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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 28, 2017

Registration Statement No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Massachusetts		04-2741391
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

50 Minuteman Road

Andover, Massachusetts 01810

(978) 256-1300

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Christopher C. Cambria

Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

Mercury Systems, Inc.

50 Minuteman Road

Andover, Massachusetts 01810

(978) 256-1300

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

With copies to:

John R. Utzschneider

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

One Federal Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1726

(617) 341-7700

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b- 2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer		☒		Accelerated filer		☐
Non-accelerated filer		☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company		☐
				Emerging growth company		☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price		Amount of Registration Fee (2)
Primary Offering of Securities:
Debt Securities		—(1)		—(2)
Preferred Stock		—(1)		—(2)
Common Stock		—(1)		—(2)
Warrants		—(1)		—(2)
Units		—(1)		—(2)
Primary Offering of Common Stock:
Common Stock		$200,000,000		$23,180(3)
Total:

(1)

Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E. An unspecified number of the securities of each identified class is being registered for possible issuance from time to time at indeterminate prices. The securities being registered hereunder includes an indeterminate number of securities that may be issued in primary offerings or upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any securities registered hereunder that provide for exercise, conversion or exchange. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of, or in exchange for, other securities offered hereby or that are offered in combination.

(2)	In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.

(3)

The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Pursuant to Rule 457(p) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, $22,243 of the $23,180 registration fee paid by Mercury Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-175978) filed on August 2, 2011, remains unused under Registration No. 333-175978 and is available for future offset and is being carried forward to this registration statement.

 

 

 

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

This registration statement contains two prospectuses:

 

•

a base prospectus which covers the offer, issuance and sale by us of our securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings; and

 

•

an equity distribution prospectus covering the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $200,000,000 of our common stock that may be issued and sold under an equity distribution agreement among the Company, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.

The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus will be specified in a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus. The equity distribution prospectus immediately follows the base prospectus. The $200,000,000 of common stock that may be offered, issued and sold under the equity distribution prospectus is included in the securities that may be offered, issued and sold by us under the base prospectus.

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Prospectus

 

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Warrants

Units

 

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of debt and equity securities that Mercury Systems, Inc. may offer and sell, from time to time, either individually or in units. Each time we sell securities we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of any debt or equity securities we offer and the specific manner in which we will offer the debt or equity securities. The prospectus supplement will also contain information, where appropriate, about material United States federal income tax consequences relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the debt or equity securities covered by the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities.

This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “MRCY.” We will provide information in any applicable prospectus supplement regarding any listing of securities other than shares of our common stock on any securities exchange.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. We reserve the sole right to accept, and together with any agents, dealers and underwriters, reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds from the sale of securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The date of this prospectus is August 28, 2017.

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		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			2
RISK FACTORS			4
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			4
USE OF PROCEEDS			5
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES			5
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES			6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			7
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK			22
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK			28
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			29
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS			31
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			34
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE			36
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			37
EXPERTS			37
LEGAL MATTERS			38

No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement in connection with the offering described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. Neither this prospectus nor any prospectus supplemental shall constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy offered securities in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offering or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances imply that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement is correct as of any date subsequent to the date of this prospectus or of any prospectus supplement.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on August 28, 2017 utilizing a shelf registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may, from time to time, issue and sell debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants and/or units consisting of our common stock, preferred stock and warrants in one or more offerings. Each time we sell any of our securities we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities being sold. We may also add, update or change in the prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference.

This prospectus and the prospectus supplements provide you with a general description of the Company and our securities. For further information about our business and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on this prospectus and the information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement (including in any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein). We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is in addition to, or different from, that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not offering to sell our securities in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offering or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, nor any sale made hereunder or thereunder shall under any circumstances imply that the information contained or incorporated by reference herein or therein is correct as of the date of such document incorporated by reference.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “Mercury,” “we,” “our,” “us” or “our company” in this prospectus refer to Mercury Systems, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Please see the risk factors under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 filed with the SEC on August 18, 2017, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports that we subsequently file with the SEC. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities. The discussion of risks includes or refers to forward-looking statements; you should read the explanation of the qualifications and limitations on such forward-looking statements discussed elsewhere in this prospectus.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, contains, and any prospectus supplement may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

You can identify these statements by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “likely,” “forecast,” “probable,” “potential” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, continued funding of defense programs, the timing and amounts of such funding, general economic and business conditions, including unforeseen weakness in the Company’s markets, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, changes in, or in the U.S. Government’s interpretation of, federal export control or procurement rules and regulations, market acceptance of the Company’s products, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, inability to fully realize the expected benefits from acquisitions and restructurings, or delays in realizing such benefits, challenges in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated synergies, changes to export regulations, increases in tax rates, changes to generally accepted accounting principles, difficulties in retaining key employees and customers, unanticipated costs under fixed-price service and system integration engagements, and various other factors beyond our control.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made and are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performances. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include the following:

 

•

the acquisition of other companies or businesses;

 

•

the repayment and refinancing of debt;

 

•

capital expenditures;

 

•

working capital; and

 

•

other purposes as described in any prospectus supplement.

Pending such uses, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds. The precise amounts and timing of the application of proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability of other funds. Except as mentioned in any prospectus supplement, specific allocations of the proceeds to such purposes will not have been made at the date of that prospectus supplement.

Based upon our historical and anticipated future growth and our financial needs, we may engage in additional financings of a character and amount that we determine as the need arises.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS TO EARNINGS

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated. You should read this table in conjunction with the financial statements and notes to the financial statements that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

		Year Ended June 30,
		2017				2016				2015				2014				2013
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1)			4.1				11.1				15.7				N/A				N/A

 

(1)

The ratio of earning to fixed charges is calculated by dividing (a) income from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges by (b) fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest expense (including amortization of debt issuance costs) and an estimate of the interest within rental expense.

We did not record earnings for any of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2014 or 2013. Accordingly, our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for such periods. The amount of such deficiency during these fiscal years was approximately $5.9 million and $24.3 million, respectively.

Because we have no preferred stock issued (and have not had any issued during the fiscal years or periods shown above), a ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends is not presented.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, the following securities:

 

•

senior debt securities;

 

•

subordinated debt securities;

 

•

preferred stock;

 

•

common stock;

 

•

warrants;

 

•

units; or

 

•

any combination of the foregoing securities.

This prospectus contains a summary of the general terms of the various securities that we may offer. The prospectus supplement relating to any particular securities offered will describe the specific terms of the securities, which may be in addition to or different from the general terms summarized in this prospectus. Because the summary in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information that you may find useful, you should read the documents relating to the securities that are described in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information” to find out how you can obtain a copy of those documents.

The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain the terms of a given offering, the initial offering price and our net proceeds. Where applicable, a prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax consequences relating to the securities offered and indicate whether the securities offered are or will be quoted or listed on any quotation system or securities exchange.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities we may issue. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a supplement to this prospectus, including any additional covenants or changes to existing covenants relating to such series. The prospectus supplement also will indicate whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. You should read the actual indenture if you do not fully understand a term or the way we use it in this prospectus.

We may offer senior or subordinated debt securities. Each series of debt securities may have different terms. The senior debt securities will be issued under one or more senior indentures, dated as of a date prior to such issuance. We will refer to any such indenture throughout this prospectus as the “senior indenture.” Any subordinated debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures, dated as of a date prior to such issuance, as amended or supplemented from time to time. We will refer to any such indenture throughout this prospectus as the “subordinated indenture” and to the trustee under the senior or subordinated indenture as the “trustee.” The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are sometimes collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “indentures.” The indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. We included copies of the forms of the indentures as exhibits to our registration statement and they are incorporated into this prospectus by reference.

If we issue debt securities at a discount from their principal amount, then, for purposes of calculating the aggregate initial offering price of the offered securities issued under this prospectus, we will include only the initial offering price of the debt securities and not the principal amount of the debt securities.

We have summarized below the material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities, or indicated which material provisions will be described in the related prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement relating to any particular securities offered will identify the trustee under the applicable indenture and describe the specific terms of the securities, which may be in addition to or different from the general terms summarized in this prospectus. Because the summary in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information that you may find useful, you should read the documents relating to the securities that are described in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information” to find out how you can obtain a copy of those documents. Except as otherwise indicated, the terms of the indentures are identical. As used under this caption, the term “debt securities” includes the debt securities being offered by this prospectus and all other debt securities issued by us under the indentures.

General

The indentures:

 

•

do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue;

 

•

allow us to issue debt securities in one or more series;

 

•

do not require us to issue all of the debt securities of a series at the same time;

 

•

allow us to reopen a series to issue additional debt securities without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series; and

 

•

provide that the debt securities will be unsecured, except as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless we give you different information in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will be unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Payments on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, as described under “—Subordination” and in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Each indenture provides that we may, but need not, designate more than one trustee under an indenture. Any trustee under an indenture may resign or be removed and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to the series of debt securities administered by the resigning or removed trustee. If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities, each trustee shall be a trustee of a trust under the applicable indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus, any action described in this prospectus to be taken by each trustee may be taken by each trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of debt securities for which it is trustee under the applicable indenture.

The prospectus supplement for each offering will provide the following terms, where applicable:

 

•

the title of the debt securities and whether they are senior or subordinated;

 

•

the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities outstanding as of the most recent practicable date and any limit on their aggregate principal amount, including the aggregate principal amount of debt securities authorized;

 

•

the price at which the debt securities will be issued, expressed as a percentage of the principal and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or, if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into common stock or preferred stock or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;

 

•

if convertible, the terms on which such debt securities are convertible, including the initial conversion price or rate and the conversion period and any applicable limitations on the ownership or transferability of common stock or preferred stock received on conversion;

 

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the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;

 

•

the fixed or variable interest rate or rates of the debt securities, or the method by which the interest rate or rates is determined;

 

•

the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, from which interest will accrue;

 

•

the dates on which interest will be payable;

 

•

the record dates for interest payment dates, or the method by which we will determine those dates;

 

•

the persons to whom interest will be payable;

 

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the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

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any make-whole amount, which is the amount in addition to principal and interest that is required to be paid to the holder of a debt security as a result of any optional redemption or accelerated payment of such debt security, or the method for determining the make-whole amount;

 

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the place or places where the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, the debt securities will be payable;

 

•

where the debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or conversion or exchange;

 

•

where notices or demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities and the applicable indenture may be served;

 

•

the times, prices and other terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

•

any obligation we have to redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of holders of the debt securities, and the times and prices at which we must redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities as a result of such an obligation;

 

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•

the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are denominated and payable if other than United States dollars, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies and the terms and conditions relating thereto, and the manner of determining the equivalent of such foreign currency in United States dollars;

 

•

whether the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest on, the debt securities of the series are to be payable, at our election or at the election of a holder, in a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable, and other related terms and conditions;

 

•

whether the amount of payments of principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest on, the debt securities may be determined according to an index, formula or other method and how such amounts will be determined;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be in registered form, bearer form or both and (1) if in registered form, the person to whom any interest shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name the security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest, or (2) if in bearer form, the manner in which, or the person to whom, any interest on the security shall be payable if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender upon maturity;

 

•

any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of securities in bearer form and the terms upon which securities in bearer form of the series may be exchanged for securities in registered form of the series and vice versa if permitted by applicable laws and regulations;

 

•

whether any debt securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any debt securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global security may or shall be required to exchange their interests for other debt securities of the series, and the manner in which interest shall be paid;

 

•

the identity of the depositary for securities in registered form, if such series are to be issuable as a global security;

 

•

the date as of which any debt securities in bearer form or in temporary global form shall be dated if other than the original issuance date of the first security of the series to be issued;

 

•

the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions described in this prospectus or in the applicable indenture;

 

•

whether and under what circumstances we will pay any additional amounts on the debt securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities in lieu of making such a payment;

 

•

whether and under what circumstances the debt securities being offered are convertible into common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, including the conversion price or rate or manner or calculation thereof;

 

•

the circumstances, if any, specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, under which beneficial owners of interests in the global security may obtain definitive debt securities and the manner in which payments on a permanent global debt security will be made if any debt securities are issuable in temporary or permanent global form;

 

•

any provisions granting special rights to holders of securities upon the occurrence of such events as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement;

 

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if the debt securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

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•

the name of the applicable trustee and the nature of any material relationship with us or any of our affiliates, and the percentage of debt securities of the class necessary to require the trustee to take action;

 

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any deletions from, modifications of, or additions to our events of default or covenants and any change in the right of any trustee or any of the holders to declare the principal amount of any of such debt securities due and payable;

 

•

applicable CUSIP numbers; and

 

•

any other terms of such debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable indenture.

We may issue debt securities at a discount below their principal amount and provide for less than the entire principal amount thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities. We refer to any such debt securities throughout this prospectus as “original issue discount securities.” The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the United States federal income tax consequences and other relevant considerations applicable to original issue discount securities.

We also may issue indexed debt securities. Payments of principal of and premium and interest on, indexed debt securities are determined with reference to the rate of exchange between the currency or currency unit in which the debt security is denominated and any other currency or currency unit specified by us, to the relationship between two or more currencies or currency units or by other similar methods or formulas specified in the prospectus supplement.

Except as described under “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” or as may be set forth in any prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that (1) would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or (2) would afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of (a) a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us, or (b) a change of control or reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar transaction involving us that may adversely affect the holders of the debt securities. In the future, we may enter into transactions, such as the sale of all or substantially all of our assets or a merger or consolidation, that may have an adverse effect on our ability to service our indebtedness, including the debt securities, by, among other things, substantially reducing or eliminating our assets.

Neither the New York State laws nor our governing instruments define the term “substantially all” as it relates to the sale of assets. Additionally, New York cases interpreting the term “substantially all” rely upon the facts and circumstances of each particular case. Consequently, to determine whether a sale of “substantially all” of our assets has occurred, a holder of debt securities must review the financial and other information that we have disclosed to the public.

We will provide you with more information in the applicable prospectus supplement regarding any deletions, modifications, or additions to the events of default or covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

Payment

Unless we give you different information in the applicable prospectus supplement, the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, any series of the debt securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the trustee. We will provide you with the address of the trustee in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may also pay interest by mailing a check to the address of the person entitled to it as it appears in the applicable register for the debt securities or by wire transfer of funds to that person at an account maintained within the United States.

All monies that we pay to a paying agent or a trustee for the payment of the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest on, any debt security will be repaid to us if unclaimed at the end of two years

 

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after the obligation underlying payment becomes due and payable. After funds have been returned to us, the holder of the debt security may look only to us for payment, without payment of interest for the period which we hold the funds.

Denomination, Interest, Registration and Transfer

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of any series will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

Subject to the limitations imposed upon debt securities that are evidenced by a computerized entry in the records of a depository company rather than by physical delivery of a note, a holder of debt securities of any series may:

 

•

exchange them for any authorized denomination of other debt securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and kind upon surrender of such debt securities at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee or at the office of any transfer agent that we designate for such purpose; and

 

•

surrender them for registration of transfer or exchange at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee or at the office of any transfer agent that we designate for such purpose.

Every debt security surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer satisfactory to the applicable trustee or transfer agent. Payment of a service charge will not be required for any registration of transfer or exchange of any debt securities, but we or the trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. If in addition to the applicable trustee, the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent initially designated by us for any series of debt securities, we may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for such series. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents for any series of debt securities.

Neither we, nor any trustee, will be required to:

 

•

issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day that the notice of redemption of any debt securities selected for redemption is mailed and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing;

 

•

register the transfer of or exchange any debt security, or portion thereof, so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part; and

 

•

issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, of such debt security not to be so repaid.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

The indentures provide that we may consolidate with or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to, or merge with or into, any other entity provided that:

 

•

either we are the continuing entity, or the successor entity, if other than us, is a corporation (as defined) organized under the laws of the United States or any state and assumes the obligations (1) to pay the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and interest on, all of the debt securities and (2) to duly perform and observe all of the covenants and conditions contained in the applicable indenture;

 

•

after giving effect to the transaction, there is no event of default under the indentures and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become such an event of default, occurs and continues; and

 

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•

an officers’ certificate and legal opinion covering such conditions are delivered to the applicable trustee.

Covenants

Existence. Except as described under “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets,” the indentures require us to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence, rights and franchises. However, the indentures do not require us to preserve any right or franchise if we determine that any right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business.

Payment of taxes and other claims. The indentures require us to pay, discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before they become delinquent (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed on us, our subsidiaries or our subsidiaries’ income, profits or property, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon our property or the property of our subsidiaries. However, we will not be required to pay, discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

Provision of financial information. The indentures require us to (1) within 15 days of each of the respective dates by which we are required to file our annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents with the SEC, file with the trustee copies of the annual report, quarterly report and other documents that we file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, (2) file with the trustee and the SEC any additional information, documents and reports regarding compliance by us with the conditions and covenants of the indentures, as required, and (3) within 30 days after the filing with the trustee, mail to all holders of debt securities, as their names and addresses appear in the applicable register for such debt securities, without cost to such holders, summaries of any documents and reports required to be filed by us pursuant to (1) and (2) above, as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC.

Additional covenants. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any additional covenants of Mercury relating to any series of debt securities.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, when we refer to “events of default” as defined in the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities, we mean:

 

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default in the payment of any installment of interest on any debt security of such series continuing for 30 days;

 

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default in the payment of principal of, or any premium, or make-whole amount, on any debt security of such series when it becomes due and payable at its stated maturity;

 

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default in making any sinking fund payment as required for any debt security of such series when due;

 

•

default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty in the debt securities or in the indenture by Mercury continuing for 60 days after written notice as provided in the applicable indenture, but not of a covenant added to the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities issued thereunder other than such series;

 

•

a default under any bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or instrument:

 

(1)

having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $30,000,000; or

 

(2)

under which there may be issued, secured or evidenced any existing or later created indebtedness for money borrowed by us or our subsidiaries, if we are directly responsible or liable as obligor or

 

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guarantor, if the default results in the indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date it otherwise would have, without such indebtedness having been discharged, or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled, within 30 days after notice to us specifying such default. Such notice shall be given to us by the trustee, or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. The written notice specifying such default and requiring us to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and shall state that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under such indenture;

 

•

bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of Mercury or any significant subsidiary of Mercury; and

 

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any other event of default provided with respect to a particular series of debt securities.

When we use the term “significant subsidiary,” we refer to the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to debt securities of any series outstanding, then the applicable trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the debt securities of that series will have the right to declare the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable. If the debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities or indexed securities, then the applicable trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the debt securities of that series will have the right to declare the portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof to be due and payable. However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the applicable trustee, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series or of all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

•

we have deposited with the applicable trustee all required payments of the principal, any premium, or make-whole amount, interest and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on overdue installment of interest, plus applicable fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the applicable trustee; and

 

•

all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, or a specified portion thereof, and any premium, or make-whole amount, have been cured or waived.

The indentures also provide that the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series or of all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture may, on behalf of all holders, waive any past default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:

 

•

in the payment of the principal, any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest;

 

•

in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the applicable indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each outstanding debt security that is affected by the default; or

 

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in respect of a covenant or provision for the benefit or protection of the trustee, without its express written consent.

The indentures require each trustee to give notice to the holders of debt securities within 90 days of a default unless such default has been cured or waived. However, the trustee may withhold notice if specified persons of such trustee consider such withholding to be in the interest of the holders of debt securities. The trustee may not withhold notice of a default in the payment of principal, any premium or interest on any debt security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any debt security of such series.

The indentures provide that holders of debt securities of any series may not institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless the trustee fails to act for

 

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a period of 60 days after the trustee has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee. However, this provision will not prevent any holder of debt securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, such debt securities at the respective due dates thereof.

The indentures provide that, subject to provisions in each indenture relating to its duties in the case of a default, a trustee has no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or direction of any holders of any series of debt securities then outstanding under the indenture, unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series or of all debt securities then outstanding under an indenture shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon such trustee. However, a trustee may refuse to follow any direction which:

 

•

is in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture;

 

•

may involve the trustee in personal liability; or

 

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may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of the series not joining the proceeding.

Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, we will be required to deliver to each trustee a certificate, signed by one of our several specified officers, stating whether or not that officer has knowledge of any default under the applicable indenture. If the officer has knowledge of any default, the notice must specify the nature and status of the default.

Modification of the Indentures

The indentures provide that modifications and amendments may be made only with the consent of the affected holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under that indenture. However, no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities affected by the modification or amendment:

 

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change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any premium, or make-whole amount, on, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any such debt security;

 

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reduce the principal amount of, the rate or amount of interest on or any premium, or make-whole amount, payable on redemption of any such debt security;

 

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reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the holder of any such debt security;

 

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change the place of payment or the coin or currency for payment of principal of, or any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest on, any such debt security;

 

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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any such debt security;

 

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with respect to any series of debt securities that are convertible, adversely affect the rights of a holder of such debt security to convert such debt security;

 

•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of any outstanding debt securities necessary to modify or amend the applicable indenture with respect to such debt securities, to waive compliance with particular provisions thereof or defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in the applicable indenture; and

 

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•

modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of particular past defaults or covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that some of the other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of such debt security.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive, insofar as that series is concerned, our compliance with material restrictive covenants of the applicable indenture.

We and our respective trustee may make modifications and amendments of an indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities for any of the following purposes:

 

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to evidence the succession of another person to us as obligor under such indenture;

 

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to add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in such indenture;

 

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to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities;

 

•

to add or change any provisions of an indenture (1) to change or eliminate restrictions on the payment of principal of, or premium, or make-whole amount, or interest on, debt securities in bearer form, or (2) to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series in any material respect;

 

•

to change or eliminate any provisions of an indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there are no debt securities outstanding of any series created prior thereto which are entitled to the benefit of such provision;

 

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to secure the debt securities;

 

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to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series;

 

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to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under an indenture by more than one trustee;

 

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to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in an indenture, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of holders of debt securities of any series issued under such indenture in any material respect; and

 

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to supplement any of the provisions of an indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of such debt securities, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of any series in any material respect.

Voting

The indentures provide that in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the indentures or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of holders of debt securities:

 

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the principal amount of an original issue discount security that shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

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the principal amount of any debt security denominated in a foreign currency that shall be deemed outstanding shall be the United States dollar equivalent, determined on the issue date for such debt security, of the principal amount or, in the case of an original issue discount security, the United States dollar equivalent on the issue date of such debt security of the amount determined as provided in the preceding bullet point;

 

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•

the principal amount of an indexed security that shall be deemed outstanding shall be the principal face amount of such indexed security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided for such indexed security under such indenture; and

 

•

debt securities owned by us or any other obligor upon the debt securities or by any affiliate of ours or of such other obligor shall be disregarded.

The indentures contain provisions for convening meetings of the holders of debt securities of a series. A meeting will be permitted to be called at any time by the applicable trustee, and also, upon request, by us or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, in any such case upon notice given as provided in such indenture. Except for any consent that must be given by the holder of each debt security affected by the modifications and amendments of an indenture described above, any resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series represented at such meeting.

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, except as referred to above, any resolution relating to a request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of such specified percentage.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any properly held meeting of holders of debt securities of any series will be binding on all holders of such series. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series. However, if any action is to be taken relating to a consent or waiver which may be given by the holders of at least a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, the persons holding such percentage will constitute a quorum.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the indentures provide that if any action is to be taken at a meeting with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that such indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities affected by such action, or of the holders of such series and one or more additional series:

 

•

there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

 

•

the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under such indenture.

Subordination

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, subordinated securities will be subject to the following subordination provisions.

Upon any distribution to our creditors in a liquidation, dissolution or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on any subordinated securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the applicable indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior debt. However, our obligation to make payments of the principal of and interest on such subordinated securities otherwise will not be affected. No payment of principal or interest will be permitted to be made on subordinated securities (i) at any time if a default on senior debt exists and the default has resulted in the full amount of senior debt being declared due and payable

 

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or (ii) if the Trustee shall have received notice from the holders of senior debt or their representatives (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) that a default on senior debt exists that permits the holders of such senior debt to accelerate its maturity, until the earlier of 179 days from the date of receipt of the Payment Blockage Notice or the date the default shall have been cured or waived, subject to certain limits in the indenture on the number of Payment Blockage Notices that may be given in any 360 day period . After all senior debt is paid in full and until the subordinated securities are paid in full, holders of subordinated securities will be subrogated to the rights of holders of senior debt to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to holders of subordinated securities have been applied to the payment of senior debt. The subordinated indenture will not restrict the amount of senior debt or other indebtedness of Mercury and its subsidiaries. As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency, holders of subordinated securities may recover less, ratably, than our general creditors.

The term “senior debt” will be defined in the applicable indenture as the principal of and interest on, or substantially similar payments to be made by us in respect of, other outstanding indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the applicable indenture or subsequently incurred, created or assumed. The prospectus supplement may include a description of additional terms implementing the subordination feature.

No restrictions will be included in any indenture relating to subordinated securities upon the creation of additional senior debt.

If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of subordinated securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will set forth the approximate amount of senior debt outstanding as of the end of our most recent fiscal quarter.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures allow us to discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under any indenture when:

 

•

either (1) all securities of such series have already been delivered to the applicable trustee for cancellation; or (2) all securities of such series have not already been delivered to the applicable trustee for cancellation but (A) have become due and payable, (B) will become due and payable within one year, or (C) if redeemable at our option, are to be redeemed within one year, and we have irrevocably deposited with the applicable trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such debt securities are payable, an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such debt securities in respect of principal and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest to the date of such deposit if such debt securities have become due and payable or, if they have not, to the stated maturity or redemption date;

 

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we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable; and

 

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an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating the conditions to discharging the debt securities have been satisfied has been delivered to the trustee.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures provide that, upon our irrevocable deposit with the applicable trustee, in trust, of an amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such debt securities are payable at stated maturity, or government obligations, or both, applicable to such debt securities, which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, such debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor, the issuing company may elect either:

 

•

to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such debt securities; or

 

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•

to be released from its obligations with respect to such debt securities under the applicable indenture or, if provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, its obligations with respect to any other covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute an event of default with respect to such debt securities.

Notwithstanding the above, we may not elect to defease and be discharged from the obligation to pay any additional amounts upon the occurrence of particular events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with respect to payments on such debt securities and the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of such debt securities, or to hold monies for payment in trust.

The indentures only permit us to establish the trust described in the paragraph above if, among other things, it has delivered to the applicable trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance, will be required to refer to and be based upon a ruling received from or published by the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of the indenture. In the event of such defeasance, the holders of such debt securities would be able to look only to such trust fund for payment of principal, any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest.

When we use the term “government obligations,” we mean securities that are:

 

•

direct obligations of the United States or the government that issued the foreign currency in which the debt securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

 

•

obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States or other government that issued the foreign currency in which the debt securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States or such other government, which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such government obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such government obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt. However, except as required by law, such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the government obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the government obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, if after we have deposited funds and/or government obligations to effect defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series, (1) the holder of a debt security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect under the terms of the applicable indenture or the terms of such debt security to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than that in which such deposit has been made in respect of such debt security, or (2) a conversion event occurs in respect of the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such deposit has been made, the indebtedness represented by such debt security will be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of, and premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, such debt security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount so deposited in respect of such debt security into the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such debt security becomes payable as a result of such election or such cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate.

 

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When we use the term “conversion event,” we mean the cessation of use of:

 

•

a currency, currency unit or composite currency both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community;

 

•

the European Currency Unit both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities; or

 

•

any currency unit or composite currency other than the European Currency Unit for the purposes for which it was established.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, all payments of principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, any debt security that is payable in a foreign currency that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be made in United States dollars.

In the event that (1) we effect covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and (2) those debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount in the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such debt securities are payable, and government obligations on deposit with the applicable trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. However, the issuing company would remain liable to make payments of any amounts due at the time of acceleration.

The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the debt securities of or within a particular series.

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities are convertible into common stock or preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include whether the debt securities are convertible into shares of common stock or preferred stock, the conversion price, or manner of calculation thereof, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the issuing company’s option or the option of the holders, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of the debt securities and any restrictions on conversion.

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series. Global securities, if any, issued in the United States are expected to be deposited with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, as depository. We may issue global securities in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. We will describe the specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series. We expect that unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.

Once a global security is issued, the depository for such global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by such global security to the accounts of participants that have accounts with such depository. Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to such debt securities or by us if we offer such debt securities directly. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will be limited to participants with the depository or persons that may hold interests through those participants.

 

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We expect that, under procedures established by DTC, ownership of beneficial interests in any global security for which DTC is the depository will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee, with respect to beneficial interests of participants with the depository, and records of participants, with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants with the depository. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records of DTC or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC or any of its participants relating to beneficial ownership interests in the debt securities. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a global security.

So long as the depository for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as described below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable indenture. Beneficial owners of debt securities evidenced by a global security will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instructions or approvals to the trustee under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security with respect to which DTC is the depository must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if such person is not a participant with the depository, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interests, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture. We understand that, under existing industry practice, if DTC requests any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interest to give or take such action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners through such participants to give or take such actions or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Payments of principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to or at the direction of the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security under the applicable indenture. Under the terms of the applicable indenture, we and the trustee may treat the persons in whose name debt securities, including a global security, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments. Consequently, neither we nor the trustee have or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of debt securities including principal, any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest. We believe, however, that it is currently the policy of DTC to immediately credit the accounts of relevant participants with such payments, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the relevant global security as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of such participants. Redemption notices with respect to any debt securities represented by a global security will be sent to the depository or its nominee. If less than all of the debt securities of any series are to be redeemed, we expect the depository to determine the amount of the interest of each participant in such debt securities to be redeemed to be determined by lot. Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the security registrar for such debt securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such debt securities or for maintaining any records with respect thereto.

Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by the holders of a global security or the depository in identifying the beneficial owners of debt securities, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be

 

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protected in relying on, instructions from the holder of a global security or the depository for all purposes. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

If a depository for any debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and we do not appoint a successor depository within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities in exchange for the global security representing such debt securities. In addition, we may at any time and in their sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, determine not to have any of such debt securities represented by one or more global securities and in such event will issue individual debt securities in exchange for the global security or securities representing such debt securities. Individual debt securities so issued will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

The debt securities of a series may also be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more bearer global securities that will be deposited with a depository, or with a nominee for such depository, identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any such bearer global securities may be issued in temporary or permanent form. The specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depositary arrangement, with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by one or more bearer global securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No Recourse

There is no recourse under any obligation, covenant or agreement in the applicable indenture or with respect to any security against any of our or our successor’s past, present or future stockholders, employees, officers or directors.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following is a description of the material terms and provisions of our preferred stock. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. You can access complete information by referring to our articles of organization and bylaws and to any applicable amendment to the articles of organization designating terms of a series of preferred stock. See “Description of Common Stock” for additional terms of our capital stock.

General

Under our articles of organization, we have authority to issue 875,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. The powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of shares of our preferred stock have been fixed in amendments to our articles of organization. As of August 24, 2017, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

Shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time, in one or more series, as authorized by our board of directors. Prior to the issuance of shares of each series, the board of directors is required by the Massachusetts General Laws and our articles of organization to fix, for each series, the designations, powers, including voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as are permitted by Massachusetts law. Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transactions that holders of common stock might believe to be in their best interests or in which holders of some, or a majority, of the shares of common stock might receive a premium for their shares over the then market price of such shares of common stock. When issued, the preferred stock will be fully paid and nonassessable.

Terms

You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the preferred stock offered thereby for specific terms, including, where applicable, the following terms:

 

•

the distinctive serial designation and the number of shares constituting such series;

 

•

the dividend rates or the amount of dividends to be paid on the shares of such series, whether dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, from which date or dates, the payment date or dates for dividends, and the participating and other rights, if any, with respect to dividends;

 

•

the voting powers, full or limited, if any, of the shares of such series;

 

•

whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable and, if so, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, such shares may be redeemed;

 

•

the amount or amounts payable upon the shares of such series and any preferences applicable thereto in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company;

 

•

whether the shares of such series shall be entitled to the benefit of a sinking or retirement fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares, and if so entitled, the amount of such fund and the manner of its application, including the price or prices at which such shares may be redeemed or purchased through the application of such fund;

 

•

whether the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the company and, if so convertible or exchangeable, the conversion price or prices, or the rate or rates of exchange, and the adjustments thereof, if any, at which such conversion or exchange may be made, and any other terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;

 

•

the price or other consideration for which the shares of such series shall be issued;

 

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•

whether the shares of such series which are redeemed or converted shall have the status of authorized but unissued shares of undesignated preferred stock (or series thereof) and whether such shares may be reissued as shares of the same or any other class or series of stock; and

 

•

such other powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof as the board of directors may deem advisable.

