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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 18, 1998
by and among
AMERICAN BUSINESS INFORMATION, INC.
and
BT ALEX. ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, SACHS & CO.
and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLC
as Initial Purchasers
--------------------------
US$115,000,000
9 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Definitions...................................................................................... 1
2. Exchange Offer................................................................................... 4
3. Shelf Registration............................................................................... 6
4. Additional Interest.............................................................................. 7
5. Registration Procedures.......................................................................... 9
6. Registration Expenses............................................................................ 15
7. Indemnification.................................................................................. 15
8. Rules 144 and 144A............................................................................... 18
9. Underwritten Registrations....................................................................... 18
10. Miscellaneous.................................................................................... 18
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3
Page
(a) Remedies..................................................................................... 18
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements................................................................... 18
(c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes...................................................... 19
(d) Amendments and Waivers....................................................................... 19
(e) Notices ..................................................................................... 19
(f) Successors and Assigns....................................................................... 20
(g) Counterparts................................................................................. 20
(h) Headings..................................................................................... 20
(i) Governing Law................................................................................ 20
(j) Severability................................................................................. 20
(k) Notes Held by an Issuer or its Affiliates.................................................... 21
(l) Third Party Beneficiaries.................................................................... 21
(m) Entire Agreement............................................................................. 21
(n) Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities.......................... 21
(o) Judgment Currency............................................................................ 21
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of June 18, 1998, by and among American Business Information,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and BT Alex. ▇▇▇▇▇ Incorporated,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Sachs & Co. and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLC (the "Initial Purchasers").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of June 12, 1998, by and among the Company and the Initial
Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement") relating to the sale by the Company to the
Initial Purchasers of US$115,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's
9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Notes"). In order to induce the
Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuer (as defined)
has 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.
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: The 150th day after the Issue Date.
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.
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Exchange Notes: See Section 2(a).
Exchange Offer: See Section 2(a).
Exchange Registration Statement: See Section 2(a).
Filing Date: The 60th day after the Issue Date, or if the 60th day
is not a business day the first business day thereafter (regardless of whether
the actual filing precedes such date).
Holder: Any registered holder of Registrable Notes.
Indemnified Person: See Section 7(c).
Indemnifying Person: See Section 7(c).
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of June , 1998, by and between
the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company of California, 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 Purchasers: 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 original Notes were sold to the
Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
Issuer: The Company.
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).
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
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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 (if any) 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, or is saleable pursuant
to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (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 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).
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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).
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 agrees to file with the Commission no later than
the Filing Date, a Registration Statement with respect to 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 Issuer 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
(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. Interest on the Exchange
Notes will accrue from (A) the later of (i) the last interest payment date on
which interest was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or (ii) if
the Notes are surrendered for exchange on a date in a period which includes the
record date for an interest payment date to occur on or after the date of such
exchange and as to which interest will be paid, the date of such interest
payment date or (B) if no interest has been paid on the Notes from the Issue
Date. 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. The
Issuer 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 20 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 45th 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 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 the
Issuer within the meaning of Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act, or
if it is an affiliate, that it will comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable, 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 (if any) and Exchange Notes
held by Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Issuer shall have no further
obligation to register Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes (if
any) and other than in
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respect of any Exchange Notes as to which clause 2(c)(iv) hereof applies)
pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.
(b) The Issuer 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 promulgated 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 reasonable 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.
The Issuer 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 subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act for such period of time as such Persons must comply with such requirements
in connection with offers and sales of the Exchange Notes, provided that such
period shall not exceed 180 days (or such longer period if extended pursuant to
the last paragraph of Section 5) (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 Issuer, if permitted under the Securities Act and
upon the request of any 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). If possible, 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 (A) the later of (i) the last interest payment date on which
interest was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or (ii) if the
Notes are surrendered for exchange on a date in a period which includes the
record date for an interest payment date to occur on or after the date of such
exchange and as to which interest will be paid, the date of such interest
payment date or (B), if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from the Issue
Date.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuer 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; and
(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;
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and
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer or the
Private Exchange (if any), as the case may be, the Issuer 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 195 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 clauses (i)-(iv), then 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.
