and OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT Dated as of _________, 2006
COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE DE GÉOPHYSIQUE
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
As Depositary
and
OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of _________, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1
American Depositary Shares.
Section 1.2
Commission.
Section 1.3
Company.
Section 1.4
Custodian.
Section 1.5
Deliver, Surrender
Section 1.6
Section 1.7
Depositary; Corporate Trust Office.
Section 1.8
Deposited Securities.
Section 1.9
Dollars; FF; Francs.
Section 1.10
DTC.
Section 1.11
Foreign Currency.
Section 1.12
Holder.
Section 1.13
Owner.
Section 1.14
Pre-Release.
Section 1.15
Receipts.
Section 1.16
Registrar.
Section 1.17
Regulation S.
Section 1.18
Restricted Securities.
Section 1.19
Securities Act of 1933.
Section 1.20
Shares.
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ARTICLE 2
FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
Section 2.1
Form Receipts; Registration and Transferability of American Depositary Shares.
Section 2.2
Deposit of Shares.
Section 2.3
Delivery of American Depositary Shares.
Section 2.4
Registration of Transfer of American Depositary Shares; Combination and Split-up of Receipts; Interchange of Certificated and Uncertificated American Depositary Shares.
Section 2.5
Surrender of American Depositary Shares and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
Section 2.6
Limitations on Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of American Depositary Shares.
Section 2.7
Lost Receipts, etc.
Section 2.8
Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
Section 2.9
Pre-Release of American Depositary Shares.
Section 2.10
DTC Direct Registration System and Profile Modification System.
Section 2.11
Maintenance of Records.
ARTICLE 3
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
Section 3.1
Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.
Section 3.2
Liability of Owner for Taxes.
Section 3.3
Warranties on Deposit of Shares.
Section 3.4
Disclosure of Interests.
Section 3.5
Information Requests.
ARTICLE 4
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
Section 4.1
Cash Distributions.
Section 4.2
Distributions Other Than Cash or Shares.
Section 4.3
Distributions in Shares.
Section 4.4
Rights.
Section 4.5
Conversion of Foreign Currency.
Section 4.6
Fixing of Record Date.
Section 4.7
Voting of Shares.
Section 4.8
Changes Affecting Deposited Securities.
Section 4.9
Documents Available at the Depositary’s Office.
Section 4.10
Lists of Owners.
Section 4.11
Withholding.
ARTICLE 5
THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY
Section 5.1
Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Depositary.
Section 5.2
Prevention or Delay in Performance by the Depositary or the Company.
Section 5.3
Obligations of the Depositary, the Custodian and the Company.
Section 5.4
Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary.
Section 5.5
The Custodian.
Section 5.6
Reports, Notices and Other Communications.
Section 5.7
Distributions.
Section 5.8
Indemnification.
Section 5.9
Charges of Depositary.
Section 5.10
Retention of Depositary Documents.
Section 5.11
List of Restricted Securities Owners.
Section 5.12
Exclusivity.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Section 6.1
Amendment.
Section 6.2
Termination.
ARTICLE 7
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1
Counterparts.
Section 7.2
No Third Party Beneficiaries.
Section 7.3
Severability.
Section 7.4
Binding Effect on Owners and Holders.
Section 7.5
Notices.
Section 7.6
Governing Law.
Section 7.7
Headings.
TESTIMONIUM
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT A
Form of Receipt
AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of __________, 2006, among Compagnie Générale de Géophysique, a société anonyme organized under the laws of The Republic of France (herein called the “Company”), The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation (herein called the “Depositary”), and all Owners (as hereinafter defined) and Holders (as hereinafter defined) from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued hereunder.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Company and the Depositary entered into a deposit agreement dated as of May 6, 1997 (the “Original Deposit Agreement”) for the purposes stated in that agreement;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Depositary now wish to amend the Original Deposit Agreement to, among other things, modify the provisions relating to voting of Deposited Securities (as hereinafter defined); and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide, as hereinafter set forth in this Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of Shares (as hereinafter defined) of the Company from time to time with the Depositary or with the Custodian (as hereinafter defined) as agent of the Depositary for the purposes set forth in this Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American Depositary Shares (as hereinafter defined) representing the Shares (as hereinafter defined) so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares; and
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto that the Original Deposit Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement:
Section 1.1
American Depositary Shares.
The term “American Depositary Shares” shall mean the securities representing the interests in the Deposited Securities. American Depositary Shares may be certificated securities evidenced by Receipts or uncertificated securities. The form of Receipt annexed as Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement shall be the prospectus required under the Securities Act of 1933 for sales of both certificated and uncertificated American Depositary Shares. Except for those provisions of this Deposit Agreement that refer specifically to Receipts, all the provisions of this Deposit Agreement shall apply to both certificated and uncertificated American Depositary Shares. Each American Depositary Share shall represent one-fifth of one Share, until there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.03 or a change in Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.08 or otherwise with respect to which additional American Depositary Shares are not delivered, and thereafter American Depositary Shares shall represent the amount of Shares or Deposited Securities specified in such Sections.
Section 1.2
Commission.
The term “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
Section 1.3
Company.
The term “Company” shall mean Compagnie Générale de Géophysique, a société anonyme organized under the laws of The Republic of France, and its successors.
Section 1.4
Custodian.
The term “Custodian” shall mean the principal Paris office of any of Crédit Agricole Indosuez, BNP Paribas, Banque Worms, Société Générale or Crédit Lyonnais, each as agent of the Depositary for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation which is a member of Euroclear France which may hereafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.5, as substitute or additional custodian or custodians hereunder, as the context shall require and shall also mean all of them collectively.
Section 1.5
Deliver, Surrender
(a)
The term “deliver”, or its noun form, when used with respect to Shares or other Deposited Securities, shall mean effecting one or more entries in an account or accounts maintained by an institution authorized under applicable law to effect transfers of such securities in the name of the person entitled to that delivery.
(b)
The term “deliver”, or its noun form, when used with respect to American Depositary Shares, shall mean (i) one or more book-entry transfers of American Depositary Shares to an account or accounts at DTC designated by the person entitled to such delivery, (ii) if requested by the person entitled to such delivery, delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary to the person entitled to such delivery of one or more Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares registered in the name requested by that person or (iii) registration of American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt on the books of the Depositary in the name requested by the person entitled to such delivery and whereupon mailing will be made to that person of a statement confirming that registration.
(c)
The term “surrender”, when used with respect to American Depositary Shares, shall mean (i) one or more book-entry transfers of American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of the Depositary, (ii) surrender to the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office of one or more Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares or (iii) delivery to the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office of a proper instruction surrendering American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt.
Section 1.6
Deposit Agreement.
The term “Deposit Agreement” shall mean this Amended and Restated Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 1.7
Depositary; Corporate Trust Office.
The term “Depositary” shall mean The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, and any successor as depositary hereunder. The term “Corporate Trust Office”, when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the office of the Depositary which at the date of this Deposit Agreement is ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
Section 1.8
Deposited Securities.
The term “Deposited Securities” as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect thereof and at such time held hereunder, subject as to cash to the provisions of Section 4.05.
Section 1.9
Dollars; Euro.
The term “Dollars” shall mean United States dollars. The term “Euro” shall mean the lawful currency of the European Monetary Union.
Section 1.10
DTC.
The term “DTC” shall mean The Depository Trust Company or its successor.
Section 1.11
Foreign Currency.
The term “Foreign Currency” shall mean currency other than Dollars.
Section 1.12
Holder.
The term “Holder” shall mean any person holding a Receipt or a security entitlement or other interest in American Depositary Shares, whether for its own account or for the account of another person, but that is not the Owner of that Receipt or those American Depositary Shares.
Section 1.13
Owner.
The term “Owner” shall mean the person in whose name American Depositary Shares are registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose.
Section 1.14
Pre-Release.
The term “Pre-Release” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9.
Section 1.15
Receipts.
The term “Receipts” shall mean the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder evidencing certificated American Depositary Shares, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 1.16
Registrar.
The term “Registrar” shall mean any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed to register American Depositary Shares and transfers of American Depositary Shares as herein provided. The Depositary shall be the initial Registrar.
Section 1.17
Regulation S.
The term “Regulation S” shall mean Rules 901 through 904, inclusive, under the Securities Act of 1933, as such Rules may from time to time be amended.
Section 1.18
Restricted Securities.
The term “Restricted Securities” shall mean Shares, or American Depositary Shares representing such Shares, which are acquired directly or indirectly from the Company or its affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933), or which are held by an officer, director (or persons performing similar functions) or other affiliate of the Company, or which would require registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the public offer and sale thereof in the United States, or which are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States or The Republic of France, the statuts of the Company or under any agreement.
Section 1.19
Securities Act of 1933.
The term “Securities Act of 1933” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
Section 1.20
Shares.