Rank

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up our affairs, rank:

 

•

senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all equity securities ranking junior to such preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up our affairs;

 

•

on a parity with all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and

 

•

junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

Dividends

Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive cash dividends, when, as and if declared by our board of directors. We will pay dividends out of assets which are legally available for payment of dividends. We will specify the rate(s) of dividends and the dates that we will pay dividends in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear on our stock transfer books on such record dates as shall be fixed by our board of directors.

Dividends on any series of the preferred stock may be cumulative or non-cumulative, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dividends, if cumulative, will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors fails to declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of the preferred stock for which dividends are non-cumulative, then the holders of such series of the preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of the dividend period ending on that dividend payment date. Accordingly, we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared payable on any future dividend payment date.

If preferred stock of any series is outstanding, we will not declare, pay or set aside funds to pay dividends on any other series of our capital stock ranking, as to dividends, on parity with or junior to the preferred stock of such series for any period unless:

 

•

if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full cumulative dividends on the preferred stock of such series for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period; or

 

•

if that series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full dividends on the preferred stock of such series for the then current dividend period.

 

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We must declare all dividends pro rata on all series of preferred stock that rank on parity with the series of preferred stock upon which we paid dividends if we did not pay or set aside funds to pay dividends on the series of preferred stock in full. We must declare dividends pro rata to ensure that the amount of dividends declared per share of preferred stock bear in all cases the same ratio that accrued dividends per share of preferred stock bears to each other. We will not accumulate unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods with respect to accrued dividends on preferred stock that do not have cumulative dividends. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on preferred stock of such series which may be in arrears.

Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless:

 

•

if such series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full cumulative dividends for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period; or

 

•

if such series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full dividends for the then current dividend period;

we will not: (1) declare or pay or set aside funds to pay dividends; (2) declare or make any other distribution upon the common stock or any other shares of our stock ranking junior to or on parity with the preferred stock of such series as to dividends or upon liquidation; (3) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for any consideration any common stock, or any other shares of our stock ranking junior to or on parity with the preferred stock of such series as to dividends; nor (4) pay any monies to or make any monies available for a sinking fund to redeem of any such shares, except by conversion into or exchange for other of our shares of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of such series as to dividends or liquidation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, we may declare or set aside dividends in common stock or other shares of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation.

Any dividend payment we make on a series of preferred stock shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to shares of such series which remain payable.

Redemption

If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of preferred stock that shall be redeemed by us in each year commencing after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of redemption. Unless the shares have a cumulative dividend, such accrued dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods. We may pay the redemption price in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for preferred stock of any series is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of shares of our capital stock, the terms of such preferred stock may provide that, if no such shares of our capital stock shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, such preferred stock shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into the applicable shares of our capital stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not redeem any preferred stock of a series unless:

 

•

if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full cumulative dividends on the preferred stock for the past and current dividend period; or

 

•

if such series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full dividends for the current dividend period.

However, in no case will we redeem any preferred stock of a series unless we redeem all outstanding preferred stock of such series simultaneously.

In addition, we will not acquire any preferred stock of a series unless:

 

•

if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of such series of preferred stock for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period; or

 

•

if that series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full dividends on the preferred stock of such series for the then current dividend period.

However, at any time we may purchase or acquire preferred stock of that series (1) pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding preferred stock of such series or (2) by conversion into or exchange for shares of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation.

If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series are to be redeemed, we will determine the number of shares that may be redeemed pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in proportion to the number of such shares held or for which redemption is requested by such holder or by any other equitable manner that we determine. Such determination will reflect adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares.

We will mail a notice of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of preferred stock to be redeemed at the address shown on our stock transfer books. Each notice shall state:

 

•

the redemption date;

 

•

the number of shares and series of the preferred stock to be redeemed;

 

•

the redemption price;

 

•

the place or places where certificates for such preferred stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;

 

•

that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date;

 

•

the date upon which the holder’s conversion rights, if any, as to such shares shall terminate; and

 

•

the specific number of shares to be redeemed from each such holder if fewer than all the shares of any series are to be redeemed.

If a notice of redemption has been given and we have set aside the funds necessary for such redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of any shares so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on such shares, and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.

 

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Liquidation Preference

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, then, before we make any distribution or payment to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of each series of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. Such dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid noncumulative dividends for prior dividend periods. After payment of the full amount of their liquidating distributions, the holders of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. Upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all other classes or series of our capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of shares of capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of capital stock will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled.

Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and if we have made liquidating distributions in full to all holders of preferred stock, we will distribute our remaining assets among the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock according to their respective rights and preferences and, in each case, according to their respective number of shares. For such purposes, our consolidation or merger with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business will not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

Voting Rights

Holders of preferred stock will not have any voting rights, except as described in the next paragraph, as otherwise from time to time required by law or as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise provided for any series of preferred stock, so long as any preferred stock of a series remains outstanding, we will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the preferred stock of such series outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting with each of such series voting separately as a class:

 

•

authorize, or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of shares of capital stock ranking senior to such series of preferred stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or reclassify any of our authorized shares of capital stock into such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or

 

•

amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our articles of organization or the amendment to our articles of organization designating the terms for such series of preferred stock, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of such series of preferred stock or the holders thereof.

Notwithstanding the preceding bullet point, if the preferred stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, the occurrence of any of the events described above shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of holders of preferred stock, even if upon the occurrence of such an event we may not be the surviving entity. In addition, any increase in the amount of (1) authorized preferred stock or the creation or issuance of any other series of preferred stock, or (2) authorized shares of such series or any other series of preferred stock, in each case ranking on parity with or junior to the preferred stock of such series with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

 

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The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required will be effected, we have redeemed or called for redemption all outstanding shares of such series of preferred stock and, if called for redemption, have deposited sufficient funds in trust to effect such redemption.

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of preferred stock is convertible into common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of shares of common stock into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price, rate or manner of calculation thereof, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at our option or at the option of the holders of the preferred stock, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for the preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following is a description of the material terms and provisions of our common stock. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. You can access complete information by referring to our articles of organization and bylaws.

General

Under our articles of organization, we have authority to issue 85,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share. As of July 31, 2017, 48,108,360 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. All shares of common stock will, when issued, be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Thus, the full price for the outstanding shares of common stock will have been paid at issuance and any holder of our common stock will not be later required to pay us any additional money for such common stock.

Dividends

Subject to preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, holders of common stock may receive dividends out of assets that we can legally use to pay dividends, when, as and if they are declared by our board of directors. In the event we are liquidated, dissolved or our affairs are wound up, after we pay or make adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities, each holder of common stock will receive dividends pro rata out of assets that we can legally use to pay distributions, subject to any rights that are granted to the holders of any class or series of preferred stock.

Voting Rights

Holders of common stock will have the exclusive power to vote on all matters presented to our stockholders, including the election of directors, except as otherwise provided by Massachusetts law or as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors, which means that, subject to any rights to elect directors that are granted to the holders of any class or series of preferred stock, a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director.

Other Rights

Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, all shares of common stock have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights, and have no preference, appraisal or exchange rights, except for any appraisal rights provided by Massachusetts law. Furthermore, holders of common stock have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.

Classified Board and Other Matters

Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which serves until the third annual meeting of shareholders after their election, with one class being elected each year. Under the Massachusetts General Laws, in a corporation with a classified board, shareholders may remove a director only for cause. Our bylaws require that shareholders provide the Secretary of our company with notice of the nomination of a person for election as a director (1) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting, not less than 120 nor more than 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting and (2) in the case of a special meeting not in lieu of an annual meeting or if the annual meeting is called for a date (including any change in a date determined by the Board of Directors) not within 45 days before or after such anniversary date, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which notice of such meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of such meeting was made, whichever first occurs. Our bylaws provide

 

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that special meetings of shareholders of our company may be called only by a majority of the board of directors, the President or 40% in interest of the shareholders. Our bylaws, as well as applicable provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, provide that no action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of our shareholders may be taken without a meeting, unless the unanimous consent of shareholders entitled to vote on the matter is obtained. These provisions may diminish the likelihood that a potential acquiror would make an offer for our common stock or that there would otherwise be a change in control of our company.

Massachusetts Anti-takeover Laws

We are subject to the provisions of Chapter 110F of the Massachusetts General Laws, an anti-takeover law. In general, this statute prohibits a publicly-held Massachusetts corporation with sufficient ties to Massachusetts from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested shareholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person becomes an interested shareholder, unless either (1) the interested shareholder obtains the approval of the board of directors prior to becoming an interested shareholder, (2) the interested shareholder acquires 90% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by certain affiliates of the corporation) at the time he becomes an interested shareholder or (3) the business combination is approved by both the board of directors and two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by the interested shareholder) at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, but not by written consent. An interested shareholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns 5% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock or who as an affiliate at any time within the prior three years did own 5% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. A “business combination” includes mergers, stock and asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the shareholder. We may at any time amend our articles of organization or bylaws, by vote of the holders of a majority of our voting stock, to elect not to be governed by Chapter 110F, but such an amendment would not be effective for 12 months and would not apply to a business combination with any person who became an interested shareholder prior to the date of the amendment.

Our bylaws opt out of Chapter 110D of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Massachusetts Control Share Acquisition statute.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services, N.A.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We currently have no warrants outstanding. We may issue warrants for the purchase of preferred stock or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently, together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement or through a dividend or other distribution to our stockholders and may be attached to or separate from such securities. We may issue warrants under a warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. We will name any warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of a particular series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The following is a description of the general terms and provisions of any warrants we may issue and may not contain all the information that is important to you. You can access complete information by referring to the applicable prospectus supplement. In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will describe the terms of the warrants and applicable warrant agreement, including, where applicable, the following:

 

•

the title of such warrants;

 

•

the aggregate number of warrants offered and the aggregate number of warrants then outstanding;

 

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•

the price or prices at which we will issue the warrants;

 

•

the designation, number and terms of the preferred stock or common stock that can be purchased upon exercise of the warrants and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants;

 

•

the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each of those securities;

 

•

the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related preferred stock or common stock, if any, will be separately transferable;

 

•

the price at which each share of preferred stock or common stock that can be purchased upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

•

the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

•

whether the warrants represented by warrant certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form, and, if registered, where they may be transferred and registered;

 

•

information with respect to any book-entry procedures;

 

•

a discussion of applicable United States federal income tax consequences;

 

•

redemption or call provisions of the debt warrants, if any; and

 

•

any other terms of such warrants, including terms and additional rights, preferences, privileges, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

This section outlines some of the provisions of the units and the unit agreements. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the unit agreement with respect to the units of any particular series. The specific terms of any series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in a particular supplement, the specific terms of any series of units may differ from the general description of terms presented below.

We may issue units comprised of shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock, warrants and other securities in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:

 

•

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

•

any provisions of the governing unit agreement;

 

•

the price or prices at which such units will be issued;

 

•

the applicable U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the units;

 

•

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

 

•

any other terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units.

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Common Stock” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to the securities included in each unit, to the extent relevant.

Issuance in Series

We may issue units in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish. This section summarizes terms of the units that apply generally to all series. Most of the financial and other specific terms of your series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unit Agreements

We will issue the units under one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or other financial institution, as unit agent. We may add, replace or terminate unit agents from time to time. We will identify the unit agreement under which each series of units will be issued and the unit agent under that agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The following provisions will generally apply to all unit agreements unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Modification Without Consent

We and the applicable unit agent may amend any unit or unit agreement without the consent of any holder:

 

•

to cure any ambiguity; any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below;

 

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•

to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision; or

 

•

to make any other change that we believe is necessary or desirable and will not adversely affect the interests of the affected holders in any material respect.

We do not need any approval to make changes that affect only units to be issued after the changes take effect. We may also make changes that do not adversely affect a particular unit in any material respect, even if they adversely affect other units in a material respect. In those cases, we do not need to obtain the approval of the holder of the unaffected unit; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected units.

Modification With Consent

We may not amend any particular unit or a unit agreement with respect to any particular unit unless we obtain the consent of the holder of that unit, if the amendment would:

 

•

impair any right of the holder to exercise or enforce any right under a security included in the unit if the terms of that security require the consent of the holder to any changes that would impair the exercise or enforcement of that right; or

 

•

reduce the percentage of outstanding units or any series or class the consent of whose holders is required to amend that series or class, or the applicable unit agreement with respect to that series or class, as described below.

Any other change to a particular unit agreement and the units issued under that agreement would require the following approval:

 

•

If the change affects only the units of a particular series issued under that agreement, the change must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding units of that series; or

 

•

If the change affects the units of more than one series issued under that agreement, it must be approved by the holders of a majority of all outstanding units of all series affected by the change, with the units of all the affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.

These provisions regarding changes with majority approval also apply to changes affecting any securities issued under a unit agreement, as the governing document.

In each case, the required approval must be given by written consent.

Unit Agreements Will Not Be Qualified Under Trust Indenture Act

No unit agreement will be qualified as an indenture, and no unit agent will be required to qualify as a trustee, under the Trust Indenture Act. Therefore, holders of units issued under unit agreements will not have the protections of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to their units.

Mergers and Similar Transactions Permitted; No Restrictive Covenants or Events of Default

The unit agreements will not restrict our ability to merge or consolidate with, or sell our assets to, another corporation or other entity or to engage in any other transactions. If at any time we merge or consolidate with, or sell our assets substantially as an entirety to, another corporation or other entity, the successor entity will succeed to and assume our obligations under the unit agreements. We will then be relieved of any further obligation under these agreements.

The unit agreements will not include any restrictions on our ability to put liens on our assets, including our interests in our subsidiaries, nor will they restrict our ability to sell our assets. The unit agreements also will not provide for any events of default or remedies upon the occurrence of any events of default.

 

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Governing Law

The unit agreements and the units will be governed by Massachusetts law.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue each unit in global form only (i.e., book-entry). Units in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the units represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a unit will do so through participants in the depositary’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. We will describe book-entry securities, and other terms regarding the issuance and registration of the units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each unit and all securities comprising the unit will be issued in the same form.

If we issue any units in registered, non-global form, the following will apply to them.

The units will be issued in the denominations stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Holders may exchange their units for units of smaller denominations or combined into fewer units of larger denominations, as long as the total amount is not changed.

 

•

Holders may exchange or transfer their units at the office of the unit agent. Holders may also replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated units at that office. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

 

•

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their units, but they may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership. The transfer agent may also require an indemnity before replacing any units.

 

•

If we have the right to redeem, accelerate or settle any units before their maturity, and we exercise our right as to less than all those units or other securities, we may block the exchange or transfer of those units during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of exercise and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers of or exchange any unit selected for early settlement, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unsettled portion of any unit being partially settled. We may also block the transfer or exchange of any unit in this manner if the unit includes securities that are or may be selected for early settlement.

Only the depositary will be entitled to transfer or exchange a unit in global form, since it will be the sole holder of the unit.

Payments and Notices

In making payments and giving notices with respect to our units, we will follow the procedures as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities in any one or more of the following methods from time to time:

 

•

directly to investors, directly to agents, or to investors through agents;

 

•

through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters, or through one or more underwriters acting alone, for resale to the public or investors;

 

•

purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or dealer for its own account;

 

•

through a block trade (which may involve crosses) in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

•

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers;

 

•

in “at the market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise;

 

•

transactions not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales or privately negotiated transactions;

 

•

exchange distributions and/or secondary distributions;

 

•

by delayed delivery contracts or by remarketing firms;

 

•

transactions in options, swaps or other derivatives that may or may not be listed on an exchange; or

 

•

through a combination of any such methods of sale.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

•

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

•

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

•

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

•

at negotiated prices.

Any of the prices may represent a discount from the prevailing market prices.

Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm commitment basis. If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities acquired by the underwriters will be for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including without limitation negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at a varying price determined at the time of sale. The obligations, if any, of the underwriter to purchase any securities will be subject to certain conditions. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if any are purchased, other than securities covered by any over-allotment option. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed, reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

If a dealer is used in an offering of securities, we may sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of sale.

We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay agents in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

 

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We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters, dealers or agents.

We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our stockholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.

In the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on the resale of securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The applicable prospectus supplement will, where applicable:

 

•

identify any such underwriter or agent;

 

•

describe any compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, commissions or otherwise received from us by each of such underwriter, dealer or agent and in the aggregate to all underwriters, dealers and agents;

 

•

identify the purchase price and proceeds from such sale;

 

•

identify the amounts underwritten;

 

•

identify the nature of the underwriter’s obligation to take the securities;

 

•

identify any over-allotment option under which the underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; and

 

•

identify any quotation systems or securities exchanges on which the securities may be quoted or listed.

Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than the common stock, which is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, subject to applicable notices. We may elect to apply for quotation or listing of any other class or series of our securities, on a quotation system or an exchange but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of our securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, any other class or series of our securities.

We do not make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above might have on the price of the securities. In addition, we do not make any representation that underwriters will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice at any time.

Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution from us to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

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If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, securities may also be offered or sold by a “remarketing firm” in connection with a remarketing arrangement contemplated by the terms of the securities. Remarketing firms may act as principals for their own accounts or as agents. The applicable prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us. It will also describe the remarketing firms compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the remarketing of the securities.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by particular institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on such future date or dates stated in such prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract will be for an amount no less than, and the aggregate principal amounts of securities sold under delayed delivery contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with which such delayed delivery contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the conditions that (1) the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject, and (2) if the securities are being sold to underwriters, we shall have sold to the underwriters the total principal amount of the securities less the principal amount thereof covered by the delayed delivery contracts. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such delayed delivery contracts.

To comply with applicable state securities laws, the securities offered by this prospectus will be sold, if necessary, in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, securities may not be sold in some states unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information and reports we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to these documents. Our SEC file number is 0-23599. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information already incorporated by reference. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC, including after the initial filing date of the registration statement to which this prospectus relates and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement, under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, except as to any portion of any future report or document that is not deemed filed under such provisions, until we sell all of the securities:

 

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on August 18, 2017; and

 

•

The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on January 7, 1998, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

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Upon request, we will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered a copy of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus, at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Mercury Systems, Inc.

50 Minuteman Road

Andover, Massachusetts 01810

(978) 256-1300

Attention: Secretary

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. We have incorporated exhibits into this registration statement. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus or those documents.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance with the Exchange Act, file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. These documents also may be accessed through the SEC’s electronic data gathering, analysis and retrieval system, or EDGAR, via electronic means, including the SEC’s home page on the Internet (www.sec.gov).

We have the authority to designate and issue more than one class or series of stock having various preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption. See “Description of Preferred Stock” and “Description of Common Stock.” We will furnish a full statement of the relative rights and preferences of each class or series of our stock which has been so designated and any restrictions on the ownership or transfer of our stock to any stockholder upon request and without charge. Written requests for such copies should be directed to Mercury Systems, Inc., 50 Minuteman Road, Andover, Massachusetts 01810, Attention: Secretary. Our telephone number is (978) 256-1300. Our website is located at www.mrcy.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and, therefore, is not part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2017, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

KPMG LLP’s report dated August 18, 2017, on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, contains an explanatory paragraph that states that management excluded from its assessment of

 

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the effectiveness of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting, as of June 30, 2017, CES Creative Electronic Systems, S.A.’s (CES) and Delta Microwave, LLC’s (Delta) internal control over financial reporting associated with 12 percent of total consolidated assets (of which 8 percent represented goodwill and intangible assets included within the scope of the assessment) and 5 percent of total consolidated revenues included in the consolidated financial statements of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended June 30, 2017. KPMG LLP’s audit of internal control over financial reporting of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of CES and Delta.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters, including the legality of the securities offered, will be passed upon for us by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.

 

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Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Warrants

Units

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

August 28, 2017

 

 

 

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PROSPECTUS

Up to $200,000,000

Common Stock

 

 

We have entered into an equity distribution agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (each, an “Agent” and collectively, the “Agents”) relating to shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the equity distribution agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $200,000,000 from time to time through the Agents as our agents and/or principals.

You should read this prospectus carefully before you invest in our securities.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “MRCY.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on NASDAQ on August 25, 2017 was $46.90 per share.

Sales of shares of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus will be made in sales deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which includes sales made directly on NASDAQ, the existing trading market for our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. No Agent is required to sell any specific amount of securities, but each Agent will act as our sales agent using reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between each Agent and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

The equity distribution agreement provides that we may also in the future enter into one or more terms agreements with one or more of the Agents from time to time, on terms mutually satisfactory to us and such Agents, to the extent we determine to sell shares of our common stock under the equity distribution agreement directly to such Agents as principal.

We will pay each Agent a commission at a mutually agreed rate that will not exceed 2.00% of the gross proceeds of the sales price per share. The net proceeds to us that we receive from sales of our common stock will depend on the number of shares actually sold and the offering price for such shares.

In connection with the sale of common stock on our behalf, the Agents may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as amended, and the compensation of the Agents may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the Agents against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Risk Factors” on page S-4 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

Citigroup		BofA Merrill Lynch		J.P. Morgan

The date of this prospectus is August 28, 2017.

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		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			S-1
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY.			S-2
THE OFFERING			S-3
RISK FACTORS			S-4
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			S-5
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-5
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK			S-6
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			S-8
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE			S-10
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			S-10
EXPERTS			S-11
LEGAL MATTERS			S-11

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on August 28, 2017, utilizing a shelf registration process. This prospectus relates to the offering and sale of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $200,000,000 from time to time through the Agents at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This prospectus includes or incorporates by reference important information about us, our common stock, and other matters you should know before investing. You should read this prospectus as well as additional information described under the headings “Incorporation by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus.

You should rely only on this prospectus and the information incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses that we provide you. We have not, and the Agents have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is in addition to, or different from, that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the Agents are not, offering to sell securities in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offering or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances imply that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is correct as of any date subsequent to the date of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. It is important that you read and consider all of the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus in making your investment decision.

If the information set forth in this prospectus differs in any way from the information contained in any document incorporated by reference herein, the information contained in the most recently dated document shall control.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “Mercury,” “we,” “our,” “us” or “our company” in this prospectus refer to Mercury Systems, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors described below and in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on August 18, 2017, and any future reports filed from time to time with the SEC, which are incorporated herein by reference to the extent set forth in “Incorporation by Reference.” Some of these risk factors relate principally to our business. Other factors relate principally to your investment in our common stock. Before making any investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks. These risks could materially affect our business, results of operation or financial condition and affect the value of our securities. In such case, you may lose all or part of your original investment. The risks described below or incorporated by reference herein are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, results of operation or financial condition.

Additional Risks Related to this Offering

Management will have broad discretion to the use of the proceeds from this offering.

We have not designated the amount of net proceeds we will receive from this offering for any particular purpose. See “Use of Proceeds.” Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion as to the application of these net proceeds and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of this offering. Our stockholders may not agree with the manner in which our management chooses to allocate and spend the net proceeds and our use of the proceeds may not yield profits.

Purchasers in this offering will likely experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of their investment.

The shares sold in this offering, if any will be sold from time to time at various prices. The offering price per share at which shares of our common stock are sold in this offering may be substantially higher than the book value per share of our common stock. As such, you may suffer immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this offering.

A substantial number of shares of our outstanding common stock may be sold in this offering, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

In this offering, we may sell up to $200,000,000 of our common stock from time to time. This sale and any future sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the price of our common stock. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of those shares of common stock or the availability of those shares of common stock for sale will have on the market price of our common stock.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, contains, and any prospectus supplement may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

You can identify these statements by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “likely,” “forecast,” “probable,” “potential” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, continued funding of defense programs, the timing and amounts of such funding, general economic and business conditions, including unforeseen weakness in our markets, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, changes in, or in the U.S. Government’s interpretation of, federal export control or procurement rules and regulations, market acceptance of our products, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, inability to fully realize the expected benefits from acquisitions and restructurings, or delays in realizing such benefits, challenges in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated synergies, changes to export regulations, increases in tax rates, changes to generally accepted accounting principles, difficulties in retaining key employees and customers, unanticipated costs under fixed-price service and system integration engagements, and various other factors beyond our control.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made and are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performances. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

USE OF PROCEEDS

The amount of proceeds from this offering will depend upon the number of shares of our common stock sold and the market price at which they are sold. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sell any shares under or fully utilize the equity distribution agreement with the Agents. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, the following:

 

•

the acquisition of other companies or businesses;

 

•

the repayment and refinancing of debt;

 

•

capital expenditures; and

 

•

working capital.

Pending such uses and depending upon our funding requirements and the availability of other funds, we may also temporarily invest the net proceeds.

Based upon our historical and anticipated future growth and our financial needs, we may engage in additional financings of a character and amount to be determined if and when the need arises.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following is a description of the material terms and provisions of our common stock. It may not contain all the information that is important to you and is qualified by reference to the relevant provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws and our articles of organization and our bylaws. You can access complete information by referring to our articles of organization and bylaws. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General

Under our articles of organization, we have authority to issue 85,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share. As of July 31, 2017, 48,108,360 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. All shares of common stock will, when issued, be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Thus, the full price for the outstanding shares of common stock will have been paid at issuance and any holder of our common stock will not be later required to pay us any additional money for such common stock.

Dividends

Subject to preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, holders of common stock may receive dividends out of assets that we can legally use to pay dividends, when, as and if they are declared by our board of directors. In the event we are liquidated, dissolved or our affairs are wound up, after we pay or make adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities, each holder of common stock will receive dividends pro rata out of assets that we can legally use to pay distributions, subject to any rights that are granted to the holders of any class or series of preferred stock.

Voting Rights

Holders of common stock will have the exclusive power to vote on all matters presented to our stockholders, including the election of directors, except as otherwise provided by Massachusetts law or as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors, which means that, subject to any rights to elect directors that are granted to the holders of any class or series of preferred stock, a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director.

Other Rights

Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, all shares of common stock have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights, and have no preference, appraisal or exchange rights, except for any appraisal rights provided by Massachusetts law. Furthermore, holders of common stock have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.

Classified Board and Other Matters

Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which serves until the third annual meeting of shareholders after their election, with one class being elected each year. Under the Massachusetts General Laws, in a corporation with a classified board, shareholders may remove a director only for cause. Our bylaws require that shareholders provide the Secretary of our company with notice of the nomination of a person for election as a director (1) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting, not less than 120 nor more than 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting and (2) in the case of a

 

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special meeting not in lieu of an annual meeting or if the annual meeting is called for a date (including any change in a date determined by the Board of Directors) not within 45 days before or after such anniversary date, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which notice of such meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of such meeting was made, whichever first occurs. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders of our company may be called only by a majority of the board of directors, the President or 40% in interest of the shareholders. Our bylaws, as well as applicable provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, provide that no action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of our shareholders may be taken without a meeting, unless the unanimous consent of shareholders entitled to vote on the matter is obtained. These provisions may diminish the likelihood that a potential acquirer would make an offer for our common stock or that there would otherwise be a change in control of our company.

Massachusetts Anti-takeover Laws

We are subject to the provisions of Chapter 110F of the Massachusetts General Laws, an anti-takeover law. In general, this statute prohibits a publicly-held Massachusetts corporation with sufficient ties to Massachusetts from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested shareholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person becomes an interested shareholder, unless either (1) the interested shareholder obtains the approval of the board of directors prior to becoming an interested shareholder, (2) the interested shareholder acquires 90% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by certain affiliates of the corporation) at the time he becomes an interested shareholder or (3) the business combination is approved by both the board of directors and two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by the interested shareholder) at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, but not by written consent. An interested shareholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns 5% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock or who as an affiliate at any time within the prior three years did own 5% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. A “business combination” includes mergers, stock and asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the shareholder. We may at any time amend our articles of organization or bylaws, by vote of the holders of a majority of our voting stock, to elect not to be governed by Chapter 110F, but such an amendment would not be effective for 12 months and would not apply to a business combination with any person who became an interested shareholder prior to the date of the amendment.

Our bylaws opt out of Chapter 110D of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Massachusetts Control Share Acquisition statute.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services, N.A.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We have entered into an equity distribution agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, or collectively, the Agents, under which we may sell an aggregate of up to $200,000,000 of our common stock from time to time through the Agents, as our agents and/or principals for the offer and sale of the common stock. In no event will the aggregate shares of our common stock sold through or to the Agents under the equity distribution agreement have an aggregate offering price in excess of $200,000,000. The actual dollar amount and number of shares of common stock we sell pursuant to the equity distribution agreement will be dependent on, among other things, market conditions and our fund raising requirements. The Agents will sell the common stock by any method deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including without limitation sales made directly on NASDAQ, on any other existing trading market for the common stock or to or through a market maker. In addition, our common stock may be offered and sold by such other methods, including privately negotiated transactions, as we and the Agents may agree.

We will report in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable, the number of shares of common stock sold through the Agents, as agents or principals, under the equity distribution agreement, the net proceeds and the compensation paid by us with respect to the sales of shares of common stock under the equity distribution agreement.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the equity distribution agreement, the Agents have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts consistent with their normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations, and the rules of NASDAQ to sell such shares up to the amount specified. Sales of our common stock as contemplated by this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company in return for payment in same day funds. The settlement for each sale will occur as set forth below. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

We will pay the Agents a commission of up to 2.00% of the gross proceeds of shares issued by us and sold through any Agent as our sales agent under the equity distribution agreement. The Agents may also receive customary brokerage commissions from purchasers of the common stock in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121. We have also agreed to pay the fees, costs and expenses of the Agents in connection with the equity distribution agreement. We estimate that the total fees, costs and expenses for the offering, excluding compensation and reimbursements payable to the Agents under the terms of the equity distribution agreement, will be approximately $400,000.

In connection with the sale of our common stock contemplated in this prospectus, the Agents may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to the Agents may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to indemnify the Agents against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, or to contribute to payments the Agents may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

The shares are listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “MRCY.”

If we or the Agents have reason to believe that our common stock is no longer an “actively-traded security” as defined under Rule 101(c)(l) of Regulation M under the Exchange Act that party will promptly notify the other and sales of common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreement or any terms agreement will be suspended until that or another exemptive provision has been satisfied.

The offering of our common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreement will terminate on the earlier of (1) the sale of all of our common stock subject to the equity distribution agreement, or (2) termination of the equity distribution agreement by us or the Agents. We or the Agents may terminate the equity distribution agreement at any time upon written notice to the other.

 

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The equity distribution agreement provides that we may also in the future enter into one or more terms agreements with one or more of the Agents from time to time, on terms mutually satisfactory to us and such Agent, to the extent we determine to sell shares of our common stock under the equity distribution agreement directly to such Agent as principal.

Sales through the Agents

During the term of the equity distribution agreement, the shares of common stock will be sold on a daily basis on any day that is (i) a trading day for NASDAQ and (ii) we have instructed one of the Agents to sell shares of our common stock as set forth in the equity distribution agreement, specifying in our discretion in such instruction the maximum amount of shares of our common stock to be sold, the minimum price below which sales may not be made and other limitations as mutually agreed between us and the Agent, all pursuant to the terms of the equity distribution agreement. Upon receipt of such instruction from us, and subject to the terms and conditions of the equity distribution agreement, the Agents have agreed to use reasonable efforts to sell all such shares of our common stock on such terms. The gross sales price of shares of common stock sold under the equity distribution agreement will be the market price or at negotiated prices for shares of our common stock at the time of sale of such shares. We or any Agent may suspend the offering of our common stock at any time upon proper notice to the other parties, at which time the sales of our common stock under the equity distribution agreement will immediately terminate for the specified period of time. Settlement for sales of our common stock will occur (i) prior to September 5, 2017, on the third trading day following the date such sales were made and (ii) thereafter, on the second trading day following the date such sales were made. The obligations of the Agents to sell shares of our common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreement are several and not joint and are subject to a number of conditions, which the Agents may waive in their sole discretion, all pursuant to the terms of the equity distribution agreement.

