<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FEBRUARY 3, 1999
DATE OF REPORT
(DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED)
AMAZON.COM, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
DELAWARE 000-22513 91-1646860
(STATE OR OTHER (COMMISSION FILE NO.) (IRS EMPLOYER
JURISDICTION IDENTIFICATION NO.)
OF INCORPORATION)
1516 SECOND AVENUE, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98101
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES, INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
(206) 622-2335
(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
<PAGE> 2
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On February 3, 1999, Amazon.com, Inc. completed the sale of its private
offering of $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4 3/4%
Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2009.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits
4.1 Indenture, dated as of February 3, 1999, between
Amazon.com, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as trustee,
including the form of 4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated
Note due 2009 attached as Exhibit A thereto.
4.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3,
1999, by and among Amazon.com, Inc. and the Initial
Purchasers.
<PAGE> 3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AMAZON.COM, INC.
(REGISTRANT)
Dated: February 3, 1999 By: \s\ Joy D. Covey
-----------------------------------
Joy D. Covey
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of
Finance and Administration and Secretary
<PAGE> 4
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Number Description
- -------------- -----------
<S> <C>
4.1 Indenture, dated as of February 3, 1999, between Amazon.com,
Inc. and The Bank of New York, as trustee, including the
form of 4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Note due 2009
attached as Exhibit A thereto.
4.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 1999,
by and among Amazon.com, Inc. and the Initial Purchasers.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
AMAZON.COM, INC.
TO
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
TRUSTEE
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 3, 1999
4 3/4% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2009
<PAGE> 2
AMAZON.COM, INC.
Reconciliation and Tie Between the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and
Indenture, dated as of February 3, 1999, between Amazon.com, Inc. and The Bank
of New York, as Trustee.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION
<S> <C>
Section 310(a)(1)............................................................8.9
(a)(2).......................................................................8.9
(a)(3)............................................................Not Applicable
(a)(4)............................................................Not Applicable
(a)(5).......................................................................8.9
(b).........................................................8.8; 8.9; 8.10; 8.11
Section 311(a)..............................................................8.13
(b).........................................................................8.13
(b)(2)......................................................................8.13
Section 312(a).......................................................6.1; 6.2(a)
(b).......................................................................6.2(b)
(c).......................................................................6.2(c)
Section 313(a)............................................................6.3(a)
(b).......................................................................6.3(a)
(c).......................................................................6.3(a)
(d).......................................................................6.3(b)
Section 314(a)...............................................................6.4
(b)...............................................................Not Applicable
(c)(1)......................................................................16.5
(c)(2)......................................................................16.5
(c)(3)............................................................Not Applicable
(d)...............................................................Not Applicable
(e).........................................................................16.5
Section 315(a)...............................................................8.1
(b)..........................................................................7.8
(c)..........................................................................8.1
(d)..........................................................................8.1
(d)(1)....................................................................8.1(a)
(d)(2)....................................................................8.1(b)
(d)(3)....................................................................8.1(c)
(e)..........................................................................7.9
Section 316(a)...............................................................7.7
(a)(1)(A)....................................................................7.7
(a)(1)(B)....................................................................7.7
(a)(2)............................................................Not Applicable
(b)..........................................................................7.4
Section 317(a)(1)............................................................7.5
(a)(2).......................................................................7.5
(b)..........................................................................5.4
Section 318(a)..............................................................16.7
</TABLE>
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Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.
<PAGE> 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
ARTICLE I
<S> <C>
DEFINITIONS.............................................................-1-
Affiliate.........................................................-1-
Board of Directors................................................-2-
Business Day......................................................-2-
Closing Price.....................................................-2-
Commission........................................................-2-
Common Stock......................................................-2-
Company .........................................................-2-
Conversion Price..................................................-2-
Corporate Trust Office............................................-2-
Custodian.........................................................-2-
Default .........................................................-2-
Defaulted Interest................................................-2-
Depositary........................................................-2-
Designated Senior Indebtedness....................................-3-
Event of Default..................................................-3-
Exchange Act......................................................-3-
Fundamental Change................................................-3-
Global Note.......................................................-3-
Indebtedness......................................................-3-
Indenture.........................................................-4-
Initial Purchasers................................................-4-
Institutional Accredited Investor.................................-4-
Liquidated Damages Amount.........................................-4-
Make-Whole Payment................................................-4-
Note or Notes.....................................................-4-
Note register.....................................................-4-
Noteholder or holder..............................................-4-
Notice Date.......................................................-4-
Officers' Certificate.............................................-4-
Opinion of Counsel................................................-4-
Optional Redemption...............................................-4-
outstanding.......................................................-4-
Payment Blockage Notice...........................................-5-
Person .........................................................-5-
Portal Market.....................................................-5-
Predecessor Note..................................................-5-
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Provisional Redemption............................................-5-
Provisional Redemption Date.......................................-5-
QIB...............................................................-5-
Registration Rights Agreement.....................................-5-
Representative....................................................-5-
Responsible Officer...............................................-5-
Restricted Securities.............................................-5-
Rule 144A.........................................................-6-
Securities Act....................................................-6-
Senior Indebtedness...............................................-6-
Significant Subsidiary............................................-6-
Subsidiary........................................................-6-
Trading Day.......................................................-6-
Trigger Event.....................................................-6-
Trust Indenture Act...............................................-6-
Trustee .........................................................-6-
ARTICLE II
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES.......-7-
Section 2.1 Designation Amount and Issue of Notes...............-7-
Section 2.2 Form of Notes.......................................-7-
Section 2.3 Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments
of Interest.......................................-7-
Section 2.4 Execution of Notes..................................-8-
Section 2.5 Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes;
Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary..............-9-
Section 2.6 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes.........-15-
Section 2.7 Temporary Notes....................................-15-
Section 2.8 Cancellation of Notes Paid, Etc....................-16-
Section 2.9 CUSIP Numbers......................................-16-
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF NOTES....................................................-16-
Section 3.1 (a) Provisional Redemption by the Company..........-16-
(b) Optional Redemption by the Company.............-16-
Section 3.2 Notice of Redemptions; Selection of Notes..........-17-
Section 3.3 Payment of Notes Called for Redemption.............-18-
Section 3.4 Conversion Arrangement on Call for Redemption......-19-
Section 3.5 Redemption at Option of Holders....................-19-
ARTICLE IV
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES.................................................-21-
Section 4.1 Agreement of Subordination.........................-21-
Section 4.2 Payments to Noteholders............................-21-
Section 4.3 Subrogation of Notes...............................-23-
Section 4.4 Authorization to Effect Subordination..............-24-
Section 4.5 Notice to Trustee..................................-24-
Section 4.6 Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness..........-25-
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Section 4.7 No Impairment of Subordination.....................-25-
Section 4.8 Certain Conversions Not Deemed Payment.............-25-
Section 4.9 Article Applicable to Paying Agents................-25-
Section 4.10 Senior Indebtedness Entitled to Rely...............-25-
Section 4.11 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of
Liquidating Agent................................-25-
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY....................................-26-
Section 5.1 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.........-26-
Section 5.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency....................-26-
Section 5.3 Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's
Office...........................................-26-
Section 5.4 Provisions as to Paying Agent......................-26-
Section 5.5 Existence..........................................-27-
Section 5.6 Maintenance of Properties..........................-27-
Section 5.7 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims..................-28-
Section 5.8 Rule 144A Information Requirement..................-28-
Section 5.9 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.....................-28-
Section 5.10 Compliance Certificate.............................-28-
ARTICLE VI
NOTEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE..........-29-
Section 6.1 Noteholders' Lists.................................-29-
Section 6.2 Preservation and Disclosure of Lists...............-29-
Section 6.3 Reports by Trustee.................................-29-
Section 6.4 Reports by Company.................................-29-
ARTICLE VII
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND NOTEHOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT.........-30-
Section 7.1 Events of Default..................................-30-
Section 7.2 Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor........-31-
Section 7.3 Application of Monies Collected by Trustee.........-32-
Section 7.4 Proceedings by Noteholder..........................-33-
Section 7.5 Proceedings by Trustee.............................-34-
Section 7.6 Remedies Cumulative and Continuing.................-34-
Section 7.7 Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults
by Majority of Noteholders.......................-34-
Section 7.8 Notice of Defaults.................................-34-
Section 7.9 Undertaking to Pay Costs...........................-34-
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE.................................................-35-
Section 8.1 Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.............-35-
Section 8.2 Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc...............-36-
Section 8.3 No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc................-37-
Section 8.4 Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents or
Registrar May Own Notes..........................-37-
Section 8.5 Monies to Be Held in Trust.........................-37-
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 6
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Section 8.6 Compensation and Expenses of Trustee...........-37-
Section 8.7 Officers' Certificate as Evidence..............-37-
Section 8.8 Conflicting Interests of Trustee...............-38-
Section 8.9 Eligibility of Trustee.........................-38-
Section 8.10 Resignation or Removal of Trustee..............-38-
Section 8.11 Acceptance by Successor Trustee................-39-
Section 8.12 Succession by Merger, Etc......................-39-
Section 8.13 Preferential Collection of Claims..............-40-
Section 8.14 Trustee's Application for Instructions
from the Company.............................-40-
ARTICLE IX
CONCERNING THE NOTEHOLDERS.............................................-40-
Section 9.1 Action by Noteholders.............................-40-
Section 9.2 Proof of Execution by Noteholders.................-40-
Section 9.3 Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners....................-40-
Section 9.4 Company-Owned Notes Disregarded...................-41-
Section 9.5 Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound......-41-
ARTICLE X
NOTEHOLDERS' MEETINGS..................................................-41-
Section 10.1 Purpose of Meetings...............................-41-
Section 10.2 Call of Meetings by Trustee.......................-42-
Section 10.3 Call of Meetings by Company or Noteholders........-42-
Section 10.4 Qualifications for Voting.........................-42-
Section 10.5 Regulations.......................................-42-
Section 10.6 Voting............................................-42-
Section 10.7 No Delay of Rights by Meeting.....................-43-
ARTICLE XI
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES................................................-43-
Section 11.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent
of Noteholders...................................-43-
Section 11.2 Supplemental Indenture with Consent
of Noteholders...................................-44-
Section 11.3 Effect of Supplemental Indenture...................-45-
Section 11.4 Notation on Notes..................................-45-
Section 11.5 Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture
to Be Furnished to Trustee.......................-45-
ARTICLE XII
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE......................-45-
Section 12.1 Company May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms....-45-
Section 12.2 Successor Corporation to Be Substituted............-46-
Section 12.3 Opinion of Counsel to Be Given Trustee.............-46-
ARTICLE XIII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE................................-46-
Section 13.1 Discharge of Indenture.............................-46-
Section 13.2 Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee....-47-
Section 13.3 Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held..................-47-
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Section 13.4 Return of Unclaimed Monies.........................-47-
Section 13.5 Reinstatement......................................-47-
ARTICLE XIV
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS........-47-
Section 14.1 Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations...-47-
ARTICLE XV
CONVERSION OF NOTES....................................................-48-
Right to Convert.................................................-48-
Section 15.2 Exercise of Conversion Privilege; Issuance of
Common Stock on Conversion; No Adjustment for
Interest or Dividends............................-48-
Section 15.3 Cash Payments in Lieu of Fractional Shares.........-49-
Section 15.4 Conversion Price...................................-49-
Section 15.5 Adjustment of Conversion Price.....................-49-
Section 15.6 Effect of Reclassification, Consolidation,
Merger or Sale.....................................-55-
Section 15.7 Taxes on Shares Issued.............................-56-
Section 15.8 Reservation of Shares; Shares to Be Fully Paid;
Compliance with Governmental Requirements;
Listing of Common Stock..........................-56-
Section 15.9 Responsibility of Trustee..........................-57-
Section 15.10 Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions.........-57-
ARTICLE XVI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS...............................................-58-
Section 16.1 Provisions Binding on Company's Successors.........-58-
Section 16.2 Official Acts by Successor Corporation.............-58-
Section 16.3 Addresses for Notices, Etc.........................-58-
Section 16.4 Governing Law......................................-58-
Section 16.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent;
Certificates to Trustee..........................-58-
Section 16.6 Legal Holidays.....................................-59-
Section 16.7 Trust Indenture Act................................-59-
Section 16.8 No Security Interest Created.......................-59-
Section 16.9 Benefits of Indenture..............................-59-
Section 16.10 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc...................-59-
Section 16.11 Authenticating Agent...............................-59-
Section 16.12 Execution in Counterparts..........................-60-
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 8
INDENTURE
INDENTURE, dated as of February 3, 1999, between Amazon.com, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (hereinafter sometimes called the "Company," as more fully
set forth in Section 1.1), and The Bank of New York, a New York banking
corporation, as trustee hereunder (hereinafter sometimes called the "Trustee,"
as more fully set forth in Section 1.1).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly
authorized the issue of its 4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2009
(hereinafter sometimes called the "Notes"), in an aggregate principal amount not
to exceed $1,250,000,000 (or $1,437,500,000 if the over-allotment option set
forth in Section 2 of the Placement Agreement dated January 29, 1999 (as amended
from time to time by the parties thereto) by and between the Company and the
Initial Purchasers is exercised in full) and, to provide the terms and
conditions upon which the Notes are to be authenticated, issued and delivered,
the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture;
and
WHEREAS, the Notes, the certificate of authentication to be borne by
the Notes, a form of assignment, a form of option to elect repayment upon a
Fundamental Change, and a form of conversion notice to be borne by the Notes are
to be substantially in the forms hereinafter provided for; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Notes, when executed
by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or a duly
authorized authenticating agent, as in this Indenture provided, the valid,
binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to constitute these presents a
valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, and the
execution of this Indenture and the issue hereunder of the Notes have in all
respects been duly authorized.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes
are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of
the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the holders
thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and
proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Notes
(except as otherwise provided below), as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS. The terms defined in this Section 1.1
(except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise
requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental
hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1. All
other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act
or which are by reference therein defined in the Securities Act (except as
herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires)
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and
in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this
Indenture. The words "herein," "hereof," "hereunder," and words of similar
import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article,
Section or other Subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the
plural as well as the singular.
<PAGE> 9
AFFILIATE: The term "Affiliate" of any specified Person shall
mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the
purposes of this definition, "control," when used with respect to any specified
Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership
of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The term "Board of Directors" shall mean
the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee of such Board duly
authorized to act for it hereunder.
BUSINESS DAY: The term "Business Day" shall mean each Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which the banking
institutions in The City of New York or the city in which the Corporate Trust
Office is located are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close
or be closed.
CLOSING PRICE: The term "Closing Price" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 15.5(h)(1).
COMMISSION: The term "Commission" shall mean the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
COMMON STOCK: The term "Common Stock" shall mean any stock of
any class of the Company which has no preference in respect of dividends or of
amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company and which is not subject to redemption
by the Company. Subject to the provisions of Section 15.6, however, shares
issuable on conversion of Notes shall include only shares of the class
designated as common stock of the Company at the date of this Indenture or
shares of any class or classes resulting from any reclassification or
reclassifications thereof and which have no preference in respect of dividends
or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company and which are not subject to redemption
by the Company; provided that if at any time there shall be more than one such
resulting class, the shares of each such class then so issuable shall be
substantially in the proportion which the total number of shares of such class
resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of
all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications.
COMPANY: The term "Company" shall mean Amazon.com, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, having its principal office at 1516 Second Avenue,
Seattle, Washington 98101 and, subject to the provisions of Article XII, shall
include its successors and assigns.
CONVERSION PRICE: The term "Conversion Price" shall have the
meaning specified in Section 15.4.
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<PAGE> 10
CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE: The term "Corporate Trust Office" or
other similar term, shall mean the principal office of the Trustee at which at
any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally
administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated,
located at 101 Barclay Street, 21st Floor West, New York, New York 10286,
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration (Amazon.com, Inc. 4 3/4% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2009).
CUSTODIAN: The term "Custodian" shall mean The Bank of New
York, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor
entity thereto.
DEFAULT: The term "default" shall mean any event that is, or
after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.
DEFAULTED INTEREST: The term "Defaulted Interest" shall have
the meaning specified in Section 2.3.
DEPOSITARY: The term "Depositary" shall mean, with respect to
the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person
specified in Section 2.5(d) as the Depositary with respect to such Notes, until
a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable
provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, "Depositary" shall mean or include
such successor.
DESIGNATED SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS: The term "Designated Senior
Indebtedness" shall mean any Senior Indebtedness in which the instrument
creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee thereof (or
related agreements or documents to which the Company is a party) expressly
provides that such Senior Indebtedness shall be "Designated Senior Indebtedness"
for purposes of this Indenture (provided that such instrument, agreement or
other document may place limitations and conditions on the right of such Senior
Indebtedness to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Indebtedness). If any
payment made to any holder of any Designated Senior Indebtedness or its
Representative with respect to such Designated Senior Indebtedness is rescinded
or must otherwise be returned by such holder or Representative upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise, the
reinstated Indebtedness of the Company arising as a result of such rescission or
return shall constitute Designated Senior Indebtedness effective as of the date
of such recission or return.
EVENT OF DEFAULT: The term "Event of Default" shall mean any
event specified in Section 7.1(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e).
EXCHANGE ACT: The term "Exchange Act" shall mean the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.
FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE: The term "Fundamental Change" shall mean
the occurrence of any transaction or event in connection with which all or
substantially all of the Common Stock
-3-
<PAGE> 11
shall be exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitute solely the
right to receive consideration (whether by means of an exchange offer,
liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification,
recapitalization or otherwise) which is not all or substantially all common
stock listed (or, upon consummation of or immediately following such transaction
or event, which will be listed) on a United States national securities exchange
or approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market or any similar United
States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices.
GLOBAL NOTE: The term "Global Note" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.5(b).
INDEBTEDNESS: The term "Indebtedness" shall mean, with respect
to any Person, and without duplication, (a) all indebtedness, obligations and
other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such Person for borrowed money
(including obligations of the Company in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange
contracts, currency exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements,
and any loans or advances from banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or
similar instruments, and all commitment, standby and other fees due and payable
to financial institutions with respect to credit facilities available to such
Person) or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (whether
or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person
or to only a portion thereof), other than any account payable or other accrued
current liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in
connection with the obtaining of materials or services; (b) all reimbursement
obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such Person with
respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances; (c) all
obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in respect of leases of
real or personal property or other assets of such Person required, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles, to be accounted for as
capitalized lease obligations on the balance sheet of such Person and all
obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any lease or
related document (including a purchase agreement) in connection with the lease
of real property which provides that such Person is contractually obligated to
purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and thereby
guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor and the
obligations of such Person under such lease or related document to purchase or
to cause a third party to purchase such leased property; (d) all obligations of
such Person (contingent or otherwise) with respect to an interest rate or other
swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or
foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or agreement;
(e) all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements by such Person in
respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such
Person to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise assure a creditor against
loss in respect of, indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of another Person
of the kind described in clauses (a) through (d); (f) any indebtedness or other
obligations described in clauses (a) through (e) secured by any mortgage,
pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which is owned or held by
such Person, regardless of whether the indebtedness or other obligation secured
thereby shall have been assumed by such Person; and (g) any and all deferrals,
renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications or
supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described
in clauses (a) through (f).
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<PAGE> 12
INDENTURE: The term "Indenture" shall mean this instrument as
originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so
amended or supplemented.
INITIAL PURCHASERS: The term "Initial Purchasers" shall mean
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Credit Suisse First Boston and Donaldson,
Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR: The term "Institutional
Accredited Investor" shall mean an institutional "accredited investor" within
the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.
LIQUIDATED DAMAGES AMOUNT: The term "Liquidated Damages
Amount" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2(e) of the Registration
Rights Agreement.
MAKE-WHOLE PAYMENT: The term "Make-Whole Payment" shall have
the meaning specified in Section 3.1(a).
NOTE or NOTES: The term "Note" or "Notes" shall mean any Note
or Notes, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture,
including the Global Note.
NOTE REGISTER: The term "Note register" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 2.5(a).
NOTEHOLDER or HOLDER: The terms "Noteholder" or "holder" as
applied to any Note, or other similar terms (but excluding the term "beneficial
holder"), shall mean any Person in whose name at the time a particular Note is
registered on the Notes registrar's books.
NOTICE DATE: The term "Notice Date" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 3.1(a).
OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE: The term "Officers' Certificate," when
used with respect to the Company, shall mean a certificate signed by both (a)
the President, the Chief Executive Officer, Executive or Senior Vice President
or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or number or words
or words added before or after the title "Vice President") and (b) the Treasurer
or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the
Company.
OPINION OF COUNSEL: The term "Opinion of Counsel" shall mean
an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or
counsel to the Company, or other counsel acceptable to the Trustee.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION: The term "Optional Redemption" shall have
the meaning specified in Section 3.1(b).
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OUTSTANDING: The term "outstanding," when used with reference
to Notes, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 9.4, mean, as of any
particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this
Indenture, except
(a) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Notes, or portions thereof, (i) for the
redemption of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in
trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or (ii)
which shall have been otherwise defeased in accordance with Article XIII;
(c) Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for
which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the
terms of Section 2.6; and
(d) Notes converted into Common Stock pursuant to
Article XV and Notes deemed not outstanding pursuant to Article III.
PAYMENT BLOCKAGE NOTICE: The term "Payment Blockage Notice"
shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.2.
PERSON: The term "Person" shall mean a corporation, an
association, a partnership, a limited liability corporation, an individual, a
joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or
a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.
PORTAL MARKET: The term "Portal Market" shall mean The Portal
Market operated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any
successor thereto.
PREDECESSOR NOTE: The term "Predecessor Note" of any
particular Note shall mean every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of
the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes
of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.6 in
lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same
debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Note that it replaces.
PROVISIONAL REDEMPTION: The term "Provisional Redemption"
shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1(a).
PROVISIONAL REDEMPTION DATE: The term "Provisional Redemption
Date" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1(a).
QIB: The term "QIB" shall mean a "qualified institutional
buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT: The term "Registration Rights
Agreement" shall mean that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
February 3, 1999, between the Company and the Initial Purchasers, as amended
from time to time in accordance with its terms.
REPRESENTATIVE: The term "Representative" shall mean (a) the
indenture trustee or other trustee, agent or representative for any Senior
Indebtedness or (b) with respect to any Senior Indebtedness that does not have
any such trustee, agent or other representative, (i) in the case of such Senior
Indebtedness issued pursuant to an agreement providing for voting arrangements
as among the holders or owners of such Senior Indebtedness, any holder or owner
of such Senior Indebtedness acting with the consent of the required Persons
necessary to bind such holders or owners of such Senior Indebtedness and (ii) in
the case of all other such Senior Indebtedness, the holder or owner of such
Senior Indebtedness.
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: The term "Responsible Officer," when used
with respect to the Trustee, shall mean an officer of the Trustee in the
Corporate Trust Office assigned and duly authorized by the Trustee to administer
this Indenture.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES: The term "Restricted Securities" shall
have the meaning specified in Section 2.5(d).
RULE 144A: The term "Rule 144A" shall mean Rule 144A as
promulgated under the Securities Act.
SECURITIES ACT: The term "Securities Act" shall mean the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS: The term "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean
the principal of, premium, if any, interest (including all interest accruing
subsequent to the commencement of any bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether
or not a claim for post-petition interest is allowable as a claim in any such
proceeding) and rent payable on or in connection with, and all fees, costs,
expenses and other amounts accrued or due on or in connection with, Indebtedness
of the Company, whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter
created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by the Company
(including all deferrals, renewals, extensions or refundings of, or amendments,
modifications or supplements to, the foregoing), unless in the case of any
particular Indebtedness the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the
assumption or guarantee thereof expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall
not be senior in right of payment to the Notes or expressly provides that such
Indebtedness is "pari passu" or "junior" to the Notes. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the term "Senior Indebtedness" shall not include any Indebtedness of
the Company to any subsidiary of the Company, a majority of the voting stock of
which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company. If any payment made to
any holder of any Senior Indebtedness or its Representative with respect to such
Senior Indebtedness is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by such holder or
Representative upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company
or otherwise, the reinstated Indebtedness of the Company arising as
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a result of such rescission or return shall constitute Senior Indebtedness
effective as of the date of such rescission or return.
SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY: The term "Significant Subsidiary"
shall mean, as of any date of determination, a Subsidiary of the Company that
would constitute a "significant subsidiary" as such term is defined under Rule
1-02 of Regulation S-X of the Commission.
SUBSIDIARY: The term "Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to
any Person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which
more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled
(without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of
directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries
of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole
general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a
subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such
Person or of one or more subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination
thereof).
TRADING DAY: The term "Trading Day" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 15.5(h)(5).
TRIGGER EVENT: The term "Trigger Event" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 15.5(d).
TRUST INDENTURE ACT: The term "Trust Indenture Act" shall mean
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of
execution of this Indenture, except as provided in Sections 11.3 and 15.6;
provided, however, that, in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended
after the date hereof, the term "Trust Indenture Act" shall mean, to the extent
required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
TRUSTEE: The term "Trustee" shall mean The Bank of New York
and its successors and any corporation resulting from or surviving any
consolidation or merger to which it or its successors may be a party and any
successor trustee at the time serving as successor trustee hereunder.
The definitions of certain other terms are as specified in Sections 2.5
and 3.5 and Article XV.
ARTICLE II
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES
SECTION 2.1 DESIGNATION AMOUNT AND ISSUE OF NOTES. The Notes shall
be designated as "4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2009." Notes not to
exceed the aggregate principal amount of $1,250,000,000 (or $1,437,500,000 if
the over-allotment option set forth in Section 2 of
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the Placement Agreement dated January 29, 1999 (as amended from time to time by
the parties thereto) by and between the Company and the Initial Purchasers is
exercised in full) (except pursuant to Sections 2.5, 2.6, 3.3, 3.5 and 15.2
hereof) upon the execution of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter,
may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication,
and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Notes to or upon
the written order of the Company, signed by its (a) Chief Executive Officer,
President, Executive or Senior Vice President or any Vice President (whether or
not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the
title "Vice President") and (b) Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or its
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, without any further action by the Company
hereunder.
SECTION 2.2 FORM OF NOTES. The Notes and the Trustee's certificate
of authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the form
set forth in Exhibit A, which is incorporated in and made a part of this
Indenture.
Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of
identification and such notations, legends and endorsements as the officers
executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of
such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or
regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any
securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be
listed, or to conform to usage.
Any Note in global form shall represent such of the outstanding Notes
as shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the
aggregate amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and
that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time
to time be increased or reduced to reflect transfers or exchanges permitted
hereby. Any endorsement of a Note in global form to reflect the amount of any
increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby
shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee,
in such manner and upon instructions given by the holder of such Notes in
accordance with this Indenture. Payment of principal of and interest and
premium, if any, on any Note in global form shall be made to the holder of such
Note.
The terms and provisions contained in the form of Note attached as
Exhibit A hereto shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this
Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their
execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and
provisions and to be bound thereby.
SECTION 2.3 DATE AND DENOMINATION OF NOTES; PAYMENTS OF INTEREST.
The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations
of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. Every Note shall be
dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the applicable
date in each case as specified on the face of the form of Note attached as
Exhibit A hereto. Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a
360-day year comprised of twelve (12) 30-day months.
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The Person in whose name any Note (or its Predecessor Note) is
registered on the Note register at the close of business on any record date with
respect to any interest payment date shall be entitled to receive the interest
payable on such interest payment date, except (i) that the interest payable upon
redemption (unless the date of redemption is an interest payment date) will be
payable to the Person to whom principal is payable and (ii) as set forth in the
next succeeding sentence. In the case of any Note (or portion thereof) which is
converted into Common Stock during the period from (but excluding) a record date
to (but excluding) the next succeeding interest payment date either (i) if such
Note (or portion thereof) has been called for redemption on a redemption date
which occurs during such period, or is to be redeemed in connection with a
Fundamental Change on a Repurchase Date (as defined in Section 3.5) which occurs
during such period, the Company shall not be required to pay interest on such
interest payment date in respect of any such Note (or portion thereof) except to
the extent required to be paid upon redemption of such Note or portion thereof
pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.5 hereof or (ii) if otherwise, any Note (or portion
thereof) submitted for conversion during such period shall be accompanied by
funds equal to the interest payable on such succeeding interest payment date on
the principal amount so converted. Interest shall be payable at the office of
the Company maintained by the Company for such purposes in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall initially be an office or agency of
the Trustee and may, as the Company shall specify to the paying agent in writing
by each record date, be paid either (i) by check mailed to the address of the
Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Note register (provided that the
holder of Notes with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $10,000,000
shall, at the written election of such holder, be paid by wire transfer in
immediately available funds) or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by
such Person located in the United States; provided, however, that payments to
the Depositary will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The term "record date" with
respect to any interest payment date shall mean January 15 or July 15 preceding
the relevant February 1 or August 1, respectively.
Any interest on any Note which is payable, but is not punctually paid
or duly provided for, on any February 1 or August 1 (herein called "Defaulted
Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Noteholder on the relevant
record date by virtue of his having been such Noteholder; and such Defaulted
Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided
in clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted
Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective
Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a special record
date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the
following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount
of Defaulted Interest to be paid on each Note and the date of the payment (which
shall be not less than twenty-five (25) days after the receipt by the Trustee of
such notice, unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date), and at the
same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to
the aggregate amount 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 Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause
provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment
of such
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Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than fifteen (15) days and not less
than ten (10) days prior to the date of the proposed payment, and not less than
ten (10) days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed
payment, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record
date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of
the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date
therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Noteholder at his
address as it appears in the Note register, not less than ten (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 Notes (or
their respective Predecessor Notes) were registered at the close of business on
such special record date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the
following clause (2) of this Section 2.3.
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in
any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or
designated for issuance, and upon such notice as may be required by such
exchange or automated quotation system, if, after notice given by the Company to
the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of
payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
SECTION 2.4 EXECUTION OF NOTES. The Notes shall be signed in the name
and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chief
Executive Officer, President, any Executive or Senior Vice President or any Vice
President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words
added before or after the title "Vice President") or Treasurer and attested by
the manual or facsimile signature of its Secretary or any of its Assistant
Secretaries or its Finance Director or any of its Assistant Treasurers (which
may be printed, engraved or otherwise reproduced thereon, by facsimile or
otherwise). Only such Notes as shall bear thereon a certificate of
authentication substantially in the form set forth on the form of Note attached
as Exhibit A hereto, manually executed by the Trustee (or an authenticating
agent appointed by the Trustee as provided by Section 16.11), shall be entitled
to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
Such certificate by the Trustee (or such an authenticating agent) upon any Note
executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Note so
authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the
holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the
Notes shall cease to be such officer before the Notes so signed shall have been
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such
Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though
the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such officer of the
Company; and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as,
at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the proper officers
of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such
person was not such an officer.
SECTION 2.5 EXCHANGE AND REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF NOTES;
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER; DEPOSITARY.
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(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust
Office a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other
office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 5.2 being herein
sometimes collectively referred to as the "Note register") in which, subject to
such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for
the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. The Note register shall be
in written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form
within a reasonably prompt period of time. The Trustee is hereby appointed "Note
register" for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein
provided. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars in accordance with
Section 5.2.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note to the Note
registrar or any co-registrar, and satisfaction of the requirements for such
transfer set forth in this Section 2.5, the Company shall execute, and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee
or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denominations and of a
like aggregate principal amount and bearing such restrictive legends as may be
required by this Indenture.
Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denominations
and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be
exchanged at any such office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to
Section 5.2. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes which
the Noteholder making the exchange is entitled to receive bearing registration
numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes
shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered
upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
All Notes presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for
exchange, redemption or conversion shall (if so required by the Company or the
Note registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or
instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, and the Notes shall
be duly executed by the Noteholder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Note registrar shall be
required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Notes for a period of
fifteen (15) days next preceding any selection of Notes to be redeemed or (b)
any Notes or portions thereof called for redemption pursuant to Section 3.2
or (c) any Notes or portions thereof surrendered for conversion pursuant to
Article XV
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or (d) any Notes or portions thereof tendered for redemption (and not withdrawn)
pursuant to Section 3.5.
(b) So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry
settlement with the Depositary, or unless otherwise required by law, all Notes
that, upon initial issuance are beneficially owned by QIBs or as a result of a
sale or transfer after initial issuance are beneficially owned by QIBs, will be
represented by one or more Notes in global form registered in the name of the
Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary (the "Global Note"), except as
otherwise specified below. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in
any such Global Note shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with
this Indenture and the procedures of the Depositary therefor. The Trustee shall
make appropriate endorsements to reflect increases or decreases in the principal
amounts of any such Global Note as set forth on the face of the Note ("Principal
Amount") to reflect any such transfers. Except as provided below, beneficial
owners of a Global Note shall not be entitled to have certificates registered in
their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
certificates in definitive form and will not be considered holders of such Notes
in global form.
(c) So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry
settlement, or unless otherwise required by law, upon any transfer of a
definitive Note to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, and upon receipt of the
definitive Note or Notes being so transferred, together with a certification,
substantially in the form on the reverse of the Note, from the transferor that
the transfer is being made in compliance with Rule 144A (or other evidence
satisfactory to the Trustee), the Trustee shall make an endorsement on the
Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate Principal Amount of the
Notes represented by such Note in global form, and the Trustee shall cancel such
definitive Note or Notes in accordance with the standing instructions and
procedures of the Depositary, the aggregate Principal Amount of the Notes
represented by such Note in global form to be increased accordingly; provided
that no definitive Note, or portion thereof, in respect of which the Company or
an Affiliate of the Company held any beneficial interest shall be included in
such Note in global form until such definitive Note is freely tradable in
accordance with Rule 144(k); provided further that the Trustee shall issue Notes
in definitive form upon any transfer of a beneficial interest in the Note in
global form to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company.
Upon any sale or transfer of a Note to an Institutional Accredited
Investor (other than pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared
effective under the Securities Act), such Institutional Accredited Investor
shall, prior to such sale or transfer, furnish to the Company and/or the Trustee
a signed letter containing representations and agreements relating to
restrictions on transfer substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B to
this Indenture. Upon any transfer of a beneficial interest in the Global Note to
an Institutional Accredited Investor, the Trustee shall make an endorsement on
the Global Note to reflect a decrease in the aggregate Principal Amount of the
Notes represented by such Note in global form, and the Company shall executed a
definitive Note or Notes in exchange therefore, and the Trustee, upon receipt of
such definitive Note or Notes and the written order of the Company, shall
authenticate and deliver such, definitive Note or Notes.
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Any Note in global form may be endorsed with or have incorporated in
the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Indenture as may be required by the Custodian, the Depositary
or by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. in order for the
Notes to be tradeable on The Portal Market or as may be required for the Notes
to be tradeable on any other market developed for trading of securities pursuant
to Rule 144A or required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation
thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or
automated quotation system upon which the Notes may be listed or traded or to
conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special
limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.
(d) Every Note that bears or is required under this Section
2.5(d) to bear the legend set forth in this Section 2.5(d) (together with any
Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes and required to bear the legend
set forth in Section 2.5(e), collectively, the "Restricted Securities") shall be
subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 2.5(d)
(including those set forth in the legend set forth below) unless such
restrictions on transfer shall be waived by written consent of the Company, and
the holder of each such Restricted Note, by such Noteholder's acceptance
thereof, agrees to be bound by all such restrictions on transfer. As used in
Sections 2.5(d) and 2.5(e), the term "transfer" encompasses any sale, pledge,
transfer or other disposition whatsoever of any Restricted Security.
Until the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales thereof
under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), any
certificate evidencing such Note (and all securities issued in exchange therefor
or substitution thereof, other than Common Stock, if any, issued upon conversion
thereof, which shall bear the legend set forth in Section 2.5(e), if applicable)
shall bear a legend in substantially the following form, unless such Note has
been sold pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective
under the Securities Act (and which continues to be effective at the time of
such transfer), or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with
written notice thereof to the Trustee:
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S.
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD
WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S.
PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS
ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A
"QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR"
(AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT) ("INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR"); (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL
NOT, PRIOR TO EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER
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THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION), RESELL OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFER THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY OR THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON
CONVERSION OF SUCH NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO AMAZON.COM, INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY
THEREOF, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE
144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE BANK OF NEW
YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), A SIGNED LETTER
CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY (THE FORM OF
WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH TRUSTEE OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS
APPLICABLE), (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY
RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (E) PURSUANT TO A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT (AND WHICH CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH
TRANSFER); (3) AGREES THAT PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(E) ABOVE), IT WILL FURNISH TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH
CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY
REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN
EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT; AND (4) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER
TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE
HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER
RULE 144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION), THE
HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF
RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE
BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE). IF
THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR IS A
PURCHASER WHO IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH
TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR
TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER
INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT
TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
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<PAGE> 23
OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE EARLIER OF
THE TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(E)
ABOVE OR UPON ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE
144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION). AS USED
HEREIN, THE TERMS "UNITED STATES" AND "UNITED STATES PERSON" HAVE THE
MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
Any Note (or security issued in exchange or substitution therefor) as
to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with
their terms or as to conditions for removal of the foregoing legend set forth
therein have been satisfied may, upon surrender of such Note for exchange to the
Note registrar in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.5, be
exchanged for a new Note or Notes, of like tenor and aggregate principal amount,
which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by this Section 2.5(d).
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the
provisions set forth in the second paragraph of Section 2.5(c) and in this
Section 2.5(d)), a Note in global form may not be transferred as a whole or in
part except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of
the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the
Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such
successor Depositary.
The Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange
Act. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as
Depositary with respect to the Notes in global form. Initially, the Global Note
shall be issued to the Depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the
nominee of the Depositary, and deposited with the Custodian for Cede & Co.
If at any time the Depositary for a Note in global form notifies the
Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Note,
the Company may appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Note. If a
successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within ninety (90) days
after the Company receives such notice, the Company will execute, and the
Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers' Certificate for the authentication and
delivery of Notes, will authenticate and deliver, Notes in certificated form, in
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Note in global
form, in exchange for such Note in global form.
If a Note in certificated form is issued in exchange for any portion of
a Note in global form after the close of business at the office or agency where
such exchange occurs on any record date and before the opening of business at
such office or agency on the next succeeding interest payment date, interest
will not be payable on such interest payment date in respect of such Note, but
will be payable on such interest payment date, subject to the provisions of
Section 2.3, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of
such Note in global form is payable in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture.
Notes in certificated form issued in exchange for all or a part of a
Note in global form pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be registered in such
names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to
instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall
instruct the Trustee. Upon execution and authentication, the Trustee shall
deliver such Notes in certificated form to the Persons in whose names such Notes
in certificated form are so registered.
At such time as all interests in a Note in global form have been
redeemed, converted, canceled, exchanged for Notes in certificated form, or
transferred to a transferee who receives Notes in certificated form thereof,
such Note in global form shall, upon receipt thereof, be canceled by the Trustee
in accordance with standing procedures and instructions existing between the
Depositary and the Custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any
interest
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<PAGE> 24
in a global Note is exchanged for Notes in certificated form, redeemed,
converted, repurchased or canceled, exchanged for Notes in certificated form or
transferred to a transferee who receives Notes in certificated form therefor or
any Note in certificated form is exchanged or transferred for part of a Note in
global form, the principal amount of such Note in global form shall, in
accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between the
Depositary and the Custodian, be appropriately reduced or increased, as the case
may be, and an endorsement shall be made on such Note in global form, by the
Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such
reduction or increase.
(e) Until the expiration of the holding period applicable to
sales thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor
provision), any stock certificate representing Common Stock issued upon
conversion of any Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form,
unless such Common Stock has been sold pursuant to a registration statement that
has been declared effective under the Securities Act (and which continues to be
effective at the time of such transfer) or such Common Stock has been issued
upon conversion of Notes that have been transferred pursuant to a registration
statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act, or unless
otherwise agreed by the Company in writing with written notice thereof to the
transfer agent:
THE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES
ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE
OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR
BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING
SENTENCE. THE HOLDER HEREOF AGREES THAT, UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE
HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY
UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR
PROVISION), (1) IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE COMMON
STOCK EVIDENCED HEREBY EXCEPT (A) TO AMAZON.COM, INC. OR ANY
SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE
144A, (C) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN
RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) THAT PRIOR
TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO CHASE MELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, LLC,
AS TRANSFER AGENT (OR A SUCCESSOR TRANSFER AGENT, AS APPLICABLE), A
SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS
RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED
HEREBY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH TRANSFER
AGENT OR A SUCCESSOR TRANSFER AGENT, AS APPLICABLE), (D) PURSUANT TO
THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), OR (E) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION
STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
(AND WHICH CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER);
(2)
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<PAGE> 25
PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
(1)(E) ABOVE), IT WILL FURNISH TO CHASE MELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES,
LLC, AS TRANSFER AGENT (OR A SUCCESSOR TRANSFER AGENT, AS APPLICABLE),
SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH
TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT
SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT; AND
(3) IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED
HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1(E)
ABOVE) A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. THIS
LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE TRANSFER OF THE COMMON
STOCK EVIDENCED HEREBY PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (1)(E) ABOVE OR UPON ANY
TRANSFER OF THE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED HEREBY AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF
THE HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED
HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR
PROVISION). AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "UNITED STATES" AND "UNITED
STATES PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT.
Any such Common Stock as to which such restrictions on transfer shall
have expired in accordance with their terms or as to which the conditions for
removal of the foregoing legend set forth therein have been satisfied may, upon
surrender of the certificates representing such shares of Common Stock for
exchange in accordance with the procedures of the transfer agent for the Common
Stock, be exchanged for a new certificate or certificates for a like number of
shares of Common Stock, which shall bear the restrictive legend required by this
Section 2.5(e).
(f) Any Note or Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exchange of
a Note that, prior to the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales
thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision),
is purchased or owned by the Company or any Affiliate thereof may not be resold
by the Company or such Affiliate unless registered under the Securities Act or
resold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act in a transaction which results in such Notes or Common Stock, as
the case may be, no longer being "restricted securities" (as defined under Rule
144).
SECTION 2.6 MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN NOTES. In case any
Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its
discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an
authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and make
available for delivery, a new Note, bearing a number not contemporaneously
outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of
and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the
applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee
and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as
may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability,
cost or expense
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<PAGE> 26
caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of
destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, to
the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their
satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership
thereof.
Following receipt by the Trustee or such authenticating agent, as the
case may be, of satisfactory security or indemnity and evidence, as described in
the preceding paragraph, the Trustee or such authenticating agent may
authenticate any such substituted Note and make available for delivery such
Note. Upon the issuance of any substituted Note, the Company may require the
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that
may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith.
In case any Note which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for
redemption or has been tendered for redemption (and not withdrawn) or is about
to be converted into Common Stock shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost
or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or
authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same
(without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note), as the case
may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the
Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such
security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless
for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such
substitution, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory
to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any paying agent or conversion
agent of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership
thereof.
Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section
2.6 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall
constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not
the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set
forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other
Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be
held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are
exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment or conversion of mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Notes 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 or conversion of negotiable
instruments or other securities without their surrender.
SECTION 2.7 TEMPORARY NOTES. Pending the preparation of Notes in
certificated form, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating
agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon the written request of the Company,
authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary
Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the
form of the Notes in certificated form, but with such omissions, insertions and
variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined
by the Company. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Company and
authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same
conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as
the Notes in certificated form. Without unreasonable delay the Company will
execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Notes in
certificated form (other than in the
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<PAGE> 27
case of Notes in global form) and thereupon any or all temporary Notes (other
than any such Note in global form) may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at
each office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 5.2 and the
Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and make available for
delivery in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal
amount of Notes in certificated form. Such exchange shall be made by the Company
at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and
subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Notes in certificated
form authenticated and delivered hereunder.
SECTION 2.8 CANCELLATION OF NOTES PAID, ETC. All Notes surrendered
for the purpose of payment, redemption, conversion, exchange or registration of
transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent or any Note
registrar or any conversion agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly
canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by
it, and no Notes shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted
by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of such
canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. If the Company shall
acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or
satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the
same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 2.9 CUSIP NUMBERS. The Company in issuing the Notes may use
"CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use
"CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Noteholders;
provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the
correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in
any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not
be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will
promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the "CUSIP" numbers.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF NOTES
SECTION 3.1 (a) PROVISIONAL REDEMPTION BY THE COMPANY. The Notes may
be redeemed by the Company (a "Provisional Redemption"), in whole or in part, at
any time prior to February 6, 2002, upon notice as set forth in Section 3.2, at
a redemption price equal to $1,000 per Note to be redeemed plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any), to the
date of redemption (the "Provisional Redemption Date") if (i) the closing price
of the Common Stock shall have exceeded 150% of the Conversion Price then in
effect for at least 20 Trading Days in any consecutive 30-Trading Day period
ending on the Trading Day prior to the date of mailing of the notice of
redemption pursuant to Section 3.2 (the "Notice Date") and (ii) the shelf
registration statement covering resales of the Notes and the Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Notes is effective and available for use and is
expected to remain effective and available for use for the 30 days immediately
following the Provisional Redemption Date.
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Upon any such Provisional Redemption, the Company shall make an
additional payment in cash (the "Make-Whole Payment") with respect to the Notes
called for redemption to holders on the Notice Date in an amount equal to
$212.60 per $1,000 Note, less the amount of any interest actually paid on such
Note prior to the Notice Date. The Company shall make the Make-Whole Payment on
all Notes called for Provisional Redemption, including any Notes converted into
Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof after the Notice Date and prior to the
Provisional Redemption Date.
(b) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION BY THE COMPANY. At any time on or after
February 6, 2002, and prior to maturity, the Notes may be redeemed at the option
of the Company (an "Optional Redemption"), in whole or in part, upon notice as
set forth in Section 3.2, at the following optional redemption prices (expressed
as percentages of the principal amount), together in each case with accrued and
unpaid interest, if any (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) to, but
excluding, the date fixed for redemption.
If redeemed during the period beginning February 6, 2002 and ending on
February 1, 2003, at a redemption price of 103.325% and if redeemed during the
12-month period beginning February 1:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Redemption Price
---- ----------------
<S> <C>
2003.............................102.850%
2004.............................102.375%
2005.............................101.900%
2006.............................101.425%
2007.............................100.950%
2008.............................100.475%
</TABLE>
and 100% at February 1, 2009; provided that if the date fixed for redemption is
on February 1 or August 1, then the interest payable on such date shall be paid
to the holder of record on the preceding January 15 or July 15, respectively.
SECTION 3.2 NOTICE OF REDEMPTIONS; SELECTION OF NOTES. In case the
Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be,
any part of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.1 (Provisional Redemption or
Optional Redemption), it shall fix a date for redemption and it or, at its
written request received by the Trustee not fewer than forty-five (45) days
prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) to
the date fixed for redemption, the Trustee in the name of and at the expense of
the Company, shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption not
fewer than thirty (30) nor, in the case of a Provisional Redemption, more than
sixty (60) days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the holders of Notes
so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at their last addresses as the same
appear on the Note register; provided that if the Company shall give such
notice, it shall also give written notice, and written notice of the Notes to be
redeemed, to the Trustee. The Company may not give notice of any redemption of
the Notes if a default in payment of interest on the Notes has occurred and is
continuing. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice if mailed 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 by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Note
designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of
the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.
Each such notice of redemption shall specify the aggregate principal
amount of Notes to be redeemed, the CUSIP number or numbers of the Notes being
redeemed, the date fixed for redemption (which shall be a Business Day), whether
or not such redemption is a Provisional Redemption or an Optional Redemption,
the redemption price at which Notes are to be redeemed, the place or places
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<PAGE> 29
of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such
Notes, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as
specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on
the portion thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. Such notice shall also
state the current Conversion Price and the date on which the right to convert
such Notes or portions thereof into Common Stock will expire. If such redemption
is a Provisional Redemption, such notice shall also state the amount of the
Make-Whole Payment. If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the notice
of redemption shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers,
if any). In case any Note 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 Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the
unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
On or prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of
redemption given as provided in this Section 3.2, the Company will deposit with
the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Company is acting as
its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in
Section 5.4) (i) an amount of money in immediately available funds sufficient to
redeem on the redemption date all the Notes (or portions thereof) so called for
redemption (other than those theretofore surrendered for conversion into Common
Stock) at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to,
but excluding, the date fixed for redemption and (ii) with respect to Notes
called for Provisional Redemption pursuant to Section 3.1(a), an amount of money
sufficient to pay the Make-Whole Payment for all the Notes (or portions thereof)
called for redemption (including those surrendered for conversion into Common
Stock after the Notice Date and prior to the Provisional Redemption Date);
provided that if such payment is made on the redemption date it must be received
by the Trustee or paying agent, as the case may be, by 10:00 a.m. New York City
time on such date. If any Note called for redemption is converted pursuant
hereto prior to such redemption, any money deposited with the Trustee or any
paying agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Note
shall be paid to the Company upon its written request, or, if then held by the
Company, shall be discharged from such trust; provided that, with respect to a
Provisional Redemption, any money so deposited for payment of the Make-Whole
Payment shall remain segregated and held in trust for payment of the Make-Whole
Payment which shall be made on all Notes called for Provisional Redemption,
including Notes converted into shares of Common Stock after the Notice Date and
prior to the Provisional Redemption Date. Whenever any Notes are to be redeemed,
the Company will give the Trustee written notice in the form of an Officers'
Certificate not fewer than forty five (45) days (or such shorter period of time
as may be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the redemption date as to the
aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.
If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall
select the Notes or portions thereof of the Global Note or the Notes in
certificated form to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral
multiples thereof), by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the Trustee
deems fair and appropriate.
Upon any redemption of fewer than all Notes, the Company and the
Trustee may (but need not), solely for purposes of determining the pro rata
allocation among such Notes as are unconverted and outstanding at the time of
redemption, treat as outstanding any Notes surrendered for conversion
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<PAGE> 30
during the period of fifteen (15) days next preceding the mailing of a notice of
redemption and may (but need not) treat as outstanding any Note authenticated
and delivered during such period in exchange for the unconverted portion of any
Note converted in part during such period.
SECTION 3.3 PAYMENT OF NOTES CALLED FOR REDEMPTION. If notice of
redemption has been given as above provided, the Notes or portion of Notes with
respect to which such notice has been given shall, unless converted into Common
Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, become due and payable on the date fixed for
redemption and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable
redemption price, together with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date
fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Company shall
default in the payment of such Notes at the redemption price, together with
interest accrued to said date) interest on the Notes or portion of Notes so
called for redemption shall cease to accrue and such Notes shall cease after the
close of business on the Business Day next preceding the date fixed for
redemption to be convertible into Common Stock and, except as provided in
Sections 8.5 and 13.4, to be entitled to any benefit or security under this
Indenture, and the holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Notes
except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to
(but excluding) the date fixed for redemption and, with respect to Notes called
for Provisional Redemption, the Make-Whole Payment; provided that, with respect
to a Provisional Redemption, the holder of any Notes converted into Common Stock
pursuant to the terms hereof after the Notice Date and prior to the Provisional
Redemption Date shall have the right to the Make-Whole Payment, if any, with
respect to such Notes regardless of the conversion of such Notes. On
presentation and surrender of such Notes at a place of payment in said notice
specified, the said Notes or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and
redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with
interest accrued thereon to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption and,
with respect to Notes called for Provisional Redemption (including Notes
converted into Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof after the Notice Date
and prior to the Provisional Redemption Date), the Make-Whole Payment; provided
that, if the applicable redemption date is an interest payment date, the
semi-annual payment of interest becoming due on such date shall be payable to
the holders of such Notes registered as such on the relevant record date instead
of the holders surrendering such Notes for redemption on such date.
Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part only, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to
the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Note or Notes, of
authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of
the Notes so presented.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee shall not redeem any Notes
or mail any notice of optional redemption during the continuance of a default in
payment of interest on the Notes. If any Note called for redemption shall not be
so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and premium, if any
(including the Make-Whole Payment, if any), shall, until paid or duly provided
for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate borne by the
Note and such Note shall remain convertible into Common Stock until the
principal and premium, if any (including the Make-Whole Payment, if any), shall
have been paid or duly provided for.
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<PAGE> 31
SECTION 3.4 CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT ON CALL FOR REDEMPTION. In
connection with any redemption of Notes, the Company may arrange for the
purchase and conversion of any Notes by an agreement with one or more investment
bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Notes by paying to the Trustee in
trust for the Noteholders, on or before the date fixed for redemption, an amount
not less than the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to
(but excluding) the date fixed for redemption, of such Notes and, in connection
with a Provisional Redemption, the Make-Whole Payment. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained in this Article III, the obligation of the Company to
pay the redemption price of such Notes, together with interest accrued to (but
excluding) the date fixed for redemption and, in connection with a Provisional
Redemption, the Make-Whole Payment, shall be deemed to be satisfied and
discharged to the extent such amount is so paid by such purchasers. If such an
agreement is entered into, a copy of which will be filed with the Trustee prior
to the date fixed for redemption, any Notes not duly surrendered for conversion
by the holders thereof may, at the option of the Company, be deemed, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, acquired by such purchasers from such holders
and (notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Article XV)
surrendered by such purchasers for conversion, all as of immediately prior to
the close of business on the date fixed for redemption (and the right to convert
any such Notes shall be extended through such time), subject to payment of the
above amount as aforesaid (including the Make-Whole Payment, if any, with
respect to all Notes called for Provisional Redemption). At the direction of the
Company, the Trustee shall hold and dispose of any such amount paid to it in the
same manner as it would monies deposited with it by the Company for the
redemption of Notes. Without the Trustee's prior written consent, no arrangement
between the Company and such purchasers for the purchase and conversion of any
Notes shall increase or otherwise affect any of the powers, duties,
responsibilities or obligations of the Trustee as set forth in this Indenture.
SECTION 3.5 REDEMPTION AT OPTION OF HOLDERS.
(a) If there shall occur a Fundamental Change at any time prior to
maturity of the Notes, then each Noteholder shall have the right, at such
holder's option, to require the Company to redeem all of such holder's Notes, or
any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount, on
the date (the "Repurchase Date") that is thirty (30) days after the date of the
Company Notice (as defined in Section 3.5(b) below) of such Fundamental Change
(or, if such 30th day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business
Day) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof,
together with accrued interest to (but excluding) the Repurchase Date; provided
that, if such Repurchase Date is February 1 or August 1, then the interest
payable on such date shall be paid to the holders of record of the Notes on the
next preceding January 15 or July 15, respectively.
Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part only, the Company shall
execute and, upon the Company's written direction to the Trustee, the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver to the holder thereof, at the expense of the
Company, a new Note or Notes, of authorized denominations, in principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion of the Notes so presented.
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(b) On or before the tenth day after the occurrence of a Fundamental
Change, the Company or at its written request (which must be received by the
Trustee at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date the Trustee is
requested to give notice as described below, unless the Trustee shall agree in
writing to a shorter period), the Trustee in the name of and at the expense of
the Company, shall mail or cause to be mailed to all holders of record on the
date of the Fundamental Change a notice (the "Company Notice") of the occurrence
of such Fundamental Change and of the redemption right at the option of the
holders arising as a result thereof. Such notice shall be mailed in the manner
and with the effect set forth in the first paragraph of Section 3.2 (without
regard for the time limits set forth therein). If the Company shall give such
notice, the Company shall also deliver a copy of the Company Notice to the
Trustee at such time as it is mailed to Noteholders.
Each Company Notice shall specify the circumstances constituting the
Fundamental Change, the Repurchase Date, the price at which the Company shall be
obligated to redeem Notes, that the holder must exercise the redemption right on
or prior to the close of business on the Repurchase Date (the "Fundamental
Change Expiration Time"), that the holder shall have the right to withdraw any
Notes surrendered prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time, a description
of the procedure which a Noteholder must follow to exercise such redemption
right and to withdraw any surrendered Notes, the place or places where the
holder is to surrender such holder's Notes, and the amount of interest accrued
on each Note to the Repurchase Date.
No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect
therein shall limit the Noteholders' redemption rights or affect the validity of
the proceedings for the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 3.5.
(c) For a Note to be so repaid at the option of the holder, the Company
must receive at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose
or, at the option of such holder, the Corporate Trust Office, such Note with the
form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment Upon A Fundamental Change" on the
reverse thereof duly completed, together with such Notes duly endorsed for
transfer, on or before the Fundamental Change Expiration Time. All questions as
to the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any
Note for repayment shall be determined by the Company, whose determination shall
be final and binding absent manifest error.
(d) On or prior to the Repurchase Date, the Company will deposit with
the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Company is acting as
its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in
Section 5.4) an amount of money sufficient to repay on the Repurchase Date all
the Notes to be repaid on such date at the appropriate redemption price,
together with accrued interest to (but excluding) the Repurchase Date; provided
that if such payment is made on the Repurchase Date it must be received by the
Trustee or paying agent, as the case may be, by 10:00 a.m. New York City time,
on such date. Payment for Notes surrendered for redemption (and not withdrawn)
prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time will be made promptly (but in no
event more than five (5) Business Days) following the Repurchase Date by mailing
checks for the amount payable to the holders of such Notes entitled thereto as
they shall appear on the registry books of the Company.
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(e) In the case of a reclassification, change, consolidation, merger,
combination, sale or conveyance to which Section 15.6 applies, in which the
Common Stock of the Company is changed or exchanged as a result into the right
to receive stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash), which
includes shares of Common Stock of the Company or another Person that are, or
upon issuance will be, traded on a United States national securities exchange or
approved for trading on an established automated over-the-counter trading market
in the United States and such shares constitute at the time such change or
exchange becomes effective in excess of 50% of the aggregate fair market value
of such stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash) (as
determined by the Company, which determination shall be conclusive and binding),
then the Person formed by such consolidation or resulting from such merger or
which acquires such assets, as the case may be, shall execute and deliver to the
Trustee a supplemental indenture (accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel that such
supplemental indenture complies with the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the
date of execution of such supplemental indenture) modifying the provisions of
this Indenture relating to the right of holders of the Notes to cause the
Company to repurchase the Notes following a Fundamental Change, including
without limitation the applicable provisions of this Section 3.5 and the
definitions of Common Stock and Fundamental Change, as appropriate, as
determined in good faith by the Company (which determination shall be conclusive
and binding), to make such provisions apply to the common stock and the issuer
thereof if different from the Company and Common Stock of the Company (in lieu
of the Company and the Common Stock of the Company).
(f) The Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any
other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act to the extent then applicable in
connection with the redemption rights of the holders of Notes in the event of a
Fundamental Change.
ARTICLE IV
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
SECTION 4.1 AGREEMENT OF SUBORDINATION. The Company covenants and
agrees, and each holder of Notes issued hereunder by its acceptance thereof
likewise covenants and agrees, that all Notes shall be issued subject to the
provisions of this Article IV; and each Person holding any Note, whether upon
original issue or upon registration of transfer, assignment or exchange thereof,
accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.
The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on all Notes (including, but not
limited to, the redemption price and Make-Whole Payment, if any, with respect to
the Notes called for redemption in accordance with Section 3.2 or submitted for
redemption in accordance with Section 3.5, as the case may be, as provided in
this Indenture) issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner
hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the
prior payment in full in cash or other payment
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satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of all Senior Indebtedness,
whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.
No provision of this Article IV shall prevent the occurrence of any
default or Event of Default hereunder.
SECTION 4.2 PAYMENTS TO NOTEHOLDERS. No payment shall be made with
respect to the principal of, premium, if any, or interest (including Liquidated
Damages Amount, if any) on the Notes (including, but not limited to, the
redemption price and Make-Whole Payment, if any, with respect to the Notes to be
called for redemption in accordance with Section 3.2 or submitted for redemption
in accordance with Section 3.5, as the case may be, as provided in this
Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the Trustee as permitted
by the first or second paragraph of Section 4.5, if:
(i) a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any,
interest, rent or other obligations in respect of Designated Senior Indebtedness
occurs and is continuing (a "Payment Default"), unless and until such Payment
Default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist; or
(ii) a default, other than a Payment Default, on any
Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing that then permit holders
of such Designated Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and the
Trustee receives a notice of the default (a "Payment Blockage Notice") from a
holder of Designated Senior Indebtedness, a Representative of Designated Senior
Indebtedness or the Company (a "Non-Payment Default").
If the Trustee receives any Payment Blockage Notice pursuant to clause
(ii) above, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice shall be effective for
purposes of this Section 4.2 unless and until (A) at least 365 days shall have
elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment
Blockage Notice and (B) all scheduled payments of principal, premium, if any,
and interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on the Notes that
have come due have been paid in full in cash. No Non-Payment Default that
existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice
to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage
Notice, unless such Non-Payment Default is based upon facts or events arising
after the date of delivery of such Payment Blockage Notice.
The Company may and shall resume payments on and distributions in
respect of the Notes upon:
(1) in the case of a Payment Default, the date upon which any such
Payment Default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, or
(2) in the case of a Non-Payment Default, the earlier of (a) the date
upon which such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or
(b) 179 days after the
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applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received by the Trustee if
the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness has not been
accelerated and no Payment Default with respect to any Designated
Senior Indebtedness has occurred which has not been cured or waived
(in which case clause (1) shall be applicable),
unless this Article IV otherwise prohibits the payment or distribution at the
time of such payment or distribution.
Upon any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the
Company 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 Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all
Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full in cash or other payment
satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, or payment thereof in
accordance with its terms provided for in cash or other payment satisfactory to
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness before any payment is made on account of
the principal of, premium, if any, or interest (including Liquidation Damages
Amount, if any) on the Notes (except payments made pursuant to Article XIII from
monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to commencement of
proceedings for such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization);
and upon any such dissolution or winding up or liquidation or reorganization of
the Company or bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceeding, any
payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the holders of the
Notes or the Trustee would be entitled, except for the provisions of this
Article IV, shall (except as aforesaid) be paid by the Company or by any
receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person
making such payment or distribution, or by the holders of the Notes or by the
Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders
of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective
amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, or as otherwise required by
law or a court order) or their Representative or Representatives, or to the
trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments
evidencing any Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective
interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in
full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to
or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is
made to the holders of the Notes or to the Trustee.
For purposes of this Article IV, the words, "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation
provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which
is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article IV with respect
to the Notes to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be
outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new
corporation, if any, resulting from any reorganization or readjustment, and (ii)
the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (other than leases which are
not assumed by the Company or the new corporation, as the case may be) are not,
without the consent
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of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The
consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another
Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance
or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to
another Person upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article XII shall
not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the
purposes of this Section 4.2 if such other Person shall, as a part of such
consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated
in Article XII.
In the event of the acceleration of the Notes because of an Event of
Default, no payment or distribution shall be made to the Trustee or any holder
of Notes in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest (including
Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on the Notes (including, but not limited to,
the redemption price and the Make-Whole Payment, if any, with respect to the
Notes called for redemption in accordance with Section 3.2 or submitted for
redemption at the option of the holder in accordance with Section 3.5, as the
case may be, as provided in this Indenture), except payments and distributions
made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section
4.5, until all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash or other
payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or such acceleration
is rescinded in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. If payment of the
Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company or the Trustee
shall promptly notify holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness of the
acceleration.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any
payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities (including, without limitation, by way
of setoff or otherwise), prohibited by the foregoing provisions in this Section
4.2, shall be received by the Trustee or the holders of the Notes before all
Senior Indebtedness is paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness, or provision is made for such payment
thereof in accordance with its terms in cash or other payment satisfactory to
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, 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 Indebtedness or their Representative or Representatives, or to
the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments
evidencing any Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective
interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the
payment of any Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to
pay all Senior Indebtedness in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent
payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
Nothing in this Section 4.2 shall apply to claims of, or payments to,
the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 8.6. This Section 4.2 shall be subject
to the further provisions of Section 4.5.
SECTION 4.3 SUBROGATION OF NOTES. Subject to the payment in full of
all Senior Indebtedness, the rights of the holders of the Notes shall be
subrogated to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this Article IV (equally
and ratably with the holders of all indebtedness of the Company that by its
express terms, is subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company to
substantially the same extent as the
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Notes are subordinated and is entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the
rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or
distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to the
Senior Indebtedness until the principal, premium, if any, and interest
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on the Notes shall be paid in
full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to
the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to
which the holders of the Notes or the Trustee would be entitled except for the
provisions of this Article IV, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of
this Article IV, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness by
holders of the Notes or the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors
other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of the Notes, be
deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior
Indebtedness; and no payments or distributions of cash, property or securities
to or for the benefit of the holders of the Notes pursuant to the subrogation
provisions of this Article IV, which would otherwise have been paid to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness, shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company
to or for the account of the Notes. It is understood that the provisions of this
Article IV are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative
rights of the holders of the Notes, on the one hand, and the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
Nothing contained in this Article IV or elsewhere in this Indenture or
in the Notes is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors
other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of the Notes, the
obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the
holders of the Notes the principal of, premium, if any, and interest (including
Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on the Notes 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 Notes and creditors of
the Company other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall
anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Note from
exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under
this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article IV of the
holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the
Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to
in this Article IV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 8.1, and
the holders of the Notes shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made
by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such bankruptcy, 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 Notes, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons
entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or
payable thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article IV.
SECTION 4.4 AUTHORIZATION TO EFFECT SUBORDINATION. Each holder of a
Note, by its acceptance thereof, authorizes and directs the Trustee on the
holder's behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article IV and appoints the
Trustee to act as the holder's attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
If the
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Trustee does not file a proper proof of claim or proof of debt in the form
required in any proceeding referred to in the third paragraph of Section 7.2
hereof at least thirty (30) days before the expiration of the time to file such
claim, the holders of any Senior Indebtedness or their representatives are
hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the holders
of the Notes.
SECTION 4.5 NOTICE TO TRUSTEE. The Company shall give prompt
written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate to a Responsible Officer
of the Trustee and to any paying agent of any fact known to the Company that
would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee or any
paying agent in respect of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article
IV. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article IV or any other provision of
this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence
of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by
the Trustee in respect of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article
IV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received
written notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office from the Company (in the
form of an Officers' Certificate) or a Representative or a holder or holders of
Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee thereof; and before the receipt of any
such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 8.1,
shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided
that if on a date not less than two Business Days prior to the date upon which
by the terms hereof any such monies may become payable for any purpose
(including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, or premium, if
any, or interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on any Note) the
Trustee shall not have received, with respect to such monies, the notice
provided for in this Section 4.5, then, anything herein contained to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to
apply monies received 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 on or after
such prior date.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article IV to the contrary, nothing
shall prevent any payment by the Trustee to the Noteholders of monies deposited
with it pursuant to Section 13.1, and any such payment shall not be subject to
the provisions of Section 4.1 or 4.2.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 8.1, shall be
entitled to rely on the delivery to if of a written notice by a Representative
or a person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a
trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given
by a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of
any such holder or holders. The Trustee shall not be required to make any
payment or distribution to or on behalf of a holder of Senior Indebtedness
pursuant to this Article IV unless it has received satisfactory evidence as to
the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such
Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other
facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article IV.
SECTION 4.6 TRUSTEE'S RELATION TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS. The Trustee,
in its individual capacity, shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in
this Article IV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to
the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness,
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and nothing in Section 8.13 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the
Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee
undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations
as are specifically set forth in this Article IV, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness 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 Indebtedness and, subject to the
provisions of Section 8.1, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of
Senior Indebtedness (i) for any failure to make any payments or distributions to
such holder or (ii) if it shall pay over or deliver to holders of Notes, the
Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of Senior
Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article IV or otherwise.
SECTION 4.7 NO IMPAIRMENT OF SUBORDINATION. No right of any present
or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein
provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or
failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in
good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the
terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge
thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.
SECTION 4.8 CERTAIN CONVERSIONS NOT DEEMED PAYMENT. For the
purposes of this Article IV only, (1) the issuance and delivery of junior
securities upon conversion of Notes in accordance with Article XV shall not be
deemed to constitute a payment or distribution on account of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on
Notes or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Notes, and (2) the
payment, issuance or delivery of cash (except in satisfaction of fractional
shares pursuant to Section 15.3), property or securities (other than junior
securities) upon conversion of a Note shall be deemed to constitute payment on
account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest (including Liquidated
Damages Amount, if any) on such Note. For the purposes of this Section 4.8, the
term "junior securities" means (a) shares of any stock of any class of the
Company or (b) securities of the Company that are subordinated in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness that may be outstanding at the time of
issuance or delivery of such securities to substantially the same extent as, or
to a greater extent than, the Notes are so subordinated as provided in this
Article. Nothing contained in this Article IV or elsewhere in this Indenture or
in the Notes is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors
(other than holders of Senior Indebtedness) and the Noteholders, the right,
which is absolute and unconditional, of the Holder of any Note to convert such
Note in accordance with Article XV.
SECTION 4.9 ARTICLE APPLICABLE TO PAYING AGENTS. If at any time any
paying agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and
be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee" as used in this Article shall
(unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and
including such paying agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and
purposes as if such paying agent were named in this Article in addition to or in
place of the Trustee; provided,
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however, that the first paragraph of Section 4.5 shall not apply to the Company
or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as paying agent.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions or inactions of
any other paying agents (including the Company if acting as its own paying
agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other paying agents.
SECTION 4.10 SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS ENTITLED TO RELY. The holders of
Senior Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Designated Senior
Indebtedness) shall have the right to rely upon this Article IV, and no
amendment or modification of the provisions contained herein shall diminish the
rights of such holders unless such holders shall have agreed in writing thereto.
SECTION 4.11 RELIANCE ON JUDICIAL ORDER OR CERTIFICATE OF
LIQUIDATING AGENT. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company
referred to in this Article, the Trustee and the Noteholders shall be entitled
to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction
in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization,
distribution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a
certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian,
receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making
such payment or dissolution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Noteholders, for
the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment
or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of
the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid
or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.
ARTICLE V
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 5.1 PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST. The Company
covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid
the principal of and premium, if any (including the redemption price and
Make-Whole Payment, if any, upon redemption pursuant to Article III), and
interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any), on each of the Notes at
the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the
Notes.
SECTION 5.2 MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY. The Company will
maintain an office or agency in The Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York,
where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or
for presentation for payment or for conversion or redemption and where notices
and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture
may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not
designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Company shall fail to
maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee
with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and
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demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.
The Company may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one
or more offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for
any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations.
The Company will give prompt written notice of any such designation or
rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as paying agent,
Note registrar, Custodian and conversion agent and the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee in The Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York as the office or
agency of the Company for each of the aforesaid purposes.
So long as the Trustee is the Note registrar, the Trustee agrees to
mail, or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 8.10(a) and the
third paragraph of Section 8.11. If co-registrars have been appointed in
accordance with this Section, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the
Company and the holders of Notes it can identify from its records.
SECTION 5.3 APPOINTMENTS TO FILL VACANCIES IN TRUSTEE'S OFFICE. The
Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee,
will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 8.10, a Trustee, so that there
shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
SECTION 5.4 PROVISIONS AS TO PAYING AGENT.
(a) If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the
Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a paying agent, the Company will
cause such paying agent 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 5.4:
(1) 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 Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other
obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes;
(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any
failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Notes) to make any
payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when
the same shall be due and payable; and
(3) that at any time during the continuance of an
Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the
Trustee all sums so held in trust.
The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, deposit with the paying agent a sum
sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest, and (unless such
paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the
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Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided that if such deposit is
made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the paying agent by
10:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will,
on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on the Notes, set aside, segregate
and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes a sum sufficient
to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest (including Liquidated
Damages Amount, if any) so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of
any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or any other
obligor under the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, or interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on the Notes when
the same shall become due and payable.
