<PAGE>
TYPE: 6-K
SEQUENCE: 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of March, 2000
--------------------
THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
(formerly known as M.A.I.D plc)
(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
--------------------
THE COMMUNICATIONS BUILDING
48 LEICESTER SQUARE
LONDON WC2H 7DB, ENGLAND
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
---------------------
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
FORM 20-F /X/ FORM 40-F /_/
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934:
YES /_/ NO /X/
<PAGE>
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, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 29, 2000
THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
By: /s/ David G. Mattey
-------------------------------------
David G. Mattey
Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
99.1. Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement
99.2. Consent and Letter of Transmittal
99.3. Letter to Clients
99.4. Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and
Other Nominees
99.5. Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
99.6. Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9
<PAGE>
OFFER TO PURCHASE AND CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT
THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
ANY AND ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING
11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
AND SOLICITATION OF CONSENTS FOR
AMENDMENT OF RELATED INDENTURE
THE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON APRIL 20,
2000, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). HOLDERS OF NOTES MUST TENDER
THEIR NOTES AND PROVIDE THEIR CONSENTS (AS DEFINED BELOW) ON OR PRIOR TO THE
EXPIRATION DATE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE TENDER PAYMENT (AS DEFINED BELOW).
TENDERED NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION
DATE. CONSENTS MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION OF THE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).
The Dialog Corporation plc, a company incorporated in England and Wales
(the "Company"), hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement (the
"Statement") and in the Consent and Letter of Transmittal (the "Consent and
Letter of Transmittal" and, together with the Statement, the "Offer"), to
purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding 11% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2007 (the "Notes").
The consideration for each $1,000 principal amount of the Notes tendered
pursuant to the Offer shall be the price equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal
amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not
including, the date of payment (the "Payment Date") for (or deposit with The
Bank of New York, as Depositary (the "Depositary"), of an amount of money
sufficient to pay for) the Notes accepted for purchase (the "Tender Payment").
In conjunction with the Offer, the Company hereby solicits (the
"Solicitation") consents (the "Consents") to the adoption of certain proposed
amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to the Indenture (as defined herein)
pursuant to which the Notes were issued and subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Offer. The Proposed Amendments with respect to
the Indenture would eliminate or amend certain covenants, and eliminate or
amend certain "events of default". In addition, all Note Guarantees (as
defined in the Indenture) executed by subsidiaries of the Company that are
being sold as part of the Asset Sale Transaction (as defined herein) will, as
a result of the consummation of the Asset Sale Transaction, be eliminated.
Following consummation of the Asset Sale Transaction, the only remaining Note
Guarantor (as defined in the Indenture) will be Dialog Holdings Limited.
Tenders of Notes may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration
Date. Each registered holder of Notes (a "Holder" and collectively "Holders")
may not validly revoke a Consent unless such Holder validly withdraws such
Holder's previously tendered Notes. The valid withdrawal of a Holder's Notes
prior to the execution of the Supplemental Indenture (as defined herein) will
constitute the concurrent valid revocation of such Holder's Consent. If a
Holder's Notes are not properly tendered pursuant to the Offer prior to the
close of business on the Expiration Date or such Holder's Consents either are
not properly delivered, or are revoked and not properly redelivered, prior to
the close of business on the Expiration Date, such Holder will not receive a
Tender Payment even though the Proposed Amendments will be effective as to any
of such Holder's Notes which are not purchased in the Offer. Current Holders
of Notes (each a "Current Holder") who tender their Notes in the Offer must
deliver a corresponding Consent to the Proposed Amendments; however, if a
Current Holder is not the Record Holder (as defined herein) of such Notes, the
Consent to the Proposed Amendments must be accompanied by a Consent Proxy (as
defined herein) properly executed by such Record Holder and delivered together
with the Current Holder's Notes in order to receive the Tender Payment. The
completion, execution and delivery of a Consent and Letter of Transmittal by a
Holder tendering Notes pursuant to the Offer will be deemed to constitute the
Consent of such tendering Holder to the Proposed Amendments with respect to
such Notes.
Only holders of record as of the close of business New York City time on
March 24, 2000 (each a "Record Holder") will be entitled to provide Consents
which are effective to approve the Proposed Amendments.
The Company will pay the Tender Payment to Holders who validly tender
their Notes and deliver their Consents prior to the Expiration Date. Payment
of the Tender Payment for Notes validly tendered (and not withdrawn) and
accepted for payment shall be made on the Payment Date, which shall be as soon
as practicable following the Acceptance Date (as defined herein). This Offer
may be amended or extended.
THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE SATISFACTION OF THE
MINIMUM TENDER CONDITION (AS DEFINED HEREIN), THE CONSENT CONDITION (AS
DEFINED HEREIN), THE ASSET SALE CONDITION (AS DEFINED HEREIN) AND THE BANK
FACILITY REPAYMENT CONDITION (AS DEFINED HEREIN). THE OFFER IS SUBJECT TO THE
CONDITION THAT AT LEAST 95% OF THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE NOTES
BE VALIDLY TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE (THE
"MINIMUM TENDER CONDITION").
IF THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION ARE NOT CONSUMMATED, THE COMPANY MAY
NEED TO SEEK PROTECTION UNDER CHAPTER 11 OF THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY CODE
AND WILL POSSIBLY ADOPT A FORMAL INSOLVENCY PROCEDURE IN THE U.K. PURSUANT TO
THE INSOLVENCY ACT 1986.
----------------------------
THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION AGENT FOR THE
SOLICITATION IS:
WASSERSTEIN PERELLA & CO., INC.
March 24, 2000
<PAGE>
THIS STATEMENT CONSTITUTES NEITHER AN OFFER TO PURCHASE NOR A SOLICITATION
OF CONSENTS IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH, OR TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO OR FROM
WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION UNDER APPLICABLE
SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS. THE DELIVERY OF THIS STATEMENT SHALL NOT UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ATTACHMENTS HERETO OR IN
THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES SINCE THE
DATE HEREOF.
IMPORTANT
The Company has fixed the close of business in New York on March 24, 2000 as
the record date (the "Record Date"). Only Record Holders who are registered on
the books of the registrar for the Notes on the Record Date are authorized to
provide Consents to the Proposed Amendments. The procedures by which Notes may
be tendered and Consents may be given by beneficial owners that are not
registered Holders will depend upon the manner in which the Notes are held and
are set forth below and in Section 8.
A Current Holder desiring to tender Notes and deliver Consents to the
Proposed Amendments with respect to such Notes should complete and sign the
Consent and Letter of Transmittal with respect to such Notes (or a facsimile
thereof) (provided, however, that if such Holder is not the Record Holder, the
Current Holder must obtain a Consent Proxy in the form attached to the Consent
and Letter of Transmittal (the "Consent Proxy") properly executed by such Record
Holder in accordance with the instructions (the "Instructions") in the Consent
and Letter of Transmittal), have the signature thereon guaranteed if required by
Instruction 1 of the Consent and Letter of Transmittal and deliver it, together
with any other required documents, to the Depositary, which will act as agent
for tendering Holders for the purpose of receiving payment from the Company and
transmitting such payment to tendering Holders, at its address set forth on the
back cover page of this Statement and either (i) deliver certificates
representing such Notes to the Depositary pursuant to the procedure for physical
delivery set forth in Section 8 or (ii) cause such Notes to be transferred into
the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in
Section 8) pursuant to the procedures for book-entry delivery set forth in
Section 8, with a Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined in Section 8) with respect
to such Notes received by the Depositary, in each case, on or prior to the
Expiration Date. To be valid, tenders must be received by the Depositary on or
prior to the Expiration Date. Any Holder who desires to tender Notes and whose
Notes are not immediately available, or who cannot complete the procedures for
book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may tender such Notes by following the
procedures for guaranteed delivery set forth in Section 8.
Beneficial owners whose Notes are held of record in the name of a broker,
dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee must instruct such
registered Holder to tender Notes and deliver Consents on the beneficial owner's
behalf. A Letter of Instructions is included in the materials provided along
with this Statement which may be used by a beneficial owner to instruct the
registered Holder to tender Notes and deliver Consents. See Section 8.
The Depositary and The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") have confirmed that
the Offer and the Solicitation are eligible for the DTC Automated Tender Offer
Program ("ATOP"). Accordingly, DTC participants may electronically transmit
their acceptance of the Offer by causing DTC to transfer Notes to the Depositary
in accordance with DTC's ATOP procedures for transfer. In addition, DTC
participants may electronically transmit their Consent as part of their
electronic transmission of their acceptance of the Offer. DTC will then send an
Agent's Message (as defined in Section 8) to the Depositary. See Section 8.
Pursuant to authority granted by DTC, any DTC participant which has Notes
credited to its DTC account at any time (and thereby held of record by DTC's
nominee) may directly provide a Consent to the Proposed Amendments as though it
were the registered Holder by so completing, executing and delivering the
Consent and Letter of Transmittal. See Section 8.
Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to Wasserstein
Perella & Co., Inc. (the "Dealer Manager") at its address and telephone number
set forth on the back cover of this Statement. Additional
2
<PAGE>
copies of this Statement, the Consent and Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery and other related materials may be obtained from D.F.
King & Co., Inc. (the "Information Agent") or from brokers, dealers, commercial
banks and trust companies.
Holders will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or commissions of the
Dealer Manager or the Depositary.
THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER AND SOLICITATION TO
WAIVE ANY AND ALL CONDITIONS TO SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION AND TO ACCEPT FOR
PURCHASE ANY NOTE TENDERED PURSUANT TO SUCH OFFER. SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THIS OFFER AND
SOLICITATION, THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EXTEND OR TERMINATE THE OFFER
AND SOLICITATION, OR TO OTHERWISE AMEND THE OFFER AND SOLICITATION IN ANY
RESPECT.
THIS OFFER AND SOLICITATION AND THE CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE READ BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE
WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION.
NONE OF THE COMPANY, THE DEPOSITARY, THE DEALER MANAGER, THE INFORMATION
AGENT, THE TRUSTEE NOR ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION TO ANY
HOLDER AS TO WHETHER OR NOT TO TENDER THE NOTES OR TO DELIVER A CONSENT. NO
DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION
OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERS OR THE SOLICITATIONS
OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS STATEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING CONSENT AND
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION
SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, THE
DEPOSITARY, THE DEALER MANAGER, THE INFORMATION AGENT, THE TRUSTEE OR ANY OF
THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES. HOLDERS MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION AS TO WHETHER
TO TENDER THE NOTES OR DELIVER A CONSENT.
THIS STATEMENT HAS NOT BEEN FILED WITH OR REVIEWED BY ANY FEDERAL OR STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY, NOR HAS ANY SUCH COMMISSION OR
AUTHORITY PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS STATEMENT. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL AND MAY BE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
CERTAIN OFFER AND SOLICITATION MATTERS
The Offer and the Solicitation are being made in connection with the sale of
certain assets by the Company (the "Asset Sale Transaction"). See Section 4.
The Notes are governed by an indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of
November 10, 1997, as amended, by and between the Company and The Bank of New
York, as trustee (in such capacity The Bank of New York is referred to as the
"Trustee"). The Proposed Amendments with respect to the Indenture would
eliminate or amend certain covenants and eliminate or amend certain "events of
default" in order to permit the Asset Sale Transaction and provide the Company
with financial and operational flexibility with respect to the management of the
remaining assets and cash flow of the Company following the Asset Sale
Transaction in a way that would have been limited under the existing terms of
the Indenture. In addition, all Note Guarantees (as defined in the Indenture)
executed by subsidiaries of the Company that are being sold as part of the Asset
Sale Transaction (as defined herein) will, as a result of the consummation of
the Asset Sale Transaction, be eliminated. Following consummation of the Asset
Sale Transaction, the only remaining Note Guarantor (as defined in the
Indenture) will be Dialog Holdings Limited. See Section 5.
