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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2014

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

the Securities Act of 1933

 

 

COMSTOCK HOLDING COMPANIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware		20-1164345
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

 

1886 Metro Center Drive, Suite 400

Reston, Virginia 20190

(703) 883-1700

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

 

 

Christopher Clemente

Chief Executive Officer

Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.

1886 Metro Center Drive, Suite 400

Reston, Virginia 20190

(703) 883-1700

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

 

 

Copies to:

David A. Brown

Julie A. Mediamolle

Alston & Bird LLP

The Atlantic Building

950 F St. NW

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 239-3300

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

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 the 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 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 filed, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer		¨		Accelerated filer		¨
Non-accelerated filer		¨		Smaller reporting company		x

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of Securities To Be Registered (1)		Amount to be Registered/ Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (2)		Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share		—		—
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share		—		—
Warrants to purchase Common and/or Preferred Stock		—		—
Debt Securities		—		—
Total		$25,000,000 (3)		$3,220 (4)

(1)

An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. The securities registered also include such indeterminate amount of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, such number of shares of Common Stock registered hereby shall include an indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued in connection with a stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or similar event.

(2)

The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per class of security will be determined from time to time by the Registrant in connection with the issuance by the Registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security in reliance on Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(3)	Consisting of some or all of the securities listed above, in any combination, including common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants.

(4)	The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated May 23, 2014

Prospectus

 

Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.

$25,000,000

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

DEBT SECURITIES

WARRANTS

 

 

We may offer and sell an indeterminate number of shares of our common stock, preferred stock (which we may issue in one or more series), debt securities (which we may issue in one or more series), or warrants under this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest.

We may offer our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or warrants in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices, and on terms determined at the time of the offering. The preferred stock, debt securities, and warrants may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for or represent our common or preferred stock or other securities. Each time securities are sold pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the specific terms of the securities offered. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and/or agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. If we use underwriters, dealers and/or agents, we will name them and describe their compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1886 Metro Center Drive, Suite 400, Reston, Virginia 20190, and our telephone number at that location is (703) 883-1700. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market and trades under the ticker symbol “CHCI.” On May 22, 2014, the closing price per share of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market was $1.36 per share.

As of March 27, 2014, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $14,735,570, which was calculated based on 8,232,162 shares of outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates and on a price per share of $1.79, the closing price of our common stock on March 27, 2014. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell our securities in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our market value in any 12-month period so long as our market value remains below $75.0 million. We have not offered any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties referenced under “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 1 and “Risk Factors” on page 7 of this prospectus and the “Risk Factors” sections in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, before investing in our securities.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is             , 2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		PAGE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			2
SUMMARY			4
RISK FACTORS			7
USE OF PROCEEDS			9
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			9
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER			11
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			11
DESCRITPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			15
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			16
LEGAL MATTERS			17
EXPERTS			17

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC or Commission, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell the securities or combinations of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering including the type and amount of securities that we propose to sell and the initial public offering price of the securities. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information in this prospectus. Before purchasing any of our securities, we urge you to read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will not make an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, as well as information we previously filed with the SEC and have incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

We are offering the securities in places where sales of those securities are permitted. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you.

In this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” refers to Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. In addition, when we refer to:

 

•

“securities,” we are referring to common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants, collectively;

 

•

“homes,” we are referring to single-family homes, townhouses and condominium units;

 

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the “Washington, D.C. market,” we are referring to the Washington, D.C. Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, which includes the District of Columbia, 17 counties and cities in northern Virginia, five counties in Maryland and the surrounding areas and Berkeley and Jefferson counties in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia;

 

•

“orders” or “sales,” we are referring to fully executed contracts with buyers of our homes, excluding contracts that were executed and cancelled;

 

•

“settlements” or “deliveries,” we are referring to the transfer of title of a home to a buyer; and

 

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“backlog,” we are referring to orders for homes for which there has not yet been a settlement. Our backlog equals total orders less total deliveries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained in this prospectus or documents we have incorporated by reference include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “may,” “likely,” “intend,” “expect,” “will,” “should,” “seek” or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties including certain risks described in this prospectus. When considering those forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risks, uncertainties and other cautionary statements made in this prospectus and the reports that we have incorporated by reference. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date made. Some factors which may affect the accuracy of the forward-looking statements apply generally to the real estate industry, while other factors apply directly to us. Any number of important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: general economic and market conditions, including interest rate levels; our

 

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ability to service our debt; inherent risks in investment in real estate; our ability to compete in the markets in which we operate; regulatory actions; fluctuations in operating results; our anticipated growth strategies; shortages and increased costs of labor or building materials; the availability and cost of land in desirable areas; natural disasters; our ability to raise debt and equity capital and grow our operations on a profitable basis and our continuing relationships with affiliates. You should also carefully consider the risks and other information that may be contained in or incorporated by reference into any prospectus supplement relating to a specific offering of debt securities.

Except for our ongoing obligation to disclose information under the U.S. federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or future events. For any forward-looking statements contained in this or any other document, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigations Reform Act of 1995 and we assume no obligation to update any such statements.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the “Risk Factors” section below as well as the “Risk Factors” section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013; and other risks described in any other prospectus supplement or in any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should read the entire prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 to register the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. You will find additional information about us in the registration statement. You may obtain a copy of the registration statement, including exhibits, from the SEC through its website at http://www.sec.gov or at the SEC offices mentioned in the following paragraph or from us through our website at http://comstockhomes.com. Any statement made in this prospectus concerning a contract or other documents of ours is likely only a summary, and you should read the documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed by us with the SEC for a more complete understanding of the document or matter. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and on our website at http://comstockhomes.com. You may also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Additionally, you may obtain copies of the materials at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Room at the address listed above. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room.

This prospectus “incorporates by reference” certain documents that we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. The information that we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Some information contained in this prospectus updates the information incorporated by reference, and information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information set forth in this prospectus and information that we file later and incorporate by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents filed by us with the SEC (other than portions of documents deemed to have been furnished rather than filed in accordance with SEC rules unless otherwise specified by us):

 

•

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (filed on March 31, 2014);

 

•

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 (filed on May 15, 2014);

 

•

Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 9, 2014; and

 

•

The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form S-1, as amended, initially filed with the SEC on May 23, 2005 (No. 333-125166).

 

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We also incorporate by reference each of the following documents that we will file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and until this shelf offering terminates (other than portions of documents deemed to have been furnished rather than filed in accordance with SEC rules unless otherwise specified by us):

 

•

Reports filed under Section 13(a) and (c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act”;

 

•

Our definitive proxy or information statements filed under Section 14 of the Exchange Act in connection with any subsequent stockholders’ meeting; and

 

•

Any reports filed under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may request and obtain a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or phone number:

Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.

1886 Metro Center Drive, Suite 400

Reston, Virginia 20190

Attn.: Corporate Secretary

Tel: (703) 883-1700

Except as expressly provided above, no other information, including information on our website, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before purchasing our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors we describe in any prospectus supplement, in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you or in any report incorporated by reference into this prospectus or such prospectus supplement, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for an explanation of how to get a copy of this report. Although we discuss key risks in those risk factor descriptions, additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business. Our subsequent filings with the SEC may contain amended and updated discussions of significant risks. We cannot predict future risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance. Please also read carefully the section above entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Related to our Common Stock and Level of Indebtedness

Our level of indebtedness may harm our financial condition and results of operations.

Our level of indebtedness will impact our future operations in many important ways, including, without limitation, by:

 

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Requiring that a portion of our cash flows from operations be dedicated to the payment of any interest or amortization required with respect to outstanding indebtedness;

 

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Increasing our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic and industry conditions, as well as to competitive pressure; and

 

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Limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, acquisitions, capital expenditures, general corporate and other purposes.

At the scheduled maturity of our credit facilities or in the event of an acceleration of a debt facility following an event of default, the entire outstanding principal amount of the indebtedness under such facility, together with all other amounts payable thereunder from time to time, will become due and payable. It is possible that we may not have sufficient funds to pay such obligations in full at maturity or upon such acceleration. If we default and are not able to pay any such obligations due, our lenders have liens on substantially all of our assets and could foreclose on our assets in order to satisfy our obligations.

Our stock price has been volatile and we expect that it will continue to be volatile.

Our stock price has been volatile, and we expect it will continue to be volatile. For example during the year ended December 31, 2013, the price of our common stock ranged from a high of $3.65 to a low of $0.48. The volatility of our stock price can be due to many factors, including:

 

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quarterly variations in our operating results;

 

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general conditions in the home building industry;

 

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interest rate changes;

 

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changes in the market’s expectations about our operating results;

 

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our operating results failing to meet the expectation of securities analysts or investors in a particular period;

 

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changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts concerning our Company or of the home building industry in general;

 

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operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us;

 

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news reports relating to trends in our markets;

 

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changes in laws and regulations affecting our business;

 

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material announcements by us or our competitors;

 

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material announcements by our construction lenders or the manufacturers and suppliers we use;

 

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sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock by our directors, executive officers or significant stockholders or the perception that such sales could occur; and

 

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general economic and political conditions such as recessions and acts of war or terrorism.

Investors in our Class A common stock may not be able to resell their shares of Class A common stock following periods of volatility because of the market’s adverse reaction to the volatility of the stock price. Our Class A common stock may not trade at the same levels as the stock of other homebuilders, and the market in general may not sustain its current prices.

Investors in our Class A common stock may experience dilution with the future issuances of stock, exercise of stock options and warrants, the grant of restricted stock and issuance of stock in connection with our acquisitions of other companies.

From time to time, we have issued and we will continue to issue stock options or restricted stock grants to employees and non-employee directors pursuant to our equity incentive plan. We expect that these options or restricted stock grants will generally vest commencing one year from the date of grant and continue vesting over a four-year period. Investors may experience dilution as the options vest and are exercised by their holders and the restrictions lapse on the restricted stock grants. In addition, we may issue stock to raise capital to fund our growth initiatives, in connection with acquisitions of other companies, or warrants in connection with the settlement of obligations and or indebtedness with vendors and suppliers, which may result in investors experiencing dilution.

Substantial sales of our Class A common stock, or the perception that such sales might occur, could depress the market price of our Class A common stock.

A substantial amount of the shares of our Class A common stock are eligible for immediate resale in the public market. Any sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales might occur, could depress the market price of our Class A common stock.

The holders of our Class B common stock exert control over us and thus limit the ability of other stockholders to influence corporate matters.

Mr. Christopher Clemente, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Gregory V. Benson, the former President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, own 100% of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock, which, together with their shares of Class A common stock, represent approximately 77% of the combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock as of December 31, 2013. As a result, Messrs. Clemente and Benson,

 

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acting together, have control over us, the election of our board of directors and our management and policies. Messrs. Clemente and Benson, acting together, also have control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the amendment of certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the approval of any equity-based employee compensation plans and the approval of fundamental corporate transactions, including mergers. In light of this control, other companies could be discouraged from initiating a potential merger, takeover or any other transaction resulting in a change of control. Such a transaction potentially could be beneficial to our business or to our stockholders. This may in turn reduce the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for shares of our Class A common stock.

The limited voting rights of our Class A common stock could limit its attractiveness to investors and its liquidity and, as a result, its market value.

The holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock generally have identical rights, except that holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to 15 votes per share on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. The difference in the voting rights of the Class A common stock and Class B common stock could diminish the value of the Class A common stock to the extent that investors or any potential future purchasers of our Class A common stock ascribe value to the superior voting rights of the Class B common stock.

It may be difficult for a third party to acquire us, which could inhibit stockholders from realizing a premium on their stock price.

We are subject to the Delaware anti-takeover laws regulating corporate takeovers. These anti-takeover laws prevent Delaware corporations from engaging in business combinations with any stockholder, including all affiliates and employees of a stockholder, who owns 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock, for three years following the date that the stockholder acquired 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock unless specified conditions are met.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control that stockholders could consider favorable or beneficial. These provisions could discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. These provisions could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions include:

 

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a staggered board of directors, so that it would take three successive annual meetings to replace all directors;

 

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a prohibition of stockholder action by written consent; and

 

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advance notice requirements for the submission by stockholders of nominations for election to the board of directors and for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at a meeting.

For additional information about the anti-takeover provisions, see “Description of Securities We May Offer — Description of Capital Stock — Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws,” below.

Our issuance of shares of preferred stock could delay or prevent a change of control of us.

Our board of directors has the authority to cause us to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series, to designate the number of shares constituting any series, and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, redemption price or prices and liquidation preferences of such series. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us without further action by the stockholders, even where stockholders are offered a premium for their shares. The issuance of shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Class A common stock, including the loss of voting control. We have no preferred stock currently outstanding nor do we have any present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless stated otherwise in an accompanying prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities described in this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, but are not limited to:

 

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refunding, repurchasing, retiring upon maturity or redeeming existing debt;

 

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working capital;

 

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capital expenditures;

 

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acquisitions of or investments in businesses or assets, including acquisitions of inventory; and

 

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redeeming non-controlling equity interests in the Company.

When a particular series of securities is offered, the accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of those securities. Pending application for specific purposes, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds in short-term marketable securities.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities covered in this prospectus in any of three ways (or in any combination thereof):

 

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through underwriters or dealers;

 

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directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; or

 

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through agents.

Each time that we use this prospectus to sell securities, we will also provide a prospectus supplement that contains the specific terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

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the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of any securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

 

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the nature of the obligation of such underwriter, dealer or agent to take the securities; and

 

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the public offering price of the securities, the proceeds to us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to such underwriters, dealers or agents.

Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities.

We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and such prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

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We may enter into derivative and hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

In order to facilitate the offering of securities, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of these securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on these securities. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, and warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities that we may offer from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the related prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary of the terms of our common and preferred stock, including our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws (which we refer to as our “Certificate of Incorporation” and “Bylaws,” respectively) and relevant provisions of Delaware law, may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Delaware law. You should refer to, and read this summary together with, our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to review all of the terms of our capital stock that may be important to you.

Common Stock

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to issue, without further stockholder approval, up to 77,266,500 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of March 31, 2014, we had 18,354,121 issued and outstanding shares of our Class A common stock held by approximately 36 stockholders of record. In addition, our board of directors is authorized to issue, without further stockholder approval, up to 2,733,500 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of March 31, 2014, we had 2,733,500 issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock held by 2 stockholders of record. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Our Class A common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CHCI.”

Dividends

Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to participate in dividends ratably on a per share basis when our board of directors declares dividends on our common stock out of legally available funds. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Future dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors and will be based upon our earnings, capital requirements and operating and financial condition, among other factors, at the time any such dividends are considered by our board of directors.

Voting Rights

Each share of our Class A common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Each share of Class B common stock entitles the holder to 15 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders (except with respect to going private transactions, with respect to which each share of Class B common stock is entitled to one vote). With certain limited exceptions (as set forth in our Certificate of Incorporation), the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class with respect to all matters submitted to a vote of holders of shares of common stock, and such matters will pass with the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast.

Liquidation and Dissolution

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntarily or involuntarily, holders of our common stock will have the right to a ratable portion of the assets remaining after satisfaction in full of the prior rights of our creditors, satisfaction of all liabilities and provision for payment of any amounts payable upon shares of any preferred stock entitled to a preference, if any, over holders of common stock. No shares of our common stock have any preemptive or redemption rights, or the benefits of any sinking fund.

Conversion Rights of Class B Common Stock

A holder of a share of our Class B common stock has the right at any time, or from time to time, at such holder’s option, to convert each share of his/her/its shares of Class B common stock into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A common stock, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in our Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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Transfer Agent

American Stock Transfer and Trust Company serves as the transfer agent and registrar for all of our shares of common stock.

Classification of the Board of Directors

The directors of the Company are divided into three classes. Upon election or re-election, each director serves for a three year term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting and until his/her respective successor is duly elected and qualified.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

The Delaware General Corporation Law

Our company is a Delaware corporation subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or DGCL. Section 203 of the DGCL provides that, subject to certain exceptions, a Delaware corporation may not engage in “business combinations” with any “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

 

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the corporation has elected in its certificate of incorporation not to be governed by Section 203 (which we have not done);

 

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prior to that time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

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upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding specified shares; or

 

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at or subsequent to that time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and by the affirmative vote of at least 66 and 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

The three-year prohibition also does not apply to business combinations proposed by an interested stockholder following the announcement or notification of extraordinary transactions involving the corporation and a person who had not been an interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of the corporation’s directors. The term “business combination” is defined generally to include mergers or consolidations between a Delaware corporation and an interested stockholder, transactions with an interested stockholder involving the assets or stock of the corporation or its majority-owned subsidiaries, and transactions which increase an interested stockholder’s percentage ownership of stock.

The term “interested stockholder” is defined to include any person, other than the corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation, that is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, at any time within three years immediately prior to the relevant date, or the affiliates and associates of any such person.

Section 203 makes it more difficult for a person who would be an interested stockholder to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. The provisions of Section 203 may encourage companies interested in acquiring our company to negotiate in advance with our board of directors, because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our board of directors and may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

 

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Classified Board

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that our board of directors be divided into three classes of directors, with each class elected for staggered three-year terms expiring in successive years. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. The classification of directors will have the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our board. Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board. Our board of directors currently consists of eight members.

Removal of Directors; Vacancies

Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in our Certificate of Incorporation, directors serving on a classified board may be removed by the stockholders only for cause. Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 and 2/3% of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also provide that any vacancies on our board of directors will be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, although less than a quorum.

No Cumulative Voting

The DGCL provides that stockholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

No Stockholder Action by Written Consent; Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws prohibit stockholder action by written consent. They also provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by our board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors or by the chief executive officer of the Company.

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

Our Bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary. Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is scheduled to be held on a date more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must not be received more than 120 days prior to such annual meeting, and not later than 90 days prior to such annual meeting or the 10^th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made. Our Bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may impede stockholders’ ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of stockholders or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of stockholders.

