Exhibit 10.1
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of December 20, 2002
by and among
THE ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ GROUP, LTD.,
THE GUARANTORS
named herein
and
CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.
and
▇▇▇▇▇▇ BROTHERS INC.,
as Initial Purchasers
----------
$150,000,000
11 3/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
1. Definitions................................................................1
2. Exchange Offer.............................................................6
3. Shelf Registration........................................................10
4. Additional Interest.......................................................11
5. Registration Procedures...................................................14
6. Registration Expenses.....................................................25
7. Indemnification...........................................................26
8. Rules 144 and 144A........................................................31
9. Underwritten Registrations................................................31
10. Miscellaneous............................................................31
(a) Remedies............................................................31
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements..........................................32
(c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes.............................32
(d) Amendments and Waivers..............................................32
(e) Notices.............................................................33
(f) Successors and Assigns..............................................34
(g) Counterparts........................................................34
(h) Headings............................................................35
(i) Governing Law.......................................................35
(j) Severability........................................................35
(k) Notes Held by any Issuer or Its Affiliates..........................35
(l) Third Party Beneficiaries...........................................35
(m) Entire Agreement....................................................35
(n) Joint and Several Obligations.......................................36
-i-
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of December 20, 2002, by and among The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Group, Ltd., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the Guarantors (as defined) and CIBC World
Markets Corp. and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Brothers Inc. (the "Initial Purchasers").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated December 20, 2002, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and
the Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement") relating to the sale by the
Company to the Initial Purchasers of $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
the Company's 11 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 (the "Notes") and the
unconditional guarantee thereof by the Guarantors on a joint and several basis
(the "Guarantee"). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the
Purchase Agreement, the Issuers (as defined) have agreed to provide the
registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the holders
of Registrable Notes (as defined), including, without limitation, the Initial
Purchasers. 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(a).
Advice: See the last paragraph of Section 5.
Agreement: See the first introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Applicable Period: See Section 2(b).
Business Day: A day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on
which banking institutions in New York, New York are required to be closed.
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Closing Date: The Closing Date as defined in the Purchase Agreement.
Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Company: See the first introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Effectiveness Date: (i) The 210th day after the Issue Date, in the
case of the Exchange Registration Statement or an Initial Shelf Registration
filed in lieu of the Exchange Registration Statement, and (ii) in the case of an
Initial Shelf Registration filed following delivery of a Shelf Notice, the 45th
day after the filing of such Initial Shelf Registration.
Effectiveness Period: See Section 3(a).
Event Date: See Section 4(b).
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Notes: See Section 2(a).
Exchange Offer: See Section 2(a).
Exchange Registration Statement: See Section 2(a).
Filing Date: The 120th day after the Issue Date (regardless of whether
the actual filing precedes such date).
Guarantee: See the second introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Guarantors: The guarantors identified on the signature pages attached
hereto.
Holder: Any registered holder of Registrable Notes.
Indemnified Person: See Section 7(c).
Indemnifying Person: See Section 7(c).
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Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of December 20, 2002, by and among
the Issuers and Bank One, N.A., as trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are
being issued, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with
the terms thereof.
Initial Purchaser: See the first introductory paragraph to this
Agreement.
Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 3(a).
Inspectors: See Section 5(o).
Issue Date: The date on which the Notes were sold to the Initial
Purchaser pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
Issuers: The Company and the Guarantors, collectively.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Notes: See the second introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Participant: See Section 7(a).
Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2(b).
Person: Any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government (including any agency or political subdivision
thereof).
Potential Material Event: (i) An event or circumstance which occurs
and is continuing as a result of which any Shelf Registration, any related
prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference as then amended or
supplemented or proposed to be filed would, in the good faith determination of
the Board of Directors of the Company, contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, and (ii) either (a) the Board of Directors of the Company determines
in good faith that the disclosure of such event at such time would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's
END
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business, operations or prospects or (b) the disclosure otherwise relates to a
material business transaction or development which has not yet been publicly
disclosed.
Private Exchange: See Section 2(b).
Private Exchange Notes: See Section 2(b).
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), as amended or supplemented by any
prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion
of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, 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 second introductory paragraph to this
Agreement.