3
<PAGE>
The Company and the Trustee intend to execute a supplemental indenture (the
"Supplemental Indenture") to the Indenture providing for the Proposed
Amendments. The Company intends to cause the execution of the Supplemental
Indenture in respect of the Notes after the receipt of Consents from the holders
of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes (the "Requisite
Consents"), but the Proposed Amendments set forth in the Supplemental Indenture
will not become operative until the date the Company accepts Notes validly
tendered for purchase and payment pursuant to the Offer (the "Acceptance Date"),
which is expected to be the day after the Expiration Date. In such event, the
Proposed Amendments shall be deemed effective as of the time immediately prior
to such acceptance for payment, and the Company shall thereafter be obligated to
make all payments for Notes so tendered on the Payment Date. The Proposed
Amendments are being presented as one proposal with respect to the Indenture.
Consequently, the delivery of a Consent by a Holder of Notes is a consent to all
of the Proposed Amendments with respect to the Indenture. See Section 5.
Holders of Notes who tender their Notes in the Offer must deliver
corresponding Consents to the Proposed Amendments. The completion, execution and
delivery of the Consent and Letter of Transmittal by a Holder in connection with
the Offer will be deemed to constitute the Consent of such tendering Holder to
the Proposed Amendments. Holders who wish to be eligible to receive the Tender
Payment pursuant to the Offer must validly tender (and not withdraw) their Notes
and deliver (and not revoke) their Consents to the Depositary on or prior to the
Expiration Date; however, if such Holder is not the Record Holder, the Current
Holder must obtain a Consent Proxy properly executed by such Record Holder. The
valid withdrawal of a Holder's Notes prior to the execution of the Supplemental
Indenture will constitute the concurrent valid revocation of such Holder's
Consent. A Holder who validly withdraws previously tendered Notes will not
receive the Tender Payment. A Holder may not validly revoke a Consent unless
such Holder validly withdraws such Holder's previously tendered Notes. Tendered
Notes may not be withdrawn after the Expiration Date and Consents may not be
revoked after the execution of the Supplemental Indenture.
If the Requisite Consents are received and the Proposed Amendments become
effective with respect to the Notes, the Proposed Amendments will be binding on
all non-tendering Holders of Notes. Therefore, consummation of the Offer and
adoption of the Proposed Amendments may have adverse consequences for Holders of
Notes who elect not to tender in the Offer. See Sections 2 and 5.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is a foreign private issuer which is subject to the
informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance therewith, files periodic reports and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"). Reports and information statements, and other information filed
by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the informational requirements of
the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary
Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of the Commission
located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and Suite
1400, Citicorp Center, 14th Floor, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60661. Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed rates by writing to
the Commission, Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549. The Commission also maintains a World Wide Web Site on the internet
at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The Company's shares
are listed on the London Stock Exchange and it also has American Depositary
Shares ("ADSs") listed on the Nasdaq National Market System, and such reports,
information statements and other information can also be inspected at the
offices of the Stock Exchange Building, London EC2P 2JX, England and at Nasdaq
Operations, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
4
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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange
Act are incorporated by reference in this Statement: (i) the Company's Annual
Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and (ii) the
Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 6-K for the quarters ended on March 31,
1999, June 30, 1999 (including six-month interim results ending June 30, 1999),
and September 30, 1999 (including the nine-month interim results ending
September 30, 1999).
All documents filed by this Company with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act after the initial delivery of this
Statement and prior to the termination of the Offer shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the respective
dates of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this Statement to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Statement.
The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Statement is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a
copy of any and all of such documents (other than exhibits to such documents
which are not specifically incorporated by reference into such documents).
Requests for such copies should be directed to Jonathan Ball, Secretary, The
Dialog Corporation plc, The Communications Building, 48 Leicester Square,
London, WC2H 7DB, England and the telephone number is +44 171 930 6900.
5
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<C> <S> <C>
1. TERMS OF THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION..................... 7
2. CERTAIN OFFER AND SOLICITATION MATTERS...................... 8
3. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION................... 10
4. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY.................. 10
5. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE INDENTURE........................ 12
6. MARKET AND TRADING INFORMATION.............................. 14
7. ACCEPTANCE FOR PAYMENT AND PAYMENT FOR NOTES................ 14
8. PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING NOTES AND DELIVERING CONSENTS...... 15
9. WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS AND REVOCATION OF CONSENTS............ 18
10. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS.................................. 19
11. CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER..................................... 19
12. CERTAIN U.K. TAX CONSIDERATIONS............................. 20
13. CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES................ 21
14. THE DEALER MANAGER, THE INFORMATION AGENT AND THE
DEPOSITARY................................................ 23
15. FEES AND EXPENSES........................................... 24
16. MISCELLANEOUS............................................... 24
APPENDIX A....................................................... A-1
</TABLE>
6
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TO THE HOLDERS OF THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
THIS STATEMENT AND THE RELATED CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE
WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION.
1. TERMS OF THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION. Upon the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the
terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the Company is
offering to purchase for cash, pursuant to the Offer, any and all of the
outstanding Notes. The Tender Payment for Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer
shall be the price equal to (i) $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes,
plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the Payment
Date.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Solicitation (including,
if the Solicitation is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such
extension or amendment), the Company is also soliciting Consents from Holders
with respect to the Proposed Amendments. Holders who desire to tender their
Notes pursuant to the Offer and receive the Tender Payment are required to
consent to the Proposed Amendments, and the completion, execution and delivery
of the Consent and Letter of Transmittal by a Holder in connection with the
tender of Notes held by such Holder will constitute the consent of the tendering
Holder to the Proposed Amendments with respect to such Notes; HOWEVER, IF THE
CURRENT HOLDER OF SUCH NOTES IS NOT THE RECORD HOLDER, THE CURRENT HOLDER MUST
OBTAIN A CONSENT PROXY PROPERLY EXECUTED BY SUCH RECORD HOLDER AND DELIVER SUCH
CONSENT PROXY TOGETHER WITH THE CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
The valid withdrawal of a Holder's Notes prior to the execution of the
Supplemental Indenture will constitute the concurrent valid revocation of such
Holder's Consent. A Holder who validly withdraws previously tendered Notes will
not receive the Tender Payment unless such Notes are re-tendered on or prior to
the Expiration Date. A Holder may not validly revoke a Consent unless such
Holder validly withdraws such Holder's previously tendered Notes. Tendered Notes
may not be withdrawn after the Expiration Date and Consents may not be revoked
after the execution of the Supplemental Indenture.
All Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn will, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions hereof (including the terms and conditions of any
extension or amendment hereto), including the prior execution of a Supplemental
Indenture, be accepted for payment by the Company on the Acceptance Date, and
payments therefor will be made on the Payment Date. Each tendering Holder of
Notes whose Notes are accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will receive
the same consideration therefor, per $1,000 principal amount thereof, as all
other Holders of such Notes whose tenders thereof are so accepted.
The Company and the Trustee intend to execute a supplemental indenture (the
"Supplemental Indenture") to the Indenture providing for the Proposed
Amendments. The Company intends to cause the execution of the Supplemental
Indenture in respect of the Notes after the receipt of Consents from the holders
of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes (the "Requisite
Consents"). Although the Supplemental Indenture containing the Proposed
Amendments will be executed by the Company and the Trustee following the receipt
of the Requisite Consents (on or prior to the Expiration Date) and will become
binding upon its execution (regardless of subsequent withdrawal of Notes), the
Proposed Amendments by their terms do not become effective or effect any change
in the operating provisions of the Indenture unless the Company accepts for
payment, and pays for, all Notes validly tendered (and not withdrawn) pursuant
to the Offer. In such event, the Proposed Amendments will be deemed effective
immediately prior to such acceptance for payment, and the Company shall
thereafter be obligated to make all payments for Notes so accepted on the
Payment Date.
If the Requisite Consents are received and the Proposed Amendments have
become effective, the Proposed Amendments will be binding on all non-tendering
Holders of Notes. Therefore, consummation of the Offer and adoption of the
Proposed Amendments may have adverse consequences for Holders who elect not to
tender in the Offer. See Sections 2 and 5.
7
<PAGE>
THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE SATISFACTION OF THE
MINIMUM TENDER CONDITION, THE CONSENT CONDITION, THE ASSET SALE CONDITION AND
THE BANK FACILITY REPAYMENT CONDITION. See Section 11 which describes the
foregoing conditions and sets forth all conditions to the Offer. If any
condition to the Company's obligation to accept for payment and purchase Notes
under the Offer is not satisfied on or prior to the Expiration Date, the Company
reserves the right (but shall not be obligated), subject to applicable law, to
(i) decline to purchase the Notes tendered and terminate the Offer, (ii) waive
such unsatisfied condition and purchase all Notes which are validly tendered
(and not withdrawn), (iii) extend the Offer and, subject to the possible right
of Holders to withdraw Notes as provided in Section 9, retain the Notes which
have been tendered during the period or periods for which the Offer is extended
or (iv) amend the Offer. In the event that the Company terminates the Offer, it
will give prompt notice thereof to the Depositary, and all Notes previously
tendered and not accepted for payment will be returned promptly to the tendering
Holders. In the event that the Offer and the Consent Solicitation are withdrawn
or otherwise not completed, the Tender Payment will not be paid or become
payable to Holders who have validly tendered their Notes and delivered Consents
in connection with the Offer and Consent Solicitation.
The Company expressly reserves its right, at any time or from time to time,
regardless of whether or not any of the events set forth in Section 11 shall
have occurred or shall have been determined by the Company to have occurred,
subject to applicable law, (i) to extend the period of time during which the
Offer is open and thereby delay acceptance for payment of, and the payment for,
any of the Notes, by giving oral or written notice of such extension to the
Depositary and (ii) to amend the Offer in any respect by giving oral or written
notice of such amendment to the Depositary. The rights reserved by the Company
in this paragraph are in addition to the Company's rights to terminate the Offer
described in Section 11. Any extension, amendment or termination will be
followed as promptly as practicable by public announcement thereof, the
announcement in the case of an extension to be issued no later than 9:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled
Expiration Date. Without limiting the manner in which the Company may choose to
make any public announcement, the Company shall have no obligation to publish,
advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by
issuing a release to the Dow Jones News Service.
If the Company extends the Offer, or if, for any reason, the acceptance for
payment of, or the payment for, Notes is delayed or if the Company is unable to
accept for payment or pay for Notes pursuant to the Offer, then, without
prejudice to the Company's rights under the Offer, the Depositary may retain
tendered Notes on behalf of the Company, and such Notes may not be withdrawn
except to the extent tendering Holders are entitled to withdrawal rights as
described in Section 9. However, the ability of the Company to delay the payment
for Notes which the Company has accepted for payment is limited by
Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, which requires that a bidder pay the
consideration offered or return the securities deposited by or on behalf of
holders of securities promptly after the termination or withdrawal of a tender
offer.