Relationship with Agents

The Agents are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the Agents and their respective affiliates have in the past performed commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they have received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses and may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (which may include bank loans and/or credit default swaps) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The Agents and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

You should be aware that the laws and practices of certain countries require investors to pay stamp taxes and other charges in connection with purchases of securities.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information and reports we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to these documents. Our SEC file number is 0-23599. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information already incorporated by reference. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC, including after the initial filing date of the registration statement to which this prospectus relates and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement, under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, except as to any portion of any future report or document that is not deemed filed under such provisions, until we sell all of the securities:

 

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017; and

 

•

The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, which was filed on January 7, 1998, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

Upon request, we will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered a copy of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus, at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Mercury Systems, Inc.

50 Minuteman Road

Andover, Massachusetts 01810

(978) 256-1300

Attention: Secretary

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC on August 28, 2017. We have incorporated exhibits into this registration statement. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus or those documents.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC registering the offering and sale of our common stock offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not include all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should refer to the registration statement, its exhibits and the information incorporated in this prospectus for additional information.

We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance with the Exchange Act, file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. These documents also may be accessed through the SEC’s electronic data gathering, analysis and retrieval system, or EDGAR, via electronic means, including the SEC’s home page on the Internet (www.sec.gov). Copies of these documents may also be available on our website at www.mrcy.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and, therefore, is not part of this prospectus.

 

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We have the authority to designate and issue more than one class or series of stock having various preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption. See “Description of Preferred Stock” and “Description of Common Stock.” We will furnish a full statement of the relative rights and preferences of each class or series of our stock which has been so designated and any restrictions on the ownership or transfer of our stock to any stockholder upon request and without charge. Written requests for such copies should be directed to Mercury Systems, Inc., 50 Minuteman Road, Andover, Massachusetts 01810, Attention: Secretary. Our telephone number is (978) 256-1300.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2017, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

KPMG LLP’s report dated August 18, 2017, on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, contains an explanatory paragraph that states that management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting, as of June 30, 2017, CES Creative Electronic Systems, S.A.’s (CES) and Delta Microwave, LLC’s (Delta) internal control over financial reporting associated with 12 percent of total consolidated assets (of which 8 percent represented goodwill and intangible assets included within the scope of the assessment) and 5 percent of total consolidated revenues included in the consolidated financial statements of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended June 30, 2017. KPMG LLP’s audit of internal control over financial reporting of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of CES and Delta.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters, including the legality of the securities offered, will be passed upon for us by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. The Agents are being represented in connection with this offering by Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.

 

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Up to $200,000,000

Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Citigroup

BofA Merrill Lynch

J.P. Morgan

August 28, 2017

 

 

 

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PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered will be borne by Mercury Systems, Inc. and are set forth in the following table. All amounts except the registration fee are estimated.

 

Registration fee			$              *
Legal fees and expenses			**
Accounting fees and expenses			**
Printing fees and expenses			**
Transfer agent and trustee fees			**
Miscellaneous			**
Total			$            **

 

*

In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), we are deferring payment of all applicable registration fees for the securities offered under this registration statement, except for $23,180, related to the $200,000,000 of the registrant’s Common Stock that may be issued and sold under a certain equity distribution agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.

**	These fees will be dependent on the type of securities offered and the number of offerings and, therefore, cannot be estimated at this time. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the estimated amount of expenses of any offerings of securities.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 2.02(b)(4) of Chapter 156D of the Massachusetts General Laws allows a corporation to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of an improper distribution or obtained an improper personal benefit. Mercury has included a similar provision in its articles of organization.

Section 8.51(a) of Chapter 156D of the Massachusetts General Laws provides that a corporation may indemnify its directors against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred in connection with any litigation or other legal proceeding brought against any director by virtue of his position as a director of the corporation unless he is deemed to have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the corporation. As noted below, Mercury has provided for director indemnification in its articles of organization and bylaws.

Section 8.52 of Chapter 156D of the Massachusetts General Laws provides that a corporation must indemnify a director who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the director was a party because he was a director of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the proceeding.

Section 8.56(a) of Chapter 156D of the Massachusetts General Laws (“Section 8.56”) provides that a corporation may indemnify its officers to the same extent as its directors and, for officers that are not directors, to the extent provided by (i) the articles of organization, (ii) the bylaws, (iii) a vote of the board of directors or (iv) a contract. In all instances, the extent to which a corporation provides indemnification to its officers under Section 8.56 is optional. As noted below, Mercury has provided for officer indemnification in its bylaws.

 

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Mercury’s bylaws, as amended and restated, provide that Mercury shall indemnify its directors and the officers that have been appointed by the board of directors to the fullest extent permitted by law.

The bylaws do not limit the power of the board of directors to authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance on behalf of any director or officer against any expense whether or not Mercury would have the power to indemnify such director or officer against such expense under the bylaws. Mercury maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

Mercury has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors. The indemnification agreements require, among other matters, that Mercury indemnify its directors to the fullest extent provided by law and advance to directors certain expenses, subject to reimbursement if it is subsequently determined that indemnification is not permitted.

Item 16. Exhibits.

A list of exhibits filed with this registration statement on Form S-3 is set forth on the Exhibit Index and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

 

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(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date;

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser;

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the

 

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securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue;

(8) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective;

(9) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

(10) If and when applicable, to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)2 of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Andover, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this 28th day of August, 2017.

 

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.
By:		/s/ Gerald M. Haines II
Gerald M. Haines II
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and appoints Mark Aslett, Christopher C. Cambria and Gerald M. Haines II and each of them singly, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (or any registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the

following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Mark Aslett		President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer)		August 28, 2017
/s/ Gerald M. Haines II		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)		August 28, 2017
/s/ Charles A. Speicher		Vice President, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)		August 28, 2017
/s/ Vincent Vitto		Chairman of the Board of Directors		August 28, 2017
/s/ James K. Bass		Director		August 28, 2017
/s/ Michael A. Daniels		Director		August 28, 2017
/s/ Lisa S. Disbrow		Director		August 28, 2017
/s/ Mary Louise Krakauer		Director		August 28, 2017

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Signature		Title		Date
/s/ George K. Muellner		Director		August 28, 2017
/s/ Mark S. Newman		Director		August 28, 2017
/s/ William K. O’Brien		Director		August 28, 2017

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.		Description
1.1		Underwriting Agreement, dated April 7, 2016, among Mercury Systems, Inc. as issuer and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on April 8, 2016)
1.2		Underwriting Agreement, dated January 26, 2017, among the Company as issuer and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 27, 2017)
1.3*		Form of Underwriting Agreement
1.4		Form of Equity Distribution Agreement
3.1.1		Articles of Organization (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009)
3.1.2		Articles of Amendment (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010)
3.1.3		Articles of Amendment (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of the Company’s registration statement on Form 8-A filed on December 15, 2005)
3.1.4		Articles of Amendment (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2012)
3.1.5		Articles of Amendment (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on June 30, 2015)
3.2		Bylaws, amended and restated effective as of January 17, 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2017)
4.1		Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities
4.2		Form of Senior Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto)
4.3		Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities
4.4		Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.3 hereto)
4.5		Form of Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-41139))
4.6*		Form of Certificate of Designations
4.7*		Form of Preferred Stock Certificate
4.8*		Form of Warrant Agreement
4.9*		Form of Warrant Certificate
4.10*		Form of Unit Agreement
4.11*		Form of Unit Certificate
5.1		Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
12.1		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017)

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Table of Contents

Exhibit No.		Description
23.1		Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2		Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
24.1		Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference to the signature page of this registration statement)
25.1**		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for Senior Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
25.2**		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for Subordinated Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
101		Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Statement of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheet, (iii) Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Consolidated financial Statements (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 101 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017)

 

*	To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement, including a Current Report on Form 8-K.

**	Upon designation of a trustee for the applicable indenture.

Exhibit 1.4

Mercury Systems, Inc.

Up to $200,000,000 of Shares of

Common Stock

($0.01 par value)

Equity Distribution Agreement

August 28, 2017

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York, 10013

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

             Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Mercury Systems, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Massachusetts (the “Company”), confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citi”), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) (each a “Manager” and collectively, the “Managers”) as follows:

1.    Description of Shares. The Company proposes to issue and sell through or to the several Managers, each as sales agent and/or principal, shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (“Common Stock”), having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $200,000,000 (the “Shares”), from time to time during the term of this Agreement and on the terms set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement. For purposes of selling the Shares through the Managers, the Company hereby appoints the Managers as exclusive agents of the Company for the purpose of soliciting purchases of the Shares from the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Managers agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases of the Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions stated herein. The Company agrees that whenever it determines to sell the Shares directly to the Managers as principals, it will enter into a separate agreement (each, a “Terms Agreement”) in substantially the form of Annex I hereto, relating to such sale in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement. Certain terms used herein are defined in Section 19 hereof.

2.    Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each Manager at the Execution Time and on any such time the following representations and warranties are required to be repeated or deemed to be made pursuant to this Agreement, as set forth below:

(a)    The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act and has prepared and filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement, as

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defined in Rule 405 on Form S-3, including a related Base Prospectus, for registration under the Securities Act of the offering and sale of the Company’s Common Stock, and an Equity Distribution Prospectus, relating to the Shares. Such Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto filed prior to the Execution Time or prior to any such time this representation is repeated or deemed to be made, became effective upon filing. As filed, the Prospectus contains all information required by the Securities Act and the rules thereunder, and, except to the extent the Managers shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to the Managers prior to the Execution Time or prior to any such time this representation is repeated or deemed to be made. The Registration Statement, at the Execution Time, each such time this representation is repeated or deemed to be made, and at all times during which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 or any similar rule) in connection with any offer or sale of Shares, meets the requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(x). The initial Effective Date of the Registration Statement was not earlier than the date three years before the Execution Time. Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, the Equity Distribution Prospectus, any Interim Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the Exchange Act on or before the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Base Prospectus, the Equity Distribution Prospectus, any Interim Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, the Equity Distribution Prospectus, any Interim Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Base Prospectus, the Equity Distribution Prospectus, any Interim Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.

(b)    To the extent that the Registration Statement is not available for the sales of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement or the Company is not a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 or otherwise is unable to make the representations set forth in Section 2(e) at any time when such representations are required, the Company shall file a new registration statement with respect to any additional shares of Common Stock necessary to complete such sales of the Shares and shall cause such registration statement to become effective as promptly as practicable. After the effectiveness of any such registration statement, all references to “Registration Statement” included in this Agreement shall be deemed to include such new registration statement, including all documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3, and all references to “Base Prospectus” and “Equity Distribution Prospectus” included in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the final form of prospectus, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, included in any such registration statement at the time such registration statement became effective.

(c)    On each Effective Date, at the Execution Time, at each Applicable Time, at each Settlement Date (as defined in Section 3(a)(vii)) and at all times during which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 or any similar rule) in connection with any offer or sale of Shares, the Registration Statement complied and will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the respective rules thereunder and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b), at the Execution Time, at each Applicable Time, on each Settlement Date and at all times during which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be

 

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delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 or any similar rule) in connection with any offer or sale of Shares, the Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) complied and will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the respective rules thereunder and did not and will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit 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; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by any Manager specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto).

(d)    At the Execution Time, at each Applicable Time and at each Settlement Date, the Disclosure Package does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Manager specifically for use therein.

(e)    (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), (iii) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c)) made any offer relating to the Shares in reliance on the exemption in Rule 163, and (iv) at the Execution Time and on each such time this representation is repeated or deemed to be made (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (iv)), the Company was or is (as the case may be) a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405. The Company agrees to pay the fees required by the Commission relating to the Shares within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).

(f)    (i) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Shares and (ii) as of the Execution Time and on each such time this representation is repeated or deemed to be made (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (ii)), the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.

(g)    Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus does not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated therein by reference and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Manager specifically for use therein.

(h)    The Registration Statement is not the subject of a pending proceeding or examination under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act, and the Company is not the subject of a pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Shares.

 

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(i)    The Company has not entered into any other sales agency agreements or other similar arrangements with any agent or any other representative in respect of at the market offerings of the Shares in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act.

(j)    The interactive data in the eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(k)    Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Disclosure Package, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Disclosure Package: (i) there has been no material adverse change, or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business, or operations, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole considered as one entity (any such change is called a “Material Adverse Change”); (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity, have not incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business nor entered into any material transaction or agreement not in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company or, except for dividends paid to the Company or other subsidiaries, any of its subsidiaries on any class of capital stock or other equity interests or repurchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any class of capital stock or other equity interests.

(l)    Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly incorporated or duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation or other entity in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized with full corporate or other organizational power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification, except where the failure to have such qualification or be in good standing could not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change and as would not materially adversely affect the ability of the Managers to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(m)    The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and Prospectus; and all the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and, where applicable, are fully paid and nonassessable, and, except as otherwise set forth or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, all outstanding shares of capital stock of the subsidiaries are owned by the Company either directly or through wholly owned subsidiaries free and clear of any perfected security interest or any other security interests, claims, liens or encumbrances subject to the lien created by the Company’s existing credit facilities.

(n)    There is no franchise, contract or other document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit thereto, which is not described or filed as required; and the statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2017 under the headings “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business” insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are accurate and fair summaries of such legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings as of the date of filing the Form 10-K.

 

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(o)    This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(p)    The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(q)    Except for the Listing of Share Notification Form filed with Nasdaq, no consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained under the Securities Act and such as may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Managers in the manner contemplated herein and in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(r)    Neither the issue and sale of the Shares nor the consummation of any other of the transactions herein contemplated nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof will conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, (i) the charter or by-laws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or bound or to which its or their property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of its or their properties, which in the case of either clause (ii) or (iii) above, could reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change or as would not materially adversely affect the ability of the Managers to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(s)    The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered to and paid for by the Managers pursuant to this Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and will be fully paid and non-assessable and conform to descriptions thereof in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to any statutory, preemptive or other similar contractual rights to subscribe for the Shares.

(t)    The consolidated historical financial statements and schedules of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the Registration Statement present fairly the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein).

(u)    No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or its or their property is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened that (i) could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) could reasonably be

 

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expected to result in a Material Adverse Change whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(v)    Each of the Company and its subsidiaries owns or leases all such properties as are necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted.

(w)    None of the Company nor any subsidiary, as applicable, is in violation or default of (i) any provision of its charter or bylaws, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or such subsidiary or any of its properties, as applicable, except for any violations that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(x)    KPMG LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and delivered their report with respect to the audited consolidated financial statements and schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder.

(y)    There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under Federal law or the laws of any state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance by the Company or sale by the Company of the Shares.

(z)    The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all necessary material federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns or have properly requested extensions thereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid by any of them and, if due and payable, any related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them except as may be being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings. The Company has made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable historical financial statements referred to in Section 2(t) above in respect of all material federal, state and foreign income and franchise taxes for all periods as to which the tax liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has not been finally determined.

(aa)    No labor problem or dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or is, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened or imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or its subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, contractors or customers, that could be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Change whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(bb)    The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the Company and its subsidiaries are

 

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in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; neither the Company nor any subsidiary, as applicable, has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for which could reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change; and neither the Company nor any subsidiary, as applicable, has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(cc)    No subsidiary of the Company, other than immaterial foreign subsidiaries, is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except as described in or contemplated by the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto) other than pursuant to the Company’s existing credit facilities.

(dd)    Each of the Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by all applicable authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses except where the failure to hold any of the foregoing individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(ee)    The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable and regular intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus is in compliance with the Commission’s published rules, regulations and guidelines applicable thereto. The Company and its subsidiaries’ internal controls over financial reporting are effective and the Company and its subsidiaries are not aware of any material weakness in their internal controls over financial reporting.

(ff)    The Company and its subsidiaries maintain “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

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(gg)    The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.

(hh)    Except as would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, facilities or operations is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, asbestos, asbestos containing materials, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (iii) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (iv) there are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

(ii)    The Company and its subsidiaries and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”)) established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries are in compliance in all respects with ERISA except for any non-compliance that would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other “disqualified person” or “party in interest” (as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the “Code”) and Section 3(14) of ERISA, respectively) has engaged in any transactions in connection with any “employee benefit plan” that could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a material penalty pursuant to Section 502 of ERISA, material damages pursuant to Section 409 of ERISA or a material tax pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code. Except as would not reasonable be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change: (i) no “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below), if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined under ERISA); (ii) neither the Company, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under (1) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (2) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code; and (iii) each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company or its subsidiaries that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would reasonably be expected to result in the loss of such qualification. For purposes of this Section 2(ii), “ERISA Affiliate” means any organization which, together with the Company or any subsidiary of the

 

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Company, would be treated as a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code and, for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and/or Section 412, 4971, 4977 and/or each “applicable section” under Section 414(t)(2) of the Code, within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

(jj)    There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including Section 402 relating to loans and Sections 302 and 906 relating to certifications.

(kk)    None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers or, to the Company’s knowledge, any agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (in connection with the Company or its subsidiaries) is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that could result in a violation or a sanction for violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, each as in effect on the date hereof or the date of any recertification of these representations, or similar law of any other relevant jurisdiction, or the rules or regulations thereunder; and the Company and its subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures to ensure compliance therewith. No part of the proceeds of the offering will be used, directly or indirectly, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, each as may be amended, or similar law of any other relevant jurisdiction, or the rules or regulations thereunder.

(ll)    The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements and the money laundering statutes and the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(mm)    None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers or, to the Company’s knowledge, any agent, employee or affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (in connection with the Company or its subsidiaries) is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Government, (including without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”), the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or target of Sanctions, including without limitation, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and the Crimean region of the Ukraine (each, a “Sanctioned Country”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a

 

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violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as Underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. For the past five years, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, are not now engaged in and will not knowingly engage in any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.

(nn)    The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess rights to use or can acquire on reasonable terms all rights to use, all trademarks, trade names, patents, copyrights, domain names, trade secrets, rights in software, data and databases, and other similar proprietary rights (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”) that are reasonably necessary to conduct their businesses as now conducted, except where the failure to own or possess such rights would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is infringing or otherwise violating the Intellectual Property Rights of others nor have they received any written notice alleging the same, except for infringements or violations as would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company is not a party to or bound by any options, licenses or agreements with respect to the Intellectual Property Rights of any other person or entity that are required to be set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and are not described therein. None of the technology employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries has been obtained or is being used by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, with respect to their businesses as now conducted, in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its or its subsidiaries’ officers, directors or employees, or otherwise in violation of the Intellectual Property Rights of any persons, except, in each case, for such violations that would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(oo)    Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (in connection with the Company or its subsidiaries) has violated applicable export control laws and regulations, except for such violations as would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change, including without limitation the Arms Export Control Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the U.S. Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended, the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and the Export Administration Regulations, and there are no claims, complaints, charges, investigations or proceedings pending or expected or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any governmental authority under any applicable export control laws and regulations. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries have obtained all of the specific authorizations required by the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, as applicable, to authorize the provision of services and technical data to non-U.S. persons or the export, re-export, or transfer of commodities, software, or technical data, except where the absence of such authorizations would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(pp)    The Company has no reason to believe, that it and each of its subsidiaries are not conducting business in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the jurisdictions in which it is conducting business, except where failure to be so in compliance would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(qq)    Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares nor the application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in each of the Disclosure Package and Prospectus will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.

 

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(rr)    On and immediately after the final Settlement Date, the Company (after giving effect to the issuance and sale of the Shares, and the other transactions related thereto as described in each of the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) will be Solvent. As used in this paragraph, the term “Solvent” means, with respect to a particular date and entity, that on such date (i) the fair value (and present fair saleable value) of the assets of such entity is not less than the total amount required to pay the probable liability of such entity on its total existing debts and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they become absolute and matured; (ii) such entity is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments as they mature and become due in the normal course of business; (iii) assuming consummation of the issuance and sale of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, such entity does not have, intend to incur or believe that it will incur debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; (iv) such entity is not engaged in any business or transaction, and does not propose to engage in any business or transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital; and (v) such entity is not a defendant in any civil action that would result in a judgment that such entity is or would become unable to satisfy.

(ss)    The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and files reports with the Commission on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system.

(tt)    The statistical, demographic and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate or represent the Company’s good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from such sources.

(uu)    Other than as contemplated hereby, there is no broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company any brokerage or finder’s fee or other fee or commission as a result of any transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(vv)    The Common Stock is an “actively-traded security” exempted from the requirements of Rule 101 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act by subsection (c)(1) of such rule.

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Managers or counsel for the Managers in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Manager.

3.    Sale and Delivery of Shares.

(a)    Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell Shares from time to time through the Managers, acting as sales agents, and the Managers agree to use their reasonable efforts to sell, as sales agents for the Company, the Shares on the following terms.

(i)    The Shares are to be sold by one of the Managers on a daily basis or otherwise as shall be agreed to by the Company and the Managers on any day that (A) is a trading day for the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) (other than a day on which

 

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the Nasdaq is scheduled to close prior to its regular weekday closing time), (B) the Company has instructed any Manager by telephone or electronic correspondence (with notice of such instruction to each Manager at such time) to make such sales and (C) the Company has satisfied its obligations under Section 6 of this Agreement; provided, that the Company will only submit its orders to one of the Managers on any given single trading day. The Company will designate the maximum amount of the Shares to be sold by the relevant Manager daily as agreed to by such Manager (in any event not in excess of the amount available for issuance under the Prospectus and the currently effective Registration Statement) and the minimum price per Share at which such Shares may be sold. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the relevant Manager shall use its reasonable efforts to sell on a particular day all of the Shares designated for the sale by the Company on such day. The gross sales price of the Shares sold under this Section 3(a) shall be the market price or at negotiated prices for shares of the Company’s Common Stock sold by the Managers under this Section 3(a) on the Nasdaq at the time of sale of such Shares.

(ii)    The Company acknowledges and agrees that (A) there can be no assurance that the Managers will be successful in selling the Shares, (B) the Managers will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other person or entity if they do not sell Shares for any reason other than a failure by the Managers to use their reasonable efforts consistent with their normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell such Shares as required under this Agreement, and (C) the Managers shall be under no obligation to purchase Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the Managers and the Company.

(iii)    The Company shall not authorize the issuance and sale of, and the Managers shall not be obligated to use their reasonable efforts to sell, any Share at a price lower than the minimum price therefor designated from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), or a duly authorized committee thereof, and notified to the Managers in writing. The Company or the Managers may, upon notice to the other party hereto by telephone (confirmed promptly in writing pursuant to Section 10), suspend the offering of the Shares for any reason and at any time; provided, however, that such suspension or termination shall not affect or impair the parties’ respective obligations with respect to the Shares sold hereunder prior to the giving of such notice.

(iv)    The Managers hereby covenant and agree not to make any sales of the Shares on behalf of the Company, pursuant to this Section 3(a), other than (A) by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions between members of the Nasdaq that qualify for delivery of a Prospectus to the Nasdaq in accordance with Rule 153 of the regulations under the Securities Act (such transactions are hereinafter referred to as “Continuous Offerings”) and (B) such other sales of the Shares on behalf of the Company pursuant to a Terms Agreement.

(v)    The compensation to the Managers for sales of the Shares with respect to which the Managers act as sales agents under this Agreement shall not exceed 2.00% of the gross sales price of the Shares sold pursuant to this Section 3(a) and payable as described in the succeeding subsection (vi) below. The foregoing rate of compensation shall not apply when the Managers act as principals, in which case the Company may sell Shares to the Managers as principals at a price agreed upon at the relevant Applicable Time pursuant to a Terms Agreement. The remaining proceeds, after deduction of the compensation to the Managers and (unless the Company and the Managers agree otherwise) after further deduction for any transaction fees imposed by any governmental or self-regulatory organization in respect of such sales, shall constitute the net proceeds to the Company for such Shares (the “Net Proceeds”).

 

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(vi)    The Managers shall provide written confirmation to the Company pursuant to Section 10 hereof following the close of trading on the Nasdaq each day in which the Shares are sold pursuant to this Section 3(a) setting forth the number of Shares sold on such day, the aggregate gross sales proceeds and the Net Proceeds to the Company, and the compensation payable by the Company to the Managers with respect to such sales. At the election of any Manager, such compensation shall be set forth and invoiced in periodic statements from such Manager to the Company, with payment to be made by the Company promptly after its receipt thereof.

(vii)    Settlement for sales of the Shares pursuant to this Section 3(a) will occur (a) prior to September 5, 2017, on the third Business Day following the date on which such sales are made and (b) on or after September 5, 2017, on the second Business Day following the date on which such sales are made (each such day, a “Settlement Date”). On each Settlement Date, the Shares sold through a Manager for settlement on such date shall be issued and delivered by the Company to such Manager against payment of the Net Proceeds, or, at such Manager’s election, the aggregate gross sales proceeds, for the sale of such Shares. Settlement for all such Shares shall be effected by free delivery of the Shares to each Manager’s respective account at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) in return for payments in same day funds delivered to the account designated by the Company. If the Company or its transfer agent (if applicable) shall default on its obligation to deliver the Shares on any Settlement Date, the Company shall (A) indemnify and hold the Managers harmless against any loss, claim or damage arising from or as a result of such default by the Company and (B) pay the Managers any commission to which the Managers would otherwise be entitled absent such default. If any Manager breaches this Agreement by failing to deliver the Net Proceeds to the Company on any Settlement Date for the Shares delivered by the Company, such Manager will pay the Company interest based on the effective overnight federal funds rate on such unpaid amount less any compensation due to such Manager.

(viii)    At each Applicable Time, Settlement Date, Representation Date (as defined in Section 4(k)) and on the earlier of (A) the date on which the Company shall file a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, or any amendment thereto, in respect of any fiscal quarter (in the case of a Form 10-K, in the case of any fourth fiscal quarter) in which sales of Shares were made by the Managers pursuant to Section 3(a) of this Agreement and (B) the date on which the Company shall be obligated to file such document referred to in clause (A) in respect of such quarter, the Company shall be deemed to have affirmed each representation and warranty contained in this Agreement as if such representation and warranty were made as of such date, modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended as of such date. Any obligation of the Managers to use their reasonable efforts to sell the Shares on behalf of the Company shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the continuing satisfaction of the additional conditions specified in Section 6 of this Agreement.

(b)    If the Company wishes to issue and sell the Shares pursuant to this Agreement but other than as set forth in Section 3(a) of this Agreement (each, a “Placement”), it will notify the Managers of the proposed terms of such Placement. If the Managers, acting as principals, wishes to accept such proposed terms (which the Managers may decline to do for any reason in their sole discretion) or, following discussions with the Company wishes to accept amended terms, the Managers and the Company will enter into a Terms Agreement setting forth the terms of such Placement. The terms set forth in a Terms Agreement will not be binding on the Company or the Managers unless and until the Company and the Managers have each executed such Terms

 

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Agreement accepting all of the terms of such Terms Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of a Terms Agreement, the terms of such Terms Agreement will control.

(c)    Each sale of the Shares to the Managers shall be made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and, if applicable, a Terms Agreement, which will provide for the sale of such Shares to, and the purchase thereof by, the Managers. A Terms Agreement may also specify certain provisions relating to the reoffering of such Shares by the Managers. The commitment of the Managers to purchase the Shares pursuant to any Terms Agreement shall be deemed to have been made on the basis of the representations and warranties of the Company herein contained and shall be subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth. Each Terms Agreement shall specify the number of the Shares to be purchased by the Managers pursuant thereto, the price to be paid to the Company for such Shares, any provisions relating to rights of, and default by, underwriters acting together with the Managers in the reoffering of the Shares, and the time and date (each such time and date being referred to herein as a “Time of Delivery”) and place of delivery of and payment for such Shares. Such Terms Agreement shall also specify any requirements for opinions of counsel, accountants’ letters and officers’ certificates pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement and any other information or documents required by the Managers.

(d)    Under no circumstances shall the number and aggregate amount of the Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement and any Terms Agreement exceed (i) the aggregate amount set forth in Section 1, (ii) the number of shares of the Common Stock available for issuance under the currently effective Registration Statement or (iii) the number and aggregate amount of the Shares authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under this Agreement by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and notified to the Managers in writing.

(e)    If any party has reason to believe that the exemptive provisions set forth in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M under the Exchange Act are not satisfied with respect to the Shares, it shall promptly notify the other parties and sales of the Shares under this Agreement and any Terms Agreement shall be suspended until that or other exemptive provisions have been satisfied in the judgment of all parties.

(f)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, sales effected pursuant to this Agreement may not be requested by the Company and need not be made by any Manager (i) during the 14 calendar days prior to the date (each, an “Announcement Date”) on which the Company shall issue a press release containing, or shall otherwise publicly announce, its earnings, revenues or other results of operations (each, an “Earnings Announcement”), (ii) at any time from and including an Announcement Date through and including, the time that is 24 hours after the time that the Company files a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an Annual Report on Form 10-K that includes consolidated financial statements as of and for the same period or periods, as the case may be, covered by such Earnings Announcement, or (iii) during any other period in which the Company is, or could reasonably be deemed to be, in possession of material non-public information.

4.    Agreements. The Company agrees with the Managers that:

(a)    During any period when the delivery of a prospectus relating to the Shares is required (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172) to be delivered under the Securities Act, the Company will not file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement (including any Interim Prospectus Supplement) to the Base Prospectus unless the Company has furnished to the Managers a copy for their review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Managers reasonably object unless (i) in the judgment of counsel to the Company and in consultation with the Managers, such amendment, supplement or filing is required by applicable law or (ii) is advisable in furtherance of a Commission request. The

 

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Company has properly completed the Prospectus, in a form approved by the Managers, and filed such Prospectus, as amended at the Execution Time, with the Commission by the Execution Time and will cause any supplement to the Prospectus, if any, to be properly completed, in a form approved by the Managers, and will timely file such supplement with the Commission and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Managers of such timely filing. The Company will promptly advise the Managers (i) when the Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if required) with the Commission, (ii) when, during any period when the delivery of a prospectus (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 or any similar rule) is required under the Securities Act in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become effective, (iii) of any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment of the Registration Statement, or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement relating to the shares of Common Stock, or for any supplement to the Prospectus or for any additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice objecting to its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the occurrence of any such suspension or objection to the use of the Registration Statement and, upon such issuance, occurrence or notice of objection, to promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such stop order or relief from such occurrence or objection, including, if necessary, by filing an amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement and using its commercially reasonable efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.

(b)    If, at any time on or after an Applicable Time but prior to the related Settlement Date or Time of Delivery, any event occurs as a result of which the Disclosure Package would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or the circumstances then prevailing not misleading, the Company will (i) notify promptly the Managers so that any use of the Disclosure Package may cease until it is amended or supplemented; (ii) amend or supplement the Disclosure Package to correct such statement or omission; and (iii) supply any amendment or supplement to the Managers in such quantities as the Managers may reasonably request.

(c)    If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Shares is required to be delivered under the Securities Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), any event occurs as a result of which the Prospectus as then supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made at such time not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement, file a new registration statement or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder, including in connection with use or delivery of the Prospectus, the Company promptly will (i) notify the Managers of any such event, (ii) prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, an amendment or supplement or new registration statement which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance, (iii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable in order to avoid any disruption in use of the Prospectus and (iv) supply any supplemented Prospectus to the Managers in such quantities as the Managers may reasonably request.

 

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(d)    As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available via EDGAR to its security holders and to the Managers an earnings statement or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158.

(e)    The Company will furnish to the Managers and counsel for the Managers, without charge, signed or conformed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by a Manager or dealer may be required by the Securities Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), as many copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the Managers may reasonably request. The Company will pay the expenses of printing or other production of all documents relating to the offering.

(f)    The Company will arrange, if necessary, in cooperation with the Managers, for the qualification of the Shares for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Managers may reasonably designate and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as reasonably required for the distribution of the Shares; provided that in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Shares, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

(g)    The Company agrees that, unless it has or shall have obtained the prior written consent of the Managers, and each Manager, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company that, unless it has or shall have obtained, as the case may be, the prior written consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule I hereto. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Managers or the Company is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company agrees that (i) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (ii) it has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.

(h)    The Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Managers, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Company or any affiliate of the Company or any person in privity with the Company or any affiliate of the Company) directly or indirectly, including the filing (or participation in the filing) of a registration statement with the Commission in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any other shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, shares of Common Stock; or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction without (i) giving the Managers at least five Business

 

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Days’ prior written notice on a confidential basis specifying the nature of the proposed transaction and the anticipated date of such proposed transaction and (ii) the Managers suspending acting under this Agreement for such period of time requested by the Company or as deemed appropriate by the Managers in light of the proposed transaction; provided, however, that the Company may issue and sell Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement or any Terms Agreement, any employee stock option plan or other equity incentive plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in effect at the Execution Time and the Company may issue Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants outstanding at the Execution Time. The Company agrees that any offer to sell, any solicitation of an offer to buy, or any sale of Shares under this Agreement shall be effected by or through only one Manager or sales agent on any single given day, and the Company shall in no event request that more than one of the Managers or sales agent sell Shares on the same day.