Supermajority Provisions

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the following provisions in the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may be amended only by a vote of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class:

 

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classified board (the number, election and term of our directors);

 

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the removal of directors;

 

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the prohibition on stockholder action by written consent;

 

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the ability to call a special meeting of stockholders being vested solely in our board of directors and chief executive officer;

 

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the ability of our board of directors to adopt, amend or repeal our Bylaws;

 

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any provision in our Bylaws that was adopted, amended or repealed by our board of directors;

 

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the limitation of liability of our directors and the indemnification provisions provided to our directors and officers; and

 

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the amendment provision requiring that the above provisions be amended only with a 66 2/3% supermajority vote.

Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock

The DGCL does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of authorized shares. However, the listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market, which would apply so long as our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, require stockholder approval of certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then-outstanding voting power or the then-outstanding number of shares of common stock. Such approval is not required, however, for any public offering for cash; any bona fide private financing, if the financing involves a sale of common stock, for cash, at a price at least as great as each of the book and market value of our common stock; and securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, for cash, if the conversion or exercise price is at least as great as each of the book and market value of our common stock. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to facilitate acquisitions.

One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common or preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of our management and possibly deprive the stockholders of opportunities to sell their shares of common or preferred stock at prices higher than prevailing market prices.

Effects of Offering on Class B stockholders

The two stockholders who currently hold all of our Class B common stock currently control 77% of the voting power of the Company and, therefore, can effectively control the outcome of all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders where the holders of Class A and Class B common stock vote together as a single class other than those requiring a supermajority vote (see “Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and Or Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws — Supermajority Provisions,” below). The issuance of a significant amount of Class A common stock, or the issuance of preferred stock with special voting rights, could cause the Class B holders to lose the ability to control the vote in this manner.

Preferred Stock

The following summary describes generally some of the terms of preferred stock that we may offer from time to time in one or more series. The specific terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material relating to that series of preferred stock along with any general provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock. The following description of our preferred stock, and any description of preferred stock in a prospectus supplement and other offering material, may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the certificate of designation, preferences and rights relating to the particular series of preferred stock, which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the preferred stock. You should refer to, and read this summary together with, the applicable certificate of designation, preferences and rights and the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material to review the terms of a particular series of our preferred stock that may be important to you.

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, our board of directors or a committee designated by our board of directors is authorized to issue, without further stockholder approval, 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series. For each series of preferred stock, our board of directors may determine whether such preferred stock will have voting powers. Our board of directors may also determine the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of any preferred stock we issue. Our board of directors will determine these terms by resolution adopted before we issue any shares of a series of preferred stock.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. We will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be distributed to you. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to an indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.

We will issue the debt securities under an indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We will file the indenture and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered, as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

The summary contained in any prospectus supplement is qualified in its entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:

 

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the title of the series of debt securities;

 

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any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;

 

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the maturity date or dates;

 

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the form of the debt securities of the series;

 

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the applicability of any guarantees;

 

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whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

 

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whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;

 

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if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price 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 another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;

 

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the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

 

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our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

 

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if applicable, the terms of any redemption rights we may have with respect to the series of debt securities;

 

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the terms and conditions of any mandatory redemption provisions, or a description of the holder’s option to force us to repurchase the series of debt securities;

 

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the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities;

 

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any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series;

 

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whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities;

 

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if applicable, the terms and conditions relating to any provisions for conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series;

 

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if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

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covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

 

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a description of any events of default with respect to the securities;

 

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provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

 

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provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;

 

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the currency of payment of debt securities;

 

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whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

 

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the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium;

 

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any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and

 

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock or warrants to purchase debt securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with other securities. The following description, together with the additional information that we include in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be distributed to you, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may be issued in one or more series. The following description of warrants will apply to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.

We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants.

This summary and that contained in any prospectus supplement is qualified in its entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contains the terms of the warrants.

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus a description of any warrants that may be offered under this prospectus, and such description will include:

 

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the amount of securities called for by such warrants;

 

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the period during which and the price at which the warrants are exercisable;

 

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the amount of warrants outstanding;

 

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provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price; and

 

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any other material terms of such warrants.

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:

 

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in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or

 

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in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in such prospectus supplement. The warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

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Upon receipt of payment and the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office, including ours, indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants (or the warrants represented by such warrant certificate) are exercised, a new warrant or a new warrant certificate, as applicable, will be issued for the remaining warrants.

Each warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A warrant agent may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the legality and validity of the securities offered from time to time under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement will be passed upon by Alston & Bird LLP, Washington, D.C. Any underwriters will be advised about issues related to any offering by their own legal counsel, which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The expenses payable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities offered in this registration statement, other than potential underwriting discounts and commissions, are as follows:

 

SEC registration fee		$	3,220
Legal fees and expenses				*
Accounting fees and expenses				*
Printing expenses				*
Trustee’s fees and expenses				*
Transfer agent’s fees and expenses				*
Miscellaneous				*
Total		$	3,220

 

*	Estimates of these fees are not presently known. Estimates of the fees and expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides, in effect, that any person made a party to any action by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company may and, in certain cases, must be indemnified by the Company against, in the case of a non-derivative action, judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by him or her as a result of such action, and in the case of a derivative action, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), if in either type of action he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. This indemnification does not apply, (i) in a derivative action, to matters as to which it is adjudged that the director, officer, employee or agent is liable to the Company, unless upon court order it is determined that, despite such adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, he or she is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for expenses, and, (ii) in a non-derivative action, to any criminal proceeding in which such person had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

Article VI of our Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director of the Company shall be liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

Article VII of our Certificate of Incorporation also provides that the Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, any and all of its directors and officers, or former directors and officers, or any person who may have served at the Company’s request as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and certain officers, a form of which is filed as an Exhibit to the registration statement on Form S-1, as amended, initially filed on August 13, 2004 (No. 333-118193). Pursuant to such agreements, the Company is obligated, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to indemnify such directors and officers against all expenses, judgments, fines and penalties incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of any actions brought against them by reason of the fact that they were

 

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directors or officers of the Company or assumed certain responsibilities at the direction of the Company. The Company has director and officer liability insurance in order to limit its exposure to liability for indemnification of directors and officers.

 

Item 16.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

See Exhibit Index.

 

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 SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent 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:

(A) the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above may be contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement; and

(B) the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above may be contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference into 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.

(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

 

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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 (§ 230.424 of this chapter);

(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.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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 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.

(c) 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 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 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.

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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 Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

II-3

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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 Reston, Virginia on May 23, 2014.

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Christopher Clemente and Joseph M. Squeri and each of them acting alone, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and revocation, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign (i) any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith and (ii) any registration statement and any and all amendments thereto, relating to the offer covered hereby filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his or their substitute or substitutes, 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 date indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Christopher Clemente		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)		May 23, 2014
Christopher Clemente
/s/ Joseph M. Squeri		Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)		May 23, 2014
Joseph M. Squeri
		Director		May 23, 2014
Gregory V. Benson
/s/ A. Clayton Perfall		Director		May 23, 2014
A. Clayton Perfall

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Table of Contents

/s/ David M. Guernsey		Director		May 23, 2014
David M. Guernsey
/s/ James A. MacCutcheon		Director		May 23, 2014
James A. MacCutcheon
/s/ Norman D. Chirite		Director		May 23, 2014
Norman D. Chirite
		Director		May 23, 2014
Robert P. Pincus
/s/ Socrates Verses		Director		May 23, 2014
Socrates Verses

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number		Exhibit
3.1(1)		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
3.2(1)		Amended and Restated Bylaws
4.1(2)		Specimen Stock Certificate
4.2*		Form of Senior Indenture
4.3*		Form of Senior Subordinated Indenture
4.4(1)		Rights Agreement
5.1*		Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP
23.1*		Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2*		Consent of Alston & Bird LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1*		Power of Attorney (see signature page to this Registration Statement on Form S-3)
25.1*		Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, on Form T-1 of Wilmington Trust Corporation, as trustee under the Senior Indenture and Senior Subordinated Indenture.

 

*	Filed herewith.

(1)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.2 and 3.4, respectively, to Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Commission on December 7, 2004 (No. 333-118193).

(2)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Commission on December 9, 2004 (No. 333-118193).

Exhibit 4.2

SENIOR INDENTURE

[ISSUER]

as Issuer,

[the SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS party hereto,]

and

[                    ],

as Trustee

BASE INDENTURE

Dated as of [                    ]

Debt Securities

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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Section				Indenture Section
310		(a)		7.10
		(b)		7.10
		(c)		N.A.
311		(a)		7.11
		(b)		7.11
		(c)		N.A.
312		(a)		5.01
		(b)		5.02
		(c)		5.02
313		(a)		5.03
		(b)		5.03
		(c)		13.03
		(d)		5.03
314		(a)		4.05
		(b)		N.A.
		(c)(1)		13.05
		(c)(2)		13.05
		(c)(3)		N.A.
		(d)		N.A.
		(e)		13.05
		(f)		N.A.
315		(a)		7.01
		(b)		6.07 & 13.03
		(c)		7.01
		(d)		7.01
		(e)		6.08
316		(last sentence)		1.01
		(a)(1)(A)		6.06
		(a)(1)(B)		6.06
		(a)(2)		9.01(d)
		(b)		6.04
		(c)		5.04
317		(a)(1)		6.02
		(a)(2)		6.02
		(b)		4.04
318		(a)		13.07

N.A. means Not Applicable

NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

 

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Table of Contents

 

				Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01		Definitions			1
Section 1.02		Other Definitions			5
Section 1.03		Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act			5
Section 1.04		Rules of Construction			5
ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES
Section 2.01		Forms Generally			6
Section 2.02		Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication			6
Section 2.03		Principal Amount; Issuable in Series			6
Section 2.04		Execution of Debt Securities			8
Section 2.05		Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities			8
Section 2.06		Denomination of Debt Securities			9
Section 2.07		Registration of Transfer and Exchange			9
Section 2.08		Temporary Debt Securities			10
Section 2.09		Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities			11
Section 2.10		Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities			11
Section 2.11		Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders			12
Section 2.12		Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved			12
Section 2.13		Securities Denominated in Dollars			12
Section 2.14		Wire Transfers			12
Section 2.15		Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security			12
Section 2.16		Medium Term Securities			14
Section 2.17		Defaulted Interest			15
Section 2.18		CUSIP Numbers			15
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Section 3.01		Applicability of Article			15
Section 3.02		Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities			15
Section 3.03		Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption			16
Section 3.04		Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds			17
Section 3.05		Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund			17
ARTICLE IV
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER
Section 4.01		Payment of Principal of and Premium, If Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities			18
Section 4.02		Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities			18
Section 4.03		Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee			19
Section 4.04		Duties of Paying Agents, etc.			19
Section 4.05		SEC Reports; Financial Statements			19
Section 4.06		Compliance Certificate			20
Section 4.07		Further Instruments and Acts			20
Section 4.08		Existence			20

 

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ARTICLE V
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE
Section 5.01		Issuer to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information			21
Section 5.02		Communications to Holders			21
Section 5.03		Reports by Trustee			21
Section 5.04		Record Dates for Action by Holders			21
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 6.01		Events of Default			22
Section 6.02		Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc.			23
Section 6.03		Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee			24
Section 6.04		Limitation on Suits by Holders			25
Section 6.05		Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default			25
Section 6.06		Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default			25
Section 6.07		Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances			26
Section 6.08		Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee			26
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.01		Certain Duties and Responsibilities			26
Section 7.02		Certain Rights of Trustee			27
Section 7.03		Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities			29
Section 7.04		Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities			29
Section 7.05		Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust			29
Section 7.06		Compensation and Reimbursement			29
Section 7.07		Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officer’s Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed			29
Section 7.08		Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee			30
Section 7.09		Successor Trustee by Merger			31
Section 7.10		Eligibility; Disqualification			31
Section 7.11		Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer			31
Section 7.12		Compliance with Tax Laws			31
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
Section 8.01		Evidence of Action by Holders			31
Section 8.02		Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities			31
Section 8.03		Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities			31
Section 8.04		Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders			32
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.01		Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders			32
Section 9.02		Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities			33
Section 9.03		Effect of Supplemental Indentures			34
Section 9.04		Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures			35

 

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ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
Section 10.01		Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuer			35
Section 10.02		Rights and Duties of Successor Issuer			35
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
Section 11.01		Applicability of Article			35
Section 11.02		Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance			36
Section 11.03		Conditions of Defeasance			36
Section 11.04		Application of Trust Money			37
Section 11.05		Repayment to Issuer			37
Section 11.06		Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations			37
Section 11.07		Reinstatement			37
ARTICLE XII
[RESERVED]
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 13.01		Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture			38
Section 13.02		Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Issuer Valid			38
Section 13.03		Required Notices or Demands			38
Section 13.04		Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York			39
Section 13.05		Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by Issuer			39
Section 13.06		Payments Due on Legal Holidays			40
Section 13.07		Provisions Required by TIA to Control			40
Section 13.08		Computation of Interest on Debt Securities			40
Section 13.09		Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar			40
Section 13.10		No Recourse Against Others			40
Section 13.11		Severability			40
Section 13.12		Effect of Headings			40
Section 13.13		Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts			40
Section 13.14		U.S.A. Patriot Act			40
Section 13.15		Force Majeure			40
ARTICLE XIV
GUARANTEE
Section 14.01		Guarantee			41
Section 14.02		Limitation on Guarantors’ Liability			41
Section 14.03		Execution and Delivery of Guarantee			42
Section 14.04		Release of a Guarantor			42
FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE					A-1

 

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THIS INDENTURE IS AMONG [ISSUER], a [STATE][ENTITY TYPE] (the “Issuer”), each of the Guarantors named herein, as Guarantors, and [                    ], a [                    ] [                    ], as Trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE ISSUER AND GUARANTORS

The Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Issuer’s debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Debt Securities”), which Debt Securities may be guaranteed by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, as in this Indenture provided.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the Holders thereof, the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree with each other, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities or any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

“Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Agent” means any Registrar or paying agent.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any insolvency or other similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors” means either the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act on its behalf.

“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or the location of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting), including partnership or limited liability company interests, whether general or limited, in the equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or issued thereafter, including all Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

“Common Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) that have no preference on liquidation or with respect to distributions over any other class of Capital Stock, including partnership interests, whether general or limited, of such Person’s equity, including all series and classes of common stock.

 

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“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at the address identified in Section 13.03, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer).

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Debt” of any Person at any date means any obligation created or assumed by such Person for the repayment of borrowed money and any Guarantee thereof.

“Debt Security” or “Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debt security or debt securities, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Issuer pursuant to either Section 2.03 or 2.15, with respect to Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.

“Dollar” or “$” means such currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Floating Rate Security” means a Debt Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 2.03.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.

“Global Security” means with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued hereunder, a Debt Security which is executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and any indentures supplemental hereto, or resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due and interest rate or method of determining interest.

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner, including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations. The term “guarantee” or “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Guarantor” means each Subsidiary Guarantor.

“Holder,” “Holder of Debt Securities” or other similar terms means, a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Debt Security Register (as defined in Section 2.07(a)).

 

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“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed, or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Debt Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental indenture is entered into with respect thereto.

“Issuer Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer thereof and delivered to the Trustee.

“Issuer” means [ISSUER], a [STATE][ENTITY TYPE], and subject to Article X, its successors and assigns.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or at a Place of Payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any agreement to give any security interest).

“Officer” means any of the following with respect to any Person: the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Operating Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the General Counsel or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of such Person.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Issuer or a Guarantor, as applicable, that meets the requirements of this Indenture (including containing the statements required by Section 13.05).

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion reasonably acceptable to the Trustee from legal counsel that meets the requirements of this Indenture (including containing the statements required by Section 13.05). The counsel may be an employee of, or counsel to the Issuer, a Guarantor or the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Debt Security” means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.

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

(a) Debt Securities of that series theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Debt Securities of that series for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent (other than the Issuer) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuer (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent) for the Holders of such Debt Securities; provided, that, if such Debt 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; and

(c) Debt Securities of that series which have been paid pursuant to Section 2.09 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Issuer;

 

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provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer 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 relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which a Trust Officer actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned 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 Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or an Affiliate of the Issuer or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.

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

“Preferred Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) that have a preference on liquidation or with respect to distributions over any other class of Capital Stock, including preferred partnership interests, whether general or limited, or such Person’s preferred or preference stock, including all series and classes of such preferred or preference stock.

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

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person and the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of such Person in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, if such statements were prepared as of such date.

“Subsidiary Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement hereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture or a supplement hereto, and thereafter “Subsidiary Guarantors” shall mean such successor Person.

“TIA or Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

“Trustee” initially means [                    ] and any other Person or Persons appointed as such from time to time pursuant to Section 7.08, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, includes its or their successors and assigns. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

 

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“Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters with respect to this Indenture.

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of, obligations guaranteed by, or participations in pools consisting solely of obligations of or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which obligations or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and that are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

“Voting Stock” means with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors, managers or other voting members of the governing body of such Person.

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, calculated at the time of issuance of a series of Debt Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term		Defined in Section
“Debt Security Register”		2.07
“Defaulted Interest”		2.17
“Event of Default”		6.01
“Guarantee”		14.01
“Place of Payment”		2.03
“Registrar”		2.07
“Successor Issuer”		2.01

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) or is not exclusive;

(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(f) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

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ARTICLE II

DEBT SECURITIES

Section 2.01 Forms Generally. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Issuer may deem appropriate (and, if not contained in a supplemental indenture entered into in accordance with Article IX, as are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture) or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Debt Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officers executing such Debt Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.

The definitive Debt Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.

Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debt Securities authenticated by the Trustee shall be in substantially the following form:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Section 2.03 Principal Amount; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series in fully registered form. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate and established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series any or all of the following:

(a) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities);

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to this Article II);

(c) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of the series are payable;

 

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(d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, or the method by which such date will be determined, the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable; and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months;

(e) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of the series shall be payable (“Place of Payment”);

(f) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer or otherwise;

(g) whether Debt Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any of Guarantors pursuant to this Indenture;

(h) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Debt Securities of or within the series are secured;

(i) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

(j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(k) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

(l) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Debt Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);

(m) any changes or additions to Article XI, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 11.02(b);

(n) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.02;

(o) whether the Debt Securities of the series are to be convertible or exchangeable for other securities of the Issuer or any other Person and the terms and conditions thereof;

(p) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal of, and premium and interest on, such Debt Securities due and payable;

(q) if the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may

 

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be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Debt Securities in definitive registered form; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.15(a);

(r) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents or registrars;

(s) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article X, including conditioning any merger, conveyance, transfer or lease permitted by Article X upon the satisfaction of any Debt coverage standard by the Issuer or its Successor Issuer (as defined in Article X);

(t) with regard to Debt Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee;

(u) the currency or currency unit in which the Debt Securities will be payable, if not the Dollar; and

(v) any other terms of the Debt Securities of the series (which terms may eliminate or amend any definition, term or covenant of this Indenture with respect to such series of Debt Securities).

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors and as set forth in such Officer’s Certificate and in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

Section 2.04 Execution of Debt Securities. The Debt Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Issuer by one of its Officers and, if the seal of the Issuer is reproduced thereon, it shall be attested by its Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Such signatures upon the Debt Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized Officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities. The seal of the Issuer, if any, may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities.

Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, signed manually by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Debt Security executed on behalf of the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

In case any Officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Debt Securities shall cease to be such Officer before the Debt Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Issuer, such Debt Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to be such Officer; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt Security, shall be the proper Officers of the Issuer, although at the date of such Debt Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such Officer.

Section 2.05 Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer may deliver to the Trustee for authentication Debt Securities of any series executed by the Issuer, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debt Securities to or upon an Issuer Order. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Issuer, authorizing the terms of issuance of any series of Debt Securities;

 

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(b) an executed supplemental indenture;

(c) an Officer’s Certificate; and

(d) an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 13.05 which shall also state:

(i) that the form of such Debt Securities has been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) that the terms of such Debt Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(iii) that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability and other customary exceptions and qualifications;

(iv) that the Issuer has the corporate power to issue such Debt Securities and has duly taken all necessary corporate action with respect to such issuance;

(v) that the issuance of such Debt Securities will not contravene the organizational documents of the Issuer;

(vi) that authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of any supplemental indenture will not violate the terms of this Indenture; and

(vii) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Debt Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Debt Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, paying agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.06 Denomination of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable only as fully registered Debt Securities in such Dollar denominations as shall be specified or contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 2.07 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

(a) The Issuer shall keep or cause to be kept a register for each series of Debt Securities issued hereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Debt Security Register”), in which, subject to such

 

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reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuer shall provide for the registration of all Debt Securities and the transfer of Debt Securities as in this Article II provided. At all reasonable times the Debt Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. Subject to Section 2.15, upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. In no event may Debt Securities be issued as, or exchanged for, bearer securities.

Unless and until otherwise determined by the Issuer by resolution of its Board of Directors, the Debt Security Register shall be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and, for this purpose, the Trustee shall be designated “Registrar.”

Debt Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the same series of other authorized denominations. Subject to Section 2.15, Debt Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer as provided in Section 4.02, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Debt Security or Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.

(b) All Debt Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Issuer, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Issuer, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

All Debt Securities issued in exchange for or upon transfer of Debt Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Debt Securities surrendered for such exchange or transfer.

No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debt Securities (except as provided by Section 2.09), but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Issuer’s own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.

The Issuer and the Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities for a period of 15 days next preceding any mailing of notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities selected, called or being called for redemption.

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security is overdue, and none of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any paying agent or any 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.

Section 2.08 Temporary Debt Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Debt Securities (printed, lithographed, photocopied, typewritten or otherwise produced) of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the

 

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Issuer. Temporary Debt Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Debt Securities.

If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Issuer will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Issuer at a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 2.07 in connection with a transfer. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.

Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Debt Securities represented thereby pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount to be exchanged and endorsed.

Section 2.09 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities. If (a) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office referred to in Section 13.03 or (b) the Issuer and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any paying agent harmless, and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee receives notice that such Debt Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Issuer shall execute and, upon an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security, the Issuer or the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has matured or is about to mature or which has been called for redemption shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may, instead of issuing a substituted Debt Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish the Issuer and the Trustee with such security or indemnity as either may require to save it harmless from all risk, however remote, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Issuer and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.09 by virtue of the fact that any Debt Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. All Debt Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.10 Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities. All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Issuer or any paying agent or a Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation by it, or if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act and the Trustee) and certification of their cancellation delivered to the Issuer,

 

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upon written request. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Debt Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Debt represented thereby unless and until the same are delivered or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Issuer may not issue new Debt Securities to replace Debt Securities they have redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.11 Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, the Holders or any Registrar or paying agent, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all its covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, the Holders and any Registrar and paying agents.

Section 2.12 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

(a) Interest on any Debt 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 such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Debt Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the regular record date. Payment of interest on Debt Securities shall be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03), or at the option of the Issuer, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Debt Security Register or, if provided pursuant to Section 2.03 and in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the option of the Holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

(b) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.17, each Debt Security of a particular series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.

Section 2.13 Securities Denominated in Dollars. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of any series, payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of such series will be made in Dollars.

Section 2.14 Wire Transfers. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Issuer may make any payment of moneys required to be deposited with the Trustee on account of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities (whether pursuant to optional or mandatory redemption payments, interest payments or otherwise) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Trustee before 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date such moneys are to be paid to the Holders of the Debt Securities in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 2.15 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

(a) If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 2.05, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Issuer shall specify in an Officer’s Certificate, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME

 

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AS IS 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.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.”

or such other legend as may then be required by the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.15 or of Section 2.07 to the contrary, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Debt Securities in registered form, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.07, only by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Issuer, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(c) (1) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Issuer shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receive such notice or become aware of such ineligibility, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver, individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(i) If an Event of Default occurs and the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Trustee of its decision to require that the Debt Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, the Issuer will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(ii) If specified by the Issuer pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 with respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuer, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

 

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(iii) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Issuer will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Debt Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent. Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Registrar. The Trustee or the Registrar shall deliver such Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.

(iv) Payments in respect of the principal of and interest on any Debt Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be payable to the Depositary or such nominee in its capacity as the registered owner of such Global Security. The Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name the Debt Securities, including the Global Security, are registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. None of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any Registrar, the paying agent or any agent of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security by the Depositary or its nominee or any of the Depositary’s direct or indirect participants, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants relating to the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security, the payments to the beneficial owners of the Global Security of amounts paid to the Depositary or its nominee, or any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants. None of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any such agent will be liable for any delay by the Depositary, its nominee, or any of its direct or indirect participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Debt Securities, and the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the Depositary or its nominee for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Debt Securities to be issued).

Section 2.16 Medium Term Securities. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for the Issuer to deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate, resolutions of the Board of Directors, supplemental indenture, Opinion of Counsel or written order or any other document otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01, 2.03, 2.05 or 13.05 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first such Debt Security of such series to be issued; provided, that any subsequent request by the Issuer to the Trustee to authenticate Debt Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Issuer that, as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.05 or 13.05 shall be true and correct as if made on such date and that the Opinion of Counsel delivered at or prior to such time of authentication of an original issuance of Debt Securities shall specifically state that it shall relate to all subsequent issuances of Debt Securities of such series that are identical to the Debt Securities issued in the first issuance of Debt Securities of such series.

An Issuer Order delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, may provide that Debt Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time upon the written order of Persons designated in such written order and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with the Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolution of the Board of Directors relating to such written order, such terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as are specified in such Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or such resolution.

 

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Section 2.17 Defaulted Interest. Any interest on any Debt Security of a particular series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in this Indenture (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant record date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuer, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Issuer may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series 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 Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debt Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money 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 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 Issuer 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 Issuer shall promptly but, in any event, not less than 15 days prior to the special record date, notify the Trustee of such special record date and, the Issuer (or, upon written request of the Issuer, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall cause notice of the proposed payment date of such Defaulted Interest, the special record date therefor and the amount of the Default Interest to be paid to be mailed first-class, postage prepaid to each Holder as such Holder’s address appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on such special record date.

(ii) The Issuer may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of such series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debt Securities of such series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Section 2.18 CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Debt 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 Debt Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 3.02 Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities. In case the Issuer shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities of any series in accordance with their terms, by resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental indenture, the Issuer shall fix a date for redemption and shall give notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series so to be redeemed as a whole or in part, in the manner provided in Section 13.03 (provided that a redemption notice may be sent earlier than 60 days in connection with a defeasance or satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 11.02). The notice if given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Debt Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security of such series.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify (i) the date fixed for redemption, (ii) the redemption price at which Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such redemption price), (iii)

 

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the Place or Places of Payment that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities, (iv) that any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, (v) that the redemption is for a sinking fund payment (if applicable), (vi) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, if the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, the paying agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, (vii) that on and after said date any interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue, (viii) that in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities original issue discount accrued after the date fixed for redemption will cease to accrue, (ix) the terms of the Debt Securities of that series pursuant to which the Debt Securities of that series are being redeemed and (x) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Debt Securities of that series. In case any Debt Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of that series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof, will be issued.

At least forty five days before the date fixed for redemption, unless the Trustee in its sole discretion consents to a shorter period, the Issuer shall give written notice to the Trustee of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed and the series and terms of the Debt Securities pursuant to which such redemption will occur. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein, and such notice may be revoked at any time prior to the giving of a notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.02. If fewer than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Issuer and given in writing to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than three days after the date of notice to the Trustee.

By 12:00 p.m, New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Debt Securities, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 2.03) sufficient to pay the redemption price of such Debt Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date, together with any interest accrued to the Redemption Date.

If less than all the Debt Securities of like tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed (other than pursuant to mandatory sinking fund redemptions), the Trustee shall select, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, in each case with respect to Global Securities subject to the applicable procedures of the Depositary, the Debt Securities of that series or portions thereof to be redeemed maintaining the authorized denominations for each such series.

In any case where more than one Debt Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Debt Security of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof on such Redemption Date, the principal, premium, if any, and interest shall bear interest until paid from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of unlike tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities series and the amounts for each such series to be redeemed shall be selected by the Issuer. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Debt Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Debt Securities called for redemption.

Section 3.03 Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of the series with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the Place or Places of Payment stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Debt Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to said date) any interest on the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of any series so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and any original issue discount in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at the Place or Places of Payment in said notice specified, the said Debt Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption.

 

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Any Debt Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Place of Payment with, if the Issuer, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, 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 Debt Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Debt Security or Debt Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Debt Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

Section 3.04 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental indenture 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 Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental indenture is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of a series in cash, the Issuer may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by Issuer or (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Debt Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuer pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental indenture; provided, that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental indenture for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 3.05 Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, any resolution or supplemental indenture, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Debt Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 3.05 (which Debt Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Issuer intends to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Such certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series. Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Issuer shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, by 12 p.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuer to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Debt Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Debt Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities as provided in this Section 3.05 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.

Any sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash which shall equal or exceed $100,000 (or a lesser sum if the Issuer shall so request) with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date on which such payment is made (or, if such payment is made before a sinking fund payment date, on the sinking fund payment date following the date of such payment) to the redemption of such Debt Securities at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental indenture for operation of the sinking fund together with any accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment received by the Trustee for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.05. Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to the Debt

 

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Securities of any particular series held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of that series at its Stated Maturity.

The Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in the last paragraph of Section 3.02 and the Issuer shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.02 except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Debt Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.03.

The Issuer shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of such Debt Securities by operation of the sinking fund for such series during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Debt Securities or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) with respect to such Debt Securities, except that if the notice of redemption of any such Debt Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Article III. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into such sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of such Debt Securities; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date for such Debt Securities on which such moneys may be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.05.

ARTICLE IV

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

Section 4.01 Payment of Principal of and Premium, If Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities. The Issuer, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, each of the Debt Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein or in the Debt Securities. Each installment of interest on any Debt Securities not in global form may at the Issuer’s option be paid by the paying agent mailing checks for such interest payable to the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 2.07(a) to the address of such Person as it appears on the Debt Security Register.

Principal of and premium and interest on Debt Securities of any series shall be considered paid on the date due if, by 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on such date the Trustee or any paying agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest then due.

The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any, at the rate specified therefor in the Debt Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities. The Issuer will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and it shall also maintain (in or outside such Place of Payment) an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered for transfer or exchange. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations or surrenders, may be made or served at the office of the Trustee specified in Section 13.03, and the Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all presentations.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies to be maintained for such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency.

 

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Section 4.03 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.08, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder with respect to each series of Debt Securities.

Section 4.04 Duties of Paying Agents, etc.

(a) The Issuer shall cause each paying agent, if any, other than the Trustee or the Issuer, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04,

(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series;

(ii) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable; and

(iii) that it will at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held by it as such agent.

(b) If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by the Issuer to take such action or the failure by any other obligor on such Debt Securities to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such Debt Securities when the same shall be due and payable.

(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it or any paying agent, as required by this Section 4.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Issuer or such paying agent.

(d) Whenever there are one or more paying agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Issuer will, prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Securities of such series, deposit with any such paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless any such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

(e) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.04 is subject to the provisions of Section 11.05.

Section 4.05 SEC Reports; Financial Statements. The Issuer shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding:

(a) Whether or not the Issuer is then required to file reports with the SEC, the Issuer shall file with the SEC all such reports and other information as it would be required to file with the SEC by Sections 13(a) or 15(d) under the Exchange Act if it was subject thereto; provided, however, that, if filing such documents by the Issuer with the SEC is not permitted under the Exchange Act, the Issuer shall, within 15 days after the time the

 

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Issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) under the Exchange Act, provide such documents and reports to the Trustee and upon written request supply copies of such documents and reports to any Holder and shall post such documents and reports on the Issuer’s public website. The Issuer shall supply the Trustee and each Holder, without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports and other information. Delivery of such information, documents and reports 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 Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

(b) So long as permitted by the SEC, at any time that either (x) one or more Subsidiaries of the Issuer is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as defined in a supplemental indenture hereto) or (y) the Issuer holds directly any material assets (including Capital Stock) other than the Capital Stock of the Issuer then the quarterly and annual financial information required by this Section 4.15 will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” or any other comparable section, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries and other material assets of the Issuer.

(c) The Issuer shall also, within a reasonably prompt period of time following the disclosure of the annual and quarterly information required above, conduct a conference call with respect to such information and results of operations for the relevant reporting period. No fewer than three Business Days prior to the date of the conference call required to be held in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Issuer shall issue a press release to the appropriate internationally recognized wire services announcing the date that such information will be available and the time and date of such conference call.

Section 4.06 Compliance Certificate.

(a) So long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, an Officer’s Certificate signed by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal operating officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuer and its Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that, to the best of such Officer’s knowledge, the Issuer and its Subsidiaries during such preceding fiscal year have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every such covenant and no Default occurred during such year and at the date of such certificate there is no Default that has occurred and is continuing or, if such signers do know of such Default, the certificate shall specify such Default and what action, if any, the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b) The Issuer shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee within 30 days after the Issuer become aware (unless such Default has been cured before the end of the 30-day period) of the occurrence of any Default an Officer’s Certificate specifying the Default and what action, if any, the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.07 Further Instruments and Acts. The Issuer will, upon request of the Trustee, execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may reasonably be necessary or proper to carry out more effectually the purposes of this Indenture.

Section 4.08 Existence. Except as permitted by Article X hereof or any supplemental indenture hereto, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and all rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Issuer, provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise, if its Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer.

 

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ARTICLE V

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01 Issuer to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information. The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series:

(a) not more than 10 days after each record date with respect to the payment of interest, if any, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such record date, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Issuer of any such request, a list of similar form and contents 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 shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.

The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 or (ii) received by it in the capacity of paying agent or Registrar (if so acting) hereunder.

The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

Section 5.02 Communications to Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Debt Securities. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

Section 5.03 Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after each [                    ], beginning with the first [                    ] following the date Debt Securities are issued under this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such [                    ] that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).

Reports pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall be transmitted by mail:

(a) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear in the Debt Security Register;

and

(b) except in the cases of reports under Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA, to each Holder of a Debt Security of any series whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 5.01.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Debt Securities of any series are listed. The Issuer agrees to notify promptly the Trustee in writing whenever the Debt Securities of any series become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 5.04 Record Dates for Action by Holders. If the Issuer shall solicit from the Holders of Debt Securities of any series any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the Issuer may, at its option, by resolution of the Board of Directors, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Debt Securities entitled to take such action, but the Issuer shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Issuer’s discretion.

 

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If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Debt Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Debt Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Debt Securities of such series Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Debt Securities of such series Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01 Events of Default. If any one or more of the following shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Debt Securities of any series (each of the following, an “Event of Default”):

(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 60 days; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise; or

(c) default in the payment of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable; or

(d) failure on the part of the Issuer, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Guarantors, duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuer, or if applicable, any of the Guarantors, in the Debt Securities of that series, in any resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of that series of Debt Securities, in this Indenture with respect to such series or in any supplemental indenture with respect to such series (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), continuing for a period of 30 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure and requiring the Issuer, or if applicable, the Guarantors, to remedy the same shall have been given to the Issuer, or if applicable, the Guarantors, by the Trustee or to the Issuer, or if applicable, the Guarantors, and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding; or

(e) the Issuer, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Guarantors, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law,

(i) commences a voluntary case,

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Issuer, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Guarantors, as debtor in an involuntary case,

 

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(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Issuer, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Guarantors, or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer, or if applicable, any of the Guarantors, or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Issuer, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Guarantors,

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

(g) if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, the Guarantee of any of the Guarantors ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Debt Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any of the Guarantors denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

(h) failure on the part of the Issuer to comply with Article X;

(i) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series;

then and in each and every case that an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), (h) or (i) with respect to Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, unless the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of that series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) occurs with respect to the Issuer, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities shall have become due and payable, the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities then Outstanding hereunder shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction already rendered and if all existing Events of Default with respect to that series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Upon any such rescission, the parties hereto shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the parties hereto shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 6.02 Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc.. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid or enforce the performance of any provision of the Debt Securities of the affected series or this Indenture, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against any of the Guarantors or the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series (and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of any of the Guarantors or the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable).

