
Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month
periods.
(q) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private
Exchange, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuer, in a form
customary for underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for
the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Notes participating in the
Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, that the
Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and the
related indenture constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of
the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its
respective terms, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications.
(r) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be
consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the
Issuer (or to such other Person as directed by the Issuer) in exchange
for the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may
be, the Issuer shall ▇▇▇▇, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable
Notes that such Registrable Notes are being cancelled in exchange for
the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be;
in no event shall such Registrable Notes be marked as paid or otherwise
satisfied.
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(s) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by
any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating
in the disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective
counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
(t) Use its best efforts to take all other steps reasonably
necessary to effect the registration of the Exchange Notes and/or
Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement contemplated
hereby.
The Issuer may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to
which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuer such
information regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes
as the Issuer may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Issuer may exclude
from such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller so long as such
seller fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after
receiving such request. Each seller as to which any Shelf Registration is being
effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Issuer all information required to be
disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Issuer by
such seller not materially misleading and to promptly notify the Issuer
following any sale or other transfer of Registrable Notes covered by the Shelf
Registration, which notice shall specify the amount of securities involved and
the market, if any, on which such sale or transfer occurred.
If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by
name or otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Issuer, then such
Holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and such Holder, to the
effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed
as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the securities
covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will
assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Issuer, or (ii) in
the event that such reference to such Holder by name or
30
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otherwise is not required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute
then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder in any amendment or
supplement to the Registration Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the
time that such reference ceases to be required.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that,
upon receipt of any notice from the Issuer of the happening of any event of the
kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi) hereof, such
Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Notes covered
by such Registration Statement or Prospectus or Exchange Notes to be sold by
such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, until such
Holder's or Participating Broker-Dealer's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof, or until
it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Issuer that the use of the
applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments
or supplements thereto. In the event that the Issuer shall give any such notice,
each of the Effectiveness Period and the Applicable Period shall be extended by
the number of days during such periods from and including the date of the giving
of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Notes
covered by such Registration Statement or Exchange Notes to be sold by such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the
copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k)
hereof or (y) the Advice; provided, however, nothing in this paragraph shall be
construed to mean that the Issuer is required to keep a Registration Statement
effective at a time when the Registrable Notes covered thereby may be sold
without restriction under Rule 144.
6. Registration Expenses
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or
compliance with this Agreement by the Issuer shall be borne by the Issuer
whether or not the Exchange Offer Registration
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Statement or any Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective or the
Exchange Offer is consummated, including, without limitation, (i) all
registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, (A) fees with
respect to filings required to be made with the NASD in connection with an
underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses of compliance with state
securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and
disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes and determination of the eligibility of the
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes for investment under the laws of such
jurisdictions (x) where the holders of Registrable Notes are located, in the
case of the Exchange Notes, or (y) as provided in Section 5(h) hereof, in the
case of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by a Participating
Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including,
without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company
and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes included in any Registration
Statement or in respect of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by any
Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, as the case may be,
(iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Issuer and reasonable fees and disbursements of one special
counsel for all of the sellers of Registrable Notes (exclusive of any counsel
retained pursuant to Section 7 hereof), (v) fees and disbursements of all
independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 5(m)(iii) hereof
(including, without limitation, the expenses of any special audit and "cold
comfort" letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi) Securities
Act liability insurance, if the Issuer desires such insurance, (vii) fees and
expenses of all other Persons retained by the Issuer, (viii) internal expenses
of the Issuer (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of
officers and employees of the Issuer performing legal or accounting duties),
(ix) the expense of any annual audit, (x) any fees and expenses incurred
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in connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any
securities exchange, and the obtaining of a rating of the securities, in each
case, if applicable, and (xi) the expenses relating to printing, word processing
and distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements,
indentures and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this
Agreement.