If the Company makes a material change in the terms of the Offer or the
information concerning the Offer or waives a material condition of such Offer,
the Company will disseminate additional Offer materials and extend the Offer to
the extent required by law. If the Solicitation is amended on or prior to the
Expiration Date in a manner determined by the Company to constitute a material
change to Holders of the Notes, the Company will promptly disclose such
amendment and, if necessary, extend the Solicitation for a period deemed by the
Company to be adequate to permit Holders of the Notes to deliver or revoke their
Consents. See Section 9.
2. CERTAIN OFFER AND SOLICITATION MATTERS.
EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. Notes not purchased pursuant to the
Offer will remain outstanding. If the Proposed Amendments to the Indenture
become operative:
(i) a substantial number of the covenants contained in the Indenture will be
eliminated (or, in certain cases, amended); and
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(ii) certain "events of default" will be eliminated.
As a result of the consummation of the Asset Sale Transaction, all Note
Guarantees (as defined in the Indenture) executed by subsidiaries of the Company
that are being sold as part of the Asset Sale Transaction (as defined herein)
will be eliminated. Following consummation of the Asset Sale Transaction, the
only remaining Note Guarantor (as defined in the Indenture) will be Dialog
Holdings Limited.
As a result, after the consummation of the Offer, non-tendering Holders
thereof will no longer be entitled to the benefit of (or, in the case of
amendments, the same benefit under) such provisions. The elimination (or, in
certain cases, amendment) of these covenants and events of default may permit
the Company to take actions that could increase the credit risks faced by
Holders with respect to the Company, adversely affect the market price of the
remaining Notes or otherwise be adverse to the interest of Holders. The
elimination of the Note Guarantees prevents Holders from having recourse to the
assets of the Note Guarantors and could adversely affect the market price of the
remaining Notes. See Section 5. The Proposed Amendments will not relieve the
Company of its obligations to make payments of principal and interest on Notes
not purchased pursuant to the Offer.
LIMITED TRADING MARKET. The Notes are listed on the London Stock Exchange
but are not listed on any other national or regional securities exchange nor
reported on a national quotation system. To the extent Notes are tendered and
accepted in the Offer, the existing trading markets for the remaining Notes will
become even more limited. A debt security with a smaller outstanding principal
amount available for trading (a smaller "float") may command a lower price than
would a comparable debt security with a greater float. Therefore, the market
price for Notes not tendered or not purchased may be affected adversely to the
extent that the number of Notes tendered and purchased pursuant to the Offer
reduces the float. The reduced float may also tend to make the trading price
more volatile. Holders of unpurchased Notes may attempt to obtain quotations for
Notes from their brokers; however, there can be no assurance that any trading
market will exist for the Notes following the Offer. The extent of the public
market for the Notes following consummation of the Offer would depend upon the
number of Holders remaining at such time, the interest in maintaining a market
in the Notes on the part of securities firms and other factors. See Section 6.
Under the Indenture as currently in effect, the Company is obligated to file
with the Commission such reports as would be required if the Company were
subject to the reporting obligations of Sections 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act
and to mail copies thereof to Holders. If the Proposed Amendments become
operative, the Company no longer will be obligated by the Indenture to file such
reports or to mail copies thereof to Holders. However, the Company is currently
and will continue to be subject to the informational requirements under the
Exchange Act because its outstanding ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq National
Market System and, in accordance therewith, files and will continue to file
reports and other information with the Commission for so long as it is subject
to such requirements under the Exchange Act.
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE NOTES. The Notes were issued on November 10, 1997, in
an original aggregate principal amount of $180 million, all of which was
outstanding as of March 24, 2000. The Notes are redeemable at the option of the
Company on or after November 15, 2002, in accordance with the terms of the Notes
and the Indenture. If the Company were to redeem the Notes in the twelve-month
period commencing on November 15, 2002, the redemption price to be paid would be
105.500% of the principal amount thereof, declining to 101.375% of the principal
amount thereof if redeemed during the twelve-month period commencing
November 15, 2005, and declining to 100% of the principal amount thereof if
redeemed on or after November 15, 2006 (in each case, together with accrued and
unpaid interest to the redemption date).
Additionally, the Company may effect a contractual defeasance of its
obligations under the Indenture if the Company irrevocably deposits funds or
certain governmental securities in trust, in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture, sufficient to pay principal of and interest on the outstanding Notes
to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and subject to certain other
conditions.
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The summary of the terms of the Notes described above is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full and complete terms contained in the Indenture
(including the form of the Notes attached thereto), copies of which are
available upon request without charge from the Information Agent.
3. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION. The principal purpose of the
Offer and the Solicitation is to permit the consummation of the Asset Sale
Transaction. Upon consummation of the Offer and the Solicitation is a condition
precedent to the Asset Sale Transaction. See Section 4.
From time to time in the future, the Company may acquire Notes, if any,
which remain outstanding whether or not the Offer is consummated through open
market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange
offers or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as they may determine,
which may be more or less than the price to be paid pursuant to the Offer and
could be for cash or other consideration. Alternatively, pursuant to the
provisions of the Notes and the Indenture, the Company may choose to redeem or
contractually defease the Notes.
4. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY.
THE COMPANY. The Dialog Corporation plc is currently a leading provider of
Internet-based information, technology and eCommerce solutions to the corporate
market and currently conducts its operations through three divisions:
Information Services; Web Solutions; and eCommerce.
INFORMATION SERVICES DIVISION. The Information Services Division
("ISD") is a leading provider of online information services. ISD's brands
include the Dialog, Profound and DataStar ranges of Internet and
intranet-based products and services, providing instantaneous access to over
nine terabytes, or more than six billion pages, of essential information.
WEB SOLUTIONS DIVISION. The Web Solutions Division provides
technology-based solutions for information retrieval and knowledge
management in order to help people deal with ever-increasing volumes and
types of internal and external information.
ECOMMERCE DIVISION. The eCommerce Division leverages its skills and
technologies in the arena of eCommerce through its Sparza and OfficeShopper
brands. The Sparza suite of eCommerce software products helps businesses
optimize their supply chains. OfficeShopper is a fully integrated online
shop for discounted office products.
The operations for the Information Services Division are concentrated in the
United States whereas the Web Solutions and eCommerce Divisions have their
principal operations in the U.K.
The Dialog Corporation's executive offices are located at The Dialog
Corporation plc, The Communications Building, 48 Leicester Square, London, WC2H
7DB, England and the telephone number is +44 171 930 6900.
THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION. On March 23, 2000, the Company entered into an
agreement (the "Sale Agreement") with The Thomson Corporation (together with any
of its Subsidiaries that is a "Nominated Purchaser" under the Sale Agreement,
the "Purchaser"), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to sell, and the
Purchaser has agreed to buy, subject to certain conditions set forth therein,
substantially all of the assets of the ISD, including certain U.S. and non-U.S.
subsidiaries of the Company and certain of the Company's assets (collectively,
the "ISD Business"). As consideration for the ISD Business, the Purchaser will
pay cash in the amount of $115 million, adjusted at closing for changes in
working capital from December 31, 1999 and reduced by the amount of overdue
royalty payments owing at closing by the Company and its Subsidiaries to the
Seller and its Subsidiaries. The Purchaser will also be obligated to cause The
Dialog Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company being sold to the
Purchaser as part of the ISD Business, to repay its indebtedness to the Company
in the amount of $160,000,000.
The ISD Business will include trademarks, brand names, licenses, customer
lists, employees, and technologies relating to the ISD Business. In addition to
the Dialog products and services included in the ISD Business, the Purchaser
will acquire the "Dialog" name and the Company will rename itself Bright
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Station plc (the Company, after the effective date of the Asset Sale
Transaction, being "Bright Station"). Bright Station will retain the Company's
Web Solutions Division ("WSD"), eCommerce Division and interests in Teltech
Resource Network Corporation, Zawya.com Limited and the London Financial News.
As part of the Company's WSD, Bright Station will retain the Company's InfoSort
Version 5 software, together with related products, user interfaces and
techniques that the Company considers proprietary and used in, and in relation
to, the ISD Business prior to the effective date of the Asset Sale Transaction
(collectively, the "InfoSort Software").
As part of the Asset Sale Transaction, the Company will grant to the
Purchaser a non-exclusive, non-transferable, perpetual, royalty-free and
worldwide license (the "InfoSort License", together with the sale and purchase
of the ISD Business, the "Asset Sale Transaction") of the InfoSort Software, as
well as upgrades and new versions of the InfoSort Software. The Company will
deposit the InfoSort Software source code with NCC Escrow International Limited
or other mutually agreed escrow agent. The Purchaser will pay Bright Station an
annual maintenance fee of $500,000 for the updating and maintenance of the
InfoSort Software for a period of not less than three years. The parties have
agreed to negotiate a royalty fee for the use of any other WSD software
incorporated into new products in the ISD Business developed by the Purchaser
after the close of the transaction.
The Asset Sale Transaction is subject to (i) the satisfaction of the Consent
Condition (as defined herein), (ii) the execution of the Supplemental Indenture
by the Trustee, (iii) the satisfaction of the Minimum Tender Condition (as
defined herein), (iv) the Bank Facility Repayment Condition (defined herein),
(v) the London Stock Exchange agreeing to admit the shares of Bright Station to
listing, (vi) no transfer of any intellectual property rights from any
Subsidiary of the Company to the Company having occurred, and (vii) the receipt
of all regulatory approvals and consents, including the expiration or
termination of any waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and the receipt of
approval from the German Federal Cartel Office for the acquisition of The Dialog
Corporation GmbH on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser or expiry of
all relevant waiting periods. The Asset Sale Transaction also is subject to a
number of other conditions, including approval of the transaction by the
Company's shareholders. Additionally, the Purchaser may terminate the Sale
Agreement upon the occurrence of any material breach by the Company of any of
its representations, warranties and obligations under the Sale Agreement.
The Company intends to purchase the Notes with a portion of the net proceeds
from the Asset Sale Transaction.
INVESTMENTS IN THE COMPANY--PURCHASER. Following the completion of the
Asset Sale Transaction, Purchaser will acquire 9,297,290 ordinary shares of 1p
each of Bright Station (as defined below), for the aggregate cash consideration
of L15,851,879.
JIYU'S SUBSCRIPTION. Following the completion of the Asset Sale
Transaction, Jiyu Holdings has agreed to subscribe for 7,038,123 new ordinary
shares at a price of 170.5p per share. The aggregate cash consideration is
L12 million, accounting for 3.7% of the Company's ordinary share capital on a
fully diluted basis. Jiyu Holdings has global interests in a variety of
industries including the technology sector.
THE REPAYMENT OF THE BANK CREDIT FACILITY. The Company has agreed to repay
all of its obligations, including the payment of any unpaid and accrued interest
under and in respect of the Facility Agreement dated as of October 17, 1997 (as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Facility Agreement"), among
the Company and the Companies (as defined therein), as Borrowers, Chase
Manhattan plc, as Arranger, ABN Amro Bank, as Joint Arranger, NM Rothschild &
Sons Limited, as Co-Arranger, Chase Manhattan International Limited, as Facility
Agent and the Financial Institutions named therein. The Company currently is not
in compliance with certain covenants under the Facility Agreement and will not
be able to meet financial covenants at the next compliance date. In anticipation
of repayment from the proceeds of the Asset Sale Transaction, the Banks have
heretofore agreed to waive, on a temporary basis, any Event of Default of which
they are aware at the date of this Offer. In addition, the Banks have
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conditionally agreed to waive all exit and utilization fees under the Facility
Agreement if the Sale Agreement is consummated and the principal and interest
outstanding under the Facility Agreement are paid in full by May 9, 2000. Among
other things, the waiver described in the preceding sentence is conditioned upon
the satisfaction of the Minimum Tender Condition, at a price not greater than
$1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes. However, the Facility Agreement
provides that, so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
Banks holding a majority in interest thereunder can accelerate and declare
payable all amounts outstanding thereunder. On May 9, 2000, a principal payment
in the amount of approximately $10.9 million is due and payable. In the event
that this Offer and Solicitation is unsuccessful and the Asset Sale Transaction
is not consummated, the Company will not be able to make such payment.
THEREFORE, IF THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION IS NOT CONSUMMATED PRIOR TO MAY 9,
2000, THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD THAT THE COMPANY WILL NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CASH OR
OTHER RESOURCES TO REPAY AMOUNTS DUE AND OWING UNDER THE FACILITY AGREEMENT, AND
MAY NEED TO SEEK PROTECTION UNDER CHAPTER 11 OF THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY
CODE, AND POSSIBLY ADOPT A FORMAL PROCEDURE IN THE U.K. PURSUANT TO THE
INSOLVENCY ACT 1986.
PROFESSIONAL FEES. The Company's former financial advisors, Salomon Smith
Barney and The Chase Manhattan Bank, have respectively agreed to waive and
substantially reduce certain mergers and acquisitions fees which they assert
they are entitled to in connection with the Asset Sale Transaction. In addition,
Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc., in its capacity as Dealer Manager of this
Offer, has agreed to waive its right to the success fee which it is entitled to
under the terms of its engagement agreement with the Company.
Upon commencement of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the U.S. bankruptcy court
would impose an "automatic stay" prohibiting creditors from taking any action to
enforce their contractual rights and remedies independently from the court
process. In a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Company would be afforded increased
flexibility in restructuring its debt, including the ability to sell assets free
and clear of any claims or liens and to satisfy the Notes without premium and
without further recourse on the part of the Holders. The value of the assets of
the Company may deteriorate in connection with a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. If the
Company elected to sell its assets in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it is possible
that the sale price may be less than that contemplated in the Asset Sale
Transaction. In such event, given the priority of the Senior Indebtedness over
the Notes, any sale proceeds available following repayment of the Senior
Indebtedness would be reduced. In addition, additional unsecured claims would
likely be asserted against the Company in any Chapter 11 case, thereby diluting
the percentage recovery available for Holders.
5. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE INDENTURE. The Proposed Amendments to the
Indenture are set forth in Appendix A to this Statement. Appendix A should be
read in its entirety and the following summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to Appendix A, the form of the Supplemental Indenture and the
Indenture. The Proposed Amendments would, among other things,
(i) delete the following covenants from the Indenture:
- Limitation on Indebtedness
- Limitation on Restricted Payments
- Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted
Subsidiaries
- Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock
- Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates
- Change of Control
- Limitation on Liens
- Future Note Guarantors
- Limitation on Lines of Business
- Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions
- Limitation on the Sale or Issuance of Capital Stock of Restricted
Subsidiaries
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(ii) amend the following covenants: and
- When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets
- Maintenance of Office or Agency; Reports to Holders
(iii) amend the events of default section;
and make certain other changes in the Indenture of a technical or conforming
nature. If the Proposed Amendments become operative, the restrictive covenants
and other provisions of the Indenture will be substantially less restrictive,
and afford substantially less protection to Holders, than those currently set
forth in the Indenture.
The Proposed Amendments will be contained in the Supplemental Indenture,
which will be executed by the Company and the Trustee following the receipt of
the Requisite Consents. The Proposed Amendments, by their terms, will not become
effective or effect any change in the operating provisions of the Indenture
unless the Company accepts for payment, all Notes that have been validly
tendered (and not withdrawn) pursuant to the Offer. In such event, the Proposed
Amendments will be deemed effective as of the time immediately prior to such
acceptance for payment, and the Company shall thereafter be obligated to make
all payments for Notes so accepted on the Payment Date. Thereafter, the Proposed
Amendments will be binding on all remaining Holders of Notes. A Consent may not
be revoked by any Holder at any time after the execution of the Supplemental
Indenture, but if the Offer is terminated thereafter without any Notes having
been accepted for payment, the Proposed Amendments with respect to such Notes
will not become effective.
The Company is seeking Consents to all the Proposed Amendments as a single
proposal. Accordingly, a Consent purporting to consent to only some of the
Proposed Amendments will not be valid. Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture,
the Proposed Amendments require the Written Consent of the Holders on the Record
Date of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes. Consequently,
the Company intends to cause the execution of the Supplemental Indenture in
respect of the Notes after the receipt of Consents from a majority of the
outstanding principal amount of the Notes.
THE COMPLETION, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A CONSENT AND LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL BY A HOLDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE TENDER OF NOTES OF SUCH HOLDER
WILL CONSTITUTE THE CONSENT OF SUCH TENDERING HOLDER TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
WITH RESPECT TO SUCH NOTES; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A CURRENT HOLDER OF NOTES
MUST PROVIDE A CONSENT PROXY EXECUTED BY THE RECORD HOLDER OF SUCH NOTES IF SUCH
CURRENT HOLDER IS NOT THE RECORD HOLDER. HOLDERS WHO TENDER NOTES IN THE OFFER
ARE OBLIGATED TO CONSENT TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
The valid withdrawal of a Holder's Notes prior to the execution of the
Supplemental Indenture will constitute the concurrent valid revocation of such
Holder's Consent. A Holder who validly withdraws previously tendered Notes will
not receive the Tender Payment. A Holder may not validly revoke a Consent unless
such Holder validly withdraws such Holder's previously tendered Notes. Tendered
Notes may not be withdrawn after the Expiration Date, and Consents may not be
revoked after the execution of the Supplemental Indenture.
Upon receipt of the Requisite Consents with respect to the Proposed
Amendments and execution of the Supplemental Indenture, the Consent Condition
with respect to the Notes will be deemed satisfied. See Section 11.
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6. MARKET AND TRADING INFORMATION. The Notes are listed on the London
Stock Exchange but are not listed on any other national or regional securities
exchange or reported on a national quotation system. To the extent that Notes
are traded, prices of such Notes may fluctuate greatly depending on the trading
volume and the balance between buy and sell orders. In addition, quotations for
Notes that are not widely traded, such as the Notes, may differ from actual
trading prices and should be viewed as approximations. Holders of Notes are
urged to contact their brokers to obtain the best available information as to
current market prices.
Depending on, among other things, the amount of Notes outstanding after the
Offer, the liquidity, market value and price volatility of such Notes may be
adversely affected by the consummation of the Offer. To the extent a market
continues to exist for the Notes after the Offer, such Notes may trade at a
discount compared to present trading prices depending on prevailing interest
rates, the market for securities with similar credit features, the performance
of the Company and other factors. There is no assurance that an active market in
the Notes will exist and no assurance as to the prices at which any Notes may
trade.
7. ACCEPTANCE FOR PAYMENT AND PAYMENT FOR NOTES. Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or
amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment) and
applicable law, including the prior execution of the Supplemental Indenture, the
Company will purchase, by accepting for payment, and will pay for, all Notes
validly tendered (or defectively tendered Notes with respect to which the
Company has waived such defect) (and not withdrawn) pursuant to the Offer, such
payment to be made on the Payment Date. The Company expressly reserves the
right, in the Company's sole discretion, to delay acceptance for payment of, or
payment for, the Notes (subject to Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, which
requires that a bidder pay the consideration offered or return the securities
deposited by or on behalf of holders of securities promptly after the
termination or withdrawal of a tender offer) if any of the conditions of the
Offer shall not have been satisfied or validly waived or in order to comply, in
whole or in part, with any applicable law. See Section 11. In all cases,
payments for Notes tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will
be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (i) certificates
representing such Notes or confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Notes
into the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in
Section 8) pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 8, (ii) a properly
completed and duly executed Consent and Letter of Transmittal from the Record
Holder or from the Current Holder with a Consent Proxy from the Record Holder
(or a facsimile thereof) and (iii) any other documents required by the Consent
and Letter of Transmittal.
For purposes of the Offer, validly tendered Notes (or defectively tendered
Notes with respect to which the Company has waived such defect) will be deemed
to have been accepted for payment, if, as and when the Company gives oral or
written notice thereof to the Depositary. The Company will pay for Notes so
accepted on the Payment Date by depositing the Tender Payment in immediately
available funds with the Depositary, which will act as agent for tendering
Holders for the purpose of receiving payments from the Company and transmitting
such payments to tendering Holders. Tenders of Notes will be accepted only in
principal amounts equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES WILL INTEREST ON ANY PAYMENTS BE PAID BY THE COMPANY BY REASON OF
ANY DELAY IN MAKING SUCH PAYMENTS.
For purposes of the Solicitation, Consents received by the Depositary will
be deemed to have been accepted, if, as and when the Company gives written
notice to the Trustee of the receipt by the Depositary of the Requisite Consents
and the Supplemental Indenture is executed.
It is a condition precedent to the Company's obligation to purchase Notes
pursuant to the Offer that the Supplemental Indenture be executed. It is a
condition subsequent to the effectiveness of the Proposed Amendments contained
in the Supplemental Indenture that the Company accept for payment all Notes
validly tendered (and not withdrawn) pursuant to the Offer.
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If any tendered Notes are not purchased pursuant to the Offer for any
reason, such Notes not purchased will be returned, without expense, to the
tendering Holder promptly (or, in the case of Notes tendered by book-entry
transfer into the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, such
Notes will be credited to the account maintained at such Book-Entry Transfer
Facility from which such Notes were delivered) after the expiration or
termination of the Offer.
Holders who tender Notes will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or
commissions or, except as set forth in Instruction 7 of the Consent and Letter
of Transmittal, transfer taxes on the purchase of Notes pursuant to the Offer.
The Company reserves the right to transfer or assign, in whole at any time
or in part from time to time, to one or more of its affiliates, the right to
purchase Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer, but any such transfer or
assignment will not relieve the Company of its obligations under the Offer or
prejudice the rights of tendering Holders to receive payments for Notes validly
tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer.
8. PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING NOTES AND DELIVERING CONSENTS. HOLDERS WILL
NOT BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE TENDER PAYMENT UNLESS ON OR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION
DATE THEY BOTH TENDER THEIR NOTES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND DELIVER CONSENTS TO
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH CONSENT MUST BE
ACCOMPANIED BY A CONSENT PROXY EXECUTED BY THE RECORD HOLDER IF THE RECORD
HOLDER IS NO LONGER THE CURRENT HOLDER. THE PROPER TENDER BY A HOLDER OF NOTES
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES DESCRIBED BELOW WILL BE
DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE (I) A TENDER OF THE NOTES AND (II) THE GIVING OF A CONSENT
BY SUCH HOLDER WITH RESPECT TO THE FULL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE NOTES TENDERED.
THE COMPANY IS NOT SOLICITING AND WILL NOT ACCEPT CONSENTS TO THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS FROM HOLDERS WHO ARE NOT TENDERING THEIR NOTES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
PAYMENT OF THE TENDER PAYMENT FOR NOTES VALIDLY TENDERED AND ACCEPTED FOR
PAYMENT SHALL BE MADE ON THE PAYMENT DATE.
TENDER OF NOTES AND DELIVERY OF CONSENTS. The tender by a Holder of Notes
(and subsequent acceptance of such tender by the Company) pursuant to one of the
procedures set forth below (including an electronic tender through ATOP) will
constitute an agreement between such Holder and the Company in accordance with
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Statement, the Consent
and Letter of Transmittal and, if applicable, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
The procedures by which Notes may be tendered and Consents may be given by
beneficial owners that are not Holders will depend upon the manner in which the
Notes are held.