(c) Anything in this Section 5.4 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Company 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 the Company or any
paying agent hereunder as required by this Section 5.4, such sums to be held by
the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the
Company or any paying agent to the Trustee, the Company or such paying agent
shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.
(d) Anything is this Section 5.4 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section
5.4 is subject to Sections 13.3 and 13.4.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any
other paying agents (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent)
and shall have no control of any funds held by such other paying agents.
SECTION 5.5 EXISTENCE. Subject to Article XII, the Company will do
or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and
effect its existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided, however, that
the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right if the Company
shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the
conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders.
SECTION 5.6 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. The Company will cause all
properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any
Significant Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and
working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be
made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements
thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously
conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall
prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of
such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company,
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desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any Significant
Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders.
SECTION 5.7 PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER CLAIMS. The Company will pay
or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same may become
delinquent, (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or
imposed upon the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or upon the income,
profits or property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, (ii) all
claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a
lien or charge upon the property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
and (iii) all stamps and other duties, if any, which may be imposed by the
United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein in connection with
the issuance, transfer, exchange or conversion of any Notes or with respect to
this Indenture; provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii),
the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or
discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim (A) if the failure to do so
will not, in the aggregate, have a material adverse impact on the Company, or
(B) if the amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings.
SECTION 5.8 RULE 144A INFORMATION REQUIREMENT. Within the period
prior to the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales thereof under
Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), the Company
covenants and agrees that it shall, during any period in which it is not subject
to Section 13 or 15(d) under the Exchange Act, make available to any holder or
beneficial holder of Notes or any Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof
which continue to be Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof
and any prospective purchaser of Notes or such Common Stock from such holder or
beneficial holder, the information required pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Securities Act upon the request of any holder or beneficial holder of the
Notes or such Common Stock and it will take such further action as any holder or
beneficial holder of such Notes or such Common Stock may reasonably request, all
to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder or beneficial
holder to sell its Notes or Common Stock without registration under the
Securities Act within the limitation of the exemption provided by Rule 144A, as
such Rule may be amended from time to time. Upon the request of any holder or
any beneficial holder of the Notes or such Common Stock, the Company will
deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with
such requirements.
SECTION 5.9 STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS. The Company covenants
(to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist
upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage
of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law which would prohibit or
forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium,
if any, or interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on the Notes
as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force,
or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the
Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all
benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort
to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein
granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such
power as though no such law had been enacted.
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SECTION 5.10 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. The Company shall deliver to
the Trustee, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal
year of the Company, a certificate signed by either the principal executive
officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the
Company, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signer thereof the
Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms,
provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of
grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be
in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and the status thereof
of which the signer may have knowledge.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, forthwith (and in any event
within five Business Days) upon becoming aware of any default in the performance
or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this
Indenture, any event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would
constitute an Event of Default or any Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate
specifying with particularity such default or Event of Default and further
stating what action the Company has taken, is taking or proposes to take with
respect thereto.
Any notice required to be given under this Section 5.10 shall be
delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.
ARTICLE VI
NOTEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.1 NOTEHOLDERS' LISTS. The Company covenants and agrees
that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semiannually, not
more than fifteen (15) days after each January 15 and July 15 in each year
beginning with July 15, 1999, and at such other times as the Trustee may request
in writing, within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of any such
request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to
enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list
in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of
the holders of Notes as of a date not more than fifteen (15) days (or such other
date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such
notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such
list need be furnished by the Company to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is
acting as the sole Note registrar.
SECTION 6.2 PRESERVATION AND DISCLOSURE OF LISTS.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the
holders of Notes contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided
in Section 6.1 or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note registrar or
co-registrar in respect of the Notes, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any
list furnished to it as provided in Section 6.1 upon receipt of a new list so
furnished.
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(b) The rights of Noteholders to communicate with other
holders of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the
Notes, and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as
provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) Every Noteholder, by receiving and holding the same,
agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee
nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any
disclosure of information as to names and addresses of holders of Notes made
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 6.3 REPORTS BY TRUSTEE.
(a) Within sixty (60) days after January 15 of each year
commencing with the year 2000, the Trustee shall transmit to holders of Notes
such reports dated as of January 15 of the year in which such reports are made
concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided
pursuant thereto.
(b) A copy of such report shall, at the time of such
transmission to holders of Notes, be filed by the Trustee with each stock
exchange and automated quotation system upon which the Notes are listed and with
the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the
Notes are listed on any stock exchange or automated quotation system or delisted
therefrom.
SECTION 6.4 REPORTS BY COMPANY. The Company shall file with the
Trustee (and the Commission if at any time after the Indenture becomes qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act), and transmit to holders of Notes, such
information, documents and other reports and such summaries thereof, as may be
required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner
provided pursuant to such Act, whether or not the Notes are governed by such
Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be
filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
shall be filed with the Trustee within fifteen (15) days after the same is so
required to be filed with the Commission. Delivery of such reports, information
and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the
Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any
information contained therein or determinable from information contained
therein, including the Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder
(as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers'
Certificates).
ARTICLE VII
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND NOTEHOLDERS
ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 7.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. In case one or more of the following
Events of Default (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be
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effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any
court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental
body) shall have occurred and be continuing:
(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) upon any of the Notes as and when
the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a
period of thirty (30) days, whether or not such payment is permitted under
Article IV hereof; or
(b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if
any (including the Make-Whole Payment, if any), on any of the Notes as and when
the same shall become due and payable either at maturity or in connection with
any redemption pursuant to Article III, by acceleration or otherwise, whether or
not such payment is permitted under Article IV hereof; or
(c) failure on the part of the Company duly to observe or
perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company in
the Notes or in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in
whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 7.1 specifically
dealt with) continued for a period of sixty (60) days after the date on which
written notice of such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same, shall
have been given to the Company by the Trustee, or the Company and a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee by the holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in
accordance with Section 9.4; or
(d) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary shall commence a
voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other
relief with respect to itself or any Significant Subsidiary or its or such
Significant Subsidiary's debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar
law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee,
receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any
Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company or
any Significant Subsidiary, or shall consent to any such relief or to the
appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case
or other proceeding commenced against it or any Significant Subsidiary, or shall
make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally
to pay its debts as they become due; or
(e) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced
against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation,
reorganization or other relief with respect to it or any Significant Subsidiary
or its or such Significant Subsidiary's debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency
or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a
trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any
Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company or
any Significant Subsidiary, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall
remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days;
then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified
in Section 7.1(d) or (e) with respect to the Company), unless the principal of
all of the Notes shall have already become
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due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than twenty-five
percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
hereunder determined in accordance with Section 9.4, by notice in writing to the
Company (and to the Trustee if given by Noteholders), may declare the principal
of and premium, if any, on all the Notes and the interest accrued thereon
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) 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 Notes contained to the
contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.1(d) or
(e) with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of all the Notes and the
interest accrued thereon shall (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) be
immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further
action. This provision, however, is subject to the conditions that if, at any
time after the principal of the Notes shall have been so declared due and
payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due
shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall
pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest upon (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) all
Notes and the principal of and premium, if any, on any and all Notes which shall
have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest on overdue
installments of interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) (to the
extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) and on
such principal and premium, if any, at the rate borne by the Notes, to the date
of such payment or deposit) and amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section
8.6, and if any and all defaults under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment
of principal of and premium, if any, and accrued interest on (including
Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) Notes which shall have become due by
acceleration, shall have been cured or waived pursuant to Section 7.7 - then and
in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee,
may waive all defaults or Events of Default and rescind and annul such
declaration and its consequences; but no such waiver or rescission and annulment
shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or Event of Default, or
shall impair any right consequent thereon. The Company shall notify a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee, promptly (and in any event within five
Business Days) upon becoming aware thereof, of any Event of Default.
In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under
this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned
because of such waiver or rescission and annulment or for any other reason or
shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case
the Company, the holders of Notes, and the Trustee shall be restored
respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights,
remedies and powers of the Company, the holders of Notes, and the Trustee shall
continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.
SECTION 7.2 PAYMENTS OF NOTES ON DEFAULT; SUIT THEREFOR. The
Company covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of any
installment of interest upon (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) any
of the Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default
shall have continued for a period of thirty (30) days, or (b) in case default
shall be made in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any of
the Notes as and when the same shall have become due and payable, whether at
maturity of the Notes or in connection with
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any redemption, by or under this Indenture declaration or otherwise - then, upon
demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of
the holders of the Notes, the whole amount that then shall have become due and
payable on all such Notes for principal and premium, if any, or interest
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any), as the case may be, with interest
upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment
of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the overdue
installments of interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) at the
rate borne by the Notes; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall
be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including
reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and
all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 8.6. Until such demand by the
Trustee, the Company may pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest
on (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) the Notes to the registered
holders, whether or not the Notes are overdue.
In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such
demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall
be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in
equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any
such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such
judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on the Notes
and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or
any other obligor on the Notes wherever situated the monies adjudged or decreed
to be payable.
In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for
the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes under Title
11 of the United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a
receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator,
sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken
possession of the Company or such other obligor, the property of the Company or
such other obligor, or in the case of any other judicial proceedings relative to
the Company or such other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or
property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of
whether the principal of the Notes 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 7.2, 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 (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) owing and unpaid
in respect of the Notes, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such
proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable
in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the Noteholders allowed in
such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the
Notes, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and
receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims,
and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due the Trustee
under Section 8.6; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or
reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized
by each of the Noteholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the
event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to
the Noteholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable
compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including counsel fees
incurred by it up to the
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date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable
compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such
proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured
by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends,
monies, securities and other property which the holders of the Notes may be
entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any
plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or
under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of
any of the Notes, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding
relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee
shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any
recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and
counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes.
In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings
involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the
Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders
of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Notes
parties to any such proceedings.
SECTION 7.3 APPLICATION OF MONIES COLLECTED BY TRUSTEE. Any monies
collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VII shall be applied in the
order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution
of such monies, upon presentation of the several Notes, and stamping thereon the
payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
Section 8.6;
SECOND: Subject to the provisions of Article IV, in case the
principal of the outstanding Notes shall not have become due and be
unpaid, to the payment of interest on (including Liquidated Damages
Amount, if any) the Notes in default 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 (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any)
at the rate borne by the Notes, such payments to be made ratably to the
Persons entitled thereto;
THIRD: Subject to the provisions of Article IV, in case the
principal of the outstanding Notes shall have become due, by
declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid to the payment of the whole
amount then owing and unpaid upon the Notes for principal and premium,
if any, and interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any),
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 (including Liquidated Damages Amount,
if any) at the rate borne by the Notes; and in case such monies shall
be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon
the Notes, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any,
and interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) without
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preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any), or of interest
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) over principal and
premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other
installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to
the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and accrued and
unpaid interest; and
FOURTH: Subject to the provisions of Article IV, to the
payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.
SECTION 7.4 PROCEEDINGS BY NOTEHOLDER. No holder of any Note shall
have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to
institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or
with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee,
liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written
notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore
provided, and unless also the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%)
in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made
written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in
its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such
indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be
incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee for sixty (60) days after its
receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or
refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and no direction
inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee
pursuant to Section 7.7; it being understood and intended, and being expressly
covenanted by the taker and holder of every Note with every other taker and
holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Notes shall have any
right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other holder of
Notes, 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 holders of
Notes (except as otherwise provided herein). For the protection and enforcement
of this Section 7.4, each and every Noteholder and the Trustee shall be entitled
to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision
of any Note, the right of any holder of any Note to receive payment of the
principal of and premium, if any (including the redemption price and Make-Whole
Payment, if any, upon redemption pursuant to Article III), and accrued interest
on (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) such Note, on or after the
respective due dates expressed in such Note or in the event of redemption, or to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such
respective dates against the Company shall not be impaired or affected without
the consent of such holder.
Anything in this Indenture or the Notes to the contrary
notwithstanding, the holder of any Note, without the consent of either the
Trustee or the holder of any other Note, in its own behalf and for its own
benefit, may enforce, and may institute and maintain any proceeding suitable to
enforce, its rights of conversion as provided herein.
<PAGE> 51
SECTION 7.5 PROCEEDINGS BY TRUSTEE. In case of an Event of Default, 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 are
necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or
by action at law or by proceeding 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 7.6 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE AND CONTINUING. Except as provided in
Section 2.6, all powers and remedies given by this Article VII to the Trustee or
to the Noteholders 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 of the Notes, 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 of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing
upon any default or Event of 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 any acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section
7.4, every power and remedy given by this Article VII or by law to the Trustee
or to the Noteholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall
be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Noteholders.
SECTION 7.7 DIRECTION OF PROCEEDINGS AND WAIVER OF DEFAULTS BY MAJORITY
OF NOTEHOLDERS. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 9.4 shall
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee; provided, however, that (a) such direction shall not
be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, (b) the Trustee may
take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction and (c) the
Trustee may decline to take any action that would benefit some Noteholder to the
detriment of other Noteholders. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with
Section 9.4 may, on behalf of the holders of all of the Notes, waive any past
default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default
in the payment of interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) or
premium, if any, on, or the principal of, the Notes, (ii) a failure by the
Company to convert any Notes into Common Stock, (iii) a default in the payment
of redemption price or Make-Whole Payment, if any, pursuant to Article III or
(iv) a default in respect of a covenant or provisions hereof which under Article
XI cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each or
all Notes then outstanding or affected thereby. Upon any such waiver, the
Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Notes shall be restored to their
former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been
waived as permitted by this Section 7.7, said default or Event of Default shall
for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured
and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
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SECTION 7.8 NOTICE OF DEFAULTS. The Trustee shall, within ninety (90)
days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of the
occurrence of a default, mail to all Noteholders, as the names and addresses of
such holders appear upon the Note register, notice of all defaults actually
known to a Responsible Officer, unless such defaults shall have been cured or
waived before the giving of such notice; and provided that, except in the case
of default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on any of the Notes, the Trustee
shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a trust
committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Noteholders.
SECTION 7.9 UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS. All parties to this Indenture
agree, and each holder of any Note by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to
have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the
enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against
the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any
party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and
that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such
suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses
made by such party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section 7.9
(to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the
Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Noteholder, or group of Noteholders,
holding in the aggregate more than ten percent in principal amount of the Notes
at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 9.4, or to any
suit instituted by any Noteholder for the enforcement of the payment of the
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Note on or after the due
date expressed in such Note or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to
convert any Note in accordance with the provisions of Article XV.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 8.1 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEE. The Trustee, prior
to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing 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 or its own willful misconduct, except that
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(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after
the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred:
(1) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall
be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trust
Indenture Act, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of
such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and
no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture and the
Trust Indenture Act against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith and willful
misconduct 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 provisions 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 requirement of
this Indenture but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any
mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein;
(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless
the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written
direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 9.4 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;
(d) whether or not therein 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;
(e) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment
(as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters
relating to payment) or notice effected by the Company or any paying agent or
any records maintained by any co-registrar with respect to the Notes; and
(f) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an
event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent
to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such
notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred.
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties or
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in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground
for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against
such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 8.2 RELIANCE ON DOCUMENTS, OPINIONS, ETC. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 8.1:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully
protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon
or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed
by it in good faith 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 Company
mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate
(unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed);
and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by
a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company;
(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection
and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization
and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good
faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
(d) 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 Noteholders pursuant to the provisions of this
Indenture, unless such Noteholders 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;
(e) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may
make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may
see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or
investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises
of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company
and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of
such inquiry or investigation;
(f) 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; and
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(g) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any
default, Event of Default or Fundamental Change unless either (1) a Responsible
Officer shall have actual knowledge of such default, Event of Default or
Fundamental Change or (2) written notice of such default, Event of Default or
Fundamental Change shall have been given to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee
by the Company or any other obligor on the Notes or by any holder of the Notes.
(h) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and
benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be
indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each
of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person
employed to act hereunder.
SECTION 8.3 NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECITALS, ETC. The recitals contained
herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustee's certificate of authentication)
shall be taken as the statements of the Company, 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
Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by
the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
SECTION 8.4 TRUSTEE, PAYING AGENTS, CONVERSION AGENTS OR REGISTRAR MAY
OWN NOTES. The Trustee, any paying agent, any conversion agent or Note
registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee,
paying agent, conversion agent or Note registrar.
SECTION 8.5 MONIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST. Subject to the provisions of
Section 13.4 and Section 4.2, all monies received by the Trustee shall, until
used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which
they were received. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee
shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder
except as may be agreed in writing from time to time by the Company and the
Trustee.
SECTION 8.6 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF TRUSTEE. The Company covenants
and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be
entitled to, compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any
capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the
compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to from time
to time in writing between the Company and the Trustee, and the Company will pay
or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all expenses, disbursements and
advances reasonably 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 counsel and of all Persons not regularly in
its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from
its negligence or willful misconduct. The Company also covenants to fully
indemnify the Trustee (or any officer, director or employee of the Trustee) and
any predecessor Trustee, in any capacity under this Indenture and its agents and
any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all
loss,
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liability, claim, damage or expense (including taxes other than taxes based on
the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on
the part of the Trustee or such officers, directors, employees and agent or
authenticating agent, as the case may be, and arising out of or in connection
with the acceptance or administration of this trust or in any other capacity
hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any
claim of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Company under this
Section 8.6 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the
Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a lien
prior to that of the Notes upon all property and funds held or collected by the
Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of
particular Notes. The obligation of the Company under this Section shall survive
the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of
this Indenture.
When the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur
expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section
7.1(d) or (e) with respect to the Company occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.
SECTION 8.7 OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE AS EVIDENCE. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 8.1, 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 omitting any action hereunder, such
matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically
prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part
of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an
Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee.
SECTION 8.8 CONFLICTING INTERESTS OF TRUSTEE. If the Trustee has or
shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture
Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent
and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust
Indenture Act and this Indenture.
SECTION 8.9 ELIGIBILITY OF TRUSTEE. There shall at all times be a
Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000 (or if such Person is a member of a bank holding company system, its
bank holding company shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000). If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually,
pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and
surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time
the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 8.9, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
hereinafter specified in this Article.
SECTION 8.10 RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF TRUSTEE.
(a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written
notice of such resignation to the Company and to the holders of Notes. Upon
receiving such notice of resignation,
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the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in
duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which
instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the
successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have
accepted appointment sixty (60) days after the mailing of such notice of
resignation to the Noteholders, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the
expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment
of a successor trustee, or, if any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of
a Note or Notes for at least six (6) months may, subject to the provisions of
Section 7.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition
any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may
thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe,
appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 8.8
after written request therefor by the Company or by any Noteholder who has been
a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six (6) months; or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of Section 8.9 and shall fail to resign after
written request therefor by the Company or by any such Noteholder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or
shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of
its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or
control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;
then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a
successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the
Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the
Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the
provisions of Section 7.9, any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a
Note or Notes for at least six (6) months may, on behalf of himself and all
others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee; provided that
if no successor Trustee shall have been appointed and have accepted appointment
sixty (60) days after either the Company or the Noteholders has removed the
Trustee, the Trustee so removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction
for an appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such
notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and
appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Notes at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and
nominate a successor trustee which shall be deemed appointed as successor
trustee unless, within ten (10) days after notice to the Company of such
nomination, the Company objects thereto, in which case the Trustee so removed or
any Noteholder, or if such Trustee so removed or any Noteholder fails to act,
the Company, upon the
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terms and conditions and otherwise as in Section 8.10(a) provided, may petition
any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment
of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 8.10
shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee
as provided in Section 8.11.
SECTION 8.11 ACCEPTANCE BY SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE. Any successor trustee
appointed as provided in Section 8.10 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to
the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such
appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without
any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as
if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request
of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall,
upon payment of any amount then due it and its agents and counsel pursuant to
the provisions of Section 8.6, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to
such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to
act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any
and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and
confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee
ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property and funds
held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for
the benefit of holders of particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it
pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.6.
No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this
Section 8.11 unless, at the time of such acceptance, such successor trustee
shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 8.8 and be eligible under the
provisions of Section 8.9.
Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in
this Section 8.11, the Company (or the former trustee, at the expense of and at
the written direction of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed notice of
the succession of such trustee hereunder to the holders of Notes at their
addresses as they shall appear on the Note register. If the Company fails to
mail such notice within ten (10) days after acceptance of appointment by the
successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at
the expense of the Company.
SECTION 8.12 SUCCESSION BY MERGER, ETC. Any corporation into which the
Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any
corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the
Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially
all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including any trust created
by this Indenture), shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the
execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the
parties hereto, provided that in the case of any corporation succeeding to all
or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, such
corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 8.8 and eligible
under the provisions of Section 8.9.
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In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the
trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated
but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate
of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed
by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in
case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any
successor to the Trustee or any authenticating agent appointed by such successor
trustee may authenticate such Notes in the name of the successor trustee; and in
all such cases such certificates shall have the full force that is provided in
the Notes or in this Indenture; provided, however, that the right to adopt the
certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Notes
in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or
successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
SECTION 8.13 PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS. If and when the Trustee
shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the
Notes), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture
Act regarding the collection of the claims against the Company (or any such
other obligor).
SECTION 8.14 TRUSTEE'S APPLICATION FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE COMPANY.
Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company (other
than with regard to any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by
the Trustee that affects the rights of the holders of the Notes or holders of
Senior Indebtedness under this Indenture, including, without limitation, under
Article IV hereof) may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any
action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and
the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall
be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or
omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such
application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall
not be less than three (3) Business Days after the date any officer of the
Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have
consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action
(or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have
received written instructions in response to such application specifying the
action to be taken or omitted.
ARTICLE IX
CONCERNING THE NOTEHOLDERS
SECTION 9.1 ACTION BY NOTEHOLDERS. Whenever in this Indenture it is
provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes may take any action (including the making of any demand or
request, the giving of any 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 Noteholders
in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of the
holders of Notes voting in favor thereof at any meeting of
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Noteholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article X,
or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of
such a meeting of Noteholders. Whenever the Company or the Trustee solicits the
taking of any action by the holders of the Notes, the Company or the Trustee may
fix in advance of such solicitation, a date as the record date for determining
holders entitled to take such action. The record date shall be not more than
fifteen (15) days prior to the date of commencement of solicitation of such
action.
SECTION 9.2 PROOF OF EXECUTION BY NOTEHOLDERS. Subject to the
provisions of Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 10.5, proof of the execution of any
instrument by a Noteholder or its 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
holding of Notes shall be proved by the registry of such Notes or by a
certificate of the Note registrar.
The record of any Noteholders' meeting shall be proved in the manner
provided in Section 10.6.
SECTION 9.3 WHO ARE DEEMED ABSOLUTE OWNERS. The Company, the Trustee,
any paying agent, any conversion agent and any Note registrar may deem the
Person in whose name such Note shall be registered upon the Note register to be,
and may treat it as, the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note
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, premium, if any, and interest on such Note, for conversion of such Note and
for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying
agent nor any conversion agent nor any Note registrar shall be affected by any
notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any 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 monies payable
upon any such Note.
SECTION 9.4 COMPANY-OWNED NOTES DISREGARDED. In determining whether the
holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in
any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture, Notes which
are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Notes or any Affiliate of
the Company or any other obligor on the Notes shall be disregarded and deemed
not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided that,
for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in
relying on any such direction, consent, waiver or other action, only Notes which
a Responsible Officer knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned
which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the
purposes of this Section 9.4 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction
of the Trustee the pledgee's right to vote such Notes and that the pledgee is
not the Company, any other obligor on the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company
or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any
decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full
protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers' Certificate listing and identifying
all Notes, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the
account of any of the above described Persons; and, subject to Section 8.1, the
Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers' Certificate as conclusive
evidence of the
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facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are
outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
SECTION 9.5 REVOCATION OF CONSENTS; FUTURE HOLDERS BOUND. At any time
prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section
9.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes specified in this Indenture in connection with
such action, any holder of a Note which is shown by the evidence to be included
in the Notes 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 9.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such
Note. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the holder of any Note shall
be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and
owners of such Note and of any Notes issued in exchange or substitution
therefor, irrespective of whether any notation in regard thereto is made upon
such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor.
ARTICLE X
NOTEHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 10.1 PURPOSE OF MEETINGS. A meeting of Noteholders may be
called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this
Article X for any of the following purposes:
(1) to give any notice to the Company or to the
Trustee or to give any directions to the Trustee permitted under this Indenture,
or to consent to the waiving of any default or Event of Default hereunder and
its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by
Noteholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article VII;
(2) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor
trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII;
(3) to consent to the execution of an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.2; or
(4) to take any other action authorized to be taken
by or on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of
the Notes under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
SECTION 10.2 CALL OF MEETINGS BY TRUSTEE. The Trustee may at any time
call a meeting of Noteholders to take any action specified in Section 10.1, to
be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of
every meeting of the Noteholders, setting forth the time and the place of such
meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting and
the establishment of any record date pursuant to Section 9.1, shall be mailed to
holders of Notes at
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their addresses as they shall appear on the Note register. Such notice shall
also be mailed to the Company. Such notices shall be mailed not less than twenty
(20) nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
Any meeting of Noteholders shall be valid without notice if the holders
of all Notes then outstanding are present in person or by proxy or if notice is
waived before or after the meeting by the holders of all Notes outstanding, and
if the Company and the Trustee are either present by duly authorized
representatives or have, before or after the meeting, waived notice.
SECTION 10.3 CALL OF MEETINGS BY COMPANY OR NOTEHOLDERS. In case at any
time the Company, pursuant to a resolution of its Board of Directors, or the
holders of at least ten percent (10%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of
Noteholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action
proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the
notice of such meeting within twenty (20) days after receipt of such request,
then the Company or such Noteholders may determine the time and the place for
such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section
10.1, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 10.2.
SECTION 10.4 QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING. To be entitled to vote at any
meeting of Noteholders a person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Notes on
the record date pertaining to such meeting or (b) be a person appointed by an
instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more Notes on the record
date pertaining to such meeting. The only persons who shall be entitled to be
present or to speak at any meeting of Noteholders shall be the persons entitled
to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee
and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
SECTION 10.5 REGULATIONS. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem
advisable for any meeting of Noteholders, in regard to proof of the holding of
Notes and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and
duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies,
certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters
concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary
chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the
Company or by Noteholders as provided in Section 10.3, in which case the Company
or the Noteholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner
appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of
the meeting shall be elected by vote of the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Notes represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the
meeting.
Subject to the provisions of Section 9.4, at any meeting each
Noteholder or proxyholder shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000
principal amount of Notes held or represented by him; provided, however, that no
vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note
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challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not
outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than
by virtue of Notes held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly
designating him as the proxy to vote on behalf of other Noteholders. Any meeting
of Noteholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.2 or 10.3
may be adjourned from time to time by the holders of a majority of the aggregate
principal amount of Notes represented at the meeting, whether or not
constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without
further notice.
SECTION 10.6 VOTING. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any
meeting of Noteholders shall be by written ballot on which shall be subscribed
the signatures of the holders of Notes or of their representatives by proxy and
the principal amount of the Notes held or represented by them. The permanent
chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count
all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make
and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in
duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the
proceedings of each meeting of Noteholders shall be prepared by the secretary of
the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of
the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by
one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the
notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in
Section 10.2. The record shall show the principal amount of the Notes voting in
favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by
the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of
the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to
be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots
voted at the meeting.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the
matters therein stated.
SECTION 10.7 NO DELAY OF RIGHTS BY MEETING. Nothing in this Article X
contained shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any
call of a meeting of Noteholders or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred
hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right
or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Noteholders under
any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes.
ARTICLE XI
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 11.1 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT CONSENT OF NOTEHOLDERS.
The Company, when authorized by the 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 for one or more of the following purposes:
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(a) to make provision with respect to the conversion rights of
the holders of Notes pursuant to the requirements of Section 15.6 and the
redemption obligations of the Company pursuant to the requirements of Section
3.5(e);
(b) subject to Article IV, to convey, transfer, assign,
mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Notes, any property or
assets;
(c) to evidence the succession of another Person to the
Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person
of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to Article
XII;
(d) to add to the covenants of the Company such further
covenants, restrictions or conditions as the Board of Directors and the Trustee
shall consider to be for the benefit of the holders of Notes, and to make the
occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such
additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or an Event of
Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies
provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in
respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or condition, 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;
(e) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Notes
in coupon form (including Notes registrable as to principal only) and to provide
for exchangeability of such Notes with the Notes issued hereunder in fully
registered form and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;
(f) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any
provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture that may be
defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any
supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or
questions arising under this Indenture that shall not materially adversely
affect the interests of the holders of the Notes;
(g) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes; or
(h) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this
Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualifications of
this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, or under any similar federal
statute hereafter enacted.
Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of the
resolutions of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or Assistant
Secretary authorizing the execution of any supplemental indenture, the Trustee
is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such
supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and
stipulations that
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may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment
of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may
in its discretion, enter into any supplemental indenture that affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section
11.1 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the
holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the
provisions of Section 11.2.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture or the Notes, the
Registration Rights Agreement and the obligation to pay Liquidated Damages
Amount thereunder may be amended, modified or waived in accordance with the
provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement.
SECTION 11.2 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITH CONSENT OF NOTEHOLDERS. With
the consent (evidenced as provided in Article IX) of the holders of not less
than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time
outstanding, the Company, when authorized by the 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 for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the
rights of the holders of the Notes; provided, however, that no such supplemental
indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Note, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce the principal amount
thereof or premium, if any, thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption
thereof, or impair the right of any Noteholder to institute suit for the payment
thereof, or make the principal thereof or interest or premium, if any, thereon
payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Notes, or modify
the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of the Notes
in a manner adverse to the Noteholders in any material respect, or change the
obligation of the Company to redeem any Note upon the happening of a Fundamental
Change in a manner adverse to the holder of Notes, or impair the right to
convert the Notes into Common Stock subject to the terms set forth herein,
including Section 15.6, in each case, without the consent of the holder of each
Note so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes, the holders
of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the
consent of the holders of all Notes then outstanding.
Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of the
resolutions of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or Assistant
Secretary and authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and
upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Noteholders as
aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such
supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's
own rights, duties 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.
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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Noteholders under this
Section 11.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental
indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the
substance thereof.
SECTION 11.3 EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE. Any supplemental
indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article XI shall comply
with the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect, provided that this Section 11.3
shall not require such supplemental indenture or the Trustee to be qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time such qualification is in fact
required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been
qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission
or acknowledgment by any party to such supplemental indenture that any such
qualification is required prior to the time such qualification is in fact
required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been
qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Upon the execution of any supplemental
indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article XI, this Indenture shall be
and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the
respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities
under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Notes shall
thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder, subject in all
respects to such modifications and amendments and all the term 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.
SECTION 11.4 NOTATION ON NOTES. Notes authenticated and delivered after
the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this
Article XI may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall
so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee
and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in
any such supplemental indenture may, at the Company's expense, be prepared and
executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating
agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 16.11) and delivered in
exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then
outstanding.
SECTION 11.5 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE
FURNISHED TO TRUSTEE. Prior to entering into any supplemental indenture, the
Trustee may request an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel meeting
the requirements set forth in Section 16.5 as conclusive evidence that any
supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements
of this Article XI.
ARTICLE XII
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE
SECTION 12.1 COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ON CERTAIN TERMS. Subject
to the provisions of Section 12.2, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any
of the Notes shall prevent any
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consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or Persons
(whether or not affiliated with the Company), or successive consolidations or
mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or
parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance or lease (or successive sales,
conveyances or leases) of all or substantially all of the property of the
Company, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company),
authorized to acquire and operate the same and that shall be organized under the
laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia; provided that upon any such consolation, merger, sale, conveyance or
lease, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on all of the Notes,
according to their tenor and the due and punctual performance and observance of
all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the
Company, shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture satisfactory in
form to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by the Person (if
other than the Company) formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company
shall have been merged, or by the Person that shall have acquired or leased such
property, and such supplemental indenture shall provide for the applicable
conversion rights set forth in Section 15.6.
SECTION 12.2 SUCCESSOR CORPORATION TO BE SUBSTITUTED. In case of any
such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or lease and upon the assumption by
the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the
Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment
of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Notes and
the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this
Indenture to be performed by the Company, such successor Person shall succeed to
and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named
herein as the party of this first part. Such successor Person thereupon may
cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of
Amazon.com, Inc. any or all of the Notes, issuable hereunder that theretofore
shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and,
upon the order of such successor Person instead of the Company and subject to
all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the
Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver, or cause to be authenticated and
delivered, any Notes that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the
officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Notes that
such successor Person thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the
Trustee for that purpose. All the Notes so issued shall in all respects have the
same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Notes theretofore or
thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all
of such Notes had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In the event
of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or lease, the Person named
as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this Indenture or any successor that
shall thereafter have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article XII
may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter and such Person
shall be released from its liabilities as obligor and maker of the Notes and
from its obligations under this Indenture.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or lease,
such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the
Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
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SECTION 12.3 OPINION OF COUNSEL TO BE GIVEN TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall
receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive
evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or lease and any
such assumption complies with the provisions of this Article XII.
ARTICLE XIII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 13.1 DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE. When (a) the Company shall deliver
to the Trustee for cancellation all Notes theretofore authenticated (other than
any Notes that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and in lieu of or in
substitution for which other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered)
and not theretofore canceled, or (b) all the Notes not theretofore canceled or
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 Company shall deposit with the
Trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption of all
of the Notes (other than any Notes that shall have been mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen and in lieu of or in substitution for which other Notes shall
have been authenticated and delivered) not theretofore canceled or delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and
interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or redemption date, as
the case may be, accompanied by a verification report, as to the sufficiency of
the deposited amount, from an independent certified accountant or other
financial professional satisfactory to the Trustee, and if the Company shall
also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company,
then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to (i)
remaining rights of registration of transfer, substitution and exchange and
conversion of Notes, (ii) rights hereunder of Noteholders to receive payments of
principal of and premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes and the other
rights, duties and obligations of Noteholders, as beneficiaries hereof with
respect to the amounts, if any, so deposited with the Trustee and (iii) the
rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder), and the Trustee,
on written demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel as required by Section 16.5 and at the cost and expense of
the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and
discharging this Indenture; the Company, however, hereby agreeing to reimburse
the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly
incurred by the Trustee and to compensate the Trustee for any services
thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with
this Indenture or the Notes.
SECTION 13.2 DEPOSITED MONIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST BY TRUSTEE. Subject
to Section 13.4, all monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.1,
provided such deposit was not in violation of Article IV, shall be held in trust
for the sole benefit of the Noteholders and not to be subject to the
subordination provisions of Article IV, and such monies shall be applied by the
Trustee to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including
the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular
Notes for the payment or redemption of which such
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monies have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due
thereon for principal and interest and premium, if any.
SECTION 13.3 PAYING AGENT TO REPAY MONIES HELD. Upon the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture, all monies then held by any paying agent of the
Notes (other than the Trustee) shall, upon written request of the Company, be
repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be
released from all further liability with respect to such monies.
SECTION 13.4 RETURN OF UNCLAIMED MONIES. Subject to the requirements of
applicable law, any monies deposited with or paid to the Trustee for payment of
the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Notes and not applied but
remaining unclaimed by the holders of Notes for two years after the date upon
which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes, as the case
may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the
Trustee on demand and all liability of the Trustee shall thereupon cease with
respect to such monies; and the holder of any of the Notes shall thereafter look
only to the Company for any payment that such holder may be entitled to collect
unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.
SECTION 13.5 REINSTATEMENT. If the Trustee or the paying agent is
unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 13.2 by reason of any order
or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or
otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations under this
Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had
occurred pursuant to Section 13.1 until such time as the Trustee or the paying
agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 13.2;
provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of interest on or
principal of any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the
Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to
receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or paying agent.
ARTICLE XIV
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 14.1 INDENTURE AND NOTES SOLELY CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS. No
recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on
any Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no
recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in
this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of
the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any
incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary, as
such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation,
either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such
liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a
consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.
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ARTICLE XV
CONVERSION OF NOTES
SECTION 15.1 RIGHT TO CONVERT. Subject to and upon compliance with the
provisions of this Indenture, including, without limitation, Article IV, the
holder of any Note shall have the right, at its option, at any time after the
original issuance of the Notes hereunder through the close of business on the
final maturity date of the Notes (except that, with respect to any Note or
portion of a Note that shall be called for redemption, such right shall
terminate, except as provided in Section 15.2 or Section 3.4, at the close of
business on the Business Day next preceding the date fixed for redemption of
such Note or portion of a Note unless the Company shall default in payment due
upon redemption thereof) to convert the principal amount of any such Note, or
any portion of such principal amount which is $1,000 or an integral multiple
thereof, into that number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common
Stock (as such shares shall then be constituted) obtained by dividing the
principal amount of the Note or portion thereof surrendered for conversion by
the Conversion Price in effect at such time, by surrender of the Note so to be
converted in whole or in part in the manner provided, together with any required
funds, in Section 15.2. A Note in respect of which a holder is exercising its
option to require redemption upon a Fundamental Change pursuant to Section 3.5
may be converted only if such holder withdraws its election to exercise in
accordance with Section 3.5. A holder of Notes is not entitled to any rights of
a holder of Common Stock until such holder has converted his Notes to Common
Stock, and only to the extent such Notes are deemed to have been converted to
Common Stock under this Article XV.
SECTION 15.2 EXERCISE OF CONVERSION PRIVILEGE; ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK
ON CONVERSION; NO ADJUSTMENT FOR INTEREST OR DIVIDENDS. In order to exercise the
conversion privilege with respect to any Note in certificated form, the holder
of any such Note to be converted in whole or in part shall surrender such Note,
duly endorsed, at an office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to
Section 5.2, accompanied by the funds, if any, required by the penultimate
paragraph of this Section 15.2, and shall give written notice of conversion in
the form provided on the Notes (or such other notice which is acceptable to the
Company) to the office or agency that the holder elects to convert such Note or
the portion thereof specified in said notice. Such notice shall also state the
name or names (with address or addresses) in which the certificate or
certificates for shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable on such
conversion shall be issued, and shall be accompanied by transfer taxes, if
required pursuant to Section 15.7. Each such Note surrendered for conversion
shall, unless the shares issuable on conversion are to be issued in the same
name as the registration of such Note, be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by
instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by,
the holder or his duly authorized attorney.
In order to exercise the conversion privilege with respect to any
interest in a Note in global form, the holder must complete the appropriate
instruction form for conversion pursuant to the Depository's book-entry
conversion program, deliver by book-entry delivery an interest in such Note
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in global form, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents if
required by the Company or the Trustee or conversion agent, and pay the funds,
if any, required by this Section 15.2 and any transfer taxes if required
pursuant to Section 15.7.
As promptly as practicable after satisfaction of the requirements for
conversion set forth above, subject to compliance with any restrictions on
transfer if shares issuable on conversion are to be issued in a name other than
that of the Noteholder (as if such transfer were a transfer of the Note or Notes
(or portion thereof) so converted), the Company shall issue and shall deliver to
such holder at the office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose
pursuant to Section 5.2, a certificate or certificates for the number of full
shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of such Note or portion
thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Article and a check or cash in
respect of any fractional interest in respect of a share of Common Stock arising
upon such conversion, as provided in Section 15.3. In case any Note of a
denomination greater than $1,000 shall be surrendered for partial conversion,
and subject to Section 2.3, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the holder of the Note so surrendered, without
charge to him, a new Note or Notes in authorized denominations in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Note.
Each conversion shall be deemed to have been effected as to any such
Note (or portion thereof) on the date on which the requirements set forth above
in this Section 15.2 have been satisfied as to such Note (or portion thereof),
and the Person in whose name any certificate or certificates for shares of
Common Stock shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have
become on said date the holder of record of the shares represented thereby;
provided, however, that any such surrender on any date when the stock transfer
books of the Company shall be closed shall constitute the Person in whose name
the certificates are to be issued as the record holder thereof for all purposes
on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open, but such
conversion shall be at the Conversion Price in effect on the date upon which
such Note shall be surrendered.
Any Note or portion thereof surrendered for conversion during the
period from the close of business on the record date for any interest payment
date to the close of business on the Business Day next preceding the following
interest payment date shall (unless such Note or portion thereof being converted
shall have been called for redemption on a redemption date that occurs during
the period from the close of business on such record date to the close of
business on the Business Day next preceding the following interest payment date)
be accompanied by payment, in New York Clearing House funds or other funds
acceptable to the Company, of an amount equal to the interest otherwise payable
on such interest payment date on the principal amount being converted; provided,
however, that no such payment need be made if there shall exist at the time of
conversion a default in the payment of interest on the Notes. Except as provided
above in this Section 15.2, no payment or other adjustment shall be made for
interest accrued on any Note converted or for dividends on any shares issued
upon the conversion of such Note as provided in this Article.
Upon the conversion of an interest in a Note in global form, the
Trustee (or other conversion agent appointed by the Company), or the Custodian
at the direction of the Trustee (or other
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conversion agent appointed by the Company), shall make a notation on such Note
in global form as to the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby.
The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any conversions of Notes
effected through any conversion agent other than the Trustee.
SECTION 15.3 CASH PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional
shares of Common Stock or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued
upon conversion of Notes. If more than one Note shall be surrendered for
conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full shares that shall
be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof to the extent
permitted thereby) so surrendered. If any fractional share of stock would be
issuable upon the conversion of any Note or Notes, the Company shall make an
adjustment and payment therefor in cash at the current market price thereof to
the holder of Notes. The current market price of a share of Common Stock shall
be the Closing Price on the last Business Day immediately preceding the day on
which the Notes (or specified portions thereof) are deemed to have been
converted.
SECTION 15.4 CONVERSION PRICE. The conversion price shall be as
specified in the form of Note (herein called the "Conversion Price") attached as
Exhibit A hereto, subject to adjustment as provided in this Article XV.
SECTION 15.5 ADJUSTMENT OF CONVERSION PRICE. The Conversion Price shall
be adjusted from time to time by the Company as follows:
(a) In case the Company shall hereafter pay a dividend or make
a distribution to all holders of the outstanding Common Stock in shares of
Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the
date following the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to
receive such dividend or other distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such
Conversion Price by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of
shares of the Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date
fixed for such determination and the denominator of which shall be the sum of
such number of shares and the total number of shares constituting such dividend
or other distribution, such reduction to become effective immediately after the
opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination.
The Company will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of
Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company. If any dividend or
distribution of the type described in this Section 15.5(a) is declared but not
so paid or made, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to the Conversion
Price that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been
declared.
(b) In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all
holders of its outstanding shares of Common Stock entitling them (for a period
expiring within forty-five (45) days after the date fixed for determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants) to subscribe for or
purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the Current
Market Price (as defined below) on the date fixed for determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, the Conversion Price
shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the price determined by
multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the date fixed
for
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determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants by a
fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such rights and warrants plus the number of
shares that the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares so
offered would purchase at such Current Market Price, and the denominator of
which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date
fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights and
warrants plus the total number of additional shares of Common Stock offered for
subscription or purchase. Such adjustment shall be successively made whenever
any such rights and warrants are issued, and shall become effective immediately
after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for
determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants. To
the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of
such rights or warrants, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted to the
Conversion Price that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the
issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only
the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. In the event that such
rights or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Price shall again be
adjusted to be the Conversion Price that would then be in effect if such date
fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or
warrants had not been fixed. In determining whether any rights or warrants
entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less
than such Current Market Price, and in determining the aggregate offering price
of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any
consideration received by the Company for such rights or warrants, the value of
such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of
Directors.
(c) In case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be
subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price
in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which
such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, and
conversely, in case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be combined into a
smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the
opening of business on the day following the day upon which such combination
becomes effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or
increase, as the case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening
of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or
combination becomes effective.
(d) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise,
distribute to all holders of its Common Stock shares of any class of capital
stock of the Company (other than any dividends or distributions to which Section
15.5(a) applies) or evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including
securities, but excluding any rights or warrants referred to in Section 15.5(b),
and excluding any dividend or distribution (x) paid exclusively in cash or (y)
referred to in Section 15.5(a) (any of the foregoing hereinafter in this Section
15.5(d) called the "Securities")), then, in each such case (unless the Company
elects to reserve such Securities for distribution to the Noteholders upon the
conversion of the Notes so that any such holder converting Notes will receive
upon such conversion, in addition to the shares of Common Stock to which such
holder is entitled, the amount and kind of such Securities which such holder
would have received if such holder had converted its Notes into Common Stock
immediately prior to the Record Date (as defined in Section 15.5(h) for such
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distribution of the Securities)), the Conversion Price shall be reduced so that
the same shall be equal to the price determined by multiplying the Conversion
Price in effect on the Record Date with respect to such distribution by a
fraction the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price per share of
the Common Stock on such Record Date less the fair market value (as determined
by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive, and
described in a resolution of the Board of Directors) on the Record Date of the
portion of the Securities so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock
and the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price per share of the
Common Stock, such reduction to become effective immediately prior to the
opening of business on the day following such Record Date; provided, however,
that in the event the then fair market value (as so determined) of the portion
of the Securities so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is
equal to or greater than the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the
Record Date, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be
made so that each Noteholder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the
amount of Securities such holder would have received had such holder converted
each Note on the Record Date. In the event that such dividend or distribution is
not so paid or made, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to be the
Conversion Price that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution
had not been declared. If the Board of Directors determines the fair market
value of any distribution for purposes of this Section 15.5(d) by reference to
the actual or when issued trading market for any securities, it must in doing so
consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the
Current Market Price of the Common Stock.
Rights or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of Common
Stock entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the
Company's capital stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which
rights or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events
("Trigger Event"): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common
Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future
issuances of Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for
purposes of this Section 15.5 (and no adjustment to the Conversion Price under
this Section 15.5 will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger
Event, whereupon such rights and warrants shall be deemed to have been
distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion
Price shall be made under this Section 15.5(d). If any such right or warrant,
including any such existing rights or warrants distributed prior to the date of
this Indenture, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights
or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of
indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each
such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and record date with
respect to new rights or warrants with such rights (and a termination or
expiration of the existing rights or warrants without exercise by any of the
holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed
distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the
type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted
for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the
Conversion Price under this Section 15.5 was made, (1) in the case of any such
rights or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or repurchased without
exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted upon
such final redemption or repurchase to give effect to such distribution or
Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal
to
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the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or holders of
Common Stock with respect to such rights or warrants (assuming such holder had
retained such rights or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the
date of such redemption or repurchase, and (2) in the case of such rights or
warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any
holders thereof, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted as if such rights and
warrants had not been issued.
For purposes of this Section 15.5(d) and Sections 15.5(a) and (b), any
dividend or distribution to which this Section 15.5(d) is applicable that also
includes shares of Common Stock, or rights or warrants to subscribe for or
purchase shares of Common Stock (or both), shall be deemed instead to be (1) a
dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness, assets or shares of
capital stock other than such shares of Common Stock or rights or warrants (and
any Conversion Price reduction required by this Section 15.5(d) with respect to
such dividend or distribution shall then be made) immediately followed by (2) a
dividend or distribution of such shares of Common Stock or such rights or
warrants (and any further Conversion Price reduction required by Sections
15.5(a) and (b) with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be
made), except (A) the Record Date of such dividend or distribution shall be
substituted as "the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to
receive such dividend or other distribution" and "the date fixed for such
determination" within the meaning of Sections 15.5(a) and (b), and (B) any
shares of Common Stock included in such dividend or distribution shall not be
deemed "outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such
determination" within the meaning of Section 15.5(a).