(i)    The Company will not (i) take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or (ii) sell, bid for, purchase or pay any person (other than as contemplated by this Agreement or any Terms Agreement) any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Shares.

(j)    The Company will, at any time during the term of this Agreement, advise the Managers promptly after it shall have received notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of any information or facts that alter or affect the opinion, certificate or other document delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant to Section 6 such that the opinion, certificate or other document was incorrect or misleading on the date of delivery.

(k)    Upon commencement of the offering of the Shares under this Agreement (and upon the recommencement of the offering of the Shares under this Agreement following the termination of a suspension of sales hereunder), and each time that (i) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented (other than an Interim Prospectus Supplement filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) pursuant to Section 4(x) of this Agreement or a prospectus supplement relating solely to the offering of securities other than the Shares), (ii) there is filed with the Commission by the Company an Annual Report on Form 10-K or a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, (iii) the Shares are delivered to the Managers as principals at the Time of Delivery pursuant to a Terms Agreement or (iv) otherwise as the Managers may reasonably request (such commencement or recommencement date and each such date referred to in subsections (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, a “Representation Date”), the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Managers (or, in the case of subclause (iii) above, the relevant Manager party to the Terms Agreement) forthwith a certificate dated and delivered on each Representation Date in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Managers to the effect that the statements contained in the certificate referred to in Section 6(d) of this Agreement which were last furnished to the Managers are true and correct at the time of such commencement or recommencement, amendment, supplement, filing, or delivery, as the case may be, as though made at and as of such time (except that such statements shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to such time) or, in lieu of such certificate, a certificate of the same tenor as the certificate referred to in said Section 6(d), modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such certificate.

(l)    At each Representation Date, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished forthwith to the Managers and to counsel to the Managers a written opinion and negative assurance letter of Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, counsel to the Company (“Company Counsel”), each dated and delivered on the applicable Representation Date in form and substance satisfactory to the Managers, of the same tenor as the opinions referred to in Section 6(b) of this Agreement, but modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such opinion; provided, however, that in lieu of such opinions and negative assurance letters for any subsequent Representation Date,

 

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Company Counsel may furnish the Managers with a letter to the effect that the Managers may rely on a prior opinion delivered under this Section 4(l) to the same extent as if it were dated the date of such letter (except that statements in such prior opinion shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented to the time of delivery of such opinion).

(m)    At each Representation Date, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel to the Managers, shall deliver a written opinion, dated and delivered the date of commencement or recommencement, effectiveness of such amendment, the date of filing with the Commission of such supplement or other document, the Time of Delivery, or promptly upon such request, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Managers, of the same tenor as the opinions referred to in Section 6(c) of this Agreement but modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such opinion.

(n)    Upon commencement of the offering of the Shares under this Agreement (and upon the recommencement of the offering of the Shares under this Agreement following the termination of a suspension of sales hereunder), and each time that (i) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented to include additional amended financial information, (ii) the Shares are delivered to the Managers as principals at a Time of Delivery pursuant to a Terms Agreement, (iii) the Company files a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an Annual Report on Form 10-K, or (iv) at the Managers’ request and upon reasonable advance notice to the Company, there is filed with the Commission any document which contains financial information (other than a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an Annual Report on Form 10-K) incorporated by reference into the Prospectus, the Company shall cause KPMG LLP (the “Accountants”), or other independent accountants satisfactory to the Managers forthwith, to furnish the Managers a letter, dated the date of commencement or recommencement, effectiveness of such amendment, the date of filing of such supplement or other document with the Commission, or the Time of Delivery, as the case may be, in form satisfactory to the Managers, of the same tenor as the letter referred to in Section 6(e) of this Agreement but modified to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended and supplemented to the date of such letter.

(o)    Upon commencement of the offering of the Shares under this Agreement (and upon the recommencement of the offering of the Shares under this Agreement following the termination of a suspension of sales hereunder), and at each Representation Date, the Company will conduct a due diligence session, in form and substance satisfactory to the Managers, which shall include representatives of the management and the independent accountants of the Company. The Company shall cooperate timely with any reasonable due diligence request from or review conducted by the Managers or their agents from time to time in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, providing information and available documents and access to appropriate corporate officers and the Company’s agents during regular business hours and at the Company’s principal offices, and timely furnishing or causing to be furnished such certificates, letters and opinions from the Company, its officers and its agents, as the Managers may reasonably request.

(p)    The Company consents to the Managers trading in the Common Stock for the Managers’ own account and for the account of their clients at the same time as sales of the Shares occur pursuant to this Agreement or pursuant to a Terms Agreement.

 

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(q)    The Company will disclose in its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable, the number of Shares sold through the Agent under this Agreement, the Net Proceeds to the Company and the compensation paid by the Company with respect to sales of Shares pursuant to this Agreement during the relevant quarter.

(r)    If to the knowledge of the Company, the conditions set forth in Section 6(a), 6(f) or 6(h) shall not be true and correct on the applicable Settlement Date, the Company will offer to any person who has agreed to purchase Shares from the Company as the result of an offer to purchase solicited by the Managers the right to refuse to purchase and pay for such Shares.

(s)    Each acceptance by the Company of an offer to purchase the Shares hereunder, and each execution and delivery by the Company of a Terms Agreement, shall be deemed to be an affirmation to the Managers that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement are true and correct as of the date of such acceptance or of such Terms Agreement as though made at and as of such date, and an undertaking that such representations and warranties will be true and correct as of the Settlement Date for the Shares relating to such acceptance or as of the Time of Delivery relating to such sale, as the case may be, as though made at and as of such date (except that such representations and warranties shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented relating to such Shares).

(t)    The Company shall ensure that there are at all times sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for the issuance, free of any preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or shares of Common Stock held in treasury, of the maximum aggregate number of Shares authorized for issuance by the Board pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shares to be listed for trading on the Nasdaq and to maintain such listing.

(u)    During any period when the delivery of a prospectus relating to the Shares is required (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172) to be delivered under the Securities Act, the Company will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder.

(v)    The Company shall cooperate with the Managers and use its reasonable efforts to permit the Shares to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of DTC.

(w)    The Company will apply the Net Proceeds from the sale of the Shares in the manner set forth in the Prospectus.

 

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5.    Payment of Expenses.

(a)    The Company agrees to pay the costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, including without limitation: (i) the preparation, printing or reproduction and filing with the Commission of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits thereto), the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to any of them; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares; (iii) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Shares, including any stamp or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of the Shares; (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, any blue sky memorandum and all other agreements or documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the Shares; (v) the registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act and the listing of the Shares on the Nasdaq; (vi) any registration or qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of the several states; (vii) any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”); (viii) the transportation and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of Company representatives in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Shares; (ix) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the Company; (x) the reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Managers, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel for the Managers in connection with this Agreement and the Registration Statement and ongoing services in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder (including any filing fees and the reasonable expenses of counsel for the Managers relating to such filing, registration or qualification); and (xi) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.

6.    Conditions to the Obligations of the Managers. The obligations of the Managers to purchase Shares shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company contained herein as of the Execution Time, each Representation Date and as of each Applicable Time, Settlement Date and Time of Delivery, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a)    The Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, required by Rule 424 to be filed with the Commission have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) with respect to any sale of Shares; each Interim Prospectus Supplement shall have been filed in the manner required by Rule 424(b) within the time period required by Section 3(a)(viii) of this Agreement; any other material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened.

(b)    The Managers shall have received from Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, outside counsel for the Company, on every date specified in Section 4(l) of this Agreement, such opinion or opinions, dated as of such date and addressed to the Managers, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex II.

 

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(c)    The Managers shall have received from Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Managers, on every date specified in Section 4(m) of this Agreement, such opinion or opinions, dated as of such date and addressed to the Managers, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Shares, the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) and other related matters as the Managers may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

(d)    The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Managers, on every date specified in Section 4(k) of this Agreement, a certificate of the Company, signed by the President and CEO and the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company, dated as of such date, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and any supplements or amendments thereto and this Agreement and that:

(i)    the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct on and as of such date with the same effect as if made on such date and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such date;

(ii)    no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened; and

(iii)    since the date of the most recent financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), there has been no Material Adverse Change, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(e)    The Company shall have requested and caused the Accountants to have furnished to the Managers, on every date specified in Section 4(n) hereof and to the extent requested by the Managers in connection with any offering of the Shares, letters (which may refer to letters previously delivered to the Managers), dated as of such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Managers, from KPMG LLP, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” addressed to the Managers with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information of the Company contained in or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

(f)    Since the respective dates as of which information is disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (e) of this Section 6 or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto) the effect of which, in any

 

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case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the sole judgment of the Managers, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Shares as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(g)    The Company has paid the required Commission filing fees relating to the Shares or will pay such fees within the time period required by Rule 456(b)(1)(i) of the Securities Act and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act.

(h)    Between the Execution Time and the time of any sale of Shares through the Managers, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any of the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined for purposes of Rule 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act) or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or of a possible change in any such rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change.

(i)    FINRA shall not have raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the terms and arrangements under this Agreement.

(j)    Prior to each Settlement Date and Time of Delivery, as applicable, the Company shall have furnished to the Managers such further information, certificates and documents as the Managers may reasonably request.

(k)    The Shares shall have been listed and admitted and authorized for trading on the Nasdaq, and satisfactory evidence of such actions shall have been provided to the Managers.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Managers and counsel for the Managers, this Agreement and all obligations of the Managers hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, any Settlement Date or Time of Delivery, as applicable, by the Managers. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing pursuant to Section 10.

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 shall be delivered at the office of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Managers, at 80 Pine Street, New York, New York 10005 or electronically if agreed to by the parties, on each such date as provided in this Agreement.

7.    Indemnification and Contribution.

(a)    The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Manager, the directors, officers, employees, affiliates and agents of each Manager and each person who

 

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controls any Manager within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement for the registration of the Shares as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in the Base Prospectus, the Equity Distribution Prospectus, any Interim Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Managers or on behalf of any Manager specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

(b)    Each Manager severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Manager, but only with reference to written information relating to such Manager furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Manager specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Managers may otherwise have. The Company acknowledges that the name and contact information of each Manager in the Equity Distribution Prospectus constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Managers for inclusion in the Equity Distribution Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

(c)    Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 7. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party

 

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to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent: (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include an admission of fault. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify each 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 that an indemnifying party reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by the indemnifying party of such request, (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement and (iii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into.

(d)    In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 7 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Managers severally agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending the same) (collectively “Losses”) to which the Company and one or more of the Managers may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and by the Managers on the other from the offering of the Shares. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and the Managers severally shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Managers on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which 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 offering (before deducting expenses) received by it, and benefits received by the Managers shall be deemed to be equal to the total compensation as set forth in Section 3(a)(v) of this Agreement, in each case as determined by this Agreement or any applicable Terms Agreement. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the Company on the one hand or the Managers on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company and the Managers agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to

 

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above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), in no event shall a Manager be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the underwriting discount or commission, as the case may be, applicable to the Shares purchased by such Manager hereunder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Manager 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. For purposes of this Section 7, each person who controls a Manager within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee, affiliate and agent of a Manager shall have the same rights to contribution as such Manager, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

8.    Termination.

(a)    The Company shall have the right, by giving written notice as hereinafter specified, to terminate the provisions of this Agreement relating to the solicitation of offers to purchase the Shares in its sole discretion at any time. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that (i) if Shares have been sold through the Managers for the Company, then Section 4(s) shall remain in full force and effect, (ii) with respect to any pending sale, through the Managers for the Company, the obligations of the Company, including in respect of compensation of the Managers, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the termination and (iii) the provisions of Sections 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 14 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.

(b)    Each Manager shall, as to itself, have the right, by giving written notice as hereinafter specified, to terminate the provisions of this Agreement relating to the solicitation of offers to purchase the Shares in its sole discretion at any time. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 14 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.

(c)    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless terminated pursuant to Sections 8(a) or (b) above or otherwise by mutual agreement of the parties; provided that any such termination by mutual agreement shall in all cases be deemed to provide that Sections 2, 5, 7 and 9 shall remain in full force and effect.

(d)    Any termination of this Agreement shall be effective on the date specified in such notice of termination; provided that such termination shall not be effective until the close of business on the date of receipt of such notice by the Managers or the Company, as the case may be. If such termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date or Time of Delivery for any sale of the Shares, such sale shall settle in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(a)(vii) of this Agreement.

(e)    In the case of any purchase of Shares by the Managers pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the obligations of the Managers pursuant to such Terms Agreement shall be subject to termination, in the absolute discretion of the Managers, by notice given to the Company prior to the Time of Delivery relating to such Shares, if at any time prior to such delivery and payment (i) trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the Nasdaq or trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such exchange or the Nasdaq, (ii) a banking

 

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moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State authorities, (iii) there shall have occurred a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the Managers, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Shares as contemplated by the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

9.    Representations and Indemnities to Survive. The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities, rights of contribution and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Managers set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Manager or the Company or any of the officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents or controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Shares. The provisions of Sections 7 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

10.    Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Managers, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to the Citigroup Global Markets Inc. General Counsel (fax no.: 1(646) 291-1469) and confirmed to the General Counsel, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, 10013, Attention: General Counsel and to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, Attention: Adam Rosenbluth (fax no.: (646) 441-4870) and to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, at One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036, Attention: T.J. Opladen, (fax no.: (415) 825-2514), with a copy to ECM Legal, Attention: ECM Legal (fax no.: (212) 230-8730); or, if sent to the Company, (i) pursuant to Section 3(a)(vi), sent via electronic mail to ghaines@mrcy.com with copies sent via U.S. mail to Mercury Systems, Inc., at 50 Minuteman Road, Andover, Massachusetts 01810, attention: General Counsel at a frequency reasonably requested by the Company or (ii) in all other cases, (A) personally delivered, (B) sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery or (C) sent by U.S. mail, to Mercury Systems, Inc., at 50 Minuteman Road, Andover, Massachusetts 01810, attention: General Counsel.

11.    Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers, directors, employees, agents and controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder; provided that Merrill Lynch may, without prior notice to the Company, assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any other registered broker-dealer wholly-owned by Bank of America Corporation to which all or substantially all of Merrill Lynch’s investment banking or related business may be transferred following the date of this Agreement.

12.    No Fiduciary Duty. The Company hereby acknowledges that (a) the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the Managers and any affiliate through which it may be acting, on the other, (b) the Managers are acting solely as sales agents and/or principals in connection with the purchase and sale of the Company’s securities and not as fiduciaries of the Company and (c) the Company’s engagement of the Managers in connection with the offering and the process leading up to the offering is as independent contractors and not in any other capacity. Furthermore, the Company agrees that it is solely responsible for making its own judgments in connection with the offering (irrespective of whether any of the Managers has advised or is currently advising the Company on related or other matters). The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Managers have rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owe an agency, fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

 

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13.    Integration. This Agreement and any Terms Agreement supersede all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the Managers with respect to the subject matter hereof.

14.    Applicable Law. This Agreement, any Terms Agreement and any claim, counterclaim, controversy or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement or any Terms Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York.

15.    Waiver of Jury Trial. The Company hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any Terms Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

16.    Submission to Jurisdiction. Except as set forth above, no claim, proceeding, counterclaim or other action related to or arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (each, a “Claim”) may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which courts shall have jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and the Company consents to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. The Company hereby consents to personal jurisdiction, service and venue in any court in which any Claim is brought by any third party against any Manager or any indemnified party. Each of the Managers and the Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its shareholders and affiliates) waives all right to trial by jury in any Claim (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise). The Company agrees that a final judgment in any Claim brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company and may be enforced in any other courts to the jurisdiction of which the Company is or may be subject, by suit upon such judgment.

17.    Counterparts. This Agreement and any Terms Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

18.    Headings. The section headings used in this Agreement and any Terms Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

19.    Definitions. The terms that follow, when used in this Agreement and any Terms Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated.

“Applicable Time” shall mean, with respect to any Shares, the time of sale of such Shares pursuant to this Agreement or any relevant Terms Agreement.

“Base Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement relating to the offer, issuance and sale by the Company of its securities identified therein from time to time in one or more offerings and any documents incorporated by reference therein referred to in Section 2(a) above contained in the Registration Statement at the Execution Time.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City or Boston, Massachusetts.

“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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“Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Base Prospectus, (ii) the Equity Distribution Prospectus and any documents incorporated by reference therein, (iii) the most recently filed Interim Prospectus Supplement, (iv) the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule I hereto, (v) the public offering price of Shares sold at the relevant Applicable Time and (vi) any other Free Writing Prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package.

“Effective Date” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto became or becomes effective.

“Equity Distribution Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement relating to the offering, issuance and sale by the Company of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $200,000,000 of its common stock that may be issued and sold under this Agreement and any documents incorporated by reference therein referred to in Section 2(a) above contained in the Registration Statement at the Execution Time.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Execution Time” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

“Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.

“Interim Prospectus Supplement” shall mean the prospectus supplement relating to the Shares prepared and filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) from time to time as provided by Section 4(x) of this Agreement.

“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433.

“Prospectus” shall mean collectively, the Base Prospectus and the Equity Distribution Prospectus, as supplemented by the most recently filed Interim Prospectus Supplement (if any).

“Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement referred to in Section 2(a) above, including exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus supplement relating to the Shares that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B, as amended on each Effective Date and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto becomes effective, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended.

“Rule 158”, “Rule 163”, “Rule 164”, “Rule 172”, “Rule 405”, “Rule 415”, “Rule 424”, “Rule 430B” and “Rule 433” refer to such rules under the Securities Act.

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Well-Known Seasoned Issuer” shall mean a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company and the several Managers.

 

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The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first written above.
By:		CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:

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By:		J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:

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By:		MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
		INCORPORATED
By:
		Name:
		Title:

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SCHEDULE I

Schedule of Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Disclosure Package

None.

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[Form of Terms Agreement]		ANNEX I

Mercury Systems, Inc.

Common Stock

TERMS AGREEMENT

            , 20    

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York, 10013

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                     Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Dear Sirs:

Mercury Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the Equity Distribution Agreement, dated [            ], 2017 (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”), between the Company, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, to issue and sell to Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated the securities specified in the Schedule I hereto (the “Purchased Shares”) [, and solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, to grant to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. the option to purchase the additional securities specified in the Schedule I hereto (the “Additional Shares”)].¹

[Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated shall have the right to purchase from the Company all or a portion of the Additional Shares as may be necessary to cover over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Purchased Shares, at the same purchase price per share to be paid by Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated to the Company for the Purchased Shares. This option may be exercised by Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated at any time (but not more than once) on or before the thirtieth day following the date hereof, by written notice to the Company. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of shares of Additional Shares as to which the option is being exercised, and the date and time when the Additional Shares are to be delivered (such date and time being herein referred to as the “Option Closing Date”); provided, however, that the Option Closing Date shall not be earlier than the Time of Delivery (as set forth in the Schedule I hereto) nor earlier than the second Business Day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised nor later than the fifth Business Day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised. Payment of the purchase price for the Additional Shares shall be made at the Option Closing Date in the same manner and at the same office as the payment for the Purchased Shares.]²

 

 

1	Include if over-allotment option

2	Include if over-allotment option

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Each of the provisions of the Equity Distribution Agreement not specifically related to the solicitation by Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as agents of the Company, of offers to purchase securities is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be part of this Terms Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Each of the representations and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Terms Agreement [and] [,] the Time of Delivery [and any Option Closing Date]³, except that each representation and warranty in Section 2 of the Equity Distribution Agreement which makes reference to the Prospectus (as therein defined) shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty as of the date of the Equity Distribution Agreement in relation to the Prospectus, and also a representation and warranty as of the date of this Terms Agreement [and] [,] the Time of Delivery [and any Option Closing Date]⁴ in relation to the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to relate to the Purchased Shares.

An amendment to the Registration Statement (as defined in the Equity Distribution Agreement), or a supplement to the Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Purchased Shares [and the Additional Shares]⁵, in the form heretofore delivered to the Manager is now proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Equity Distribution Agreement which are incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to issue and sell to Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and the latter agree to purchase from the Company the number of shares of the Purchased Shares at the time and place and at the purchase price set forth in the Schedule I hereto.

 

 

3	Include if over-allotment option

4	Include if over-allotment option

5	Include if over-allotment option

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us a counterpart hereof, whereupon this Terms Agreement, including those provisions of the Equity Distribution Agreement incorporated herein by reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between the Managers and the Company.

 

 

ACCEPTED as of the date first written above.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

By:
		Name:
		Title:

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

By:
		Name:
		Title:

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith                       Incorporated

By:
		Name:
		Title:

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[Form of Terms Agreement]		Schedule I to the Terms Agreement

Title of Purchased Shares [and Additional Shares]:

Common Stock, par value $[        ] per share

Number of Shares of Purchased Shares:

[Number of Shares of Additional Shares:]

[Price to Public:]

Purchase Price by Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P.

Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce,

Fenner & Smith Incorporated :

Method of and Specified Funds for Payment of Purchase Price:

By wire transfer to a bank account specified by the Company in same day funds.

Method of Delivery:

Free delivery of the Shares to the Managers’ account at The Depository Trust Company in return for payment of the purchase price.

Time of Delivery:

Closing Location:

Documents to be Delivered:

The following documents referred to in the Equity Distribution Agreement shall be delivered as a condition to the closing at the Time of Delivery [and on any Option Closing Date]:

 

(1)

The opinion referred to in Section 4(l).

 

(2)

The opinion referred to in Section 4(m).

 

(3)

The accountants’ letter referred to in Section 4(n).

 

(4)

The officers’ certificate referred to in Section 4(k).

 

(5)

Such other documents as the Managers shall reasonably request.

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ANNEX II

[See Attached]

Exhibit 4.1

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.

TO

[NAME OF TRUSTEE]

Trustee

Indenture

Dated as of                     , 20        

Senior Debt Securities

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION					1
SECTION 101.		Definitions			1
SECTION 102.		Compliance Certificates and Opinions			10
SECTION 103.		Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee			11
SECTION 104.		Acts of Holders			12
SECTION 105.		Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company			13
SECTION 106.		Notice to Holders; Waiver			14
SECTION 107.		Counterparts; Effect of Headings and Table of Contents			15
SECTION 108.		Successors and Assigns			15
SECTION 109.		Severability Clause			15
SECTION 110.		Benefits of Indenture			15
SECTION 111.		Governing Law			15
SECTION 112.		Legal Holidays			15
SECTION 113.		Limited Liability; Immunity of Stockholders, Directors, Officers and Agents of the Company			15
SECTION 114.		Conflict with Trust Indenture Act			16
ARTICLE 2. SECURITIES FORMS					16
SECTION 201.		Forms of Securities			16
SECTION 202.		Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication			17
SECTION 203.		Securities Issuable in Global Form			17
ARTICLE 3. THE SECURITIES					18
SECTION 301.		Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series			18
SECTION 302.		Denominations			21
SECTION 303.		Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating			22
SECTION 304.		Temporary Securities			24
SECTION 305.		Registration, Registration of Transfer, Conversion and Exchange			26
SECTION 306.		Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities			30
SECTION 307.		Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved			31
SECTION 308.		Persons Deemed Owners			33

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

				Page
SECTION 309.		Cancellation			34
SECTION 310.		Computation of Interest			34
SECTION 311.		CUSIP Numbers			34
ARTICLE 4. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE					34
SECTION 401.		Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture			34
SECTION 402.		Application of Trust Funds			35
ARTICLE 5. REMEDIES					36
SECTION 501.		Events of Default			36
SECTION 502.		Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment			37
SECTION 503.		Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee			38
SECTION 504.		Trustee May File Proofs of Claim			39
SECTION 505.		Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons			40
SECTION 506.		Application of Money Collected			40
SECTION 507.		Limitation on Suits			41
SECTION 508.		Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Interest			41
SECTION 509.		Restoration of Rights and Remedies			41
SECTION 510.		Rights and Remedies Cumulative			42
SECTION 511.		Delay or Omission Not Waiver			42
SECTION 512.		Control by Holders of Securities			42
SECTION 513.		Waiver of Past Defaults			42
SECTION 514.		Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws			43
SECTION 515.		Undertaking for Costs			43
ARTICLE 6. THE TRUSTEE					43
SECTION 601.		Notice of Defaults			43
SECTION 602.		Certain Rights of Trustee			44
SECTION 603.		Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities			46
SECTION 604.		May Hold Securities			46
SECTION 605.		Money Held in Trust			46

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

				Page
SECTION 606.		Compensation and Reimbursement			46
SECTION 607.		Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests			47
SECTION 608.		Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor			47
SECTION 609.		Acceptance of Appointment by Successor			49
SECTION 610.		Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business			50
SECTION 611.		Appointment of Authenticating Agent			50
SECTION 612.		Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee			52
ARTICLE 7. HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY					53
SECTION 701.		Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders			53
SECTION 702.		Reports by Trustee			53
SECTION 703.		Reports by Company			53
SECTION 704.		Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders			54
ARTICLE 8. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE					55
SECTION 801.		Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions			55
SECTION 802.		Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation			55
SECTION 803.		Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel			55
ARTICLE 9. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES					56
SECTION 901.		Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders			56
SECTION 902.		Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders			57
SECTION 903.		Execution of Supplemental Indentures			58
SECTION 904.		Effect of Supplemental Indentures			58
SECTION 905.		Conformity with Trust Indenture Act			58
SECTION 906.		Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures			59
ARTICLE 10. COVENANTS					59
SECTION 1001.		Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any; and Interest			59
SECTION 1002.		Maintenance of Office or Agency			59
SECTION 1003.		Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust			61
SECTION 1004.		Existence			62
SECTION 1005.		Maintenance of Properties			62

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

				Page
SECTION 1006.		Insurance			62
SECTION 1007.		Payment of Taxes and Other Claims			62
SECTION 1008.		Statement as to Compliance			63
SECTION 1009.		Waiver of Certain Covenants			63
ARTICLE 11. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES					63
SECTION 1101.		Applicability of Article			63
SECTION 1102.		Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee			63
SECTION 1103.		Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed			63
SECTION 1104.		Notice of Redemption			64
SECTION 1105.		Deposit of Redemption Price			65
SECTION 1106.		Securities Payable on Redemption Date			65
SECTION 1107.		Securities Redeemed in Part			66
ARTICLE 12. SINKING FUNDS					67
SECTION 1201.		Applicability of Article			67
SECTION 1202.		Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities			67
SECTION 1203.		Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund			67
ARTICLE 13. REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS					68
SECTION 1301.		Applicability of Article			68
SECTION 1302.		Repayment of Securities			68
SECTION 1303.		Exercise of Option			68
SECTION 1304.		When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable			69
SECTION 1305.		Securities Repaid in Part			70
ARTICLE 14. DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE					70
SECTION 1401.		Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance			70
SECTION 1402.		Defeasance and Discharge			70
SECTION 1403.		Covenant Defeasance			71
SECTION 1404.		Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance			71
SECTION 1405.		Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions			73

 

-iv-

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

				Page
ARTICLE 15. MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES					74
SECTION 1501.		Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called			74
SECTION 1502.		Call, Notice and Place of Meetings			74
SECTION 1503.		Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings			74
SECTION 1504.		Quorum; Action			74
SECTION 1505.		Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings			76
SECTION 1506.		Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings			76
ARTICLE 16. CONVERSION OF SECURITIES					77
SECTION 1601.		Applicability of Article; Conversion Privilege and Conversion Price			77
SECTION 1602.		Exercise of Conversion Privilege			78
SECTION 1603.		Fractions of Shares			79
SECTION 1604.		Adjustment of Conversion Price			79
SECTION 1605.		Notice of Adjustments of Conversion Price			82
SECTION 1606.		Notice of Certain Corporate Action			83
SECTION 1607.		Company to Reserve Common Stock			83
SECTION 1608.		Taxes on Conversion			83
SECTION 1609.		Covenants as to Common Stock			83
SECTION 1610.		Cancellation of Converted Securities			84
SECTION 1611.		Provisions in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets; Special Distributions			84
SECTION 1612.		Trustee Adjustment Disclaimer; Company Determination Final			85
SECTION 1613.		When No Adjustment Required			85
SECTION 1614.		Equivalent Adjustments			86

 

-v-

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MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.

Reconciliation and tie between the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA”) and the Indenture, dated as of             , 20            .

 

Trust Indenture Act Section		Indenture Section
§ 310(a)(1)		607
(a)(2)		607
(b)		607, 608
§ 312(c)		701
§ 313(a)		702
(c)		702
§ 314(a)		703
(a)(4)		1008
(c)(1)		102
(c)(2)		102
(e)		102
§ 315(b)		601
§ 316(a) (last sentence)		101
(a)(1)(A)		512
(a)(1)(B)		513
(b)		508
§ 317(a)(1)		503, 505
(a)(2)		504
§ 318(a)		111
(c)		111

NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

Attention should also be directed to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, which provides that the provisions of Sections 310 to and including 317 of the Trust Indenture Act are a part of and govern every qualified indenture, whether or not physically contained therein.

 

-vi-

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INDENTURE, dated as of                     , 20        , between MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal office at 50 Minuteman Road, Andover, Massachusetts 08110, and [NAME OF TRUSTEE], as Trustee hereunder (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having a Corporate Trust Office at [                                             ].

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes senior debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) evidencing its unsecured and senior indebtedness, and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more Series as provided in this Indenture.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA”), that are deemed to be incorporated into this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of a Series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 101. Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the TIA, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transactions” and “self-liquidating paper,” as used in TIA Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the TIA;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

(4) any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and

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(5) the words “herein,” “hereof “and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

“Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 hereof to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more Series.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, printed in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Whenever successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different Authorized Newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

“Bankruptcy Law” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Bearer Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 301 which is payable to the bearer.

“Board of Directors” when used with reference to the Company, means the board of directors of the Company, or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder, or any director or directors and/or officer or officers of the Company, to whom the board or committee shall have duly delegated its authority.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of (1) a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, or (2) a certificate signed by the director or directors and/or officer or officers to whom the Board of Directors shall have duly delegated its authority, together with a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification authorizing such delegation, and, in each case, delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities issued pursuant to Section 301, any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular location are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

2

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”Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any capital stock (including preferred stock), shares, interests, participations or other ownership interests (however designated) of such Person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for corporate stock), warrants or options to purchase any thereof.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking Luxembourg, société anonyme, or its successor.

“Closing Price” means the closing price of a share of Common Stock of the Company as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

“Common Depository” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

“Common Stock” means, with respect to any Person, all shares of capital stock issued by such Person other than Preferred Stock.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor corporation.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Constituent Person” has the meaning specified in Section 1611.

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or (iii) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the ECU for the purposes for which it was established.

“Conversion Price” has the meaning specified in Section 1601.

 

3

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”Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at [                                        ].

“corporation” includes corporations, associations, limited liability companies and business trusts.

“coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1403.

“Custodian” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1402.

“Distribution Record Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1611.

“Dividend Record Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1604.

“Dollar” or the sign “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company and any successor to DTC in its capacity as depository for any Securities.

“ECU” means the European Currency Unit as defined and revised from time to time by the Council of the European Communities.

“Euroclear” means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels office, or its successor, as operator of the Euroclear System.

“European Communities” means the European Economic Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.

“European Monetary System” means the European Monetary System established by the Resolution of December 5, 1978 of the Council of the European Communities.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Exchange Act is amended after such date, “Exchange Act” means to the extent required by any such amendment, the Exchange Act as so amended.

“Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

4

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“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

”Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the ECU issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

“GAAP” means, except as otherwise provided herein, generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, as used in the United States applied on a consistent basis.

“Global Security” means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities issued to and registered in the name of the depository for such series, or its nominee, in accordance with Section 305, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 203.

“Government Obligations” means (i) securities which are (A) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (B) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (iii) a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Holder” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon, shall mean the bearer thereof.

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

 

5

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”Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

“Interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, shall mean interest payable after Maturity.

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Make-Whole Amount,” when used with respect to any Security, means the amount, if any, in addition to principal (and accrued interest thereon, if any) which is required by a Security, under the terms and conditions specified therein or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, to be paid by the Company to the Holder thereof in connection with any optional redemption or accelerated payment of such Security.

“mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 1201.

“Market Value of the Distribution” has the meaning specified in Section 1604.

“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal (or, if the context so requires, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, or lesser amount or, in the case of an Indexed Security, an amount determined in accordance with the specified terms of that Security) of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company.

“optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 1201.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount (excluding any amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest thereon) less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

 

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“Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(i) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(ii) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption (including repayment at the option of the Holder) money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided, however, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(iii) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 1402 and 1403, with respect to which the Company has effected Defeasance and/or Covenant Defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

(iv) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company.

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined pursuant to Section 301 as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

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Securities owned as provided in clause (iv) above which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Securities or coupons on behalf of the Company.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity or organization.

“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on such Securities are payable as specified as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

“Preferred Stock” means, with respect to any Person, all capital stock issued by such Person that is entitled to a preference or priority over any other capital stock issued by such Person with respect to any distribution of such Person’s assets, whether by dividend or upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price specified in the related Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture contemplated by and pursuant to Section 301, at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Reference Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1604.

“Registered Security” shall mean any Security which is registered in the Security Register.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

 

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“Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.

”Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), Assistant Vice President, Trust Officer or Assistant Trust Officer working in its Corporate Trust Department, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and working in its Corporate Trust Department, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

“Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 1604.

“Rights Record Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1604.

“Security” and “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

A “Series” of Securities means all securities denoted as part of the same series authorized by or pursuant to a particular Board Resolution.

“Short Term Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 1604.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Article I, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) of the Company.

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 307.

“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

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“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “voting equity securities” means equity securities having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of security has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

“Trading Day” means any day on which the NASDAQ Global Select Market is open for business.

“Trigger Events” has the meaning specified in Section 1604.

“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended and as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

“Unadjusted Distribution” has the meaning specified in Section 1604.

“United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“United States Person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source.

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

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Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (including certificates delivered pursuant to Section 1008) shall include:

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

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SECTION 104. Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fifteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security Register. As to any matter relating to beneficial ownership interests in any Global Security, the appropriate depository’s records shall be dispositive for purposes of this Indenture.

(d) The ownership of Bearer Securities may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depository, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depository, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depository, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership of Bearer Securities may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

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(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

(f) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or upon the conversion thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

SECTION 105. Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at [     ] or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Company by the Trustee, Attention: [                            ]; or

(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, Attention: [                    ]; or

(3) either the Trustee or the Company, by the other party or by any Holder, shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if given by facsimile transmission, receipt confirmed by telephone followed by an original copy delivered by guaranteed overnight courier; if to the Trustee at facsimile number [                        ]; and if to the Company at facsimile number [                        ].

 

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SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver. Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

If by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification to Holders of Registered Securities as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Bearer Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Securities on a Business Day, such publication to be not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication or, if published more than once, on the date of the first such publication.

If by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither the failure to give notice by publication to any particular Holder of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Bearer Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

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SECTION 107. Counterparts; Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 108. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 109. Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security or coupon shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 110. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or coupons, if any, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION 111. Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities and coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

SECTION 112. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange a Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security or coupon other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof), payment of interest or principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or conversion or exchange of such Security need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but (except as otherwise provided in the supplemental indenture with respect to such Security) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity, or on such last day for conversion or exchange, provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

SECTION 113. Limited Liability; Immunity of Stockholders, Directors, Officers and Agents of the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities of any series to the contrary, no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Security, or for the payment of any sums due on account of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, including without limitation principal, premium or interest, if any, or for any claim based on this Indenture or any Security or otherwise in respect of this Indenture or any Security, shall be had, whether by levy or execution or

 

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otherwise, against (i) the Company, the Company’s assets or against any past, present or future stockholder, employee, officer, director or agent, as such, of the Company or any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute, constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty, or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, nor shall any such parties be personally liable for any such amounts, obligations or claims, or liable for any deficiency judgment based thereon or with respect thereto, it being expressly understood that the sole remedies hereunder or under any other document with respect to the Securities against such parties with respect to such amounts, obligations or claims shall be against the Company and that all such liability of and recourse against such parties is expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

SECTION 114. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

ARTICLE 2.

SECURITIES FORMS

SECTION 201. Forms of Securities. The Registered Securities, if any, of each series and the Bearer Securities, if any, of each series and related coupons shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto or in such other form as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any over-the-counter market or securities exchange, on which the Securities may be quoted or listed, or to conform to usage.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities shall have interest coupons attached.

The definitive Securities and coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or mechanically reproduced on safety paper or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.

 

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SECTION 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

SECTION 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form. If Securities of or within a series are issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities, then, notwithstanding clause (9) of Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, any such Global Security or Securities may provide that it or they shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders thereof, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made (or caused to be made) by the Trustee in such manner or by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or 304. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Global Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303 shall apply to any Security represented by a Global Security if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of and any premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest on any Global Security in permanent global form shall be made to the registered Holder thereof.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 308 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent Global Security (i) in the case of a permanent Global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent Global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a permanent Global Security in bearer form, Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

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Any Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning set forth in the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depository or a nominee of a Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or its nominee to a successor Depository or its nominee.”

ARTICLE 3.

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series, each of which shall be authorized pursuant to Board Resolutions of the Company. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(1) The title of the Securities of the series, including “CUSIP” numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

(2) Any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or upon conversion of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107, 1305 or 1602) and the minimum authorized denominations with respect to the Securities of such series;

(3) The price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which such Securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or (if applicable) the portion of the principal amount of such Securities that is convertible into Common Stock or the method by which any such portion shall be determined.

(4) If convertible, the terms on which such Securities are convertible, including the initial conversion price or rate and the conversion period and any applicable limitations on the ownership or transferability of Common Stock or Preferred Stock receivable on conversion;

 

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(5) The date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, on which the principal of such Securities will be payable;

(6) The rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such Securities will bear interest, if any;

(7) The date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest will be payable, the Regular Record Dates for such Interest Payment Dates, or the method by which such dates shall be determined, the Persons to whom such interest shall be payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(8) The Make-Whole Amount, if any, or method for determining the Make-Whole Amount, if any, payable with respect to such Securities, and the terms upon which such amount, if any, will be payable;

(9) The place or places where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities will be payable, where such Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or conversion or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served;

(10) The period or periods, if any, within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(11) The obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(12) If other than Dollars, the currency or currencies in which such Securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;

(13) Whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, including any amount due upon redemption, if any) or interest on such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may, but need not be, based on the yield on or trading price of other securities, including United States Treasury securities or on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units, or composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

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(14) Whether the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of, and identity of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for, determining the exchange rate between the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Securities are to be so payable;

(15) Provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

(16) Any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

(17) Whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay any additional amounts on such Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities in lieu of making such payment;

(18) Whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities (with or without coupons) or both, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities and the terms upon which Bearer Securities of the series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the series and vice versa (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations), whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may, or shall be required to, exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may, or shall be required to, occur, if other than in the manner provided in the Indenture, and, if Registered Securities of the series are to be issuable as a Global Security, the identity of the depository for such series;

(19) The date as of which any Bearer Securities of the series and any temporary Global Security representing outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

(20) The Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided herein; provided, however, in each case, that the manner of determining such Person or making such payment shall be acceptable to the Trustee (as not imposing on it any undue administrative burden or risk of liability);

 

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(21) The applicability, if any, of the Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance provisions of Article Fourteen hereof to the Securities of the series;

(22) The obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the conversion of the Securities of such series into Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be effected (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion price and any requirements relative to the reservation of such shares for purposes of conversion);

(23) If the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(24) Designation of the Trustee, if different from the Trustee under the Indenture, with respect to such series and the terms applicable to such Trustee (which shall be accepted by such Trustee by its execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture as provided therein); and

(25) Any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).

All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 303) and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

SECTION 302. Denominations. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series, other than Global Securities (which may be of any denomination), shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof or the equivalent amounts thereof in the case of Securities denominated in the Foreign Currency or currency unit.

 

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SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon, and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and coupons may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

Securities and coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or coupons.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any coupon appertaining thereto, executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities (accompanied by a copy of the Board Resolution and the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture contemplated by Section 301), and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that, in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States; and provided further that, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security shall have furnished a certificate to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, in the form set forth in Exhibit B-1 to this Indenture or such other certificate as may be specified by the Company with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the earlier of the date on which such Bearer Security is delivered and the date on which any temporary Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer Security in accordance with the terms of such temporary Security and this Indenture. If any Security shall be represented by a permanent Global Security, then, for purposes of this Section and Section 304, the notation of a beneficial owner’s interest therein upon original issuance of such Security or upon exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security shall be deemed to be delivery in connection with its original issuance of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent Global Security. Except as permitted by Section 306, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all appurtenant coupons for interest then matured have been detached and canceled.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate or formula, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon, (i) an Opinion of Counsel stating that

 

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(a) the form or forms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) the terms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(c) such Securities, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles; and

(ii) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance of the Securities have been complied with and that, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities (or to enter into the related supplemental indenture, if applicable) if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraph, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or a Company Order, or an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to the preceding paragraph at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

No Security or coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security or Security to which such coupon appertains a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee (subject to Section 611) by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled

 

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to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security (including a Global Security) shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Global Securities (which shall be exchanged as otherwise provided herein or as otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 301), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any non-matured coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute (in accordance with a Company Order delivered at or prior to the authentication of the first definitive security to such series) and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided further that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 305. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 301, the following provisions of this Section 304(b) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities other than through the facilities of the DTC. If any such temporary Security is issued in global form, then such temporary Global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the London office of a depository or common depository upon and pursuant to written direction of the Company (the “Common Depository”), for the benefit of Euroclear and Clearstream, for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

 

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Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary Global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary Global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary Global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depository to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary Global Security to be exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary Global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, permanent global bearer form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof (as directed by or pursuant to information provided by the Common Depository); provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary Global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depository, such temporary Global Security shall be accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary Global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Clearstream as to the portion of such temporary Global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit B-2 to this Indenture or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301; and provided further that definitive Bearer Securities shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary Global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section 303.

Unless otherwise specified in such temporary Global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary Global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit B-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear and Clearstream, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary Global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary Global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like unless such Person takes delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear or Clearstream. Definitive Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a temporary Global Security shall be delivered only to an address located outside the United States.

 

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Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary Global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear and Clearstream on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear and Clearstream to the Trustee of a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit B-2 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301), for credit without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary Global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in the form set forth as Exhibit B-1 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the certification requirements of the preceding two paragraphs of this Section 304(b) and of the third paragraph of Section 303 of this Indenture and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary Global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, no payments of principal or interest owing with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary Global Security will be made unless and until such interest in such temporary Global Security shall have been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by Euroclear and Clearstream and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company.

With respect to Exhibit B-1 or B-2 to this Indenture, the Company may, in its discretion and if required or desirable under applicable law, substitute one or more other forms of such exhibits for such exhibits, eliminate the requirement that any or all certificate be provided, or change the time that any certificate may be required, provided that such substitute form or forms or notice of elimination or change of such certification requirement have theretofore been delivered to the Trustee with a Company Request and such form or forms, elimination or change is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer, Conversion and Exchange. The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine, and be provided a copy of, the Security Register at all reasonable times.

 

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Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, and containing identical terms and provisions.

Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination or denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any such Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities may not be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.

If (but only if) permitted by the applicable Board Resolution and (subject to Section 303) set forth in the applicable Officers’ Certificate, or in any indenture supplemental hereto, delivered as contemplated by Section 301, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured coupon or coupons in default, any such permitted exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company (or to the Trustee for the Security in case of matured coupons in default) in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in a permitted exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or

 

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proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent Global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the depository for any permanent Global Security is DTC, then, unless the terms of such Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to a nominee of DTC, or by a nominee of DTC to DTC, or to a successor to DTC for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor to DTC. If at any time DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the applicable Global Security or Securities or if at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act if so required by applicable law or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor depository with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If (w) a successor depository for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such unwillingness, inability or ineligibility, (x) the Company delivers to the Trustee for Securities of such series in registered form a Company Order stating that the Securities of such series shall be exchangeable, (y) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the beneficial owners representing a majority in principal amount of the applicable series of Securities represented by such Global Security or Securities advise DTC to cease acting as depository for such Global Security or Securities or (z) the Company, in its sole discretion, determines at any time that all Outstanding Securities (but not less than all) of any series issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, then the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities of like series, rank, tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security or Securities. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is otherwise entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent Global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent Global Security. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent Global Security shall be surrendered for exchange by DTC or such other depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption; and provided further that no Bearer

 

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Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a permanent Global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent Global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent Global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or conversion or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or conversion or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for conversion, exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or conversion or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or conversion or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107, 1305 or 1604 not involving any transfer.

The Company or the Trustee, as applicable, shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before selection of the Securities to be redeemed under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on (A) if such Securities are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if such Securities are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if such Securities are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption, or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

 

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Furthermore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 305, the Company will not be required to exchange any Securities if, as a result of the exchange, the Company would suffer adverse consequences under any United States law or regulation.

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, pay such Security or coupon if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee for such Security such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and in the case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and Trustee and any agent of any of them of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and the ownership thereof; provided, however, that payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and interest, if any, on, Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

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Every new Security of any series with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any, or the destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest on any Registered Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest payment at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, however, that each installment of interest on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 308, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the payee located inside the United States.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, payment of interest may be made, in the case of a Bearer Security, by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent Global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to DTC, Euroclear and/or Clearstream, as the case may be, with respect to that portion of such permanent Global Security held for its account by Cede & Co. or the Common Depository, as the case may be, for the purpose of permitting such party to credit the interest received by it in respect of such permanent Global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

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Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called ”Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee may, in its discretion, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment, but such publications shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2). In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such proposed date of payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any over-the-counter market or securities exchange on which such Securities may be quoted or listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such market or exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

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Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or upon conversion of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on, such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such Person, or upon such Person’s order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for money payable upon any such Security.

Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Holder of any Bearer Security and the Holder of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security or coupon be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security and such depository (which is the Holder of such security) shall be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depository, as a Holder, with respect to such Global Security or impair, as between such depository and owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depository (or its nominee) as Holder of such Global Security.

 

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SECTION 309. Cancellation. All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or conversion or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, upon direction by the Company, shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary practices (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act).

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 311. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE 4.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or conversion or exchange of Securities of such series herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute instruments in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when

(1) either

(A) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 305, (ii) Securities and coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been

 

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replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, (iii) coupons appertaining to Securities called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 1106, and (iv) Securities and coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i) have become due and payable, or

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and such coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 611 and, if money shall have been deposited with and held by the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

SECTION 402. Application of Trust Funds. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and any interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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ARTICLE 5.

REMEDIES

SECTION 501. Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that series or of any coupon appertaining thereto, when such interest or coupon becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, to the extent applicable to such series of Securities, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series; or

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) default under any bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (or by any Subsidiary, the repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor), having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $30,000,000, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such indebtedness having been discharged, or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled, within a period of 30 days after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default and requiring the

 

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Company to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Sections 601 and 602, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of such default unless either (A) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have knowledge of such default or (B) the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company, from any Holder, from the holder of any such indebtedness or from the trustee under any such mortgage, indenture or other instrument; or

(6) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case,

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of either of its property, or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

(8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

As used in this Section 501, the term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors and the term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if Securities of that Series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable.

 

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At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration of acceleration and its consequences if:

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay in the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series):

(A) all overdue installments of interest on all Outstanding Securities of that series and any related coupons,

(B) the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Outstanding Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Company covenants that if:

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security of any series and any related coupon when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Security of any series at its Maturity,

 

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then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities of such series and coupons, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

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and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities of such series and coupons to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee, their agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee under Section 606.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Securities, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Securities parties to any such proceedings.

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected. Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

 

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SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupon shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or coupon shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to receive payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on such Security or payment of such coupon on the respective due dates expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

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SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or coupons, as the case may be.

SECTION 512. Control by Holders of Securities. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

(3) the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not joining therein.

Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by Holders.

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any related coupons waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security of such series or any related coupons, or

 

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(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected; or

(3) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof for the benefit or protection of the Trustee, without its express written consent.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 514. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

SECTION 515. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

ARTICLE 6.

THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 601. Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee

 

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shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities and coupons of such series; and provided further that in the case of any default or breach of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to the Securities and coupons of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series.

SECTION 602. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d):

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series; provided that, if the payment within

 

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a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the reasonable expenses of every such examination shall be paid by the Holders or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Holders upon demand. The Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, relevant to the facts or matters that are the subject of its inquiry, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(9) any permissive right or power available to the Trustee under this Indenture or any supplement hereto shall not be construed to be a mandatory duty or obligation;

(10) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any matter (including any default, other than as described in Section 501(1), (2) or (3)) unless and except to the extent actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or to the extent written notice thereof is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office;

(11) the Trustee shall have no liability for any inaccuracy in the books and records of, or for any actions or omissions of, DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or any depository acting on behalf of any of them;

(12) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed by the Trustee to act hereunder; and

(13) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

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Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

SECTION 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall have no responsibility with respect to any information, statement or recital in any offering prospectus or other disclosure materials prepared or distributed with respect to the Securities.

SECTION 604. May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

SECTION 605. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

SECTION 606. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee as agreed upon in writing from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, and disbursements incurred by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense or disbursement as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith; and

(3) to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

 

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When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(6) or Section 501(7), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien for payment of the Trustee’s fees and expenses prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on particular Securities or any coupons.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

SECTION 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have at all times a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (or which shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $10,000,000 and whose ultimate parent holding company shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000). If the Trustee publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of Federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of the Trustee shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article. Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company shall serve as Trustee.

SECTION 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

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(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(d) If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

 

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(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 609. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto, pursuant to Article Nine hereof, wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

 

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(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 609, as the case may be.

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

SECTION 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities or coupons shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities or coupons so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities or coupons. In case any Securities or coupons shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities or coupons, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

SECTION 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon conversion or exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption or repayment thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any state or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

 

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Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section, subject to Section 606.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

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SECTION 612. Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee.

(a) With respect to the Securities of any series, except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series:

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture, but shall not be under any duty to verify the contents or accuracy thereof.

(b) In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall, with respect to Securities of such series, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and

 

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(4) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it; and, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 612.

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money or assets held by it except to the extent the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Assets held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other assets except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE 7.

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders. Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

SECTION 702. Reports by Trustee. The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required by TIA Section 313 at the times and in the manner provided by the TIA, which shall initially be not less than every twelve months commencing on , 20___. A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each over-the-counter market or securities exchange, if any, upon which any Securities are quoted or listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are quoted or listed on any over-the-counter market or securities exchange or delisted therefrom.

SECTION 703. Reports by Company. The Company will:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file as an accelerated filer with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and if the Company’s status as an accelerated filer changes, the Company shall

 

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provide written notice of such change to the Trustee); or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security quoted or listed and registered on an over-the-counter market or national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations;

(3) transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission; and

(4) delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

SECTION 704. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) semiannually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for interest for each series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, or if there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semiannually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,

provided, however, that, so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.

 

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ARTICLE 8.

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE

SECTION 801. Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions. The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into any other corporation, provided that in any such case, (1) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof and such successor corporation shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and any interest on all of the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company by supplemental indenture, complying with Article Nine hereof, satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation, (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result thereof as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing and (3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee the Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required pursuant to Section 803 below.

SECTION 802. Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance and upon any such assumption by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and the predecessor corporation, except in the event of a lease, shall be relieved of any further obligation under this Indenture and the Securities. Such successor corporation thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

SECTION 803. Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel. Any consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance permitted under Section 801 is also subject to the condition that the Trustee receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, and the assumption by any successor corporation, complies with the provisions of this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

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ARTICLE 9.

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained herein and in the Securities; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided, however, that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or

(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

(5) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

(6) to secure the Securities; or

(7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any related coupons as permitted or contemplated by Sections 201 and 301; or

 

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(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

(9) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, provided such provisions shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

(10) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the Defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

(11) to make provisions with respect to Holders’ rights of conversion with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Article Sixteen.

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities and any related coupons under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security; or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate or amount of interest thereon, or any premium or Make-Whole Amount payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which, any Security or any premium or Make-Whole Amount or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or (if Securities of such series are convertible) adversely affect the right of the Holder to convert any Security as provided in Article Sixteen; or

 

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(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (or compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1009, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section 902 and Section 1009, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 609(b) and 901(8).

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section 902 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 612) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

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SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall, if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

ARTICLE 10.

COVENANTS

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any; and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before Maturity shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company (upon written notice to the Trustee), all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other Person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security.

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency. If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or conversion or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain: (A) in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion, where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and where Bearer Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion in the circumstances described in the following paragraph (and not otherwise); (B) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series which is located outside the United States, an office or agency where Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, however, that if the Securities of that series are listed on any stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for the Securities of that series in any required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of that series are listed on such exchange; and (C) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series located outside the United States an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon

 

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the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment or conversion at the offices specified in the Security, in London, England, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, no payment of principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, that, if the Securities of a series are payable in Dollars, payment of principal of and any premium or Make-Whole Amount and interest on any Bearer Security shall be made at the office of the Company’s Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, or interest, as the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States maintained for the purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture, is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

The Company may from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies (in or outside the Place of Payment) where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities, each of (i) the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and (ii) the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (as Paying Agent); and the Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent in such city; and the Company hereby initially appoints as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands each of the Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one exchange rate agent (of which it shall give written notice to the Trustee).

 

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SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on Securities in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any such payment of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series; and

(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

 

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Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, and subject to applicable laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security, without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 1004. Existence. Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, all material rights (by articles of incorporation, by-laws and statute) and material franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company.

SECTION 1005. Maintenance of Properties. The Company will cause all of its material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order, normal wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted, and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof (and the Company may take out of service for a period of time, any of its properties that have been condemned or suffered any loss due to casualty in order to make such repairs, betterments and improvements), all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be prevented from (i) removing permanently any property that has been condemned or suffered a loss due to casualty based on the Company’s reasonable judgment that such removal is in the best interest of the Company, or (ii) selling or otherwise disposing of their properties for value in the ordinary course of business.

SECTION 1006. Insurance. The Company will cause each of its and its Subsidiaries’ insurable properties to be insured against loss or damage in an amount deemed reasonable by the Board of Directors with insurers of recognized responsibility.

SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

 

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SECTION 1008. Statement as to Compliance. The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, in the event of any noncompliance, specifying such noncompliance and the nature and status thereof. For purposes of this Section 1008, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE 11.

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the giving of the notice of redemption in Section 1104 (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

 

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The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price, accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price and accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any, will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, together in the case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, or for conversion,

 

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(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of any such missing coupon or coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee for such series and any Paying Agent is furnished,

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and any Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on this Redemption Date pursuant to Section 305 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made, the CUSIP number of such Security, if any, and

(10) if applicable, that a Holder of Securities who desires to convert Securities for redemption must satisfy the requirements for conversion contained in such Securities, the then existing conversion price or rate, the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion, and the date and time when the option to convert shall expire.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

If any Securities called for redemption are converted, any money deposited with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.

SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such

 

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date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided further that except as otherwise provided with respect to Securities convertible into the Company’s Common Stock or Preferred Stock, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Security.

SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the depository, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered.

 

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ARTICLE 12.

SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities, or which have otherwise been acquired by the Company; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

 

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ARTICLE 13.

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article. Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities, if any, and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1302. Repayment of Securities. Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or prior to the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal (or, if so provided by the terms of the Securities of any series, a percentage of the principal) of, and (except if the Repayment Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

SECTION 1303. Exercise of Option. Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. In order for any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the Trustee must receive at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 60 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date (1) the Security so providing for such repayment together with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse thereof duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing) or (2) a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or a letter from a member of a national securities exchange, or the FINRA, or a commercial bank or trust company in the United States setting forth the name of the Holder of the Security, the principal amount of the Security, the principal amount of the Security to be repaid, the CUSIP number, if any, or a description of the tenor and terms of the Security, a statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby and a guarantee that the Security to be repaid, together with the duly completed form entitled “Option to Elect Repayment” on the reverse of the Security, will be received by the Trustee not later than the fifth Business Day after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter; provided, however, that such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter shall only be effective if such Security and form duly completed are received by the Trustee by such fifth Business Day. If less than the entire principal amount of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the principal amount of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the

 

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Holder for the portion of the principal amount of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. The principal amount of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

SECTION 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable. If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be repaid, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Repayment Date, the principal amount of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that coupons whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of such coupons; and provided further that, in the case of Registered Securities, installments of interest, if any, whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for repayment shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Repayment Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the amount payable therefor as provided in Section 1302 an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made as provided in the preceding sentence, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

If the principal amount of any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, such principal amount (together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to such Repayment Date) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such Security.

 

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SECTION 1305. Securities Repaid in Part. Upon surrender of any Registered Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

ARTICLE 14.

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 1401. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. If, pursuant to Section 301, provision is made for either or both of (a) Defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b) Covenant Defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 1402 (if applicable) or Section 1403 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and (B) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and to the extent provided with respect to the Securities of such series, Article 16, and the Company’s obligations under Section 606 hereof (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

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SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, and, if specified pursuant to Section 301, its obligations under any other covenant contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, or such other covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 501(4) or 501(8) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected thereby.

SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any coupons appertaining thereto:

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount in such currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities and any coupons

 

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appertaining thereto on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

(b) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(c) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Sections 501(6) and 501(7) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(d) In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred.

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the Defeasance under Section 1402 or the Covenant Defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of a deposit pursuant to subsection (a) above and the related exercise of the Company’s option under Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be), registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the Trustee for such trust funds or (ii) all necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

 

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(h) The payment of amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture shall be paid or provided for to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee.

SECTION 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 301, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 1404(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a currency or currency unit other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the currency or currency unit in which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the currency or currency unit in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable market exchange rate for such currency or currency unit in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such currency or currency unit in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, subject to Section 606, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

 

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ARTICLE 15.

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called. A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

SECTION 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

SECTION 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

SECTION 1504. Quorum; Action. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the

 

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Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at the reconvening of any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days; at the reconvening of any meeting adjourned or further adjourned for lack of a quorum, the Persons entitled to vote 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities shall constitute a quorum for the taking of any action set forth in the notice of the original meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 1502(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities represented at such meeting; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

(i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

(ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 or by having the signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(c) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 15.02 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

SECTION 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any Series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original

 

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reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1502 and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

ARTICLE 16.

CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1601. Applicability of Article; Conversion Privilege and Conversion Price. Securities of any series which are convertible shall be convertible in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Sixteen. Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article Sixteen, at any time during the period specified in the Securities, at the option of the Holder thereof, any Security or any portion of the principal amount thereof which is $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 may be converted at the principal amount thereof, or of such portion thereof, into fully paid and nonassessable shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/100 of a share) of Common Stock of the Company, at the Conversion Price, determined as hereinafter provided, in effect at the time of conversion. In case a Security or portion thereof is called for redemption, such conversion right in respect of the Security or portion so called shall expire at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date, unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon redemption, in which case such conversion right shall terminate on the date such default is cured.

The price at which shares of Common Stock shall be delivered upon conversion (herein called the “Conversion Price”) of Securities of any series shall be specified in such Securities. The Conversion Price shall be adjusted in certain instances as provided in Section 1604.

In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, declare or make a distribution on its Common Stock referred to in paragraph (4) of Section 1604, the Holder of each Security, upon the conversion thereof pursuant to this Article Sixteen subsequent to the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution and prior to the effectiveness of the Conversion Price adjustment in respect of such distribution pursuant to paragraph (4) of Section 1604, shall be entitled to receive for each share of Common Stock into which such Security is converted, the portion of the evidence of indebtedness, shares of Capital Stock or assets so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock; provided, however, that, at the election of the Company (whose election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee) with respect to all Holders so converting, the Company may, in lieu of distributing to such Holder any portion of such distribution not consisting of cash or securities of the Company, pay such Holder an amount in cash equal to the fair market value thereof (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee). If any conversion of a Security entitled to the benefits described in the immediately preceding sentence occurs prior to the payment date for a distribution to holders of Common Stock which the Holder of the Security so converted is entitled to receive in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, the Company may

 

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elect (such election to be evidenced by a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee) to distribute to such Holder a due bill for the evidences of indebtedness, shares of Capital Stock or assets to which such Holder is so entitled, provided that such due bill (i) meets any applicable requirements of the principal over-the-counter market or national securities exchange or other market on which the Common Stock is then traded, and (ii) requires payment or delivery of such evidences of indebtedness or assets no later than the date of payment or delivery thereof to holders of Common Stock receiving such distribution.

SECTION 1602. Exercise of Conversion Privilege. In order to exercise the conversion privilege, the Holder of any Security to be converted shall surrender such Security, duly endorsed or assigned to the Company or in blank, at any office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 1002, accompanied by written notice to the Company at such office or agency that the Holder elects to convert such Security or, if less than the entire principal amount thereof is to be converted, the portion thereof to be converted and shall comply with any additional requirements set forth in such Security. Securities surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date shall (except for Securities the Maturity of which is prior to such Interest Payment Date) be accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of Securities being surrendered for conversion and such interest shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date as provided in Section 307. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, no payment or adjustment shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest accrued on the Securities surrendered for conversion or on account of any dividends on the Common Stock issued upon conversion.

The Company’s delivery to the Holder of the fixed number of shares of the Common Stock of the Company (and any cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock) into which the Security is convertible shall be deemed to satisfy the Company’s obligation to pay the principal amount of the Security and all accrued interest and original issue discount that has not previously been paid. The shares of Common Stock of the Company so delivered shall be treated as issued first in payment of accrued interest and original issue discount and then in payment of principal. Thus, accrued interest and original issue discount shall be treated as paid, rather than canceled, extinguished or forfeited.

Securities shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the day of surrender of such Securities for conversion in accordance with the foregoing provisions, and at such time the rights of the Holders of such Securities as Holders shall cease, and the Person or Persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Common Stock at such time. As promptly as practicable on or after the conversion date, the Company shall issue and shall deliver at such office or agency a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion, together with payment in lieu of any fraction of a share, as provided in Section 1603.

In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, as promptly as practicable on or after the conversion date the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder thereof (or the Depositary in the case of a Global Security), at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities, of authorized denominations in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the principal amount of such Security.

 

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SECTION 1603. Fractions of Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Securities. If more than one Security shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof) so surrendered. Instead of any fractional share of Common Stock which would otherwise be issuable upon conversion of any Security or Securities (or specified portions thereof), the Company shall pay a cash adjustment (rounded to the nearest cent) in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to the same fraction of the Closing Price per share of the Common Stock on the day of conversion (or, if such day is not a Trading Day, on the Trading Day immediately preceding such day).

SECTION 1604. Adjustment of Conversion Price. The Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:

(1) If the Company pays or makes a dividend or other distribution (a) on its Common Stock exclusively in Common Stock or (b) on any other class of Capital Stock of the Company, which dividend or distribution includes Common Stock of the Company, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution (the “Dividend Record Date”) shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding at the close of business on the Dividend Record Date and the denominator shall be the sum of such number of shares and the total number of shares constituting such dividend or other distribution. Such reduction shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination. For the purposes of this paragraph (1), the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Company shall not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company.

(2) Subject to paragraph (6) of this Section, if the Company pays or makes a dividend or other distribution on its Common Stock consisting exclusively of Short Term Rights (as defined below), or otherwise issues Short Term Rights to all holders of its Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such Short Term Rights (the “Rights Record Date”) shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding at the close of business on the Rights Record Date plus the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company which the aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at such current market price and the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding at the close of business on the Rights Record Date plus the number of

 

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shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase. Such reduction shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the Rights Record Date. For the purposes of this paragraph (2), the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock of the Company. The Company shall not issue any rights, options or warrants in respect of shares of its Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company. When used in this Section 1604, the term “Short Term Rights” shall mean rights, warrants or options entitling the holders thereof (for a period commencing no earlier than the Rights Record Date and expiring not more than 45 days after the Rights Record Date) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company at a price per share less than the current market price per share (determined as provided in paragraph (7) of this Section 1604) of the Common Stock of the Company on the Rights Record Date.

(3) In case outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, and, conversely, in case outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be combined into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such combination becomes effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or increase, as the case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

(4) Subject to the last sentence of this paragraph (4) of this Section, if the Company, by dividend or otherwise, (a) distributes to all holders of its Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness, shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Company or other assets (other than cash dividends out of current or retained earnings), or (b) distributes to substantially all holders of Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for securities (other than Short Term Rights to which paragraph (2) of this Section 1604 applies), the Conversion Price shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the current market price per share (determined as provided in paragraph (7) of this Section 1604) of the Common Stock of the Company on the Reference Date (as defined below) less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee), on the Reference Date, of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness and other assets so distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one share of Common Stock (collectively, the “Market Value of the Distribution”) and the denominator shall be such current market price per share of the Common Stock of the Company. Such reduction shall become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day (the “Reference Date”) following the later of (a) the date fixed for the payment of such distribution and (b) the date 20 days after notice relating to such distribution is required to be given pursuant to Section 1606(a). If the Board of Directors determines the fair market value of any distribution for purposes of this paragraph (4) by reference to the actual or when issued trading market for any securities comprising such distribution, it must in doing so consider the prices in such market over the same period used in

 

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computing the current market price per share pursuant to paragraph (7) of this Section 1604. In the event that, with respect to any distribution to which this paragraph (4) of Section 1604 would otherwise apply, the Market Value of the Distribution is greater than the current market price per share of the Common Stock (such distribution being referred to herein as an “Unadjusted Distribution”), then the adjustment provided by this paragraph (4) shall not be made and in lieu thereof the provisions of Section 1611 shall apply with respect to such Unadjusted Distribution.

(5) The Company may, but shall not be required to, make such reductions in the Conversion Price, in addition to those required by paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this Section 1604, as it considers to be advisable in order that any event treated for federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights shall not be taxable to the recipients. In addition, the Company, from time to time, may decrease the Conversion Price by any amount and for any reason, temporarily or otherwise, including situations where the Board of Directors determines such decrease to be fair and appropriate with respect to transactions in which holders of Common Stock have the right to participate.

(6) Rights or warrants issued or distributed by the Company to all holders of its Common Stock entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, which rights or warrants (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common Stock, (ii) are not exercisable and (iii) are also issued or distributed in respect of future issuances of Common Stock, in each case in clauses (i) through (iii) until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Events”), shall for purposes of this Section 1604 not be deemed issued or distributed until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event. Each share of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Securities pursuant to this Article Sixteen shall be entitled to receive the appropriate number of Common Stock purchase rights (the “Rights”), if any, and the certificates representing the Common Stock issued upon conversion shall bear such legends, if any. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article Sixteen, there shall not be any adjustment to the Conversion Price as a result of (i) the distribution of separate certificates representing the Rights; (ii) the occurrence of certain events entitling holders of Rights to receive, upon exercise thereof, Common Stock or other securities of the Company or other securities of another corporation; or (iii) the exercise of such Rights. No adjustment in the Conversion Price need be made for rights to purchase or the sale of Common Stock pursuant to a Company plan providing for reinvestment of dividends or interest.

(7) For the purpose of any computation under paragraph (2), (4) or (5) of this Section 1604, the “current market price” per share of Common Stock of the Company on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily Closing Prices for the 15 consecutive Trading Days selected by the Company commencing not more than 30 Trading Days before, and ending not later than, the date in question.

(8) No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Conversion Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this paragraph (8) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Article Sixteen shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth of a share of Common Stock, as the case may be.

 

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(9) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event the Company shall declare any dividend or distribution requiring an adjustment in the Conversion Price hereunder and shall, thereafter and before the payment of such dividend or distribution to stockholders, legally abandon its plan to pay such dividend or distribution, the Conversion Price then in effect hereunder, if changed to reflect such dividend or distribution, shall upon the legal abandonment of such plan be changed to the Conversion Price which would have been in effect at the time of such abandonment (after giving effect to all other adjustments not so legally abandoned pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen) had such dividend or distribution never been declared.

(10) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1604, no adjustment to the Conversion Price shall reduce the Conversion Price below the then par value per share of the Common Stock of the Company, and any such purported adjustment shall instead reduce the Conversion Price to such par value. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Company hereby covenants that it will from time to time take all such action as may be required to assure that the par value per share of the Common Stock is at all times equal to or less than the Conversion Price.

(11) In the event that this Article Sixteen requires adjustments to the Conversion Price under more than one of paragraphs (1), (2), (3) or (4) of this Section 1604, and the record or effective dates for the transaction giving rise to such adjustments shall occur on the same date, then such adjustments shall be made by applying (to the extent they are applicable), first, the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 1604, second, the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Section 1604, third, the provisions of paragraph (4) of this Section 1604 and, fourth, the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Section 1604. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no single event shall require or result in duplicative adjustments in the Conversion Price pursuant to this Section 1604. After an adjustment to the Conversion Price under this Article Sixteen, any subsequent event requiring an adjustment under this Article Sixteen shall cause an adjustment to the Conversion Price as so adjusted. If, after an adjustment, a Holder of a Security upon conversion of such Security receives shares of two or more classes of Capital Stock of the Company, the Conversion Price shall thereafter be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of an action taken with respect to any such class of Capital Stock as is contemplated by this Article Sixteen with respect to the Common Stock in this Article Sixteen.

SECTION 1605. Notice of Adjustments of Conversion Price. Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted as herein provided:

(1) the Company shall compute the adjusted Conversion Price in accordance with Section 1604 or Section 1611 and shall prepare an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Price and showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith be filed (with a copy to the Trustee) at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of any Securities pursuant to Section 1002; and

(2) a notice stating that the Conversion Price has been adjusted and setting forth the adjusted Conversion Price shall forthwith be required, and as soon as practicable after it is required, such notice shall be mailed by the Company to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security Register.

 

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SECTION 1606. Notice of Certain Corporate Action. In case:

(1) the Company shall take any action that would require a Conversion Price adjustment pursuant to Section 1604 or Section 1611; or

(2) there shall occur any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common Stock), or any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, or the sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and for which approval of any stockholders of the Company is required; or

(3) there shall occur the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, then the Company shall cause to be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of Securities pursuant to Section 1002, and shall cause to be mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security Register, at least 10 days prior to the applicable record, effective or expiration date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of any dividend, distribution or granting of rights, warrants or options, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants are to be determined, or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and, if applicable, the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

SECTION 1607. Company to Reserve Common Stock. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, a number of shares of Common Stock for the conversion of all outstanding Securities of any series which is convertible into Common Stock.

SECTION 1608. Taxes on Conversion. The Company will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversion of Securities pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the Holder of the Security or Securities to be converted, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the Person requesting such issue has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

SECTION 1609. Covenants as to Common Stock. The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free of preemptive or any similar rights, and, except as provided in Section 1608, the Company will pay all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

 

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The Company will endeavor promptly to comply with all Federal and state securities laws regulating the offer and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Securities, if any, and will list or cause to have quoted such shares of Common Stock on each national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market or such other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted.

SECTION 1610. Cancellation of Converted Securities. All Securities delivered for conversion shall be delivered to the Trustee to be cancelled by or at the direction of the Trustee, which shall dispose of the same as provided in Section 309.

SECTION 1611. Provisions in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets; Special Distributions. If any of the following shall occur, namely: (i) any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Securities (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination), (ii) any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party other than a merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and which does not result in any reclassification of, or change (other than a change in name, or par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value or as a result of a subdivision or combination) in, outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) any sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Company as an entirety, then the Person formed by such consolidation or resulting from such merger or which acquires such properties or assets, as the case may be, shall as a condition precedent to such transaction execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of each Security then outstanding shall have the right thereafter, during the period such Security shall be convertible as specified in Section 1601, to convert such Security only into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable, if any, upon such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which such Security might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease; provided that the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property so receivable shall be determined on the basis of the following assumptions. The holder of Common Stock referred to in the foregoing sentence:

(1) is not (a) a Person with which the Company consolidated, (b) a Person into which the Company merged or which merged into the Company, or (c) a Person to which such sale, transfer or lease was made (any Person described in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), or (c), hereinafter referred to as a “Constituent Person”), or (d) an Affiliate of a Constituent Person; and

(2) failed to exercise his rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease (provided that if the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale transfer or lease is not the same for each share of Common Stock of the Company in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised, then for the purpose of this Section 1611 the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of such shares of Common Stock).

 

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Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which, for events subsequent to the effective date of such supplemental indenture, shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article Sixteen. If, in the case of any such consolidation, merger, sale transfer or lease the stock or other securities and property (including cash) receivable thereupon by a holder of Common Stock includes shares of stock or other securities and property of a corporation other than the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease then such supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other corporation and shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders of the Securities as the Board of Directors of the Company shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing. The above provisions of this Section 1611 shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, sales, transfers or leases.

In the event the Company shall execute a supplemental indenture pursuant to this Section 1611, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Holders of the Securities upon the conversion of their Securities after any such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease and any adjustment to be made with respect thereto.

If the Company makes a distribution to all holders of its Common Stock that constitutes an Unadjusted Distribution pursuant to the last sentence of paragraph (4) of Section 1604, then, from and after the record date for determining the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution (the “Distribution Record Date”), a Holder of a Security who converts such Security in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon conversion, be entitled to receive, in addition to the shares of Common Stock into which the Security is convertible, the kind and amount of evidences of indebtedness, shares of Capital Stock, or other assets or subscription rights or warrants, as the case may be, comprising the distribution that such Holder would have received if such Holder had converted the Security immediately prior to the Distribution Record Date.

SECTION 1612. Trustee Adjustment Disclaimer; Company Determination Final. The Trustee has no duty to determine when an adjustment under this Article Sixteen should be made, how it should be made or what it should be. The Trustee has no duty to determine whether a supplemental indenture under Section 1611 need be entered into or whether any provisions of any supplemental indenture are correct. The Trustee shall not be accountable for and makes no representation as to the validity or value of any securities or assets issued upon conversion of Securities. The Trustee shall not be responsible for the Company’s failure to comply with this Article Sixteen. Any determination that the Company or the Board of Directors must make pursuant to this Article Sixteen is conclusive, absent manifest error.

SECTION 1613. When No Adjustment Required. Except as expressly set forth in Section 1604, no adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be made because the Company issues, in exchange for cash, property or services, shares of its Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its Common Stock, or securities (including warrants, rights and options) carrying the right to subscribe for or purchase shares of its Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.

 

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In addition, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be made pursuant to Section 1604 in respect of any dividend or distribution if the Holders may participate therein (on a basis to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) and receive the same consideration they would have received if they had converted the Securities immediately prior to the record date with respect to such dividend or distribution.

SECTION 1614. Equivalent Adjustments. In the event that, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 1604 above, the holder of any Security thereafter surrendered for conversion shall become entitled to receive any shares of Capital Stock of the Company other than shares of its Common Stock, thereafter the Conversion Price of such other shares so receivable upon conversion of any Securities shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to Common Stock contained in this Article Sixteen.

 

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SIGNATURES

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF REDEEMABLE OR NON-REDEEMABLE SENIOR SECURITY

[Face of Security]

[If the Holder of this Security (as indicated below) is The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or a nominee of DTC, this Security is a Global Security and the following two legends apply:

Unless this Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company a New York corporation (“DTC”) to the Company or its agent for registration of transfer, conversion, exchange or payment, and such Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co., or in such other name as requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

Unless and until this Security is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in certificated form, this Security may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee thereof or by a nominee thereof to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any such nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor.]

 

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[If this Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert — FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1273 and 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT ON THIS SECURITY IS % OF ITS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE IS             , 20        , AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS %. THE METHOD USED TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT APPLICABLE TO THE SHORT ACCRUAL PERIOD OF                     , 20         TO                    , 20    , IS             % OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS SECURITY.]

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.

[Designation of Series]

No.                         $

CUSIP No.

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC., a Massachusetts corporation (herein referred to as the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to                     or registered assigns the principal sum of             Dollars on                 (the “Stated Maturity Date”) [or insert date fixed for earlier redemption (the “Redemption Date,” and together with the Stated Maturity Date with respect to principal repayable on such date, the “Maturity Date.”)]

[If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — and to pay interest thereon from                     or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on                     and                     in each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing                 , at the rate of         % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Holder in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the                 or                 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date [at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose; provided, however, that such interest may be paid, at the Company’s option, by mailing a check to such Holder at its registered address or by transfer of funds to an account maintained by such Holder within the United States]. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date, and may be paid to the Holder in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any over-the-counter market or securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be quoted or listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such market or exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.]

 

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[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at the [Stated] Maturity Date and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of             % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of             % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]

The principal of this Security payable on the Stated Maturity Date [or the principal of, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and, if the Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date, interest on this Security payable on the Redemption Date] will be paid against presentation of this Security at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in                     , in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

Interest payable on this Security on any Interest Payment Date and on the [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be,] will include interest accrued from and including the next preceding Interest Payment Date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or from and including                     , if no interest has been paid on this Security) to but excluding such Interest Payment Date or the [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be.] If any Interest Payment Date or the [Stated] Maturity Date or [Redemption Date] falls on a day that is not a Business Day, as defined below, principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and/or interest payable with respect to such Interest Payment Date or [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be,] will be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if it were paid on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be.] “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are required or authorized by law, regulation or executive order to close.

[If this Security is a Global Security, insert — All payments of principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest in respect of this Security will be made by the Company in immediately available funds.]

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee by manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its facsimile corporate seal.

Dated:

 

 

91

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[Reverse of Security]

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of    , 20         (herein called the “Indenture”) between the Company and [Name of Trustee], as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture with respect to the series of which this Security is a part), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the duly authorized series of Securities designated on the face hereof (collectively, the “Securities”), [if applicable, insert — and the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be issued under such series is limited to $             (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Securities).] All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

[If applicable, insert — The Securities may not be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date.]

[If applicable, insert — The Securities are subject to redemption [ (l) (If applicable, insert — on             in any year commencing with the year             and ending with the year                      through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2) ] [If applicable, insert — at any time [on or after            ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount):

If redeemed on or before                 ,            % and if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning                     of the years indicated at the Redemption Prices indicated below.

 

Year		Redemption Price		Year		Redemption Price

and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to             % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [If applicable, insert — (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on this Security whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder of this Security, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

 

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[If applicable, insert — The Securities are subject to redemption (1) on              in any year commencing with the year and ending with the year         through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [on or after            ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning                 of the years indicated,

 

Year		Redemption Price for Redemption Through                 Operation of the Sinking Fund		Redemption Otherwise Than Redemption Through                 Operation of the Sinking Fund

and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to             % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on this Security whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder of this Security, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

[If applicable, insert — Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to             , redeem any Securities as contemplated by [Clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than    % per annum.]

[If applicable, insert — The sinking fund for the Securities provides for the redemption on                     in each year, beginning with the year        and ending with the year        , of [not less than] $            ] [(“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than $            ] aggregate principal amount of the Securities. [The Securities acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made in the [describe order] order in which they become due.]]

Notice of redemption will be given by mail to Holders of Securities, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, all as provided in the Indenture.

In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

[If applicable, insert conversion provisions set forth in any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental to the Indenture.]

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities issued under the Indenture at the time Outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture

 

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also contains provisions permitting the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, on behalf of the Holders of all such Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture permit the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount, in certain instances, of the Outstanding Securities of any series to waive, on behalf of all of the Holders of Securities of such series, certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and other Securities issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or conversion or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein [and herein] set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register of the Company upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein [and herein] set forth, this Security is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of different authorized denominations but otherwise having the same terms and conditions, as requested by the Holder hereof surrendering the same.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form [without coupons] in denominations of $                 and any integral multiple thereof.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or conversion or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith,

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

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No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or the interest on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any past, present or future stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.

The Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely in such State.

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORMS OF CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT B-1

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY PERSON ENTITLED

TO RECEIVE BEARER SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE

PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

CERTIFICATE

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

This is to certify that, as of the date hereof, and except as set forth below, the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account (i) are owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source (“United States person(s)”), (ii) are owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 2.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such United States financial institution hereby agrees, on its own behalf or through its agent, that you may advise Mercury Systems, Inc. or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) are owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, in addition, if the owner is a United States or foreign financial institution described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)), this is to further certify that such financial institution has not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We undertake to advise you promptly by tested telex or by telecopy on or prior to the date on which you intend to submit your certification relating to the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account in accordance with your operating procedures if any applicable statement herein is not correct on such date, and in the absence of any such notification it may be assumed that this certification applies as of such date.

This certificate excepts and does not relate to [U.S.$] of such interest in the above-captioned Securities in respect of which we are not able to certify and as to which we understand an exchange for an interest in a permanent Global Security or an exchange for and delivery of definitive Securities (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) cannot be made until we do so certify.

 

Ex. B-1

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We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

Dated:

[To be dated no earlier than the 15th day prior to (i) the Exchange Date or (ii) the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

[Name of Person Making Certification]

 

 

 

Ex. B-2

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EXHIBIT B-2

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND

CLEARSTREAM S.A. IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF

A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST

PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

CERTIFICATE

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

This is to certify that, based solely on written certifications that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of the principal amount set forth below (our “Member Organizations”) substantially in the form attached hereto, as of the date hereof, [U.S.$] principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) is owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source (“United States person(s)”), (ii) is owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such financial institution has agreed, on its own behalf or through its agent, that we may advise Mercury Systems, Inc. or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, to the further effect, that financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) have certified that they have not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “Possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We further certify that (i) we are not making available herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) any portion of the temporary Global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in the above-referenced certificates of Member Organizations and (ii) as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.

 

Ex. B-3

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We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

Dated:    

[To be dated no earlier than the Exchange Date or the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

[Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels Office, as Operator of the Euroclear System Clearstream Banking Luxembourg]

 

 

Ex. B-4

Exhibit 4.3

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.

TO

[NAME OF TRUSTEE]

Trustee

Indenture

Dated as of                     , 20        

Subordinated Debt Securities

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION					1
SECTION 101		Definitions			1
SECTION 102		Compliance Certificates and Opinions			12
SECTION 103		Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee			12
SECTION 104		Acts of Holders			13
SECTION 105		Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company			14
SECTION 106		Notice to Holders; Waiver			15
SECTION 107		Counterparts; Effect of Headings and Table of Contents			16
SECTION 108		Successors and Assigns			16
SECTION 109		Severability Clause			16
SECTION 110		Benefits of Indenture			16
SECTION 111		Governing Law			16
SECTION 112		Legal Holidays			16
SECTION 113		Limited Liability; Immunity of Stockholders, Directors, Officers and Agents of the Company			17
SECTION 114		Conflict with Trust Indenture Act			17
ARTICLE 2 SECURITIES FORMS					17
SECTION 201		Forms of Securities			17
SECTION 202		Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication			18
SECTION 203		Securities Issuable in Global Form			18
ARTICLE 3 THE SECURITIES					19
SECTION 301		Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series			19
SECTION 302		Denominations			22
SECTION 303		Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating			23
SECTION 304		Temporary Securities			25
SECTION 305		Registration, Registration of Transfer, Conversion and Exchange			27
SECTION 306		Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities			30
SECTION 307		Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved			32
SECTION 308		Persons Deemed Owners			34

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

				Page
SECTION 309		Cancellation			34
SECTION 310		Computation of Interest			35
SECTION 311		CUSIP Numbers			35
ARTICLE 4 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE					35
SECTION 401		Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture			35
SECTION 402		Application of Trust Funds			36
ARTICLE 5 REMEDIES					36
SECTION 501		Events of Default			36
SECTION 502		Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment			38
SECTION 503		Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee			39
SECTION 504		Trustee May File Proofs of Claim			40
SECTION 505		Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons			41
SECTION 506		Application of Money Collected			41
SECTION 507		Limitation on Suits			41
SECTION 508		Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Interest			42
SECTION 509		Restoration of Rights and Remedies			42
SECTION 510		Rights and Remedies Cumulative			42
SECTION 511		Delay or Omission Not Waiver			42
SECTION 512		Control by Holders of Securities			42
SECTION 513		Waiver of Past Defaults			43
SECTION 514		Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws			43
SECTION 515		Undertaking for Costs			43
ARTICLE 6 THE TRUSTEE					44
SECTION 601		Notice of Defaults			44
SECTION 602		Certain Rights of Trustee			44
SECTION 603		Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities			46
SECTION 604		May Hold Securities			46
SECTION 605		Money Held in Trust			47

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

				Page
SECTION 606		Compensation and Reimbursement			47
SECTION 607		Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests			47
SECTION 608		Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor			48
SECTION 609		Acceptance of Appointment by Successor			49
SECTION 610		Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business			50
SECTION 611		Appointment of Authenticating Agent			50
SECTION 612		Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee			52
ARTICLE 7 HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY					53
SECTION 701		Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders			53
SECTION 702		Reports by Trustee			53
SECTION 703		Reports by Company			54
SECTION 704		Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders			54
ARTICLE 8 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE					55
SECTION 801		Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions			55
SECTION 802		Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation			55
SECTION 803		Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel			56
ARTICLE 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES					56
SECTION 901		Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders			56
SECTION 902		Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders			57
SECTION 903		Execution of Supplemental Indentures			58
SECTION 904		Effect of Supplemental Indentures			58
SECTION 905		Conformity with Trust Indenture Act			59
SECTION 906		Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures			59
ARTICLE 10 COVENANTS					59
SECTION 1001		Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any; and Interest			59
SECTION 1002		Maintenance of Office or Agency			59
SECTION 1003		Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust			61
SECTION 1004		Existence			62
SECTION 1005		Maintenance of Properties			62

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

				Page
SECTION 1006		Insurance			62
SECTION 1007		Payment of Taxes and Other Claims			63
SECTION 1008		Statement as to Compliance			63
SECTION 1009		Waiver of Certain Covenants			63
ARTICLE 11 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES					63
SECTION 1101		Applicability of Article			63
SECTION 1102		Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee			63
SECTION 1103		Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed			64
SECTION 1104		Notice of Redemption			64
SECTION 1105		Deposit of Redemption Price			65
SECTION 1106		Securities Payable on Redemption Date			66
SECTION 1107		Securities Redeemed in Part			66
ARTICLE 12 SINKING FUNDS					67
SECTION 1201		Applicability of Article			67
SECTION 1202		Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities			67
SECTION 1203		Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund			67
ARTICLE 13 REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS					68
SECTION 1301		Applicability of Article			68
SECTION 1302		Repayment of Securities			68
SECTION 1303		Exercise of Option			68
SECTION 1304		When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable			69
SECTION 1305		Securities Repaid in Part			70
ARTICLE 14 DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE					70
SECTION 1401		Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance			70
SECTION 1402		Defeasance and Discharge			70
SECTION 1403		Covenant Defeasance			71
SECTION 1404		Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance			71
SECTION 1405		Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions			73

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

				Page
ARTICLE 15 MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES					74
SECTION 1501		Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called			74
SECTION 1502		Call, Notice and Place of Meetings			74
SECTION 1503		Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings			74
SECTION 1504		Quorum; Action			75
SECTION 1505		Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings			76
SECTION 1506		Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings			76
ARTICLE 16 SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES					77
SECTION 1601		Agreement to Subordinate			77
SECTION 1602		Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc			77
SECTION 1603		No Payment When Senior Indebtedness in Default			78
SECTION 1604		Reliance by Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions			79
SECTION 1605		Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness			80
SECTION 1606		Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights			80
SECTION 1607		Trustee to Effectuate Subordination			80
SECTION 1608		No Waiver of Subordination Provisions			81
SECTION 1609		Notice to Trustee			81
SECTION 1610		Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent			82
SECTION 1611		Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness			82
SECTION 1612		Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness; Preservation of Trustee’s Rights			83
SECTION 1613		Article Applicable to Paying Agents			83
ARTICLE 17 CONVERSION OF SECURITIES					83
SECTION 1701		Applicability of Article; Conversion Privilege and Conversion Price			83
SECTION 1702		Exercise of Conversion Privilege			84
SECTION 1703		Fractions of Shares			85
SECTION 1704		Adjustment of Conversion Price			85
SECTION 1705		Notice of Adjustments of Conversion Price			89
SECTION 1706		Notice of Certain Corporate Action			89

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

				Page
SECTION 1707		Company to Reserve Common Stock			89
SECTION 1708		Taxes on Conversion			90
SECTION 1709		Covenants as to Common Stock			90
SECTION 1710		Cancellation of Converted Securities			90
SECTION 1711		Provisions in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets; Special Distributions			90
SECTION 1712		Trustee Adjustment Disclaimer; Company Determination Final			92
SECTION 1713		When No Adjustment Required			92
SECTION 1714		Equivalent Adjustments			92

 

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MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.

Reconciliation and tie between the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA”) and the Indenture, dated as of             , 20            .

 

Trust Indenture Act Section		Indenture Section
§ 310(a)(1)		607
(a)(2)		607
(b)		607, 608
§ 312(c)		701
§ 313(a)		702
(a)		702
§ 314(a)		703
(a)(4)		1008
(c)(1)		102
(c)(2)		102
(b)		102
§ 315(b)		601
§ 316(a) (last sentence)		101 (“Outstanding”)
(a)(1)(A)		512
(a)(1)(B)		513
(c)		508
§ 317(a)(1)		503, 505
(a)(2)		504
§ 318(a)		111
(d)		111

NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

Attention should also be directed to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, which provides that the provisions of Sections 310 to and including 317 of the Trust Indenture Act are a part of and govern every qualified indenture, whether or not physically contained therein.

 

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(INDENTURE, dated as of                     , 20      , between MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal office at 50 Minuteman Road, Andover, Massachusetts 08110, and [NAME OF TRUSTEE], as Trustee hereunder (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having a Corporate Trust Office at [                                                     ].

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes subordinated debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) evidencing its unsecured and subordinated indebtedness, and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more Series as provided in this Indenture.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA”), that are deemed to be incorporated into this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of a Series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 101 Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the TIA, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transactions” and “self-liquidating paper,” as used in TIA Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the TIA;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

(4) any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and

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(5) the words “herein,” “hereof “and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

“Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 hereof to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more Series.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, printed in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Whenever successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different Authorized Newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

“Bankruptcy Law” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Bearer Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 301 which is payable to the bearer.

“Board of Directors” when used with reference to the Company, means the board of directors of the Company, or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder, or any director or directors and/or officer or officers of the Company, to whom the board or committee shall have duly delegated its authority.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of (1) a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, or (2) a certificate signed by the director or directors and/or officer or officers to whom the Board of Directors shall have duly delegated its authority, together with a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification authorizing such delegation, and, in each case, delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities issued pursuant to Section 301, any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular location are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

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“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any capital stock (including preferred stock), shares, interests, participations or other ownership interests (however designated) of such Person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for corporate stock), warrants or options to purchase any thereof.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking Luxembourg, société anonyme, or its successor.

“Closing Price” means the closing price of a share of Common Stock of the Company as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

“Common Depository” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

“Common Stock” means, with respect to any Person, all shares of capital stock issued by such Person other than Preferred Stock.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor corporation.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Constituent Person” has the meaning specified in Section 1711.

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or (iii) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the ECU for the purposes for which it was established.

“Conversion Price” has the meaning specified in Section 1701.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at [    ].

 

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“corporation” includes corporations, associations, limited liability companies and business trusts.

“coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1403.

“Custodian” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1402.

“Distribution Record Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1711.

“Dividend Record Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1704.

“Dollar” or the sign “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company and any successor to DTC in its capacity as depository for any Securities.

“ECU” means the European Currency Unit as defined and revised from time to time by the Council of the European Communities.

“Euroclear” means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels office, or its successor, as operator of the Euroclear System.

“European Communities” means the European Economic Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.

“European Monetary System” means the European Monetary System established by the Resolution of December 5, 1978 of the Council of the European Communities.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Exchange Act is amended after such date, “Exchange Act” means to the extent required by any such amendment, the Exchange Act as so amended.

“Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

”Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the ECU issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

 

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“GAAP” means, except as otherwise provided herein, generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, as used in the United States applied on a consistent basis.

“Global Security” means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities issued to and registered in the name of the depository for such series, or its nominee, in accordance with Section 305, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 203.

“Government Obligations” means (i) securities which are (A) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (B) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (iii) a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Guaranty” by any Person means any Obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, every Obligation of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness, (ii) to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the holder of such Indebtedness of the payment of such Indebtedness or (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness; provided, however, that a Guaranty by any Person shall not include endorsements by such Person for collection or deposit, in either case in the ordinary course of business. The terms “Guaranteed,” “Guaranteeing” and “Guarantor” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Holder” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon, shall mean the bearer thereof.

 

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“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (i) any Obligation of such Person relating to any indebtedness of such Person (A) for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets, of such person or only to a portion thereof), (B) evidenced by notes, debentures or similar instruments (including purchase money obligations) given in connection with the acquisition of any property or assets (other than trade accounts payable for inventory or similar property acquired in the ordinary course of business), including securities, for the payment of which such Person is liable, directly or indirectly, or the payment of which is secured by a lien, charge or encumbrance on property or assets of such Person, (C) for goods, materials or services purchased in the ordinary course of business (other than trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business), (D) with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances issued for the account of such Person or performance, surety or similar bonds, (E) for the payment of money relating to a capitalized lease Obligation or (F) under interest rate swaps, caps or similar agreements and foreign exchange contracts, currency swaps or similar agreements; (ii) any liability of others of the kind described in the preceding clause (i), which such Person has Guaranteed or which is otherwise its legal liability; and (iii) any and all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refunding of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (i) or (ii).

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

“Interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, shall mean interest payable after Maturity.

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Make-Whole Amount,” when used with respect to any Security, means the amount, if any, in addition to principal (and accrued interest thereon, if any) which is required by a Security, under the terms and conditions specified therein or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, to be paid by the Company to the Holder thereof in connection with any optional redemption or accelerated payment of such Security.

 

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“mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 1201.

“Market Value of the Distribution” has the meaning specified in Section 1704.

“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal (or, if the context so requires, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, or lesser amount or, in the case of an Indexed Security, an amount determined in accordance with the specified terms of that Security) of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.

“Obligation” of any Person with respect to any specified Indebtedness means any obligation of such Person to pay principal, premium, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to such Person, whether or not a claim for such post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, reimbursement or indemnification amounts, fees, expenses or other amounts relating to such Indebtedness.

“Officers Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company.

“optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 1201.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount (excluding any amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest thereon) less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(i) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(ii) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption (including repayment at the option of the Holder) money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided, however, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

 

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(iii) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 1402 and 1403, with respect to which the Company has effected Defeasance and/or Covenant Defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

(iv) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company.

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined pursuant to Section 301 as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities owned as provided in clause (iv) above which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Securities or coupons on behalf of the Company.

“Payment Blockage Notice” and “Payment Blockage Period” have the respective meanings specified in Section 1603.

 

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“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity or organization.

“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on such Securities are payable as specified as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

“Preferred Stock” means, with respect to any Person, all capital stock issued by such Person that is entitled to a preference or priority over any other capital stock issued by such Person with respect to any distribution of such Person’s assets, whether by dividend or upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

“Proceeding” has the meaning specified in Section 1602.

“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price specified in the related Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture contemplated by and pursuant to Section 301, at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Reference Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1704.

“Registered Security” shall mean any Security which is registered in the Security Register.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

“Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

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“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), Assistant Vice President, Trust Officer or Assistant Trust Officer working in its Corporate Trust Department, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and working in its Corporate Trust Department, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

“Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 1704.

“Rights Record Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1704.

“Securities Payment” has the meaning specified in Section 1602.

“Security” and “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

“Senior Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company, other than the following: (1) any Indebtedness as to which, in the instrument evidencing such Indebtedness or pursuant to which such Indebtedness was issued, it is expressly provided that such Indebtedness is subordinate in right of payment to all Indebtedness of the Company not expressly subordinated to such Indebtedness; (2) any Indebtedness which by its terms refers explicitly to the Securities and states that such Indebtedness shall not be senior, shall be pari passu or shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Securities; and (3) with respect to any series of Securities, any Indebtedness of the Company evidenced by Securities of the same or of another series. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Senior Indebtedness shall not include: (a) Indebtedness of or amounts owed by the Company for compensation to employees, or for goods, materials or services purchased in the ordinary course of business, or (b) Indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary of the Company.

A “Series” of Securities means all securities denoted as part of the same series authorized by or pursuant to a particular Board Resolution.

“Short Term Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 1704.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Article I, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) of the Company.

 

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“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 307.

“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “voting equity securities” means equity securities having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of security has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

“Trading Day” means any day on which the NASDAQ Global Select Market is open for business.

“Trigger Events” has the meaning specified in Section 1704.

