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EXHIBIT 4.4
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of November 23, 1998, by and among ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ Corporation,
doing business as ▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Credit
Suisse First Boston Corporation, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Towbin and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin &
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation (the "Initial Purchasers") pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement dated November 17, 1998 (the "Purchase Agreement") by and
among the Company and the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial
Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to
provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution of
this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.
The Company agrees with the Initial Purchasers, (i) for their benefit
as Initial Purchasers and (ii) for the benefit of the holders from time to time
of the Notes (including the Initial Purchasers) and the holders from time to
time of the Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes (each of the
foregoing a "Holder" and together the "Holders," which terms include the
beneficial owners of Notes held in global book-entry form), as follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition
shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As
used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate: "Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified
person, (i) any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled
by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such specified person or
(ii) any executive officer or director of such specified person. For purposes of
this definition, the term "control" (including the terms "controlling,"
"controlled by" and "under common control with") of a person means the
possession, direct or indirect, of the power (whether or not exercised) to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
Business Day: Each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York
are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Common Stock: The shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per
share, of the Company and any other shares of common stock as may constitute
"Common Stock" for purposes of the Indenture, in each case, as issuable or
issued upon conversion of the Notes.
Damages Accrual Period: See Section 2(e) hereof.
Damages Payment Date: Each of the semi-annual interest payment
dates provided in the Indenture and the Notes.
Deferral Period: See Section 2(d)(ii) hereof.
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Effectiveness Period: The period commencing with the date
hereof and ending on the earlier of the date that is two years after the latest
date of original issuance of the Notes and the date that all Registrable
Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities.
Event: See Section 2(e) hereof.
Event Date: See Section 2(e) hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Filing Date: The latest date of original issuance of the
Notes.
Holder: See the second paragraph of this Agreement.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of November 23, 1998,
between the Company and LaSalle National Bank, Trustee, pursuant to which the
Notes are being issued, as amended or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with the terms hereof.
Initial Purchasers: See the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 2(a) hereof.
Liquidated Damages: See Section 2(e) hereof.
Losses: See Section 6 hereof.
Managing Underwriters: The investment banking firm or firms
that shall manage or co-manage an Underwritten Offering.
Notes: The 7 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due December
1, 2003 of the Company being issued and sold pursuant to the Purchase Agreement
and the Indenture.
Notice Holder: See Section 2(d)(i) hereof.
Purchase Agreement: See the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration
Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses
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 amendment or prospectus
supplement, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
Record Holder: (i) with respect to any Damages Payment Date
relating to any Note as to which any Liquidated Damages have accrued, the
registered holder of such Note on the record date with respect to the interest
payment date under the Indenture and the Note on
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which such Damages Payment Date shall occur and (ii) with respect to any Damages
Payment Date relating to any Common Stock as to which any such Liquidated
Damages have accrued, the registered holder of such Common Stock on the May 15
or November 15, as the case may be, immediately prior to the applicable Damages
Payment Date.
Registrable Securities: The Notes and the Common Stock into
which the Notes are convertible or converted, whether or not such Notes have
been converted and any Common Stock issued with respect thereto upon any stock
dividend, split or similar event until, in the case of any such Note or any such
Common Stock, (i) it is effectively registered under the Securities Act and
disposed of in accordance with the Registration Statement covering it, (ii) it
is saleable by the holder thereof pursuant to Rule 144(k) or (iii) it is sold to
the public pursuant to Rule 144, and the legends with respect to transfer
restrictions required under the Indenture (other than any such legends required
solely as the consequence of the fact that the Registrable Securities (or the
Notes, upon the conversion of which, such Registrable Securities were issued or
are issuable) are owned by, or were previously owned by, the Company or an
Affiliate of the Company and other than legends required by any depositary for
book-entry Notes) are removed or removable in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture.
Registration Expenses: See Section 5 hereof.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the
Company which covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and
supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments,
all exhibits, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the SEC.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A 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 promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
Selling Period: See Section 2(d)(i) hereof.
Shelf Registration: See Section 2(a) hereof.
Special Counsel: Venture Law Group, A Professional
Corporation, or such other successor counsel as shall be specified by the
holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, the fees and expenses of
which will be paid by the Company pursuant to Section 5 hereof.
Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 2(b) hereof.
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TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Trustee: The Trustee under the Indenture.
Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A
registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public, provided that the Managing Underwriters of an
Underwritten Offering shall be approved by the Company, which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld.
2. Shelf Registration.
(a) Shelf Registration. The Company shall prepare and file
with the SEC, as soon as practicable but in any event on or prior to the date
sixty (60) days following the Filing Date a Registration Statement for an
offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities
Act (a "Shelf Registration") registering the resale from time to time by Holders
thereof of all of the Registrable Securities (the "Initial Shelf Registration").
The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form ▇-▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇ or another
appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for
resale by such Holders in the manner or manners designated by them (including,
without limitation, one or more Underwritten Offerings). The Company shall use
its reasonable efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration to be declared
effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable and, in any event,
within one hundred and twenty (120) days following the Filing Date and to keep
the Initial Shelf Registration effective under the Securities Act until the
earlier of the expiration of the Effectiveness Period or the date a Subsequent
Shelf Registration, as defined below, covering all of the Registrable Securities
has been declared effective under the Securities Act.
(b) If the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf
Registration, as defined below, ceases to be effective for any reason as a
result of the issuance of a stop order by the SEC at any time during the
Effectiveness Period, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain the
prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any
event shall within thirty (30) days of such cessation of effectiveness amend the
Shelf Registration in a manner reasonably expected to obtain the withdrawal of
the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an additional Shelf
Registration covering all of the Registrable Securities (a "Subsequent Shelf
Registration"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Company shall
use its reasonable efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be
declared effective as soon as practicable after such filing and to keep such
Registration Statement continuously effective until the end of the Effectiveness
Period.
(c) The Company shall supplement and amend the Shelf
Registration if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to
the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration, if
required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably requested by the Initial
Purchasers or by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders of a majority of the
Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or by any Managing
Underwriter of such Registrable Securities in the event of an Underwritten
Offering of the Registrable Securities.
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(d) Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that if such
Holder wishes to sell its Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf
Registration and related Prospectus, it will do so only in accordance with this
Section 2(d). Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees to give written
notice to the Company at least five Business Days prior to any intended
distribution of Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration, which
notice shall specify the date on which such Holder intends to begin such
distribution and any information with respect to such Holder and the intended
distribution of Registrable Securities by such Holder as may be required to
amend the Registration Statement or supplement the related Prospectus with
respect to such intended distribution of Registrable Securities by such Holder
(the "Requisite Information"). In the event a Holder fails to provide the
Requisite Information in its initial notice of its intention to distribute the
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Company will
promptly request such Holder to provide such Requisite Information. As soon as
practicable after the date such notice is provided, and in any event within five
Business Days after such date, the Company shall either:
(i) (A) If necessary, prepare and file with the
Commission a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration or a supplement
to the related Prospectus or a supplement or amendment to any document
incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that
such Registration Statement 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 not misleading, and so that, as thereafter
delivered to purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder,
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; (B) provide the Notice Holders (as defined below) copies of any
documents filed pursuant to Section 2(d)(i)(A); and (C) inform the Notice
Holders that the Company has complied with its obligations in Section 2(d)(i)(A)
(or that, if the Company has filed a post-effective amendment to the Shelf
Registration which has not yet been declared effective, the Company will notify
the Notice Holders to that effect, will use its reasonable efforts to secure the
effectiveness of such post-effective amendment and will immediately notify the
Notice Holders when the amendment has become effective); each Holder who has
given notice of intention to distribute such Holder's Registrable Securities in
accordance with Section 2(d) hereof (a "Notice Holder") will sell all or any of
such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration and related
Prospectus only during the forty-five (45)-day period commencing with the date
on which the Company gives notice, pursuant to Section 2(d)(i)(C), that the
Registration Statement and Prospectus may be used for such purpose (such
forty-five (45)-day period is referred to as a "Selling Period"). The Notice
Holders will not sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration
Statement or Prospectus after such Selling Period without giving a new notice of
intention to sell pursuant to Section 2(d) hereof and receiving a further notice
from the Company pursuant to Section 2(d)(i)(C) hereof.
(ii) in the event (A) of the happening of any event
of the kind described in Section 3(d)(ii), 3(d)(iii), 3(d)(iv), 3(d)(v) or
3(d)(vi) hereof or (B) that, in the judgment of the Company, it is advisable to
suspend use of the Prospectus for a discrete period of time due to pending
material corporate developments or similar material events that have not yet
been publicly disclosed and as to which the Company believes public disclosure
will be prejudicial to the Company, the Company shall deliver a certificate in
writing, signed by an authorized executive officer of the Company, to the Notice
Holders, the Special Counsel and the Managing Underwriters, if any, to the
effect of the foregoing and, upon receipt of such certificate, each such Notice
Holder's Selling Period will not commence until such Notice Holder's receipt of
copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in
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Section 2(d)(i)(A) hereof, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that
the Prospectus may be used, and has received copies of any additional or
supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference
in such Prospectus. The Company will use its reasonable efforts to ensure that
the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and the Selling Period will commence,
as soon as practicable and, in the case of a pending development or event
referred to in Section 2(d)(ii)(B) hereof, as soon as the earlier of (x) public
disclosure of such pending material corporate development or similar material
event or (y) in the judgment of the Company, public disclosure of such material
corporate development or similar material event would not be prejudicial to the
Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the Company shall not under any
circumstances be entitled to exercise its right under this Section 2(d)(ii) to
defer the commencement of a Selling Period more than one (1) time in any three
(3) month period or two (2) times in any twelve (12) month period, and the
period in which a Selling Period is suspended shall not exceed fifteen (15) days
unless the Company shall deliver to such Notice Holders a second notice to the
effect set forth above, which shall have the effect of extending the period
during which such Selling Period is deferred by up to an additional fifteen (15)
days, or such shorter period of time as is specified in such second notice, and
(B) in no event shall the Company be permitted to extend the period during which
such Selling Period is deferred from and after the date a Notice Holder provides
notice to the Company in accordance with this Section 2(d) of its intention to
distribute Registrable Securities (a "Deferral Period") beyond such thirty (30)
day period, provided, that the Company may suspend the use of such Prospectus
for longer periods so long as the Company complies with its obligations, if any,
to pay Liquidated Damages in accordance with Section 2(e) hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing set forth in this
Section 2(d)(ii), a deferral or suspension (which deferral or suspension
pursuant to (A) or (B) below shall not exceed the time periods otherwise
permitted under this Section 2(d)(ii)) by the Company of a Selling Period in
order to (A) until such time as the Company first satisfies the eligibility
requirements for the use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, amend a
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (an "S-1 Registration Statement") and
supplement the related Prospectus, which amendment and supplement are required
in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Company to (i) reflect the
existence of any fact or happening of any event which makes any statement of a
material fact in such S-1 Registration Statement or related Prospectus untrue or
which would require the making of any changes in such S-1 Registration Statement
or Prospectus in order that, in the case of such S-1 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not
misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) include
audited or quarterly financial statements as required under the Securities Act
or the rules or regulations thereunder or (iii) respond to comments received by
the SEC with respect to such Registration Statement, or (B) amend a Registration
Statement or supplement the related Prospectus in order to enable the
underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities included therein shall not
be counted for purposes of the limitations set forth in the last sentence of the
first paragraph of this Section 2(d)(ii), provided, however, that the Company
shall use its reasonable efforts to have such amendment declared effective as
soon as possible after commencement of the deferral or suspension.
(e) The parties hereto agree that the Holders of Registrable
Securities will suffer damages, and that it would not be feasible to ascertain
the extent of such damages with precision, if (i) the Initial Shelf Registration
Statement has not been filed on or prior to 120 days after the Filing Date, (ii)
the Initial Shelf Registration has not been declared effective on or prior
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to 120 days after the Filing Date due to the fact that the Company has not used
reasonable efforts as required under Section 2(a) above and taking into account
then existing circumstances (which may include, but are not limited to, the
events set forth under clause (A) of the second paragraph of Section 2(d)(ii)),
(iii) prior to the end of the Effectiveness Period, the SEC shall have issued a
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration or proceedings
have been initiated with respect to the Shelf Registration under Section 8(d) or
8(e) of the Securities Act, (iv) the aggregate number of days in any one
Deferral Period exceeds the periods permitted pursuant to Section 2(d)(ii)
hereof, or (v) the number of Deferral Periods exceeds the number permitted
pursuant to Section 2(d)(ii) hereof (each of the events of a type described in
any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) are individually referred to herein
as an "Event," and 120 days after the Filing Date in the case of clauses (i) and
(ii) (and with respect to clause (ii), subject to the Company's obligations to
use reasonable efforts as set forth above in such clause), the date on which the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration has been suspended or proceedings with
respect to the Shelf Registration under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities
Act have been commenced in the case of clause (iii), the date on which the
duration of a Deferral Period exceeds the periods permitted by Section 2(d)(ii)
hereof in the case of clause (iv), and the date of the commencement of a
Deferral Period that causes the limit on the number of Deferral Periods under
Section 2(d)(ii) hereof to be exceeded in the case of clause (v), being referred
to herein as an "Event Date"). Events shall be deemed to continue until the date
of the termination of such Event, which shall be the following dates with
respect to the respective types of Events: the date the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement is filed in the case of an Event of the type described in
clause (i), the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared
effective in the case of an Event of the type described in clause (ii), the date
that all stop orders suspending effectiveness of the Shelf Registration have
been removed and the proceedings initiated with respect to the Shelf
Registration under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act have terminated,
as the case may be, in the case of Events of the types described in clause
(iii), termination of the Deferral Period which caused the aggregate number of
days in any one Deferral Period to exceed the number permitted by Section
2(d)(ii) to be exceeded in the case of Events of the type described in clause
(iv), and termination of the Deferral Period the commencement of which caused
the number of Deferral Periods permitted by Section 2(d)(ii) to be exceeded in
the case of Events of the type described in clause (v). For purposes of this
Section 2(e), the Holders hereby agree that a designated representative of the
Holders requesting Registrable Securities to be included in the Initial Shelf
Registration shall notify the Company if, in the judgment of such Holders, the
Company has not used reasonable efforts to have the Initial Shelf Registration
declared effective in accordance with the Company's obligations hereunder;
provided, however, such notice shall not be determinative of whether or not the
Company has used such reasonable efforts.
Accordingly, upon the occurrence of any Event and until such time as
there are no Events which have occurred and are continuing (a "Damages Accrual
Period"), commencing on the Event Date on which such Damages Accrual Period
began, the Company agrees to pay as liquidated damages, and not as a penalty, an
additional amount (the "Liquidated Damages"): (A)(i) to each holder of a Note
that is a Notice Holder, accruing at a rate equal to one-half of one percent per
annum (50 basis points) on the aggregate principal amount of Notes held by such
Notice Holder and (ii) to each holder of Common Stock that is a Notice Holder,
accruing at a rate equal to one-half of one percent per annum (50 basis points)
calculated on an amount equal to the
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product of (x) the then-applicable Conversion Price (as defined in the
Indenture), times (y) the number of shares of Common Stock held by such holder;
and (B) if the Damages Accrual Period continues for a period in excess of thirty
(30) days from the Event Date, from and after the end of such thirty (30) days
until such time as there are no Events which have occurred and are continuing,
(i) to each holder of a Note (whether or not a Notice Holder), accruing at a
rate equal to one-half of one percent per annum (50 basis points) on the
aggregate principal amount of Notes held by such holder and (ii) to each holder
of Common Stock (whether or not a Notice Holder), accruing at a rate equal to
one-half of one percent per annum (50 basis points) calculated on an amount
equal to the product of (x) the then-applicable Conversion Price (as defined in
the Indenture), times (y) the number of shares of Common Stock held by such
holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Liquidated Damages shall accrue under
clause (A) of the preceding sentence during any period for which Liquidated
Damages accrue under clause (B) of the preceding sentence or as to any
Registrable Securities from and after the earlier of (x) the date such
securities are no longer Registrable Securities, and (y) the expiration of the
Effectiveness Period. The rate of accrual of the Liquidated Damages with respect
to any period shall not exceed the rate provided for in this paragraph
notwithstanding the occurrence of multiple concurrent Events.
The Company shall pay the Liquidated Damages due on any Notes or Common
Stock by depositing with the Trustee under the Indenture (in the case of Notes)
or with the registrar for the Common Stock (in the case of Common Stock) in
trust, for the benefit of the holders of Notes or Common Stock or Notice Holder,
as the case may be, entitled thereto, on or prior to the applicable Damages
Payment Date, sums sufficient to pay the Liquidated Damages accrued or accruing
since the last preceding Damages Payment Date through such Damages Payment Date.
The Liquidated Damages shall be paid by the Company to the Record Holders on
each Damages Payment Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
accounts specified by them or by mailing checks to their registered addresses as
they appear in the Note register (as defined in the Indenture), in the case of
the Notes, and in the register of the Company for the Common Stock, in the case
of the Common Stock, if no such accounts have been specified on or before the
Damage Payment Date; provided, however, that any Liquidated Damages accrued with
respect to any Note or portion thereof called for redemption on a redemption
date, redeemed or repurchased in connection with a Change in Control (as defined
in the Indenture) on a repurchase date, or converted into Common Stock on a
conversion date prior to the Damages Payment Date, shall, in any such event, be
paid instead to the holder who submitted such Note or portion thereof for
redemption, repurchase or conversion on the applicable redemption date,
repurchase date or conversion date, as the case may be, on such date (or
promptly following the conversion date, in the case of conversion of a Note) or,
if such Note is held in global book-entry form, by wire transfer to the
applicable depositary. The Trustee and the registrar for Common Stock shall be
entitled, on behalf of the holders of Notes, Common Stock and Notice Holders, to
seek any available remedy for the enforcement of this Agreement, including for
the payment of such Liquidated Damages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
parties agree that the sole damages payable for a violation of the terms of this
Agreement with respect to which Liquidated Damages are expressly provided shall
be such Liquidated Damages. Nothing shall preclude a Notice Holder or holder of
Registrable Securities from pursuing or obtaining specific performance or other
equitable relief with respect to this Agreement.
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All of the Company's obligations set forth in this Section 2(e) which
are outstanding with respect to any Registrable Securities at the time such
security ceases to be a Registrable Security shall survive until such time as
all such obligations with respect to such security have been satisfied in full
(notwithstanding termination of the Agreement pursuant to Section 8(o)).
The parties hereto agree that the Liquidated Damages provided for in
this Section 2(e) constitute a reasonable estimate of the damages that may be
incurred by holders of Registrable Securities (other than the Initial
Purchasers) by reason of the failure of the Shelf Registration to be filed or
declared effective or unavailable (absolutely or as a practical matter) for
effecting resales of Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in accordance
with the provisions hereof.
3. Registration Procedures. In connection with the Company's
registration obligations under Section 2 hereof, the Company shall effect such
registrations to permit the sale of the Registrable Securities in accordance
with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto
the Company shall as expeditiously as possible:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or
Registration Statements on any appropriate form under the Securities Act
available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof in
accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and use
its reasonable efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become
effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided, that before filing
any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements
thereto (other than documents that would be incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference and that the Company is required by applicable
securities laws or stock exchange requirements to file) the Company shall
furnish to the Special Counsel and the Managing Underwriters of such offering,
if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will
be subject to the review of the Special Counsel and such Managing Underwriters,
and the Company shall not file any such Registration Statement or amendment
thereto or any Prospectus or any supplement thereto (other than such documents
which, upon filing, would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference therein and that the Company is required by applicable securities laws
or stock exchange requirements to file) to which the Holders of a majority of
the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, the Managing
Underwriters or the Special Counsel shall reasonably object in writing within
two (2) full Business Days.
(b) The Company shall take such action as may be necessary so
that (i) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any
Prospectus forming part thereof and any amendment or supplement thereto (and
each report or other document incorporated therein by reference in each case)
complies in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
(ii) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when
it becomes effective, 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 are made, not
misleading and (iii) any Prospectus forming part of any Shelf Registration
Statement, and any amendment or supplement to such Prospectus, does not include
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
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material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to
keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable
period specified in Section 2; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented
by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed
pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the
Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with
respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration
Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended methods
of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement
as so amended or such Prospectus as so supplemented.
(d) Notify the Notice Holders, the Special Counsel and the
Managing Underwriters, if any, promptly, and (if requested by any such person)
confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus, any Prospectus
supplement, a Registration Statement or a post-effective amendment to a
Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC, and, with respect to a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become
effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any other federal or state
governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement
or related Prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by
the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation or
threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the
Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification
or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in
any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose, (v) of the existence of any fact or happening of any event which makes
any statement of a material fact in such Registration Statement or related
Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference untrue or which would require the making of any changes in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus in order 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, in light of the circumstances under
which they are made, not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it
will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, and (vi) of the Company's determination that a post-effective
amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.
(e) Use its reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any
order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the lifting
of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any
of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest
possible moment.
(f) Use its reasonable efforts to, if requested by the
Managing Underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities being sold, (i) promptly
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incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a
Registration Statement such information as the Special Counsel, the Managing
Underwriters, if any, or such Holders, in connection with any offering of
Registrable Securities, agree should be included therein as required by
applicable law, and (ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement
or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has
received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment; provided, that the Company shall not be
required to take any actions under this Section 3(f) that are not, in the
reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable
law.
(g) Furnish to each selling Holder (if so requested), the
Special Counsel and each Managing Underwriter, if any, without charge, at least
one (1) conformed copy of the Registration Statement or Statements and any
amendment thereto, including financial statements but excluding schedules, all
documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and all
exhibits (unless requested in writing by such selling Holder, counsel or
underwriter).
(h) Deliver to each Holder selling Registrable Securities, the
Special Counsel and each Managing Underwriter, if any, in connection with any
offering of Registrable Securities, without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus or Prospectuses relating to such Registrable Securities (including
each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such
persons may reasonably request; and the Company hereby consents to the use of
such Prospectus or each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling
Holders of Registrable Securities and the Underwriters, if any, in connection
with any offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.
(i) To the extent the Registrable Securities do not constitute
"covered securities" as defined under Section 18 of the Securities Act, prior to
any public offering of Registrable Securities, to register or qualify or
cooperate with the selling Holders, the Managing Underwriters, if any, and the
Special Counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or
exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable
Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder or Managing
Underwriter reasonably requests in writing; 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 necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable
Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company will not be required
to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then
so qualified or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general service of
process in suits or to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so
subject.
(j) Cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable
Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other
governmental agencies or authorities within the United States, except as may be
required solely as a consequence of the nature of such
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selling Holder, in which case the Company will cooperate in all reasonable
respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such
approvals, as may be necessary to enable the selling Holder or Holders thereof
or the Managing Underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such
Registrable Securities.
(k) During any Selling Period (other than during a Deferral
Period), immediately upon the existence of any fact or the occurrence of any
event as a result of which a Registration Statement shall 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, or a
Prospectus shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, promptly prepare and file a post-effective amendment to
each Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any
document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document
(such as a Current Report on Form 8-K) that would be incorporated by reference
into the Registration Statement so that the Registration Statement shall 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 so that the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable
Securities being sold thereunder, and, in the case of a post-effective amendment
to a Registration Statement, use its reasonable efforts to cause it to become
effective as soon as practicable.
(l) In the event of an Underwritten Offering, enter into such
agreements and take all such other reasonable actions in connection therewith
(including those reasonably requested by the Managing Underwriters, if any, or
the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold) in order to
expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities and in
such connection, whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into, and
if the registration is an underwritten registration, (i) make such
representations and warranties, subject to the Company's ability to do so, to
the Holders of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters with respect to
the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, the Registration Statement,
Prospectus and documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by
reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily
made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same
if and when requested; (ii) use its reasonable efforts to obtain opinions of
counsel to the Company and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form,
scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Managing
Underwriters, if any, Special Counsel and the Holders of a majority of the
Registrable Securities being sold) addressed to each of the underwriters
covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten
offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Special
Counsel and Managing Underwriters; (iii) use its reasonable efforts to obtain
"cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the independent certified public
accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, any other certified public
accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or any business acquired or to be
acquired by the
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Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required
to be, included in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the
Managing Underwriters, if any, such letters to be in customary form and covering
matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection
with Underwritten Offerings; and (iv) deliver such documents and certificates as
may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities being sold, the Special Counsel and the Managing Underwriters, if
any, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of
the Company and its subsidiaries made pursuant to clause (i) above and to
evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting
agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company. The above shall be
done at each closing under such underwriting or similar agreement as and to the
extent required thereunder.
(m) If requested in connection with a disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, make available for
inspection by a representative of the Holders of Registrable Securities being
sold, any Managing Underwriter participating in any disposition of Registrable
Securities, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such selling
holders or underwriter, financial and other records, pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the
executive officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries
to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative,
Managing Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such
disposition; subject to reasonable assurances by each such person that such
information will only be used in connection with matters relating to such
Registration Statement, provided, however, that such persons shall first agree
in writing with the Company that any information that is reasonably and in good
faith designated by the Company in writing as confidential at the time of
delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such persons, unless
(i) disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order
or is necessary to respond to inquiries of regulatory authorities, (ii)
disclosure of such information is required by law (including any disclosure
requirements pursuant to Federal securities laws in connection with the filing
of any Registration Statement or the use of any prospectus referred to in this
Agreement), (iii) such information becomes generally available to the public
other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by any such
person or (iv) such information becomes available to any such person from a
source other than the Company and such source is not bound by a confidentiality
agreement.
(n) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
SEC and make generally available to its securityholders earning statements
(which need not be audited) 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
Securities 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
commencing after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which
statements shall cover said 12-month periods.
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(o) Cooperate with the selling holders of Registrable
Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates
representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive
legends and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and
registered in such names as the holders may require, subject to any restrictions
contained in the Indenture.
(p) Provide the transfer agent for the Common Stock with
printed certificates for the Registrable Securities which are in a form eligible
for deposit with The Depository Trust Company, and, unless any Registrable
Securities shall be in book-entry only form, the Company shall cooperate with
the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates
representing Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to any Shelf
Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in such permitted
denominations and registered in such names as Holders may request in connection
with the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration
Statement.
(q) Cause all Registrable Securities (other than the Notes)
covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange
or quotation system on which the Company's Common Stock is then listed no later
than the date the Registration Statement is declared effective and, in
connection therewith, to the extent applicable, to make such filings under the
Exchange Act (e.g., the filing of a Registration Statement on Form 8-A) and to
have such filings declared effective thereunder.
(r) Cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made
with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(s) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, the Company shall not be required to amend or supplement the Shelf
Registration pursuant to the Agreement if (i) such amendment or supplement would
require the Company to disclose a material financing, acquisition or corporate
transaction and the Company shall have determined that such disclosure is not in
the best interests of the Company and the holders of its outstanding Common
Stock or (ii) the Company shall have determined in good faith that there is a
valid business purpose or reason for suspending the use of the Prospectus
included in such Shelf Registration in accordance herewith instead of making
such amendment or supplement; provided, that in each such case the Company
complies with its obligations, if any, to pay Liquidated Damages.
(t) The Company shall cause the Indenture to be qualified
under the TIA in a timely manner; and in connection with such qualification, the
Company shall cooperate with the Trustee under the Indenture and the Holders (as
defined in the Indenture) to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be
required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of
the TIA; and the Company shall execute and use all reasonable efforts to cause
the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such
changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the
Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.
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4. Holder's Obligations. Each Holder agrees, by acquisition of the
Notes and Registrable Securities, that no Holder of Registrable Securities shall
be entitled to sell any of such Registrable Securities pursuant to a
Registration Statement or to receive a Prospectus relating thereto, unless such
Holder has furnished the Company with the notice required pursuant to Section
2(d) hereof and such other information regarding such Holder and the
distribution of such Registrable Securities as may be required to be included in
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or as the Company may from time to
time reasonably request. The Company may exclude from such registration the
Registrable Securities of any Holder who does not furnish such information
provided above for so long as such information is not so furnished. Each Holder
of Registrable Securities as to which any Registration Statement is being
effected agrees promptly to furnish to the Company all information required to
be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the
Company by such Holder not misleading. Any sale of any Registrable Securities by
any Holder shall constitute a representation and warranty by such Holder that
the information relating to such Holder and its plan of distribution is as set
forth in the Prospectus delivered by such Holder in connection with such
disposition, that such Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale contain
any untrue statement of a material fact relating to such Holder or its plan of
distribution and that such Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale omit
to state any material fact relating to such Holder or its plan of distribution
necessary to make the statements in such Prospectus, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
5. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the
Company's performance of or compliance with this Agreement shall be borne by the
Company whether or not any of the Registration Statements become effective. Such
fees and expenses shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and
filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses (x) with respect
to filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. and (y) of compliance with federal securities or Blue Sky laws
(including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of Special Counsel in
connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities in such
jurisdictions as the Managing Underwriters, if any, or Holders of a majority of
the Registrable Securities being sold may designate)), (ii) printing expenses
(including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for
Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust
Company and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is
requested by the Special Counsel or the holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities included in any Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone
and delivery expenses, (iv) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company and the Special Counsel (not to exceed $5,000) in connection with the
Shelf Registration (provided that the Company shall not be liable for the fees
and expenses of more than one separate firm for all parties participating in any
transaction hereunder), (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified
public accountants referred to in Section 3(l)(iii) hereof (including the
expenses of any special audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or incident
to such performance) and (vi) Securities Act liability insurance obtained by the
Company in its sole discretion. In addition, the Company shall pay its internal
expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of
any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing
of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange on which
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similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and the fees and
expenses of any person, including special experts, retained by the Company.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, each seller of Registrable
Securities shall pay all selling expenses and all registration expenses to the
extent that the Company is prohibited by applicable Blue Sky laws from paying
for or on behalf of such seller of Registrable Securities, and the Managing
Underwriters shall pay the fees of their counsel in connection with any
Underwritten Offering (other than Blue Sky qualifications) .
6. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall
indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, each Holder and each person,
if any, who controls the Initial Purchasers or any Holder (within the meaning of
either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act)
from and against all losses, liabilities, damages and expenses (including,
without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim)
(collectively, "Losses"), caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or
Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary
prospectus, or caused by 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 in which they were made not misleading,
except insofar as such Losses are caused by the information relating to the
Initial Purchasers or any Holder furnished to the Company in writing by the
Initial Purchasers or such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, that the
Company shall not be liable to any Holder of Registrable Securities (or any
person controlling such Holder) to the extent that any such Losses are caused by
an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in any preliminary prospectus if either (A)(i) such Holder failed to send
or deliver a copy of the Prospectus with or prior to the delivery of written
confirmation of the sale by such Holder to the person asserting the claims from
which such Losses result and (ii) the Prospectus would have corrected such
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or such omission or alleged
omission, or (B)(x) such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, omission
or alleged omission is corrected in an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus
and (y) having previously been furnished by or on behalf of the Company with
copies of the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, such Holder thereafter
fails to deliver such Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, with or prior to
the delivery of written confirmation of the sale of a Registrable Security to
the person asserting the claim from which such Losses result. The Company shall
also indemnify each underwriter and each person who controls such person (within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange
Act) to the same extent and with the same limitations as provided above with
respect to the indemnification of the Initial Purchasers or the Holders of
Registrable Securities.
(b) Indemnification by Holder of Registrable Securities. Each
Holder agrees, and such agreement shall be evidenced by the Holder delivering
the notice described in Section 2(d) hereof, severally and not jointly to
indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchasers, the other selling Holders,
the Company, its directors, its officers who sign a Registration Statement, and
each person, if any, who controls the Company, the Initial Purchasers and any
other selling
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Holder (within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section
20 of the Exchange Act), from and against all losses arising out of or based
upon any untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement, Prospectus or preliminary prospectus or arising out of or based upon
any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information
relating to such Holder so furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company
expressly for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus. In no event
shall the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be
greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such Holder
upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification
obligation.
(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. In case any
proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted
involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to
either of the two preceding paragraphs, such person (the "indemnified party")
shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the
"indemnifying party") in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the
indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the
indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable
fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such
proceeding, any indemnified party 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 party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified
party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the
named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party 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 the indemnifying party
shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in
connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction,
be liable for (a) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in
addition to any local counsel) for the Initial Purchasers and all persons, if
any, who control the Initial Purchasers within the meaning of either Section 15
of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, (b) the fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for
all Holders and all persons, if any, who control any Holder within the meaning
of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act,
and (c) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any
local counsel) for the Company, its directors, its officers who sign a
Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of either such Section, and that all such fees and expenses shall be
reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the
Company, and such directors, officers and control persons of the Company, such
firm shall be designated in writing by the Company. In such case involving the
Initial Purchasers and persons who control the Initial Purchasers, such firm
shall be designated in writing by Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation. In
such case involving the Holders and such persons who control Holders, such firm
shall be designated in writing by the holders of the majority of Registrable
Securities sold pursuant to the Registration Statement. The indemnifying party
shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent, but if
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settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the
indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against
any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding
the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested
an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses
of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this paragraph,
the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement does not
include an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability on
any claims that are the subject matter of such action, (ii) such settlement is
entered into more than forty-five (45) days after receipt by such indemnifying
party of the aforesaid request and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have
reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the
date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written
consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or
threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have
been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified
party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such
indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of
such proceeding.
(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this
Section 6 is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 6(a) or 6(b)
hereof in respect of any Losses or is insufficient to hold such indemnified
party harmless, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying
such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such Losses, (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party
or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party or parties on the other
hand or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of
the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party
or parties on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that
resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net
proceeds from the initial placement (before deducting expenses) of the Notes
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Benefits received by any Initial Purchaser
shall be deemed to be equal to the total purchase discounts and commissions
received by it pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and benefits received by any
other Holders shall be deemed to be equal to the value of receiving Notes or
Common Stock registered under the Securities Act. Benefits received by any
underwriter shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and
commissions, as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus forming a part of
the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. The relative fault of
the Holders on the one hand and the Company on the other hand 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 Holders or by the Company
and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Holders'
respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this paragraph are several in
proportion to the respective number of Registrable Securities they have sold
pursuant to a Registration Statement, and not joint.
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The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method or allocation that does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses
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 reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding this
Section 6(d), an indemnifying party that is a selling Holder of Registrable
Securities shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total price at which the Registrable Securities sold by such
indemnifying party and distributed to the public were offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages which such indemnifying party 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.
The indemnity, contribution and expense reimbursement obligations of
the Company hereunder shall be in addition to any liability the Company may
otherwise have hereunder, under the Purchase Agreement or otherwise. The
provisions of this Section 6 shall survive so long as Registrable Securities
remain outstanding, notwithstanding any transfer of the Registrable Securities
by any Holder or any termination of this Agreement.
The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 6
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any
termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of
the Initial Purchasers, any Holder or any person controlling any Holder, or the
Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and
(iii) the sale of any Registrable Securities by any Holder.
7. Information Requirements.
(a) The Company shall file the reports required to be filed by
it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and if at any time the Company
is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder of
Registrable Securities, make publicly available other information so long as
necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the
Securities Act. The Company further covenants that it will cooperate with any
Holder of Registrable Securities and take such further reasonable action as any
Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request (including, without
limitation making such reasonable representations as any such Holder may
reasonably request), all to the extent required from time to time to enable such
Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities
Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 and Rule 144A
under the Securities Act. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable
Securities, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to
whether it has complied with such filing requirements. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to
register any of its securities under any section of the Exchange Act.
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(b) The Company shall file the reports required to be filed by
it under the Exchange Act and shall comply with all other requirements set forth
in the instructions to Form S-3 in order to allow the Company to be eligible to
file registration statements on Form S-3 as soon as is permissible under the
Securities Act. As soon as practicable after the Company first satisfies the
eligibility requirements for the use Form S-3, the Company shall convert any
Registration Statement on Form S-1 to Form S-3.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Company of its
obligations under this Agreement, each holder of Registrable Securities, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including
recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights
under this Agreement, provided that the sole damages payable for a violation of
the terms of this Agreement for which Liquidated Damages are expressly provided
pursuant to Section 2(e) hereof shall be such Liquidated Damages. The Company
agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss
incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement
and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific
performance in respect of such breach, it shall, to the extent permitted by law,
waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Conflicting Agreements. The Company has not, as of the
date hereof, entered into and shall not, on or after the date of this Agreement,
enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which conflicts with the
rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement. The
Company represents and warrants that the rights granted to the Holders of
Registrable Securities hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights
granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any other agreements.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given, unless the Company has obtained the written consent of holders
of a majority of the then outstanding Common Stock constituting Registrable
Securities (with holders of Notes deemed to be the holders, for purposes of this
Section, of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock into which such
Notes are convertible). 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 Securities whose securities
are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly
or indirectly affect the rights of other holders of Registrable Securities may
be given by holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities being
sold by such holders; provided, that the provisions of this sentence may not be
amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of
the immediately preceding sentence.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for
or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be deemed given (i)
when made, if made by hand delivery, (ii) upon confirmation, if made by
telecopier or (iii) one Business Day after being deposited with a reputable
next-day courier, postage prepaid, to the parties as follows:
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(w) if to a holder of Registrable Securities, at the
most current address given by such holder to the Company in accordance with the
provisions of Section 8(e);
(x) if to the Company, to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ Corporation, doing business as
▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
with a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ & Black LLP
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
(y) if to the Special Counsel to:
Venture Law Group
A Professional Corporation
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
and
(z) if to the Initial Purchasers to:
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
As Representatives of the Several Purchasers
Eleven ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
or to such other address as such person may have furnished to the other persons
identified in this Section 8(d) in writing in accordance herewith.
(e) Owner of Registrable Securities. The Company will
maintain, or will cause its registrar and transfer agent to maintain, a register
with respect to the Registrable Securities in which all transfers of Registrable
Securities of which the Company has received notice will be recorded. The
Company may deem and treat the person in whose name
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Registrable Securities are registered in such register of the Company as the
owner thereof for all purposes, including, without limitation, the giving of
notices under this Agreement.
(f) Approval of Holders. Whenever the consent or approval of
Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required
hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (as such
term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (other than the Initial
Purchasers or subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities if such subsequent
Holders are deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of
such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such
consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
(g) Successors and Assigns. Any person who purchases any
Registrable Securities from an Initial Purchaser shall be deemed, for purposes
of this Agreement, to be an assignee of such Initial Purchaser. The Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of
each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each
holder of any Registrable Securities.
(h) 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 original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(i) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.
(j) 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 CONFLICT OF LAWS.
(k) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held 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 thereby, 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 which may
be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the
parties as a final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a
complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the
parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and the
registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Notes and the
Common Stock of the Company into which Notes are convertible. Except as provided
in the Purchase Agreement, there are no restrictions, promises, warranties or
undertakings, other than
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those set forth or referred to herein, with respect to the registration rights
granted by the Company with respect to the Notes and the Common Stock of the
Company into which the Notes are convertible. This Agreement supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings among the parties with respect to such
registration rights.
(m) Attorneys' Fees. In any action or proceeding brought to
enforce provision of this Agreement, or where any provision hereof is validly
asserted as a defense, the prevailing party, as determined by the court, shall
be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees in addition to any other
available remedy.
(n) Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto shall use
all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, do
or cause to be done all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under
applicable law, and execute and deliver such documents and other papers, as may
be required to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the other
documents contemplated hereby and consummate and make effective the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(o) Termination. This Agreement and the obligations of the
parties hereunder shall terminate upon the end of the Effectiveness Period,
except for any liabilities or obligations under Sections 4, 5 or 6 hereof and
the obligations to make payments of and provide for Liquidated Damages under
Section 2(e) hereof to the extent such damages accrue prior to the end of the
Effectiveness Period, each which shall remain in effect in accordance with their
terms.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ CORPORATION (doing
business as ▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇)
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Agreed, November 17, 1998
Accepted as of the date first above written:
By: CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
Acting severally on behalf of itself and the
several Initial Purchasers named in the first
paragraph of the Agreement
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, III
Title: Managing Director