7. Indemnification
(a) The Issuer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer selling
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, the officers, directors, employees
and agents of each such Person, and each Person, if any, who controls any such
Person within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section
20 of the Exchange Act (each, a "Participant"), from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including,
without limitation, the reasonable legal fees and other expenses actually
incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim
asserted) caused by, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented
if the Issuer shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or
any preliminary prospectus, or caused by, arising out of or based upon any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of the
Prospectus in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except (i) insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
are caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to
any Participant furnished to the Issuer in writing by such Participant
expressly for use therein and (ii) with respect to any preliminary Prospectus,
to the extent such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise solely from the
fact that a Participant sold securities to a person to whom there was not sent
or given, on or
33
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prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the Final Prospectus,
as amended and supplemented, if (A) the Issuer shall have previously furnished
copies thereof to such Participant in accordance with this Agreement and (B) the
final Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, would have corrected any such
untrue statement or omission.
(b) Each Participant agrees, severally and not jointly, to
indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer, its directors, officers who sign the
Registration Statement and each Person who controls the Issuer within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to
the same extent (but on a several, and not joint, basis) as the foregoing
indemnity from the Issuer to each Participant, but only with reference to
information relating to such Participant furnished to the Issuer in writing by
such Participant expressly for use in any Registration Statement or Prospectus,
any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus. The
liability of any Participant under this paragraph shall in no event exceed the
proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes giving rise to such obligations.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any
governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or
asserted against any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to either of the two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the "Indemnified
Person") shall promptly notify the Persons against whom such indemnity may be
sought (the "Indemnifying Persons") in writing, and the Indemnifying Persons,
upon request of the Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and
any others the Indemnifying Persons may reasonably designate in such proceeding
and shall pay the fees and expenses actually incurred by such counsel related to
such proceeding; provided, however, that the failure to so notify the
Indemnifying Persons shall not relieve any of them of any obligation or
liability which any of them may have hereunder or otherwise. In any such
proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain
34
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its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Persons and the
Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary, (ii) the
Indemnifying Persons shall have failed within a reasonable period of time to
retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person or (iii) the
named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both any Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person or any affiliate thereof
and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate
due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood
that, unless there exists a conflict among Indemnified Persons, the Indemnifying
Persons shall not, in connection with such proceeding or separate but
substantially similar related proceedings arising out of the same general
allegations, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm
(in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all
such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed promptly as they are incurred. Any
such separate firm for the Participants and such control Persons of Participants
shall be designated in writing by Participants who sold a majority in interest
of Registrable Notes and Exchange Notes sold by all such Participants and shall
be reasonably acceptable to the Issuer, and any such separate firm for the
Issuer, its directors, officers and such control Persons of the Issuer shall be
designated in writing by the Issuer and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Holders holding a majority in interest of Registrable Notes and Exchange Notes.
The Indemnifying Persons shall not be liable for any
settlement of any proceeding effected without their prior written consent (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with such
consent or if there be a final non-appealable judgment for the plaintiff for
which the Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this
Agreement, each of the Indemnifying Persons agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by
reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Persons (which consent shall
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not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with such consent or if
there be a final non-appealable judgment for the plaintiff for which the
Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement,
each of the Indemnifying Persons agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Persons (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), effect any settlement or compromise of any pending or
threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could
have been a party, or indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional written
release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are
the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as
to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of such
Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in the first and
second paragraphs of this Section 7 is for any reason unavailable to, or
insufficient to hold harmless, an Indemnified Person in respect of any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying
Person under such paragraphs, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person
thereunder and in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result
of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Indemnifying
Person or Persons on the one hand and the Indemnified Person or Persons on the
other hand from the offering of the Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by
the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such
relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Indemnifying Person or
Persons on the one hand and the Indemnified Person or Persons on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions or alleged statements or omissions
that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative benefits received by the Issuer on the one hand and the Participants on
the other hand shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total
proceeds from the offering (net of discounts and commissions but before
deducting expenses) of the Notes received by the Issuer bears to the total
proceeds received by such Participant from the sale of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, in each case as set
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forth in the table on the cover page of the Memorandum in respect of the sale of
the Notes. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference
to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Issuer on the one hand or such
Participant or such other Indemnified Person, as the case may be, on the other
hand, the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission, and any other
equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances.