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any of the Guarantors, the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series under any Bankruptcy Law, or in

 

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case a Custodian shall have been appointed for its property, or in case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to any of the Guarantors, the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series, its creditors or its property, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of Debt 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 pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, 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 reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or willful misconduct) and of the Holders thereof allowed in any such judicial proceedings relative to any of the Guarantors, the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, its creditors or its property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of such Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of such Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to such Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or willful misconduct. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any such Debt Securities, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment (except for any amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06) shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of all the Debt Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 6.03 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys or other property collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.02 with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be applied, in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or other property, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities of such series in respect of which moneys or other property have been collected, and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all money due the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06;

SECOND: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall not have become due, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

THIRD: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on

 

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the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series; and, in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest, without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any Debt Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and interest; and

FOURTH: The remainder, if any, shall be paid to the Guarantors or the Issuer, as applicable, its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.03. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuer shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

Section 6.04 Limitation on Suits by Holders. No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that same series and of the continuance thereof and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such indemnity or security satisfactory to it as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity or security shall have failed to institute any such action or proceedings and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Debt Security with every other Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any Holders, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all such Holders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 6.04, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.05 Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default. All powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid, shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.06 Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default. Subject to Section 7.02(d), the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate

 

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principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or of exercising any right, trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel shall determine that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, or if the Trustee shall by a Trust Officer determine that the action so directed would involve it in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders of Debt Securities of such series not taking part in such direction; and provided, further, however, that nothing in this Indenture contained shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by such Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of that series waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences for that series, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities and a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected thereby. In case of any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, and the Guarantors, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of that series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.07 Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, or if later, within 30 days after the Trustee obtains actual knowledge of the Event of Default, with respect to a series of Debt Securities give to the Holders thereof, in the manner provided in Section 13.03, notice of all Events of Default with respect to such series known to the Trustee, unless such Events of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities of such series or in the making of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt 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 committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.

Section 6.08 Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt 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 in the manner and to the extent provided in the TIA, 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 6.08 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 25 percent in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Security on or after the due date for such payment expressed in such Debt Security.

ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall 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.

 

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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, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the effect of the first paragraph of this Section 7.01;

(b) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such series shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any 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;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable for an 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; and

(iv) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Debt Securities of any series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that 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 Debt Securities of such series.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that an adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

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.

Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:

(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors of any Person may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the proper Officer of such Person;

 

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(c) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both and the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel;

(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance upon such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(f) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken 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;

(g) 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, approval or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Debt Securities of a series affected by such matter; provided, however, 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 not, in the opinion of the Trustee, reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require satisfactory indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding, and the reasonable expense of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuer or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuer upon demand;

(h) 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 by it with due care hereunder;

(i) if any property other than cash shall at any time be subject to a Lien in favor of the Holders, the Trustee, if and to the extent authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by the supplemental instrument subjecting such property to such Lien, shall be entitled to make advances for the purpose of preserving such property or of discharging tax Liens or other prior Liens or encumbrances thereon.

(j) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified and/or secured, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by [                    ] in each of its respective capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder. Absent willful misconduct or negligence, each Paying Agent and Registrar shall not be liable for acting in good faith on instructions believed by it to be genuine and from the proper party. Each Agent’s obligations and duties are several and not joint.

(k) The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

(l) Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Debt Securities and this Indenture.

(m) The Trustee will not be liable to any person if prevented or delayed in performing any of its obligations or discretionary functions under this Indenture by reason of any present or future law applicable to it, by any governmental or regulatory authority or by any circumstances beyond its control.

(n) The Trustee shall not under any circumstances be liable for any punitive, special or consequential damages (including loss of business, goodwill, opportunity or profit of any kind) of the Issuer, any Subsidiary or any other Person (or, in each case, any successor thereto), even if advised of it in advance and even if foreseeable.

 

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Section 7.03 Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities. The recitals contained herein, in the Debt Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer and the Guarantors, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Debt Securities and perform its obligations hereunder, and that the statements made by it or to be made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 supplied to the Issuer are true and accurate. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by any Person of any of the Debt Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee or any paying agent or Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and subject to the provisions of the TIA relating to conflicts of interest and preferential claims may otherwise deal with the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Registrar.

Section 7.05 Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but 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 moneys received by it hereunder.

Section 7.06 Compensation and Reimbursement. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay in Dollars to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, the compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Issuer will pay or reimburse in Dollars the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents, attorneys and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), including without limitation, Section 6.02, except any such expense, disbursement or advances as may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify in Dollars the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7.06 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional Debt hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. The Issuer and the Holders agree that such additional Debt shall be secured by a Lien prior to that of the Debt 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, and premium, if any, or interest on, particular Debt Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.07 Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officer’s Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

 

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Section 7.08 Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Issuer may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Debt Securities. The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more or all series of Debt Securities at any time by giving notice to the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series and only such series by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(c) a Custodian takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuer or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 7.08.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of Debt Securities of each applicable series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.06.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee gives notice of resignation or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.06 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

In the case of the appointment hereunder of a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Issuer, any retiring Trustee and each successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto or other instrument (i) which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of any retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as to which any such retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in such retiring Trustee and (ii) that 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 or other instrument shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such separate, retiring or successor 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.

 

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Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors to the Trustee by merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310 (a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. No obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such obligor shall serve as Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA this Indenture or any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuer are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311 (a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated therein.

Section 7.12 Compliance with Tax Laws. The Trustee hereby agrees to comply with all U.S. Federal income tax information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it with respect to payments of premium (if any) and interest on the Debt Securities, whether acting as Trustee, Registrar, paying agent or otherwise with respect to the Debt Securities.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.01 Evidence of Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any or all series may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.02, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Debt Securities evidenced by a Global Security, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

Section 8.02 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 13.09, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities of any series shall be proved by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem necessary.

Section 8.03 Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Debt Security shall be registered upon the books of the

 

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Registrar as the absolute owner of such Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes, and none of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and all such payments so made to any such Holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.

None of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 8.04 Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action and subject to the following paragraph, any Holder of a Debt Security which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debt Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Debt Security and of any Debt Security issued upon transfer thereof or in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or such other Debt Securities. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series.

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Debt Securities entitled to give their consent or take any other action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders of Debt Securities at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of Debt Securities after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series specified in this Indenture shall have been received within such 120-day period.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01 Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders. The Issuer and the Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time, without the consent of Holders, enter into an Indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession pursuant to Article X of another Person to the Issuer, or successive successions, and the assumption by the Successor Issuer (as defined in Section 10.01) of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer in this Indenture and in the Debt Securities;

(b) to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or the Guarantors, to add to the covenants of the Issuer or the Guarantors such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Debt Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the

 

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several remedies provided in this Indenture; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision 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 any or all series of Debt Securities to waive such Default;

(c) to cure any ambiguity or omission or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein, in any supplemental indenture or in any Debt Securities of any series that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein, in any supplemental indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series; to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of Debt Securities of any series;

(d) to permit the qualification of this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto under the TIA as then in effect, except that nothing herein contained shall permit or authorize the inclusion in any indenture supplemental hereto of the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA;

(e) to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities of any series in uncertificated form;

(f) to reflect the release of a Guarantor in accordance with Article XIV;

(g) to add Guarantors with respect to any or all of the Debt Securities or to secure any or all of the Debt Securities or the Guarantee;

(h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder;

(i) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Debt Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.01 shall neither apply to any Debt Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holder of any such Debt Security with respect to such provision or shall become effective only when there is no such Debt Security Outstanding;

(j) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt 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; and

(k) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.

Section 9.02 Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities. Without notice to any Holder but with the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.01) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such

 

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supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for any such series of Debt Securities), the Issuer and the Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an Indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Debt Security so affected, shall: reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment; reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Debt Security; reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security; reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security or change the time at which any Debt Security may or shall be redeemed in accordance with Article III; make any Debt Security payable in currency other than the currency such Debt Security was payable on the date of issuance of such Debt Security; impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of premium, if any, principal of and interest on such Holder’s Debt Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities; release any security that may have been granted in respect of the Debt Securities, other than in accordance with this Indenture; make any change in Section 6.06 or this Section 9.02; or, except as provided in Section 11.02(b) or Section 14.04, release the Guarantors other than as provided in this Indenture or modify the Guarantee in any manner adverse to the Holders.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt 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 Debt Securities of any other series.

Upon the request of the Issuer and the Guarantors, accompanied by a copy of resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

After an amendment under this Section 9.02 requiring the consent of the Holders of any series of Debt Securities becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to Holders of that series of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to any such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02 with respect to other Holders.

Section 9.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties, liabilities and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

The Trustee shall receive and shall (subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02) be fully protected in relying on an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that any such supplemental indenture is permitted or authorized pursuant to this Indenture and that all conditions precedent to the execution thereof are satisfied.

 

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Section 9.04 Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures. Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may, and shall if required by the Issuer, bear a notation in form approved by the Issuer as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. New Debt Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Issuer and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Debt Security of such series shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

ARTICLE X

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 10.01 Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuer. The Issuer shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to any Person, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, unless: (a) either (i) the Issuer shall be the surviving Person in the case of a merger or (ii) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person if other than the Issuer (the “Successor Issuer”), shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Issuer shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Debt Securities according to their tenor; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the Successor Issuer as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Issuer at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default would occur or be continuing; (c) if the Issuer is not the continuing Person, then each Guarantor, unless it has become the Successor Issuer, shall confirm that its Guarantee shall continue to apply to the obligations under the Debt Securities and this Indenture; and (d) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

Section 10.02 Rights and Duties of Successor Issuer. In case of any consolidation, amalgamation or merger where the Issuer is not the continuing Person, or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in accordance with Section 10.01, the Successor Issuer shall succeed to and be substituted for the Issuer with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the respective party to this Indenture, and the predecessor entity shall be released from all liabilities and obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities, except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s assets. The Successor Issuer thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the predecessor entity, any or all the Debt Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by or on behalf of the predecessor entity and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon an Issuer Order, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by or on behalf of the predecessor entity to the Trustee for authentication, and any Debt Securities which the Successor Issuer thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all such Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale or disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Debt Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF

INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article XI relating to discharge or defeasance of Debt Securities shall be applicable to each series of Debt Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.

 

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Section 11.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance.

(a) If at any time the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Debt Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09 and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer as provided in Section 11.05) or all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash sufficient to pay at final maturity or upon redemption all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and if in either case the Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights herein expressly provided for) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute such instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series as reasonably requested by the Issuer.

(b) Subject to Sections 11.02(c), 11.03 and 11.07, the Issuer at any time may terminate, with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series, all its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (“legal defeasance option”) or the operation of (w) Sections 4.09 and 4.10, any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, (y) Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and (z) as they relate to the Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f) (“covenant defeasance option”). If the Issuer exercises either its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series that are entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee, the Guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of Debt Securities. The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and, with respect to the Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f).

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuer terminates.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuer’s obligations in Sections 2.07, 2.09, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, the last sentence of 4.05(a), 4.06(a), 5.01, 7.06, 11.05, 11.06 and 11.07 shall survive until the Debt Securities of the defeased series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuer’s obligations in Sections 7.06, 11.05 and 11.06 shall survive.

Section 11.03 Conditions of Defeasance. The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series only if:

(a) the Issuer irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(b) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

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(c) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) with respect to the Issuer occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(d) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and after giving effect thereto;

(e) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Issuer;

(f) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(g) in the event of the legal defeasance option, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Issuer has received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or since the date 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 of Counsel shall state that, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series 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;

(h) in the event of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of Debt Securities of such series 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; and

(i) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series as contemplated by this Article XI have been complied with.

Before or after a deposit, the Issuer may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article III.

Section 11.04 Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article XI. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through any paying agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of the defeased series.

Section 11.05 Repayment to Issuer. The Trustee and any paying agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuer upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and any paying agent shall pay to the Issuer upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors.

Section 11.06 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuer shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Holders against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 11.07 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any paying agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or government authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities of the defeased series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or any paying agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI.

 

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ARTICLE XII

[RESERVED]

This Article XII has been intentionally omitted.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 13.01 Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 13.02 Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Issuer Valid. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Issuer shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Successor Issuer.

Section 13.03 Required Notices or Demands. Any notice or communication by the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Issuer or any Guarantor:

[                    ]

[                    ]

[                    ]

[                    ]

Facsimile: [                    ]

Attention: [                    ]

By e-mail: [                    ]

with a copy to:

[                    ]

[                    ]

[                    ]

Facsimile: [                    ]

Attention: [                    ]

By e-mail: [                    ]

If to the Trustee:

[                    ]

[                    ]

[                    ]

[                    ]

Attention: [                    ]

Telephone: [                    ]

Facsimile: [                    ]

via email to [                    ]

 

38

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The Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; on the first Business Day on or after being sent, if telecopied and the sender receives confirmation of successful transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice required or permitted to a Holder by the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to be properly mailed by being deposited postage prepaid in a post office letter box in the United States addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as shown on the Debt Security Register. Any report pursuant to Section 313 of the TIA shall be transmitted in compliance with subsection (c) therein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice to Holders of Floating Rate Securities regarding the determination of a periodic rate of interest, if such notice is required pursuant to Section 2.03, shall be sufficiently given if given in the manner specified pursuant to Section 2.03.

In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

In the event it shall be impracticable to give notice by publication, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it or any defect in any notice by publication as to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, it is conclusively presumed duly given.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Note (or its designee) pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depositary.

Section 13.04 Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York. THIS INDENTURE, EACH DEBT SECURITY AND THE GUARANTEE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE NEW YORK CONTRACTS, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE.

Section 13.05 Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by Issuer. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent 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 have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) 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, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

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Section 13.06 Payments Due on Legal Holidays. In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of a series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any Debt Security or the making of any sinking fund payment is a Legal Holiday at any Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of such series, then payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, or the making of such sinking fund payment need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, but 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 date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. If a record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.

Section 13.07 Provisions Required by TIA to Control. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the TIA, such required provision shall control.

Section 13.08 Computation of Interest on Debt Securities. Interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 2.03.

Section 13.09 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and any paying agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

Section 13.10 No Recourse Against Others. No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debt Securities or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer or the Guarantors in this Indenture, or in any of the Debt Securities or Guarantees thereof or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented hereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer, director, employee or controlling person of the Issuer or the Guarantors or of any successor Person thereof. Each Holder, by accepting a Debt Security, waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Debt Security.

Section 13.11 Severability. To the extent permitted by applicable law, in case any one or more of the provisions in this Indenture, in the Debt Securities or in the Guarantees shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, it being intended that all of the provisions hereof shall be enforceable to the full extent permitted by law.

Section 13.12 Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein and in the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 13.13 Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 13.14 U.S.A. Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

Section 13.15 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces

 

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beyond its control, including without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions or utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

ARTICLE XIV

GUARANTEE

Section 14.01 Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XIV to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XIV shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Trustee and the Debt Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.03, as entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of each of the Guarantors.

(b) Subject to this Article XIV, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees on a senior unsecured basis to each Holder of a Debt Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Debt Securities or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and interest on the Debt Securities shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Debt Securities, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Debt Securities or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Debt Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Debt Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Subject to Section 6.04 hereof, each Guarantor hereby waives, to the extent permitted by applicable law, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Debt Securities and this Indenture.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee.

Section 14.02 Limitation on Guarantors’ Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Debt Securities, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such

 

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Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article XIV, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. Each Guarantor that makes a payment for distribution under its Guarantee is entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the adjusted net assets of each Guarantor.

Section 14.03 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 14.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee substantially in the form included in Annex A shall be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Debt Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by an Officer.

Section 14.04 Release of a Guarantor. A Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released from its obligations under its Guarantee and its obligations under this Indenture in the event of:

(a) any sale, exchange or transfer, to any Person not a Subsidiary of the Issuer of Capital Stock held by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture hereto) in, or all or substantially all the assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary (which sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture), such that, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a Subsidiary of the Issuer,

(b) in connection with the merger or consolidation of a Subsidiary Guarantor with (a) the Issuer or (b) any other Guarantor (provided that the surviving entity remains a Guarantor),

(c) if the Issuer properly designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary,

(d) upon the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,

(e) upon a liquidation or dissolution of a Subsidiary Guarantor permitted under this Indenture, or

(f) the release or discharge of the Guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Subsidiary Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee.

The Trustee may execute an appropriate instrument prepared by the Issuer evidencing the release of a Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee and this Indenture upon receipt of a request by the Issuer or such Guarantor accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel certifying as to the compliance with this Section 14.04; provided, however, that the legal counsel delivering such Opinion of Counsel may rely as to matters of fact on one or more Officer’s Certificates of the Issuer.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debt Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Issuer (in which case such Guarantor shall no longer be a Guarantor) or another Guarantor or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Issuer or another Guarantor.

[Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

Signature Page to Senior Indenture

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Signature Page to Senior Indenture

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ANNEX A

FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

For value received, each of the undersigned (including any successor Person under the Indenture) hereby unconditionally guarantees, jointly and severally, to the extent set forth in the Indenture (as defined below) to the Holder of this Note the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on this Debt Security in the amounts and at the times when due and interest on the overdue principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, of this Debt Security when due, if lawful, and, to the extent permitted by law, the payment or performance of all other obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture or the Debt Securities, to the Holder of this Note and the Trustee, all in accordance with and subject to the terms and limitations of this Note, the Indenture, including Article XIV thereof, and this Guarantee. This Guarantee will become effective in accordance with Article XIV of the Indenture and its terms shall be evidenced therein. The validity and enforceability of any Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Debt Security.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture dated as of [                    ], among [                    ], a [                    ] [                    ], (the “Issuer”), each of the Guarantors named therein, and [                    ], a [                    ] [                    ], as trustee (the “Trustee”), as amended or supplemented (the “Indenture”).