Records: See Section 5(o).
Registrable Notes: Each Note upon original issuance thereof and at all
times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof
is applicable upon original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent thereto
and each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof and at all times
subsequent thereto, until, in the case of any such Note, Exchange Note or
Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, the earliest to occur of (i) a
Registration Statement (other than, with respect to any Exchange Note as to
which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable) covering such Note, Exchange Note
or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been declared effective by the
Commission and such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case
may be, has been disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration
Statement, (ii) such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case
may be, is sold in compliance with Rule 144, (iii) in the case of any Note, such
Note has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Note or
Exchange Notes which may be resold without restriction under federal securities
laws, or (iv) such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the
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case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the Indenture.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company,
including, but not limited to, the Exchange Registration Statement, that covers
any of the Registrable Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement,
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 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 Commission providing for offers and sales of
securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such securities being
free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.
Rule 415: Rule 415 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the Commission.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Shelf Notice: See Section 2(c).
Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b).
Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b).
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Trustee: The trustee under the Indenture and, if existent, the trustee
under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes (if
any).
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Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration in
which securities of one or more of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.
2. Exchange Offer
(a) Each of the Issuers agrees to file with the Commission no later
than the Filing Date, an offer to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") any and all of
the Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes, if any) for a like
aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the Company which are identical
in all material respects to the Notes (the "Exchange Notes") (and which are
entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or a trust indenture which is
identical in all material respects to the Indenture (including, without
limitation, the guarantee provisions thereof) (other than such changes to the
Indenture or any such identical trust indenture as are necessary to comply with
any requirements of the Commission to effect or maintain the qualification
thereof under the TIA) and which, in either case, has been qualified under the
TIA), except that the Exchange Notes shall have been registered pursuant to an
effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act and shall contain no
restrictive legend thereon. The Exchange Offer shall be registered under the
Securities Act on the appropriate form (the "Exchange Registration Statement")
and shall comply with all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under
the Exchange Act. Each of the Issuers agrees to use its best efforts to (x)
cause the Exchange 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 Business Days (or longer if required by applicable law)
after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is first mailed to Holders; and
(z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 60th day following the date
on which the Exchange Registration Statement is declared effective. If after
such Exchange Registration Statement is initially declared effective by the
Commission, the Exchange Offer or the issuance of the Exchange Notes thereunder
is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement
of the Commission or any other governmental agency or court, such Exchange
Registration Statement shall be deemed not to have become effective for purposes
of this Agreement. Each Holder who participates in the Exchange Offer will be
required to represent that any Exchange Notes received by it will be acquired in
the ordinary
END
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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, that such Holder is not
an affiliate of any Issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any
additional representations that in the written opinion of counsel to the Company
are necessary under then-existing interpretations of the Commission in order for
the Exchange Registration Statement to be declared effective. 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 and Exchange Notes held by
Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Issuers 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 of this Agreement.
(b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of Distribution,"
reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall contain a summary
statement of the positions taken or policies made by the Staff of the Commission
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 Commission or such positions or
policies, in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers, represent the prevailing
views of the Staff of the Commission. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall
also allow, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of
the Commission, the use of the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including, to the extent
so permitted, all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement
describing the manner in which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the
Exchange Notes.
Each of the Issuers shall use its best efforts to keep the Exchange
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
END
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subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such
period of time beginning when the Exchange Notes are first issued in the
Exchange Offer and ending upon the earlier of the expiration of the 180th day
after the Exchange Offer has been completed and such Persons are no longer
required to comply with the prospectus delivery requirements in connection with
offers and sales of the Exchange Notes (the "Applicable Period").
If, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, any Initial Purchaser
holds any Notes acquired by it and having the status of an unsold allotment in
the initial distribution, the Issuers upon the request of such Initial Purchaser
shall, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes in the Exchange
Offer, issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser, in exchange (the "Private
Exchange") for the Notes held by such Initial Purchaser, a like principal amount
of debt securities of the Company that are identical in all material respects to
the Exchange Notes except for the existence of restrictions on transfer thereof
under the Securities Act and securities laws of the several states of the U.S.