The term “Shares” shall mean ordinary shares of the Company, heretofore validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable or hereafter validly issued, subscribed and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable. References to Shares shall include evidence of rights to receive Shares, whether or not stated in the particular instance. Shares shall be either (i) in bearer form (titres au porteur - i.e., shares registered in a share account maintained by an accredited financial intermediary on behalf of such holder, including the Custodian) or (ii) in registered form (titres nominatifs - i.e., shares registered in the Company’s share register maintained by the Company or its appointed agent as correspondant - teneur de comptes on behalf of the Company) and, in each case, shall include evidence of rights to receive Shares; provided, however, that, if there shall occur any change in nominal value, a split-up or consolidation or any other reclassification or, upon the occurrence of an event described in Section 4.8, an exchange or conversion in respect of the Shares of the Company, the term “Shares” shall thereafter also mean the successor securities resulting from such change in nominal value, split-up or consolidation or such other reclassification or such exchange or conversion.
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The term “United States” shall, except as otherwise provided in this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts, mean the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any State of the United States, and the District of Columbia.
ARTICLE 2
FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
Section 2.1
Form of Receipts; Registration and Transferability of American Depositary Shares.
Definitive Receipts shall be engraved, printed or lithographed and shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless such Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary; provided, however, that such signature may be a facsimile if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed and such Receipts are countersigned by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar. The Depositary shall maintain books on which (x) each Receipt so executed and delivered as hereinafter provided and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered and (y) all American Depositary Shares delivered as hereinafter provided and all registrations of transfer of American Depositary Shares shall be registered. Receipts bearing the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such signatory has ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipts by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.
The Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement or with any provision of the Company’s statuts or French law as may be reasonably required by the Depositary or required to comply with any applicable law or regulations thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which American Depositary Shares may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise.
American Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt, when properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable as certificated registered securities under the laws of New York. American Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts shall be transferable as uncertificated registered securities in accordance with the laws of the State of New York; provided, however, that the Depositary and the Company, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner of American Depositary Shares as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to any distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any holder of American Depositary Shares unless such holder is the Owner thereof.
Section 2.2
Deposit of Shares.
(a)
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares to the extent permitted by Section 2.9, may be deposited by inscription in the name of the Depositary in a share account maintained by the Company or its agent in the case of Shares in registered form or in an account maintained by the Custodian in the case of Shares in bearer form, pursuant to appropriate instruments or instructions for transfer in a form satisfactory to the Company or its agent or the Custodian, as the case may be, together with all such certifications as may be required by the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, and, if the Depositary requires, together with a written order directing the Depositary to deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order, the number of American Depositary Shares representing the number of Shares so deposited. No Shares shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any necessary approval has been granted by the governmental body in The Republic of France which is then regulating currency exchange.
If required by the Depositary, Shares presented for deposit at any time, whether or not the transfer books of the Company or its agent for the registration and transfer of Shares, if any, are closed, shall also be accompanied by an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, that will provide for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property which any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of such deposited Shares, or in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary.
At the request and risk and expense of any person proposing to deposit Shares, and for the account of such person, the Depositary may receive documents with respect to the Shares to be deposited, together with the other instruments herein specified, for the purpose of forwarding such documents to the Custodian for deposit hereunder.
Upon each delivery to a Custodian of documents with respect to the Shares to be deposited hereunder, together with the other documents above specified, such Custodian shall, as soon as practicable, present such evidence of ownership to the Company or its agent for the registration and transfer of Shares, if any, for transfer and recordation of the Shares being deposited in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee at the cost and expense of the person making such deposit (or for whose benefit such deposit is made) and shall obtain evidence satisfactory to it of such registration. The Company or its agent for registration and transfer of Shares in the case of Shares in registered form, or the Custodian in the case of Shares in bearer form, will, upon request by the Depositary, issue or cause to be issued written confirmations as to holdings of Shares, it being agreed and understood that such confirmations do not constitute documents of title.
As long as the Depositary holds any Shares pursuant to this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall ensure that at least one Share is owned in the name of the Depositary and one Share is owned in the name of the Custodian, each in registered form.
(b)
Copies of the instruments with respect to Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine.
Section 2.3
Delivery of American Depositary Shares.
Upon receipt by any Custodian of any deposit pursuant to Section 2.2, together with the other documents required as specified herein, such Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order American Depositary Shares are deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be evidenced thereby. Such notification shall be made by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receiving such notice from such Custodian, or upon the receipt of Shares by the Depositary, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall execute and deliver, to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto, the number of American Depositary Shares requested by such person or persons issuable in respect of that deposit, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees of the Depositary for delivery of such American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9, and of all taxes and governmental charges and fees, if any, payable in connection with such deposit and the transfer of the Deposited Securities.
Section 2.4
Registration of Transfer of American Depositary Shares; Combination and Split-up of Receipts; Interchange of Certificated and Uncertificated American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall register transfers of American Depositary Shares on its transfer books from time to time, upon (i) in the case of certificated American Depositary Shares, surrender of American Depositary Shares, by the Owner in person or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer or (ii) in the case of uncertificated American Depositary Shares, receipt from the Owner of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.10) and, in either case, compliance with any applicable restrictions on transfer of those American Depositary Shares, and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Thereupon, the Depositary shall deliver those American Depositary Shares to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall, upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as were evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
The Depositary, upon surrender of a Receipt for the purpose of exchanging for uncertificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel that Receipt and send the Owner a statement confirming that the Owner is the owner of the same number of uncertificated American Depositary Shares that the surrendered Receipt evidenced. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.10) from the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for certificated American Depositary Shares, shall execute and deliver to the Owner a Receipt evidencing the same number of certificated American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents, approved in writing by the Company, for the purpose of effecting transfers of American Depositary Shares and combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Owners or persons entitled to American Depositary Shares and will be entitled to protection and indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary.
Section 2.5
Surrender of American Depositary Shares and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
Upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, and upon payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9 and payment of all taxes and governmental charges, if any, payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Company’s statuts and the Deposited Securities, the Owner of those American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to the transfer of the Deposited Securities to an account in the name of such Owner or such name as shall be designated by such Owner maintained by the Company or its agent for registration and transfer of Shares in the case of Shares in registered form, or maintained by an accredited financial institution in the case of Shares in bearer form, of the amount of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares. Such delivery shall be made, as hereinafter provided, without unreasonable delay.
A Receipt surrendered for such purposes may be required by the Depositary to be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary requires, the Owner thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be transferred to an account in the name of such Owner or such name as shall be designated by such Owner maintained by the Company or its agent in the case of Shares in registered form, or maintained by an accredited financial institution in the case of Shares in bearer form. Thereupon, the Depositary shall, in its discretion, effect the transfer of, or direct the Custodian, subject to Sections 2.6, 3.1 and 3.2, and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and the Company’s statuts, to effect such transfer of, the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares, except that the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares, or of any proceeds of sale of any such dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.
In the event any delivery of Deposited Securities under this Section 2.5 would otherwise require delivery of fractional Deposited Securities, the Depositary may sell the amount of Deposited Securities corresponding to the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1.
At the request, risk and expense of any Owner so surrendering American Depositary Shares, and for the account of such Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property (other than rights) comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates and other proper documents of title, if any, for, or otherwise deliver the Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Owner, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission.
Section 2.6
Limitations on Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of American Depositary Shares.
As a condition precedent to the delivery, registration of transfer, or surrender of any American Depositary Shares or split-up or combination of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon, or the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Company, Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of Shares or the presenter of the Receipt or instruction for registration of transfer or surrender of American Depositary Shares of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer, registration or conversion fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as herein provided, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with such regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, this Section 2.6.
The delivery of American Depositary Shares against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the transfer of American Depositary Shares in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding American Depositary Shares generally may be suspended during any period when the transfer books of the Company, the Depositary or any Registrar are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, subject to the provisions of the following sentence. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Deposit Agreement, the surrender of outstanding American Depositary Shares and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may not be suspended subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares or rights required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares. The Depositary will comply with written instructions from the Company requesting that the Depositary not accept for deposit hereunder any Shares or rights identified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with securities laws of the United States or any State thereof or of The Republic of France.
Section 2.7
Lost Receipts, etc.
In case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt of like tenor, in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. Before the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Owner thereof shall have (a) filed with the Depositary (i) a request for such execution and delivery before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond and (b) satisfied any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
Section 2.8
Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled, subject to Section 2.10.
Section 2.9
Pre-Release of American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary may issue American Depositary Shares against delivery by the Company (or any agent of the Company recording Share ownership) of rights to receive Shares from the Company (or any such agent of the Company). No such issue of American Depositary Shares will be deemed a “Pre-Release” that is subject to the restrictions of the following paragraph.
Unless requested in writing by the Company to cease doing so, the Depositary may, notwithstanding Section 2.3 hereof, deliver American Depositary Shares prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.2 (“Pre-Release”). The Depositary may, pursuant to Section 2.5, deliver Shares upon the surrender of American Depositary Shares that have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such American Depositary Shares have been Pre-Released. The Depositary may receive American Depositary Shares in lieu of Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation and agreement from the person to whom American Depositary Shares are to be delivered (the “Pre-Releasee”) that the Pre-Releasee, or its customer, (i) owns the Shares or American Depositary Shares to be remitted, as the case may be, (ii) assigns all beneficial right, title and interest in such Shares or American Depositary Shares, as the case may be, to the Depositary in its capacity as such and for the benefit of the Owners, and (iii) will not take any action with respect to such Shares or American Depositary Shares, as the case may be, that is inconsistent with the transfer of beneficial ownership (including, without the consent of the Depositary, disposing of such Shares or American Depositary Shares, as the case may be, other than in satisfaction of such Pre-Release), (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary determines, in good faith, will provide substantially similar liquidity and security, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of Shares not deposited but represented by American Depositary Shares outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Shares deposited hereunder; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to disregard such limit from time to time as it deems reasonably appropriate, and may, with the prior written consent of the Company, change such limit for purposes of general application. The Depositary will also set dollar limits with respect to Pre-Release transactions to be entered into hereunder with any particular Pre-Releasee on a case-by-case basis as the Depositary deems appropriate. For purposes of enabling the Depositary to fulfill its obligations to the Owners under the Deposit Agreement, the collateral referred to in clause (b) above shall be held by the Depositary as security for the performance of the Pre-Releasee’s obligations to the Depositary in connection with a Pre-Release transaction, including the Pre-Releasee’s obligation to deliver Shares or American Depositary Shares upon termination of a Pre-Release transaction (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute Deposited Securities hereunder).
The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing.
Section 2.10
DTC Direct Registration System and Profile Modification System.
(a)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4, the parties acknowledge that the Direct Registration System (“DRS”) and Profile Modification System (“Profile”) shall apply to uncertificated American Depositary Shares upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the Depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated American Depositary Shares, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto. Profile is a required feature of DRS which allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an Owner, to direct the Depositary to register a transfer of those American Depositary Shares to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the Depositary of prior authorization from the Owner to register such transfer.
(b)
In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties understand that the Depositary will not verify, determine or otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming to be acting on behalf of an Owner in requesting registration of transfer and delivery described in subsection (a) has the actual authority to act on behalf of the Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Sections 5.3 and 5.8 shall apply to the matters arising from the use of the DRS. The parties agree that the Depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS/Profile System and in accordance with this Deposit Agreement, shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the Depositary.
Section 2.11
Maintenance of Records.
The Depositary agrees to maintain or cause its agents to maintain records of all American Depositary Shares surrendered and Deposited Securities withdrawn under Section 2.5, substitute Receipts delivered under Section 2.7, and of cancelled or destroyed Receipts under Section 2.8, in keeping with procedures ordinarily followed by stock transfer agents located in The City of New York or as required by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary. Prior to destroying any such records, the Depositary will notify the Company and will turn such records over to the Company upon its request.
ARTICLE 3
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
Section 3.1
Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Holder may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of American Depositary Shares, Deposited Securities or other securities, compliance with all applicable laws or regulations or terms of this Deposit Agreement or the American Depositary Shares, or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Company (or the appointed agent of the Company for transfer and registration of Shares), if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any American Depositary Shares or, the distribution of any dividend or sale or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or, such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties are made. The Depositary shall provide the Company upon its written request with copies of any such proofs, other information and certificates which it receives unless such disclosure is prohibited by law.
Section 3.2
Liability of Owner for Taxes.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any American Depositary Shares or any Deposited Securities represented by any American Depositary Shares, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner or Holder of such American Depositary Shares to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to register any transfer of those American Depositary Shares or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions or, may sell for the account of the Owner or Holder thereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge (and any taxes or expenses arising out of such sale), and the Owner or Holder of such American Depositary Shares shall remain liable for any deficiency.
Section 3.3
Warranties on Deposit of Shares.
Every person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant, in addition to such representations and warranties as may be required pursuant to Section 2.2, that such Shares are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every such person shall also be deemed to represent that such Shares and American Depositary Shares representing such Shares would not be Restricted Securities. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of such Shares and issuance of American Depositary Shares.
Section 3.4
Disclosure of Interests.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement, each Owner and Holder agrees to comply with the Company’s statuts, as they may be amended from time to time, and the laws of The Republic of France with respect to the disclosure requirements regarding ownership of Shares, all as if the American Depositary Shares were the Shares represented thereby. The Company has informed the Depositary that, as of the date of this Deposit Agreement, such disclosure requirements are summarized as follows:
Under French law, any individual or entity, acting alone or in concert with others, who becomes the owner of more than 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 33⅓%, 50%, 66⅔%, 90% or 95% of the Company’s outstanding share capital or voting rights (including through American Depositary Shares), or whose holdings subsequently fall below any of these thresholds, must notify both the Company and the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers (the “AMF”) of the number of shares and American Depositary Shares that it holds and of the voting rights attached thereto within five trading days from the date the relevant threshold was crossed.
Furthermore, the Company’s statuts provide that any individual or legal entity which at any time comes to hold a number of shares representing 1% or any multiple thereof of the total number of shares or voting rights of the Company, or comes to cross any further 1% threshold, or whose holding falls below these thresholds, must, within five trading days from the date it crossed a threshold, notify the Company of the total number of shares that it owns.
Failure to provide timely written notice to the Company under the provisions of the statuts may, upon petition (registered in the minutes of the general shareholders meeting) of one or more shareholders representing 1% or more of the Company’s share capital, result in the loss of the voting rights attached to the shares in excess of the relevant threshold from that meeting and for any further meeting that would be held within the two years following the date of compliance of the notification requirements.
French corporate law and the regulations of the AMF impose additional reporting requirements on any person or persons acting alone or in concert who acquire more than 10% or 20% of the Company’s share capital or voting rights. Any purchaser exceeding these thresholds must file a statement with the Company and the AMF. The notice must specify the acquirer’s intentions for the twelve-month period following the acquisition of its 10% or 20% stake, including whether or not it intends to (a) increase its stake, (b) acquire a controlling interest in the Company or (c) seek the election of nominees to the Company’s board of directors, and whether it is acting alone or in concert with other shareholders. The statement must be filed within 10 trading days from the date either of these thresholds was crossed. The statement is published by the AMF. The acquirer must also publish a press release stating its intentions in a financial newspaper of national circulation in France. Similar reporting requirements must be complied with if the purchaser’s intentions have changed due to subsequent events.
Under French law and the regulations of the AMF, any person or persons, acting alone or in concert, who enter into an agreement containing stipulations granting preferential treatment with respect to the sale of shares, voting rights, or otherwise, for shares representing 0.5% or more of the Company’s share capital or voting rights, must file such stipulations with the AMF within five trading days from the date of the agreement.
Moreover, under French law and the regulations of the AMF, and subject to limited exemptions provided for therein, any person or persons, acting alone or in concert, who acquires shares representing more than one-third of the Company’s share capital or voting rights must initiate a public tender offer for the balance of the Company’s share capital and all other outstanding securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for the Company’s share capital or voting rights.
If a shareholder (including a holder of American Depositary Shares) fails to comply with these notification requirements, the shareholder will be deprived of voting rights attached to the shares it holds in excess of the relevant threshold. The shareholder will be deprived of its voting rights at all shareholders meetings held until the end of a two-year period following the date on which the shareholder has complied with the notification requirements. Furthermore, any shareholder who fails to comply with these requirements, including the notification requirements of the Company’s organizational documents, may have all or part of its voting rights (and not only with respect to the shares in excess of the relevant threshold) suspended for up to five years by court decree at the request of the Company’s chairman, any of the Company’s shareholders or the AMF. Such shareholder may also be subject to criminal liability.
In order to allow shareholders to give appropriate notice in accordance with French law and the statuts of the Company, the Company is required to publish in the Bulletin des Annonces Légales Obligatoires, no later than 15 calendar days from its annual ordinary shareholders meeting, information with respect to the total number of voting rights available as of the date of such meeting. In addition, the Company shall disclose the allocation of available shares and voting rights on a monthly basis if those shares and voting rights have varied since their last disclosure. The means of such disclosure will be specified in the revised stock exchange general regulation which was expected to be enacted soon after the date of this Deposit Agreement. The beneficial ownership requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, applicable to shareholders of Veritas DGC Inc. also apply to holders of the Company’s ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares.
In order to facilitate compliance with the notification requirements, an Owner or Holder may deliver any notification to the Depositary with respect to Shares represented by American Depositary Shares, and the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable, forward such notification to the Company and, if applicable, the AMF or any other authorities in The Republic of France.
Section 3.5
Information Requests.
The Company may from time to time request Owners of American Depositary Shares to provide information as to the capacity in which such Owners own or owned American Depositary Shares and regarding the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such American Depositary Shares as to the nature of such interest and various other matters. The Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions received from the Company requesting that the Depositary forward any such requests to the Owner and to forward to the Company any responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
ARTICLE 4
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
Section 4.1
Cash Distributions.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, or shall cause its agent, as promptly as practicable after its receipt of such dividend or distribution (unless otherwise prohibited or prevented by law), subject to the provisions of Section 4.5, convert such dividend or distribution into Dollars and shall, as promptly as practicable, distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9) to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposit Securities held by them respectively; provided, however, that in the event that the Company or an agent of the Company or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from such cash dividend or such other cash distribution an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owner of the American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. The Depositary shall distribute only such amounts as can be distributed without distributing to any Owner a fraction of one cent and any balance that is not so distributed shall be held by the Depositary (without liability for the interest thereon) and shall be added to and be part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to the Owners then outstanding.