The obligations of the undersigned to the Holders of Debt Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article XIV of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee and all of the other provisions of the Indenture to which this Guarantee relates.

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or controlling person or any successor Person thereof of any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of such Guarantors under such Guarantors’ Guarantee or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligation or its creation.

This Guarantee shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

This Guarantee is subject to release upon the terms set forth in the Indenture.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused its Guarantee to be duly executed.

 

 

A-1

Exhibit 4.3

SENIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

[ISSUER]

as Issuer,

[the SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS party hereto,]

and

[                    ],

as Trustee

BASE INDENTURE

Dated as of [                    ]

Subordinated Debt Securities

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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Section				Indenture Section
310		(a)		7.10
		(b)		7.10
		(c)		N.A.
311		(a)		7.11
		(b)		7.11
		(c)		N.A.
312		(a)		5.01
		(b)		5.02
		(c)		5.02
313		(a)		5.03
		(b)		5.03
		(c)		13.03
		(d)		5.03
314		(a)		4.05
		(b)		N.A.
		(c)(1)		13.05
		(c)(2)		13.05
		(c)(3)		N.A.
		(d)		N.A.
		(e)		13.05
		(f)		N.A.
315		(a)		7.01
		(b)		6.07 & 13.03
		(c)		7.01
		(d)		7.01
		(e)		6.08
316		(last sentence)		1.01
		(a)(1)(A)		6.06
		(a)(1)(B)		6.06
		(a)(2)		9.01(d)
		(b)		6.04
		(c)		5.04
317		(a)(1)		6.02
		(a)(2)		6.02
		(b)		4.04
318		(a)		13.07

N.A. means Not Applicable

NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

 

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Table of Contents

 

				Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01		Definitions			1
Section 1.02		Other Definitions			5
Section 1.03		Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act			5
Section 1.04		Rules of Construction			6
ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES
Section 2.01		Forms Generally			6
Section 2.02		Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication			6
Section 2.03		Principal Amount; Issuable in Series			7
Section 2.04		Execution of Debt Securities			8
Section 2.05		Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities			9
Section 2.06		Denomination of Debt Securities			10
Section 2.07		Registration of Transfer and Exchange			10
Section 2.08		Temporary Debt Securities			11
Section 2.09		Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities			11
Section 2.10		Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities			12
Section 2.11		Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders			12
Section 2.12		Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved			12
Section 2.13		Securities Denominated in Dollars			12
Section 2.14		Wire Transfers			12
Section 2.15		Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security			13
Section 2.16		Medium Term Securities			14
Section 2.17		Defaulted Interest			15
Section 2.18		CUSIP Numbers			15
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Section 3.01		Applicability of Article			16
Section 3.02		Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities			16
Section 3.03		Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption			17
Section 3.04		Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds			17
Section 3.05		Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund			17
ARTICLE IV
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER
Section 4.01		Payment of Principal of and Premium, If Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities			18
Section 4.02		Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities			19
Section 4.03		Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee			19
Section 4.04		Duties of Paying Agents, etc.			19
Section 4.05		SEC Reports; Financial Statements			20
Section 4.06		Compliance Certificate			20
Section 4.07		Further Instruments and Acts			21
Section 4.08		Existence			21

 

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ARTICLE V
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE
Section 5.01		Issuer to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information			21
Section 5.02		Communications to Holders			21
Section 5.03		Reports by Trustee			21
Section 5.04		Record Dates for Action by Holders			22
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 6.01		Events of Default			22
Section 6.02		Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc.			24
Section 6.03		Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee			25
Section 6.04		Limitation on Suits by Holders			25
Section 6.05		Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default			26
Section 6.06		Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default			26
Section 6.07		Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances			26
Section 6.08		Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee			26
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.01		Certain Duties and Responsibilities			27
Section 7.02		Certain Rights of Trustee			28
Section 7.03		Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities			29
Section 7.04		Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities			29
Section 7.05		Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust			29
Section 7.06		Compensation and Reimbursement			29
Section 7.07		Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officer’s Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed			30
Section 7.08		Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee			30
Section 7.09		Successor Trustee by Merger			31
Section 7.10		Eligibility; Disqualification			31
Section 7.11		Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer			31
Section 7.12		Compliance with Tax Laws			31
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
Section 8.01		Evidence of Action by Holders			31
Section 8.02		Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities			32
Section 8.03		Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities			32
Section 8.04		Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders			32
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.01		Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders			32
Section 9.02		Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities			34
Section 9.03		Effect of Supplemental Indentures			35
Section 9.04		Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures			35

 

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Section 9.05		Subordination Unimpaired			35
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
Section 10.01		Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuer			35
Section 10.02		Rights and Duties of Successor Issuer			35
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
Section 11.01		Applicability of Article			36
Section 11.02		Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance			36
Section 11.03		Conditions of Defeasance			37
Section 11.04		Application of Trust Money			38
Section 11.05		Repayment to Issuer			38
Section 11.06		Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations			38
Section 11.07		Reinstatement			38
ARTICLE XII
SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Section 12.01		Debt Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt			38
Section 12.02		Payments to Holders			38
Section 12.03		Subrogation of Debt Securities			39
Section 12.04		Trustee to Effectuate Subordination			40
Section 12.05		No Waiver of Subordination Provisions			40
Section 12.06		Notice to Trustee			40
Section 12.07		Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent			41
Section 12.08		Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt			41
Section 12.09		Rights of Trustee As Holder of Senior Debt; Preservation of Trustee’s Rights			41
Section 12.10		Article Applicable to Paying Agents			41
Section 12.11		Certain Conversions or Exchanges Deemed Payment			42
Section 12.12		Defeasance of This Article XII			42
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 13.01		Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture			42
Section 13.02		Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Issuer Valid			42
Section 13.03		Required Notices or Demands			42
Section 13.04		Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York			43
Section 13.05		Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by Issuer			44
Section 13.06		Payments Due on Legal Holidays			44
Section 13.07		Provisions Required by TIA to Control			44
Section 13.08		Computation of Interest on Debt Securities			44
Section 13.09		Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar			44
Section 13.10		No Recourse Against Others			44
Section 13.11		Severability			44
Section 13.12		Effect of Headings			44
Section 13.13		Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts			45
Section 13.14		U.S.A. Patriot Act			45
Section 13.15		Force Majeure			45

 

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ARTICLE XIV GUARANTEE
Section 14.01		Guarantee			45
Section 14.02		Limitation on Guarantors’ Liability			46
Section 14.03		Execution and Delivery of Guarantee			46
Section 14.04		Release of a Guarantor			46
FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE					A-1

 

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THIS INDENTURE IS AMONG [ISSUER], a [STATE][ENTITY TYPE] (the “Issuer”), each of the Guarantors named herein, as Guarantors, and [                    ], a [                    ] [                    ], as Trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE ISSUER AND GUARANTORS

The Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Issuer’s debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Debt Securities”), which Debt Securities may be guaranteed by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, as in this Indenture provided.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the Holders thereof, the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree with each other, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities or any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

“Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Agent” means any Registrar or paying agent.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any insolvency or other similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors” means either the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act on its behalf.

“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or the location of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting), including partnership or limited liability company interests, whether general or limited, in the equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or issued thereafter, including all Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

“Common Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) that have no preference on liquidation or with respect to distributions over any other class of Capital Stock, including partnership interests, whether general or limited, of such Person’s equity, including all series and classes of common stock.

 

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“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at the address identified in Section 13.03, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer).

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Debt” of any Person at any date means any obligation created or assumed by such Person for the repayment of borrowed money and any guarantee thereof.

“Debt Security” or “Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debt security or debt securities, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Issuer pursuant to either Section 2.03 or 2.15, with respect to Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.

“Dollar” or “$” means such currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Floating Rate Security” means a Debt Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 2.03.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.

“Global Security” means with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued hereunder, a Debt Security which is executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and any indentures supplemental hereto, or resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due and interest rate or method of determining interest.

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner, including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations. The term “guarantee” or “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Guarantor” means each Subsidiary Guarantor.

“Holder,” “Holder of Debt Securities” or other similar terms means, a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Debt Security Register (as defined in Section 2.07(a)).

 

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“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed, or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Debt Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental indenture is entered into with respect thereto.

“Issuer Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer thereof and delivered to the Trustee.

“Issuer” means [ISSUER], a [STATE][ENTITY TYPE], and subject to Article X, its successors and assigns.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or at a Place of Payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any agreement to give any security interest).

“Officer” means any of the following with respect to any Person: the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Operating Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the General Counsel or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of such Person.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Issuer or a Guarantor, as applicable, that meets the requirements of this Indenture (including containing the statements required by Section 13.05).

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion reasonably acceptable to the Trustee from legal counsel that meets the requirements of this Indenture (including containing the statements required by Section 13.05). The counsel may be an employee of, or counsel to the Issuer, a Guarantor or the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Debt Security” means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.

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

(a) Debt Securities of that series theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Debt Securities of that series for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent (other than the Issuer) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuer (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent) for the Holders of such Debt Securities; provided, that, if such Debt 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; and

(c) Debt Securities of that series which have been paid pursuant to Section 2.09 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Issuer;

 

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provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer 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 relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which a Trust Officer actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned 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 Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or an Affiliate of the Issuer or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.

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

“Preferred Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) that have a preference on liquidation or with respect to distributions over any other class of Capital Stock, including preferred partnership interests, whether general or limited, or such Person’s preferred or preference stock, including all series and classes of such preferred or preference stock.

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

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Senior Debt” means all amounts due on obligations in connection with any of the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of this Indenture or thereafter incurred or created: (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest due on the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s indebtedness for borrowed money and indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Issuer or any Guarantor; (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors; (iii) any obligations as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles of the Issuer and the Guarantors; (iv) all obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors for the reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction; (v) all obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors in respect of interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or options contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements; (vi) all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons for the payment of which the Issuer or any Guarantor is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and (vii) all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Issuer or the Guarantors (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Issuer or any Guarantor); provided, however, that the following will not constitute Senior Debt: (a) any indebtedness which expressly provides (i) that such indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the Securities, or (ii) that such indebtedness shall be subordinated to any other indebtedness of the Issuer or the Guarantors, unless such indebtedness expressly provides that such indebtedness shall be senior in right of payment to the Securities; (b) any indebtedness of the Issuer and the Guarantors in respect of the Securities; (c) any indebtedness or liability for compensation to employees, for goods or materials purchased in the ordinary course of business or for services; (d) any indebtedness of the Issuer and the Guarantors to any subsidiary; and (e) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Issuer and the Guarantors.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory

 

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redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person and the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of such Person in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, if such statements were prepared as of such date.

“Subsidiary Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement hereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture or a supplement hereto, and thereafter “Subsidiary Guarantors” shall mean such successor Person.

“TIA or Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

“Trustee” initially means [                    ] and any other Person or Persons appointed as such from time to time pursuant to Section 7.08, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, includes its or their successors and assigns. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

“Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters with respect to this Indenture.

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of, obligations guaranteed by, or participations in pools consisting solely of obligations of or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which obligations or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and that are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

“Voting Stock” means with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors, managers or other voting members of the governing body of such Person.

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, calculated at the time of issuance of a series of Debt Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term		Defined in Section
“Debt Security Register”		2.07
“Defaulted Interest”		2.17
“Event of Default”		6.01
“Guarantee”		14.01
“Junior Debt Securities”		12.11
“Place of Payment”		2.03
“Registrar”		2.07
“Successor Issuer”		2.01

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

 

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All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) or is not exclusive;

(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(f) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

ARTICLE II

DEBT SECURITIES

Section 2.01 Forms Generally. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Issuer may deem appropriate (and, if not contained in a supplemental indenture entered into in accordance with Article IX, as are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture) or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Debt Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officers executing such Debt Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.

The definitive Debt Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.

Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debt Securities authenticated by the Trustee shall be in substantially the following form:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

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Section 2.03 Principal Amount; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series in fully registered form. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate and established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series any or all of the following:

(a) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities);

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to this Article II);

(c) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of the series are payable;

(d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, or the method by which such date will be determined, the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable; and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months;

(e) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of the series shall be payable (“Place of Payment”);

(f) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer or otherwise;

(g) whether Debt Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any of Guarantors pursuant to this Indenture;

(h) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Debt Securities of or within the series are secured;

(i) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

(j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(k) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

 

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(l) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Debt Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);

(m) any changes or additions to Article XI, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 11.02(b);

(n) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.02;

(o) whether the Debt Securities of the series are to be convertible or exchangeable for other securities of the Issuer or any other Person and the terms and conditions thereof;

(p) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal of, and premium and interest on, such Debt Securities due and payable;

(q) if the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Debt Securities in definitive registered form; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.15(a);

(r) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents or registrars;

(s) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article X, including conditioning any merger, conveyance, transfer or lease permitted by Article X upon the satisfaction of any Debt coverage standard by the Issuer or its Successor Issuer (as defined in Article X);

(t) with regard to Debt Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee;

(u) the currency or currency unit in which the Debt Securities will be payable, if not the Dollar; and

(v) any other terms of the Debt Securities of the series (which terms may eliminate or amend any definition, term or covenant of this Indenture with respect to such series of Debt Securities).

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors and as set forth in such Officer’s Certificate and in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

Section 2.04 Execution of Debt Securities. The Debt Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Issuer by one of its Officers and, if the seal of the Issuer is reproduced thereon, it shall be attested by its Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Such signatures upon the Debt Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized Officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities. The seal of the Issuer, if any, may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities.

Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, signed manually by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or

 

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obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Debt Security executed on behalf of the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

In case any Officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Debt Securities shall cease to be such Officer before the Debt Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Issuer, such Debt Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to be such Officer; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt Security, shall be the proper Officers of the Issuer, although at the date of such Debt Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such Officer.

Section 2.05 Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer may deliver to the Trustee for authentication Debt Securities of any series executed by the Issuer, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debt Securities to or upon an Issuer Order. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Issuer, authorizing the terms of issuance of any series of Debt Securities;

(b) an executed supplemental indenture;

(c) an Officer’s Certificate; and

(d) an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 13.05 which shall also state:

(i) that the form of such Debt Securities has been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) that the terms of such Debt Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(iii) that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability and other customary exceptions and qualifications;

(iv) that the Issuer has the corporate power to issue such Debt Securities and has duly taken all necessary corporate action with respect to such issuance;

(v) that the issuance of such Debt Securities will not contravene the organizational documents of the Issuer;

(vi) that authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of any supplemental indenture will not violate the terms of this Indenture; and

(vii) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

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Such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Debt Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Debt Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, paying agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.06 Denomination of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable only as fully registered Debt Securities in such Dollar denominations as shall be specified or contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 2.07 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

(a) The Issuer shall keep or cause to be kept a register for each series of Debt Securities issued hereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Debt Security Register”), in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuer shall provide for the registration of all Debt Securities and the transfer of Debt Securities as in this Article II provided. At all reasonable times the Debt Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. Subject to Section 2.15, upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. In no event may Debt Securities be issued as, or exchanged for, bearer securities.

Unless and until otherwise determined by the Issuer by resolution of its Board of Directors, the Debt Security Register shall be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and, for this purpose, the Trustee shall be designated “Registrar.”

Debt Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the same series of other authorized denominations. Subject to Section 2.15, Debt Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer as provided in Section 4.02, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Debt Security or Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.

(b) All Debt Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Issuer, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Issuer, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

All Debt Securities issued in exchange for or upon transfer of Debt Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Debt Securities surrendered for such exchange or transfer.

No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debt Securities (except as provided by Section 2.09), but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Issuer’s own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.

 

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The Issuer and the Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities for a period of 15 days next preceding any mailing of notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities selected, called or being called for redemption.

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security is overdue, and none of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any paying agent or any 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.

Section 2.08 Temporary Debt Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Debt Securities (printed, lithographed, photocopied, typewritten or otherwise produced) of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer. Temporary Debt Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Debt Securities.

If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Issuer will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Issuer at a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 2.07 in connection with a transfer. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.

Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Debt Securities represented thereby pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount to be exchanged and endorsed.

Section 2.09 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities. If (a) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office referred to in Section 13.03 or (b) the Issuer and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any paying agent harmless, and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee receives notice that such Debt Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Issuer shall execute and, upon an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security, the Issuer or the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has matured or is about to mature or which has been called for redemption shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost

 

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or stolen, the Issuer may, instead of issuing a substituted Debt Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish the Issuer and the Trustee with such security or indemnity as either may require to save it harmless from all risk, however remote, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Issuer and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.09 by virtue of the fact that any Debt Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. All Debt Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.10 Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities. All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Issuer or any paying agent or a Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation by it, or if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act and the Trustee) and certification of their cancellation delivered to the Issuer, upon written request. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Debt Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Debt represented thereby unless and until the same are delivered or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Issuer may not issue new Debt Securities to replace Debt Securities they have redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.11 Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, the Holders or any Registrar or paying agent, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all its covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, the Holders and any Registrar and paying agents.

Section 2.12 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

(a) Interest on any Debt 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 such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Debt Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the regular record date. Payment of interest on Debt Securities shall be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03), or at the option of the Issuer, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Debt Security Register or, if provided pursuant to Section 2.03 and in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the option of the Holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

(b) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.17, each Debt Security of a particular series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.

Section 2.13 Securities Denominated in Dollars. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of any series, payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of such series will be made in Dollars.