(e) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise,
distribute to all holders of its Common Stock cash (excluding (x) any quarterly
cash dividend on the Common Stock to the extent the aggregate cash dividend per
share of Common Stock in any fiscal quarter does not exceed the greater of (A)
the amount per share of Common Stock of the next preceding quarterly cash
dividend on the Common Stock to the extent that such preceding quarterly
dividend did not require any adjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to this
Section 15.5(e) (as adjusted to reflect subdivisions, or combinations of the
Common Stock), and (B) 3.75% of the arithmetic average of the Closing Price
(determined as set forth in Section 15.5(h)) during the ten Trading Days (as
defined in Section 15.5(h)) immediately prior to the date of declaration of such
dividend, and (y) any dividend or distribution in connection with the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or
involuntary), then, in such case, the Conversion Price shall be reduced so that
the same shall equal the price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in
effect immediately prior to the close of business on such record date by a
fraction the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common
Stock on the record date less the amount of cash so distributed (and not
excluded as provided above) applicable to one share of Common Stock and the
denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price of the Common Stock,
such reduction to be effective immediately prior to the opening of business on
the day following the record date; provided, however, that in the event the
portion of the cash so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is
equal to or greater than the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the
record date, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be
made so that each Noteholder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the
amount of cash such holder would have received had such holder converted each
Note on the record date. In the event that such dividend or distribution is not
so paid
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or made, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Price
that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been
declared. If any adjustment is required to be made as set forth in this Section
15.5(e) as a result of a distribution that is a quarterly dividend, such
adjustment shall be based upon the amount by which such distribution exceeds the
amount of the quarterly cash dividend permitted to be excluded pursuant hereto.
If an adjustment is required to be made as set forth in this Section 15.5(e)
above as a result of a distribution that is not a quarterly dividend, such
adjustment shall be based upon the full amount of the distribution.
(f) In case a tender or exchange offer made by the Company or
any Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Common Stock shall expire and such
tender or exchange offer (as amended upon the expiration thereof) shall require
the payment to stockholders of consideration per share of Common Stock having a
fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination
shall be conclusive and described in a resolution of the Board of Directors)
that as of the last time (the "Expiration Time") tenders or exchanges may be
made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended) exceeds
the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding
the Expiration Time, the Conversion Price shall be reduced so that the same
shall equal the price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect
immediately prior to the Expiration Time by a fraction the numerator of which
shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (including any
tendered or exchanged shares) on the Expiration Time multiplied by the Current
Market Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the
Expiration Time and the denominator of which shall be the sum of (x) the fair
market value (determined as aforesaid) of the aggregate consideration payable to
stockholders based on the acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the terms
of the tender or exchange offer) of all shares validly tendered or exchanged and
not withdrawn as of the Expiration Time (the shares deemed so accepted, up to
any such maximum, being referred to as the "Purchased Shares") and (y) the
product of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (less any Purchased
Shares) on the Expiration Time and the Current Market Price of the Common Stock
on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time, such reduction to become
effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the
Expiration Time. In the event that the Company is obligated to purchase shares
pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer, but the Company is permanently
prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases or all such
purchases are rescinded, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to be the
Conversion Price that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange offer
had not been made.
(g) In case of a tender or exchange offer made by a Person
other than the Company or any Subsidiary for an amount that increases the
offeror's ownership of Common Stock to more than twenty-five percent (25%) of
the Common Stock outstanding and shall involve the payment by such Person of
consideration per share of Common Stock having a fair market value (as
determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive,
and described in a resolution of the Board of Directors) at the last time (the
"Offer Expiration Time") tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such
tender or exchange offer (as it shall have been amended) that exceeds the
Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the
Offer Expiration Time, and in which, as of the Offer Expiration Time the Board
of Directors is not
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recommending rejection of the offer, the Conversion Price shall be reduced so
that the same shall equal the price determined by multiplying the Conversion
Price in effect immediately prior to the Offer Expiration Time by a fraction the
numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
(including any tendered or exchanged shares) on the Offer Expiration Time
multiplied by the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day
next succeeding the Offer Expiration Time and the denominator of which shall be
the sum of (x) the fair market value (determined as aforesaid) of the aggregate
consideration payable to stockholders based on the acceptance (up to any maximum
specified in the terms of the tender or exchange offer) of all shares validly
tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the Offer Expiration Time (the
shares deemed so accepted, up to any such maximum, being referred to as the
"Accepted Purchased Shares") and (y) the product of the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding (less any Accepted Purchased Shares) on the Offer
Expiration Time and the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the Trading
Day next succeeding the Offer Expiration Time, such reduction to become
effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the
Offer Expiration Time. In the event that such Person is obligated to purchase
shares pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer, but such Person is
permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases or all
such purchases are rescinded, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to be
the Conversion Price which would then be in effect if such tender or exchange
offer had not been made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the adjustment described
in this Section 15.5(g) shall not be made if, as of the Offer Expiration Time,
the offering documents with respect to such offer disclose a plan or intention
to cause the Company to engage in any transaction described in Article XII.
(h) For purposes of this Section 15.5, the following terms
shall have the meaning indicated:
(1) "Closing Price" with respect to any securities on
any day shall mean the closing sale price, regular way, on such day or, in case
no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid
and asked prices, regular way, in each case as quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market or, if such security is not quoted or listed or admitted to trading on
such Nasdaq National Market, on the principal national security exchange or
quotation system on which such security is quoted or listed or admitted to
trading or, if not quoted or listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange or quotation system, the average of the closing bid and
asked prices of such security on the over-the-counter market on the day in
question as reported by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated, or a similar
generally accepted reporting service, or if not so available, in such manner as
furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm selected from time to time
by the Board of Directors for that purpose, or a price determined in good faith
by the Board of Directors or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, a duly
authorized committee thereof, whose determination shall be conclusive.
(2) "Current Market Price" shall mean the average of
the daily Closing Prices per share of Common Stock for the ten consecutive
Trading Days immediately prior to the date in question; provided, however, that
(1) if the "ex" date (as hereinafter defined) for any event (other than the
issuance or distribution or Fundamental Change requiring such computation) that
requires
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an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to Section 15.5(a), (b), (c),
(d), (e), (f) or (g) occurs during such ten consecutive Trading Days, the
Closing Price for each Trading Day prior to the "ex" date for such other event
shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the same fraction by
which the Conversion Price is so required to be adjusted as a result of such
other event, (2) if the "ex" date for any event (other than the issuance,
distribution or Fundamental Change requiring such computation) that requires an
adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to Section 15.5(a), (b), (c), (d),
(e), (f) or (g) occurs on or after the "ex" date for the issuance or
distribution requiring such computation and prior to the day in question, the
Closing Price for each Trading Day on and after the "ex" date for such other
event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the reciprocal of
the fraction by which the Conversion Price is so required to be adjusted as a
result of such other event, and (3) if the "ex" date for the issuance,
distribution or Fundamental Change requiring such computation is prior to the
day in question, after taking into account any adjustment required pursuant to
clause (1) or (2) of this proviso, the Closing Price for each Trading Day on or
after such "ex" date shall be adjusted by adding thereto the amount of any cash
and the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors or, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, a duly authorized committee thereof in a
manner consistent with any determination of such value for purposes of Section
15.5(d), (f) or (g), whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a
resolution of the Board of Directors or such duly authorized committee thereof,
as the case may be) of the evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock or
assets being distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock as of the close
of business on the day before such "ex" date. For purposes of any computation
under Section 15.5(f) or (g), the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on
any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily Closing Prices per share
of Common Stock for such day and the next two succeeding Trading Days; provided,
however, that if the "ex" date for any event (other than the tender or exchange
offer requiring such computation) that requires an adjustment to the Conversion
Price pursuant to Section 15.5(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) occurs on or
after the Expiration Time or Offer Expiration Time, as the case may be, for the
tender or exchange offer requiring such computation and prior to the day in
question, the Closing Price for each Trading Day on and after the "ex" date for
such other event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the
reciprocal of the fraction by which the Conversion Price is so required to be
adjusted as a result of such other event. For purpose of this paragraph, the
term "ex" date, (1) when used with respect to any issuance or distribution,
means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular way, on the
relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the Closing Price was
obtained without the right to receive such issuance or distribution, (2) when
used with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock,
means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular way, on such
exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or
combination becomes effective, and (3) when used with respect to any tender or
exchange offer means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular
way, on such exchange or in such market after the Offer Expiration Time of such
offer.
(3) "fair market value" shall mean the amount which a
willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an arm's-length transaction.
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(4) "Record Date" shall mean, with respect to any
dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of
Common Stock have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or
in which the Common Stock (or other applicable security) is exchanged for or
converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date
fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such cash,
securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of
Directors or by statute, contract or otherwise).
(5) "Trading Day" shall mean (x) if the applicable
security is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, a day on which trades may be
made thereon or (y) if the applicable security is listed or admitted for trading
on the New York Stock Exchange or another national security exchange, a day on
which the New York Stock Exchange or another national security exchange is open
for business or (z) if the applicable security is not so listed, admitted for
trading or quoted, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which
banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.
(i) The Company may make such reductions in the Conversion
Price, in addition to those required by Sections 15.5(a), (b), (c), (d), (e),
(f) or (g) as the Board of Directors considers to be advisable to avoid or
diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common
Stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire
stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company from time to
time may reduce the Conversion Price by any amount for any period of time if the
period is at least twenty (20) days, the reduction is irrevocable during the
period and the Board of Directors shall have made a determination that such
reduction would be in the best interests of the Company, which determination
shall be conclusive. Whenever the Conversion Price is reduced pursuant to the
preceding sentence, the Company shall mail to holders of record of the Notes a
notice of the reduction at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date the reduced
Conversion Price takes effect, and such notice shall state the reduced
Conversion Price and the period during which it will be in effect.
(j) No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required
unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one
percent (1%) in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments that by
reason of this Section 15.5(j) are not required to be made shall be carried
forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations
under this Article XV shall be made by the Company and shall be made to the
nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth (1/100) of a share, as the case may
be. No adjustment need be made for rights to purchase Common Stock pursuant to a
Company plan for reinvestment of dividends or interest. To the extent the Notes
become convertible into cash, assets, property or securities (other than capital
stock of the Company), no adjustment need be made thereafter as to the cash,
assets, property or such securities. Interest will not accrue on the cash.
(k) Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted as herein
provided, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee and any conversion
agent other than the Trustee an Officers'
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Certificate setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting
forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until
a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received such Officers'
Certificate, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment
of the Conversion Price and may assume without inquiry that the last Conversion
Price of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of
such certificate, the Company shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the
Conversion Price setting forth the adjusted Conversion Price and the date on
which each adjustment becomes effective and shall mail such notice of such
adjustment of the Conversion Price to the holder of each Note at his last
address appearing on the Note register provided for in Section 2.5 of this
Indenture, within twenty (20) days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver
such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.
(l) In any case in which this Section 15.5 provides that an
adjustment shall become effective immediately after a record date for an event,
the Company may defer until the occurrence of such event (i) issuing to the
holder of any Note converted after such record date and before the occurrence of
such event the additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion
by reason of the adjustment required by such event over and above the Common
Stock issuable upon such conversion before giving effect to such adjustment and
(ii) paying to such holder any amount in cash in lieu of any fraction pursuant
to Section 15.3.
(m) For purposes of this Section 15.5, the number of shares of
Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the
treasury of the Company but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip
certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Company
will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock
held in the treasury of the Company.
SECTION 15.6 EFFECT OF RECLASSIFICATION, CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE.
If any of the following events occur, namely (i) any reclassification or change
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a subdivision or
combination to which Section 15.5(c) applies), (ii) any consolidation, merger or
combination of the Company with another Person as a result of which holders of
Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, other securities or other
property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such
Common Stock, or (iii) any sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the
properties and assets of the Company to any other Person as a result of which
holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, other securities or
other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for
such Common Stock, then the Company or the successor or purchasing Person, as
the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture (which
shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the date of execution
of such supplemental indenture) providing that such Note shall be convertible
into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property
or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance by a holder of a number
of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Notes (assuming, for
such purposes, a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock
available to convert all such Notes) immediately prior to such reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger,
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combination, sale or conveyance assuming such holder of Common Stock did
not exercise his rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of
securities, cash or other property receivable upon such reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance (provided that,
if the kind or amount of stock, other securities or other property or assets
(including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation,
merger, combination, sale or conveyance is not the same for each share of Common
Stock in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised
("non-electing share")), then for the purposes of this Section 15.6 the kind and
amount of securities, cash or other property receivable upon such
reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance
for each non-electing share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so
receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares. Such
supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly
equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this
Article.
The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such supplemental
indenture to be mailed to each holder of Notes, at its address appearing on the
Note register provided for in Section 2.5 of this Indenture, within twenty (20)
days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect
the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture.
The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to
successive reclassifications, changes, consolidations, mergers, combinations,
sales and conveyances.
If this Section 15.6 applies to any event or occurrence, Section 15.5
shall not apply.
SECTION 15.7 TAXES ON SHARES ISSUED. The issue of stock certificates on
conversions of Notes shall be made without charge to the converting Noteholder
for any tax in respect of the issue thereof. The Company shall not, however, be
required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved
in the issue and delivery of stock in any name other than that of the holder of
any Note converted, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver
any such stock certificate unless and until the Person or Persons requesting the
issue thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall
have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.
SECTION 15.8 RESERVATION OF SHARES; SHARES TO BE FULLY PAID; COMPLIANCE
WITH GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS; LISTING OF COMMON STOCK. The Company shall
provide, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares
or shares held in treasury, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for the
conversion of the Notes from time to time as such Notes are presented for
conversion.
Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the
Conversion Price below the then par value, if any, of the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Notes, the Company will take all corporate
action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the
Company may validly and legally issue shares of such Common Stock at such
adjusted Conversion Price.
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The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock which may be
issued upon conversion of Notes will upon issue be fully paid and non-assessable
by the Company and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the
issue thereof.
The Company covenants that, if any shares of Common Stock to be
provided for the purpose of conversion of Notes hereunder require registration
with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law
before such shares may be validly issued upon conversion, the Company will in
good faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to secure such registration
or approval, as the case may be.
The Company further covenants that, if at any time the Common Stock
shall be listed on the Nasdaq National Market or any other national securities
exchange or automated quotation system, the Company will, if permitted by the
rules of such exchange or automated quotation system, list and keep listed, so
long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated
quotation system, all Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note;
provided, however, that, if the rules of such exchange or automated quotation
system permit the Company to defer the listing of such Common Stock until the
first conversion of the Notes into Common Stock in accordance with the
provisions of this Indenture, the Company covenants to list such Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with the requirements of
such exchange or automated quotation system at such time.
SECTION 15.9 RESPONSIBILITY OF TRUSTEE. The Trustee and any other
conversion agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to
any holder of Notes to determine the Conversion Price or whether any facts exist
which may require any adjustment of the Conversion Price, or with respect to the
nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with
respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture
provided to be employed, in making the same. The Trustee and any other
conversion agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value
(or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities or
property, which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of
any Note; and the Trustee and any other conversion agent make no representations
with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be
responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any
shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or
cash upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion or to comply
with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained
in this Article. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the
Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be under any responsibility to determine
the correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture
entered into pursuant to Section 15.6 relating either to the kind or amount of
shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by
Noteholders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in
such Section 15.6 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but,
subject to the provisions of Section 8.1, may accept as conclusive evidence of
the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon,
the Officers' Certificate (which the
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Company shall be obligated to file with the Trustee prior to the execution of
any such supplemental indenture) with respect thereto.
SECTION 15.10 NOTICE TO HOLDERS PRIOR TO CERTAIN ACTIONS. In case:
(a) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other
distribution) on its Common Stock that would require an adjustment in the
Conversion Price pursuant to Section 15.5; or
(b) the Company shall authorize the granting to the holders of
all or substantially all of its Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe
for or purchase any share of any class or any other rights or warrants; or
(c) of any reclassification or reorganization of the Common
Stock of the Company (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding
Common Stock, or a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or
from no par value to par value), or of any consolidation or merger to which the
Company is a party and for which approval of any stockholders of the Company is
required, or of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; or
(d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation
or winding up of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;
the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and to be mailed to each
holder of Notes at his address appearing on the Note register provided for in
Section 2.5 of this Indenture, as promptly as possible but in any event at least
ten (10) days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice
stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such
dividend, distribution or rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to be
taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled
to such dividend, distribution or rights are to be determined, or (y) the date
on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective or occur,
and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record
shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other
property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale,
transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Failure to give such notice,
or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such
dividend, distribution, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up.
ARTICLE XVI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
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SECTION 16.1 PROVISIONS BINDING ON COMPANY'S SUCCESSORS. All the
covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements by the Company contained in
this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or
not.
SECTION 16.2 OFFICIAL ACTS BY SUCCESSOR CORPORATION. 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 Company shall and may be
done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or
officer of any Person that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the
Company.
SECTION 16.3 ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES, ETC. Any notice or demand which by
any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served
by the Trustee or by the holders of Notes on the Company shall be deemed to have
been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being
deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office
letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company with the
Trustee) to Amazon.com, Inc., 1516 Second Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101,
Attention: Chief Financial Officer. Any notice, direction, request or demand
hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given
or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited, postage
prepaid, by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed
to the Corporate Trust Office, which office is, at the date as of which this
Indenture is dated, located at 101 Barclay Street, 21st Floor West, New York,
New York 10286, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration (Amazon.com, Inc., 4
3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2009).
The Trustee, by notice to the Company, may designate additional or
different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Noteholder shall be mailed to
him by first class mail, postage prepaid, at his address as it appears on the
Note register and shall be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within the
time prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Noteholder or any defect
in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Noteholders. If a
notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly
given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
SECTION 16.4 GOVERNING LAW. This Indenture and each Note shall be
deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York, and for
all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
SECTION 16.5 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT;
CERTIFICATES TO TRUSTEE. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the
Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the
Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the
proposed action have
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been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of
such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
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: (1) a statement that the person
making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a
brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation
upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is
based; (3) 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 (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 16.6 LEGAL HOLIDAYS. In any case in which the date of maturity
of interest on or principal of the Notes or the date fixed for redemption of any
Note will not be a Business Day, then payment of such interest on or principal
of the Notes need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day 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 from and after such date.
SECTION 16.7 TRUST INDENTURE ACT. This Indenture is hereby made subject
to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act required
to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;
provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by law, notwithstanding the
foregoing, this Indenture and the Notes issued hereunder shall not be subject to
the provisions of subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of Section 314 of the
Trust Indenture Act as now in effect or as hereafter amended or modified;
provided further that this Section 16.7 shall not require this Indenture or the
Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time such
qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act,
nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to the
Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time such
qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. If
any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision
hereof which is required to be included in an indenture qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.
SECTION 16.8 NO SECURITY INTEREST CREATED. Nothing in this Indenture or
in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security
interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or
hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction in which property of the
Company or its subsidiaries is located.
SECTION 16.9 BENEFITS OF INDENTURE. Nothing in this Indenture or in the
Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties
hereto, any paying agent, any authenticating agent, any Note registrar and their
successors hereunder, the holders of Notes and the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under
this Indenture.
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SECTION 16.10 TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC. The table of contents
and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have
been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part
hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions
hereof.
SECTION 16.11 AUTHENTICATING AGENT. The Trustee may appoint an
authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf, and subject
to its direction, in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with
the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder,
including under Sections 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.3 and 3.5, as fully to all
intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly
authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver
Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of
Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and
delivery of such Notes "by the Trustee" and a certificate of authentication
executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to
satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee's certificate
of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person
eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 8.9.
Any corporation into which any authenticating agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business
of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent
hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this
Section 16.11, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act
on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor
corporation.
Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written
notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any
time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice
of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company. Upon receiving
such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time
any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section, the
Trustee shall either promptly appoint a successor authenticating agent or itself
assume the duties and obligations of the former authenticating agent under this
Indenture and, upon such appointment of a successor authenticating agent, if
made, shall give written notice of such appointment of a successor
authenticating agent to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment of
a successor authenticating agent to all holders of Notes as the names and
addresses of such holders appear on the Note register.
The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time
such reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon in writing
between the Company and the authenticating agent.
The provisions of Sections 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 9.3 and this Section 16.11
shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.
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SECTION 16.12 EXECUTION 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.
The Bank of New York hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture
declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions herein above set forth.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed.
AMAZON.COM, INC.
By:/s/Joy D. Covey
--------------------------------
Name: Joy D. Covey
------------------------------
Title:Chief Financial Officer,
Vice President of Finance
And Administration and
Secretary
-----------------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
By:/s/ T.C. Knight
---------------------------------
Name: Thomas C. Knight
-------------------------------
Title:Assistant Vice President
------------------------------
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EXHIBIT A
[For Global Note only: UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW
YORK) (THE "DEPOSITARY," WHICH TERM INCLUDES ANY SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY FOR THE
CERTIFICATES) 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 IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DEPOSITARY
AND ANY PAYMENT HEREIN IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. (OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER,
PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS
WRONGFUL INSOFAR AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST
HEREIN.]
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND,
ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR
THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING
SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A
"QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT) OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE
501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) ("INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
INVESTOR"); (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING
PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION), RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY OR THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SUCH
NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO AMAZON.COM, INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT, (C) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER,
FURNISHES TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS
APPLICABLE), A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS
RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY (THE FORM
OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH TRUSTEE OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS
APPLICABLE), (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE
144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (E) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION
STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AND WHICH
CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER); (3) AGREES THAT PRIOR
TO SUCH TRANSFER (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(E)
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<PAGE> 90
ABOVE), IT WILL FURNISH TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR
TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER
INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING
MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (4) AGREES THAT IT WILL
DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD
APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION), THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE
APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH
TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE). IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR IS A PURCHASER WHO IS NOT A U.S. PERSON,
THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS
TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL
OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH
TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT
SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THIS LEGEND
WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(E) ABOVE OR UPON ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED
HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(K) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION).
AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "UNITED STATES" AND "UNITED STATES PERSON" HAVE THE
MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
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<PAGE> 91
AMAZON.COM, INC.
4 3/4% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2009
CUSIP: __________
No.: __________ $___________________
Amazon.com, Inc., a corporation duly organized and validly existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company", which term
includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the
reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to
___________________________________________ or registered assigns, the principal
sum of _______________________________________________________ ($___________) on
February 1, 2009, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, or, at the option of the
holder of this Note, at the Corporate Trust Office, in such coin or currency of
the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for
the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on
February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing August 1, 1999, on said
principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate
per annum of 4 3/4%, from February 1 or August 1, as the case may be, next
preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for, unless the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for, in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest
has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, in which case from February 3,
1999, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after any January 15 or
July 15, as the case may be, and before the following February 1 or August 1,
this Note shall bear interest from such February 1 or August 1; provided,
however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on
such February 1 or August 1, then this Note shall bear interest from the next
preceding February 1 or August 1, to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for on such Note,
from February 3, 1999. The interest payable on the Note pursuant to the
Indenture on any February 1 or August 1 will be paid to the Person entitled
thereto as it appears in the Note register at the close of business on the
record date, which shall be the January 15 or July 15 (whether or not a Business
Day) next preceding such February 1 or August 1, as provided in the Indenture;
provided that any such interest not punctually paid or duly provided for shall
be payable as provided in the Indenture. Interest may, at the option of the
Company, be paid either (i) by check mailed to the registered address of such
Person (provided that the holder of Notes with an aggregate principal amount in
excess of $10,000,000 shall, at the written election of such holder, be paid by
wire transfer of immediately available funds) or (ii) by transfer to an account
maintained by such Person located in the United States; provided, however, that
payments to the Depositary will be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.
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<PAGE> 92
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on
the reverse hereof, including, without limitation, provisions subordinating the
payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the
prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, as defined in the Indenture,
and provisions giving the holder of this Note the right to convert this Note
into Common Stock of the Company on the terms and subject to the limitations
referred to on the reverse hereof and as more fully specified in the Indenture.
Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though
fully set forth at this place.
This Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the
State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with
and governed by the laws of said State.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until
the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed by the
Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.
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<PAGE> 93
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly
executed under its corporate seal to be affixed or imported hereon.
AMAZON.COM, INC.
[seal] By: _____________________________
Name: ___________________________
Title: __________________________
Attest: _________________________
Name: ___________________________
Title: __________________________
Dated: ____________________________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By: ____________________________________
Authorized Signatory
By: ____________________________________
As Authenticating Agent
(if different from Trustee)
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<PAGE> 94
[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]
AMAZON.COM, INC.
4 3/4% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2009
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company,
designated as its 4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2009 (herein called
the "Notes"), limited to the aggregate principal amount of $1,250,000,000 (or
$1,437,500,000 if the over-allotment option set forth in Section 2 of the
Placement Agreement dated January 29, 1999 (as amended from time to time by the
parties thereto) by and between the Company and the Initial Purchasers is
exercised in full) all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an indenture
dated as of February 3, 1999 (herein called the "Indenture"), between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (herein called the "Trustee"), to
which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made
for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and
immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Notes.
In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued
interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount (as defined in the Indenture), if
any) on all Notes may be declared, and upon said declaration shall become, due
and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions
provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, evidenced as in
the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions
to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the
Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights
of the holders of the Notes; provided, however, that no such supplemental
indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Note, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce the principal amount
thereof or premium, if any, thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption
thereof, or impair the right of any Noteholder to institute suit for the payment
thereof, or make the principal thereof or interest or premium, if any, thereon
payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Note, or modify
the provisions of the Indenture with respect to the subordination of the Notes
in a manner adverse to the Noteholders in any material respect, or change the
obligation of the Company to make redemption of any Note upon the happening of a
Fundamental Change (as defined in the Indenture) in a manner adverse to the
holder of the Notes, or impair the right to convert the Notes into Common Stock
subject to the terms set forth in the Indenture, including Section 15.6 thereof,
without the consent of the holder of each Note so affected or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of Notes, the holders of which are required to consent to
any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of all Notes
then outstanding. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time
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<PAGE> 95
outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Notes waive any past
default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences except a
default in the payment of interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any)
or any premium on or the principal of any of the Notes, a default in the payment
of redemption price pursuant to Article III or a failure by the Company to
convert any Notes into Common Stock of the Company or a default in respect of a
covenant or provisions hereof which under Article XI cannot be modified without
the consent of the holders of each or all Notes then outstanding or affected
thereby. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note (unless revoked
as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder
and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be
issued in exchange or substitute hereof, irrespective of whether or not any
notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
The indebtedness evidenced by the Notes is, to the extent and in the
manner provided in the Indenture, expressly subordinate and subject in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
as defined in the Indenture, whether outstanding at the date of the Indenture or
thereafter incurred, and this Note is issued subject to the provisions of the
Indenture with respect to such subordination. Each holder of this Note, by
accepting the same, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions and
authorizes the Trustee on its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to effectuate the subordination so provided and appoints the Trustee
his attorney-in-fact for such purpose.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) on this Note at the place, at the
respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
of twelve 30-day months.
The Notes are issuable in fully registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000. At the office or
agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and
subject to the limitations provided in this Indenture, without payment of any
service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration or
exchange of Notes, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount
of Notes of other authorized denominations.
The Notes may be provisionally redeemed by the Company, in whole or in
part, at any time prior to February 6, 2002, at a redemption price equal to
$1,000 per Note to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any
(including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) to the date of redemption if (i)
the closing price of the Common Stock shall have exceeded 150% of the conversion
price then in effect for at least 20 trading days in any consecutive 30-trading
day period ending on the trading day prior to the date of mailing of the notice
of provisional redemption, which date shall be no more than 60 nor less than 30
days prior to the date of redemption and (ii) the shelf registration
A-7
<PAGE> 96
statement covering resales of the Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Notes is effective and available for use and is expected to
remain effective and available for use for the 30 days immediately following the
date of redemption.
Upon any such provisional redemption, the Company shall make an
additional Make-Whole Payment (as defined in the Indenture) in cash with respect
to the Notes called for redemption to holders on the date of mailing of the
notice of provisional redemption in an amount equal to $212.60 per $1,000 Note,
less the amount of any interest actually paid on such Note prior to such date.
The Company shall make the Make-Whole Payment on all Notes called for
provisional redemption, including any Notes converted after the date of mailing
of the notice of provisional redemption and prior to the date of redemption.
At any time on or after February 6, 2002, and prior to maturity, the
Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, upon
mailing a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days before the date fixed
for redemption to the holders of Notes at their last registered addresses, all
as provided in the Indenture, at the following optional redemption prices
(expressed as percentages of the principal amount), together in each case with
accrued and unpaid interest (including Liquidated Damages Amount, if any) to,
but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.
If redeemed during the period beginning February 6, 2002 and ending on
February 1, 2003, at a redemption price of 103.325% and if redeemed during the
12-month period beginning February 1:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Redemption Price
- ---- ----------------
<S> <C>
2003............................. 102.850%
2004............................. 102.375%
2005............................. 101.900%
2006............................. 101.425%
2007............................. 100.950%
2008............................. 100.475%
</TABLE>
and 100% at February 1, 2009; provided that if the date fixed for redemption is
on February 1 or August 1, then the interest payable on such date shall be paid
to the holder of record on the preceding January 15 or July 15, respectively.
The Company shall not give notice of any redemption if a default in the
payment of interest on the Notes has occurred and is continuing.
The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any
sinking fund.
If a Fundamental Change occurs at any time prior to maturity of the
Notes, the Notes will be redeemable on the 30th day after notice thereof at the
option of the holder at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount
thereof, together with accrued interest to (but excluding) the date of
redemption; provided that, if such Repurchase Date is February 1 or August 1,
the interest
A-8
<PAGE> 97
payable on such date shall be paid to the holder of record of the Notes on the
preceding January 15 or July 15, respectively. The Notes will be redeemable in
multiples of $1,000 principal amount. The Company shall mail to all holders of
record of the Notes a notice of the occurrence of a Fundamental Change and of
the redemption right arising as a result thereof on or before the 10th day after
the occurrence of such Fundamental Change. For a Note to be so repaid at the
option of the holder, the Company must receive at the office or agency of the
Company maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture, such Note with the form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment Upon a
Fundamental Change" on the reverse thereof duly completed, together with such
Notes duly endorsed for transfer, on or before the 30th day after the date of
such notice (or if such 30th day is not a Business Day, the immediately
preceding Business Day).
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the holder hereof has the
right, at its option, at any time after the original issuance of any Notes
through the close of business on the final maturity date of the Notes, or, as to
all or any portion hereof called for redemption, prior to the close of business
on the Business Day immediately preceding the date fixed for redemption (unless
the Company shall default in payment due upon redemption thereof), to convert
the principal hereof or any portion of such principal which is $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof into that number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock, as said shares shall be constituted at the date of conversion, obtained
by dividing the principal amount of this Note or portion thereof to be converted
by the Conversion Price of $156.055 or such Conversion Price as adjusted from
time to time as provided in the Indenture, upon surrender of this Note, together
with a conversion notice as provided in the Indenture, to the Company at the
office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture, or at the option of such holder, the Corporate Trust
Office, and, unless the shares issuable on conversion are to be issued in the
same name as this Note, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by instruments of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by, the holder or by
his duly authorized attorney. No adjustment in respect of interest or dividends
will be made upon any conversion; provided, however, that if this Note shall be
surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any
record date for the payment of interest to the close of business on the Business
Day preceding the interest payment date, this Note (unless it or the portion
being converted shall have been called for redemption during the period from the
close of business on any record date for the payment of interest to the close of
business on the Business Day preceding the interest payment date) must be
accompanied by an amount, in New York Clearing House funds or other funds
acceptable to the Company, equal to the interest payable on such interest
payment date on the principal amount being converted. No fractional shares will
be issued upon any conversion, but an adjustment in cash will be made, as
provided in the Indenture, in respect of any fraction of a share which would
otherwise be issuable upon the surrender of any Note or Notes for conversion. A
Note in respect of which a holder is exercising its right to require redemption
upon a Fundamental Change may be converted only if such holder withdraws its
election to exercise such right in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at the
office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture, or at the option of the holder of this Note, at the
Corporate Trust Office, a new Note or Notes of authorized
A-9
<PAGE> 98
denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the
transferee in exchange thereof; subject to the limitations provided in the
Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge
imposed in connection therewith.
The Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any paying agent,
any conversion agent and any Note registrar may deem and treat the registered
holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this note shall
be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon
made by anyone other than the Company or any Note registrar), for the purpose of
receiving payment hereof, or on account hereof, for the conversion hereof and
for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any other
authenticating agent nor any paying agent nor other conversion agent nor any
Note registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All payments
made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the
sum or sums paid, satisfy and discharge liability for monies payable on this
Note.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or
interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect
hereof; and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of
the Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any
Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall
be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, officer or
director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of
any successor Person, either directly or through the Company or any successor
Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being,
by acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof,
expressly waived and released.
This Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of New
York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of New
York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
Terms used in this Note and defined in the Indenture are used herein as
therein defined.
A-10
<PAGE> 99
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face
of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - __________ Custodian _____________
TEN ENT - as tenant by the entireties (Cust) (Minor)
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
of survivorship and not as
tenants in common ______________________________________________________
(State)
</TABLE>
Additional abbreviations may also be used
though not in the above list.
A-11
<PAGE> 100
CONVERSION NOTICE
TO: AMAZON.COM, INC.
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby irrevocable exercises
the option to convert this Note, or the portion thereof (which is $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof) below designated, into shares of Common Stock of
Amazon.com, Inc. in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in
this Note, and directs that the shares issuable and deliverable upon such
conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares and any
Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and
delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been
indicated below. If shares or any portion of this Note not converted are to be
issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will
provide the appropriate information below and pay all transfer taxes payable
with respect thereto. Any amount required to be paid to the undersigned on
account of interest accompanies this Note.
Dated: ____________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor institution" meeting
the requirements of the Note registrar,
which requirements include membership or
participation in the Security Transfer
Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature guarantee program"
as may be determined by the Note
registrar in addition to, or in
substitution for, STAMP, all in
accordance with the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
________________________________________
Signature Guarantee
A-12
<PAGE> 101
Fill in the registration of shares of Common Stock if to be issued, and Notes if
to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder:
________________________________________
(Name)
________________________________________
(Street Address)
________________________________________
(City, State and Zip Code)
Please print name and address
Principal amount to be converted
(if less than all): $ ________________________________________
Social Security or Other Taxpayer
Identification Number:________________________________________
A-13
<PAGE> 102
OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT
UPON A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE
TO: AMAZON.COM, INC.
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby irrevocably
acknowledges receipt of a notice from Amazon.com, Inc. (the "Company") as to the
occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and requests and
instructs the Company to repay the entire principal amount of this Note, or the
portion thereof (which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) below
designated, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this
Note at the redemption price, together with accrued interest to, but excluding,
such date, to the registered holder hereof.
Date: _______________________________ _______________________________
________________________________________
Signature(s)
NOTICE: The above signatures of the
holder(s) hereof must correspond with
the name as written upon the face of the
Note in every particular without
alteration or enlargement or any change
whatever.
Principal amount to be repaid (if less
than all):
$____________________
________________________________________
Social Security or Other
Taxpayer Identification Number
A-14
<PAGE> 103
ASSIGNMENT
For value received _________________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
transfer(s) unto _________________________ (Please insert social security or
other Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby
irrevocably constitutes and appoints _________________________ attorney to
transfer the said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of
substitution in the premises.
In connection with any transfer of the Note within the United States or to,
or for the account of, U.S. persons (in each case as defined in Regulation S
under the Securities Act) and within the period prior to the expiration of the
holding period applicable to sales thereof under Rule 144(k) under the
Securities Act (or any successor provision) (other than any transfer pursuant to
a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities
Act), the undersigned confirms that such Note is being transferred:
[ ] To Amazon.com, Inc. or a subsidiary thereof; or
[ ] Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or
[ ] To an Institutional Accredited Investor pursuant to and in
compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in a
minimum denomination of $100,000; or
[ ] Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended;
and unless the box below is checked, the undersigned confirms that such Note is
not being transferred to an "affiliate" of the Company as defined in Rule 144
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (an "Affiliate").
[ ] The transferee is an Affiliate of the Company.
Dated: _____________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by
an "eligible guarantor institution"
meeting the requirements of the
Note registrar, which requirements
include
A-15
<PAGE> 104
membership or participation in the
Security Transfer Agent Medallion
Program ("STAMP") or such other
"signature guarantee program" as
may be determined by the Note
registrar in addition to, or in
substitution for, STAMP, all in
accordance with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
_____________________________
Signature Guarantee
NOTICE: The signature of the conversion notice, the option to elect repayment
upon a Fundamental Change or the assignment must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or
enlargement or any change whatever.
A-16
<PAGE> 105
EXHIBIT B
Amazon.com, Inc.
1516 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, NY 10286
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed purchase of 4 3/4% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2009 (the "Notes"), of Amazon.com, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), we confirm that:
1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of Notes or the
Common Stock of the Company issuable upon conversion of the
Notes (the "Common Stock", and together with the Notes, the
"Securities") is subject to certain restrictions and conditions
set forth in the Indenture relating to the Notes (the
"Indenture") and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not
to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Securities except in
compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and all applicable state securities laws.
2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Securities have not
been registered under the Securities Act or pursuant to any
state securities laws, and that the Securities may therefore not
be offered or sold within the United States or to, for the
account or benefit of, U.S. persons except as permitted in the
following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of
any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that
if we should sell any Securities, we will do so only (i) to the
Company or any subsidiary thereof, (ii) inside the United States
in accordance with Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities
Act to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined therein),
(iii) to an "institutional accredited investor" (as defined
below), that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has
furnished on its behalf by a United States broker- dealer) to
the Trustee (as defined in the Indenture) a signed letter
containing certain representations and agreements relating to
the restrictions on transfer of the Securities (the form of
which letter can be obtained from the Trustee), (iv) pursuant to
the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 promulgated
under the Securities Act (if applicable), or (v) pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and
we further agree to provide to any person purchasing any of the
B-1
<PAGE> 106
Securities from us a notice advising such purchaser that any
resale of the Securities are restricted as stated herein.
3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of any Securities, we
will be required to furnish to the Trustee and the Company such
certification, written legal opinions and other information as
the Trustee and the Company may reasonably require to confirm
that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions.
We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a
legend to the foregoing effect.
4. We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in
Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D promulgated
under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience
in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating
the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and
any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the
economic risk of our or their investment, as the case may be.
5. We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our account or
for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional
"accredited investor") as to each of which we exercise sole
investment discretion.
The Company and the Trustee and their respective counsel are entitled
to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter
or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal
proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
THIS LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(Name of Purchaser)
By: ___________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
Address:_______________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
B-2
<PAGE> 1
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
AMAZON.COM, INC.
AS ISSUER,
AND
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED,
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
AND
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION
AS INITIAL PURCHASERS
DATED FEBRUARY 3, 1999
<PAGE> 2
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of
February 3, 1999 by and among Amazon.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Credit Suisse First Boston
and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation (the "Initial
Purchasers") pursuant to the Placement Agreement, dated as of January 29, 1999
(the "Placement Agreement"), among the Company and the Initial Purchasers. In
order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Placement Agreement,
the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this
Agreement. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under
the Placement Agreement.
The Company agrees with the Initial Purchasers, (i) for their benefit
as Initial Purchasers and (ii) for the benefit of the beneficial owners
(including the Initial Purchasers) from time to time of the Notes (as defined
herein) and the beneficial owners from time to time of the Underlying Common
Stock (as defined herein) issued upon conversion of the Notes (each of the
foregoing a "Holder" and together the "Holders"), as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms used herein without
definition shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Placement
Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
AFFILIATE: With respect to any specified person, an "affiliate," as
defined in Rule 144, of such person.
AMENDMENT EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE DATE: See Section 2(d) hereof.
APPLICABLE CONVERSION PRICE: The Applicable Conversion Price as of any
date of determination means the Conversion Price in effect as of such date of
determination or, if no Notes are then outstanding, the Conversion Price that
would be in effect were Notes then outstanding.
BUSINESS DAY: Each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that
is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York or Seattle,
Washington are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
COMMON STOCK: The shares of common stock $0.01 par value of the Company
and any other shares of common stock as may constitute "Common Stock" for
purposes of the Indenture, including the Underlying Common Stock.
CONVERSION PRICE: Conversion Price shall have the meaning assigned such
term in the Indenture.
DAMAGES ACCRUAL PERIOD: See Section 2(e) hereof.
2
<PAGE> 3
DAMAGES PAYMENT DATE: Each interest payment date under the Indenture in
the case of Notes, and each February 1 and August 1 in the case of the
Underlying Common Stock.
DEFERRAL NOTICE: See Section 3(i) hereof.
DEFERRAL PERIOD: See Section 3(i) hereof.
EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE DATE: See Section 2(a) hereof.
EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD: The period of two years from the later of (a) the
Issue Date (b) the last date of original issuance of the Notes, or such shorter
period ending on the date that all Registrable Securities have ceased to be
Registrable Securities.
EVENT: See Section 2(e) hereof.
EVENT DATE: See Section 2(e) hereof.
EVENT TERMINATION DATE: See Section 2(e) hereof.
EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
FILING DEADLINE DATE: See Section 2(a) hereof.
HOLDER: See the second paragraph of this Agreement.
INDENTURE: The Indenture dated as of the date hereof between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are
being issued.
INITIAL PURCHASERS: Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Credit Suisse
First Boston and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.
INITIAL SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: See Section 2(a) hereof.
ISSUE DATE: February 3, 1999.
LIQUIDATED DAMAGES AMOUNT: See Section 2(e) hereof.
LOSSES: See Section 6 hereof.
MATERIAL EVENT: See Section 3(i) hereof.
3
<PAGE> 4
NOTES: The 4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2009 of the
Company to be purchased pursuant to the Placement Agreement.
NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE: A written notice delivered to the Company
containing substantially the information called for by the Selling
Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire attached as Annex B to the Offering
Memorandum of the Company issued January 29, 1999 relating to the Notes.
NOTICE HOLDER: On any date, any Holder that has delivered a Notice and
Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to such date.
PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as
amended or supplemented by any amendment or prospectus supplement, including
post-effective amendments, and all materials incorporated by reference or
explicitly deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
PLACEMENT AGREEMENT: See the first paragraph of this Agreement.
PROVISIONAL REDEMPTION: See Section 3.1(a) of the Indenture.
PROVISIONAL REDEMPTION DATE: See Section 3.1(a) of the Indenture.
RECORD HOLDER: (i) With respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to
any Notes as to which any such Liquidated Damages Amount has accrued, the holder
of record of such Note on the record date with respect to the interest payment
date under the Indenture on which such Damages Payment Date shall occur and (ii)
with respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to the Underlying Common Stock
as to which any such Liquidated Damages Amount has accrued, the registered
holder of such Underlying Common Stock fifteen (15) days prior to the next
succeeding Damages Payment Date.
REGISTRABLE SECURITIES: The Notes until such Notes have been converted
or exchanged into the Underlying Common Stock, and, at all times subsequent to
any such conversion or exchange the Underlying Securities and any securities
into or for which such Underlying Common Stock have been converted or exchanged,
and any security issued with respect thereto upon any stock dividend, split or
similar event until, in the case of any such security, (A) the earliest of (i)
its effective registration under the Securities Act and resale in accordance
with the Registration Statement covering it, (ii) expiration of the holding
period that would be applicable thereto under Rule 144(k) were it not held by an
affiliate of the Company or (iii) its sale to the public pursuant to Rule 144,
and (B) as a result of the event or circumstance described in any of the
foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), the legends with respect to transfer
restrictions required under the Indenture are removed or removable in accordance
with the terms of the Indenture.
4
<PAGE> 5
REGISTRATION EXPENSES: See Section 5 hereof.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Company that
covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such
registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and
all materials incorporated by reference or explicitly deemed to be incorporated
by reference in such registration statement.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES: As this term is defined in Rule 144.
RULE 144: Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the SEC.
RULE 144A: Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the SEC.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
SECURITIES ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: See Section 2(a) hereof.
SUBSEQUENT SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: See Section 2(b) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
TRUSTEE: The Bank of New York (or any successor entity), the Trustee
under the Indenture.
UNDERLYING COMMON STOCK: The Common Stock into which the Notes are
convertible or issued upon any such conversion.
SECTION 2. SHELF REGISTRATION. (a) The Company shall prepare and file
or cause to be prepared and filed with the SEC, as soon as practicable but in
any event by the date (the "Filing Deadline Date") ninety (90) days after the
Issue Date, a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act (a "Shelf
Registration Statement") registering the resale from time to time by Holders
thereof of all of the Registrable Securities (the "Initial Shelf Registration
Statement"). The Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 or
another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities
for resale by such Holders in accordance with the methods of distribution
elected by the Holders and set forth in the Initial Shelf Registration
Statement. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause
the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to
5
<PAGE> 6
be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is practicable but
in any event by the date (the "Effectiveness Deadline Date") that is one hundred
eighty (180) days after the Issue Date, and to keep the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement (or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement)
continuously effective under the Securities Act until the expiration of the
Effectiveness Period. At the time the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is
declared effective, each Holder that became a Notice Holder on or prior to the
date ten (10) Business Days prior to such time of effectiveness shall be named
as a selling securityholder in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and the
related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such
Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable
law. None of the Company's security holders (other than the Holders of
Registrable Securities) shall have the right to include any of the Company's
securities in the Shelf Registration Statement.
(b) If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement or any Subsequent Shelf
Registration Statement ceases to be effective for any reason at any time during
the Effectiveness Period (other than because all Registrable Securities
registered thereunder shall have been resold pursuant thereto or shall have
ceased to be Registrable Securities), the Company shall use its reasonable
efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within thirty (30) days of such
cessation of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration Statement in a manner
reasonably expected to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, or file an additional Shelf Registration Statement
covering all of the securities that as of the date of such filing are
Registrable Securities (a "Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement"). If a
Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use
reasonable efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to
become effective as promptly as is practicable after such filing and to keep
such Registration Statement (or subsequent Shelf Registration Statement)
continuously effective until the end of the Effectiveness Period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company has given a notice of
Provisional Redemption it shall use its reasonable efforts to ensure that the
Shelf Registration Statement be effective and available for use at all times
prior to the Provisional Redemption Date.
(c) The Company shall supplement and amend the Shelf Registration
Statement if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to
the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement,
if required by the Securities Act or, to the extent to which the Company does
not reasonably object, as reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or by
the Trustee on behalf of the registered Holders or by any Managing Underwriter
in the event of an Underwritten Offering.
(d) Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that if such Holder
wishes to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement
and related Prospectus, it will do so only in accordance with this Section 2(d)
and Section 3(i). Each Holder of Registrable Securities wishing to sell
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and related
Prospectus agrees to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company at least
three (3)
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<PAGE> 7
Business Days prior to any intended distribution of Registrable Securities under
the Shelf Registration Statement. From and after the date the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective, the Company shall, as promptly as
practicable after the date a Notice and Questionnaire is delivered, and in any
event upon the later of (x) five (5) Business Days after such date or (y) five
(5) Business Days after the expiration of any Deferral Period in effect when the
Notice and Questionnaire is delivered or put into effect within five (5)
Business Days of such delivery date, (i) if required by applicable law, file
with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement or
prepare and, if required by applicable law, file a supplement to the related
Prospectus or a supplement or amendment to any document incorporated therein by
reference or file any other required document so that the Holder delivering such
Notice and Questionnaire is named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit
such Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of the Registrable
Securities in accordance with applicable law and, if the Company shall file a
post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement, use reasonable
efforts to cause such post-effective amendment to be declared effective under
the Securities Act as promptly as is practicable, but in any event by the date
(the "Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date") that is forty-five (45) days after
the date such post-effective amendment is required by this clause to be filed;
(ii) provide such Holder copies of any documents filed pursuant to Section
2(d)(i); and (iii) notify such Holder as promptly as practicable after the
effectiveness under the Securities Act of any post-effective amendment filed
pursuant to Section 2(d)(i); provided, that if such Notice and Questionnaire is
delivered during a Deferral Period, the Company shall so inform the Holder
delivering such Notice and Questionnaire and shall take the actions set forth in
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above upon expiration of the Deferral Period in
accordance with Section 3(i). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, (i) the Company shall be under no obligation to name any Holder that
is not a Notice Holder as a selling securityholder in any Registration Statement
or related Prospectus and (ii) the Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date shall
be extended by up to ten (10) Business Days from the expiration of a Deferral
Period (and the Company shall incur no obligation to pay Liquidated Damages
during such extension) if such Deferral Period shall be in effect on the
Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date.