3. Shelf Registration
If a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by Section 2(c),
then:
(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuer shall promptly 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 Issuer shall not have yet filed the Exchange
Registration Statement, the Issuer 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, the Issuer
shall file with the Commission the Initial Shelf Registration within 30 days of
the delivery of the Shelf Notice and the Issuer shall use its best efforts to
cause
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such Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act as
soon as practicable, and in no event later than 90 days after the filing of the
Initial Shelf Registration. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-3
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 any
Shelf Registration. The Issuer 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.
(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
best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 45 days of such cessation
of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration in a manner expected 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, the Issuer 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. 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 Shelf Registration or by any underwriter of
such Registrable Notes, in each case, with the Issuer's consent, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
4. Additional Interest
(a) The Issuer and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders
of Registrable Notes 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
Registrable 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 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 an Exchange Offer, the Issuer is required to file a Shelf
Registration and such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior to the
30th 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),
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commencing on the 31st 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 30th 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
Issuer has consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Issuer is
required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not
declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the 90th day following
the date such Shelf Registration was required to be filed, then, in the
case of subclause (A), commencing on the day after such Effectiveness Date
or, in the case of subclause (B), commencing on the 91st day following the
date such Shelf Registration was required to be filed, 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 Effectiveness Date or such 91st 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; 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 45 days after the date on which the Exchange
Registration Statement was declared effective, (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 Registration 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) 46th
day after such effective 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 Issuer shall notify the Trustee within two 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 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 (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
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(determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months),
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 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 the Issuer hereunder, the 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 the Issuer shall use its best efforts to cause each such Registration
Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided,
however, 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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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, unless the Issuer is advised by its counsel that such filing
is required by law.
(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 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 Issuer
shall be deemed not to have used its best efforts to keep a Registration
Statement effective during the Applicable Period if it voluntarily takes 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 Issuer complies 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
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whom the Company has 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 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 the 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 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 the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus 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 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 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 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, or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities
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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) 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 Company hereby consents 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, however, 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 Issuer, 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, 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 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
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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 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, 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 (but in no event later
than the 30th day after the occurrence of any such event) prepare and file with
the Commission, at the Issuer's 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 light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(l) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by
a Registration Statement to have any existing rating confirmed by 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 in a form eligible for deposit
with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the
Registrable Notes.
(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 Issuer and its 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 Issuer 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 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 Issuer (and, if necessary, any other
independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary 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 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; 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
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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 the 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 the Issuer and its subsidiaries to supply all information
reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration
Statement. Records which the 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 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 the Issuer or for any
other purpose not related to this Agreement 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 Issuer and allow the
Issuer 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
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Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (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 Issuer, in a form customary for underwritten
transactions, addressed to the Company and a separate letter from such counsel
addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Notes
participating in the Exchange Offer of Private Exchange Offer, as the case may
be, stating that the Trustee may rely on such opinion to the Company, that the
Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and the
related indenture constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the
Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their respective terms
(with customary exceptions).
(s) 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 Company) in exchange for the Exchange
Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Issuer shall ▇▇▇▇,
or caused to be marked, on such Registrable Notes that such Registrable Notes
are being canceled 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 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 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 Issuer all information required to be disclosed in order to make
the information previously furnished to the Issuer 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 Holder or 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), such
Holder, or Participating Broker-Dealer 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 Issuer shall give any such notice, the
Applicable Period shall be extended by the number of days during such periods
from and including the date of the giving of
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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.
6. Registration Expenses
(a) 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 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 in the United States (x) where
the Holders of Registrable Notes are located, in the case of the Exchange Notes,
or (y) as provided in Section 5(h), 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 reasonably requested by the managing underwriter
or underwriters, if any, or, in respect of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes
to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, by
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes
included in any Registration Statement or of such Exchange Notes, as the case
may be), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Issuer and fees and disbursements of special
counsel for the sellers of Registrable Notes (subject to the provisions of
Section 6(b), (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 the Issuer desires such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of the
Trustee, (ix) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Issuer, (x)
internal expenses of the Issuer (including, without limitation, all salaries and
expenses of officers and employees of the Issuer performing legal or accounting
duties), (xi) the expense of any annual audit, (xii) the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with any listing of the securities to be registered on
any securities exchange, (xiii) 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 or such Registrable Notes) and (xiv) 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.