Section 2.14 Wire Transfers. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Issuer may make any payment of moneys required to be deposited with the Trustee on account of principal of, or

 

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premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities (whether pursuant to optional or mandatory redemption payments, interest payments or otherwise) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Trustee before 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date such moneys are to be paid to the Holders of the Debt Securities in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 2.15 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

(a) If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 2.05, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Issuer shall specify in an Officer’s Certificate, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS 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.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.”

or such other legend as may then be required by the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.15 or of Section 2.07 to the contrary, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Debt Securities in registered form, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.07, only by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Issuer, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(c) (1) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Issuer shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receive such notice or become aware of such ineligibility, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver, individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(i) If an Event of Default occurs and the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Trustee of its decision to require that the Debt Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, the Issuer will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

 

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(ii) If specified by the Issuer pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 with respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuer, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

(iii) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Issuer will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Debt Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent. Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Registrar. The Trustee or the Registrar shall deliver such Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.

(iv) Payments in respect of the principal of and interest on any Debt Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be payable to the Depositary or such nominee in its capacity as the registered owner of such Global Security. The Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name the Debt Securities, including the Global Security, are registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. None of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any Registrar, the paying agent or any agent of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security by the Depositary or its nominee or any of the Depositary’s direct or indirect participants, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants relating to the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security, the payments to the beneficial owners of the Global Security of amounts paid to the Depositary or its nominee, or any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants. None of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any such agent will be liable for any delay by the Depositary, its nominee, or any of its direct or indirect participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Debt Securities, and the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the Depositary or its nominee for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Debt Securities to be issued).

Section 2.16 Medium Term Securities. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for the Issuer to deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate, resolutions of the Board of Directors, supplemental indenture, Opinion of Counsel or written order or any other document otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01, 2.03, 2.05 or 13.05 at

 

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or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first such Debt Security of such series to be issued; provided, that any subsequent request by the Issuer to the Trustee to authenticate Debt Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Issuer that, as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.05 or 13.05 shall be true and correct as if made on such date and that the Opinion of Counsel delivered at or prior to such time of authentication of an original issuance of Debt Securities shall specifically state that it shall relate to all subsequent issuances of Debt Securities of such series that are identical to the Debt Securities issued in the first issuance of Debt Securities of such series.

An Issuer Order delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, may provide that Debt Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time upon the written order of Persons designated in such written order and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with the Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolution of the Board of Directors relating to such written order, such terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as are specified in such Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or such resolution.

Section 2.17 Defaulted Interest. Any interest on any Debt Security of a particular series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in this Indenture (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant record date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuer, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Issuer may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series 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 Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debt Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money 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 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 Issuer 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 Issuer shall promptly but, in any event, not less than 15 days prior to the special record date, notify the Trustee of such special record date and, the Issuer (or, upon written request of the Issuer, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall cause notice of the proposed payment date of such Defaulted Interest, the special record date therefor and the amount of the Default Interest to be paid to be mailed first-class, postage prepaid to each Holder as such Holder’s address appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on such special record date.

(ii) The Issuer may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of such series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debt Securities of such series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Section 2.18 CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Debt 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 Debt Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

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ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 3.02 Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities. In case the Issuer shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities of any series in accordance with their terms, by resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental indenture, the Issuer shall fix a date for redemption and shall give notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series so to be redeemed as a whole or in part, in the manner provided in Section 13.03 (provided that a redemption notice may be sent earlier than 60 days in connection with a defeasance or satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 11.02). The notice if given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Debt Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security of such series.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify (i) the date fixed for redemption, (ii) the redemption price at which Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such redemption price), (iii) the Place or Places of Payment that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities, (iv) that any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, (v) that the redemption is for a sinking fund payment (if applicable), (vi) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, if the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, the paying agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, (vii) that on and after said date any interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue, (viii) that in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities original issue discount accrued after the date fixed for redemption will cease to accrue, (ix) the terms of the Debt Securities of that series pursuant to which the Debt Securities of that series are being redeemed and (x) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Debt Securities of that series. In case any Debt Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of that series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof, will be issued.

At least forty five days before the date fixed for redemption, unless the Trustee in its sole discretion consents to a shorter period, the Issuer shall give written notice to the Trustee of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed and the series and terms of the Debt Securities pursuant to which such redemption will occur. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein, and such notice may be revoked at any time prior to the giving of a notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.02. If fewer than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Issuer and given in writing to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than three days after the date of notice to the Trustee.

By 12:00 p.m, New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Debt Securities, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 2.03) sufficient to pay the redemption price of such Debt Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date, together with any interest accrued to the Redemption Date.

If less than all the Debt Securities of like tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed (other than pursuant to mandatory sinking fund redemptions), the Trustee shall select, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other

 

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method as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, in each case with respect to Global Securities subject to the applicable procedures of the Depositary, the Debt Securities of that series or portions thereof to be redeemed maintaining the authorized denominations for each such series.

In any case where more than one Debt Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Debt Security of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof on such Redemption Date, the principal, premium, if any, and interest shall bear interest until paid from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of unlike tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities series and the amounts for each such series to be redeemed shall be selected by the Issuer. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Debt Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Debt Securities called for redemption.

Section 3.03 Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of the series with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the Place or Places of Payment stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Debt Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to said date) any interest on the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of any series so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and any original issue discount in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at the Place or Places of Payment in said notice specified, the said Debt Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption.

Any Debt Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Place of Payment with, if the Issuer, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, 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 Debt Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Debt Security or Debt Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Debt Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

Section 3.04 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental indenture 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 Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental indenture is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of a series in cash, the Issuer may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by Issuer or (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Debt Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuer pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental indenture; provided, that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental indenture for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 3.05 Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of

 

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that series, any resolution or supplemental indenture, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Debt Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 3.05 (which Debt Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Issuer intends to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Such certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series. Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Issuer shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, by 12 p.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuer to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Debt Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Debt Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities as provided in this Section 3.05 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.

Any sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash which shall equal or exceed $100,000 (or a lesser sum if the Issuer shall so request) with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date on which such payment is made (or, if such payment is made before a sinking fund payment date, on the sinking fund payment date following the date of such payment) to the redemption of such Debt Securities at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental indenture for operation of the sinking fund together with any accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment received by the Trustee for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.05. Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of that series at its Stated Maturity.

The Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in the last paragraph of Section 3.02 and the Issuer shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.02 except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Debt Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.03.

The Issuer shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of such Debt Securities by operation of the sinking fund for such series during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Debt Securities or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) with respect to such Debt Securities, except that if the notice of redemption of any such Debt Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Article III. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into such sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of such Debt Securities; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date for such Debt Securities on which such moneys may be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.05.

ARTICLE IV

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

Section 4.01 Payment of Principal of and Premium, If Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities. The Issuer, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, each of the Debt Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein or in the Debt Securities. Each installment of interest on any Debt Securities not in global form may at the Issuer’s option be paid by the paying agent mailing checks for such interest payable to the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 2.07(a) to the address of such Person as it appears on the Debt Security Register.

 

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Principal of and premium and interest on Debt Securities of any series shall be considered paid on the date due if, by 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on such date the Trustee or any paying agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest then due.

The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any, at the rate specified therefor in the Debt Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities. The Issuer will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and it shall also maintain (in or outside such Place of Payment) an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered for transfer or exchange. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations or surrenders, may be made or served at the office of the Trustee specified in Section 13.03, and the Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all presentations.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies to be maintained for such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency.

Section 4.03 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.08, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder with respect to each series of Debt Securities.

Section 4.04 Duties of Paying Agents, etc.

(a) The Issuer shall cause each paying agent, if any, other than the Trustee or the Issuer, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04,

(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series;

(ii) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable; and

(iii) that it will at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held by it as such agent.

(b) If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by the Issuer to take such action or the failure by any other obligor on such Debt Securities to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such Debt Securities when the same shall be due and payable.

 

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(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it or any paying agent, as required by this Section 4.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Issuer or such paying agent.

(d) Whenever there are one or more paying agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Issuer will, prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Securities of such series, deposit with any such paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless any such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

(e) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.04 is subject to the provisions of Section 11.05.

Section 4.05 SEC Reports; Financial Statements. The Issuer shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding:

(a) Whether or not the Issuer is then required to file reports with the SEC, the Issuer shall file with the SEC all such reports and other information as it would be required to file with the SEC by Sections 13(a) or 15(d) under the Exchange Act if it was subject thereto; provided, however, that, if filing such documents by the Issuer with the SEC is not permitted under the Exchange Act, the Issuer shall, within 15 days after the time the Issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) under the Exchange Act, provide such documents and reports to the Trustee and upon written request supply copies of such documents and reports to any Holder and shall post such documents and reports on the Issuer’s public website. The Issuer shall supply the Trustee and each Holder, without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports and other information. Delivery of such information, documents and reports 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 Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

(b) So long as permitted by the SEC, at any time that either (x) one or more Subsidiaries of the Issuer is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as defined in a supplemental indenture hereto) or (y) the Issuer holds directly any material assets (including Capital Stock) other than the Capital Stock of the Issuer then the quarterly and annual financial information required by this Section 4.15 will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” or any other comparable section, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer and their Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries and other material assets of the Issuer.

(c) the Issuer shall also, within a reasonably prompt period of time following the disclosure of the annual and quarterly information required above, conduct a conference call with respect to such information and results of operations for the relevant reporting period. No fewer than three Business Days prior to the date of the conference call required to be held in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Issuer shall issue a press release to the appropriate internationally recognized wire services announcing the date that such information will be available and the time and date of such conference call.

Section 4.06 Compliance Certificate.

(a) So long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, an Officer’s Certificate signed by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal operating officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuer and its Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture and further stating, as to each such Officer

 

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signing such certificate, that, to the best of such Officer’s knowledge, the Issuer and its Subsidiaries during such preceding fiscal year have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every such covenant and no Default occurred during such year and at the date of such certificate there is no Default that has occurred and is continuing or, if such signers do know of such Default, the certificate shall specify such Default and what action, if any, the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b) The Issuer shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee within 30 days after the Issuer become aware (unless such Default has been cured before the end of the 30-day period) of the occurrence of any Default an Officer’s Certificate specifying the Default and what action, if any, the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.07 Further Instruments and Acts. The Issuer will, upon request of the Trustee, execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may reasonably be necessary or proper to carry out more effectually the purposes of this Indenture.

Section 4.08 Existence. Except as permitted by Article X hereof or any supplemental indenture hereto, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and all rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Issuer, provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise, if its Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer.

ARTICLE V

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01 Issuer to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information. The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series:

(a) not more than 10 days after each record date with respect to the payment of interest, if any, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such record date, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Issuer of any such request, a list of similar form and contents 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 shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.

The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 or (ii) received by it in the capacity of paying agent or Registrar (if so acting) hereunder.

The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

Section 5.02 Communications to Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Debt Securities. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

Section 5.03 Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after each [                    ], beginning with the first [                    ] following the date Debt Securities are issued under this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such [                    ] that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).

 

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Reports pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall be transmitted by mail:

(a) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear in the Debt Security Register;

and

(b) except in the cases of reports under Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA, to each Holder of a Debt Security of any series whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 5.01.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Debt Securities of any series are listed. The Issuer agrees to notify promptly the Trustee in writing whenever the Debt Securities of any series become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 5.04 Record Dates for Action by Holders. If the Issuer shall solicit from the Holders of Debt Securities of any series any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the Issuer may, at its option, by resolution of the Board of Directors, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Debt Securities entitled to take such action, but the Issuer shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Issuer’s discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Debt Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Debt Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Debt Securities of such series Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Debt Securities of such series Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01 Events of Default. If any one or more of the following shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Debt Securities of any series (each of the following, an “Event of Default”):

(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 60 days; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise; or

(c) default in the payment of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable; or

(d) failure on the part of the Issuer, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Guarantors, duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuer, or if applicable, any of the Guarantors, in the Debt Securities of that series, in any resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of that series of Debt Securities, in this Indenture with respect to such series or in any supplemental indenture with respect to such series (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), continuing for a period of 30 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure and requiring the Issuer, or if applicable, the Guarantors, to remedy the same shall have been given to the Issuer, or if applicable, the Guarantors, by the Trustee or to the Issuer, or if applicable, the Guarantors, and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding; or

 

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(e) the Issuer, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Guarantors, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law,

(i) commences a voluntary case,

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Issuer, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Guarantors, as debtor in an involuntary case,

(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Issuer, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Guarantors, or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer, or if applicable, any of the Guarantors, or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Issuer, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Guarantors,

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

(g) if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, the Guarantee of any of the Guarantors ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Debt Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any of the Guarantors denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

(h) failure on the part of the Issuer to comply with Article X;

(i) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series;

then and in each and every case that an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), (h) or (i) with respect to Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, unless the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of that series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) occurs with respect to the Issuer, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities shall have become due and payable, the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities then Outstanding hereunder shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

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The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction already rendered and if all existing Events of Default with respect to that series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Upon any such rescission, the parties hereto shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the parties hereto shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 6.02 Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc.. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid or enforce the performance of any provision of the Debt Securities of the affected series or this Indenture, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against any of the Guarantors or the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series (and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of any of the Guarantors or the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable).

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any of the Guarantors, the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series under any Bankruptcy Law, or in case a Custodian shall have been appointed for its property, or in case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to any of the Guarantors, the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series, its creditors or its property, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of Debt 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 pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, 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 reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or willful misconduct) and of the Holders thereof allowed in any such judicial proceedings relative to any of the Guarantors, the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, its creditors or its property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of such Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of such Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to such Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or willful misconduct. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any such Debt Securities, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment (except for any amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06) shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of all the Debt Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

 

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Section 6.03 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys or other property collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.02 with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be applied, in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or other property, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities of such series in respect of which moneys or other property have been collected, and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all money due the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06;

SECOND: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall not have become due, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

THIRD: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series; and, in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest, without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any Debt Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and interest; and

FOURTH: The remainder, if any, shall be paid to the Guarantors or the Issuer, as applicable, its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.03. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuer shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

Section 6.04 Limitation on Suits by Holders. No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that same series and of the continuance thereof and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such indemnity or security satisfactory to it as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity or security shall have failed to institute any such action or proceedings and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Debt Security with every other Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any Holders, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all such Holders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 6.04, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

 

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Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.05 Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default. All powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid, shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.06 Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default. Subject to Section 7.02(d), the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or of exercising any right, trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel shall determine that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, or if the Trustee shall by a Trust Officer determine that the action so directed would involve it in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders of Debt Securities of such series not taking part in such direction; and provided, further, however, that nothing in this Indenture contained shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by such Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of that series waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences for that series, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities and a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected thereby. In case of any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, and the Guarantors, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of that series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.07 Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, or if later, within 30 days after the Trustee obtains actual knowledge of the Event of Default, with respect to a series of Debt Securities give to the Holders thereof, in the manner provided in Section 13.03, notice of all Events of Default with respect to such series known to the Trustee, unless such Events of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities of such series or in the making of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt 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 committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.

Section 6.08 Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt 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 in the manner and

 

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to the extent provided in the TIA, 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 6.08 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 25 percent in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Security on or after the due date for such payment expressed in such Debt Security.

ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall 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.

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, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the effect of the first paragraph of this Section 7.01;

(b) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such series shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any 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;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable for an 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; and

(iv) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Debt Securities of any series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that 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 Debt Securities of such series.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that an adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

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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.

Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:

(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors of any Person may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the proper Officer of such Person;

(c) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both and the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel;

(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance upon such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(f) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken 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;

(g) 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, approval or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Debt Securities of a series affected by such matter; provided, however, 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 not, in the opinion of the Trustee, reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require satisfactory indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding, and the reasonable expense of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuer or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuer upon demand;

(h) 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 by it with due care hereunder;

(i) if any property other than cash shall at any time be subject to a Lien in favor of the Holders, the Trustee, if and to the extent authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by the supplemental instrument subjecting such property to such Lien, shall be entitled to make advances for the purpose of preserving such property or of discharging tax Liens or other prior Liens or encumbrances thereon.

(j) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified and/or secured, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by [                    ] in each of its respective capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder. Absent willful misconduct or negligence, each Paying Agent and Registrar shall not be liable for acting in good faith on instructions believed by it to be genuine and from the proper party. Each Agent’s obligations and duties are several and not joint.

 

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(k) The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

(l) Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Debt Securities and this Indenture.

(m) The Trustee will not be liable to any person if prevented or delayed in performing any of its obligations or discretionary functions under this Indenture by reason of any present or future law applicable to it, by any governmental or regulatory authority or by any circumstances beyond its control.

(n) The Trustee shall not under any circumstances be liable for any punitive, special or consequential damages (including loss of business, goodwill, opportunity or profit of any kind) of the Issuer, any Subsidiary or any other Person (or, in each case, any successor thereto), even if advised of it in advance and even if foreseeable.

Section 7.03 Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities. The recitals contained herein, in the Debt Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer and the Guarantors, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Debt Securities and perform its obligations hereunder, and that the statements made by it or to be made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 supplied to the Issuer are true and accurate. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by any Person of any of the Debt Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee or any paying agent or Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and subject to the provisions of the TIA relating to conflicts of interest and preferential claims may otherwise deal with the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Registrar.

Section 7.05 Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but 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 moneys received by it hereunder.

Section 7.06 Compensation and Reimbursement. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay in Dollars to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, the compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Issuer will pay or reimburse in Dollars the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents, attorneys and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), including without limitation, Section 6.02, except any such expense, disbursement or advances as may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify in Dollars the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7.06 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional Debt hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this

 

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Indenture. The Issuer and the Holders agree that such additional Debt shall be secured by a Lien prior to that of the Debt 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, and premium, if any, or interest on, particular Debt Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.07 Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officer’s Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 7.08 Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Issuer may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Debt Securities. The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more or all series of Debt Securities at any time by giving notice to the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series and only such series by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(c) a Custodian takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuer or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 7.08.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of Debt Securities of each applicable series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.06.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee gives notice of resignation or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

 

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Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.06 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

In the case of the appointment hereunder of a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Issuer, any retiring Trustee and each successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto or other instrument (i) which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of any retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as to which any such retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in such retiring Trustee and (ii) that 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 or other instrument shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such separate, retiring or successor 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.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors to the Trustee by merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310 (a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. No obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such obligor shall serve as Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA this Indenture or any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuer are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311 (a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated therein.