“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended and as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

“Unadjusted Distribution” has the meaning specified in Section 1704.

“United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“United States Person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source.

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

 

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SECTION 102 Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (including certificates delivered pursuant to Section 1008) shall include:

 

(1)

a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

(2)

a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3)

a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

 

(4)

a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 103 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

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Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

SECTION 104 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fifteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security Register. As to any matter relating to beneficial ownership interests in any Global Security, the appropriate depository’s records shall be dispositive for purposes of this Indenture.

(d) The ownership of Bearer Securities may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depository, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depository, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depository, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be

 

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proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership of Bearer Securities may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

(f) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or upon the conversion thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

SECTION 105 Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at [                            ] or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Company by the Trustee, Attention: [                    ]; or

 

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(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, Attention: [                            ]; or

(3) either the Trustee or the Company, by the other party or by any Holder, shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if given by facsimile transmission, receipt confirmed by telephone followed by an original copy delivered by guaranteed overnight courier; if to the Trustee at facsimile number [                            ]; and if to the Company at facsimile number [                                ].

SECTION 106 Notice to Holders; Waiver. Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

If by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification to Holders of Registered Securities as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Bearer Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Securities on a Business Day, such publication to be not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication or, if published more than once, on the date of the first such publication.

If by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither the failure to give notice by publication to any particular Holder of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Bearer Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

 

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Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

SECTION 107 Counterparts; Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 108 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 109 Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security or coupon shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 110 Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or coupons, if any, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION 111 Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities and coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

SECTION 112 Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange a Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security or coupon other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof), payment of interest or principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or conversion or exchange of such Security need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but (except as otherwise provided in the supplemental indenture with respect to such Security) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity, or on such last day for conversion or exchange, provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

 

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SECTION 113 Limited Liability; Immunity of Stockholders, Directors, Officers and Agents of the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities of any series to the contrary, no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Security, or for the payment of any sums due on account of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, including without limitation principal, premium or interest, if any, or for any claim based on this Indenture or any Security or otherwise in respect of this Indenture or any Security, shall be had, whether by levy or execution or otherwise, against (i) the Company, the Company’s assets or against any past, present or future stockholder, employee, officer, director or agent, as such, of the Company or any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute, constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty, or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, nor shall any such parties be personally liable for any such amounts, obligations or claims, or liable for any deficiency judgment based thereon or with respect thereto, it being expressly understood that the sole remedies hereunder or under any other document with respect to the Securities against such parties with respect to such amounts, obligations or claims shall be against the Company and that all such liability of and recourse against such parties is expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

SECTION 114 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

ARTICLE 2

SECURITIES FORMS

SECTION 201 Forms of Securities. The Registered Securities, if any, of each series and the Bearer Securities, if any, of each series and related coupons shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto or in such other form as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any over-the-counter market or securities exchange, on which the Securities may be quoted or listed, or to conform to usage.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities shall have interest coupons attached.

 

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The definitive Securities and coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or mechanically reproduced on safety paper or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.

SECTION 202 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated:		[NAME OF TRUSTEE], as Trustee   By:                                                                                                                              Authorized Signatory

SECTION 203 Securities Issuable in Global Form. If Securities of or within a series are issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, any such Global Security or Securities may provide that it or they shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders thereof, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made (or caused to be made) by the Trustee in such manner or by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or 304. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Global Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303 shall apply to any Security represented by a Global Security if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

 

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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of and any premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest on any Global Security in permanent global form shall be made to the registered Holder thereof.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 308 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent Global Security (i) in the case of a permanent Global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent Global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a permanent Global Security in bearer form, Euroclear or Clearstream.

Any Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning set forth in the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depository or a nominee of a Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or its nominee to a successor Depository or its nominee.”

ARTICLE 3

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 301 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series, each of which shall be authorized pursuant to Board Resolutions of the Company. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(1) The title of the Securities of the series, including “CUSIP” numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

(2) Any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or upon conversion of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107, 1305 or 1702) and the minimum authorized denominations with respect to the Securities of such series;

(3) The price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which such Securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or (if applicable) the portion of the principal amount of such Securities that is convertible into Common Stock or the method by which any such portion shall be determined.

 

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(4) If convertible, the terms on which such Securities are convertible, including the initial conversion price or rate and the conversion period and any applicable limitations on the ownership or transferability of Common Stock or Preferred Stock receivable on conversion;

(5) The date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, on which the principal of such Securities will be payable;

(6) The rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such Securities will bear interest, if any;

(7) The date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest will be payable, the Regular Record Dates for such Interest Payment Dates, or the method by which such dates shall be determined, the Persons to whom such interest shall be payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(8) The Make-Whole Amount, if any, or method for determining the Make-Whole Amount, if any, payable with respect to such Securities, and the terms upon which such amount, if any, will be payable;

(9) The place or places where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities will be payable, where such Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or conversion or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served;

(10) The period or periods, if any, within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(11) The obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(12) If other than Dollars, the currency or currencies in which such Securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;

(13) Whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, including any amount due upon redemption, if any) or interest on such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may, but need not be, based on the yield on or trading price of other securities, including United States Treasury securities or on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units, or composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

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(14) Whether the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of, and identity of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for, determining the exchange rate between the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Securities are to be so payable;

(15) Provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

(16) Any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

(17) Whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay any additional amounts on such Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities in lieu of making such payment;

(18) Whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities (with or without coupons) or both, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities and the terms upon which Bearer Securities of the series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the series and vice versa (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations), whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may, or shall be required to, exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may, or shall be required to, occur, if other than in the manner provided in the Indenture, and, if Registered Securities of the series are to be issuable as a Global Security, the identity of the depository for such series;

(19) The date as of which any Bearer Securities of the series and any temporary Global Security representing outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

(20) The Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such

 

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interest the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided herein; provided, however, in each case, that the manner of determining such Person or making such payment shall be acceptable to the Trustee (as not imposing on it any undue administrative burden or risk of liability);

(21) The applicability, if any, of the Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance provisions of Article Fourteen hereof to the Securities of the series;

(22) The obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the conversion of the Securities of such series into Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be effected (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion price and any requirements relative to the reservation of such shares for purposes of conversion);

(23) If the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(24) Designation of the Trustee, if different from the Trustee under the Indenture, with respect to such series and the terms applicable to such Trustee (which shall be accepted by such Trustee by its execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture as provided therein); and

(25) Any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).

All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 303) and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

SECTION 302 Denominations. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series, other than Global Securities (which may be of any denomination), shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof or the equivalent amounts thereof in the case of Securities denominated in the Foreign Currency or currency unit.

 

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SECTION 303 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon, and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and coupons may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

Securities and coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or coupons.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any coupon appertaining thereto, executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities (accompanied by a copy of the Board Resolution and the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture contemplated by Section 301), and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that, in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States; and provided further that, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security shall have furnished a certificate to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, in the form set forth in Exhibit B-1 to this Indenture or such other certificate as may be specified by the Company with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the earlier of the date on which such Bearer Security is delivered and the date on which any temporary Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer Security in accordance with the terms of such temporary Security and this Indenture. If any Security shall be represented by a permanent Global Security, then, for purposes of this Section and Section 304, the notation of a beneficial owner’s interest therein upon original issuance of such Security or upon exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security shall be deemed to be delivery in connection with its original issuance of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent Global Security. Except as permitted by Section 306, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all appurtenant coupons for interest then matured have been detached and canceled.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate or formula, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such

 

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Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon, (i) an Opinion of Counsel stating that

(a) the form or forms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) the terms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(c) such Securities, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles; and

(ii) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance of the Securities have been complied with and that, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities (or to enter into the related supplemental indenture, if applicable) if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraph, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or a Company Order, or an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to the preceding paragraph at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

No Security or coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security or Security to which such coupon appertains a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee (subject to Section 611) by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security (including a

 

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Global Security) shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 304 Temporary Securities.

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Global Securities (which shall be exchanged as otherwise provided herein or as otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 301), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any non-matured coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute (in accordance with a Company Order delivered at or prior to the authentication of the first definitive security to such series) and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided further that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 305. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 301, the following provisions of this Section 304(b) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities other than through the facilities of the DTC. If any such temporary Security is issued in global form, then such temporary Global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the London office of a depository or common depository upon and pursuant to written direction of the Company (the “Common Depository”), for the benefit of Euroclear and Clearstream, for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

 

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Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary Global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary Global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary Global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depository to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary Global Security to be exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary Global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, permanent global bearer form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof (as directed by or pursuant to information provided by the Common Depository); provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary Global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depository, such temporary Global Security shall be accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary Global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Clearstream as to the portion of such temporary Global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit B-2 to this Indenture or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301; and provided further that definitive Bearer Securities shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary Global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section 303.

Unless otherwise specified in such temporary Global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary Global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit B-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear and Clearstream, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary Global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary Global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like unless such Person takes delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear or Clearstream. Definitive Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a temporary Global Security shall be delivered only to an address located outside the United States.

Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary Global Security on an

 

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Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear and Clearstream on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear and Clearstream to the Trustee of a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit B-2 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301), for credit without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary Global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in the form set forth as Exhibit B-1 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the certification requirements of the preceding two paragraphs of this Section 304(b) and of the third paragraph of Section 303 of this Indenture and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary Global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, no payments of principal or interest owing with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary Global Security will be made unless and until such interest in such temporary Global Security shall have been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by Euroclear and Clearstream and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company.

With respect to Exhibit B-1 or B-2 to this Indenture, the Company may, in its discretion and if required or desirable under applicable law, substitute one or more other forms of such exhibits for such exhibits, eliminate the requirement that any or all certificate be provided, or change the time that any certificate may be required, provided that such substitute form or forms or notice of elimination or change of such certification requirement have theretofore been delivered to the Trustee with a Company Request and such form or forms, elimination or change is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

SECTION 305 Registration, Registration of Transfer, Conversion and Exchange. The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine, and be provided a copy of, the Security Register at all reasonable times.

 

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Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, and containing identical terms and provisions.

Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination or denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any such Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities may not be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.

If (but only if) permitted by the applicable Board Resolution and (subject to Section 303) set forth in the applicable Officers’ Certificate, or in any indenture supplemental hereto, delivered as contemplated by Section 301, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured coupon or coupons in default, any such permitted exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company (or to the Trustee for the Security in case of matured coupons in default) in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in a permitted exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent Global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the depository for any permanent Global Security is DTC, then, unless the terms of such Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to a nominee of DTC, or by a nominee of DTC to DTC, or to a successor to DTC for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor to DTC. If at any time DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the applicable Global Security or Securities or if at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act if so required by applicable law or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor depository with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If (w) a successor depository for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such unwillingness, inability or ineligibility, (x) the Company delivers to the Trustee for Securities of such series in registered form a Company Order stating that the Securities of such series shall be exchangeable, (y) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the beneficial owners representing a majority in principal amount of the applicable series of Securities represented by such Global Security or Securities advise DTC to cease acting as depository for such Global Security or Securities or (z) the Company, in its sole discretion, determines at any time that all Outstanding Securities (but not less than all) of any series issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, then the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities of like series, rank, tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security or Securities. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is otherwise entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent Global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent Global Security. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent Global Security shall be surrendered for exchange by DTC or such other depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption; and provided further that no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a permanent Global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent Global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in

 

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respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent Global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or conversion or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or conversion or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for conversion, exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or conversion or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or conversion or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107, 1305 or 1704 not involving any transfer.

The Company or the Trustee, as applicable, shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before selection of the Securities to be redeemed under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on (A) if such Securities are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if such Securities are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if such Securities are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption, or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

Furthermore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 305, the Company will not be required to exchange any Securities if, as a result of the exchange, the Company would suffer adverse consequences under any United States law or regulation.

SECTION 306 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the

 

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Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, pay such Security or coupon if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee for such Security such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and in the case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and Trustee and any agent of any of them of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and the ownership thereof; provided, however, that payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and interest, if any, on, Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any, or the destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

 

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The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.

SECTION 307 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest on any Registered Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest payment at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, however, that each installment of interest on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 308, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the payee located inside the United States.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, payment of interest may be made, in the case of a Bearer Security, by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent Global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to DTC, Euroclear and/or Clearstream, as the case may be, with respect to that portion of such permanent Global Security held for its account by Cede & Co. or the Common Depository, as the case may be, for the purpose of permitting such party to credit the interest received by it in respect of such permanent Global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify

 

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the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee may, in its discretion, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment, but such publications shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2). In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such proposed date of payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any over-the-counter market or securities exchange on which such Securities may be quoted or listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such market or exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or upon conversion of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

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SECTION 308 Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on, such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such Person, or upon such Person’s order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for money payable upon any such Security.

Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Holder of any Bearer Security and the Holder of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security or coupon be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security and such depository (which is the Holder of such security) shall be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depository, as a Holder, with respect to such Global Security or impair, as between such depository and owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depository (or its nominee) as Holder of such Global Security.

SECTION 309 Cancellation. All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or conversion or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, upon direction by the Company, shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the

 

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Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary practices (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act).

SECTION 310 Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 311 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE 4

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 401 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or conversion or exchange of Securities of such series herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute instruments in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when (1) either (A) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 305, (ii) Securities and coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, (iii) coupons appertaining to Securities called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 1106, and (iv) Securities and coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (B) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i) have become due and payable, or

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

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(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and such coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(1) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(2) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 611 and, if money shall have been deposited with and held by the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

SECTION 402 Application of Trust Funds. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and any interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE 5

REMEDIES

SECTION 501 Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that series or of any coupon appertaining thereto, when such interest or coupon becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

 

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(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, to the extent applicable to such series of Securities, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series; or

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) default under any bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (or by any Subsidiary, the repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor), having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $30,000,000, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such indebtedness having been discharged, or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled, within a period of 30 days after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default and requiring the Company to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Sections 601 and 602, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of such default unless either (A) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have knowledge of such default or (B) the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company, from any Holder, from the holder of any such indebtedness or from the trustee under any such mortgage, indenture or other instrument; or

(6) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

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(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case,

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of either of its property, or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

(8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

As used in this Section 501, the term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors and the term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 502 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if Securities of that Series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration of acceleration and its consequences if:

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay in the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series):

(A) all overdue installments of interest on all Outstanding Securities of that series and any related coupons,

 

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(B) the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Outstanding Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 503 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Company covenants that if:

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security of any series and any related coupon when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Security of any series at its Maturity, then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities of such series and coupons, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

 

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If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 504 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities of such series and coupons to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee, their agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee under Section 606.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Securities, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Securities parties to any such proceedings.

 

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SECTION 505 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 506 Application of Money Collected. Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

SECTION 507 Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupon shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

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(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

SECTION 508 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or coupon shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to receive payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on such Security or payment of such coupon on the respective due dates expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 509 Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 510 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or coupons, as the case may be.

SECTION 512 Control by Holders of Securities. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:

 

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(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

(3) the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not joining therein.

Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by Holders.

SECTION 513 Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any related coupons waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security of such series or any related coupons, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected; or

(3) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof for the benefit or protection of the Trustee, without its express written consent.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 514 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

SECTION 515 Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this

 

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Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

ARTICLE 6

THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 601 Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities and coupons of such series; and provided further that in the case of any default or breach of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to the Securities and coupons of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series.

SECTION 602 Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d):

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

 

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(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the reasonable expenses of every such examination shall be paid by the Holders or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Holders upon demand. The Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, relevant to the facts or matters that are the subject of its inquiry, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(9) any permissive right or power available to the Trustee under this Indenture or any supplement hereto shall not be construed to be a mandatory duty or obligation;

 

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(10) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any matter (including any default, other than as described in Section 501(1), (2) or (3)) unless and except to the extent actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or to the extent written notice thereof is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office;

(11) the Trustee shall have no liability for any inaccuracy in the books and records of, or for any actions or omissions of, DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or any depository acting on behalf of any of them;

(12) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed by the Trustee to act hereunder; and

(13) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

SECTION 603 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall have no responsibility with respect to any information, statement or recital in any offering prospectus or other disclosure materials prepared or distributed with respect to the Securities.

SECTION 604 May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

 

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SECTION 605 Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

SECTION 606 Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee as agreed upon in writing from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, and disbursements incurred by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense or disbursement as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith; and

(3) to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(7) or Section 501(8), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien for payment of the Trustee’s fees and expenses prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on particular Securities or any coupons.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

SECTION 607 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have at all times a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (or which shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $10,000,000 and whose ultimate parent holding company shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000). If the Trustee publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of Federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of the Trustee shall be deemed to be

 

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its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article. Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company shall serve as Trustee.

SECTION 608 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(d) If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

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(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 609 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto, pursuant to Article Nine hereof, wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not

 

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retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 609, as the case may be.

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

SECTION 610 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities or coupons shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities or coupons so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities or coupons. In case any Securities or coupons shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities or coupons, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

SECTION 611 Appointment of Authenticating Agent. At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon conversion or exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption or repayment thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be

 

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entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any state or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section, subject to Section 606.

 

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If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within- mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated:                                                                                                                     Dated:				[NAME OF TRUSTEE] as Trustee   By:                                                                                                                          As Authenticating Agent By:                                                                                                                          As Authenticating Agent

SECTION 612 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee.

(a) With respect to the Securities of any series, except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series:

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture, but shall not be under any duty to verify the contents or accuracy thereof.

(b) In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall, with respect to Securities of such series, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

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(1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(4) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it; and, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 612.

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money or assets held by it except to the extent the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Assets held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other assets except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE 7

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 701 Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders. Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

SECTION 702 Reports by Trustee. The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required by TIA Section 313 at the times and in the manner provided by the TIA, which shall initially be not less than every twelve months commencing on         , 20    . A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each over-the-counter market or

 

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securities exchange, if any, upon which any Securities are quoted or listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are quoted or listed on any over-the-counter market or securities exchange or delisted therefrom.

SECTION 703 Reports by Company. The Company will:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file as an accelerated filer with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and if the Company’s status as an accelerated filer changes, the Company shall provide written notice of such change to the Trustee); or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security quoted or listed and registered on an over-the-counter market or national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations;

(3) transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission; and

(4) delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

SECTION 704 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) semiannually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for interest for each series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, or if there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semiannually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

 

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(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, provided, however, that, so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.

ARTICLE 8

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE

SECTION 801 Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions. The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into any other corporation, provided that in any such case, (1) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof and such successor corporation shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and any interest on all of the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company by supplemental indenture, complying with Article Nine hereof, satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation, (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result thereof as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing and (3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee the Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required pursuant to Section 803 below.

SECTION 802 Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance and upon any such assumption by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and the predecessor corporation, except in the event of a lease, shall be relieved of any further obligation under this Indenture and the Securities. Such successor corporation thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

 

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SECTION 803 Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel. Any consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance permitted under Section 801 is also subject to the condition that the Trustee receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, and the assumption by any successor corporation, complies with the provisions of this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE 9

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 901 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained herein and in the Securities; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided, however, that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or

(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

(5) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

 

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(6) to secure the Securities; or

(7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any related coupons as permitted or contemplated by Sections 201 and 301; or

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

(9) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, provided such provisions shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

(10) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the Defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

(11) to make provisions with respect to Holders’ rights of conversion with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Article Seventeen.

SECTION 902 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities and any related coupons under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security; or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate or amount of interest thereon, or any premium or Make-Whole Amount payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which, any Security or

 

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any premium or Make-Whole Amount or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or (if Securities of such series are convertible) adversely affect the right of the Holder to convert any Security as provided in Article Seventeen, or modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of the Securities in a manner materially adverse to the Holders; or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (or compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1009, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section 902 and Section 1009, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 609(b) and 901(8).

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section 902 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

SECTION 903 Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 612) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 904 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

 

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SECTION 905 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

SECTION 906 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall, if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

ARTICLE 10

COVENANTS

SECTION 1001 Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any; and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before Maturity shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company (upon written notice to the Trustee), all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other Person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security.

SECTION 1002 Maintenance of Office or Agency. If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or conversion or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain: (A) in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion, where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and where Bearer Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion in the circumstances described in the following paragraph (and not otherwise); (B) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series which is located outside the United States, an office or agency where Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, however, that if the Securities of that series are listed on any stock exchange located outside the United States and

 

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such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for the Securities of that series in any required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of that series are listed on such exchange; and (C) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series located outside the United States an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment or conversion at the offices specified in the Security, in London, England, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, no payment of principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, that, if the Securities of a series are payable in Dollars, payment of principal of and any premium or Make-Whole Amount and interest on any Bearer Security shall be made at the office of the Company’s Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, or interest, as the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States maintained for the purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture, is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

The Company may from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies (in or outside the Place of Payment) where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities, each of (i) the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and (ii) the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (as Paying Agent); and the Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent in such city; and the Company hereby initially appoints as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands each of the Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office.

 

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Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one exchange rate agent (of which it shall give written notice to the Trustee).

SECTION 1003 Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on Securities in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any such payment of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series; and

(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

 

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Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, and subject to applicable laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security, without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 1004 Existence. Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, all material rights (by articles of incorporation, by-laws and statute) and material franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company.

SECTION 1005 Maintenance of Properties. The Company will cause all of its material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order, normal wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted, and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof (and the Company may take out of service for a period of time, any of its properties that have been condemned or suffered any loss due to casualty in order to make such repairs, betterments and improvements), all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be prevented from (i) removing permanently any property that has been condemned or suffered a loss due to casualty based on the Company’s reasonable judgment that such removal is in the best interest of the Company, or (ii) selling or otherwise disposing of their properties for value in the ordinary course of business.

SECTION 1006 Insurance. The Company will cause each of its and its Subsidiaries’ insurable properties to be insured against loss or damage in an amount deemed reasonable by the Board of Directors with insurers of recognized responsibility.

 

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SECTION 1007 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

SECTION 1008 Statement as to Compliance. The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, in the event of any noncompliance, specifying such noncompliance and the nature and status thereof. For purposes of this Section 1008, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

SECTION 1009 Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE 11

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1101 Applicability of Article. Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1102 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the giving of the notice of redemption in Section 1104 (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

 

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SECTION 1103 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

SECTION 1104 Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price, accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

 

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(5) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price and accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any, will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, together in the case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, or for conversion,

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of any such missing coupon or coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee for such series and any Paying Agent is furnished,

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and any Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on this Redemption Date pursuant to Section 305 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made,

(10) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any, and

(11) if applicable, that a Holder of Securities who desires to convert Securities for redemption must satisfy the requirements for conversion contained in such Securities, the then existing conversion price or rate, the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion, and the date and time when the option to convert shall expire.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 1105 Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

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If any Securities called for redemption are converted, any money deposited with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.

SECTION 1106 Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided further that except as otherwise provided with respect to Securities convertible into the Company’s Common Stock or Preferred Stock, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Security.

SECTION 1107 Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the

 

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Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the depository, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered.

ARTICLE 12

SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 1201 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

SECTION 1202 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities, or which have otherwise been acquired by the Company; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

SECTION 1203 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series

 

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pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

ARTICLE 13

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

SECTION 1301 Applicability of Article. Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities, if any, and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1302 Repayment of Securities. Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or prior to the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal (or, if so provided by the terms of the Securities of any series, a percentage of the principal) of, and (except if the Repayment Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

SECTION 1303 Exercise of Option. Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. In order for any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the Trustee must receive at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 60 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date (1) the Security so providing for such repayment together with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse thereof duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing) or (2) a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or a letter from a member of a national securities exchange, or the FINRA, or a commercial bank or trust company in the United States setting forth the name of the Holder of the Security, the principal amount of the Security, the principal amount of the Security to be repaid, the CUSIP number, if any, or a description of the tenor and terms of the Security, a statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby and a guarantee that the Security to be repaid, together with the duly completed form

 

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entitled “Option to Elect Repayment” on the reverse of the Security, will be received by the Trustee not later than the fifth Business Day after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter; provided, however, that such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter shall only be effective if such Security and form duly completed are received by the Trustee by such fifth Business Day. If less than the entire principal amount of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the principal amount of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of the principal amount of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. The principal amount of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

SECTION 1304 When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable. If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be repaid, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Repayment Date, the principal amount of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that coupons whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of such coupons; and provided further that, in the case of Registered Securities, installments of interest, if any, whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for repayment shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Repayment Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the amount payable therefor as provided in Section 1302 an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made as provided in the preceding sentence, such

 

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Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

If the principal amount of any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, such principal amount (together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to such Repayment Date) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such Security.

SECTION 1305 Securities Repaid in Part. Upon surrender of any Registered Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

ARTICLE 14

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 1401 Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. If, pursuant to Section 301, provision is made for either or both of (a) Defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b) Covenant Defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 1402 (if applicable) or Section 1403 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

SECTION 1402 Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and (B) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section,

 

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payments in respect of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and to the extent provided with respect to the Securities of such series, Article 17, and the Company’s obligations under Section 606 hereof (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

SECTION 1403 Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, and, if specified pursuant to Section 301, its obligations under any other covenant contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, or such other covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 501(4) or 501(8) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected thereby.

SECTION 1404 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any coupons appertaining thereto:

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount in such currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole

 

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Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

(b) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(c) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Sections 501(6) and 501(7) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(d) In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred.

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the Defeasance under Section 1402 or the Covenant Defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of a deposit pursuant to subsection (a) above and the related exercise of the Company’s option under Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be), registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the Trustee for such trust funds or (ii) all necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

 

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(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

(h) The payment of amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture shall be paid or provided for to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee.

SECTION 1405 Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 301, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 1404(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a currency or currency unit other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the currency or currency unit in which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the currency or currency unit in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable market exchange rate for such currency or currency unit in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such currency or currency unit in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

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Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, subject to Section 606, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

ARTICLE 15

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1501 Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called. A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

SECTION 1502 Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

SECTION 1503 Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

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SECTION 1504 Quorum; Action. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at the reconvening of any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days; at the reconvening of any meeting adjourned or further adjourned for lack of a quorum, the Persons entitled to vote 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities shall constitute a quorum for the taking of any action set forth in the notice of the original meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 1502(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities represented at such meeting; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

(i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

 

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(ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

SECTION 1505 Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 or by having the signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(c) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

SECTION 1506 Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the

 

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Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any Series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1502 and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

ARTICLE 16

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1601 Agreement to Subordinate. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary (other than Article Four of this Indenture), the Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of a Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article, the Indebtedness represented by the Securities and the payment of any Obligations with respect to each and all of the Securities are hereby expressly made subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 1602 Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc. In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or Proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or Proceeding in connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its creditors, as such, or to its assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company, then and in any such event specified in (a), (b) or (c) above (each such event, if any, herein sometimes referred to as a “Proceeding”)

(1) the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall first be entitled to receive payment in full of all Obligations due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Indebtedness, or provision shall be made for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution on account of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on or other Obligations in respect of the Securities or on account of any purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Securities by the Company or any Subsidiary (individually and collectively, a “Securities Payment”), and

(2) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than Capital Stock or securities of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinate, at

 

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least to the extent provided in this Article Sixteen with respect to the Securities, to the payment in full, without diminution or modification by such plan, of all Senior Indebtedness), to which the Holders would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Sixteen, shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making such a payment or distribution, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness) (or their representative(s) or trustee(s) acting on their behalf), ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of or interest on and other amounts due on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1602, the Trustee or the Holder of any Security shall have received any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than Capital Stock or securities of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in this Article with respect to the Securities, to the payment in full, without diminution or modification by such plan, of Senior Indebtedness), before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full or payment thereof provided for in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and be paid over to, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid (or their representative(s) or trustee(s) acting on their behalf), ratably as aforesaid, for application to the payment of such Senior Indebtedness until such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of its properties and assets as an entirety to another Person upon the terms and conditions set forth in Article Eight shall not be deemed a Proceeding for the purposes of this Section 1602 if the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer such properties and assets as an entirety, as the case may be, shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions set forth in Article Eight.

SECTION 1603 No Payment When Senior Indebtedness in Default. Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, no payment on account of principal of or redemption of, interest on or other amounts due on the Securities, and no redemption, purchase, or other acquisition of the Securities, shall be made by or on behalf of the Company (i) unless full payment of amounts then due for principal and interest and of all other obligations then due on all Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for pursuant to the terms of the instrument governing such Senior Indebtedness, (ii) if, at the time of such payment, redemption, purchase or other acquisition, or immediately after giving effect thereto, there shall exist under any Senior Indebtedness, or any agreement pursuant to which any Senior Indebtedness is issued, any default, which default shall not have been cured or waived and which default shall have resulted in the full amount of such Senior Indebtedness being declared due and payable or (iii) if, at the time of such payment, redemption, purchase or other acquisition, the Trustee shall have

 

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received written notice from the holder or holders of any Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) that there exists under such Senior Indebtedness, or any agreement pursuant to which such Senior Indebtedness is issued, any default, which default shall not have been cured or waived, permitting the holders thereof to declare the full amount of such Senior Indebtedness due and payable, but only for the period (the “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing on the date of receipt of the Payment Blockage Notice and ending (unless earlier terminated by notice given to the Trustee by the Holders of such Senior Indebtedness) on the earlier of (A) the date on which such event of default shall have been cured or waived or (B) 180 days from the receipt of the Payment Blockage Notice. Upon termination of a Payment Blockage Period, payments on account of principal of or interest on the Securities and redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions may be made by or on behalf of the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (A) only one Payment Blockage Notice may be given during any period of 360 consecutive days with respect to the same event of default and any other events of default on the same issue of Senior Indebtedness existing and known to the person giving such notice at the time of such notice and (B) no new Payment Blockage Period may be commenced by the holder or holders of the same issue of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives during any period of 360 consecutive days unless all events of default which were the object of the immediately preceding Payment Blockage Notice, and any other event of default on the same issue of Senior Indebtedness existing and known to the person giving such notice at the time of such notice, have been cured or waived.

In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 1603, payments are made by or on behalf of the Company in contravention of the provisions of this Section 1603, such payments shall be held by the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Holders, as applicable, in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over to and delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or the trustee under the indenture or other agreement (if any), pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full in accordance with the terms of such Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect to which Section 1602 would be applicable.

SECTION 1604 Reliance by Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions. Each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration for each holder of any Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness, and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold or in continuing to hold such Senior Indebtedness.

 

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SECTION 1605 Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Obligations due or to become due on or in respect of Senior Indebtedness, or the provision for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments and distributions of cash, property and securities applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full. For purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Sixteen, and no payments over pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 1606 Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights. The provisions of this Article Sixteen are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities on the one hand and the holders of Senior Indebtedness on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall (a) impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional (and which, subject to the rights under this Article Sixteen of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, is intended to rank equally with all other general obligations of the Company), to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms; or (b) affect the relative rights against the Company of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive cash, property and securities otherwise payable or deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder.

SECTION 1607 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, as between the Holders of the Securities and the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the subordination provided in this Article Sixteen and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up or liquidation or reorganization under any applicable bankruptcy law of the Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership Proceedings or otherwise), the timely filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of such Holder’s Securities in the form required in such Proceedings and the causing of such claim to be approved. If the Trustee does not file a claim or proof of debt in the form required in such Proceedings prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claims or proofs, then the holders of Senior Indebtedness, jointly, or their representatives shall have the right to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders and to demand, sue for, collect, receive and receipt for the payments and distributions in respect of the Securities which are required to be paid or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness as provided in this Article Sixteen and to take all such other action in the name of the Holders or otherwise, as such holder of Senior Indebtedness or representative thereof may determine to be necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of the provisions of this Article Sixteen.

 

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SECTION 1608 No Waiver of Subordination Provisions. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder or any representative or trustee therefor, or by any non-compliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities, without incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Securities and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Sixteen or the obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Securities to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following:

(i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Indebtedness is outstanding;

(ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Indebtedness;

(iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Indebtedness and settle or compromise Senior Indebtedness (which, to the extent so settled and compromised, shall be deemed to have been paid in full for all purposes hereof);

(iv) apply any amounts received to any liability of the Company owing to holders of Senior Indebtedness; and

(v) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

SECTION 1609 Notice to Trustee. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any default or event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness or of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article Sixteen or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities, unless and until the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or from any representative or trustee acting on their behalf; and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 612, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the

 

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notice provided for in this Section at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purpose for which such money was received and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it within three Business Days prior to such date. Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or any other Article of this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent (a) the Company, at any time except during the pendency of any Proceeding, or under the conditions described in Section 1603, from making payments at any time in respect of the Securities, or (b) the application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the Securities, or the retention thereof by any Holder, if the Trustee did not have notice, as provided in this Section 1609, that such payment would have been prohibited by the provisions of this Article Sixteen.

