EXHIBIT 4.3
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 12, 1998
by and among
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES, INC.
THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
named herein
and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & COMPANY, INC.,
as Initial Purchaser
$50,000,000
9 1/4% SERIES B SENIOR NOTES DUE FEBRUARY 1, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Definitions....................................................................................................1
2. Exchange Offer.................................................................................................4
3. Shelf Registration.............................................................................................7
4. Additional Interest............................................................................................8
5. Registration Procedures.......................................................................................10
6. Registration Expenses.........................................................................................17
7. Indemnification...............................................................................................18
8. Rules 144 and 144A............................................................................................21
9. Underwritten Registrations....................................................................................21
10. Miscellaneous................................................................................................22
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements................................................................................22
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes...................................................................22
(c) Amendments and Waivers....................................................................................22
(d) Notices...................................................................................................22
(e) Successors and Assigns....................................................................................23
(f) Counterparts..............................................................................................24
(g) Headings..................................................................................................24
(h) Governing Law.............................................................................................24
(i) Severability..............................................................................................24
(j) Notes Held by the Issuers or Their Affiliates.............................................................24
(k) Third Party Beneficiaries.................................................................................24
(1) Entire Agreement..........................................................................................24
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "AGREEMENT") is made and
entered into as of June 12, 1998, by and among ▇▇▇▇▇ Homes, Inc., a Florida
corporation (the "Company"), each of the subsidiaries of the Company listed on
the signature pages hereto (collectively, the "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS"), and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company, Inc. (the "INITIAL PURCHASER").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of June 8, 1998, by and among the Company, the Subsidiary
Guarantors and the Initial Purchaser (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT") which provides
for, among other things, the issuance and sale to the Initial Purchaser of
$50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 9 1/4% Series B Senior
Notes due February 1, 2008 (the "NOTES"). In order to induce the Initial
Purchaser to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Subsidiary
Guarantors have agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this
Agreement for the benefit of the Initial Purchaser and their direct and indirect
transferees and assigns. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a
condition to the Initial Purchaser's obligation to purchase the Notes under the
Purchase Agreement. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors are collectively
referred to herein as the "Issuers."
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
ADDITIONAL INTEREST: See Section 4(a).
ADVICE: See the last paragraph of Section 5.
AGREEMENT: See the first introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
APPLICABLE PERIOD: See Section 2(b).
BUSINESS DAY: A day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which
banking institutions in New York, New York are required to be closed.
COMPANY: See the first introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
EFFECTIVENESS DATE: The 150th day after the Issue Date.
EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD: See Section 3(a).
EVENT DATE: See Section 4(b).
EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
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EXCHANGE NOTES: See Section 2(a).
EXCHANGE OFFER: See Section 2(a).
EXCHANGE REGISTRATION STATEMENT: See Section 2(a).
FILING DATE: The 60th day after the Issue Date.
HOLDER: Any registered holder of Registrable Notes.
INDEMNIFIED PERSON: See Section 7(c).
INDEMNIFYING PERSON: See Section 7(c).
INDENTURE: The Indenture, dated as of June 12, 1998, by and among the
Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
as trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are being issued, as amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
INITIAL PURCHASER: See the first introductory paragraph to this
Agreement.
INITIAL SHELF REGISTRATION: See Section 3(a).
INSPECTORS: See Section 5(o).
ISSUE DATE: The date on which $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
Notes were sold to the Initial Purchaser pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
ISSUERS: See the second introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
NOTES: See the second introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
PARTICIPANT: See Section 7(a).
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER: See Section 2(b).
PERSON: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association,
union, business association, firm or other legal entity.
PRIVATE EXCHANGE: See Section 2(b).
PRIVATE EXCHANGE NOTES: See Section 2(b).
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PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a
prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus
filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A
promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any
prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion
of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, and all other
amendments and supplements to such prospectus, including post-effective
amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
PURCHASE AGREEMENT: See the second introductory paragraph to this
Agreement.
RECORDS: See Section 5(o).
REGISTRABLE NOTES: Each Note upon original issuance thereof and at all
times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof
is applicable upon original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent thereto
and each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof and at all times
subsequent thereto, until, in the case of any such Note, Exchange Note or
Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, the earliest to occur of (i) a
Registration Statement (other than, with respect to any Exchange Note as to
which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable, the Exchange Registration
Statement) covering such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the
case may be, has been declared effective by the SEC and such Note, Exchange Note
or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been disposed of in accordance
with such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Note, Exchange Note or
Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, is sold in compliance with Rule 144,
(iii) in the case of any Note, such Note has been exchanged pursuant to the
Exchange Offer for an Exchange Note or Exchange Notes which may be resold
without restriction under state and federal securities laws, or (iv) such Note,
Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, ceases to be
outstanding for purposes of the Indenture.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Issuers filed
with the SEC under the Securities Act, including, but not limited to, the
Exchange Registration Statement, that covers any of the Registrable Notes
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus,
amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including
post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material incorporated by
reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration
statement.
RULE 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144A) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales of
securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such securities being
free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.
RULE 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
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RULE 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the SEC.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
SECURITIES ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
SHELF NOTICE: See Section 2(c).
SHELF REGISTRATION: See Section 3(b).
SUBSEQUENT SHELF REGISTRATION: See Section 3(b).
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS: See the first introductory paragraph to this
Agreement.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
TRUSTEE: The trustee under the Indenture and, if existent, the trustee
under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes (if
any).
UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION OR UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING: A registration in
which securities of one or more of the issuers are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.
2. EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Each of the Issuers agrees to file with the SEC no later than the
Filing Date, an offer to exchange (the "EXCHANGE OFFER") any and all of the
Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes, if any) for a like
aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the Company, guaranteed by the
Subsidiary Guarantors, which are identical in all material respects to the Notes
(the "EXCHANGE NOTES") (and which are entitled to the benefits of the Indenture
or a trust indenture which is identical in all material respects to the
Indenture (other than such changes to the Indenture or any such identical trust
indenture as are necessary to comply with any requirements of the SEC to effect
or maintain the qualification thereof under the TIA) and which, in either case,
has been qualified under the TIA), except that the Exchange Notes shall have
been registered pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the
Securities Act and shall contain no restrictive legend thereon. The Exchange
Offer shall be registered under the Securities Act on the appropriate form (the
"EXCHANGE REGISTRATION STATEMENT") and shall comply with all applicable tender
offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. Each of the Issuers agrees
to use its best efforts to (x) cause the Exchange Registration Statement to be
declared effective under the Securities Act on or before the Effectiveness Date;
(y) keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 30 calendar days (or longer if
required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is
mailed to Holders; and (z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 45th
day following the date on which the Exchange Registration Statement is declared
effective. If after such Exchange Registration Statement is
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initially declared effective by the SEC, the Exchange Offer or the issuance of
the Exchange Notes thereunder is interfered with by any stop order, injunction
or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or
court, such Exchange Registration Statement shall be deemed not to have become
effective for purposes of this Agreement. Each Holder who participates in the
Exchange Offer will be required to represent that any Exchange Notes received by
it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, that at the time of
the consummation of the Exchange Offer such Holder will have no arrangement or
understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange
Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, and that such Holder
is not an affiliate of any of the Issuers within the meaning of the Securities
Act. Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section 2,
the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply, MUTATIS MUTANDIS,
solely with respect to Registrable Notes that are Private Exchange Notes and
Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Issuers shall have
no further obligation to register Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange
Notes and other than in respect of any Exchange Notes as to which clause
2(c)(iv) hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.
(b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of Distribution,"
reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchaser, which shall contain a summary
statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with
respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that is the
beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange
Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a "PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER"), whether such positions or policies have been publicly
disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies, in the
judgment of the Initial Purchaser, represent the prevailing views of the staff
of the SEC. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also allow, to the extent
permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, the use of the
Prospectus by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act, including, to the extent so permitted, all Participating
Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the manner in which
Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes.
Each of the Issuers shall use its best efforts to keep the Exchange
Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus
contained therein, in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered
by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act for such period of time as such Persons must comply with such requirements
in order to resell the Exchange Notes, but in no event longer than 180 days (the
"APPLICABLE PERIOD").
If, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Initial Purchaser
holds any Notes acquired by it and having the status of an unsold allotment in
the initial distribution, the Company upon the request of the Initial Purchaser
shall, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes in the Exchange
Offer, issue and deliver to the Initial Purchaser, in exchange (the "PRIVATE
EXCHANGE") for the Notes held by such Initial Purchaser, a like principal amount
of debt securities of the Company, guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors, that
are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Notes except for the
existence of restrictions on transfer thereof under the Securities Act and
securities laws of the several states of the U.S. (the "PRIVATE EXCHANGE NOTES")
(and which are issued pursuant to the same indenture as the Exchange Notes);
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PROVIDED, HOWEVER, the Issuers shall not be required to effect such exchange if,
in the written opinion of counsel for the Issuers (a copy of which shall be
delivered to the Initial Purchaser and any Holder affected thereby), such
exchange cannot be effected without registration under the Securities Act. The
Private Exchange Notes shall bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes.
Interest on the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes will
accrue from (A) the later of (i) the last interest payment date on which
interest was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or (ii) if the
Notes are surrendered for exchange on a date in a period which includes the
record date for an interest payment date to occur on or after the date of such
exchange and as to which interest will be paid, the date of such interest
payment date or (B) if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from the date of
the original issuance of the Notes.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:
(1) mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part
of the Exchange Registration Statement, together with an appropriate
letter of transmittal and related documents;
(2) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange
Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, which may be the Trustee or an affiliate thereof;
(3) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable Notes at
any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last
business day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and
(4) otherwise comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer or the
Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Issuers shall:
(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly tendered
and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange, as the case may be;
(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable
Notes so accepted for exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to
each Holder tendering such Registrable Notes, Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, equal in principal amount to the
Notes of such Holder so accepted for exchange.
The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall be subject to the
following conditions: (i) the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the
case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of
the staff of the SEC, (ii) no action or proceeding is instituted or threatened
in any court or by any governmental agency which might
6
materially impair the ability of the Issuers to proceed with the Exchange Offer
or the Private Exchange and no material adverse development has occurred in any
existing action or proceeding with respect to the Issuers and (iii) all
governmental approvals have been obtained, which approvals the Issuers deem
necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes may be issued under
(i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects to the
Indenture, which in either event will provide that the Exchange Notes will not
be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and that the
Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Notes, if any, will vote and
consent together on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange
Notes, the Private Exchange Notes or the Notes, if any, will have the right to
vote or consent as a separate class on any matter.
(c) At the Company's discretion, the Company may also offer to exchange
Existing Senior Notes (as defined in the Indenture) for Exchange Notes pursuant
to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
(d) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers are not permitted to effect
an Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 180 days of
the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes so requests in
writing to the Issuers within 120 days after the consummation of the Exchange
Offer or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer,
such Holder does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the exchange that may
be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws (other than
due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of any of the Issuers
within the meaning of the Securities Act) and so notifies the Company within 60
days after the consummation of the Exchange Offer and providing a reasonable
basis for its conclusions, in the case of each of clauses (i)-(iv), then the
Issuers shall promptly deliver to the Holders and the Trustee written notice
thereof (the "SHELF NOTICE") and shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to
Section 3.
3. SHELF REGISTRATION
If a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by Section 2(c), then:
(a) SHELF REGISTRATION. The Issuers shall as promptly as reasonably
practicable file with the SEC a Registration Statement for an offering to be
made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable
Notes (the "INITIAL SHELF REGISTRATION"). If the Issuers shall not have yet
filed the Exchange Registration Statement, each of the Issuers shall use its
best efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior to
the Filing Date and shall use its best efforts to cause such Initial Shelf
Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to
the Effectiveness Date. Otherwise, each of the Issuers shall use its best
efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration within 30 days of
the delivery of the Shelf Notice and shall use its best efforts to cause such
Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly
as practicable thereafter. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-l
or another appropriate form permitting registration of such
7
Registrable Notes for resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by
them (including, without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings). The
Issuers shall not permit any securities other than the Registrable Notes to be
included in any Shelf Registration (as defined below). The Issuers shall use
their best efforts to keep the Initial Shelf Registration continuously effective
under the Securities Act until the date which is 36 months from the effective
date of such Initial Shelf Registration (subject to extension pursuant to the
last paragraph of Section 5 hereof) (the "EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD"), or such
shorter period ending when (i) all Registrable Notes covered by the Initial
Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in
the Initial Shelf Registration or (ii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration (as
defined below) covering all of the Registrable Notes has been declared effective
under the Securities Act.
(b) SUBSEQUENT SHELF REGISTRATIONS. If the Initial Shelf Registration
or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any reason at
any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all
of the securities registered thereunder), each of the Issuers shall use its best
efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 45 days of such cessation
of effectiveness amend such Shelf Registration in a manner to obtain the
withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an
additional "shelf" Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of
the Registrable Notes (a "SUBSEQUENT SHELF REGISTRATION"). If a Subsequent Shelf
Registration is filed, each of the Issuers shall use its best efforts to cause
the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared effective as soon as
practicable after such filing and to keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration
continuously effective for a period equal to the number of days in the
Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during which the Initial
Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registrations was previously
continuously effective. As used herein the term "SHELF REGISTRATION" means the
Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration.
(c) SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS. The Issuers shall promptly supplement
and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the rules, regulations or
instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Shelf
Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably requested by
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes
covered by such Shelf Registration or by any underwriter of such Registrable
Notes.
4. ADDITIONAL INTEREST
(a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchaser agree that the Holders of
Registrable Notes will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their
obligations under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be
feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly,
the Issuers, jointly and severally, agree to pay, as liquidated damages,
additional interest on the Notes ("ADDITIONAL INTEREST") under the circumstances
and to the extent set forth below (each of which shall be given independent
effect):
(i) if the Exchange Registration Statement has not been filed
on or prior to the Filing Date, then commencing on the day after the
Filing Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes over and
above the stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per annum for
8
the first 90 days immediately following the Filing Date, such
Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum at
the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period;
(ii) if the Exchange Registration Statement is not declared
effective on or prior to the Effectiveness Date, then commencing on the
day after the Effectiveness Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on
the Notes over and above the stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per
annum for the first 90 days immediately following the day after the
Effectiveness Date, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an
additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day
period; and
(iii) if (A) the Issuers have not exchanged Exchange Notes for
all Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange
Offer on or prior to the 60th day after the date on which the Exchange
Registration Statement is declared effective or (B) the Initial Shelf
Registration, if required to be filed hereunder, is not declared
effective on or prior to the 180th day after the Issue Date or (C) if
applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such
Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the
Effectiveness Period, then Additional Interest shall accrue on the
Notes over and above the stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per annum
for the first 90 days commencing on the (x) 60th day after the date on
which the Exchange Registration Statement is declared effective, in the
case of (A) or (B) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration ceases
to be effective in the case of (C) above, such Additional Interest rate
increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each
such subsequent 90-day period;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not exceed
at any one time in the aggregate 1.5% per annum; and PROVIDED FURTHER, that (1)
upon the filing of the Exchange Registration Statement (in the case of (i)
above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Registration Statement (in
the case of (ii) above), or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Notes for all
Notes tendered (in the case of (iii)(A) above), upon the effectiveness of the
Initial Shelf Registration (in the case of (iii)(B) above) or upon the
effectiveness of a Shelf Registration which had ceased to remain effective (in
the case of (iii)(C) above), Additional Interest on the Notes as a result of
such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease
to accrue.
(b) The Issuers shall notify the Trustee within one business day after
each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional
Interest is required to be paid (an "EVENT DATE"). Any amounts of Additional
Interest due pursuant to (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of this Section 4 will be
payable semi-annually by wire transfer of immediately available funds or by
federal funds check on each regular interest payment date specified in the
Indenture (to the Holders of record on the regular record date therefor
(specified in the Indenture) immediately preceding such dates), commencing with
the first such regular interest payment date occurring after any such Additional
Interest commences to accrue, subject to Section 2.17 of the Indenture with
respect to defaulted interest. The amount of Additional Interest will be
determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the
principal amount of the Notes, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which
is the number of days such Additional Interest
9
rate was applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day
year comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of a partial month, the
actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.
5. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to
Section 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuers shall effect such registrations to permit the
sale of such securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended method
or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection with
any Registration Statement filed by the Issuers hereunder, the Issuers shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC prior to the Filing Date,
the Exchange Registration Statement or if the Exchange Registration
Statement is not filed because of the circumstances contemplated by
Section 2(c)(i), a Shelf Registration as prescribed by Section 2 or 3,
and use their best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to
become effective and remain effective as provided herein; PROVIDED
that, if (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities
Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes
during the Applicable Period, before filing any Registration Statement
or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Issuers
shall, if requested, furnish to and afford the Holders of the
Registrable Notes to be registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration
or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, covered
by such Registration Statement, their counsel and the managing
underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all
such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by
reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in
each case at least five business days prior to such filing). The
Issuers shall not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or
any amendments or supplements thereto if the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes covered by such
Registration Statement, or any such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall
reasonably object.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration or Exchange
Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep
such Registration Statement continuously effective for the
Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be;
cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus
supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to be
filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force)
promulgated under the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to it with respect
to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration
Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented and
with respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being sold by a
Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus. The Company
shall be deemed not to have used its best efforts to keep a
Registration
10
Statement effective during the Applicable Period if it voluntarily
takes any action that would result in selling Holders of the
Registrable Notes covered thereby or Participating Broker-Dealers
seeking to sell Exchange Notes not being able to sell such Registrable
Notes or such Exchange Notes during that period unless such action is
required by applicable law or unless the Company complies with this
Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions of paragraph
5(k) hereof and the last paragraph of this Section 5.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period from whom the Company has received written notice that it will
be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, notify the selling
Holders of Registrable Notes, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but
in any event within two business days), and confirm such notice in writing, (i)
when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has
been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment, when the same has become effective (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, without charge, one
conformed copy of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment
including financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC
of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of
any order preventing or suspending the use of any Prospectus or the initiation
of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at any time when a prospectus is
required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the
Registrable Notes the representations and warranties of the Issuers contained in
any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section
5(n) hereof cease to be true and correct, (iv) of the receipt by the Issuers of
any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or
exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the
Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating
Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any
event, the existence of any condition or any information becoming known that
makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or
any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in, or
amendments or supplements to, such Registration Statement, Prospectus or
documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of any of
the Issuers' reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a
Registration Statement would be appropriate.
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(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section
3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, use their best efforts to
prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a
Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use
of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification (or exemption from
qualification) of any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to
be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any
jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to use their best
efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest
possible date.
(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and
if requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being
sold in connection with an underwritten offering, (i) promptly as
practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment such information or revisions to information therein relating
to such underwriters or selling Holders as the managing underwriters,
if any, or such Holders or their counsel reasonably request to be
included or made therein and (ii) make all required filings of such
prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as
practicable after the Issuers have received notification of the matters
to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment.
(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section
3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, furnish to each selling
Holder of Registrable Notes and to each such Participating
Broker-Dealer who so requests and to counsel and each managing
underwriter, if any, without charge, one conformed copy of the
Registration Statement or Registration Statements and each
post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and
schedules, and, if requested, all documents incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section
3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, deliver to each selling
Holder of Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer,
as the case may be, their respective counsel, and the underwriters, if
any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus and each
amendment or supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by
reference therein as such Persons may reasonably request; and, subject
to the last paragraph of this Section 5, each Issuer hereby consents to
the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by
each of the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters
or agents, if any, and dealers (if any), in connection with the
offering and sale of the Registrable Notes covered by, or the sale by
Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes pursuant to, such
Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.
12
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any
delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Registration
Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, to use their best efforts to
register or qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of
Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case
may be, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in
connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from
such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, for offer and sale under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United
States as any selling Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, or the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, reasonably request in
writing; PROVIDED that where Exchange Notes held by Participating
Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are offered other than through an
underwritten offering, the Issuers agree to cause their counsel to
perform Blue Sky investigations and file registrations and
qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h); keep
each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom)
effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to
be kept effective and do any and all other acts or things reasonably
necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions
of the Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers or the
Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration Statement;
PROVIDED that none of the Issuers shall be required to (A) qualify
generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so
qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general service
of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or
(C) subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in
any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3,
cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes
to be sold, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends
and shall be in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust
Company; and enable such Registrable Notes to be in such denominations
and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, or Holders may reasonably request.
(j) Use their best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes
covered by any Registration Statement to be registered with or approved
by such governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to
enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriters, if any, to
consummate the disposition of such Registrable Notes, except as may be
required solely as a consequence of the nature of such selling Holder's
business, in which case each of the Issuers will cooperate in all
reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and
the granting of such approvals.
(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section
3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any
event
13
contemplated by paragraph 5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as
practicable prepare and (subject to Section 5(a) hereof) file with the
SEC, at the joint and several expense of each of the Issuers, a
supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or
a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other
required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of
the Registrable Notes being sold thereunder or to the purchasers of the
Exchange Notes to whom such Prospectus will be delivered by a
Participating Broker-Dealer, any such Prospectus will not contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(l) Use their best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes
covered by a Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate
rating agencies, if so requested by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of Registrable Notes covered by such
Registration Statement or the managing underwriter or underwriters, if
any.
(m) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration
Statement relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee
with printed certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible
for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP
number for the Registrable Notes.
(n) In connection with an underwritten offering of Registrable
Notes pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting
agreement as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities
similar to the Notes and take all such other actions as are reasonably
requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in order to
expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of such
Registrable Notes and, in such connection, (i) make such
representations, warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters,
with respect to the business of the Issuers and their respective
subsidiaries and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents,
if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein,
in each case, as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in
underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, and
confirm the same in writing if and when requested; (ii) obtain the
opinion of counsel to the Issuers and updates thereof in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or
underwriters, addressed to the underwriters covering the matters
customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings of
debt securities similar to the Notes and such other matters as may be
reasonably requested by underwriters; (iii) obtain "cold comfort"
letters and updates thereof in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters from the
independent certified public accountants of the Issuers (and, if
necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any
subsidiary of any of the Issuers or of any business acquired by any of
the Issuers for which financial statements and financial data are, or
are required to be, included in the Registration Statement), addressed
to each of the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and
covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort"
letters in connection with underwritten offerings of debt securities
14
similar to the Notes and such other matters as reasonably requested by
the managing underwriter or underwriters; and (iv) if an underwriting
agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification
provisions and procedures no less favorable than those set forth in
Section 7 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable
Notes covered by such Registration Statement and the managing
underwriter or underwriters or agents) with respect to all parties to
be indemnified pursuant to said Section. The above shall be done at
each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent
required thereunder.
(o) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section
3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for
inspection by any selling Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold,
or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any
underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Notes,
if any, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any
such selling Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, or underwriter (collectively, the "INSPECTORS"), at the
offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all
financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents of the
Issuers and their respective subsidiaries (collectively, the "RECORDS")
as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any
applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers,
directors and employees of the Issuers and their respective
subsidiaries to supply all information reasonably requested by any such
Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement. Such Records
shall be kept confidential by each Inspector and shall not be disclosed
by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a material misstatement or omission in
such Registration Statement or (ii) the release of such Records is
ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent
jurisdiction. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each
such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree that
information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be
deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any
market transactions in the securities of the Issuers unless and until
such is made generally available to the public. Each selling Holder of
such Registrable Notes and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will
be required to further agree that it will, upon learning that
disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent
jurisdiction, give notice to the Issuers and allow the Issuers to
undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records
deemed confidential at their expense.
(p) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or
the Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the
trust indenture provided for in Section 2(a), as the case may be, to be
qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the
Exchange Offer or the first Registration Statement relating to the
Registrable Notes; and in connection therewith, cooperate with the
trustee under any such indenture and the Holders of the Registrable
Notes, to effect such changes to such indenture as may be required for
such indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the
TIA; and execute, and use its best efforts to cause such trustee to
execute, all documents as
15
may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and
documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to
be so qualified in a timely manner.
(q) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
SEC and make generally available to its security holders earnings
statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities
Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the
Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any 12-month
period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period
is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in
which Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment
or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to
underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the
first fiscal quarter of the Company after the effective date of a
Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month
periods.
(r) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private
Exchange, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers, in a form
customary for underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for
the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Notes participating in the
Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, that the
Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and
the related indenture constitute legally valid and binding obligations
of each of the Issuers, enforceable against each of the Issuers in
accordance with their respective terms subject to customary exceptions
and qualifications.
(s) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be
consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the
Issuers (or to such other Person as directed by the Issuers) in
exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the
case may be, the Issuers shall ▇▇▇▇, or caused to be marked, on such
Registrable Notes that such Registrable Notes are being canceled in
exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the
case may be; in no event shall such Registrable Notes be marked as paid
or otherwise satisfied.
(t) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by
any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating
in the disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective
counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the
NASD.
(u) Use their best efforts to take all other steps reasonably
necessary to effect the registration of the Registrable Notes covered
by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.
The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which
any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuers such information
regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes as the
Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Issuers may exclude from
such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller who fails to furnish such
information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. Each seller
as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish
promptly to the Issuers all
16
information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously
furnished to the Issuers by such seller not materially misleading.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer
agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon receipt of any
notice from the Issuers of the happening of any event of the kind described in
Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi), such Holder will forthwith
discontinue disposition of such Registrable Notes covered by a Registration
Statement and such Participating Broker Dealer will forthwith discontinue
disposition of such Exchange Notes pursuant to any Prospectus and, in each case,
forthwith discontinue dissemination of such Prospectus until such Holder's or
Participating Broker-Dealer's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k), or until it is advised in
writing (the "Advice") by the Issuers that the use of the applicable Prospectus
may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto
and, if so directed by the Issuers, such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer,
as the case may be, will deliver to the Issuers all copies, other than permanent
file copies, then in such Holder's or Participating Broker-Dealer's possession,
of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of
the receipt of such notice. In the event the Issuers shall give any such notice,
each of the Effectiveness Period and the Applicable Period shall be extended by
the number of days during such periods from and including the date of the giving
of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Notes
covered by such Registration Statement or Exchange Notes to be sold by such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the
copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) or
(y) the Advice.
6. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuers shall be borne by the Issuers, jointly and
severally, whether or not the Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or
becomes effective, including, without limitation, (i) all registration and
filing fees (including, without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings
required to be made with the NASD in connection with an underwritten offering
and (B) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws
(including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in
connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions (x) where the holders
of Registrable Notes are located, in the case of the Exchange Notes, or (y) as
provided in Section 5(h) hereof, in the case of Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes to be sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable
Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of
printing certificates for Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes in a form eligible
for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses if
the printing of prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, or by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Registrable Notes included in any Registration Statement or by any
Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, as the case may be,
(iii) reasonable messenger, telephone and delivery expenses incurred in
connection with the Exchange Registration Statement and any
17
Shelf Registration, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and
reasonable fees and disbursements of special counsel for the sellers of
Registrable Notes (subject to the provisions of Section 6(b)), (v) fees and
disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred to in
Section 5(n)(iii) (including, without limitation, the expenses of any special
audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such performance),
(vi) rating agency fees, (vii) Securities Act liability insurance, if the
Issuers desire such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of all other Persons
retained by the Issuers, (ix) internal expenses of the Issuers (including,
without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees of the
Issuers performing legal or accounting duties), (x) the expense of any annual
audit, (xi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the
securities to be registered on any securities exchange and (xii) the expenses
relating to printing, word processing and distributing all Registration
Statements, underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements, indentures and
any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.
(b) In connection with any Shelf Registration hereunder, the Issuers,
jointly and severally, shall reimburse the Holders of the Registrable Notes
being registered in such registration for the fees and disbursements, not to
exceed $25,000, of not more than one counsel (in addition to appropriate local
counsel) chosen by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Registrable Notes to be included in such Shelf Registration and other
out-of-pocket expenses of Holders of Registrable Notes incurred in connection
with the registration and sale of Registrable Notes.
7. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) Each of the Issuers, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, the officers
and directors of each such Person, and each Person, if any, who controls any
such Person within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a "PARTICIPANT"), from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, the
reasonable legal fees and other reasonable expenses actually incurred in
connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted) caused by,
arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (as amended
or supplemented if the Issuers shall have furnished any amendments or
supplements thereto) or caused by, arising out of or based upon any omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (ii) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Issuers shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto) or caused by, arising out of or based upon
any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information relating to any Participant furnished to the Issuers
in writing by or on behalf of such Participant expressly for use therein;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company will not be liable if such untrue statement
or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission was contained or made in any
preliminary prospectus and corrected in the Prospectus or any amendment or
18
supplement thereto and the Prospectus does not contain any other untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission of a material fact
that was the subject matter of the related proceeding and any such loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense suffered or incurred by the Participants
resulted from any action, claim or suit by any Person who purchased Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes which are the subject thereof from such Participant and
it is established in the related proceeding that such Participant failed to
deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) to such
Person with or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Registrable Notes
or Exchange Notes sold to such Person if required by applicable law, unless such
failure to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by the Company with Section 5 of
this Agreement.
(b) Each Participant agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify
and hold harmless the Issuers, their respective directors and officers and each
Person who controls any of the Issuers within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity from the Issuers to each Participant, but only with
reference to information relating to such Participant furnished to the Issuers
in writing by such Participant expressly for use in any Registration Statement
or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary
prospectus. The liability of any Participant under this paragraph shall in no
event exceed the proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes giving rise to such obligations.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the
two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the "INDEMNIFIED PERSON") shall promptly
notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING
PERSON") in writing, and the Indemnifying Person, upon request of the
Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others the
Indemnifying Person may reasonably designate in such proceeding and shall pay
the reasonable fees and expenses actually incurred by such counsel related to
such proceeding; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure to so notify the
Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it of any obligation or liability which it
may have hereunder or otherwise (unless and only to the extent that such failure
directly results in the loss or compromise of any material rights or defenses by
the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnifying Person was not otherwise aware of
such action or claim). In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have
the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying
Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed in writing to the
contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to
retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person or (iii) the
named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of
both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them. It is understood that, unless there
is a conflict among Indemnified Persons, the Indemnifying Person shall not, in
connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction,
be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition
to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and
expenses shall be reimbursed promptly after receipt of the invoice therefor as
they are
19
incurred. Any such separate firm for the Participants and such control Persons
of Participants shall be designated in writing by Participants who sold a
majority in interest of Registrable Notes sold by all such Participants and any
such separate firm for the Issuers, their directors, their officers and such
control Persons of the Issuers shall be designated in writing by the Company.
The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding
effected without its prior written consent, but if settled with such consent or
if there is a final non-appealable judgment for the plaintiff for which the
Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement,
the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify any Indemnified Person from and
against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person
shall have requested an Indemnifying Person to reimburse the Indemnified Person
for reasonable fees and expenses actually incurred by counsel as contemplated by
the third sentence of this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person agrees that it
shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its prior
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after
receipt by such Indemnifying Person of the aforesaid request and (ii) such
Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in
accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement
effected without its consent pursuant to this sentence if the Indemnifying
Person is contesting, in good faith, the request for reimbursement. No
Indemnifying Person shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified
Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect
of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnity
could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such
settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified Person, in
form and substance satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability
on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not
include any statement as to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act
by or on behalf of an Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in the first and second
paragraphs of this Section 7 is unavailable (other than by reason of the
exceptions specifically provided therein) to, or insufficient to hold harmless,
an Indemnified Person in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities
referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraphs, in
lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder and in order to provide
for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative
benefits received by the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the one hand and the
Indemnified Person or Persons on the other from the offering of the Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be or (ii) if the allocation provided
by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such
relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Indemnifying Person or
Persons on the one hand and the Indemnified Person or Persons on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions (or alleged statements or omissions)
that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Issuers on the one hand or by the Participants or such other
Indemnified Person, as the case
20
may be, on the other, the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission and
any other equitable considerations appropriate under the circumstances.