(e) The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The
amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses referred to in the
immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any reasonable legal or other expenses actually
incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 7, in no event shall a Participant be required to contribute any amount
in excess of the amount by which proceeds received by such Participant from
sales of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, exceeds the
amount of any damages that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay
or has paid by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
(f) Any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses for
which an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under
this Section 7 shall be paid by
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the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses are incurred. The indemnity and contribution agreements
contained in this Section 7 and the representations and warranties of the Issuer
set forth in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect,
regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or any
person who controls a Holder, the Issuer, its directors, officers, employees or
agents or any person controlling the Issuer, and (ii) any termination of this
Agreement.
(g) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in
this Section 7 will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying
Persons may otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
8. Rule 144A
The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will file the reports
required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner in
accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and,
if at any time the Issuer is not required to file such reports, the Issuer will,
upon the request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Notes, make
available such information reasonably necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule
144A under the Securities Act. The Issuer further covenants and agrees, for so
long as any Registrable Notes remain outstanding that it will take such further
action as any Holder of Registrable Notes may reasonably request, all to the
extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable
Notes without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rules may
be amended from time to time, or (b) any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the SEC.
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9. Underwritten Registrations
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf
Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker
or investment bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will
be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such
Registrable Notes included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable
to the Issuer.
No Holder may participate in any underwritten registration
hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Registrable Notes
on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons
entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes
all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
10. Miscellaneous
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuer has not, as of the
date hereof, and the Issuer shall not, after the date of this Agreement, enter
into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is inconsistent
with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts
with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not
in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the
holders of the Issuer's other issued and outstanding securities under any such
agreements. The Issuer has not entered and will not enter into any agreement
with respect to any of its securities which will grant to any Person piggy-back
registration rights with respect to any Registration Statement.
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes. The Issuer shall
not, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable
Notes as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders to
include such Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken pursuant to this
Agreement.
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(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement
may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to
departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the
prior written consent of (I) the Issuer and (II)(A) the Holders of not less than
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable
Notes and (B) in circumstances that would adversely affect the Participating
Broker-Dealers, the Participating Broker-Dealers holding not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes held by all
Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that Section 7 and this Section
10(c) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written
consent of each Holder and each Participating Broker-Dealer (including any
person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration
Statement) affected by any such amendment, modification or supplement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions
hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of
Holders whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and
that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the
rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold pursuant to such
Registration Statement.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications (including,
without limitation, any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided
for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:
(i) if to a Holder or any Participating Broker-Dealer, at the
most current address of such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, set forth on the records of the registrar under the Indenture.
(ii) if to the Issuer, at the address as follows:
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c/o Gaylord Container Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have
been duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business
day after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when receipt is
acknowledged by the addressee, if sent by facsimile.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications
shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at
the address and in the manner specified in such Indenture.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties
hereto, the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however,
that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a
successor or assign of a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer unless and to the
extent such successor or assign holds Registrable Notes.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement 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.
(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.
(h) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY
41
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▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
(i) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to
achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such
term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared
to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that
may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(j) Securities Held by the Issuer or its Affiliates. Whenever
the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable
Notes is required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by the Issuer or its
affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall
not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the
Holders of such required percentage.
(k) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders and Participating
Broker-Dealers are intended third- party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and
this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
(l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the
Purchase Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and
exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in
respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior
oral or written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts,
understandings, correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Holders
on the one hand and the Issuer on the other hand, or between or among any
agents, representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in
interest or
42
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successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are
merged herein and replaced hereby.
(m) Information Supplied by the Participants. The statements
set forth in the last paragraph on the front cover page and in the third, sixth
and seventh paragraphs under the heading "Private Placement" in the Memorandum
(to the extent such statements relate to a Participant) constitute the only
information furnished by the Participants to the Issuer for the purposes of
Section 7 hereof.
43
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CONTAINER CORPORATION
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Assistant Treasurer
44
The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written.
BT ALEX. ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED
as Initial Purchaser
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Managing Director
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, LUFKIN & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
SECURITIES CORPORATION
as Initial Purchaser
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Vice President
BEAR, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. INC.
as Initial Purchaser
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Managing Director
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
as Initial Purchaser
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Director
NATIONSBANC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES LLC
as Initial Purchaser
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Managing Director