(b) In connection with any Shelf Registration hereunder, the
Issuer shall reimburse the Holders of the Registrable Notes being registered in
such registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one
counsel (in addition to appropriate local counsel) chosen by the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes to be included
in such Registration Statement and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of
the Holders of Registrable Notes incurred in connection with the registration of
the Registrable Notes. The Issuer shall not have any obligation to pay any
underwriting fees, discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of
Registrable Securities.
7. Indemnification
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(a) The Issuer 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 Issuer shall have
furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) 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 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 Issuer in writing by or on behalf of such Participant expressly
for use therein; provided, however, that the Issuer 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, unless such
failure to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by the Issuer with Section 5 of this
Agreement.
(b) Each Participant will be required to agree, severally and not
jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer, its directors and officers
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 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 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 hereunder or otherwise, unless and to the extent that such failure
results in the forfeiture by the Indemnifying Person of substantial rights or
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
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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 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 is a conflict among Indemnified Persons, the
Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related
proceeding 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 such 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 Issuer, its directors, officers and such control
Persons of the Issuer 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. 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
(i) the relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Person or Persons or
parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other from the sale 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 shall be deemed to be
in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the offering of the Notes,
discounts and commissions received by such Participant. 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 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
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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.
8. Rules 144 and 144A
The Issuer 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. The Issuer 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 Issuer.
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 the 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 to specific performance of its
rights under this Agreement. The 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.
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(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuer has not entered, as of
the date hereof, and the Issuer shall not 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. The Issuer has not
entered and the Issuer shall not 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 covering the Notes, the Exchange Notes or the Private
Exchange Notes (if any).
(c) 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 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 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:
BT ALEX. ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, SACHS & CO.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLC
c/o BT Alex. ▇▇▇▇▇ Incorporated
One Bankers Trust Plaza
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Finance Department
with a copy to:
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▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
2. if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address specified in
Section 10(e)(1);
3. if to the Company, as follows:
AMERICAN BUSINESS INFORMATION, INC.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
with copies to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
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.
(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
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TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
(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 an 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.
(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 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 Issuer 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) Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities. By the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Issuer submits to the jurisdiction
of any federal or state court in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan,
State of New York , in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement which may be instituted in any such court or brought under federal or
state securities laws.
To the extent that the Issuer has or hereafter may acquire any
immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether
through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of
execution, execution or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property and
assets or this Agreement or any of the Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange
Notes or actions to enforce judgments in respect of any thereof, it hereby
irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under the
above-referenced documents, to the extent permitted by law.
(o) Judgment Currency. The Issuer shall indemnify each Initial
Purchaser, each Participating Broker-Dealer, each underwriter who participates
in an offering of Registrable Notes, their respective affiliates, each Person,
if any, who controls any of such parties within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each of their respective
officers, directors, employees and agents and each Holder against any loss
incurred by such party as a result of any judgment or order being given or made
for any amount due under this Agreement and such judgment or order being
expressed and paid in a currency (the "Judgment Currency") other than United
States dollars and as a result of any variation as
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between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is
converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order
and (ii) the spot rate of exchange in The City of New York at which such party
on the date of payment of such judgment or order is able to purchase United
States dollars with the amount of the Judgment Currency actually received by
such party. The foregoing indemnity shall continue in full force and effect
notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term "spot rate of
exchange" shall include any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection
with the purchase of, or conversion into, United States dollars.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
AMERICAN BUSINESS INFORMATION, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
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The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and
accepted as of the date first above written.
BT ALEX. ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED,
By:_______________________________
Name:
Title:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, SACHS & CO.,
By:_______________________________
Name:
Title:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLC,
By:_______________________________
Name:
Title: