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EXHIBIT 4(B)
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of May 7, 1998
by and among
Seven Seas Petroleum Inc.
and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Securities Corporation
Bear, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Inc.
CIBC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corp.
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Paribas Corporation
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This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of May 7, 1998, by and among Seven Seas Petroleum Inc., a
corporation organized under the laws of the Yukon Territory, Canada (the
"Company"), and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation, Bear,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Inc., CIBC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corp., Credit Suisse First Boston and
Paribas Corporation (each an "Initial Purchaser" and, collectively, the
"Initial Purchasers"), each of whom has agreed to purchase the Company's
12 1/2% Series A Senior Notes due 2005 (the "Series A Notes") pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated May
1, 1998, (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Company, certain
subsidiaries of the Company and the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the
Initial Purchasers to purchase the Series A Notes, the Company has agreed to
provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial
Purchasers set forth in Section 9 of the Purchase Agreement. Capitalized terms
used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned to them
the Indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of May 7, 1998, between the Company
and The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, relating to
the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes (as defined below).
The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have
the following meanings:
Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Affiliate: As defined in Rule 144 of the Act.
Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange
Act.
Business Day: Any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading and which is not a legal United States holiday.
Certificated Securities: Definitive Notes, as defined in the
Indenture.
Closing Date: The date hereof.
Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Consummate: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for
purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and
effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
relating to the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the
maintenance of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously
effective and the
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keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period
required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof and (c) the delivery by the Company to
the Registrar under the Indenture of Series B Notes in the same aggregate
principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes tendered
by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Consummation Deadline: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.
Effectiveness Deadline: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Offer: The exchange and issuance by the Company of a
principal amount of Series B Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal
amount of Series A Notes that are tendered by such Holders in connection with
such exchange and issuance.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers
propose to sell the Series A Notes to certain "qualified institutional buyers,"
as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act and pursuant to Regulation S
under the Act.
Filing Deadline: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
Guarantor: Any subsidiary of the Company that has guaranteed the
Series A Notes or Series B Notes as provided in the Indenture.
Holders: As defined in Section 2 hereof.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated the Closing Date, among the Company
and The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"), pursuant
to which the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes are to be issued, as such
Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the
terms thereof.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust,
unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision
thereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at
the time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
into such Prospectus.
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Recommencement Date: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company and
the Guarantors (if any) relating to (a) an offering of Series B Notes pursuant
to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, (i) that
is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the
Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including
post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by
reference therein.
Regulation S: Regulation S promulgated under the Act.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
Series B Notes: The Company's 12 1/2% Series B Senior Notes due 2005
to be issued pursuant to the Indenture: (i) in the Exchange Offer or (ii) as
contemplated by Section 4 hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
Suspension Notice: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Transfer Restricted Securities: Each Series A Note, until the
earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Series A Note is exchanged in
the Exchange Offer for a Series B Note which is entitled to be resold to the
public by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Act, (b) the date on which such Series A Note has been
disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement (and the
purchasers thereof have been issued Series B Notes), or (c) the date on which
such Series A Note is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Act (and purchasers thereof have been issued Series B Notes) and each Series B
Note until the date on which such Series B Note is disposed of by a
Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution" contemplated by the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including the delivery of the Prospectus
contained therein).
SECTION 2. HOLDERS
A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
(each, a "Holder") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
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SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by
applicable federal law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below
have been complied with), the Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall (i)
cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be filed with the Commission
as soon as practicable after the Closing Date, but in no event later than 60
days after the Closing Date (such 60th day being the "Filing Deadline"), (ii)
use their reasonable best efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to become effective at the earliest possible time, but in no event
later than 120 days after the Closing Date (such 120th day being the
"Effectiveness Deadline"), (iii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all
pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may
be necessary in order to cause it to become effective, (B) file, if applicable,
a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement
pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and (C) cause all necessary filings, if
any, in connection with the registration and qualification of the Series B
Notes to be made under the Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary
to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the effectiveness
of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence and Consummate the
Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting
(i) registration of the Series B Notes to be offered in exchange for the Series
A Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) resales of Series B
Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange Offer Series A Notes
that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes
acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) as contemplated by
Section 3(c) below.
(b) The Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall use
their reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to be effective continuously, and shall keep the Exchange Offer open
for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable
federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided,
however, that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business Days. The
Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply
with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other
than the Series B Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement. The Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall use their respective
reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on the
earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has
become effective, but in no event later than 30 Business Days thereafter (such
30th Business Day being the "Consummation Deadline").
(c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution"
section in the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and indicate therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer
Restricted Securities that were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than
Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the
Company), may exchange such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the
Exchange Offer. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also contain all
other information with respect to such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the
Commission may require in order to permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such
"Plan of Distribution" shall not name
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any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted Securities
held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the Commission
as a result of a change in policy, rules or regulations after the date of this
Agreement. See the Shearman & Sterling no-action letter (available July 2,
1993).
Because such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with its initial sale of any Series B
Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company and the
Guarantors (if any) shall permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such
prospectus delivery requirement. To the extent necessary to ensure that the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is available
for sales of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers, the Company and the Guarantors
(if any) agree to use their respective reasonable best efforts to keep the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented,
amended and current as required by and subject to the provisions of Section
6(a) and (c) hereof and in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement,
the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced
from time to time, for a period of one year from the Consummation Deadline or
such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto. The
Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall provide sufficient copies of the
latest version of such Prospectus to such Broker-Dealers, promptly upon
request, and in no event later than one day after such request, at any time
during such period.
SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Exchange Offer is not
permitted by applicable law (after the Company and the Guarantors (if any) have
complied with the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below) or (ii) if any
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall notify the Company within 20
Business Days following the Consummation Deadline that (A) such Holder was
prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer
or (B) such Holder may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by it in the
Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or
available for such resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer
and holds Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its
Affiliates, then the Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall:
(x) cause to be filed, on or prior to 60 days after the
earlier of (i) the date on which the Company determines that the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement cannot be filed as a result of
clause (a)(i) above and (ii) the date on which the Company receives
the notice specified in clause (a)(ii) above (such earlier date, the
"Filing Deadline"), a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule
415 under the Act (which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement")), relating
to all Transfer Restricted Securities, and
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(y) use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause
such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective at the earliest
possible time, but in no event later than 60 days after the Filing
Deadline for the Shelf Registration Statement (such 60th day the
"Effectiveness Deadline").
If, after the Company has filed an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above, the Company is
required to file and make effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely
because the Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e.,
clause (a)(i) above), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above;
provided that, in such event, the Company shall remain obligated to meet the
Effectiveness Deadline set forth in clause (y).
To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration
Statement is available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the
Holders thereof entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and the other
securities required to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii)
hereof, the Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall use their respective
reasonable best efforts to keep any Shelf Registration Statement required by
this Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as
required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof and
in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the
policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to
time, for a period of at least two years (as extended pursuant to Section
6(c)(i)) following the Closing Date, or such shorter period as will terminate
when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration
Statement have been sold pursuant thereto.
(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in
Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in
any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until
such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt
of a request therefor, the information specified in Item 507 or 508, as
applicable, of Regulation S-K of the Act for use in connection with any Shelf
Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary prospectus included
therein. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall be entitled to
liquidated damages pursuant to Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder
shall have provided all such information. Each selling Holder agrees to
promptly furnish additional information required to be disclosed in order to
make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not
materially misleading.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not
filed with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline, (ii)
any such Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the
Commission on or prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, (iii) the
Exchange Offer has not been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation
Deadline or (iv) any
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Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared
effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for
its intended purpose without being succeeded immediately by a post-effective
amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is
itself declared effective within 5 days of filing such post-effective amendment
to such registration statement (each such event referred to in clauses (i)
through (iv), a "Registration Default"), then the Company and the Guarantors
(if any) hereby jointly and severally agree to pay to each Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount equal to
$.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities
held by such Holder for each week or portion thereof that the Registration
Default continues for the first 90-day period immediately following the
occurrence of such Registration Default. The amount of the liquidated damages
shall increase by an additional $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period
until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of
liquidated damages of $.50 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities; provided that the Company and the Guarantors (if any)
shall in no event be required to pay liquidated damages for more than one
Registration Default at any given time. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary set forth herein, (1) upon filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the
case of (i) above, (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration
Statement), in the case of (ii) above, (3) upon Consummation of the Exchange
Offer, in the case of (iii) above, or (4) upon the filing of a post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement or an additional Registration Statement
that causes the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable,
the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be declared effective or made usable
in the case of (iv) above, the liquidated damages payable with respect to the
Transfer Restricted Securities as a result of such clause (i), (ii), (iii) or
(iv), as applicable, shall cease.
All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled
thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture,
on each Interest Payment Date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the
Series A Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which
liquidated damages are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all
obligations of the Company and the Guarantors (if any) to pay liquidated
damages with respect to securities shall survive until such time as such
obligations with respect to such securities shall have been satisfied in full.
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection
with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall (x)
comply with all applicable provisions of Section 6(c) below, (y) use their
respective reasonable best efforts to effect such exchange and to permit the
resale of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered in the Exchange Offer
Series A Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result
of its market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Series
A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of
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its Affiliates) being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution thereof, and (z) comply with all of the following provisions:
(i) If, following the date hereof there has been
announced a change in Commission policy with respect to exchange
offers such as the Exchange Offer, that in the reasonable opinion of
counsel to the Company raises a substantial question as to whether the
Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable federal law, the Company and
the Guarantors (if any) hereby agree to seek a no-action letter or
other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company and
the Guarantors (if any) to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such
Transfer Restricted Securities. The Company and the Guarantors (if
any) hereby agree to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the
Commission staff level. In connection with the foregoing, the Company
and the Guarantors (if any) hereby agree to take all such other
actions as may be requested by the Commission or otherwise required in
connection with the issuance of such decision, including without
limitation (A) participating in telephonic conferences with the
Commission staff, (B) delivering to the Commission staff an analysis
prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if
any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer
should be permitted and (C) diligently pursuing a resolution (which
need not be favorable) by the Commission staff.
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange
Offer, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including,
without limitation, any Holder who is a Broker Dealer) shall furnish,
upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation of the
Exchange Offer, a written representation to the Company and the
Guarantors (if any) which may be contained in the letter of
transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement)
to the effect that (A) it is not an Affiliate of the Company, (B) it
is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a
distribution of the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer
and (C) it is acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of
business. Each Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a
distribution of the Series B Notes hereby acknowledges and agrees
that, if the resales are of Series B Notes obtained by such Holder in
exchange for Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or an
Affiliate thereof, it (1) could not, under Commission policy as in
effect on the date of this Agreement, rely on the position of the
Commission enunciated in ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Co., Inc. (available June
5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation(available May 13,
1988), as interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman &
Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (including,
if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i)
above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale
transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction must be
covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling
security holder and plan of distribution information required by Item
507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall
provide a supplemental letter to the Commission
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(A) stating that the Company and the Guarantors (if any) are
registering the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the
Commission enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available
May 13, 1988), ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991)
as interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated
July 2, 1993, and, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained
pursuant to clause (i) above, (B) including a representation that
neither the Company nor any Guarantor (if any) has entered into any
arrangement or understanding with any Person to distribute the Series
B Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best of
the Company's and each Guarantor's (if any) information and belief,
each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the
Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business and has no
arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the
distribution of the Series B Notes received in the Exchange Offer and
(C) any other undertaking or representation required by the Commission
as set forth in any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i)
above, if applicable.
(b) Shelf Registration Statement.
(i) In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement,
the Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall (x) comply with
all the provisions of Section 6(c) below and (y) use their
respective reasonable best efforts to effect such registration
to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being
sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution thereof (as indicated in the information furnished
to the Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof), and pursuant
thereto the Company and the Guarantors (if any) will prepare
and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating
to the registration on any appropriate form under the Act,
which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer
Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or
methods of distribution thereof within the time periods and
otherwise in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(ii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of
Series A Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement
contemplated by this Agreement, Series B Notes having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal
amount of Series A Notes sold pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement and surrendered to the Company for
cancellation; the Company shall register Series B Notes on the
Shelf Registration Statement for this purpose and issue the
Series B Notes to the purchasers of securities subject to the
Shelf Registration Statement in the names as such purchasers
shall designate.
(c) General Provisions. In connection with any
Registration Statement and any related Prospectus required by this Agreement,
the Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall:
(i) use their respective reasonable best efforts to keep
such Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all
requisite financial statements for the period specified in Section 3
or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable. Upon the occurrence of any
event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the
Prospectus contained therein
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(A) to contain an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state
any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of
Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this
Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall file promptly
an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement curing such
defect, and, if Commission review is required, use their respective
reasonable best efforts to cause such amendment to be declared
effective as soon as practicable.
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments
and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement
as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for
the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case
may be; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required
Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to
Rule 424 under the Act, and to comply fully with Rules 424, 430A and
462, as applicable, under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with
the provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such Registration Statement during the
applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration
Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
(iii) advise each Holder promptly and, if requested by such
Holder, confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and,
with respect to any applicable Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective,
(B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the
Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus
or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by
the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement under the Act or of the suspension by any state
securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted
Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation
of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the
existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any
statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document
incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making
of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement in order
to make the statements therein not misleading, or that requires the
making of any additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. If at any time the Commission
shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other
regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification
or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities
under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the Company and the
Guarantors (if any) shall use their respective reasonable best efforts
to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest
possible time;
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(iv) subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event
contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have
occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document
incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document
so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer
Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(v) furnish to each Holder in connection with such
exchange or sale, if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of
any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any
amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or
Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after
the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents
will be subject to the review and comment of such Holders in
connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five
Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such
Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents
incorporated by reference) to which such Holders shall reasonably
object within five Business Days after the receipt thereof. A Holder
shall be deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if such
Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as
applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading or fails to comply with the
applicable requirements of the Act;
(vi) promptly prior to the filing of any document that is
to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or
Prospectus, provide copies of such document to each Holder in
connection with such exchange or sale, if any, make the Company's and
each Guarantor's (if any) representatives available for discussion of
such document and other customary due diligence matters, and include
such information in such document prior to filing thereof as such
Holders may reasonably request;
(vii) make available, at reasonable times, for inspection
by each Holder and any attorney or accountant retained by such
Holders, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate
documents of the Company and the Guarantors (if any) and cause the
Company's and each Guarantor's (if any) officers, directors and
employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such
Holders, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the
filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness;
(viii) if requested by any Holders in connection with such
exchange or sale, promptly include in any Registration Statement or
Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if
necessary, such information as such Holders may reasonably request to
have included therein, including, without limitation, information
relating to the "Plan of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted
Securities; and make all required filings of
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such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as
practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be
included in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
(ix) furnish to each Holder in connection with such
exchange or sale, without charge, at least one copy of the
Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of
each amendment thereto, including all documents incorporated by
reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated
therein by reference);
(x) deliver to each Holder without charge, as many copies
of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any
amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may
request; the Company and the Guarantors (if any) hereby consent to the
use (in accordance with law) of the Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto by each selling Holder in connection with the
offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by
the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;
(xi) upon the request of any Holder, enter into such
agreements (including underwriting agreements) and make such
representations and warranties and take all such other actions in
connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the
disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any
applicable Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement as
may be reasonably requested by any Holder in connection with any sale
or resale pursuant to any applicable Registration Statement. In such
connection, the Company and the Guarantors (if any) shall:
(A) upon request of any Holder, furnish (or in
the case of paragraphs (2) and (3), use their respective
reasonable best efforts to cause to be furnished) to each
Holder upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
Statement and, upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer, to
each Holder who is a Broker-Dealer who received Series B Notes
in the Exchange Offer:
(1) a certificate, dated such date,
signed on behalf of the Company and each Guarantor
(if any) by (x) the President or any Vice President
and (y) a principal financial or accounting officer
of the Company and such Guarantor (if any),
confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set
forth in Sections 6(w), 9(a) and 9(b) of the Purchase
Agreement and such other similar matters as such
Holders may reasonably request;
(2) an opinion, dated the date of
Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as
the case may be, of counsel for the Company and the
Guarantors (if any) covering matters similar to those
set forth in paragraph (e) of Section 9 of the
Purchase Agreement and such other matters as such
Holder may reasonably request, and in any event
including a statement to the effect that such counsel
has participated in conferences with officers and
other representatives of the
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Company and the Guarantors (if any), representatives
of the independent public accountants for the Company
and the Guarantors (if any) and have considered the
matters required to be stated therein and the
statements contained therein, although such counsel
has not independently verified the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of such statements; and that
such counsel advises that, on the basis of the
foregoing (relying as to materiality to the extent
such counsel deems appropriate upon the statements of
officers and other representatives of the Company and
the Guarantors (if any) and without independent check
or verification), no facts came to such counsel's
attention that caused such counsel to believe that
the applicable Registration Statement, at the time
such Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto became effective and, in the case
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as of
the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer,
contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus
contained in such Registration Statement as of its
date and, in the case of the opinion dated the date
of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as of the date
of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. Without limiting the
foregoing, such counsel may state further that such
counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not
independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or
fairness of the financial statements, notes and
schedules and other financial data included in any
Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement
or the related Prospectus; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated
the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, or as
of the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, from the
Company's independent accountants, in the customary
form and covering matters of the type customarily
covered in comfort letters to underwriters in
connection with underwritten offerings, and affirming
the matters set forth in the comfort letters
delivered pursuant to Section 9(h) of the Purchase
Agreement; and
(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may
be reasonably requested by the selling Holders to evidence
compliance with the matters covered in clause (A) above and
with any customary conditions contained in the any agreement
entered into by the Company and the Guarantors (if any)
pursuant to this clause (xi);
(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in
connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer
Restricted Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions as the selling Holders may request and do any and all
other acts or things necessary or
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advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the applicable Registration
Statement; provided, however, that neither the Company nor any
Guarantor (if any) shall be required to register or qualify as a
foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any
action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to
taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the
Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
subject;
(xiii) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities that will result in such securities no longer being
Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the Holders to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates
representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing
any restrictive legends; and to register such Transfer Restricted
Securities in such denominations and such names as the selling Holders
may request at least two Business Days prior to such sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities;
(xiv) use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause
the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other
governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the
seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such
Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in
clause (xii) above;
(xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted
Securities not later than the effective date of a Registration
Statement covering such Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the
Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for the Transfer
Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with
the Depository Trust Company;
(xvi) otherwise use their respective reasonable best
efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its security holders with
regard to any applicable Registration Statement, as soon as
practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the
requirements of Rule 158 of the Act (which need not be audited)
covering a twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of
the Registration Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c)
of Rule 158 under the Act);
(xvii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not
later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement
required by this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate
with the Trustee and the Holders 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 execute and use their
respective reasonable best 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; and
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(xviii) provide promptly to each Holder, upon request, each
document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(d) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder agrees by
acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice
referred to in Section 6(c)(iii)(C) or any notice from the Company of the
existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in
each case, a "Suspension Notice"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue
disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable
Registration Statement until (i) such Holder has received copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or
(ii) such Holder is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the
Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or
supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in
each case, the "Recommencement Date"). Each Holder receiving a Suspension
Notice hereby agrees that it will either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other
than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's possession which have been
replaced by the Company with more recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver
to the Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file
copies, then in such Holder's possession of the Prospectus covering such
Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of the
Suspension Notice. The time period regarding the effectiveness of such
Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall
be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days in the period from
and including the date of delivery of the Suspension Notice to the date of
delivery of the Recommencement Date.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Company's and each
Guarantor's (if any) performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be
borne by the Company, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes
effective, including without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees
and expenses; (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities
and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all expenses of printing
(including printing certificates for the Series B Notes to be issued in the
Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services
and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, the
Guarantors (if any) and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all
application and filing fees in connection with listing the Series B Notes on a
national securities exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the
requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent
certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (if any)
(including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or
incident to such performance).
The Company will, in any event, bear its and the Guarantors' (if any)
internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of
its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses
of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special
experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors (if any).
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(b) In connection with any Registration Statement
required by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company and
the Guarantors (if any) will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders
of Transfer Restricted Securities who are tendering Series A Notes into in the
Exchange Offer and/or selling or reselling Series A Notes or Series B Notes
pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution" contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for
the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall
be ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ L.L.P., unless another firm shall be chosen by the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for
whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Company and the Guarantors (if any) agree jointly
and severally to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors,
officers and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder (within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), from and against
any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, (including without
limitation, any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with
investigating or defending any matter, including any action that could give
rise to any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments) caused by
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) provided by the Company to any Holder or any
prospective purchaser of Series B Notes or registered Series A Notes, 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 not
misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission that is based upon information relating to any of the
Holders furnished in writing to the Company by any of the Holders.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees,
severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the
Guarantors (if any) and their respective directors and officers, and each
person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, or the Guarantors (if any) to the
same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors (if
any) set forth in section (a) above, but only with reference to information
relating to such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder
expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In no event shall any Holder,
its directors, officers or any Person who controls such Holder be liable or
responsible for any amount in excess of the amount by which the total amount
received by such Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by
such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any
damages that such Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls
such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
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(c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any
person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or
8(b) (the "indemnified party"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the
person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying person") in
writing and the indemnifying person shall assume the defense of such action,
including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified
party and the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred
(except that in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be
sought pursuant to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a Holder shall not be required
to assume the defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c), but may
employ separate counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense
of the Holder). Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate
counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party
unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically
authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnifying party
shall have failed to assume the defense of such action or employ counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or (iii) the named parties to
any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified
party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party shall have been
advised by such counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available
to it which are different from or additional to those available to the
indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the
right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party).
In any such case, the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one
action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be
liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys
(in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties and all such
fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be
designated in writing by a majority of the Holders, in the case of the parties
indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a), and by the Company and the Guarantors (if
any), in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). The
indemnifying party shall indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments by
reason of any settlement of any action (i) effected with its written consent or
(ii) effected without its written consent if the settlement is entered into
more than twenty business days after the indemnifying party shall have received
a request from the indemnified party for reimbursement for the fees and
expenses of counsel (in any case where such fees and expenses are at the
expense of the indemnifying party) and, prior to the date of such settlement,
the indemnifying party shall have failed to comply with such reimbursement
request, except to the extent that the reasonableness of the fees subject to
such reimbursement request are in good faith disputed and such disputed fees
have been substantiated in writing in appropriate detail to the indemnifying
party. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified party, effect any settlement or compromise of, or consent to the
entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action in respect
of which the indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity or
contribution may be or could have been sought hereunder by the indemnified
party, unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an
unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability on claims
that are or could have been the subject
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matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an
admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the
indemnified party.
(d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for
in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then
each 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, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company and the Guarantors (if any), on the one hand, and the Holders, on the
other hand, from their sale of Transfer Restricted Securities or (ii) if the
allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) is not permitted by applicable law, in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company
and the Guarantors (if any), on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other
hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the
Guarantors (if any), on the one hand, and of the Holder, 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 Company or such
Guarantor (if any), on the one hand, or by the Holder, on the other hand, and
the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity
to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable
by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
judgments referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a), any legal or
other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or claim.
The Company, the Guarantors (if any) and each Holder agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d)
were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of 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, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in
the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any
matter, including any action that could have given rise to such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 8, no Holder, its directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who
controls such Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any
amount in excess of the amount by which the total received by such Holder with
respect to the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a
Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such
Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any damages which such
Holder 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 Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of
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such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in proportion to the respective
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by each Holder
hereunder and not joint.
SECTION 9. RULE 144A AND RULE 144
The Company and each Guarantor (if any) agrees with each Holder, for
so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any
period in which the Company or such Guarantor (if any) (i) is not subject to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make available, upon request of any
Holder, to such Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in
connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer
Restricted Securities designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, the
information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit
resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A, and (ii)
is subject to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Exchange Act, to make all filings
required thereby in a timely manner in order to permit resales of such Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Remedies. The Company and the Guarantors (if any)
acknowledge and agree that any failure by the Company and/or the Guarantors (if
any) to comply with their respective obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof
may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the
Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be
possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event
of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such
relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's and the
Guarantor's (if any) obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof. The Company
and the Guarantors (if any) further agree to waive the defense in any action
for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor
any Guarantor (if any) will, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into
any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the
rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the
provisions hereof. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor (if any) has
previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with
respect to its securities to any Person, except as disclosed in the Offering
Memorandum. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way
conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders
of the Company's and the Guarantors' (if any) securities under any agreement in
effect on the date hereof.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this
Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents
to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the
case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 10(c)(i), the
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Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer
Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, the
Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the
outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities (excluding
Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the
provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose
Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other
Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being tendered pursuant to
such Exchange Offer, may be given by the Holders of a majority of the
outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities subject to such
Exchange Offer.
(d) Joinder of Guarantors. If following the date of this
Agreement any subsidiary of the Company shall become a Guarantor, the Company
shall cause such subsidiary to enter into an agreement whereby such subsidiary
will agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable
to Guarantors.
(e) Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third
party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and
the Guarantors (if any), on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the
other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the
extent they may deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its
rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.
(f) Notices. All notices and other communications
provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery,
first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex,
telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the
records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the
Registrar under the Indenture; and
(ii) if to the Company or the Guarantors (if any):
Seven Seas Petroleum Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopier No.: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
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With a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ L.L.P.
2300 First City Tower
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier No.: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: T. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely
delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(g) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the
parties, including without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, that nothing herein shall be deemed
to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted
Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the
Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted
Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such
Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of
this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities
such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to
perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the
restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the
Purchase Agreement, and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits
hereof.
(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 an 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.
(k) Severability. In the event that any one or more of
the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any
circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
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validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other
respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected
or impaired thereby.
(l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the
parties as a final expression of their agreement and 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. There are no
restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth
or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted with
respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such
subject matter.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
SEVEN SEAS PETROLEUM INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
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Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, LUFKIN & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
SECURITIES CORPORATION
BEAR, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. INC.
CIBC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CORP.
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
CORPORATION
PARIBAS CORPORATION
By: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Securities Corporation
The foregoing Registration Rights
Agreement is hereby confirmed and
accepted as of the date first above
written. By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
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Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Title: Managing Director