(e) The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by PRO RATA allocation
(even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any
other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount
paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims,
damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall
be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any reasonable
legal or other expenses actually incurred by such Indemnified Person in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall a
Participant be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, exceeds the amount of any damages that such
Participant has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section
7 will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying Persons may
otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
8. RULES 144 AND 144A
Each of the Issuers covenants that it will file the reports required to
be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner and, if at any time
it is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder
of Registrable Notes, make publicly available other information so long as
necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 144A. Each of the
Issuers further covenants, for so long as any Registrable Notes remain
outstanding, to make available to any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable
Notes in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such
Registrable Notes from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required
by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to permit resales of such
Registrable Notes pursuant to Rule 144A.
9. UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration are
to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable
Notes included in such offering and reasonably acceptable to the Issuers.
No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Notes on the basis
21
provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled
hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all
questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS . None of the Issuers has entered, as of
the date hereof, and none of the Issuers shall enter, after the date of this
Agreement, into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is
inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. None of the Issuers
has entered and none of the Issuers will enter into any agreement with respect
to any of its securities which will grant to any Person piggy-back rights with
respect to a Registration Statement.
(b) ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING REGISTRABLE NOTES . Neither the Company nor
the Subsidiary Guarantors shall, directly or indirectly, take any action with
respect to the Registrable Notes as a class that would adversely affect the
ability of the Holders of Registrable Notes to include such Registrable Notes in
a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS . The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written
consent of (A) the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the then outstanding Registrable Notes and (B) in circumstances that
would adversely affect Participating Broker-Dealers, the Participating
Broker-Dealers holding not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Exchange Notes held by all Participating Broker-Dealers; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that Section 7 and this Section 10(c) may not be amended, modified or
supplemented without the prior written consent of each Holder and each
Participating Broker-Dealer (including any Person who was a Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case
may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration Statement). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect
to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable
Notes whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer or sold
pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly
affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable
Notes may be given by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Registrable Notes being tendered or being sold by such Holders
pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(d) NOTICES . All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or telecopier:
1. if to a Holder of Registrable Notes or any Participating
Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the
records of the registrar under the Indenture, with a copy in like
manner to the Initial Purchaser as follows:
22
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company, Inc.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ - ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Finance Department
with a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ L.L.P.
2300 First City Tower
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
2. if to the Initial Purchaser, at the address specified
in Section 10(d)(1);
3. if to an Issuer, as follows:
▇▇▇▇▇ Homes, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
with copies to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
P.A.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed, one business day after
being timely delivered to a next-day air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery; and when receipt is acknowledged by the addressee, if telecopied.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee under the
Indenture at the address specified in such Indenture.
(e) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto
and the Holders; PROVIDED,
23
HOWEVER, that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding
upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless such successor or assign holds
Registrable Notes.
(f) COUNTERPARTS . This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(g) HEADINGS . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(H) GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS
MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(i) SEVERABILITY . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to
achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such
term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared
to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that
may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(j) NOTES HELD BY THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AFFILIATES . Whenever the
consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Notes is
required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by the Issuers or their affiliates
(as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be
counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders
of such required percentage.
(k) THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES . Holders of Registrable Notes and
Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third party beneficiaries of this
Agreement and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
(1) ENTIRE AGREEMENT . This Agreement, together with the Purchase
Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or
written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings,
correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Initial Purchaser on the
one hand and the Issuers on the other, or between or among any agents,
representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or
successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are
merged herein and replaced hereby.
24
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES, INC.
By: /S/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
BANYAN TRAILS, INC.
BILTMORE SOUTH CORP.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/ARIZONA, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/ATLANTA, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/BROWARD, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/COLORADO, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/GULF COAST, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/JACKSONVILLE, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/ORLANDO, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/PALM BEACH, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/PEMBROKE, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/TEXAS, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/VIRGINIA, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES REALTY, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES, INC.
PEMBROKE FALLS REALTY, INC.
PREFERRED BUILDERS REALTY, INC.
PREFERRED HOME MORTGAGE COMPANY
ST. TROPEZ AT BOCA GOLF, INC.
UNIVERSAL LAND TITLE, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇ HOMES/ARIZONA CONSTRUCTION, INC.
UNIVERSAL LAND TITLE OF COLORADO, INC.
By: /S/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & COMPANY, INC.
By: /S/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Managing Director