Section 4.2
Distributions Other Than Cash or Shares.
Subject to the provisions of Section 4.11 and Section 5.9, whenever the Depositary shall receive any distribution other than a distribution described in Sections 4.1, 4.3 or 4.4, the Depositary shall cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, as of the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.6, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may reasonably deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionally among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that such securities must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in order to be distributed to Owners) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may adopt such method as it may reasonably deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9) shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto, as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1.
Section 4.3
Distributions in Shares.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may deliver, as promptly as practicable, to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as such dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and the issuance of American Depositary Shares, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 and the payment of fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9, and subject to applicable law. In lieu of delivering fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case, the Depositary shall sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1. If additional American Depositary Shares are not so delivered, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby. In addition, the Depositary may withhold any delivery of American Depositary Shares under this Section 4.3 if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company that such distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or is exempt from registration under the provisions of such Act.
Section 4.4
Rights.
In the event that the Company shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any other nature, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company, shall have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights available to any Owners, or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners and making the net proceeds available to such Owners or, if by the terms of such rights offering or for any other reason, the Depositary may not either make such rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to lapse. If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary determines that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may distribute to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems appropriate.
In circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares representing the Shares of such Owner hereunder, the Depositary will promptly make such rights available to such Owner upon written notice from the Company to the Depositary that (a) the Company has elected in its sole discretion to permit such rights to be exercised and (b) such Owner has executed such documents as the Company has determined in its sole discretion are reasonably required under applicable law.
If the Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to all or certain Owners, then upon instruction from such an Owner pursuant to such warrants or other instruments to the Depositary from such Owner to exercise such rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received upon the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees of the Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the Shares, and the Company shall cause the Shares so purchased to be delivered to the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. As agent for such Owner, the Depositary will cause the Shares so purchased to be deposited pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Deposit Agreement, deliver American Depositary Shares to such Owner. In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph of this section, such Shares shall be deposited and depositary shares representing such Shares shall be delivered under a separate deposit agreement to be entered into between the Company and the Depositary providing for the issuance of depositary receipts subject to appropriate restrictions on deposit and withdrawal of Shares and transfers of such depositary shares as required by United States securities laws. In the event that any Shares deposited in accordance with this paragraph have rights in respect of any distribution of cash, securities, or other properties or Shares which are different from the rights of other Deposited Securities by reason of date of issuance or otherwise, any American Depositary Shares delivered in respect of such Shares (“Rights Receipts”) shall bear a CUSIP number that is different from any CUSIP number that is or may be assigned to any other Receipts issued hereunder and may be endorsed with such legend as the Depositary and the Company may agree. Rights Receipts shall be treated for all other purposes as identical to Receipts and on such date as they become entitled to the same rights in respect of distributions, they shall become fungible with, and be converted automatically into, Receipts. Until such date, the Depositary will instruct the Custodian to place any Deposited Securities in respect of which such Rights Receipts are issued into a segregated account separate from any other Shares held by the Custodian under this Deposit Agreement or any other depositary receipt facility relating to the Shares.
If the Depositary determines in its discretion that it is not lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it shall, after notice to the Company, use reasonable efforts to sell the rights, warrants or other instruments, if a market therefor is available, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or feasibly make such rights available. The Depositary shall allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9, any expenses in connection with such sale and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement) for the account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise. Such proceeds shall be distributed in accordance with Section 4.1 hereof.
If a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 is required with respect to any rights or the securities to which any rights relate in order for the Company to offer such rights to Owners and sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not offer such rights to Owners having an address in the United States (as defined in Regulation S) unless and until such a registration statement is in effect, or unless the offering and sale of such securities and such rights to such Owners are exempt from registration under the provisions of such Act.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any Owner in particular.
Notwithstanding any terms of this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall have no obligation to prepare and file a registration statement for any purpose.
Section 4.5
Conversion of Foreign Currency.
Whenever the Depositary shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the Foreign Currency so received can, in the judgment of the Depositary, be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted as promptly as practicable, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine in accordance with applicable law, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and such Dollars shall be distributed as promptly as practicable to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any rights, warrants or other instruments which entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such rights, warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation. Such distribution or conversion may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file as promptly as practicable such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable; provided, however, that the Depositary shall be entitled to rely upon French local counsel in such matters, which counsel shall be instructed to act as promptly as possible.
If at any time Foreign Currency received by the Depositary is not, in the judgment of the Depositary, convertible, in whole or in part, on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or in the opinion of the Depositary cannot be promptly obtained, the Depositary shall, (a) as to that portion of the Foreign Currency that is convertible into Dollars, make such conversion and, if permitted by applicable law, transfer such Dollars to the United States for distribution to Owners in accordance with the first paragraph of this Section 4.5 and (b) as to the nonconvertible balance, if any, (i) if requested in writing by an Owner, distribute or cause the Custodian to distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) received by the Depositary or Custodian to such Owner and (ii) the Depositary shall hold or shall cause the Custodian to hold any amounts of nonconvertible Foreign Currency not distributed pursuant to the immediate preceding subclause (i) uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of the Owners entitled to receive the same.
Section 4.6
Fixing of Record Date.
Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary finds it necessary or convenient in respect of any matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date, which shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as any record date established by the Company in respect of the Shares, (a) for the determination of the Owners who shall be (i) entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights, or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, or (ii) entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or (b) for fixing the date on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement.
Section 4.7
Voting of Shares.
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the Owners (i) a summary in English of the notice of such meeting sent by the Company to the Depositary pursuant to section 5.6, (ii) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a record date established by the Depositary pursuant to Section 4.06 will be entitled, subject to any applicable provisions of French law, the statuts of the Company and the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, including any applicable provisions relating to double voting rights, will be summarized in pertinent part in such statement), to exercise the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Owner's American Depositary Shares, (iii) summaries in English of any materials or other documents provided by the Company for the purpose of enabling such Owner to exercise such voting rights and (iv) a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given to the Depositary, including a statement as to the manner in which Shares with respect to which the Depositary does not receive properly completed voting instructions or receives a blank proxy will be voted, and setting forth the date established by the Depositary for the receipt of such instructions (the "Instruction Date”). Voting rights may be exercised only in respect of five American Depositary Shares or integral multiples thereof (subject to appropriate proportional adjustment in the event of a stock split, reclassification or other similar event). Circumstances under French law that limit a shareholder's right to vote include: (i) Shares held by the Company may not be voted, (ii) Shares held by shareholders who paid in-kind for any Shares may not be voted with respect to resolutions relating to the contribution in-kind, and (iii) Shares held by interested parties may not be voted with respect to resolutions relating to such shareholders.
The Company has advised the Depositary that, in accordance with French Company law and the statuts of the Company, Shares that have been registered in the name of the same holder for at least two years will be entitled to double voting rights. Similarly, American Depositary Shares that have been held of record by the same Owner for two years or more and representing Shares in registered form for two years or more will be entitled to double voting rights. No other American Depositary Shares will be entitled to double voting rights. Therefore, in order to be eligible for double voting rights, each holder of American Depositary Shares must (i) request that the Depositary hold Shares in registered form as provided in Section 2.2 and (ii) hold American Depositary Shares of record (i.e., as the Owner). All American Depositary Shares will represent Shares in bearer form unless the holder notifies the Depositary that it requests Shares in registered form. For purposes of determining whether American Depositary shares are entitled to double voting rights, upon a sale or other disposition of American Depositary Shares by an Owner, unless otherwise specified by such Owner, the Depositary shall presume that the most recently acquired American Depositary Shares are being sold or otherwise disposed of by such Owner.
Upon receipt by the Depositary of properly completed voting instructions from an Owner of American Depositary Shares on or before the Instruction Date, the Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under any applicable provisions of French law, the statuts of the Company and the Deposited Securities, to, in its discretion, either vote the number of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares in accordance with any nondiscretionary instructions set forth in such request or forward such instructions to the Custodian and direct the Custodian to vote that number of Deposited Securities in accordance with any nondiscretionary instructions set forth in such request. The Depositary will not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the Shares or other Deposited Securities other than in accordance with instructions received from Owners or in accordance with the statement referred to in clause (iv) of the first sentence of this Section 4.7 as to the manner in which Shares with respect to which the Depositary does not receive properly completed voting instructions or receives a blank proxy will be voted.
There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in the first paragraph of this Section 4.7 sufficiently prior to the Instruction Date to ensure that the Depositary will vote the Shares or Deposited Securities in accordance with the preceding paragraph of this Section 4.7.
The Depositary will take no action to impair the ability of the Custodian to vote the number of Shares (including Shares held by the Depositary in registered form which may be entitled to double voting rights pursuant to this Section 4.7) necessary to carry out the voting instructions of all Owners.
Section 4.8
Changes Affecting Deposited Securities.
In the circumstances where the provisions of Section 4.3 do not apply, upon any change in nominal or par value, split-up, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion of or in respect of Deposited Securities shall be treated as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent the new Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion, unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence. In any such case the Depositary may, and shall if the Company shall so request, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a distribution in Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited Securities.
Immediately upon the occurrence of any such change, conversion or exchange covered by this Section in respect of the Deposited Securities, the Company shall notify the Depositary in writing of such occurrence and, as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice from the Company, the Depositary shall give notice thereof in writing to all Owners.
Section 4.9
Documents Available at the Depositary’s Office.
The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Owners at its Corporate Trust Office any reports, notices and other communications, including any proxy solicitation material, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or a nominee of either as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) generally made available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. The Depositary shall also send to the Owners copies of reports, notices and communications furnished by the Company pursuant to Section 5.6.
Section 4.10
Lists of Owners.
Promptly upon request by the Company, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and the Depositary), furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and holdings of American Depositary Shares by all persons in whose names American Depositary Shares are registered on the books of the Depositary.
Section 4.11
Withholding.
In connection with any distribution to Owners, the Company or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required under applicable law to be withheld and remitted by the Company or such agent and owing to such governmental authority or agency by the Company or such agent; and the Depositary and the Custodian will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required under applicable law to be withheld and remitted by the Depositary or the Custodian and owing to such authority or agency by the Depositary or the Custodian. The Depositary shall forward to the Company or its agent such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent to file necessary reports with governmental authorities or agencies. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property other than cash (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to withhold any such taxes or charges and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes or charges to the Owners entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively, all in accordance with applicable provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to follow the procedures established, or that may be established, by the French Treasury to enable eligible United States Owners and Holders of American Depositary Shares to qualify for a reduced withholding tax rate of 15%, if available at the time dividends are paid, to recover any excess French withholding taxes initially withheld or deducted with respect to dividends and other distributions to such Owners and Holders, and to receive any payment in respect of any tax credit for which such Owners and Holders may be eligible from the French Treasury.
Upon request of any United States Owner of American Depositary Shares the Depositary will provide a copy of Form RF 1A EU no. 5052 or such other form as may be promulgated from time to time by the French tax authorities for such purpose, together with instructions to such Owner and Holders. The Depositary shall promptly arrange for the filing with the French tax authorities of all such forms completed by United States Owners or Holders of American Depositary Shares and returned in sufficient time so that such forms may be filed by December 31 of the year following the calendar year in which the related dividend is paid.
ARTICLE 5
THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY
Section 5.1
Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Depositary.
Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, facilities for the delivery, registration, registration of transfers and surrender of American Depositary Shares and combinations and split-ups of Receipts in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall keep books for the registration of American Depositary Shares and transfers of American Depositary Shares which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Owners; provided, however, that such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Owners in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary may close the transfer books, at any time or from time to time, when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder or at the request of the Company.
If any American Depositary Shares are listed on one or more stock exchanges in the United States, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or, with the approval of the Company, appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registry of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with any requirements of such exchange or exchanges.
Section 5.2
Prevention or Delay in Performance by the Depositary or the Company.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company nor any of their directors, employees, agents or controlling persons (as defined under the Securities Act of 1933) shall incur any liability to any Owner or Holder, if by reason of any provision of any present or future law of the United States, The Republic of France or any other country, or of any other governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the statuts of the Company or the Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond their control, the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from, or be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of, doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement it is provided shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary or the Company incur any liability to any Owner or Holder by reason of any nonperformance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement or the statuts of the Company. Where, by the terms of a distribution pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 of this Deposit Agreement, or an offering or distribution pursuant to Section 4.4 of this Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, the Depositary is prevented or prohibited from making such distribution or offering available to Owners, and the Depositary is prevented or prohibited from disposing of such distribution or offering on behalf of such Owners and making the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary, after consultation with the Company, shall not make such distribution or offering, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
Section 5.3
Obligations of the Depositary, the Custodian and the Company.
The Company assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to Owners or Holder, except that it agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
The Depositary assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owners or Holders (including, without limitation, liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities), except that it agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the American Depositary Shares, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability shall be furnished as often as may be required, and the Custodians shall not be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodians being solely to the Depositary.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be liable for any action or nonaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, the manner in which any such vote is cast or the effect of any such vote, provided that any such action or nonaction is in good faith.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for the compliance or noncompliance of any Owner or Holder with the provisions of Section 3.4 or for the accuracy or completeness of any disclosure received from any Owner or Holder pursuant to Section 3.4 or Section 3.5.
The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary; provided, however, that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary, subject to Section 2.9 hereof, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in Receipts.
Section 5.4
Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor; however, such predecessor, nevertheless, upon payment of all sums due to it and on the written request of the Company, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest in the Deposited Securities to such successor, and shall deliver to such successor a list of the Owners of all outstanding Receipts. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to the Owners.
Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
Section 5.5
The Custodian.
The Custodian shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the directions of the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. If the Depositary receives notice of the resignation of a Custodian and, upon such resignation there would be no Custodian acting hereunder, the Depositary shall, promptly after receiving such notice, appoint a substitute custodian or custodians each of which shall thereafter be a Custodian hereunder. The Depositary may discharge any Custodian at any time upon notice to the Custodian being discharged and to the Company. Whenever the Depositary in its discretion determines that it is in the best interest of the Owners to do so, it may appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians, which shall thereafter be one of the Custodians hereunder. The Depositary shall notify the Company of the appointment of a substitute or additional Custodian as soon as practicable before the date on which such appointment is to become effective. Promptly after any such change, the Depositary shall give notice thereof in writing to all Owners.
Upon the appointment of any successor depositary hereunder, each Custodian then acting hereunder shall forthwith become, without any further act or writing, the agent hereunder of such successor depositary and the appointment of such successor depositary shall in no way impair the authority of any Custodian hereunder, but the successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the written request of any Custodian or as required by French law, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may be proper to give to such Custodian full and complete power and authority as agent hereunder of such successor depositary.
Section 5.6
Reports, Notices and Other Communications.
On or before the first date on which the Company gives notice, by publication or otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action in respect of any cash or other distributions (other than an offering of rights), the Company agrees to transmit to the Depositary and the Custodians a copy of the notice thereof in the form given or to be given to holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities and a summary in English thereof.
The Company will promptly transmit to the Depositary (i) English language versions of the Company’s annual reports (including a description of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with international financial reporting standards, as adopted in the European Union (“IFRS”) together with a reconciliation of net income and shareholders’ equity to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, (ii) semi-annual interim reports in English which will include unaudited interim summary consolidated financial information prepared in conformity with IFRS and (iii) summaries in English or English-language versions of any other reports, notices and other communications that are generally transmitted by the Company to holders of its Shares or other Deposited Securities. The Depositary will, at the Company’s expense (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and the Depositary), promptly arrange for the mailing of copies of such notices, reports and other communications to all Owners and make such notices, reports and other communications available on such other basis as the Company may advise the Depositary may be required by any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange requirement. The Company will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and communications, as requested by the Depositary from time to time (after verification from the Depositary of such quantity), in order for the Depositary to effect such mailings.
The Company has delivered to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy (in English or with an English translation) of all provisions of or governing the Shares and any other Deposited Securities. Promptly upon any change in such provisions, the Company shall deliver promptly to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy (in English or with an English translation) of such provisions as so changed. The Depositary and its agents may rely on the copy of such provisions as so delivered for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.
Section 5.7
Distributions.
The Company agrees that in the event of any issuance or distribution of (1) additional Shares, (2) rights to subscribe for Shares, (3) securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, or (4) rights to subscribe for such securities, the Company will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that no violation by the Company or the Depositary of the Securities Act of 1933 will result from such issuance or distribution.
The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any company controlled by the Company will at any time deposit any Shares, either originally issued or previously issued and reacquired by the Company or any such affiliate, unless a Registration Statement is in effect as to such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Company furnishes to the Depositary a written opinion from U.S. counsel for the Company, which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, stating that the offer and sale of the Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares representing such Shares are exempt from registration under that Act. The Company will advise each person who, to the best knowledge of the Company, controls, or is under common control with, the Company that such person is subject to the same restrictions on the deposit of Shares as the Company and persons controlled by the Company.
Section 5.8
Indemnification.
The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and any Custodian against, and hold each of them harmless from, any liability or expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may arise out of any registration with the Commission of Receipts, American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities (including, but not limited to, Shares) or the offer or sale thereof in the United States or out of acts performed or omitted, in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and of the Receipts, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, (i) by either the Depositary or a Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates, except for any liability or expense arising out of the negligence or bad faith of any of them, or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, employees, agents and affiliates.
The Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold them harmless from, any liability or expense incurred by them as a result of the negligence or bad faith of the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates in connection with acts performed or omitted by the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates due to their negligence or bad faith.
The obligations set forth in this Section 5.8 shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement and the succession or substitution of any indemnified person.
Section 5.9
Charges of Depositary.
The Company agrees to pay the fees and reasonable expenses of the Depositary and those of any Registrar only in accordance with agreements in writing entered into between the Depositary and the Company from time to time. The Depositary shall present detailed statements for such expenses to the Company at least once every three months. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
The following charges (to the extent permitted by applicable law or the rules of any securities exchange on which the American Depositary Shares are admitted for trading) shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering American Depositary Shares or to whom American Depositary Shares are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or a delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.3), whichever applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the share register of the Company (or (if applicable) the appointed agent of the Company for transfer and registration of Shares) and applicable to transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder, (3) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission expenses as are expressly provided in this Deposit Agreement, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of Foreign Currency pursuant to Section 4.5, (5) a fee not in excess of $5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the delivery and for the surrender of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Sections 2.3, 4.3, 4.4, 2.5 and 6.2, respectively, (6) a fee not in excess of $0.02 per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution pursuant to Sections 4.1 through 4.4, and (7) a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to Section 4.2, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (for purposes of this clause 7 treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to Owners. No fee will be charged by the Depositary to any Owner or Holder in connection with such Owner’s or Holder’s exercise of voting rights relating to any Shares underlying the American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary, subject to the Company’s statuts and Section 2.9 hereof, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in American Depositary Shares.
Section 5.10
Retention of Depositary Documents.
The Depositary is authorized to destroy those documents, records, bills and other data compiled during the term of this Deposit Agreement at the times permitted by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary unless the Company requests that such papers be retained for a longer period.
Section 5.11
List of Restricted Securities Owners.
From time to time, the Company shall provide to the Depositary a list setting forth, to the actual knowledge of the Company, those persons or entities who beneficially own Restricted Securities, and the Company shall update such list on a regular basis. The Company agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities so listed that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder. The Depositary may rely on such list or update of such list, and shall not be liable for any action or omission made in reliance thereon.
Section 5.12
Exclusivity.
The Company agrees not to appoint any other depositary for issuance of American depositary receipts so long as The Bank of New York is acting as Depositary hereunder.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Section 6.1
Amendment.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement in writing between the Company and the Depositary without the consent of the Owners in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, charges incurred in connection with the conversion of Foreign Currency pursuant to Section 4.5 and in connection with compliance with foreign exchange regulations, registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding American Depositary Shares until the expiration of 30 days after notice of such amendment shall have been mailed to the Owners of outstanding American Depositary Shares. Every Owner at the time any amendment so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such American Depositary Shares, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner to surrender American Depositary Shares and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
Section 6.2
Termination.
The Depositary shall at any time at the direction of the Company terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all American Depositary Shares then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Depositary may likewise terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Company and the Owners of American Depositary Shares, such termination to be effective on a date specified in such notice not less than 30 days after the date thereof, if at any time 60 days shall have expired after the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4. On and after the date of termination, the Owner of American Depositary Shares will, upon (a) surrender of such American Depositary Shares, (b) payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares referred to in Section 2.5, and (c) payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to the Owner or upon the Owner’s order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares. If any American Depositary Shares shall remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares, shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Owners thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights and other property as provided in this Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, upon surrender of American Depositary Shares (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). At any time after the expiration of one year from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of American Depositary Shares that have not theretofore been surrendered, such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary with respect to such net proceeds. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges) and except as provided in Section 5.8. Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 5.9 hereof.
ARTICLE 7
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1
Counterparts.
This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be filed with the Depositary and the Custodian and shall be open to inspection by any Owner during business hours.
Section 7.2
No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person.
Section 7.3
Severability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
Section 7.4
Binding Effect on Owners and Holders.
The Owners and Holders shall be bound by of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Receipts by acceptance of American Depositary Shares or any beneficial interest therein.
Section 7.5
Notices.
Any and all notices to be given to the Company shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to ▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Place-Faget or any other place to which the Company may have transferred its principal office with notice to the Depositary.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to the Depositary at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: American Depositary Receipt Administration, or any other place to which the Depositary may have transferred its Corporate Trust Office with notice to the Company.
Any and all notices to be given to any Owner shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to such Owner at the address of such Owner as it appears on the transfer books for American Depositary Shares of the Depositary, or, if such Owner shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for such Owner be mailed to some other address, at the address designated in such request.
Delivery of a notice sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be effective at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex or facsimile transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post office letter box. The Depositary or the Company may, however, act upon any cable, telex or facsimile transmission received by it, notwithstanding that such cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter as aforesaid.
Section 7.6
Governing Law.
This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted in accordance with, and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York.
Section 7.7
Headings.
Headings contained herein are included for convenience only and are not to be used in construing or interpreting any provision hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE DE GÉOPHYSIQUE and THE BANK OF NEW YORK have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above and all Owners and Holders shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of American Depositary Shares or any interest therein.
COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE DE GÉOPHYSIQUE
By:
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By:
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT A
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
(Each American Depositary Share represents one-fifth of one deposited Share)
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR ORDINARY SHARES OF
NOMINAL VALUE EURO 2.00 EACH OF
COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE DE GÉOPHYSIQUE
(INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS
OF THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE)
The Bank of New York, as depositary (hereinafter called the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that___________ ____________________________________________, or registered assigns IS THE OWNER OF _____________________________
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing deposited ordinary shares (herein called “Shares”) of Compagnie Générale de Géophysique, a société anonyme organized under the laws of the Republic of France (herein called the “Company”). At the date hereof, each American Depositary Share represents one-fifth of one Share deposited or subject to deposit under the Deposit Agreement (as such term is hereinafter defined) at the Paris, France office of any of Crédit Agricole Indosuez, BNP Paribas, Banque Worms, Société Géneralé or Crédit Lyonnais (each herein called the “Custodian”). The Depositary’s Corporate Trust Office is located at a different address than its principal executive office. Its Corporate Trust Office is located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, and its principal executive office is located at ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇.
THE DEPOSITARY’S CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE ADDRESS IS
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
1.
THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue (herein called “Receipts”), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the amended and restated deposit agreement, dated as of ______, 2006 (herein called the “Deposit Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Depositary, and all Owners and Holders from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting American Depositary Shares or any beneficial interest therein agrees to become a party thereto and become bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights of Owners and Holders and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property, and cash are herein called “Deposited Securities”). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Depositary’s Corporate Trust Office in New York City and at the office of the Custodian.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. Capitalized terms defined in the Deposit Agreement and not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
2.
SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS AND WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES.
Upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt, and upon payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts as provided in this Receipt, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Owner of those American Depositary Shares is entitled to the transfer of the Deposited Securities to an account in the name of such Owner, or such name as shall be designated by such Owner, maintained by the Company or its agent for registration and transfer of Shares in the case of Shares in registered form, or maintained by an accredited financial institution in the case of Shares in bearer form, of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares for which this Receipt is issued. Such delivery will be made at the option of the Owner hereof, either at the office of the Custodian or at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, provided that the forwarding of certificates for Shares or other Deposited Securities for such delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary shall be at the risk and expense of the Owner hereof.
In the event any such delivery of Deposited Securities would otherwise require delivery of fractional Deposited Securities, the Depositary may sell the amount of Deposited Securities corresponding to the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement.
3.
TRANSFERS, SPLIT-UPS, AND COMBINATIONS OF RECEIPTS.
Transfer of American Depositary Shares may be registered on the books of the Depositary upon (i) in the case of certificated American Depositary Shares surrender of American Depositary Shares, by the Owner hereof in person or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer or (ii) in the case of uncertificated American Depositary Shares, receipt from the Owner of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.10 of the Deposit Agreement) and, in either case, upon compliance with any applicable restrictions on transfer thereof, and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America and accompanied by funds sufficient to pay any applicable transfer taxes and the expenses of the Depositary and upon compliance with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary may establish for such purpose. This Receipt may be split into other such Receipts, or may be combined with other such Receipts into one Receipt, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered. The Depositary, upon surrender of a Receipt for the purpose of exchanging for uncertificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel that Receipt and send the Owner a statement confirming that the Owner is the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary Shares. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.10 of the Deposit Agreement) from the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for certificated American Depositary Shares, shall execute and deliver to the Owner a Receipt evidencing those American Depositary Shares. As a condition precedent to the delivery, registration of transfer, or surrender of any American Depositary Shares or split-up or combination of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon, or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Company, Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of the Shares or the presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer, registration, or conversion fee with respect thereto (including any such tax, charge or fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any fees of the Depositary as provided in this Receipt, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, including, without limitation, this Article 3.
The delivery of American Depositary Shares against deposit of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the transfer of American Depositary Shares in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding American Depositary Shares generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Company, the Depositary or any Registrar are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, subject to the provisions of the following sentence. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, the surrender of outstanding American Depositary Shares and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may not be suspended subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares or rights required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares. The Depositary will comply with written instructions from the Company requesting that the Depositary not accept for deposit hereunder any Shares or rights identified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with securities laws of the United States or any State thereof or of The Republic of France.