(e) The parties hereto agree that the Holders of Registrable Securities
will suffer damages, and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent
of such damages with precision, if (i) the Initial Shelf Registration Statement
has not been filed on or prior to the Filing Deadline Date, (ii) the Initial
Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective under the
Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Deadline Date, (iii) the Company
has failed to perform its obligations set forth in Section 2(d) within the time
period required therein or (iv) the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in
any period exceeds the number of days permitted in respect of such period
pursuant to Section 3(i) hereof or (each of the events of a type described in
any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) are individually referred to
herein as an "Event," and the Filing Deadline Date in the case of clause (i),
the Effectiveness Deadline Date in the case of clause (ii), the date by which
the Company is required to perform its obligations set forth in Section 2(d) in
the case of clause (iii) (including the filing of any post-effective amendment
prior to the Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date) and the date on which the
aggregate duration of
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<PAGE> 8
Deferral Periods in any period exceeds the number of days permitted by Section
3(i) hereof in the case of clause (iv) being referred to herein as an "Event
Date"). Events shall be deemed to continue until the "Event Termination Date,"
which shall be the following dates with respect to the respective types of
Events: the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is filed in the case
of an Event of the type described in clause (i), the date the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act in the
case of an Event of the type described in clause (ii), the date the Company
performs its obligations set forth in Section 2(d) in the case of an Event of
the type described in clause (iii) (including, without limitation, the date the
relevant post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement is
declared effective under the Securities Act), and termination of the Deferral
Period that caused the limit on the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in a
period set forth in Section 3(i) to be exceeded in the case of the commencement
of an Event of the type described in clause (iv).
Accordingly, commencing on (and including) any Event Date and ending on
(but excluding) the next date on which there are no Events that have occurred
and are continuing (a "Damages Accrual Period"), the Company agrees to pay, as
liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount (the "Liquidated Damages
Amount"), payable on the Damages Payment Dates to Record Holders of Notes that
are Registrable Securities and of shares of Underlying Common Stock issued upon
conversion of Notes that are Registrable Securities, as the case may be,
accruing, for each portion of such Damages Accrual Period beginning on and
including a Damages Payment Date (or, in respect of the first time that the
Liquidated Damages Amount is to be paid to Holders on a Damages Payment Date as
a result of the occurrence of any particular Event, from the Event Date) and
ending on but excluding the first to occur of (A) the date of the end of the
Damages Accrual Period or (B) the Next Damages Payment Date, at a rate per annum
equal to one-half of one percent (0.5 %) of the aggregate principal amount of
such Notes and the Applicable Conversion Price of such shares of Underlying
Common Stock, as the cast may be, in each case determined as of the Business Day
immediately preceding the next Damages Payment Date; provided, that in the case
of a Damages Accrual Period that is in effect solely as a result of an Event of
the type described in clause (iii) of the immediately preceding paragraph, such
Liquidated Damages Amount shall be paid only to the Holders that have delivered
Notice and Questionnaires that caused the Company to incur the obligations set
forth in Section 2(d) the non-performance of which is the basis of such Event,
provided further, that any Liquidated Damages Amount accrued with respect to any
Note or portion thereof called for redemption on a redemption date or converted
into Underlying Common Stock on a conversion date prior to the Damages Payment
Date, shall, in any such event, be paid instead to the Holder who submitted such
Note or portion thereof for redemption or conversion on the applicable
redemption date or conversion date, as the case may be, on such date (or
promptly following the conversion date, in the case of conversion).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Liquidated Damages Amounts shall accrue as to
any Registrable Security from and after the earlier of (x) the date such
security is no longer a Registrable Security and (y) expiration of the
Effectiveness Period. The rate of accrual of the Liquidated Damages Amount with
respect to any period shall not exceed the rate provided for in this paragraph
notwithstanding the occurrence of multiple concurrent Events. Following the cure
of all Events requiring the payment by the Company of Liquidated Damages Amounts
to
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<PAGE> 9
the Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section, the accrual of
Liquidated Damages Amounts will cease (without in any way limiting the effect of
any subsequent Event requiring the payment of Liquidated Damages Amount by the
Company).
The Trustee shall be entitled, on behalf of Holders of Notes or
Underlying Common Stock, to seek any available remedy for the enforcement of
this Agreement, including for the payment of any Liquidated Damages Amount.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the sole damages payable
for a violation of the terms of this Agreement with respect to which liquidated
damages are expressly provided shall be such liquidated damages. Nothing shall
preclude a Notice Holder or Holder of Registrable Securities from pursuing or
obtaining specific performance or other equitable relief with respect to this
Agreement.
All of the Company's obligations set forth in this Section 2(e) that
are outstanding with respect to any Registrable Security at the time such
security ceases to be a Registrable Security shall survive until such time as
all such obligations with respect to such security have been satisfied in full
(notwithstanding termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8(k)).
The parties hereto agree that the liquidated damages provided for in
this Section 2(e) constitute a reasonable estimate of the damages that may be
incurred by Holders of Registrable Securities by reason of the failure of the
Shelf Registration Statement to be filed or declared effective or available for
effecting resales of Registrable Securities in accordance with the provisions
hereof.
SECTION 3. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. In connection with the registration
obligations of the Company under Section 2 hereof, the Company shall:
(a) Before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto with the SEC, furnish to counsel to the
Initial Purchasers copies of all such documents proposed to be filed and use
reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document when so filed with the SEC
such comments as counsel to the Initial Purchasers reasonably shall propose
within five (5) Business Days of the delivery of such copies to the Initial
Purchasers.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable period
specified in Section 2(a); cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by
any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant
to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act;
and use its reasonable best efforts to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such Registration Statement during the Effectiveness
Period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers
thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or such
Prospectus as so supplemented.
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<PAGE> 10
(c) As promptly as practicable give notice to counsel to the Notice
Holders and the Initial Purchasers (i) when any Prospectus, Prospectus
supplement, Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to a Registration
Statement has been filed with the SEC and, with respect to a Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has been declared
effective, (ii) of any request, following the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement under the Securities Act, by the SEC or any other federal
or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to any
Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information,
(iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental
authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration
Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose,
(iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the
suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the occurrence of (but
not the nature of or details concerning) a Material Event and (vi) of the
determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to a Registration
Statement will be filed with the SEC, which notice may, at the discretion of the
Company (or as required pursuant to Section 3 (i)), state that it constitutes a
Deferral Notice, in which event the provisions of Section 3(i) shall apply.
(d) Use reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting of any
suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in which they have been
qualified for sale, in either case at the earliest possible moment.
(e) if reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or any Notice
Holder, as promptly as practicable incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement such information as the
Initial Purchasers or such Notice Holder shall, on the basis of an opinion of
nationally-recognized counsel experienced in such matters, determine to be
required to be included therein by applicable law and make any required filings
of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment; provided, that
the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 3(e)
that are not, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company, in
compliance with applicable law.
(f) As promptly as practicable furnish to each Notice Holder and the
Initial Purchasers, without charge, at least one (1) conformed copy of the
Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, including financial statements
but excluding schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference and all exhibits (unless requested in writing to the
Company by such Notice Holder or the Initial Purchasers, as the case may be).
(g) During the Effectiveness Period, deliver to each Notice Holder in
connection with any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses
relating to such Registrable Securities (including each preliminary prospectus)
and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Notice Holder may
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<PAGE> 11
reasonably request; and the Company hereby consents (except during such periods
that a Deferral Notice is outstanding and has not been revoked) to the use of
such Prospectus or each amendment or supplement thereto by each Notice Holder in
connection with any offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by
such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in the manner set forth
therein.
(h) Prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant
to the Shelf Registration Statement, register or qualify or cooperate with the
Notice Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or
exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable
Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as any Notice Holder reasonably requests
in writing (which request may be included in the Notice and Questionnaire);
prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement, keep each such registration or qualification (or
exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period in connection
with such Notice Holder's offer and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to
such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) and do any and all
other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities in the manner set forth in the
relevant Registration Statement and the related Prospectus; provided, that the
Company will not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a
dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be
required to qualify but for this Agreement or (ii) take any action that would
subject it to general service of process in suits or to taxation in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) Upon (A) the issuance by the SEC of a stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation of
proceedings with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement under Section 8(d)
or 8(e) of the Securities Act, (B) the occurrence of any event or the existence
of any fact (a "Material Event") as a result of which any Registration Statement
shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, or any Prospectus shall contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, or (C) the occurrence or existence
of any pending corporate development that, in the reasonable discretion of the
Company, makes it appropriate to suspend the availability of the Shelf
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus, (i) in the case of clause (B)
above, subject to the next sentence, as promptly as practicable prepare and
file, if necessary pursuant to applicable law, a post-effective amendment to
such Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any
document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document
that would be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement and
Prospectus so that such Registration Statement does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
such Prospectus does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein, in the light of the
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<PAGE> 12
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, as thereafter
delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder,
and, in the case of a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement,
subject to the next sentence, use its reasonable efforts to cause it to be
declared effective as promptly as is practicable, and (ii) give notice to the
Notice Holders that the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement is
suspended (a "Deferral Notice") and, upon receipt of any Deferral Notice, each
Notice Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement until such Notice Holder's receipt of copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in clause (i) above, or until it
is advised in writing by the Company that the Prospectus may be used, and has
received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated
or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The Company will use
reasonable best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed
(x) in the case of clause (A) above, as promptly as is practicable, (y) in the
case of clause (B) above, as soon as, in the sole judgment of the Company,
public disclosure of such Material Event would not be prejudicial to or contrary
to the interests of the Company or, if necessary to avoid unreasonable burden or
expense, as soon as practicable thereafter and (z) in the case of clause (C)
above, as soon as, in the discretion of the Company, such suspension is no
longer appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company has
given notice of a Provisional Redemption it shall use its reasonable efforts to
ensure the use of the Prospectus may be resumed in the case of clause (A), (B)
or (C) above as promptly as is practicable. The Company shall be entitled to
exercise its right under this Section 3(i) to suspend the availability of the
Shelf Registration Statement or any Prospectus, without incurring or accruing
any obligation to pay liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(e), for a period
not to exceed 60 days in any three-month period or not to exceed an aggregate 90
days in any 12-month period (such period during which the availability of the
Registration Statement and any Prospectus is suspended being the "Deferral
Period").
(j) If requested in writing in connection with a disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, make reasonably
available for inspection during normal business hours by a representative for
the Notice Holders of such Registrable Securities and any broker-dealers,
attorneys and accountants retained by such Notice Holders, all relevant
financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the
Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the appropriate officers, directors and
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to make reasonably available for
inspection during normal business hours all relevant information reasonably
requested by such representative for the Notice Holders or any such
broker-dealers, attorneys or accountants in connection with such disposition, in
each case as is customary for similar "due diligence" examinations; provided,
however, that such persons shall first agree in writing with the Company that
any information that is reasonably and in good faith designated by the Company
in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be
kept confidential by such persons and shall be used solely for the purposes of
exercising rights under this Agreement, unless (i) disclosure of such
information is required by court or administrative order or is necessary to
respond to inquiries of regulatory authorities, (ii) disclosure of such
information is required by law (including any disclosure requirements pursuant
to federal securities laws in connection with the filing of any Registration
Statement or
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<PAGE> 13
the use of any Prospectus referred to in this Agreement), (iii) such information
becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure
or failure to safeguard by any such person or (iv) such information becomes
available to any such person from a source other than the Company and such
source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement, and provided further, that
the foregoing inspection and information gathering shall, to the greatest extent
possible, be coordinated on behalf of all the Notice Holders and the other
parties entitled thereto by the counsel referred to in Section 5.
(k) Use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules
and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to its securityholders
earning statements (which need not be audited) satisfying the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule
promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any
3-month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period
is a fiscal year) commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the
Company commencing after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which
statements shall cover said periods.
(l) Cooperate with each Notice Holder to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities
sold or to be sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates
shall not bear any restrictive legends, and cause such Registrable Securities to
be in such denominations as are permitted by the Indenture and registered in
such names as such Notice Holder may request in writing at least two (2)
Business Days prior to any sale of such Registrable Securities.
(m) Provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities covered by
each Registration Statement not later than the effective date of such
Registration Statement and provide the Trustee and the transfer agent for the
Common Stock with printed certificates for the Registrable Securities that are
in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.
(n) Provide such information as is required for any filings required to
be made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(o) Upon (i) the filing of the Initial Registration Statement and (ii)
the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, announce the same, in
each case by release to Reuters Economic Services and Bloomberg Business News.
SECTION 4. HOLDER'S OBLIGATIONS. Each Holder agrees, by acquisition of
the Registrable Securities, that no Holder of Registrable Securities shall be
entitled to sell any of such Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement or to receive a Prospectus relating thereto, unless such Holder has
furnished the Company with a Notice and Questionnaire as required pursuant to
Section 2(d) hereof (including the information required to be included in such
Notice and Questionnaire) and the information set forth in the next sentence.
Each Notice Holder agrees promptly to furnish to the Company all information
required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished
to the Company by such Notice Holder not
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<PAGE> 14
misleading and any other information regarding such Notice Holder and the
distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time
reasonably request. Any sale of any Registrable Securities by any Holder shall
constitute a representation and warranty by such Holder that the information
relating to such Holder and its plan of distribution is as set forth in the
Prospectus delivered by such Holder in connection with such disposition, that
such Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale contain any untrue
statement of a material fact relating to or provided by such Holder or its plan
of distribution and that such Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale
omit to state any material fact relating to or provided by such Holder or its
plan of distribution necessary to make the statements in such Prospectus, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
SECTION 5. REGISTRATION EXPENSES. The Company shall bear all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the performance by the Company of its
obligations under Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement whether or not any of the
Registration Statements are declared effective. Such fees and expenses shall
include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including,
without limitation, fees and expenses (x) with respect to filings required to be
made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and (y) of
compliance with federal and state securities or Blue Sky laws (including,
without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of the counsel specified
in the next sentence in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the
Registrable Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Notice
Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement may designate), (ii) printing expenses (including,
without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities
in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company), (iii)
duplication expenses relating to copies of any Registration Statement or
Prospectus delivered to any Holders hereunder, (iv) fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, (v)
reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel and of the
registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock and (vi) Securities Act
liability insurance obtained by the Company in its sole discretion. In addition,
the Company shall bear or reimburse the Notice Holders for the reasonable fees
and disbursements of one firm of legal counsel for the Holders, which shall
initially be Shearman & Sterling, but which may, with the written consent of the
Initial Purchasers (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), be another
nationally recognized law firm experienced in securities law matters designated
by the Company. In addition, the Company shall pay the internal expenses of the
Company (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers
and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual
audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the
Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which similar securities of
the Company are then listed and the fees and expenses of any person, including
special experts, retained by the Company. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 5, each seller of Registrable Securities shall pay selling expenses and
all registration expenses to the extent required by applicable law.
SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION.
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(a) INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY. The Company shall indemnify and
hold harmless each Notice Holder and each person, if any, who controls any
Notice Holder (within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act) from and against any losses, liabilities,
claims, damages and expenses (including, without limitation, any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any
such action or claim) (collectively, "Losses"), arising out of or based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto
or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided,
however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent
that any such Losses arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement contained in or omission or alleged omission from any
of such documents in reliance upon and conformity with any of the information
relating to the Holders furnished to the Company in writing by a Holder
expressly for use therein; provided further, that the indemnification contained
in this paragraph shall not inure to the benefit of any Holder of Registrable
Securities (or to the benefit of any person controlling such Holder) on account
of any such Losses arising out of or based upon an untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any preliminary
prospectus provided in each case the Company has completed with its several
obligations under Section 3(a) hereof if either (A) (i) such Holder failed to
send or deliver a copy of the Prospectus with or prior to the delivery of
written confirmation of the sale by such Holder to the person asserting the
claim from which such Losses arise and (ii) the Prospectus would have corrected
such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or such omission or alleged
omission, or (B) (x) such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, omission
or alleged omission is corrected in an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus
and (y) having previously been furnished by or on behalf of the Company with
copies of the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, such Holder thereafter
fails to deliver such Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, with or prior to
the delivery of written confirmation of the sale of a Registrable Security to
the person asserting the claim from which such Losses arise.
(b) INDEMNIFICATION BY HOLDERS OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. Each Holder
agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and
its respective directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls the
Company (within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act) or any other Holder, from and against all Losses
arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any
amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out
of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company by
such Holder expressly for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or
amendment or
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supplement thereto. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder of
Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of
the proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification
obligation.
(c) CONDUCT OF INDEMNIFICATION PROCEEDINGS. In case any proceeding
(including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any
person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the two
preceding paragraphs, such person (the "indemnified party") shall promptly
notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying
party") in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified
party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to
represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may
designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and disbursements
of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any
indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party
unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually
agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such
proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party
and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel
would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between
them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the
legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or
related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for
all indemnified parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed
as they are incurred. Such separate firm shall be designated in writing by, in
the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a), the Holders of a
majority (with Holders of Notes deemed to be the Holders, for purposes of
determining such majority, of the number of shares of Underlying Common Stock
into which such Notes are or would be convertible or exchangeable as of the date
on which such designation is made) of the Registrable Securities covered by the
Registration Statement held by Holders that are indemnified parties pursuant to
Section 6(a) and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b),
the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of
any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such
consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying
party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or
liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the
foregoing sentence, if it any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of
counsel and the indemnified party would be entitled thereto pursuant to the
second and third sentences of this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that
it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after
receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such
indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance
with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party
shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any
settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any
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indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been
sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding.
(d) CONTRIBUTION. To the extent that the indemnification provided for
in this Section 6 is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 6(a) or
6(b) hereof in respect of any Losses or is insufficient to hold such indemnified
party harmless, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying
such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such Losses (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party
or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party or parties on the other
hand or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of
the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party
or parties on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that
resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net
proceeds from the initial placement pursuant to the Placement Agreement (before
deducting expenses) of the Registrable Securities to which such Losses relate.
Benefits received by any Holder shall be deemed to be equal to the value of
receiving Registrable Securities that are registered under the Securities Act.
The relative fault of the Holders on the one hand and the Company on the other
hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Holders
or by the Company, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Holders' respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this paragraph are
several in proportion to the respective number of Registrable Securities they
have sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, and not joint.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method or allocation that does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses
referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding this Section 6(d), an
indemnifying party that is a selling Holder of Registrable Securities shall not
be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Registrable Securities sold by such indemnifying party and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages that such indemnifying party has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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(e) The indemnity, contribution and expense reimbursement obligations
of the parties hereunder shall be in addition to any liability any indemnified
party may otherwise have hereunder, under the Placement Agreement or otherwise.
(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section
6 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any
termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of
any Holder or any person controlling any Holder, or the Company, or the
Company's officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii)
the sale of any Registrable Securities by any Holder.
SECTION 7. INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS. (a) The Company covenants that, if
at any time before the end of the Effectiveness Period the Company is not
subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, it will cooperate
with any Holder of Registrable Securities and take such further reasonable
action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request in writing
(including, without limitation, making such reasonable representations as any
such Holder may reasonably request), all to the extent required from time to
time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration
under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by
Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the Securities Act and customarily taken in
connection with sales pursuant to such exemptions. Upon the written request of
any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a
written statement as to whether it has complied with such filing requirements,
unless such a statement has been included in the Company's most recent report
filed pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of Exchange Act. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company
to register any of its securities (other than the Common Stock) under any
section of the Exchange Act.
SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) NO CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS. The Company is not, as of the date
hereof, a party to, nor shall it, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter
into, any agreement with respect to its securities that conflicts with the
rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement. The
Company represents and warrants that the rights granted to the Holders of
Registrable Securities hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights
granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any other agreements.
(b) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement, including
the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented,
and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be
given, unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of a
majority of the then outstanding Underlying Common Stock constituting
Registrable Securities (with Holders of Notes deemed to be the Holders, for
purposes of this Section, of the number of outstanding shares of Underlying
Common Stock into which such Notes are or would be convertible or exchangeable
as of the date
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on which such consent is requested). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or
consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that
relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Securities whose
securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not
directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders of Registrable
Securities may be given by Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable
Securities being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement;
provided, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or
supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately
preceding sentence. Each Holder of Registrable Securities outstanding at the
time of any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent or
thereafter shall be bound by any such amendment, modification, supplement,
waiver or consent effected pursuant to this Section 8(b), whether or not any
notice, writing or marking indicating such amendment, modification, supplement,
waiver or consent appears on the Registrable Securities or is delivered to such
Holder.
(c) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall he made in writing by hand delivery, by telecopier, by
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or by first-class mail, return receipt
requested, and shall be deemed given (i) when made, if made by hand delivery,
(ii) upon confirmation, if made by telecopier, (iii) one (1) Business Day after
being deposited with such courier, if made by overnight courier or (iv) on the
date indicated on the notice of receipt, if made by first-class mail, to the
parties as follows:
(w) if to a Holder of Registrable Securities, at the most
current address given by such Holder to the Company in a
Notice and Questionnaire or any amendment thereto;
(x) if to the Company, to:
Amazon.Com, Inc.
1516 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Attention: Randy Tinsley
Telecopy No.: (206) 694-2082
and
Perkins Coie
1201 Third Avenue
40th Floor
Seattle, WA 98101
Attn: L. Michelle Wilson, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (206) 583-8500
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(y) if to the Initial Purchasers, to:
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
1585 Broadway
New York, New York
Attention: Equity Capital Markets
Telecopy No.: (212) 761-0356
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and
Shearman & Sterling
1550 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Attention: William H. Hinman, Esq.
Telecopy No. (415) 616-1199
or to such other address as such person may have furnished to the other persons
identified in this Section 8(c) in writing in accordance herewith.
(d) APPROVAL OF HOLDERS. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of
a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder,
Registrable Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (as such term is
defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (other than the Initial Purchasers
or subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities if such subsequent Holders are
deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such
Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent
or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
(e) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Any person who purchases any Registrable
Securities from the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed, for purposes of this
Agreement, to be an assignee of the Initial Purchasers. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each
of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each Holder
of any Registrable Securities.
(f) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be original and all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(g) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(h) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS
OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
(i) SEVERABILITY. If any term provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated thereby, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to
find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the
same result as that
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contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction, it being intended
that all of the rights and privileges of the parties shall be enforceable to the
fullest extent permitted by law.
(j) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and
exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in
respect of the subject matter contained herein and the registration rights
granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. Except as
provided in the Placement Agreement, there are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein,
with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to
the Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
undertakings among the parties with respect to such registration rights. No
party hereto shall have any rights, duties or obligations other than those
specifically set forth in this Agreement. In no event will such method[s] of
distribution take the form of an underwritten offering of the Registrable
Securities without the prior agreement of the Company.
(k) TERMINATION. This Agreement and the obligations of the parties
hereunder shall terminate upon the end of the Effectiveness Period, except for
any liabilities or obligations under Section 4, 5 or 6 hereof and the
obligations to make payments of and provide for liquidated damages under Section
2(e) hereof to the extent such damages accrue prior to the end of the
Effectiveness Period, each of which shall remain in effect in accordance with
its terms.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
AMAZON.COM, INC.
By/s/ Randy Tinsley
----------------------------------
Name:Randy Tinsley
Title:Treasurer
Confirmed and accepted as of
the date first above written:
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION
By: MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
INCORPORATED
By/s/ William R. Salisbury
----------------------------------
Name:William R. Salisbury
Title:Principal