Section 7.12 Compliance with Tax Laws. The Trustee hereby agrees to comply with all U.S. Federal income tax information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it with respect to payments of premium (if any) and interest on the Debt Securities, whether acting as Trustee, Registrar, paying agent or otherwise with respect to the Debt Securities.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.01 Evidence of Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any or all series may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders

 

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voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.02, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Debt Securities evidenced by a Global Security, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

Section 8.02 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 13.09, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities of any series shall be proved by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem necessary.

Section 8.03 Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Debt Security shall be registered upon the books of the Registrar as the absolute owner of such Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes, and none of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and all such payments so made to any such Holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.

None of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 8.04 Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action and subject to the following paragraph, any Holder of a Debt Security which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debt Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Debt Security and of any Debt Security issued upon transfer thereof or in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or such other Debt Securities. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series.

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Debt Securities entitled to give their consent or take any other action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders of Debt Securities at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of Debt Securities after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series specified in this Indenture shall have been received within such 120-day period.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01 Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders. The Issuer and the Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of the Board of Directors, and the

 

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Trustee may from time to time and at any time, without the consent of Holders, enter into an Indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession pursuant to Article X of another Person to the Issuer, or successive successions, and the assumption by the Successor Issuer (as defined in Section 10.01) of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer in this Indenture and in the Debt Securities;

(b) to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or the Guarantors, to add to the covenants of the Issuer or the Guarantors such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Debt Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision 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 any or all series of Debt Securities to waive such Default;

(c) to cure any ambiguity or omission or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein, in any supplemental indenture or in any Debt Securities of any series that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein, in any supplemental indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series; to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of Debt Securities of any series;

(d) to permit the qualification of this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto under the TIA as then in effect, except that nothing herein contained shall permit or authorize the inclusion in any indenture supplemental hereto of the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA;

(e) to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities of any series in uncertificated form;

(f) to reflect the release of a Guarantor in accordance with Article XIV;

(g) to add Guarantors with respect to any or all of the Debt Securities or to secure any or all of the Debt Securities or the Guarantee;

(h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder;

(i) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Debt Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.01 shall neither apply to any Debt Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holder of any such Debt Security with respect to such provision or shall become effective only when there is no such Debt Security Outstanding;

(j) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt 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; and

(k) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03.

 

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The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.

Section 9.02 Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities. Without notice to any Holder but with the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.01) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for any such series of Debt Securities), the Issuer and the Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an Indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Debt Security so affected, shall: reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment; reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Debt Security; reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security; reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security or change the time at which any Debt Security may or shall be redeemed in accordance with Article III; make any Debt Security payable in currency other than the currency such Debt Security was payable on the date of issuance of such Debt Security; impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of premium, if any, principal of and interest on such Holder’s Debt Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities; release any security that may have been granted in respect of the Debt Securities, other than in accordance with this Indenture; make any change in Section 6.06 or this Section 9.02; or, except as provided in Section 11.02(b) or Section 14.04, release the Guarantors other than as provided in this Indenture or modify the Guarantee in any manner adverse to the Holders.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt 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 Debt Securities of any other series.

Upon the request of the Issuer and the Guarantors, accompanied by a copy of resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

After an amendment under this Section 9.02 requiring the consent of the Holders of any series of Debt Securities becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to Holders of that series of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to any such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02 with respect to other Holders.

 

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Section 9.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties, liabilities and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

The Trustee shall receive and shall (subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02) be fully protected in relying on an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that any such supplemental indenture is permitted or authorized pursuant to this Indenture and that all conditions precedent to the execution thereof are satisfied.

Section 9.04 Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures. Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may, and shall if required by the Issuer, bear a notation in form approved by the Issuer as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. New Debt Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Issuer and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Debt Security of such series shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

Section 9.05 Subordination Unimpaired. This Indenture may not be amended at any time to alter the subordination, as provided herein, of any of the Debt Securities then Outstanding without the written consent of the requisite holders of each series of debt securities representing Senior Debt (as determined in accordance with terms of the instrument governing such Senior Debt) then outstanding that would be adversely affected thereby.

ARTICLE X

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 10.01 Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuer. The Issuer shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to any Person, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, unless: (a) either (i) the Issuer shall be the surviving Person in the case of a merger or (ii) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person if other than the Issuer (the “Successor Issuer”), shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Issuer shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Debt Securities according to their tenor; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the Successor Issuer as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Issuer at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default would occur or be continuing; (c) if the Issuer is not the continuing Person, then each Guarantor, unless it has become the Successor Issuer, shall confirm that its Guarantee shall continue to apply to the obligations under the Debt Securities and this Indenture; and (d) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

Section 10.02 Rights and Duties of Successor Issuer. In case of any consolidation, amalgamation or merger where the Issuer is not the continuing Person, or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in accordance with Section 10.01, the Successor Issuer shall succeed to and be substituted for the Issuer with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the respective party to this Indenture, and the predecessor entity shall be released from all liabilities and obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities, except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s assets. The Successor Issuer thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the predecessor entity,

 

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any or all the Debt Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by or on behalf of the predecessor entity and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon an Issuer Order, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by or on behalf of the predecessor entity to the Trustee for authentication, and any Debt Securities which the Successor Issuer thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all such Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale or disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Debt Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF

INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article XI relating to discharge or defeasance of Debt Securities shall be applicable to each series of Debt Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 11.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance.

(a) If at any time the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Debt Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09 and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer as provided in Section 11.05) or all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash sufficient to pay at final maturity or upon redemption all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and if in either case the Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights herein expressly provided for) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute such instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series as reasonably requested by the Issuer.

(b) Subject to Sections 11.02(c), 11.03 and 11.07, the Issuer at any time may terminate, with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series, all its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (“legal defeasance option”) or the operation of (w) Sections 4.09 and 4.10, any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, (y) Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and (z) as they relate to the Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f) (“covenant defeasance option”). If the Issuer exercises either its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series that are entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee, the Guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of Debt Securities. The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and, with respect to the Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f).

 

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Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuer terminates.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuer’s obligations in Sections 2.07, 2.09, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, the last sentence of 4.05(a), 4.06(a), 5.01, 7.06, 11.05, 11.06 and 11.07 shall survive until the Debt Securities of the defeased series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuer’s obligations in Sections 7.06, 11.05 and 11.06 shall survive.

Section 11.03 Conditions of Defeasance. The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series only if:

(a) the Issuer irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(b) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(c) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) with respect to the Issuer occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(d) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and after giving effect thereto;

(e) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Issuer;

(f) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(g) in the event of the legal defeasance option, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Issuer has received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or since the date 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 of Counsel shall state that, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series 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;

(h) in the event of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of Debt Securities of such series 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; and

(i) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series as contemplated by this Article XI have been complied with.

Before or after a deposit, the Issuer may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article III.

 

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Section 11.04 Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article XI. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through any paying agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of the defeased series.

Section 11.05 Repayment to Issuer. The Trustee and any paying agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuer upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and any paying agent shall pay to the Issuer upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors.

Section 11.06 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuer shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Holders against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 11.07 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any paying agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or government authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities of the defeased series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or any paying agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI.

ARTICLE XII

SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 12.01 Debt Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt The Issuer covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Debt Securities of any series by the Holder’s acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article XII, subject to the provisions of Article XI and except as may otherwise be specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 and set forth in the Debt Securities of a series, the indebtedness represented by the Debt Securities of such series and the payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on each and all of the Debt Securities of such series are hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all amounts then due and payable in respect of all Senior Debt of the Issuer, to the extent and in the manner herein set forth (unless a different manner is set forth in the Debt Securities of such series). No provision of this Article XII shall prevent the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder.

The provisions of this Article XII define the subordination of the Debt Securities, as obligations of the Issuer, with respect to Senior Debt of the Issuer, as defined for the Issuer. All such provisions shall also be deemed to apply in the same way (mutatis mutandis) to each Guarantor, with appropriate corresponding references to the Senior Debt of such Guarantors.

Senior Debt shall not be deemed to have been paid in full unless the holders thereof shall have received cash, securities or other property equal to the amount of such Senior Debt then outstanding.

Section 12.02 Payments to Holders.

In the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any Senior Debt of the Issuer continuing beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Senior Debt of the Issuer, then, unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no payment shall be made by the Issuer with respect to the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities, except sinking fund payments made by the acquisition of Debt Securities under Section 3.04 prior to the happening of such default and payments made pursuant to Article XI hereof from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to the happening of such default.

 

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Upon any payment by the Issuer, or distribution of assets of the Issuer of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Issuer, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Debt of the Issuer shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities (except payments made pursuant to Article XI hereof from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to the happening of such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization); and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization any payment by the Issuer, or distribution of assets of the Issuer of and kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Debt Securities or the Trustee would be entitled, except for the provisions of this Article XII, shall (except as aforesaid) be paid by the Issuer or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders of the Debt Securities or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Debt of the Issuer (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Debt of the Issuer held by such holders, as calculated by the Issuer) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Debt of the Issuer may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Debt of the Issuer in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Debt of the Issuer, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the Debt Securities or to the Trustee.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Debt Securities before all Senior Debt of the Issuer is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Debt of the Issuer or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Debt of the Issuer may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Issuer, for application to the payment of all Senior Debt of the Issuer remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Debt of the Issuer in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.

For purposes of this Article XII, the words, “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Issuer as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Issuer or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XII with respect to the Debt Securities to the payment of all Senior Debt of the Issuer which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Debt of the Issuer is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Debt of the Issuer (other than leases) and of leases which are assumed are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Issuer with, or the merger of the Issuer into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article X hereof shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 12.02 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article X hereof. Nothing in this Section 12.02 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.06.

Section 12.03 Subrogation of Debt Securities. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Issuer, the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt of the Issuer to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Issuer applicable to the Senior Debt of the Issuer until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Debt of the Issuer of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Debt Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XII no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt of the Issuer by Holders of the Debt Securities or the Trustee, shall, as between the Issuer, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt of the Issuer, and the Holders of the Debt Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Issuer to or on account of the Senior Debt of the Issuer. It is

 

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understood that the provisions of this Article XII are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Debt of the Issuer, on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article XII or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Issuer, its creditors other than the holders of its Senior Debt, and the Holders of the Debt Securities, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Debt Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities and creditors of the Issuer other than the holders of its Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Debt Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XII of the holders of Senior Debt of the Issuer in respect of cash, property or securities of the Issuer received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer referred to in this Article XII, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, and the Holders of the Debt Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Debt Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other indebtedness of the Issuer, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XII.

Section 12.04 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Holder of Debt Securities of any series by such Holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 12.05 No Waiver of Subordination Provisions. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Debt 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 Issuer or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Issuer 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 Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series, without incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XII or the obligations hereunder of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series to the holders of Senior Debt, 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 Debt, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Debt or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Debt is outstanding;

(ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Debt;

(iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Debt; and

exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Issuer and any other Person.

Section 12.06 Notice to Trustee. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to the Issuer which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XII or any other provision of the Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence

 

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of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of any Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, unless and until the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Issuer or a holder or holders of Senior Debt or from any trustee therefor; and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.03, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the 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 (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Securities of any series), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within three Business Days prior to such date.

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.03, 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 Debt (or a trustee therefor) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Debt (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 Debt to participate in any payment of distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Debt 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 XII, 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 12.07 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer referred to in this Article XII, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.03, and the Holders of Debt Securities of any series shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution winding up or similar case or 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 Debt Securities of such series, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other indebtedness of the Issuer, as the case may be, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XII.

Section 12.08 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt. With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XII, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt with respect to its obligations and duties created hereunder and shall not be liable to any such holders or creditors if it shall in good faith pay over or distribute to Holders of Debt Securities of any series or to the Issuer or to any other Person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XII or otherwise.

Section 12.09 Rights of Trustee As Holder of Senior Debt; Preservation of Trustee’s Rights. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XII with respect to any Senior Debt which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt, and nothing in the Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

Nothing in this Article XII shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.06.

Section 12.10 Article Applicable to Paying Agents. In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Issuer and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article XII 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 XII in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that this Section shall not apply to the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

 

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Section 12.11 Certain Conversions or Exchanges Deemed Payment. For the purposes of this Article XII only (a) the issuance and delivery of securities which are subordinate in right of payment to all then outstanding Senior Debt to substantially the same extent as the Debt Securities are so subordinate (“Junior Debt Securities”) (or cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) upon conversion or exchange of Debt Securities of any series as contemplated by Section 2.03, shall not be deemed to constitute a payment or distribution on account of the principal of or premium or interest on Debt Securities of such series or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Debt Securities of such series and (b) the payment, issuance or delivery of cash, property or securities (other than Junior Debt Securities and cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) upon conversion or exchange of Debt Securities of any series shall be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of such Debt Securities of such series. Nothing contained in this Article XII or elsewhere in the Indenture or in the Debt Securities of any series is intended to or shall impair, as among the Issuer, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt and the Holders of Debt Securities of such series the right, which is absolute and unconditional, of the Holder of any Debt Securities of such series to convert or exchange such Debt Securities of such series in accordance with the terms specified as contemplated by Section 2.03.

Section 12.12 Defeasance of This Article XII. The subordination of the Debt Securities provided by this Article XII is expressly made subject to the provisions for defeasance or covenant defeasance in Article XI hereof and, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the effectiveness of any such defeasance or covenant defeasance, the Debt Securities than outstanding shall thereupon cease to be subordinated pursuant to this Article XI.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 13.01 Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 13.02 Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Issuer Valid. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Issuer shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Successor Issuer.

Section 13.03 Required Notices or Demands. Any notice or communication by the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Issuer or any Guarantor:

[                    ]

[                    ]

[                    ]

[                    ]

Facsimile: [                    ]

Attention: [                    ]

By e-mail: [                    ]

with a copy to:

[                    ]

[                    ]

[                    ]

Facsimile: [                    ]

Attention: [                    ]

By e-mail: [                    ]

 

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If to the Trustee:

[                    ]

[                    ]

[                    ]

[                    ]

Attention: [                    ]

Telephone: [                    ]

Facsimile: [                    ]

via email to [                    ]

The Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; on the first Business Day on or after being sent, if telecopied and the sender receives confirmation of successful transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice required or permitted to a Holder by the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to be properly mailed by being deposited postage prepaid in a post office letter box in the United States addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as shown on the Debt Security Register. Any report pursuant to Section 313 of the TIA shall be transmitted in compliance with subsection (c) therein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice to Holders of Floating Rate Securities regarding the determination of a periodic rate of interest, if such notice is required pursuant to Section 2.03, shall be sufficiently given if given in the manner specified pursuant to Section 2.03.

In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

In the event it shall be impracticable to give notice by publication, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it or any defect in any notice by publication as to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, it is conclusively presumed duly given.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Note (or its designee) pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depositary.

Section 13.04 Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York. THIS INDENTURE, EACH DEBT SECURITY AND THE GUARANTEE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE NEW YORK CONTRACTS, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE.

 

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Section 13.05 Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by Issuer. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent 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 have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) 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, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 13.06 Payments Due on Legal Holidays. In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of a series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any Debt Security or the making of any sinking fund payment is a Legal Holiday at any Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of such series, then payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, or the making of such sinking fund payment need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, but 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 date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. If a record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.

Section 13.07 Provisions Required by TIA to Control. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the TIA, such required provision shall control.

Section 13.08 Computation of Interest on Debt Securities. Interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 2.03.

Section 13.09 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and any paying agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

Section 13.10 No Recourse Against Others. No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debt Securities or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer or the Guarantors in this Indenture, or in any of the Debt Securities or Guarantees thereof or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented hereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer, director, employee or controlling person of the Issuer or the Guarantors or of any successor Person thereof. Each Holder, by accepting a Debt Security, waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Debt Security.

Section 13.11 Severability. To the extent permitted by applicable law, in case any one or more of the provisions in this Indenture, in the Debt Securities or in the Guarantees shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, it being intended that all of the provisions hereof shall be enforceable to the full extent permitted by law.

Section 13.12 Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein and in the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

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Section 13.13 Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 13.14 U.S.A. Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

Section 13.15 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions or utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

ARTICLE XIV

GUARANTEE

Section 14.01 Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XIV to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XIV shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Trustee and the Debt Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.03, as entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of each of the Guarantors.

(b) Subject to this Article XIV, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees on a senior unsecured basis to each Holder of a Debt Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Debt Securities or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and interest on the Debt Securities shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Debt Securities, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Debt Securities or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Debt Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Debt Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Subject to Section 6.04 hereof, each Guarantor hereby waives, to the extent permitted by applicable law, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Debt Securities and this Indenture.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

45

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Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee.

Section 14.02 Limitation on Guarantors’ Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Debt Securities, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article XIV, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. Each Guarantor that makes a payment for distribution under its Guarantee is entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the adjusted net assets of each Guarantor.

Section 14.03 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 14.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee substantially in the form included in Annex A shall be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Debt Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by an Officer.

Section 14.04 Release of a Guarantor. A Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released from its obligations under its Guarantee and its obligations under this Indenture in the event of:

(a) any sale, exchange or transfer, to any Person not a Subsidiary of the Issuer of Capital Stock held by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture hereto) in, or all or substantially all the assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary (which sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture), such that, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a Subsidiary of the Issuer,

(b) in connection with the merger or consolidation of a Subsidiary Guarantor with (a) the Issuer or (b) any other Guarantor (provided that the surviving entity remains a Guarantor),

(c) if the Issuer properly designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary,

(d) upon the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,

(e) upon a liquidation or dissolution of a Subsidiary Guarantor permitted under this Indenture, or

(f) the release or discharge of the Guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Subsidiary Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee.