Subject to the provisions of Section 612, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a representative or trustee therefor) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee therefor). In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Sixteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Sixteen, and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

SECTION 1610 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 612, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which any Proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.

SECTION 1611 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness. Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture, or in any of the Securities, shall prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys which were deposited with it hereunder, prior to its receipt of written notice of facts which would prohibit such application, for the purpose of the payment of or on account of the principal of or interest on, the Securities unless, prior to the date on which such application is made by the Trustee, the Trustee shall be charged with notice under Section 1609 hereof of the facts which would prohibit the making of such application.

 

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SECTION 1612 Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness; Preservation of Trustee’s Rights. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Sixteen with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 606.

SECTION 1613 Article Applicable to Paying Agents. In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article Sixteen shall in such case (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that Section 1612 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 17

CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1701 Applicability of Article; Conversion Privilege and Conversion Price. Securities of any series which are convertible shall be convertible in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Seventeen. Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article Seventeen, at any time during the period specified in the Securities, at the option of the Holder thereof, any Security or any portion of the principal amount thereof which is $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 may be converted at the principal amount thereof, or of such portion thereof, into fully paid and nonassessable shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/100 of a share) of Common Stock of the Company, at the Conversion Price, determined as hereinafter provided, in effect at the time of conversion. In case a Security or portion thereof is called for redemption, such conversion right in respect of the Security or portion so called shall expire at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date, unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon redemption, in which case such conversion right shall terminate on the date such default is cured.

The price at which shares of Common Stock shall be delivered upon conversion (herein called the “Conversion Price”) of Securities of any series shall be specified in such Securities. The Conversion Price shall be adjusted in certain instances as provided in Section 1704.

In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, declare or make a distribution on its Common Stock referred to in paragraph (4) of Section 1704, the Holder of each Security, upon the conversion thereof pursuant to this Article Seventeen subsequent to the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution and prior to the effectiveness of the Conversion Price adjustment in respect of such distribution pursuant to paragraph (4) of Section 1704, shall be entitled to receive for each share of Common Stock into

 

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which such Security is converted, the portion of the evidence of indebtedness, shares of Capital Stock or assets so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock; provided, however, that, at the election of the Company (whose election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee) with respect to all Holders so converting, the Company may, in lieu of distributing to such Holder any portion of such distribution not consisting of cash or securities of the Company, pay such Holder an amount in cash equal to the fair market value thereof (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee). If any conversion of a Security entitled to the benefits described in the immediately preceding sentence occurs prior to the payment date for a distribution to holders of Common Stock which the Holder of the Security so converted is entitled to receive in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, the Company may elect (such election to be evidenced by a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee) to distribute to such Holder a due bill for the evidences of indebtedness, shares of Capital Stock or assets to which such Holder is so entitled, provided that such due bill (i) meets any applicable requirements of the principal over-the-counter market or national securities exchange or other market on which the Common Stock is then traded, and (ii) requires payment or delivery of such evidences of indebtedness or assets no later than the date of payment or delivery thereof to holders of Common Stock receiving such distribution.

SECTION 1702 Exercise of Conversion Privilege. In order to exercise the conversion privilege, the Holder of any Security to be converted shall surrender such Security, duly endorsed or assigned to the Company or in blank, at any office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 1002, accompanied by written notice to the Company at such office or agency that the Holder elects to convert such Security or, if less than the entire principal amount thereof is to be converted, the portion thereof to be converted and shall comply with any additional requirements set forth in such Security. Securities surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date shall (except for Securities the Maturity of which is prior to such Interest Payment Date) be accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of Securities being surrendered for conversion and such interest shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date as provided in Section 307. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, no payment or adjustment shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest accrued on the Securities surrendered for conversion or on account of any dividends on the Common Stock issued upon conversion.

The Company’s delivery to the Holder of the fixed number of shares of the Common Stock of the Company (and any cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock) into which the Security is convertible shall be deemed to satisfy the Company’s obligation to pay the principal amount of the Security and all accrued interest and original issue discount that has not previously been paid. The shares of Common Stock of the Company so delivered shall be treated as issued first in payment of accrued interest and original issue discount and then in payment of principal. Thus, accrued interest and original issue discount shall be treated as paid, rather than canceled, extinguished or forfeited.

 

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Securities shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the day of surrender of such Securities for conversion in accordance with the foregoing provisions, and at such time the rights of the Holders of such Securities as Holders shall cease, and the Person or Persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Common Stock at such time. As promptly as practicable on or after the conversion date, the Company shall issue and shall deliver at such office or agency a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion, together with payment in lieu of any fraction of a share, as provided in Section 1703.

In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, as promptly as practicable on or after the conversion date the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder thereof (or the Depositary in the case of a Global Security), at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities, of authorized denominations in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the principal amount of such Security.

SECTION 1703 Fractions of Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Securities. If more than one Security shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof) so surrendered. Instead of any fractional share of Common Stock which would otherwise be issuable upon conversion of any Security or Securities (or specified portions thereof), the Company shall pay a cash adjustment (rounded to the nearest cent) in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to the same fraction of the Closing Price per share of the Common Stock on the day of conversion (or, if such day is not a Trading Day, on the Trading Day immediately preceding such day).

SECTION 1704 Adjustment of Conversion Price. The Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:

(1) If the Company pays or makes a dividend or other distribution (a) on its Common Stock exclusively in Common Stock or (b) on any other class of Capital Stock of the Company, which dividend or distribution includes Common Stock of the Company, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution (the “Dividend Record Date”) shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding at the close of business on the Dividend Record Date and the denominator shall be the sum of such number of shares and the total number of shares constituting such dividend or other distribution. Such reduction shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination. For the purposes of this paragraph (1), the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Company shall not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company.

 

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(2) Subject to paragraph (6) of this Section, if the Company pays or makes a dividend or other distribution on its Common Stock consisting exclusively of Short Term Rights (as defined below), or otherwise issues Short Term Rights to all holders of its Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such Short Term Rights (the “Rights Record Date”) shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding at the close of business on the Rights Record Date plus the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company which the aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at such current market price and the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding at the close of business on the Rights Record Date plus the number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase. Such reduction shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the Rights Record Date. For the purposes of this paragraph (2), the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock of the Company. The Company shall not issue any rights, options or warrants in respect of shares of its Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company. When used in this Section 1704, the term “Short Term Rights” shall mean rights, warrants or options entitling the holders thereof (for a period commencing no earlier than the Rights Record Date and expiring not more than 45 days after the Rights Record Date) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company at a price per share less than the current market price per share (determined as provided in paragraph (7) of this Section 1704) of the Common Stock of the Company on the Rights Record Date.

(3) In case outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, and, conversely, in case outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be combined into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such combination becomes effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or increase, as the case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

(4) Subject to the last sentence of this paragraph (4) of this Section, if the Company, by dividend or otherwise, (a) distributes to all holders of its Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness, shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Company or other assets (other than cash dividends out of current or retained earnings), or (b) distributes to substantially all holders of Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for securities (other than Short Term Rights to which paragraph (2) of this Section 1704 applies), the Conversion Price shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the current market price per share (determined as provided in paragraph (7) of this Section 1704) of the Common Stock of the Company on the Reference Date (as defined below) less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall

 

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be conclusive and described in a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee), on the Reference Date, of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness and other assets so distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one share of Common Stock (collectively, the “Market Value of the Distribution”) and the denominator shall be such current market price per share of the Common Stock of the Company. Such reduction shall become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day (the “Reference Date”) following the later of (a) the date fixed for the payment of such distribution and (b) the date 20 days after notice relating to such distribution is required to be given pursuant to Section 1706(a). If the Board of Directors determines the fair market value of any distribution for purposes of this paragraph (4) by reference to the actual or when issued trading market for any securities comprising such distribution, it must in doing so consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the current market price per share pursuant to paragraph (7) of this Section 1704. In the event that, with respect to any distribution to which this paragraph

(5) of Section 1704 would otherwise apply, the Market Value of the Distribution is greater than the current market price per share of the Common Stock (such distribution being referred to herein as an “Unadjusted Distribution”), then the adjustment provided by this paragraph (4) shall not be made and in lieu thereof the provisions of Section 1711 shall apply with respect to such Unadjusted Distribution.

(6) The Company may, but shall not be required to, make such reductions in the Conversion Price, in addition to those required by paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this Section 1704, as it considers to be advisable in order that any event treated for federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights shall not be taxable to the recipients. In addition, the Company, from time to time, may decrease the Conversion Price by any amount and for any reason, temporarily or otherwise, including situations where the Board of Directors determines such decrease to be fair and appropriate with respect to transactions in which holders of Common Stock have the right to participate.

(7) Rights or warrants issued or distributed by the Company to all holders of its Common Stock entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, which rights or warrants (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common Stock, (ii) are not exercisable and (iii) are also issued or distributed in respect of future issuances of Common Stock, in each case in clauses (i) through (iii) until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Events”), shall for purposes of this Section 1704 not be deemed issued or distributed until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event. Each share of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Securities pursuant to this Article Seventeen shall be entitled to receive the appropriate number of Common Stock purchase rights (the “Rights”), if any, and the certificates representing the Common Stock issued upon conversion shall bear such legends, if any. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article Seventeen, there shall not be any adjustment to the Conversion Price as a result of (i) the distribution of separate certificates representing the Rights; (ii) the occurrence of certain events entitling holders of Rights to receive, upon exercise thereof, Common Stock or other securities of the Company or other securities of another corporation; or (iii) the exercise of such Rights. No adjustment in the Conversion Price need be made for rights to purchase or the sale of Common Stock pursuant to a Company plan providing for reinvestment of dividends or interest.

 

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(8) For the purpose of any computation under paragraph (2), (4) or (5) of this Section 1704, the “current market price” per share of Common Stock of the Company on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily Closing Prices for the 15 consecutive Trading Days selected by the Company commencing not more than 30 Trading Days before, and ending not later than, the date in question.

(9) No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Conversion Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this paragraph (8) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Article Seventeen shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth of a share of Common Stock, as the case may be.

(10) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event the Company shall declare any dividend or distribution requiring an adjustment in the Conversion Price hereunder and shall, thereafter and before the payment of such dividend or distribution to stockholders, legally abandon its plan to pay such dividend or distribution, the Conversion Price then in effect hereunder, if changed to reflect such dividend or distribution, shall upon the legal abandonment of such plan be changed to the Conversion Price which would have been in effect at the time of such abandonment (after giving effect to all other adjustments not so legally abandoned pursuant to the provisions of this Article Seventeen) had such dividend or distribution never been declared.

(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1704, no adjustment to the Conversion Price shall reduce the Conversion Price below the then par value per share of the Common Stock of the Company, and any such purported adjustment shall instead reduce the Conversion Price to such par value. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Company hereby covenants that it will from time to time take all such action as may be required to assure that the par value per share of the Common Stock is at all times equal to or less than the Conversion Price.

(12) In the event that this Article Seventeen requires adjustments to the Conversion Price under more than one of paragraphs (1), (2), (3) or (4) of this Section 1704, and the record or effective dates for the transaction giving rise to such adjustments shall occur on the same date, then such adjustments shall be made by applying (to the extent they are applicable), first, the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 1704, second, the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Section 1704, third, the provisions of paragraph (4) of this Section 1704 and, fourth, the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Section 1704. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no single event shall require or result in duplicative adjustments in the Conversion Price pursuant to this Section 1704. After an adjustment to the Conversion Price under this Article Seventeen, any subsequent event requiring an adjustment under this Article Seventeen shall cause an adjustment to the Conversion Price as so adjusted. If, after an adjustment, a Holder of a Security upon conversion of such Security receives shares of two or more classes of Capital Stock of the Company, the Conversion Price shall thereafter be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of an action taken with respect to any such class of Capital Stock as is contemplated by this Article Seventeen with respect to the Common Stock in this Article Seventeen.

 

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SECTION 1705 Notice of Adjustments of Conversion Price. Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted as herein provided:

(1) the Company shall compute the adjusted Conversion Price in accordance with Section 1704 or Section 1711 and shall prepare an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Price and showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith be filed (with a copy to the Trustee) at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of any Securities pursuant to Section 1002; and

(2) a notice stating that the Conversion Price has been adjusted and setting forth the adjusted Conversion Price shall forthwith be required, and as soon as practicable after it is required, such notice shall be mailed by the Company to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security Register.

SECTION 1706 Notice of Certain Corporate Action. In case:

(1) the Company shall take any action that would require a Conversion Price adjustment pursuant to Section 1704 or Section 1711; or

(2) there shall occur any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common Stock), or any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, or the sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and for which approval of any stockholders of the Company is required; or

(3) there shall occur the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, then the Company shall cause to be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of Securities pursuant to Section 1002, and shall cause to be mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security Register, at least 10 days prior to the applicable record, effective or expiration date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of any dividend, distribution or granting of rights, warrants or options, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants are to be determined, or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and, if applicable, the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

SECTION 1707 Company to Reserve Common Stock. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, a number of shares of Common Stock for the conversion of all outstanding Securities of any series which is convertible into Common Stock.

 

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SECTION 1708 Taxes on Conversion. The Company will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversion of Securities pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the Holder of the Security or Securities to be converted, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the Person requesting such issue has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

SECTION 1709 Covenants as to Common Stock. The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free of preemptive or any similar rights, and, except as provided in Section 1708, the Company will pay all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

The Company will endeavor promptly to comply with all Federal and state securities laws regulating the offer and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Securities, if any, and will list or cause to have quoted such shares of Common Stock on each national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market or such other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted.

SECTION 1710 Cancellation of Converted Securities. All Securities delivered for conversion shall be delivered to the Trustee to be cancelled by or at the direction of the Trustee, which shall dispose of the same as provided in Section 309.

SECTION 1711 Provisions in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets; Special Distributions. If any of the following shall occur, namely: (i) any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Securities (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination), (ii) any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party other than a merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and which does not result in any reclassification of, or change (other than a change in name, or par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value or as a result of a subdivision or combination) in, outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) any sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Company as an entirety, then the Person formed by such consolidation or resulting from such merger or which acquires such properties or assets, as the case may be, shall as a condition precedent to such transaction execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of each Security then outstanding shall have the right thereafter, during the period such Security shall be convertible as specified in Section 1701, to convert such Security only into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable, if any, upon such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which such Security might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease; provided that the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property so receivable shall be determined on the basis of the following assumptions. The holder of Common Stock referred to in the foregoing sentence:

 

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(1) is not (a) a Person with which the Company consolidated, (b) a Person into which the Company merged or which merged into the Company, or (c) a Person to which such sale, transfer or lease was made (any Person described in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), or (c), hereinafter referred to as a “Constituent Person”), or (d) an Affiliate of a Constituent Person; and

(2) failed to exercise his rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease (provided that if the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale transfer or lease is not the same for each share of Common Stock of the Company in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised, then for the purpose of this Section 1711 the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of such shares of Common Stock).

Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which, for events subsequent to the effective date of such supplemental indenture, shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article Seventeen. If, in the case of any such consolidation, merger, sale transfer or lease the stock or other securities and property (including cash) receivable thereupon by a holder of Common Stock includes shares of stock or other securities and property of a corporation other than the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease then such supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other corporation and shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders of the Securities as the Board of Directors of the Company shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing. The above provisions of this Section 1711 shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, sales, transfers or leases.

In the event the Company shall execute a supplemental indenture pursuant to this Section 1711, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Holders of the Securities upon the conversion of their Securities after any such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease and any adjustment to be made with respect thereto.

If the Company makes a distribution to all holders of its Common Stock that constitutes an Unadjusted Distribution pursuant to the last sentence of paragraph (4) of Section 1704, then, from and after the record date for determining the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution (the “Distribution Record Date”), a Holder of a Security who converts such Security in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon conversion, be entitled to receive, in addition to the shares of Common Stock into which the Security is convertible, the kind and amount of evidences of indebtedness, shares of Capital Stock, or other assets or subscription rights or warrants, as the case may be, comprising the distribution that such Holder would have received if such Holder had converted the Security immediately prior to the Distribution Record Date.

 

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SECTION 1712 Trustee Adjustment Disclaimer; Company Determination Final. The Trustee has no duty to determine when an adjustment under this Article Seventeen should be made, how it should be made or what it should be. The Trustee has no duty to determine whether a supplemental indenture under Section 1711 need be entered into or whether any provisions of any supplemental indenture are correct. The Trustee shall not be accountable for and makes no representation as to the validity or value of any securities or assets issued upon conversion of Securities. The Trustee shall not be responsible for the Company’s failure to comply with this Article Seventeen. Any determination that the Company or the Board of Directors must make pursuant to this Article Seventeen is conclusive, absent manifest error.

SECTION 1713 When No Adjustment Required. Except as expressly set forth in Section 1704, no adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be made because the Company issues, in exchange for cash, property or services, shares of its Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its Common Stock, or securities (including warrants, rights and options) carrying the right to subscribe for or purchase shares of its Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.

(1) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be made pursuant to Section 1704 in respect of any dividend or distribution if the Holders may participate therein (on a basis to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) and receive the same consideration they would have received if they had converted the Securities immediately prior to the record date with respect to such dividend or distribution.

SECTION 1714 Equivalent Adjustments. In the event that, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 1704 above, the holder of any Security thereafter surrendered for conversion shall become entitled to receive any shares of Capital Stock of the Company other than shares of its Common Stock, thereafter the Conversion Price of such other shares so receivable upon conversion of any Securities shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to Common Stock contained in this Article Seventeen.

 

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SIGNATURES

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
[NAME OF TRUSTEE],
as Trustee
By:
Name:
Title:

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF REDEEMABLE OR NON-REDEEMABLE SUBORDINATED SECURITY

[Face of Security]

[If the Holder of this Security (as indicated below) is The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or a nominee of DTC, this Security is a Global Security and the following two legends apply:

Unless this Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company a New York corporation (“DTC”) to the Company or its agent for registration of transfer, conversion, exchange or payment, and such Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co., or in such other name as requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

Unless and until this Security is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in certificated form, this Security may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee thereof or by a nominee thereof to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any such nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor.]

[If this Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert — FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1273 and 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT ON THIS SECURITY IS %OF ITS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE IS             , 20     , AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS         %. THE METHOD USED TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT APPLICABLE TO THE SHORT ACCRUAL PERIOD OF         , 20 TO        , 20         , IS            % OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS SECURITY.]

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.

[Designation of Series]

No. ____________________ $ _______________

CUSIP No. _________________

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC., a Massachusetts corporation (herein referred to as the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to or registered assigns the principal sum of Dollars on(the “Stated Maturity Date”) [or insert date fixed for earlier redemption (the “Redemption Date,” and together with the Stated Maturity Date with respect to principal repayable on such date, the “Maturity Date.”)]

 

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[If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — and to pay interest thereon from                      or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on and in each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing                     , at the rate of            % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Holder in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the or                     (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date [at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose; provided, however, that such interest may be paid, at the Company’s option, by mailing a check to such Holder at its registered address or by transfer of funds to an account maintained by such Holder within the United States]. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date, and may be paid to the Holder in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any over-the-counter market or securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be quoted or listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such market or exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.]

[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at the [Stated] Maturity Date and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of             % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of         % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]

The principal of this Security payable on the Stated Maturity Date [or the principal of, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and, if the Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date, interest on this Security payable on the Redemption Date] will be paid against presentation of this Security at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in                     , in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

Interest payable on this Security on any Interest Payment Date and on the [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be,] will include interest accrued from and including the next preceding Interest Payment Date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or from and including             , if no interest has been paid on this Security) to but excluding such Interest

 

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Payment Date or the [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be.] If any Interest Payment Date or the [Stated] Maturity Date or [Redemption Date] falls on a day that is not a Business Day, as defined below, principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and/or interest payable with respect to such Interest Payment Date or [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be,] will be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if it were paid on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be.] “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are required or authorized by law, regulation or executive order to close.

[If this Security is a Global Security, insert — All payments of principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest in respect of this Security will be made by the Company in immediately available funds.]

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee by manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its facsimile corporate seal.

Dated: ___________________

 

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
Attest:

 

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[Reverse of Security]

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC.

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of             , 20     (herein called the “Indenture”) between the Company and [Name of Trustee], as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture with respect to the series of which this Security is a part), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the duly authorized series of Securities designated on the face hereof (collectively, the “Securities”), [if applicable, insert — and the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be issued under such series is limited to $         (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Securities).] All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

[If applicable, insert — The Securities may not be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date.]

[If applicable, insert — The Securities are subject to redemption [ (l) (If applicable, insert – on                      in any year commencing with the year              and ending with the year              through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2) ] [If applicable, insert — at any time [on or after ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount):

If redeemed on or before         ,             % and if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning of the years indicated at the

Redemption Prices indicated below.

Year Redemption Price Year Redemption Price and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to                % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [If applicable, insert — (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on this Security whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder of this Security, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

[If applicable, insert — The Securities are subject to redemption (1) on              in any year commencing with the year and ending with the year             through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking

 

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fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [on or after], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning                     of the years indicated, Redemption Price for Redemption Price for                     Redemption Otherwise Than Redemption Through                     Through Operation of the Year Operation of the Sinking Fund Sinking Fund and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to             % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on this Security whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder of this Security, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

[If applicable, insert — Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to             ,             redeem any Securities as contemplated by [Clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than             % per annum.]

[If applicable, insert — The sinking fund for the Securities provides for the redemption on                      in each year, beginning with the year and ending with the year                     , of [not less than] $        ] [(“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than $        ] aggregate principal amount of the Securities. [The Securities acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made in the [describe order] order in which they become due.]]

Notice of redemption will be given by mail to Holders of Securities, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, all as provided in the Indenture.

In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

[If applicable, insert conversion provisions set forth in any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental to the Indenture.]

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities issued under the Indenture at the time Outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, on behalf of the Holders of all such Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture permit the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount, in

 

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certain instances, of the Outstanding Securities of any series to waive, on behalf of all of the Holders of Securities of such series, certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and other Securities issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or conversion or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein [and herein] set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register of the Company upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein [and herein] set forth, this Security is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of different authorized denominations but otherwise having the same terms and conditions, as requested by the Holder hereof surrendering the same.

This Security is subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of Senior Indebtedness to the extent set forth in Article Sixteen of the Indenture.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form [without coupons] in denominations of $        and any integral multiple thereof.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or conversion or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith,

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or the interest on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any past, present or future stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.

 

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The Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely in such State.

 

100

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EXHIBIT B

FORMS OF CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT B-1

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY PERSON ENTITLED TO RECEIVE BEARER

SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

CERTIFICATE

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

This is to certify that, as of the date hereof, and except as set forth below, the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account (i) are owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source (“United States person(s)”), (ii) are owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 2.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such United States financial institution hereby agrees, on its own behalf or through its agent, that you may advise Mercury Systems, Inc. or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) are owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, in addition, if the owner is a United States or foreign financial institution described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)), this is to further certify that such financial institution has not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We undertake to advise you promptly by tested telex or by telecopy on or prior to the date on which you intend to submit your certification relating to the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account in accordance with your operating procedures if any applicable statement herein is not correct on such date, and in the absence of any such notification it may be assumed that this certification applies as of such date.

 

101

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This certificate excepts and does not relate to [U.S.$] of such interest in the above-captioned Securities in respect of which we are not able to certify and as to which we understand an exchange for an interest in a permanent Global Security or an exchange for and delivery of definitive Securities (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) cannot be made until we do so certify.

We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

Dated:    ______________

[To be dated no earlier than the 15th day prior to (i) the Exchange Date or (ii) the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

[Name of Person Making Certification]

 

(Authorized Signature)

Name:

Title:

 

102

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EXHIBIT B-2

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND CLEARSTREAM S.A. IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE CERTIFICATE

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

This is to certify that, based solely on written certifications that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of the principal amount set forth below (our “Member Organizations”) substantially in the form attached hereto, as of the date hereof, [U.S.$] principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) is owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source (“United States person(s)”), (ii) is owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such financial institution has agreed, on its own behalf or through its agent, that we may advise Mercury Systems, Inc. or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, to the further effect, that financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) have certified that they have not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “Possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We further certify that (i) we are not making available herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) any portion of the temporary Global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in the above-referenced certificates of Member Organizations and (ii) as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.

 

103

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We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

Dated:

[To be dated no earlier than the Exchange Date or the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

[Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels Office, as Operator of the Euroclear System Clearstream Banking Luxembourg]

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1049521/000104952114000022/exhibit43.htm    115/115

 

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EXHIBIT 5.1

August 28, 2017

Mercury Systems, Inc.

50 Minuteman Road

Andover, Massachusetts 01810

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Mercury Systems, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the “Company”), in connection with a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company has provided us with two prospectuses that form a part of the Registration Statement: (i) a base prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”), which provides that it may be supplemented in the future by one or more prospectus supplements (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”), and (ii) an equity distribution agreement prospectus (the “ATM Agreement Prospectus”), covering the offering, issuance and sale of up to $200,000,000 of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Company (“Common Stock”) that may be issued and sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement, dated August 28, 2017, between the Company and each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (such agreement, the “ATM Agreement”) and such shares, the “Placement Shares”).

The Registration Statement, including the Base Prospectus as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements, will provide for the registration of the offer and sale by the Company of an unlimited amount of (i) one or more series of senior or subordinated debt securities of the Company, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock (the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Debt Securities thereunder, by and between a trustee to be selected by the Company and qualified to act as such under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trustee”) and the Company, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.1 or Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement (the “Indenture”) issuable pursuant to the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements); (ii) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”) issuable pursuant to the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements); (iii) shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements); (iv) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements) (the “Warrants”); (v) units (“Units”) comprised of shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock, warrants and other securities of the Company in any combination issuable pursuant to the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements); and (vi) the Placement Shares.

The Debt Securities, the Preferred Stock, the Common Stock, the Warrants, the Units and the Placement Shares are collectively referred to herein as the “Registered Securities.” The Registered Securities are being registered for offer and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act. This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement.

We have reviewed the corporate proceedings taken by the Company with respect to the registration of the Registered Securities. We have examined and relied upon originals or copies of such records, instruments, certificates, memoranda, and other documents as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion and have assumed, without independent inquiry, the accuracy of those documents. In that examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the conformity to the originals of all documents reviewed by us as copies, the authenticity and completeness of all original documents reviewed by us in original or copy form, and the legal competence of each individual executing such documents.

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Our opinion is subject to the following assumptions, exceptions and qualifications:

(i) We have assumed that the issuance, sale, amount, and terms of each of the Registered Securities to be offered from time to time by the Company will be duly authorized and established by proper action of the Board of Directors of the Company, and in accordance with the Restated Articles of Organization, of the Company, as amended from time to time, the By-laws of the Company, as amended from time to time, and applicable Massachusetts law, and that, at the time of each such issuance and sale of such Registered Securities, the Company will continue to be validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with the requisite corporate power and authority to issue and sell all such Registered Securities.

(ii) We have assumed that any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, including the ATM Agreement Prospectus, from time to time will not exceed the maximum authorized number of shares of Common Stock under the Restated Articles of Organization of the Company, as the same may have been amended, minus that number of shares of Common Stock that may have been issued and are outstanding, or are reserved for issuance for other purposes, at such time.

(iii) We have assumed that any shares of Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, from time to time will not exceed the maximum authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock under the Restated Articles of Organization of the Company, as the same may have been amended, minus that number of shares of Preferred Stock that may have been issued and are outstanding, or are reserved for issuance for other purposes, at such time.

(iv) We have assumed that any Warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, from time to time, will be issued under one or more valid, binding, and enforceable warrant agreements (each a “Warrant Agreement”).

(v) We have assumed that any Debt Securities issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, from time to time, will be issued under and in conformity with a valid, binding and enforceable Indenture, which shall be delivered by the Trustee, and the Trustee will have all requisite power and authority to effect the transactions contemplated by such Indenture, and the Trustee or an authenticating agent for the trustee will duly authenticate the Debt Securities pursuant to the applicable Indenture, and the applicable Indenture will be the valid and binding obligation of the Trustee and will be enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms. With respect to any applicable Indenture, we are expressing no opinion herein as to (i) the application of or compliance with any foreign, federal or state law or regulation or (ii) the power, authority or competence of any party, other than the Company.

(vi) The enforcement of any obligations of the Company may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, marshaling or other laws and rules of law affecting the enforcement generally of creditors’ rights and remedies, including, without limitation, fraudulent conveyance and fraudulent transfer laws.

(vii) Our opinions are subject to the effects of general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity), including but not limited to principles limiting the availability of specific performance or injunctive relief, and concepts of materiality and reasonableness, and the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing.

(viii) We express no opinion as to the enforceability of any particular provision of any of the Registered Securities relating to:

(a) waivers of rights to object to jurisdiction or venue, or consents to jurisdiction or venue;

(b) waivers of rights to (or methods of) service of process, or rights to trial by jury, or other rights or benefits bestowed by operation of law;

(c) waiver of any applicable defenses, setoffs, recoupments, or counterclaims;

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(d) the granting of any power of attorney or of any proxy to any person;

(e) exculpation or exoneration clauses, clauses relating to rights of indemnity or contribution, and clauses relating to releases or waivers of unmatured claims or rights;

(f) waivers or variations of legal provisions or rights which are not capable of waiver or variation under application law; and

(g) the imposition or collection of interest on overdue interest or providing for a penalty rate of interest or late charges on overdue or defaulted obligations, or the payment of any premium, liquidated damages, or other amount which may be held by any court to be a “penalty” or a “forfeiture.”

We express no opinion as to the effect of events occurring, circumstances arising or changes of law becoming effective or occurring, after the date hereof on the matters addressed in this opinion letter, and we assume no responsibility to inform you of additional or changed facts, or changes in law, of which we may become aware.

Subject to the limitations set forth below, we have made such examination of law as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of expressing the opinions set forth in this letter. Such opinions are limited solely to the Massachusetts corporate law as applied by courts located in Massachusetts and, with respect to the Indentures, the internal substantive laws of the State of New York (other than tax, usury, antitrust, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer laws, blue sky and securities laws, as to which we express no opinion) as applied by courts located in New York without regard to choice of law. We express no opinion whatsoever as to the compliance or noncompliance by any person with antifraud or information delivery provision of any state or federal laws, rules and regulations, and no inference regarding such compliance or noncompliance may be drawn from any opinion herein.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

1. Following effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the shares of Common Stock registered under the Registration Statement for offer and sale by the Company, when duly authorized and issued against the full payment specified therefor, which must have a value not less than the par value thereof, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

2. Following effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Placement Shares, when issued and paid for in accordance with the ATM Agreement and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and in the ATM Agreement Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

3. Following effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the shares of Preferred Stock registered under the Registration Statement, when duly authorized and issued against the full payment specified therefor, which must have a value not less than the par value thereof, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

4. Following effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Warrants registered under the Registration Statement, when duly authorized, executed and delivered against the payment specified therefor, and pursuant to a Warrant Agreement or agreements duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the holder of the Warrants, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company.

5. Following effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Debt Securities registered under the Registration Statement, when duly authorized, executed and delivered against the payment specified therefor pursuant to an Indenture and any underwriting agreement or purchase agreement duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the initial purchasers of the Debt Securities, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company.

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This opinion letter is given as of the date hereof, and we express no opinion as to the effect of subsequent events or changes in law occurring or becoming effective after the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update this opinion letter or otherwise advise you with respect to any facts or circumstances or changes in law that may hereafter occur or come to our attention.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In rendering this opinion and giving this consent, we do not admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Mercury Systems, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report dated August 18, 2017, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2017, and the related financial statement schedule II, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

Our report dated August 18, 2017 on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017 contains an explanatory paragraph that states that management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, CES Creative Electronic Systems, S.A.’s (CES) and Delta Microwave, LLC’s (Delta) internal control over financial reporting associated with 12 percent of total consolidated assets (of which 8 percent represented goodwill and intangible assets included within the scope of the assessment) and 5 percent of total consolidated revenues included in the consolidated financial statements of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended June 30, 2017. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Mercury Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of CES and Delta.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

August 28, 2017