4.
LIABILITY OF OWNER FOR TAXES.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any American Depositary Shares or any Deposited Securities represented by any American Depositary Shares, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner or Holder hereof to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to register any transfer of American Depositary Shares or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions, or may sell for the account of the Owner or Holder hereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge (and any taxes or expenses arising out of such sale), and the Owner or Holder hereof shall remain liable for any deficiency.
5.
WARRANTIES ON DEPOSIT OF SHARES.
Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant, in addition to such representations and warranties as may be required pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Deposit Agreement, that such Shares are validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every such person shall also be deemed to represent that such Shares and American Depositary Shares representing such Shares would not be Restricted Securities. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of American Depositary Shares.
6.
FILING PROOFS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER INFORMATION.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Holder of American Depositary Shares may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of Receipts, Deposited Securities or other securities, compliance with all applicable laws or regulations, or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Company (or the appointed agent of the Company for transfer and registration of Shares), if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any American Depositary Shares or the distribution of any dividend or sale or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties made. No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in France which is then performing the function of the regulation of currency exchange.
7.
CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY.
The Company agrees to pay the fees and reasonable expenses of the Depositary and those of any Registrar only in accordance with agreements in writing entered into between the Depositary and the Company from time to time. The Depositary shall present detailed statements for such expenses to the Company at least once every three months. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
The following charges (to the extent permitted by applicable law or the rules of any securities exchange on which the American Depositary Shares are admitted for trading) shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering American Depositary Shares or to whom American Depositary Shares are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or a delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement), whichever applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the share register of the Company (or (if applicable) the appointed agent of the Company for transfer and registration of Shares) and applicable to transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, (3) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of Foreign Currency pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, (5) a fee not in excess of $5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the delivery and for the surrender of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Sections 2.3, 4.3, 4.4, 2.5 and 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement, respectively, (6) a fee not in excess of $0.02 per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution pursuant to Sections 4.1 through 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement and (7) a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (for purposes of this clause 7 treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to Owners. No fee will be charged by the Depositary to any Owner or Holder in connection with such Owner’s or Holder’s exercise of voting rights relating to any Shares underlying the American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary, subject to Article 8 hereof, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in American Depositary Shares.
8.
PRE-RELEASE OF RECEIPTS.
The Depositary may issue American Depositary Shares against delivery by the Company (or any agent of the Company recording Share ownership) of rights to receive Shares from the Company (or any such agent of the Company). No such issue of American Depositary Shares will be deemed a “Pre-Release” that is subject to the restrictions of the following paragraph.
Unless requested in writing by the Company to cease doing so, the Depositary may, notwithstanding Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement, deliver American Depositary Shares prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Deposit Agreement (“Pre-Release”). The Depositary may, pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Deposit Agreement, deliver Shares upon the surrender of American Depositary Shares that have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such American Depositary Shares have been Pre-Released. The Depositary may receive American Depositary Shares in lieu of Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation and agreement from the person to whom American Depositary Shares or Shares are to be delivered (the “Pre-Releasee”) that the Pre-Releasee, or its customer, (i) owns the Shares or American Depositary Shares to be remitted, as the case may be, (ii) assigns all beneficial right, title and interest in such Shares or American Depositary Shares, as the case may be, to the Depositary in its capacity as such and for the benefit of the Owners, and (iii) will not take any action with respect to such Shares or American Depositary Shares, as the case may be, that is inconsistent with the transfer of beneficial ownership (including, without the consent of the Depositary, disposing of such Shares or American Depositary Shares, as the case may be, other than in satisfaction of such Pre-Release), (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary determines, in good faith, will provide substantially similar liquidity and security, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of Shares not deposited but represented by American Depositary Shares outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Shares deposited under the Deposit Agreement; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to disregard such limit from time to time as it deems reasonably appropriate, and may, with the prior written consent of the Company, change such limit for purposes of general application. The Depositary will also set dollar limits with respect to Pre-Release transactions to be entered into hereunder with any particular Pre-Releasee on a case-by-case basis as the Depositary deems appropriate. For purposes of enabling the Depositary to fulfill its obligations to the Owners under the Deposit Agreement, the collateral referred to in clause (b) above shall be held by the Depositary as security for the performance of the Pre-Releasee’s obligations to the Depositary in connection with a Pre-Release transaction, including the Pre-Releasee’s obligation to deliver Shares or American Depositary Shares upon termination of a Pre-Release transaction (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute Deposited Securities hereunder).
The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing.
9.
TITLE TO RECEIPTS.
It is a condition of this Receipt and every successive Owner and Holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt when properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer and transferred in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement, including without limitation Sections 2.4 and 2.6 thereof, is transferable as certificated registered securities under the laws of New York. American Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts shall be transferable as uncertificated registered securities in accordance with the laws of the State of New York; provided, however, that the Depositary and the Company, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in the Deposit Agreement or for all other purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any holder of American Depositary Shares unless such holder is the Owner hereof.
10.
VALIDITY OF RECEIPT.
This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless this Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary; provided, however, that such signature may be a facsimile if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed and such Receipts are countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar.
11.
REPORTS; INSPECTION OF TRANSFER BOOKS.
The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, accordingly, files certain reports with the Commission. Such reports and communications will be available for inspection and copying by Owners and Holder at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at ▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇.
The Depositary will make available for inspection by Owners at its Corporate Trust Office any reports, notices and other communications, including any proxy soliciting material, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or a nominee of either as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) generally made available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. The Depositary will also send to Owners of Receipts copies of reports, notices and communications furnished by the Company pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary will keep books, at its Corporate Trust Office, for the registration of American Depositary Shares and transfers of American Depositary Shares which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Owners of Receipts provided that such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Owners of Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the American Depositary Shares.
12.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, the Depositary will, or will cause its agent, as promptly as practicable after its receipt of such dividend or distribution (unless otherwise prohibited or prevented by law), if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a foreign currency can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into United States dollars transferable to the United States, and subject to the Deposit Agreement, convert such dividend or distribution into Dollars and will distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) to the Owners entitled thereto; provided, however, that in the event that the Company or an agent of the Company or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owners of the American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.11 and 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, whenever the Depositary receives any distribution other than a distribution described in Section 4.1, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, as of the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.6 of the Deposit Agreement, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may reasonably deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Company or an agent of the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that such securities must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in order to be distributed to Owners) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may adopt such method as it may reasonably deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and any expenses in connection with such sale) will be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution in cash pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may deliver, as promptly as practicable, to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as such dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and the issuance of American Depositary Shares, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 of the Deposit Agreement and the payment of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, and subject to applicable law. In lieu of delivering fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case, the Depositary will sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. If additional American Depositary Shares are not so delivered, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby. In addition, the Depositary may withhold any delivery of American Depositary Shares under this Article 12 or Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company that such distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or is exempt from registration under the provisions of such Act.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes or charges to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto.
13.
RIGHTS.
In the event that the Company shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any other nature, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company, shall have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights available to any Owners or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners and making the net proceeds available to such Owners or, if by the terms of such rights offering or for any other reason the Depositary may not either make such rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to lapse. If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary determines that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may distribute to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems appropriate.
In circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares representing the Shares of such Owner hereunder, the Depositary will promptly make such rights available to such Owner upon written notice from the Company to the Depositary that (a) the Company has elected in its sole discretion to permit such rights to be exercised and (b) such Owner has executed such documents as the Company has determined in its sole discretion are reasonably required under applicable law.
If the Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to all or certain Owners, then upon instruction from such an Owner pursuant to such warrants or other instruments to the Depositary from such Owner to exercise such rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received upon the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees of the Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the Depositary, exercise the rights and purchase the Shares, and the Company shall cause the Shares so purchased to be delivered to the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. As agent for such Owner, the Depositary will cause the Shares so purchased to be deposited pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement, deliver American Depositary Shares to such Owner. In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph of this Article 13, such Shares shall be deposited and depositary shares representing such Shares shall be delivered under a separate deposit agreement to be entered into between the Company and the Depositary providing from the issuance of depositary receipts subject to appropriate restrictions on deposit and withdrawal of Shares and transfers of such depositary receipts as required by United States securities laws.
If the Depositary determines in its discretion that it is not lawful or feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it will, after notice to the Company, use reasonable efforts to, sell the rights, warrants or other instruments, if a market is available therefor, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or feasibly make such rights available; the Depositary will allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, any expenses in connection with such sale and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement) for the account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise.
If a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 is required with respect to the securities to which any rights relate in order for the Company to offer such rights to Owners and sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not offer such rights to Owners having an address in the United States (as defined in Regulation S) unless and until such a registration statement is in effect, or unless the offer and sale of such securities and such rights to such Owners are exempt from registration under the provisions of such Act.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any Owner in particular.
14.
CONVERSION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY.