(the "Private Exchange Notes") (and which are issued pursuant to the same
indenture as the Exchange Notes). The Private Exchange Notes shall bear the same
CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes. Interest on the Exchange Notes and Private
Exchange Notes will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest
was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has
been paid on the Notes, from the Issue Date.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:
(1) mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the
Exchange Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of
transmittal and related documents;
(2) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange Offer with
an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which may be
the Trustee or an affiliate thereof;
(3) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable 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
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(4) otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable
laws.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer or the
Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Issuers shall:
(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly tendered and not
validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange;
(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 tendering such Registrable 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 Notes and the Private Exchange Notes may be issued under
(i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects to the
Indenture, which in either event will provide that the Exchange Notes will not
be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and that the
Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Notes, if any, will vote and
consent together on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange
Notes, the Private Exchange Notes or the Notes, if any, will have the right to
vote or consent as a separate class on any matter.
(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the Commission, the Company is not permitted to
effect an 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 Company or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in
the Exchange Offer (and tenders its Registrable Notes prior to the expiration
thereof), such Holder does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the
exchange that may be sold without restriction under federal securities laws
(other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of any
Issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act) and so notifies the Company
within 30 days following the consummation of the Exchange Offer (and providing a
reasonable basis for its conclusions), in the case of each of
END
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clauses (i)-(iv), then the Issuers 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.
3. Shelf Registration
If a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by Section 2(c), then:
(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuers shall as promptly as reasonably
practicable file with the Commission a Registration Statement for an offering to
be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the
Registrable Notes (the "Initial Shelf Registration"). If the Issuers shall not
have yet filed the Exchange Registration Statement, each of the Issuers shall
file with the Commission the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior to the
Filing Date and shall use its best efforts to cause such Initial Shelf
Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to
the Effectiveness Date. Otherwise, each of the Issuers shall file with the
Commission the Initial Shelf Registration within 45 days of the delivery of the
Shelf Notice and shall use its best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration to
be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness
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 Issuers shall not permit any securities other
than the Registrable Notes to be included in any Shelf Registration. Each of the
Issuers shall use its best efforts to keep the Initial Shelf Registration
continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date which is 24
months from the Issue Date (or, if Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act is
amended to permit unlimited resales by non-affiliates within a lesser period,
such lesser period) (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 has been declared effective under the Securities Act.
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(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), each of the Issuers shall use its 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 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 (a "Subsequent Shelf Registration"). If a Subsequent Shelf
Registration is filed, each of the Issuers shall use its best efforts to cause
the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared effective 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 Registrations 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. Each of the Issuers 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 Shelf Registration or by any underwriter of
such Registrable Notes, in each case, with each Issuer's consent, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
4. Additional Interest
(a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders of
Registrable Notes will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their
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,
each of the Issuers agrees to pay, as liquidated damages, additional interest on
the Registrable Notes ("Additional Interest") under the circumstances and to the
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extent set forth below (each of which shall be given independent effect):
(i) if (A) neither the Exchange Registration Statement nor the Initial
Shelf Registration has been filed on or prior to the Filing Date or (B)
notwithstanding that the Issuers have consummated or will consummate an
Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required to file a Shelf Registration and
such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior to the 45th day after
delivery of the Shelf Notice, then, in the case of subclause (A),
commencing on the day after the Filing Date or, in the case of subclause
(B), commencing on the 46th day following delivery of the Shelf Notice,
Additional Interest shall accrue on the Registrable Notes over and above
the stated interest at a rate of 0.25% per annum for the first 90 days
immediately following the Filing Date or such 45th day, as the case may be,
such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum
at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period;
(ii) if (A) neither the Exchange Registration Statement nor the
Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective on or prior to the
Effectiveness Date applicable thereto or (B) notwithstanding that the
Issuers have consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Issuers
are required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is
not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the applicable
Effectiveness Date, then, commencing on the day after such applicable
Effectiveness Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the Registrable
Notes over and above the stated interest at a rate of 0.25% per annum for
the first 90 days immediately following the day after the applicable
Effectiveness Date, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an
additional 0.25% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day
period; and
(iii) if (A) the Company has not exchanged Exchange Notes for all
Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer
on or prior to the 270th day after the Issue Date, (B) the Exchange
Registration Statement ceases to be effective prior to consummation of the
Exchange Offer or (C) if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared
effective and such Shelf Registra-
END
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tion ceases to be effective at any time during the Effectiveness Period,
then Additional Interest shall accrue on the Registrable Notes over and
above the stated interest at a rate of 0.25% per annum for the first 90
days commencing on the (x) 271st day after the Issue Date in the case of
(A) above or (y) the day such Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf
Registration ceases to be effective in the case of (B) and (C) above, such
Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum at the
beginning of each such subsequent 90-day period;
provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Registrable Notes
may not exceed in the aggregate 1.0% per annum; provided further that (1) upon
the filing of the Exchange Registration Statement or each Shelf Registration (in
the case of (i) above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Registration
Statement or each Shelf Registration, as the case may be (in the case of (ii)
above), or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Notes for all Registrable Notes
tendered (in the case of (iii)(A) above) or upon the effectiveness of an
Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration which had ceased to remain
effective (in the case of (iii)(B) and (C) above), Additional Interest on any
Registrable Notes then accruing Additional Interest as a result of such clause
(or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue.
(b) The Issuers shall notify the Trustee within one Business Day 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 semi-annually on each regular interest payment date specified in
the Indenture (to the Holders of Registrable Notes of record on the regular
record date therefor (as specified in the Indenture) immediately preceding such
dates), commencing with the first such regular interest payment 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 Notes subject thereto, 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 the denominator of which is 360.
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5. Registration Procedures
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant
to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, each Issuer shall effect such registrations to permit
the sale of such 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 each Issuer hereunder, each Issuer
shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the Commission prior to the Filing Date, the
Exchange Registration Statement or if the Exchange Registration Statement is not
filed or is unavailable, a Shelf Registration as prescribed by Section 2 or 3,
and use its best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become
effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided that, if (1) a Shelf
Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an
Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks
to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period and has advised the Company
that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer, before filing any Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Issuers
shall, if requested, furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes
to be registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, covered by such Registration Statement, 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 Business Days prior to such filing). The Issuers
shall not file any such 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 Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration or Exchange Registration
Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration
Statement
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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) under the
Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act applicable to it with 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
Issuers shall be deemed not to have used their best efforts to keep a
Registration Statement effective during the Applicable Period if they
voluntarily take any action that would result 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, rule or regulation or unless the Issuers comply with this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the provisions of paragraph 5(k) hereof and the
last paragraph of Section 5.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period from whom the Issuers have received written notice that it
will be a Participating Broker-Dealer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable
Notes, and each such Participating Broker-Dealer, their counsel and the managing
underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within two Business Days), 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 (including in such notice a written statement that any Holder may,
upon request, obtain, without charge, one conformed copy of such Registration
Statement or post-effective amendment including financial statements and
schedules, documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and
exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of a
END
-16-
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 the representations
and warranties of any Issuer contained in any agreement (including any
underwriting agreement contemplated by Section 5(n) hereof) cease to be true and
correct in any material respect, (iv) of the receipt by any 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 the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the Issuers' reasonable determination
that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be
appropriate.
(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 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
END
-17-
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 date.
(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and if
requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold in connection
with an underwritten offering, (i) as promptly as practicable incorporate in a
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information or revisions
to information therein relating to such underwriters or selling Holders as the
managing underwriters, if any, or such Holders or their counsel reasonably
request to be included or made therein, (ii) make all required filings of such
prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable
after the Issuers have 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, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 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 to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes and to
each such Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests and to counsel and each
managing underwriter, if any, without charge, 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 therein by
reference and all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer, 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, without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of preliminary prospectus)
END
-18-
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 Issuers hereby consent to the use of such
Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling
Holders of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer, 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 Registration Statement by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, use its best efforts to register or qualify, and cooperate
with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, the 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 or Exchange Notes, as
the case may be, 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, if any, reasonably
request in writing; provided that where Exchange Notes held by Participating
Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are offered pursuant to an underwritten
offering, counsel to the underwriters shall, at the cost and expense of the
Issuers, perform the Blue Sky investigations and file registrations and
qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h); 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 by Participating
Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration
Statement; provided that no Issuer shall 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
END
-19-
itself to taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any such jurisdiction
where it is not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, cooperate
with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes, any Participating Broker-Dealer
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 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 reasonably
request.
(j) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by the
Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such governmental
agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers
thereof or the underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such
Registrable Notes, in which case the Issuers 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, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 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 Commission, at the Issuers' sole expense, 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 the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
END
-20-
(l) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by a
Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so
requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any.
(m) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with printed
certificates for the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes, as the case may
be, in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company and (ii)
provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes, as the
case may be.
(n) In connection with an 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 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 the underwriters, with respect to the
business of the Issuers and their subsidiaries and the Registration Statement,
Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference therein, in each 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; (ii) obtain the opinion
of counsel to the Issuers and updates thereof in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters, addressed to the
underwriters covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in
underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes and such other
matters as may be reasonably requested by managing underwriters; (iii) obtain
"cold comfort" letters and updates thereof in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters from the independent
certified public accountants of the Issuers (and, if necessary, any other
independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of any Issuer or of
any business acquired by any Issuer for which financial statements and financial
data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement),
addressed to each
END
-21-
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; and
(iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain
indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable 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) with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section.
The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as
and to the extent required thereunder.
(o) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 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, and each Participating Broker-Dealer, 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,
each 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 properties of each Issuer and its subsidiaries (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 each Issuer and its subsidiaries to supply all information
reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration
Statement. Records which an Issuer determines, in good faith, to be confidential
and any Records which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be
disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration
Statement, (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or
other order from a court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) the information
END
-22-
in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than as a
result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by such Inspector or (iv)
disclosure of such information is, in the opinion of counsel for any Inspector,
necessary or advisable in connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding,
directly or indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and
arising out of, based upon, related to, or involving this Agreement, or any
transactions contemplated hereby or arising hereunder. Each selling Holder of
such Registrable Notes and each 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 any Issuer unless and until such is made
generally available to the public. Each Inspector, each selling Holder of such
Registrable Notes and each 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 pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iv) of
the previous sentence or otherwise, give notice to the Issuers and allow the
Issuers to undertake appropriate action to obtain a protective order or
otherwise prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential at its expense.
(p) 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), as the case may be, to be qualified
under the TIA not later than the effective date of the Exchange Offer or 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 Commission to enable such
indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.
(q) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
and make generally available to its securityholders earnings statements
satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158
thereunder
END
-23-
(or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days
after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 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
Company after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements
shall cover said 12-month periods.
(r) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange,
obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers, 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 the Private Exchange
Notes, as the case may be, the Guarantees and the related indenture constitute
legally valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against the
Issuers in accordance with their respective terms.
(s) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated,
upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the Issuers (or to such
other Person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange Notes or
the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Issuers shall ▇▇▇▇, or
caused 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.
(t) 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 NASD.
(u) Use its best efforts to take all other steps reasonably necessary
to effect the registration of the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration
Statement contemplated hereby.
The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which
any registration is being effected to furnish
END
-24-
to the Issuers such information regarding such seller and the distribution of
such Registrable Notes as the Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably
request. The Issuers may exclude from such registration the Registrable Notes of
any seller who fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after
receiving such request. Each seller as to which any Shelf Registration Statement
is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Issuers all information
required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished
to the Issuers by such seller not materially misleading.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer
agrees by 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 Issuers 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), 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, and, in each case,
dissemination of such Prospectus until such Holder's or Participating
Broker-Dealer's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 5(k), or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice")
by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has
received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto. In the event the
Issuers 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) or (y) the Advice.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if at any
time or from time to time after the effective date of a Shelf Registration filed
pursuant to Section 2, the Company notifies in writing each Holder of
Registrable Notes to be sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration of the existence
of a Potential Material Event, the Holders shall not offer to sell any
Registrable Notes pursuant to the prospectus contained in such Shelf
Registration from the time of the giv-
END
-25-
ing of notice with respect to a Potential Material Event until the Holders
receive written notice from the Company that such Potential Material Event
either has been disclosed to the public or no longer constitutes a Potential
Material Event; provided, however, that (i) in no event shall the effectiveness
of such Shelf Registration be suspended for a period of more than 60 consecutive
days (a "Suspended Period"), (ii) the Company may not declare Suspension Periods
more than two (2) times in any calendar year and (iii) in each such case the
Effectiveness Period of the Shelf Registration provided for in Section 2 shall
be extended by the number of days of the applicable Suspension Period pursuant
to the foregoing and Additional Interest shall not apply during the Suspension
Period to the extent that such Additional Interest is due solely as a result of
the imposition of the Suspension Period.
6. Registration Expenses
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuers shall be borne by the Issuers whether or not
the Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective,
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, reasonable 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,
or by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Notes included in any Registration Statement or by any Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, (iii) reasonable messenger, telephone and
delivery expenses incurred in connection with the
END
-26-
Exchange Registration Statement and any Shelf Registration, (iv) fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and fees and disbursements of special
counsel for the Initial Purchasers and the sellers of Registrable Notes, (v)
fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred
to in Section 5(n)(iii) (including, without limitation, the expenses of any
special audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such
performance), (vi) rating agency fees, (vii) Securities Act liability insurance,
if any Issuer desires such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of all other
Persons retained by the Issuers, (ix) internal expenses of the Issuers
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and
employees of the Issuers performing legal or accounting duties), (x) the expense
of any annual or special audit, (xi) the fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities
exchange, (xii) the fees and disbursements of underwriters, if any, customarily
paid by issuers or sellers of securities (but not including any underwriting
discounts or commissions or transfer taxes, if any, attributable to the sale of
the Registrable Notes which discounts, commissions or taxes shall be paid by
Holders of such Registrable Notes) and (xiii) the expenses relating to printing,
word processing and distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting
agreements, securities sales agreements, indentures and any other documents
necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.
7. Indemnification
(a) Each of the Issuers jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer, 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
and liabilities (including, without limitation, the reasonable legal fees and
other reasonable 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 Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Issuers
shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or caused by,
arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged
END
-27-
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, except 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 Issuers in writing
by or on behalf of such Participant expressly for use therein; provided,
however, that the Issuers shall not be liable if such untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission was contained or made in any
preliminary prospectus and corrected in the Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto and the Prospectus does not contain any other untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission of a material fact
that was the subject matter of the related proceeding and any such loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense suffered or incurred by the Participants
resulted from any action, claim or suit by any Person who purchased Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes which are the subject thereof from such Participant and
it is established in the related proceeding that such Participant failed to
deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) to such
Person with or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Registrable Notes
or Exchange Notes sold to such Person if required by applicable law, unless such
failure to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by the Issuers with Section 5 of
this Agreement.
(b) Each Participant will be required to agree, severally and not
jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless each Issuer, its directors and officers
and each Person who controls each Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity from the Issuers to each Participant, but only with
reference to information relating to such Participant furnished to the Issuers
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.
END
-28-
(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 Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "Indemnifying
Person") in writing, and the Indemnifying Person, 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 Person may reasonably designate in such proceeding and shall pay
the reasonable fees and expenses actually incurred by such counsel related to
such proceeding; provided, however, that the failure to so notify the
Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it of any obligation or liability which it
may have under Section 7 (a) or 7 (b) above except to the extent that the
Indemnifying Person is unaware of the commencement of such action and such
omission results in the forfeiture by the Indemnifying Person of substantial
rights and defenses. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have
the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying
Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed in writing to the
contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable 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 the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and the Indemnified
Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be one or more legal
defenses available to it and/or other Indemnified Persons that are different
from or in addition to those available to any such Indemnifying Person. It is
understood that, unless there is a conflict among Indemnified Persons, the
Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related
proceedings in the same jurisdiction, 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 as
they are incurred. Any such separate firm for the Participants and control
Persons of Participants shall be designated in writing by Participants who sold
a majority in interest of Registrable Notes sold by all such Participants and
any such separate firm for the Issuers, their respective directors, officers and
such control Persons of the Issuers
END
-29-
shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not
be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent, but if settled with such consent or if there is a final non-appealable
judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify any
Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time
an Indemnified Person shall have requested an Indemnifying Person to reimburse
the Indemnified Person for reasonable fees and expenses actually incurred by
counsel as contemplated by the third sentence of this paragraph, the
Indemnifying Person agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its consent if (i) such settlement is entered into
more than 30 days after receipt by such Indemnifying Person of the aforesaid
request and (ii) such Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the
Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
settlement; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Person shall not be liable
for any settlement effected without its consent pursuant to this sentence if the
Indemnifying Person is contesting, in good faith, the request for reimbursement.