TENDER OF NOTES HELD IN PHYSICAL FORM. To validly tender Notes held in
physical form pursuant to the Offer, a registered Holder should complete and
sign the Consent and Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) in
accordance with the Instructions to the Consent and Letter of Transmittal, have
the signature thereon guaranteed if required by Instruction 1 of the Consent and
Letter of Transmittal and deliver it, together with any other documents required
by the Instructions to the Consent and Letter of Transmittal, to the Depositary
at its address set forth on the back cover page of this Statement and deliver
certificates representing such Notes to the Depositary at such address. A Holder
who desires to tender Notes and who cannot comply with the procedures set forth
herein for tender on a timely basis or whose Notes are not immediately available
must comply with the procedures for guaranteed delivery set forth below. The
Consent and Letter of Transmittal and any certificates evidencing Notes tendered
pursuant to the Offer should be sent to the Depositary only, not to the Company,
the Information Agent, the Dealer Manager or the Trustee.
The proper completion, execution and delivery of the Consent and Letter of
Transmittal by a registered holder with respect to Notes will constitute the
giving of a Consent by such Holder to the Proposed Amendments with respect to
such Notes, and no separate Consent or proxy will be required.
If the Notes are registered in the name of a person other than the signer of
a Consent and Letter of Transmittal, then, in order to validly tender such Notes
pursuant to the Offer, the Notes must be endorsed
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or accompanied by an appropriate written instrument or instruments of transfer
signed exactly as the name or names of such registered Holder or Holders
appear(s) on the Notes, with the signature(s) on the Notes or instruments of
transfer guaranteed as provided below. In addition, such tender of Notes must be
accompanied by a valid Consent or Consent Proxy of such registered Holder or
Holders, since Notes may not be tendered without also delivering a Consent to
the Proposed Amendments with respect to such Notes, and only registered Holders
are entitled to deliver Consents to the Proposed Amendments.
Notwithstanding any provisions contained in this Section 8, the execution
and delivery of the Consent and Letter of Transmittal by a Current Holder who is
not a Record Holder with respect to Notes will not constitute the giving of a
Consent to the Proposed Amendments unless such Consent and Letter of Transmittal
is accompanied by a Consent Proxy properly completed and executed by the Record
Holder of such Notes.
TENDER OF NOTES HELD THROUGH A CUSTODIAN. Any beneficial owner whose Notes
are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company
or other nominee and who wishes to tender Notes and deliver a Consent and Letter
of Transmittal should contact such registered Holder promptly and instruct such
Holder to tender Notes and deliver a Consent and Letter of Transmittal on such
beneficial owner's behalf. A Letter of Instructions is included in the
solicitation materials provided along with this Statement which may be used by a
beneficial owner in this process to instruct the registered Holder to tender
Notes and deliver Consents.
TENDER OF NOTES HELD THROUGH DTC. The Depositary and DTC have confirmed
that the Offer and the Solicitation is eligible for ATOP. Accordingly, DTC
participants may electronically transmit their acceptance of the Offer by
causing DTC to transfer Notes to the Depositary in accordance with DTC's ATOP
procedures for transfer. In addition, DTC Participants may electronically
deliver their Consent as part of their electronic transmission of their
acceptance of the Offer. DTC will then send an Agent's Message to the
Depositary.
The term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by DTC, received by
the Depositary and forming part of the Book-Entry Confirmation, which states
that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC
tendering Notes which are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation that such
participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Consent and
Letter of Transmittal, and that the Company may enforce such agreement against
such participant. In the case of an Agent's Message relating to guaranteed
delivery, the term means a message transmitted by DTC and received by the
Depositary, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from
the participant in DTC tendering Notes that such participant has received and
agrees to be bound by the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
Pursuant to authority granted by DTC, any DTC participant which has Notes
credited to its DTC account at any time (and thereby held of record by DTC's
nominee) may directly provide a Consent to the Proposed Amendments as though it
were the registered Holder by so completing, executing and delivering the
Consent and Letter of Transmittal.
BOOK-ENTRY DELIVERY PROCEDURES. Within two business days after the date
hereof, the Depositary will establish an account with respect to the Notes at
DTC (the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") for purposes of the Offer. Any
financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
systems may make book-entry delivery of the Notes by causing DTC to transfer
such Notes into the Depositary's account at such Book-Entry Transfer Facility in
accordance with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for such
transfer. Timely book-entry delivery of Notes pursuant to the Offer, however,
requires receipt of a confirmation (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") on or prior to
the Expiration Date. In addition, although delivery of Notes may be effected
through book-entry transfer into the Depositary's account at the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility, the Consent and Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile
thereof), together with any required signature guarantees and any other required
documents, must, in any case, be delivered
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or transmitted to and received by the Depositary at its address set forth on the
back cover page of this Statement on or prior to the Expiration Date to receive
payment for tendered Notes, or the guaranteed delivery procedures described
below must be complied with. Tender of Notes will not be deemed validly made
until such documents are received by the Depositary. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. Signatures on a Consent and Letter of Transmittal
must be guaranteed by a financial institution that is a member of the Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion
Signature Guarantee Program, the Stock Exchange Medallion Program, or a bank,
broker, dealer, credit union, savings association or other entity which is an
"eligible guarantor institution," as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under
the Exchange Act (each of the foregoing being referred to as an "Eligible
Institution"), unless the Notes tendered thereby are tendered (i) by a
registered Holder of the Notes (or by a participant in one of the Book-Entry
Transfer Facilities whose name appears on a security position listing as the
owner of such Notes) who has not completed either the box entitled "Special
Delivery Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Payment of Issuance
Instructions" on the Consent and Letter of Transmittal, or (ii) for the account
of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1 of the Consent and Letter
Transmittal. If the Notes are registered in the name of a person other than the
signer of the Consent and Letter of Transmittal or if Notes not accepted for
payment or not tendered are to be returned to a person other than the registered
Holder, then the signatures on the Consent and Letter of Transmittal
accompanying the tendered Notes must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution as
described above. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the Consent and Letter of
Transmittal.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY. If a Holder desires to tender Notes pursuant to the
Offer and deliver a Consent pursuant to the Solicitation and time will not
permit the Consent and Letter of Transmittal, certificates representing such
Notes and all other required documents to reach the Depositary, or the
procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed, in each case, on or
prior to the Expiration Date, such Holder may nevertheless tender Notes and, if
still timely, deliver a Consent if all the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) the tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) a properly
completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the
form provided by the Company herewith or an Agent's Message with respect to
guaranteed delivery, is received by the Depositary on or prior to the Expiration
Date, as provided below; and (iii) the certificates for the tendered Notes, in
proper form for transfer (or a Book-Entry Confirmation, including by means of an
Agent's Message, of the transfer of such Notes into the Depositary's account at
a Book-Entry Transfer Facility as described above), together with a Consent and
Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees and any other documents
required by the Instructions to the Consent and Letter of Transmittal, are
received by the Depositary within three NYSE trading days after the date of
execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be sent by hand delivery, telegram,
facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary and must include a guarantee by
an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.
Under no circumstances will interest be paid by the Company by reason of any
delay in making payment to any person using the guaranteed delivery procedures,
and the Tender Payment (including the payment of accrued interest on tendered
Notes only to, but not including, the Payment Date) for Notes tendered pursuant
to the guaranteed delivery procedures will be the same as that for Notes
delivered to the Depositary on or prior to the Expiration Date, even if the
Notes to be delivered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures are not so
delivered to the Depositary, and therefore payment by the Depositary on account
of such Notes is not made, until after the Payment Date.
BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING. To prevent backup federal income tax
withholding, each tendering Holder of Notes must provide the Depositary with
such Holder's correct taxpayer identification
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number and certify that such Holder is not subject to backup federal income tax
withholding by completing the Substitute Form W-9 included in the Consent and
Letter of Transmittal. See Section 12.
DETERMINATION OF VALIDITY. All questions as to the validity, form,
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any tendered Notes or
delivered Consents pursuant to any of the procedures described above will be
determined by the Company, in the Company's sole discretion (whose determination
shall be final and binding). The Company reserves the absolute right to reject
any or all tenders of any Notes or deliveries of any Consents determined by it
not to be in proper form or if the acceptance for payment of or payment for such
Notes and Consents may, in the opinion of the Company's counsel, be unlawful.
The Company also reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to waive
any of the conditions of the Offer or any defect or irregularity in any tender
with respect to Notes or delivery with respect to a Consent of any particular
Holder, whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case
of other Holders. The Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of
the Offer and the Solicitation (including the Consent and Letter of Transmittal
and the Instructions thereto) will be final and binding. None of the Company,
the Depositary, the Dealer Manager, the Information Agent, the Trustee or any
other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or
irregularities in tenders or will incur any liability for failure to give any
such notification. If the Company waives its right to reject a defective tender
of Notes, the tendering Holder will be entitled to the applicable payments.
OTHER MATTERS. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, payment for
Notes tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will, in all
cases, be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of
(i) certificate(s) representing such Notes (or a Book-Entry Confirmation,
including by means of an Agent's Message, of the transfer of such Notes into the
Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility as described above),
(ii) a properly completed and duly executed Consent and Letter of Transmittal
(or a facsimile thereof) with respect to such Notes, with any required signature
guarantees and (iii) any other documents required by the Consent and Letter of
Transmittal.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF NOTES AND THE CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,
ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING
DELIVERY THROUGH A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND ANY ACCEPTANCE OR AGENT'S
MESSAGE TRANSMITTED THROUGH ATOP, IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDER
TENDERING NOTES AND DELIVERING THE CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND, EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, DELIVERY WILL BE
DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS
BY MAIL, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE HOLDER USE PROPERLY INSURED, REGISTERED MAIL
WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, AND THAT THE MAILING BE MADE SUFFICIENTLY IN
ADVANCE OF THE EXPIRATION DATE TO PERMIT DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY ON OR PRIOR
TO SUCH DATE.
9. WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS AND REVOCATION OF CONSENTS. Tenders of Notes may
be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date and at any time
thereafter, if the Offer is terminated without any Notes being purchased
thereunder. A valid withdrawal of tendered Notes on or prior to the Expiration
Date and prior to the execution of the Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed a
revocation of the related Consent. A Consent may be revoked at any time prior to
the execution of the Supplemental Indenture, but a valid revocation of a Consent
will result in a withdrawal of a tender of the Notes. Consents may not be
revoked after the execution of the Supplemental Indenture, but if the Offer with
respect to the Notes is terminated thereafter without any Notes having been
purchased, the Proposed Amendments will not become effective.