Whenever the Depositary shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the Foreign Currency so received can, in the judgment of the Depositary, be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted as promptly as practicable, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, in accordance with applicable law, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and such Dollars shall be distributed as promptly as practicable to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any rights, warrants or other instruments which entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such rights, warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation. Such distribution or conversion may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file as promptly as practicable such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable; provided, however, that the Depositary will be entitled to rely upon French local counsel in such matters, which counsel will be instructed to act as promptly as possible.
If at any time Foreign Currency received by the Depositary is not, in the judgment of the Depositary, convertible, in whole or in part, on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or in the opinion of the Depositary cannot be promptly obtained, the Depositary will, (a) as to that portion of the Foreign Currency that is convertible into Dollars, make such conversion and, if permitted by applicable law, transfer such Dollars to the United States for distribution to Owners in accordance with the first paragraph of Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement and (b) as to the nonconvertible balance, if any, (i) if requested in writing by an Owner, distribute or cause the Custodian to distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) received by the Depositary or Custodian to such Owner and (ii) the Depositary will hold or will cause the Custodian to hold any amounts of nonconvertible Foreign Currency not distributed pursuant to the immediate preceding subclause (i) uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of the Owners entitled to receive the same.
15.
RECORD DATES.
Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary finds it necessary or convenient in respect of any matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date, which shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as any record date established by the Company in respect of the Shares, (a) for the determination of the Owners who shall be (i) entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights, or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, or (ii) entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or (b) for fixing the date on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement.
16.
VOTING OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the Owners (i) a summary in English of the notice of such meeting sent by the Company to the Depositary pursuant to Section 5.06 of the Deposit Agreement, (ii) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a record date established by the Depositary pursuant to Section 4.06 of that Agreement will be entitled, subject to any applicable provisions of French law, the statuts of the Company and the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, including any applicable provisions relating to double voting rights, will be summarized in pertinent part in such statement), to exercise the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Owner's American Depositary Shares, (iii) summaries in English of any materials or other documents provided by the Company for the purpose of enabling such Owner to exercise such voting rights and (iv) a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given to the Depositary, including a statement as to the manner in which Shares with respect to which the Depositary does not receive properly completed voting instructions or receives a blank proxy will be voted, and setting forth the date established by the Depositary for the receipt of such instructions (the "Instruction Date”). Voting rights may be exercised only in respect of five American Depositary Shares or integral multiples thereof (subject to appropriate proportional adjustment in the event of a stock split, reclassification or other similar event).
The Company has advised the Depositary that, in accordance with French Company law and the statuts of the Company, Shares that have been registered in the name of the same holder for at least two years will be entitled to double voting rights. Similarly, American Depositary Shares that have been held of record by the same Owner for two years or more and representing Shares in registered form for two years or more will be entitled to double voting rights. No other American Depositary Shares will be entitled to double voting rights. Therefore, in order to be eligible for double voting rights, each holder of American Depositary Shares must (i) request that the Depositary hold Shares in registered form as provided in Section 2.2 of the Deposit Agreement and (ii) hold American Depositary Shares of record (i.e., as the Owner). All American Depositary Shares will represent Shares in bearer form unless the holder notifies the Depositary that it requests Shares in registered form. For purposes of determining whether American Depositary shares are entitled to double voting rights, upon a sale or other disposition of American Depositary Shares by an Owner, unless otherwise specified by such Owner, the Depositary shall presume that the most recently acquired American Depositary Shares are being sold or otherwise disposed of by such Owner.
Upon receipt by the Depositary of properly completed voting instructions from an Owner of American Depositary Shares on or before the Instruction Date, the Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under any applicable provisions of French law, the statuts of the Company and the Deposited Securities, to, in its discretion, either vote the number of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares in accordance with any nondiscretionary instructions set forth in such request or forward such instructions to the Custodian and direct the Custodian to vote that number of Deposited Securities in accordance with any nondiscretionary instructions set forth in such request. The Depositary will not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the Shares or other Deposited Securities other than in accordance with instructions received from Owners or in accordance with the statement referred to in clause (iv) of the first sentence of Section 4.7 of the Deposit Agreement as to the manner in which Shares with respect to which the Depositary does not receive properly completed voting instructions or receives a blank proxy will be voted.
There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in the first paragraph of Section 4.7 of the Deposit Agreement sufficiently prior to the Instruction Date to ensure that the Depositary will vote the Shares or Deposited Securities in accordance with the preceding paragraph of that Section 4.7.
The Depositary will take no action to impair the ability of the Custodian to vote the number of Shares (including Shares held by the Depositary in registered form which may be entitled to double voting rights pursuant to Section 4.7 of the Deposit Agreement) necessary to carry out the voting instructions of all Owners.
17.
CHANGES AFFECTING DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
In circumstances where the provisions of Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement do not apply, upon any change in nominal or par value, split-up, consolidation, or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion of or in respect of Deposited Securities shall be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent the new Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion, unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence. In any such case the Depositary may, and will if the Company so requests, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a distribution in Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited Securities. Immediately upon the occurrence of any such change, conversion or exchange covered by this Section in respect of the Deposited Securities, the Company shall notify the Depositary in writing of such occurrence and, as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice from the Company, the Depositary shall give notice thereof in writing to all Owners.
18.
LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY AND DEPOSITARY.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company nor any of their respective directors, employees, agents or controlling persons (as defined under the Securities Act of 1933) shall incur any liability to any Owner or Holder, if by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, The Republic of France or any other country, or of any other governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the statuts of the Company, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstance beyond its control, the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from or be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary or the Company incur any liability to any Owner or Holder by reason of any nonperformance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement or the statuts of the Company. Where, by the terms of a distribution pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement, or an offering or distribution pursuant to Section 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, the Depositary is prevented or prohibited from making such distribution or offering available to Owners, and the Depositary is prevented or prohibited from disposing of such distribution or offering on behalf of such Owners and making the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary, after consultation with the Company, shall not make such distribution or offering, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse. Neither the Company nor the Depositary assumes any obligation or shall be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to Owners or Holders, except that they agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary shall not be subject to any liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit, or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the American Depositary Shares, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability shall be furnished as often as may be required, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be liable for any action or nonaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or Holder, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast or the effect of any such vote, provided, in each case, that any such action or nonaction is in good faith. The Depositary shall not be responsible for the compliance or noncompliance of any Owner or Holder with the provisions of Section 3.4 of the Deposit Agreement or for the accuracy or completeness of any disclosure received from any Owner or Holder pursuant to Section 3.4 or Section 3.5 of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with a matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises, the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement.
19.
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF THE DEPOSITARY; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal, effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. Whenever the Depositary in its discretion determines that it is in the best interest of the Owners of Receipts to do so, it may appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians.
20.
AMENDMENT.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary without the consent of the Owners in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, charges incurred in connection with the conversion of Foreign Currency pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement and in connection with compliance with foreign exchange regulations, registration fees and cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding American Depositary Shares until the expiration of 30 days after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Owners of outstanding Receipts. Every Owner and Holder of American Depositary Shares at the time any amendment so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such American Depositary Shares, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner of any Receipt to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
21.
TERMINATION OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
The Depositary at any time at the direction of the Company, shall terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all American Depositary Shares then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Depositary may likewise terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Company and the Owners, such termination to be effective on a date specified in such notice not less than 30 days after the date thereof, if at any time 60 days shall have expired after the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. On and after the date of termination, the Owner of American Depositary Shares will, upon (a) surrender of such American Depositary Shares, (b) payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares referred to in Section 2.5 of the Deposit Agreement, and (c) payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to the Owner or upon the Owner’s order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares. If any American Depositary Shares shall remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares, shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Owners thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights and other property as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, upon surrender of American Depositary Shares (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). At any time after the expiration of one year from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held under the Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it thereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of American Depositary Shares that have not theretofore been surrendered, such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary with respect to such net proceeds. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges) and except as provided in Section 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement. Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary with respect to indemnification, charges, and expenses.
22.
DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement, each Owner and Holder agrees to comply with the Company’s statuts, as they may be amended from time to time, and the laws of The Republic of France with respect to the disclosure requirements regarding ownership of Shares, all as if the Receipts were the Shares represented thereby, which disclosure requirements, as of the date of the Deposit Agreement, are summarized therein.
23.
DTC DIRECT REGISTRATION SYSTEM AND PROFILE MODIFICATION SYSTEM.
(a)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4 of the Deposit Agreement, the parties acknowledge that the Direct Registration System (“DRS”) and Profile Modification System (“Profile”) shall apply to uncertificated American Depositary Shares upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the Depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated American Depositary Shares, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto. Profile is a required feature of DRS which allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an Owner, to direct the Depositary to register a transfer of those American Depositary Shares to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the Depositary of prior authorization from the Owner to register such transfer.
(b)
In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties understand that the Depositary will not verify, determine or otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming to be acting on behalf of an Owner in requesting registration of transfer and delivery described in subsection (a) has the actual authority to act on behalf of the Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Sections 5.3 and 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement shall apply to the matters arising from the use of the DRS. The parties agree that the Depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS/Profile System and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the Depositary.