No Indemnifying Person shall, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a
party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person,
unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified
Person, in form and substance 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 an Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in the first and second
paragraphs of this Section 7 is 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
the
END
-30-
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 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 Issuers on the one hand
or by the Participants or such other Indemnified Person, as the case may be, on
the other, the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission and any other
equitable considerations appropriate under 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 and liabilities 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 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) 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.
END
-31-
8. Rules 144 and 144A
Each of the Issuers covenants 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 Commission thereunder in a timely manner and, if
at any time it is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request
of any Holder of Registrable Notes, make publicly available other information so
long as necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the
Securities Act. Each of the Issuers further covenants, for so long as any
Registrable Notes remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or
beneficial owner of Registrable Notes in connection with any sale thereof and
any prospective purchaser of such Registrable Notes from such Holder or
beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Registrable Notes pursuant to
Rule 144A.
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 reasonably acceptable to the Issuers.
No Holder of Registrable Notes 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) Remedies. In the event of a breach by any Issuer of any of its
obligations under this Agreement, each Holder of Registrable Notes and each
Participating Broker-Dealer holding Exchange Notes, in addition to being
entitled to exercise all rights provided herein, in the Indenture or, in the
case of an Initial Purchaser, in the Purchase Agreement, or granted by law,
including recovery of damages, will be entitled
END
-32-
to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. Each Issuer agrees
that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred
by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and
hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance
in respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would
be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. None of the Issuers has entered, as of
the date hereof, and none of the Issuers shall enter, after the date of this
Agreement, into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is
inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. None of the Issuers
has entered and none of the issuers shall enter into any agreement with respect
to any of its securities which will grant to any Person piggy-back rights with
respect to a Registration Statement.
(c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes. None of the Issuers
shall, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable
Notes as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of
Registrable Notes to include such Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken
pursuant to this Agreement.
(d) 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 (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 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(d) 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). 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 of
END
-33-
Registrable Notes whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer or sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or
indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of other Holders of
Registrable Notes may be given by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Registrable Notes being tendered or being sold by such
Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or telecopier:
1. if to a Holder of Registrable Notes 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, with a copy in like manner to the Initial
Purchasers as follows:
CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ BROTHERS INC.
c/o CIBC World Markets Corp.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Leveraged Finance Group
with a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
2. if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address specified in Section
10(e)(1);
END
-34-
3. if to the Issuers, as follows:
THE ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ GROUP LTD.
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with copies to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇
AON Center
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
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 guaranteeing overnight
delivery; and when receipt is acknowledged by the addressee, if telecopied.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee under the
Indenture at the address specified in such Indenture.
(f) 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
and the Holders; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the
benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to
the extent such successor or assign holds Registrable Notes.
(g) 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.
END
-35-
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) 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 WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(j) 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.
(k) Notes Held by any 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 any 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.
(l) Third Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registrable Notes and
Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third party beneficiaries of this
Agreement and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
(m) 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
END
-36-
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 among the Initial Purchasers on the one hand and the
Issuers on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives, parents,
subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in interest
with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are merged herein and
replaced hereby.
(n) Joint and Several Obligations. All of the obligations of the
Issuers hereunder shall be joint and several obligations of each of them.
END
-37-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
COMPANY:
THE ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ GROUP, LTD.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President,
Treasurer and
Assistant ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇
-▇▇-
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LANDSCAPE, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SUB, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President,
Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary
END
-39-
CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Managing Director
▇▇▇▇▇▇ BROTHERS INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Managing Director