For a withdrawal of a tender of Notes or a revocation of a Consent to be
effective, a written, telegraphic or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal
or revocation or a "Request Message" (as defined below) must be timely received
by the Depositary at its address set forth on the back cover page of this
Statement. Any such notice of withdrawal or revocation must (i) specify the name
of the person who tendered the Notes to be withdrawn or to which the revocation
of a Consent relates, (ii) contain the description of the Notes to be withdrawn
or to which the revocation of a Consent relates and identify the certificate
number or numbers shown on the particular certificates evidencing such Notes
(unless such
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Notes were tendered by book-entry transfer) and the aggregate principal amount
represented by such Notes and (iii) be signed by the Holder of such Notes in the
same manner as the original signature on the Consent and Letter of Transmittal
by which such Notes were tendered and the related Consent was given (including
any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by (x) documents of
transfer sufficient to have the Trustee register the transfer of the Notes in
the name of the person withdrawing such Notes and/or revoking such related
Consent and (y) a properly completed irrevocable proxy that authorizes such
person to effect such revocation on behalf of such Holder. In lieu of submitting
a written, telegraphic or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal or
revocation, DTC participants may electronically transmit a request for
withdrawal or revocation to DTC. DTC will then edit the request and send a
Request Message to the Depositary. The term "Request Message" means a message
transmitted by DTC and received by the Depositary, which states that DTC has
received a request for withdrawal or revocation from a DTC participant and
identifies the Notes to which such request relates. If the Notes to be
withdrawn, or with respect to which Consents are to be revoked, have been
delivered or otherwise identified to the Depositary, a properly completed and
presented notice of withdrawal or revocation or a Request Message is effective
immediately upon receipt thereof even if physical release is not yet effected. A
withdrawal of Notes or a revocation of Consents can only be accomplished in
accordance with the foregoing procedures.
All questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of
notices of withdrawal or revocation, including a Request Message, will be
determined by the Company, in the Company's sole discretion (whose determination
will be final and binding). None of the Company, the Depositary, the Dealer
Manager, the Information Agent, the Trustee or any other person will be under
any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of
withdrawal or revocation or Request Message or incur any liability for failure
to give any such notification.
Any Notes properly withdrawn, or with respect to which a Consent has been
properly revoked, will be deemed to be not validly tendered for purposes of the
Offer. Withdrawn Notes may be re-tendered by following one of the procedures
described in Section 8 at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
10. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS. The total amount of funds required by the
Company to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the Offer and to pay related
fees and expenses is estimated to be approximately $190,000,000 (assuming 100%
of the outstanding principal amount of Notes are tendered and accepted for
payment).
The Company plans to obtain the necessary funds for the purchase of the
Notes pursuant to the Offer and the payment of related fees and expenses from a
portion of the net proceeds of the Asset Sale Transaction.
11. CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER. Notwithstanding other provisions of the Offer
and in addition to (and not in limitation of) the Company's rights to extend and
amend the Offer with respect to any or all of the Notes at any time in its sole
discretion, the Company shall not be required to accept for payment or pay for,
and may delay the acceptance for payment of, or payment for, any tendered Notes,
in each event subject to Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, and may terminate
the Offer, if any of the Minimum Tender Condition, the Consent Condition, the
Asset Sale Condition, the Bank Facility Repayment Condition, or the General
Conditions (each as defined below) shall not have been satisfied with respect to
the Offer.
The "Minimum Tender Condition" shall mean at least 95% of the outstanding
principal amount of the Notes being validly tendered and not withdrawn on or
prior to the Expiration Date.
The "Consent Condition" shall mean receipt of the Requisite Consents from
the Holders of the Notes with respect to the Proposed Amendments and execution
of the Supplemental Indenture providing for the Proposed Amendments. See Cover
Page and Sections 1 and 5.
The "Asset Sale Condition" shall mean the consummation of the Asset Sale
Transaction as described in Section 4 herein. The Asset Sale Transaction is
subject to certain conditions. See Section 4.
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The "Bank Facility Repayment Condition" shall mean the repayment of all
obligations of the Company, including the payment of any unpaid and accrued
interest and fees, to the extent such fees are not waived, under and in respect
of the Facility Agreement. See Cover Page and Section 4.
The "General Conditions" shall mean the conditions set forth below in
paragraphs (a) through (d). The General Conditions shall be deemed to have been
satisfied unless any of the following conditions shall occur on or after the
date of this Statement and prior to the acceptance for payment of any Notes
tendered pursuant to the Offer:
(a) there shall have occurred (i) any general suspension of trading in,
or limitation on prices for, securities in the securities or financial
markets of the United States or Europe, (ii) a significant change in the
price of the Notes or any publicly traded securities of the Company or any
of its affiliates in United States or European securities or financial
markets, which is adverse to the Company, (iii) a material impairment in the
trading market for debt securities, (iv) a declaration of a banking
moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United
States or Europe (whether or not mandatory), (v) any limitation by any
governmental authority on the extension of credit by banks or other lending
institutions in the United States or Europe, (vi) a commencement of a war,
armed hostilities or other national or international crisis involving the
United States or Europe, or (vii) in the case of any of the foregoing
existing on the date hereof, a material acceleration or worsening thereof;
or
(b) there exists an order, statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
stay, decree, judgment or injunction that shall have been proposed, enacted,
entered, issued, promulgated, enforced or deemed applicable by any court or
governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or instrumentality that,
in the sole judgment of the Company, would or might prohibit, prevent,
restrict or delay consummation of, or materially impair the contemplated
benefits to the Company, or any of its affiliates, of the Offer or the
Solicitation; or
(c) there shall have been instituted or threatened or be pending any
action or proceeding before or by any court, governmental regulatory or
administrative agency or instrumentality, or by any other person, in
connection with the Offer or the Solicitation, that is, or is reasonably
likely to be, in the sole judgment of the Company, materially adverse to the
business, operations, properties, condition (financial or otherwise),
assets, liabilities or prospects of the Company or any of its affiliates; or
(d) the Trustee shall have taken any action, or failed to take any
action, which action or failure could, in the sole judgment of the Company,
adversely affect the consummation of the Offer or the Trustee's or the
Company's ability to effect the Proposed Amendments, or shall have taken any
action that challenges the validity or effectiveness of, or shall have
objected in any respect to, the procedures used by the Company in soliciting
the Consents (including the form thereof) or in making the Offer or the
Solicitation, the acceptance of the Notes and the Consents or the making of
payments for the Notes and the Consents.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition (including any action or inaction by the Company) and may be waived by
the Company, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, in the sole
discretion of the Company. The failure by the Company at any time to exercise
any of the foregoing rights will not be deemed a waiver of any other right and
each right will be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted any time and
from time to time.
12. CERTAIN U.K. TAX CONSIDERATIONS. The following is a general summary of
certain of the anticipated U.K. tax consequences of the acceptance of the Offer.
It does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax
considerations that may be relevant. Holders of Notes are advised to consult
their tax advisers as to the U.K. or other tax consequences of accepting the
Offer.
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The summary relates only to holders of Notes who are the absolute beneficial
owners of those Notes and who hold those Notes as capital assets (and not as
dealers in securities).
SALE OF NOTES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER: Companies within the charge to U.K.
corporate tax (other than authorized unit trusts) should treat the consideration
received for their Notes in accordance with an accounting method "authorized"
for the purposes of the taxation of loan relationships.
Other holders of Notes who are resident for U.K. tax purposes in the United
Kingdom or who carry on in the United Kingdom a trade through a branch or agency
to which the Notes are attributable will generally be liable to U.K. income tax
on that part of the consideration received for their Notes that consists of
interest. Acceptance of the Offer by such holder in respect of Notes denominated
in currencies other than U.K. pounds sterling may also give rise to a chargeable
gain or allowable loss for the purposes of U.K. capital gains tax (calculated by
comparing U.K. pounds sterling values at acquisition and at acceptance of the
Offer). No such gain or loss, however, will arise in respect of Notes
denominated in U.K. pounds sterling.
Companies that are not within the charge to U.K. corporation tax and Holders
of Notes who are not resident for U.K. tax purposes in the United Kingdom or who
do not carry on in the United Kingdom a trade through a branch or agency to
which the Notes are attributable will not generally be subject to any U.K. tax
consequences in respect of the sale of the Notes. In limited circumstances a
U.K. non-resident Holder who has been resident in the U.K. and held Notes during
such period of U.K. residence may become liable to U.K. capital gains tax on
their return to the U.K. following a disposal of the Notes.
RETENTION OF NOTES; ADOPTION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS: In the event that the
Notes cease to be listed on a recognised stock exchange, they will no longer
qualify as a "quoted Eurobond". In such circumstances payments of interest on
the Notes are likely to become subject to deduction of United Kingdom income tax
(currently at 20%) subject to the availability of any reliefs including in
particular claims under the terms of an applicable double taxation treaty. To
the extent this Offer is consummated, it is likely the Company will apply to
cancel the listing on the London Stock Exchange.
In the case of a U.K. resident Holder or a Holder who carries on a trade in
the U.K. through a branch or agency to which the Notes are attributable, who
does not tender its Notes pursuant to the Offer, the Adoption of the Proposed
Amendments should be regarded as a variation of the terms of the Note with no
deemed exchange or disposal of the Notes. However, were the U.K. Inland Revenue
to regard the Proposed Amendments as a change to the fundamental terms of the
Notes they may regard the Proposed Amendments as constituting an exchange of the
Notes for new notes. The precise consequences of this would depend upon
circumstances of the Holder and the form in which they currently hold their
Notes.
ANY HOLDER WHO HAS ANY DOUBT AS TO THEIR POSITION IS RECOMMENDED TO CONSULT
THEIR TAX ADVISERS ON THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE OFFER AND
SOLICITATION.
13. CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES. CERTAIN UNITED STATES
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS. The following is a general summary of certain
anticipated United States federal income tax consequences to a Holder upon
(i) the sale of Notes to the Company pursuant to the Offer and (ii) the
retention of Notes and the adoption of the Proposed Amendments. This summary is
based upon current provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), applicable United States Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder, judicial authority and current Internal Revenue Service
("IRS") rulings and practice, all of which are subject to amendment or change,
possibly on a retroactive basis. The tax treatment of a Holder of Notes may vary
depending upon such Holder's particular situation, and certain Holders
(including insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial
institutions, brokers, dealers, nonresident aliens, foreign corporations,
foreign partnerships or foreign estates or any foreign trust other than a trust
over which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision and one or more United States fiduciaries have authority to control
all
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substantial decisions) might be subject to special rules not discussed below.
This discussion is directed to Holders who are United States persons and assumes
that Notes are held as capital assets. No information is provided herein with
respect to foreign, state or local tax laws or estate and gift tax
considerations.
As used herein, the term "United States Holder" means a beneficial owner of
a Note that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is (i) a citizen or
resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any
political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is includable
in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its
source, (iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S.
persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or
(v) a former citizen or long-term resident of the United States meeting certain
qualifications.
EACH HOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING FEDERAL,
STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND ANY OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF TENDERING THE NOTES
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER OR RETAINING THE NOTES AND THE ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE HOLDER'S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
This summary is based in part on United States Treasury regulations
concerning the United States federal income tax treatment of modifications of
debt instruments (the "Regulations"). The Regulations are effective for
modifications occurring on or after September 24, 1996 and, therefore, will
apply to the Proposed Amendments.
SALE OF NOTES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. In general, a Holder who receives cash
in exchange for Notes pursuant to the Offer will recognize gain or loss for
United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between
(i) the amount of cash received (other than cash attributable to accrued
interest, which will be taxable as ordinary income) in exchange for such Notes
and (ii) such Holder's adjusted tax basis in such Notes at the time of the sale.
A Holder's adjusted tax basis for Notes generally will be the price such Holder
paid for the Notes, increased by market discount, if any, to the extent such
market discount was previously included in income by the Holder, and reduced
(but not below zero) by amortized bond premium, if any, and any payments
received by the Holder on the Notes other than interest payments.
Any gain or loss recognized on a sale of a Note pursuant to the Offer
generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or
loss if the Holder has held the Note for more than one year at the time of sale.