 

46

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The Trustee may execute an appropriate instrument prepared by the Issuer evidencing the release of a Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee and this Indenture upon receipt of a request by the Issuer or such Guarantor accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel certifying as to the compliance with this Section 14.04; provided, however, that the legal counsel delivering such Opinion of Counsel may rely as to matters of fact on one or more Officer’s Certificates of the Issuer.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debt Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Issuer (in which case such Guarantor shall no longer be a Guarantor) or another Guarantor or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Issuer or another Guarantor.

[Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

47

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

Signature Page to Senior Indenture

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Signature Page to Senior Indenture

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ANNEX A

FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

For value received, each of the undersigned (including any successor Person under the Indenture) hereby unconditionally guarantees, jointly and severally, to the extent set forth in the Indenture (as defined below) to the Holder of this Note the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on this Debt Security in the amounts and at the times when due and interest on the overdue principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, of this Debt Security when due, if lawful, and, to the extent permitted by law, the payment or performance of all other obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture or the Debt Securities, to the Holder of this Note and the Trustee, all in accordance with and subject to the terms and limitations of this Note, the Indenture, including Article XIV thereof, and this Guarantee. This Guarantee will become effective in accordance with Article XIV of the Indenture and its terms shall be evidenced therein. The validity and enforceability of any Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Debt Security.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture dated as of [                    ], among [                    ], a [                    ] [                ], the “Issuer”), each of the Guarantors named therein, and [                    ], a [                    ] [                    ], as trustee (the “Trustee”), as amended or supplemented (the “Indenture”).

The obligations of the undersigned to the Holders of Debt Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article XIV of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee and all of the other provisions of the Indenture to which this Guarantee relates.

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or controlling person or any successor Person thereof of any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of such Guarantors under such Guarantors’ Guarantee or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligation or its creation.

This Guarantee shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

This Guarantee is subject to release upon the terms set forth in the Indenture.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused its Guarantee to be duly executed.

 

 

A-1

Exhibit 5.1

 

The Atlantic Building

950 F Street, NW

Washington, DC 20004-1404

202-239-3300

Fax: 202-654-4902

www.alston.com

May 23, 2014

Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.

1886 Metro Center Drive, 4th Floor

Reston, Virginia 20190

 

Re:		Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Comstock Holding Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) being filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

This opinion letter is being furnished pursuant to Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

The Registration Statement relates to the proposed issuance and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of the following securities: (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company; (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), of the Company; (iii) the Company’s senior debt securities (the “Senior Debt Securities”); (iv) the Company’s subordinated debt securities (the “Subordinated Debt Securities” and together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”); and (v) warrants to purchase any of the securities described in clauses (i) to (iv) (collectively, the “Warrants”).

Each series of the Senior Debt Securities will be evidenced by a note in the form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference (the “Senior Note”) and pursuant to a separate indenture (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Senior Indenture”) relating to the Senior Debt Securities between the Company and a trustee (the “Trustee”) to be entered into at or before the time of such offering. Each series of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be evidenced by a note in the form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference (the “Subordinated Note”) and pursuant to a separate indenture (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Subordinated Indenture”) relating to the Subordinated Debt Securities between the Company and the Trustee to be entered into at or before the time of such offering. Each of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture (together, the “Indentures”) will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

 

Atlanta • Brussels • Charlotte • Dallas • Los Angeles • New York • Research Triangle • Silicon Valley • Washington, D.C.

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Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.

May 23, 2014

Page 2

 

Each Warrant will be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement substantially in the form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference (the “Warrant Agreement”).

We have examined the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, records of proceedings of the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof (the “Board of Directors”), the proposed form of Senior Indenture, the proposed form of Subordinated Indenture and the Registration Statement. We also have made such further legal and factual examinations and investigations as we deemed necessary for purposes of expressing the opinions set forth herein. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as original documents and the conformity to original documents of those documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, facsimile, electronic or photostatic copies.

As to certain factual matters relevant to this opinion letter, we have relied conclusively upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records, agreements, documents and instruments, including certificates or comparable documents of officers of the Company and of public officials, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth. Except to the extent expressly set forth herein, we have made no independent investigations with regard to matters of fact, and, accordingly, we do not express any opinion as to matters that might have been disclosed by independent verification.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, it is our opinion that:

1. When, as and if (a) the terms of the issuance and sale of the Common Stock have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or a breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (b) certificates for the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, issued and delivered or uncertificated shares of Common Stock have been duly issued and delivered, as the case may be, as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, and in accordance with any underwriting agreement, Debt Security or Indenture or Warrant or Warrant Agreement relating to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors (provided that the consideration paid therefor is not less than the par value thereof), such Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

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Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.

May 23, 2014

Page 3

 

2. When, as and if (a) the terms of the Preferred Stock and of its issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (b) a certificate of designations fixing and determining the terms of the Preferred Stock has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and (c) certificates for the shares of the Preferred Stock have been duly executed, issued and delivered or uncertificated shares of Preferred Stock have been duly issued and delivered, as the case may be, as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, and in accordance with any underwriting agreement, Debt Security or Indenture or Warrant or Warrant Agreement relating to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors (provided that the consideration paid therefor is not less than the par value thereof), such Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

3. When, as and if (a) the terms of the Senior Debt Securities and their issuance and sale have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, (b) the terms of the Senior Debt Securities have been duly established in accordance with the Senior Indenture and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company and (c) the Senior Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, and in accordance with the Senior Indenture and any underwriting agreement or Warrant or Warrant Agreement relating to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors, the Senior Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

4. When, as and if (a) the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities and their issuance and sale have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, (b) the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly established in accordance with the Subordinated Indenture and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company and (c) the Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, and in accordance with the Subordinated Indenture and any underwriting agreement or Warrant or Warrant Agreement relating to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors, the Subordinated Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

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Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.

May 23, 2014

Page 4

 

5. When, as and if (a) the terms, and the execution and delivery, of the Warrants and any Warrant Agreement and the terms of the issuance and sale of the Warrants and related matters have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, (b) the Warrant Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and a warrant agent that has been duly appointed by the Company, (c) the terms of the Warrants have been established in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or a breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company and (d) the Warrants or certificates representing the Warrants have been duly executed, authenticated, if required, issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, and in accordance with the terms of any Warrant Agreement and underwriting agreement relating to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors, the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

Our opinions set forth above are limited to (i) the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, applicable provisions of the Constitution of the State of Delaware and reported judicial decisions interpreting such General Corporation Law and Constitution, (ii) the laws of the State of New York that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement and to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws and (iii) the federal laws of the United States of America to the extent referred to specifically herein. We do not express any opinion herein concerning any other laws. We are not engaged in the practice in the State of Delaware; however, we are generally familiar with the Delaware General Corporation Law as currently in effect and have made such inquiries as we consider necessary to render the opinions contained herein. This opinion letter is limited to the laws of the United States of America and, to the limited extent set forth above, the State of Delaware and the State of New York and the facts as they currently exist. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion letter in the event of future changes in such laws or the interpretations thereof or such facts. We express no opinion regarding the Securities Act or any other federal or state laws or regulations. In addition, we have assumed that any samples of documents submitted to us will be executed without any alterations made thereto.

The opinions set forth in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 above are each subject to (i) the effect of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement or similar laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally, including the effect of statutory or other laws regarding fraudulent transfers or preferential transfers and (ii) general principles of equity, including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. We express no opinion regarding the effectiveness of (A) any waiver of stay, extension or usury laws or of unknown future rights or (B) provisions relating to indemnification, exculpation or contribution, to the extent such provisions may be held unenforceable as contrary to federal or state securities laws.

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Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.

May 23, 2014

Page 5

 

No opinion may be implied or inferred beyond the opinions expressly stated in the numbered paragraphs above. Our opinions expressed herein are as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any changes in applicable law or any other matters that may come to our attention after the date hereof that may affect our opinions expressed herein.

We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus constituting a part thereof. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 31, 2014 relating to the financial statements, which appears in Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

McLean, Virginia

May 23, 2014

Exhibit 25.1

File No.            

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

¨	CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

16-1486454

(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19890

(Address of principal executive offices)

Robert C. Fiedler

Vice President and Counsel

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

(302) 651-8541

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

COMSTOCK HOLDING COMPANIES, INC.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware		20-1164345
(State of incorporation)		(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1886 Metro Center Drive, Suite 400
Reston, Virginia		20190
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

 

Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 

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Item 1.

GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

(a)

Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

 

(b)

Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes.

 

Item 2.

AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:

Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.

 

Item 16.

LIST OF EXHIBITS. Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.

 

1.

A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

2.

The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

3.

The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

4.

A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of form T-1.

 

5.

Not applicable.

 

6.

The consent of Trustee as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 of Form T-1.

 

7.

Current Report of the Condition of Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

 

8.

Not applicable.

 

9.

Not applicable.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Minneapolis and State of Minnesota on the 23^rd day of May, 2014.

 

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EXHIBIT 1

CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

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ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:

FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.

SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.

THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.

Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:

 

1)

exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or

 

2)

exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit.

Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.

Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.

FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any

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other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.

In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.

Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:

 

1)

The name and address of each proposed nominee.

 

2)

The principal occupation of each proposed nominee.

 

3)

The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee.

 

4)

The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder.

 

5)

The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder.

Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.

A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.

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FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.

No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.

Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.

Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.

Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.

If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.

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The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.

SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.

A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.

The board of directors shall have the power to:

 

1)

Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association.

 

2)

Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association.

 

3)

Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law.

 

4)

Dismiss officers and employees.

 

5)

Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof.

 

6)

Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board.

 

7)

Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital.

 

8)

Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association.

 

9)

Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association.

 

10)

Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders.

 

11)

Make contracts.

 

12)

Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform.

SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.

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EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.

NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.

TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).

Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.

Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in

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connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.

In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.

The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.

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If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.

The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.

ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.

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EXHIBIT 4

BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

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AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I

Meetings of Shareholders

Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may properly come before the meeting shall be held at the main office of the association, Rodney Square North, 1100 Market Street, City of Wilmington, State of Delaware, at 1:00 o’clock p.m. on the first Tuesday in March of each year, or at such other place and time as the board of directors may designate, or if that date falls on a legal holiday in Delaware, on the next following banking day. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his/her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, or in the event of a legal holiday, on the next following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.

Section 2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by the board of directors or by any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than fifty percent of the stock of the association. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.

The board of directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.

A special meeting may be called by shareholders or the board of directors to amend the articles of association or bylaws, whether or not such bylaws may be amended by the board of directors in the absence of shareholder approval.

If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.

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Section 3. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association and the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:

 

(1)

The name and address of each proposed nominee;

 

(2)

The principal occupation of each proposed nominee;

 

(3)

The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee;

 

(4)

The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and

 

(5)

The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder.

Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.

Section 4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.

Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.

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ARTICLE II

Directors

Section 1. Board of Directors. The board of directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the board of directors.

Section 2. Number. The board of directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof.

Section 3. Organization Meeting. The secretary or treasurer, upon receiving the certificate of the judges of the result of any election, shall notify the directors-elect of their election and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main office of the association, or at such other place in the cities of Wilmington, Delaware or Buffalo, New York, to organize the new board of directors and elect and appoint officers of the association for the succeeding year. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within 30 days thereof. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum, the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.

Section 4. Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution designate the place, date and hour for the holding of a regular meeting, but in the absence of any such designation, regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held, without notice, on the first Tuesday of each March, June and September, and on the second Tuesday of each December at the main office or other such place as the board of directors may designate. When any regular meeting of the board of directors falls upon a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next banking business day unless the board of directors shall designate another day.

Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of the association, or at the request of two or more directors. Each member of the board of directors shall be given notice by telegram, first class mail, or in person stating the time and place of each special meeting.

Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the entire board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 7. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance.

Section 7. Meetings by Conference Telephone. Any one or more members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such board or committees by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

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Section 8. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the board of directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.

Section 9. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the stockholders. Any director may be removed without cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of the directors notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

Section 10. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors, according to the laws of the United States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the board of directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board of directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. At any such shareholder meeting, each shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.

ARTICLE III

Committees of the Board

The board of directors has power over and is solely responsible for the management, supervision, and administration of the association. The board of directors may delegate its power, but none of its responsibilities, to such persons or committees as the board may determine.

The board of directors must formally ratify written policies authorized by committees of the board of directors before such policies become effective. Each committee must have one or more member(s), and who may be an officer of the association or an officer or director of any affiliate of the association, who serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. Provisions of the articles of association and these bylaws governing place of meetings, notice of meeting, quorum and voting requirements of the board of directors, apply to committees and their members as well. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the board of directors.

Section 1. Loan Committee. There shall be a loan committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The loan committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have power to discount and purchase bills, notes and other evidences of debt, to buy and sell bills of exchange, to examine and approve loans and discounts, to exercise authority regarding loans and discounts, and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors that may lawfully be delegated. The loan committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.

Section 2. Investment Committee. There shall be an investment committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The investment

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committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have the power to ensure adherence to the investment policy, to recommend amendments thereto, to purchase and sell securities, to exercise authority regarding investments and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors regarding investment securities that may be lawfully delegated. The investment committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.

Section 3. Examining Committee. There shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 3, the responsibility and authority of the Examining Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association’s parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.

Section 4. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a trust audit committee in conformance with Section 1 of Article V.

Section 5. Other Committees. The board of directors may appoint, from time to time, from its own members, compensation, special litigation and other committees of one or more persons, for such purposes and with such powers as the board of directors may determine.

However, a committee may not:

 

(1)

Authorize distributions of assets or dividends;

 

(2)

Approve action required to be approved by shareholders;

 

(3)

Fill vacancies on the board of directors or any of its committees;

 

(4)

Amend articles of association;

 

(5)

Adopt, amend or repeal bylaws; or

 

(6)

Authorize or approve issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares.

Section 6. Committee Members’ Fees. Committee members may receive a fee for their services as committee members and traveling and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any meeting of a committee of which they are a member. The fee may be a fixed sum to be paid for attending each meeting or a fixed sum to be paid quarterly, or semiannually, irrespective of the number of meetings attended or not attended. The amount of the fee and the basis on which it shall be paid shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

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ARTICLE IV

Officers and Employees

Section 1. Chairperson of the Board. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chairperson of the board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. The chairperson of the board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the board of directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the board of directors.

Section 2. President. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. In the absence of the chairperson, the president shall preside at any meeting of the board of directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the board of directors.

Section 3. Vice President. The board of directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the board of directors. One vice president shall be designated by the board of directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.

Section 4. Secretary. The board of directors shall appoint a secretary, treasurer, or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the board of directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice to the office of treasurer, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the board of directors.

Section 5. Other Officers. The board of directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the board of directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the board of directors, the chairperson of the board, or the president. The board of directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.

Section 6. Tenure of Office. The president and all other officers shall hold office for the current year for which the board of directors was elected, unless they shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and any vacancy occurring in the office of president shall be filled promptly by the board of directors.

Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

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ARTICLE V

Fiduciary Activities

Section 1. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the bank or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the bank’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the board of directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 1, the responsibility and authority of the Trust Audit Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association’s parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.

Section 2. Fiduciary Files. There shall be maintained by the association all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.

Section 3. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and applicable law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made, but does vest in the association investment discretion, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under applicable law.

ARTICLE VI

Stock and Stock Certificates

Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The board of directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.

Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually or by facsimile process by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the board of directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed.

The board of directors may adopt or use procedures for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed stock certificates as permitted by law.

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The association may establish a procedure through which the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee may be recognized by the association as the shareholder. The procedure may set forth:

 

(1)

The types of nominees to which it applies;

 

(2)

The rights or privileges that the association recognizes in a beneficial owner;

 

(3)

How the nominee may request the association to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder;

 

(4)

The information that must be provided when the procedure is selected;

 

(5)

The period over which the association will continue to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder;

 

(6)

Other aspects of the rights and duties created.

ARTICLE VII

Corporate Seal

Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the board of directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.

ARTICLE VIII

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.

Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by the chairperson of the board, or the president, or any vice president, or the secretary, or the treasurer, or, if in connection with the exercise of fiduciary powers of the association, by any of those offices or by any trust officer. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the board of directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these bylaws.

Section 3. Records. The articles of association, the bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the board of directors, and standing committees of the board of directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.

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Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.

Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).

Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.

Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these bylaws and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.

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In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.

The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s articles of association, these bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.

If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.

The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.

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ARTICLE IX

Inspection and Amendments

Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.

Section 2. Amendments. The bylaws of the association may be amended, altered or repealed, at any regular meeting of the board of directors, by a vote of a majority of the total number of the directors except as provided below, and provided that the following language accompany any such change.

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EXHIBIT 6

Section 321(b) Consent

Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.

 

		WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Dated: May 23, 2014		By:		/s/ Hallie E. Field
				Name: Hallie E. Field
				Title: Banking Officer

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EXHIBIT 7

REPORT OF CONDITION

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

As of the close of business on March 31, 2014

 

		Thousands of Dollars
ASSETS
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:			2,022,072
Securities:			5,179
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell:			0
Loans and leases held for sale:			0
Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance:			486,216
Premises and fixed assets:			9,698
Other real estate owned:			266
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies:			0
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures:			0
Intangible assets:			3,665
Other assets:			60,425
Total Assets:			2,587,521
		Thousands of Dollars
LIABILITIES
Deposits			1,981,113
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase			122,000
Other borrowed money:			0
Other Liabilities:			58,228
Total Liabilities			2,161,341
		Thousands of Dollars
EQUITY CAPITAL
Common Stock			1,000
Surplus			385,244
Retained Earnings			40,477
Accumulated other comprehensive income			(541	)
Total Equity Capital			426,180
Total Liabilities and Equity Capital			2,587,521