For certain noncorporate taxpayers (including individuals), the rate of taxation
of capital gains will depend upon (i) the taxpayer's holding period in the
capital assets (with a preferential rate available for capital assets held for
more than one year) and (ii) the taxpayer's marginal tax rate for ordinary
income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. A Holder
who has acquired a Note with market discount generally will be required to treat
a portion of any gain on a sale of the Note as ordinary income to the extent of
the market discount accrued to the date of the disposition, less any accrued
market discount previously reported as ordinary income.
In general, market discount is the excess, if any, of the "stated redemption
price at maturity" of a Note over the United States Holder's tax basis therein
immediately after the acquisition of the Note (unless the amount of such excess
is less than a specified DE MINIMIS amount, in which case market discount is
considered to be zero).
RETENTION OF NOTES; ADOPTION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. In the case of a
Holder who does not tender its Notes pursuant to the Offer, the adoption of the
Proposed Amendments would not cause a deemed exchange of the Notes under the
Regulations unless the Proposed Amendments were considered to constitute a
"significant modification" to the terms of the Notes under the applicable
Treasury regulations. A modification that adds, deletes, or alters customary
accounting or financial covenants is not a significant modification. If the
Proposed Amendments were to cause a deemed exchange of the Notes for federal
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income tax purposes, a Holder who does not tender its Notes pursuant to the
Offer should not recognize gain or loss on such deemed exchange since such
deemed exchange should qualify as a tax-free recapitalization. There can be no
assurance, however, that the IRS will not take a contrary view. If an exchange
were deemed to have occurred and such exchange did not qualify as a
recapitalization, a Holder would recognize gain or loss on such exchange and
would have a new holding period for the Notes.
NON-U.S. HOLDERS. In general, subject to the discussion below of special
rules that may apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders and the discussion below of
backup withholding, (a) payments of principal, interest and any additional
amounts with respect thereto by The Dialog Corporation plc, or any paying agent
to a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax; (b) gain
realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or
other disposition of the Notes is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or
withholding tax; and (c) the Notes are not subject to U.S. federal estate tax,
if beneficially owned by an individual who was a Non-U.S. Holder at the time of
his death. Special rules may apply in the case of Non-U.S. Holders (i) that are
engaged in a U.S. trade or business; (ii) that are former citizens or long-term
residents of the U.S., "controlled foreign corporations", "foreign personal
holding companies", corporations which accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal
income tax, and certain foreign charitable organizations, each within the
meaning of the Code; or (iii) certain non-resident alien individuals who are
present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during a taxable year. Such persons are
urged to consult their U.S. tax advisers before purchasing Notes.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING. In general, backup
withholding and information reporting requirements will apply to the payment of
the gross proceeds of the Offer to the Holders of Notes. Federal income tax law
requires that certain Holders whose Notes are tendered and accepted for payment
must provide the Depositary (as payor) with such Holder's correct taxpayer
identification number ("TIN") which, in the case of an individual, is his or her
social security number, and certain other information, or otherwise establish a
basis for exemption from backup withholding. Exempt Holders (including, among
others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to
these backup withholding and information reporting requirements.
If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN or an adequate basis
for exemption, the Holder may be subject to a penalty imposed by the IRS and the
gross proceeds of the Offer paid to the Holder may be subject to a 31% backup
withholding tax. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, but rather a
method of tax collection. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of
taxes, a refund or credit may be obtained, provided that the required
information is provided to the IRS.
To avoid backup withholding, each tendering Holder must complete the
Substitute Form W-9 provided in the Consent and Letter of Transmittal and either
(i) provide the Holder's correct TIN and certain other information under
penalties of perjury or (ii) otherwise provide an adequate basis for exemption.
THE FOREGOING SUMMARY DOES NOT DISCUSS ALL ASPECTS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME
TAXATION THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO PARTICULAR HOLDERS IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR
CIRCUMSTANCES AND INCOME TAX SITUATIONS. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX
ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE OFFER AND THE
SOLICITATION, INCLUDING THE EFFECT OF ANY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN OR
OTHER LAWS.
14. THE DEALER MANAGER, THE INFORMATION AGENT AND THE DEPOSITARY. The
Company has engaged Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc. to act as the Dealer Manager
for the Offer and as Solicitation Agent for the Solicitation and to provide
certain financial advisory services to the Company in connection therewith. The
Company has agreed to pay the Dealer Manager compensation for the Dealer
Manager's financial advisory services and to reimburse the Dealer Manager for
its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Company has further agreed to
indemnify the Dealer Manager against certain liabilities, including certain
liabilities under the federal securities laws. At any given time, Wasserstein
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Perella & Co., Inc. may trade the Notes or other debt or equity securities of
the Company for its own accounts or for the accounts of customers, and,
accordingly, may hold a long or short position in the Notes or such other
securities.
Any Holder that has questions concerning the terms of the Offer or the
Solicitation may contact the Dealer Manager at its address and telephone number
set forth on the back cover page of this Statement.
D.F. King & Co., Inc. has been appointed as Information Agent for the Offer
and the Solicitation. Requests for assistance or additional copies of this
Statement, the Consent and Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery may be directed to the Information Agent at its address and telephone
numbers set forth on the back cover page of this Statement. Holders of Notes may
also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company for
assistance concerning the Offer or the Solicitation.
The Bank of New York has been appointed as Depositary for the Offer and the
Solicitation. The Consent and Letter of Transmittal and all correspondence in
connection with the Offer or the Solicitation should be sent or delivered by
each Holder or a beneficial owner's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
company or other nominee to the Depositary at the addresses and telephone
numbers set forth on the back cover page of this Statement. Any Holder or
beneficial owner that has questions concerning tender or consent procedures or
whose Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the
Depositary at the addresses and telephone numbers set forth on the back cover
page of this Statement.
15. FEES AND EXPENSES. The Company will reimburse the Dealer Manager for
its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with its services. The
Company will pay the Information Agent and the Depositary reasonable and
customary fees for their services and will reimburse them for their reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith. The Company will also pay
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding copies of this Statement
and related documents to the beneficial owners of Notes.
16. MISCELLANEOUS. The Company is not aware of any jurisdiction in which
the making of the Offer and the Solicitation is not in compliance with
applicable law. If the Company becomes aware of any jurisdiction in which the
making of the Offer and the Solicitation would not be in compliance with
applicable law, the Company will make a good faith effort to comply with any
such law. If, after such good faith effort, the Company cannot comply with any
such law, the Offer and the Solicitation will not be made to (nor will tender of
Notes and deliveries of Consents be accepted from or on behalf of) the Holders
residing in such jurisdiction.
No person has been authorized to give any information or make any
representation on behalf of the Company or its affiliates not contained in this
Statement or in the Consent and Letter of Transmittal and, if given or made,
such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been
authorized.
Manually signed facsimile copies of the Consent and Letter of Transmittal,
properly completed and duly executed, will be accepted. The Consent and Letter
of Transmittal, Notes and any other required documents should be sent or
delivered by each Holder or its broker, dealer, commercial bank or other nominee
to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this
Statement.
THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
March 24, 2000
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APPENDIX A
11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND
COMPARISON OF INDENTURE PROVISIONS
Set forth below are the provisions of the Indenture under which the 11%
Senior Subordinated Notes were issued that would be deleted or amended by the
Proposed Amendments. In the case of amendments to such provisions, language
which has been crossed out is proposed to be deleted.
The following is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of
Supplemental Indenture, copies of which can be obtained without charge from the
Information Agent. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Appendix A
have the meanings assigned thereto in the Indenture.
I. IF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE ADOPTED, EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF
THE INDENTURE SHALL BE DELETED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND "INTENTIONALLY OMITTED" WILL
BE INSERTED FOLLOWING THE APPROPRIATE SECTIONS THEREOF:
SECTION 4.03. LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS. (a) The Company shall not,
and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur any Indebtedness;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company may Incur Indebtedness if on the date
thereof the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be greater than 2.0:1.0.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not permit any Subsidiary
to issue, to any party other than the Company, any Preferred Stock.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 4.03(a), the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries may Incur the following Indebtedness (hereafter "Permitted
Indebtedness"):
(i) Indebtedness of the Company under the Term Loan Facility (as the
same may be amended from time to time, without increasing the committed
amount outstanding, except as otherwise permitted by this Section) in an
aggregate principal amount on the date of Incurrence which, when added to
all other Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (i) and then
outstanding, shall not exceed $92.5 million less the aggregate amount of all
repayments of principal applied to reduce the then outstanding Indebtedness
under the Term Loan Facility actually made since the Issue Date;
(ii) Indebtedness of the Company under the Revolving Credit Facility,
including the Ancillary Facilities (as the same may be amended from time to
time, without increasing the committed amount outstanding, except as
otherwise permitted by this Section) in an aggregate principal amount at any
time outstanding not in excess of $25.0 million;
(iii) Indebtedness of the Company owing to and held by any Wholly Owned
Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by
the Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any
subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that
results in any such Wholly Owned Subsidiary ceasing to be a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to
the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to
constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof;
(iv) Indebtedness represented by the Securities;
(v) any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness described in clauses
(i) through (iii) above) outstanding on the Issue Date;
(vi) any Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in respect of any
Indebtedness described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v) or Section 4.03(a);
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(vii) (A) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and
outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was
acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration
for, in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or
credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related
transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a
Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the Company); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that at the time such Restricted Subsidiary is acquired by the Company, the
Company would have been able to Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to Section 4.03(a) after giving effect to such acquisition
(including the Incurrence of such Indebtedness pursuant to this
clause (vii)) and (B) Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred by a Restricted
Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary
pursuant to this clause (vii);
(viii) Indebtedness (A) in respect of performance bonds, bankers'
acceptances, letters of credit and surety or appeal bonds provided by the
Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their
business and which do not secure other Indebtedness, and (B) of the Company
or Any Restricted Subsidiary under Currency Agreements and Interest Rate
Agreements, in each case entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and
not for purposes of speculation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in the case of
Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements, such Currency Agreements
and Interest Rate Agreements do not increase the Indebtedness of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding at any time other than as a result
of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates or by
reason of fees, indemnities and compensation payable thereunder;
(ix) Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount on the date of Incurrence which,
when added to all other Capitalized Lease Obligations Incurred pursuant to
this clause (ix) and then outstanding, will not exceed L10.0 million;
(x) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than
Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or any
other clause of this Section 4.03(b)) in an aggregate principal amount on
the date of Incurrence which, when added to all other Indebtedness Incurred
pursuant to this clause (x) and then outstanding, shall not exceed
L15.0 million; or
(xi) Indebtedness represented by the Note Guarantees and Guarantees of
Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above;
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not Incur any
Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (b) above if the proceeds thereof are
used, directly or indirectly, to repay, prepay, redeem, defease, retire,
refund or refinance any Subordinated Obligations unless such Indebtedness
shall be subordinated to the Securities to at least the same extent as such
Subordinated Obligations. The Company shall not Incur any Indebtedness
pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or 4.03(b) if such Indebtedness is subordinate
or junior in ranking in any respect to any Senior Indebtedness unless such
Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or is expressly
subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. In
addition, the Company shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary that is not
(and is not concurrently becoming) a Note Guarantor to Incur any
Indebtedness (i) if the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness on
the date of Incurrence, together with all Indebtedness then outstanding of
such Restricted Subsidiary, would exceed L200,000 or (ii) if the aggregate
principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with all other Indebtedness
then outstanding of all Restricted Subsidiaries that are not (and are not
concurrently becoming) Note Guarantors, would exceed Ll.0 million, unless,
prior to or concurrently with such Incurrence, such Restricted Subsidiary
shall have executed a Note Guarantee and become a Note Guarantor pursuant to
the provisions hereof.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.03, the
maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
may Incur pursuant to this Section shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely
as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies. For
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purposes of determining the outstanding principal amount of any particular
Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this Section 4.03, (i) Indebtedness
Incurred pursuant to the Credit Agreement prior to or on the date of this
Indenture shall be treated as Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(i),
(ii) Indebtedness permitted by this Section 4.03 need not be permitted
solely by reference to one provision permitting such Indebtedness but may be
permitted in part by one such provision and in part by one or more other
provisions of this Section permitting such Indebtedness and (iii) in the
event that Indebtedness or any portion thereof meets the criteria of more
than one of the types of Indebtedness described in this Section 4.03, the
Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify such Indebtedness and only
be required to include the amount of such Indebtedness in one of such
clauses.
SECTION 4.04. LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. (a) The Company shall
not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly,
to:
(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in
respect of its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any
merger or consolidation involving the Company) except (A) dividends or
distributions payable solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) and (B) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary (and, if such Restricted Subsidiary is not wholly
owned, to its other shareholders on a pro rata basis);
(ii) purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital
Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by Persons other than
the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary;
(iii) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or
retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or
scheduled sinking fund payment any Subordinated Obligations (other than the
purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations
purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal
installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date
of acquisition); or
(iv) make any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any
Person (any such dividend, distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase,
defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Investment described in clauses
(i) through (iv) hereof being herein referred to as a "Restricted Payment")
if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such
Restricted Payment:
(1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result
therefrom);
(2) the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a); or
(3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other
Restricted Payments (the amount so expended, if other than in cash, to be
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination
shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of
Directors) declared or made subsequent to the Issue Date would exceed the
sum of:
(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period
(treated as one accounting period) from October 1, 1997 to the end of
the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 60 days prior to the
date of such Restricted Payment or for which financial statements are
publicly available, (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income shall
be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit);
(B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from
the issue or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) subsequent to the Issue Date (other than an issuance or sale
to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or
other trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and
excluding the sale of Capital Stock as part of the financing of the
Acquisition);
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(C) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the Company's balance sheet
upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary)
subsequent to the Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the Company or
its Restricted Subsidiaries issued after the Issue Date that is
convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash or
other property distributed by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange);
(D) the amount equal to the net reduction in Investments in
Unrestricted Subsidiaries resulting from (i) payments of dividends,
repayments of the principal of loans or advances or other transfers
of assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from
Unrestricted Subsidiaries or (ii) the redesignation of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries (valued in each case as
provided in the definition of "Investment") not to exceed, in the
case of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments
previously made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such
Unrestricted Subsidiary, which amount was included in the calculation
of the amount of Restricted Payments; and
(E) aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the
issue of sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
subsequent to the Issue Date to an employee stock ownership plan or
similar trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such plan or trust Incurs any Indebtedness
to or Guaranteed by the Company to finance the acquisition of such
Capital Stock, such aggregate amount shall be limited to any increase
in the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company resulting from principal
repayments made by such plan or trust with respect to Indebtedness
Incurred by it to finance the purchase of such Capital Stock.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:
(i) any purchase or redemption of Capital Stock of the Company or
Subordinated Obligations made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the
substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than
Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a
Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or other trust established by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and other than Capital Stock sold as
part of the financing of the Acquisition); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (A) such
purchase or redemption shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of
Restricted Payments and (B) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale applied in
the manner set forth in this clause (i) shall be excluded from clause (3)
(B) of Section 4.04(a);
(ii) any purchase or redemption of Subordinated Obligations made by
exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale
of, Indebtedness of the Company which is permitted to be Incurred pursuant
to Section 4.03(b); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such purchase or redemption
shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(iii) any purchase or redemption of Subordinated Obligations from Net
Available Cash to the extent permitted by Section 4.06; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that such purchase or redemption shall not be excluded in the calculation of
the amount of Restricted Payments;
(iv) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof
if at such date of declaration such dividend would have complied with
Section 4.04(a); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such dividend shall be included in
the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; or
(v) the repurchase of shares of, or options to purchase shares of,
common stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from employees,
former employees, directors or former directors of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such employees, former employees,
directors or former directors), pursuant to the terms of the agreements
(including employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved
by the Board of Directors under which such
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individuals purchase or sell or are granted the option to purchase or sell,
shares of such common stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of
such repurchases shall not exceed Ll.0 million in any calendar year;
PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that such repurchases shall be excluded in the
calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.
If the Company shall make a Restricted Payment which, at the time of the
making of such Restricted Payment, the Board of Directors of the Company shall
have determined in good faith was permitted under Section 4.04(a), such
Restricted Payment shall not be deemed to have been made in violation of
Section 4.04(a) because a subsequent adjustment is made to the Company's
financial statements affecting Consolidated Net Income for any period relevant
in determining whether such Restricted Payment was permitted; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine in good faith that
such adjustments (i) are in accordance with U.K. GAAP, (ii) could not reasonably
have been determined (to the extent relevant to the making of such Restricted
Payment) at the time of such Restricted Payment and (iii) were not delayed, in
whole or in part, in order to permit such Restricted Payment, such determination
of the Company's Board of Directors to be conclusive and evidenced by a
resolution of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4.05. LIMITATION ON RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or
become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of
any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other
distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness or other
obligations owed to the Company, (ii) make any loans or advances to the
Company or (iii) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company,
except:
(1) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement in effect at
or entered into on the Issue Date;
(2) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted
Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness Incurred by
such Restricted Subsidiary prior to the date on which such Restricted
Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred as
consideration in, in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of
the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or
series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary
became a Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the Company) and
outstanding on such date;
(3) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement constituting
Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement
referred to in clause (1) or (2) of this Section or this clause (3) or
contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in clause (1) or
(2) of this Section or this clause (3); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such refinancing agreement or
amendment are no less favorable to the Securityholders in any material
respect than encumbrances and restrictions contained in such agreements;
(4) in the case of clause (iii), any encumbrance or restriction
(A) that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or
transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease, license or
similar contract, (B) by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer,
option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this
Indenture or (C) contained in security agreements or mortgages securing
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such encumbrance or
restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such security
agreements or mortgages;
(5) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed
pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or
substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary
pending the closing of such sale or disposition; and
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(6) Purchase Money Obligations for property acquired in the ordinary
course of business that impose restrictions of the type referred to in
clause (iii) of this Section 4.05.
SECTION 4.06. LIMITATION ON SALES OF ASSETS AND SUBSIDIARY
STOCK. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, make any Asset Disposition unless:
(i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration
(including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming sole
responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise and all other
non-cash consideration) at the time of such Asset Disposition at least equal
to the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors (including as to the value of all non-cash consideration), whose
determination will be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the Board
of Directors, of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition;
(ii) at least 80% of the consideration thereof received by the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash; and
(iii) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset
Disposition is applied by the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be):
(A) FIRST, to the extent the Company elects (or is required by the
terms of any Senior Indebtedness or Indebtedness (other than Preferred
Stock) of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary), to prepay, repay or purchase Senior
Indebtedness or such Indebtedness (in each case other than Indebtedness
owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) within one year after
the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such
Net Available Cash;
(B) SECOND, to the extent of the balance of Net Available Cash after
application in accordance with clause (A), to the extent the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary elects, to reinvest in Additional Assets
(including by means of an Investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted
Subsidiary with Net Available Cash received by the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary) within one year from the later of such Asset
Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash;
(C) THIRD, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash
after application in accordance with clauses (A) and (B), to make an
Offer to purchase Securities pursuant to and subject to the conditions of
Section 4.06(b); and
(D) FOURTH, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash
after application in accordance with clauses (A), (B) and (C), to
(x) acquire Additional Assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock)
or (y) prepay, repay or purchase Indebtedness of the Company (other than
Indebtedness owed to an Affiliate of the Company and other than
Disqualified Stock of the Company) or Indebtedness of any Restricted
Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate
of the Company), in each case described in this clause (D) within one
year from the receipt of such Net Available Cash or, if the Company has
made an Offer pursuant to Section 4.06(b), six months from the date such
Offer is consummated;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER that in connection with any prepayment, repayment
or purchase of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (A), (C) or (D) above, the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall retire such Indebtedness and
shall cause the related loan commitment (if any) to be permanently
reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid or
purchased.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.06, the Company
and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to apply any Net Available
Cash in accordance with this Section except to the extent that the aggregate Net
Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions that is not applied in accordance
with this Section 4.06 exceeds L5.0 million.
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For the purposes of this Section 4.06, the following are deemed to be cash:
(x) the assumption of Indebtedness of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock
of the Company) or any Restricted Subsidiary and the release of the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness in connection
with such Asset Disposition and (y) securities received by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that are promptly converted by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash.
(b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of
Securities pursuant to Section 4.06 (a) (iii) (C), the Company shall be
required to purchase Securities tendered pursuant to an offer by the Company
for the Securities (the "Offer") at a purchase price of 100% of their
principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts,
if any, to the Purchase Date (and, in the case of Definitive Securities,
subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive
interest on the relevant interest payment date and Additional Amounts, if
any, in respect thereof) in accordance with the procedures (including
pro-rationing in the event of oversubscription) set forth in
Section 4.06(c). If the aggregate purchase price of Securities tendered
pursuant to the Offer is less than the Net Available Cash allotted to the
purchase of the Securities, the Company shall apply the remaining Net
Available Cash in accordance with Section 4.06(a)(iii)(D). The Company shall
not be required to make an Offer for Securities pursuant to this Section if
the Net Available Cash available therefor (after application of the proceeds
as provided in clauses (A) and (B) of Section 4.06(a)(iii)) is less than
L7.5 million for any particular Asset Disposition (which lesser amount shall
be carried forward for purposes of determining whether an offer is required
with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent Asset
Disposition).
If the Purchase Date (as defined below) is on or after an interest record
date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid
interest will be paid in the case of a Global Security, to the Holder thereof
or, in the case of a Definitive Security, to the Person in whose name such
Definitive Security is registered at the close of business on such Record Date,
and no additional interest will be payable to Holders with respect to Securities
tendered pursuant to the Offer.
(c) (1) Promptly, and in any event within 10 days after the Company
becomes obligated to make an Offer, the Company shall be obligated to
deliver to the Trustee and to publish in a leading newspaper having a
general circulation in New York (which is expected to be THE WALL STREET
JOURNAL) (and, if and so long as the Securities are listed on the London
Stock Exchange and the rules of such Stock Exchange shall so require, a
newspaper having a general circulation in London (which is expected to be
THE FINANCIAL TIMES)) or, in the case of Definitive Securities, mail or
cause to be mailed a notice of an Offer by first class mail, postage
prepaid, to the registered address of each Holder whose Securities are to be
purchased. The notice shall state that the Holder may elect to have his
Securities purchased by the Company either in whole or in part (subject to
prorationing as hereinafter described in the event the Offer is
oversubscribed) in integral multiples of $1,000 in principal amount, at the
applicable purchase price. The notice shall specify a purchase date not less
than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice (the
"Purchase Date") and shall contain (or, in the case of a notice by
publication, shall contain instructions on how to obtain from the Company by
first class mail, postage prepaid) such information concerning the business
of the Company which the Company in good faith believes will enable such
Holders to make an informed decision (which at a minimum shall include
(i) a description of material developments in the Company's business
subsequent to the date of the latest annual, quarterly or Form 8-K
information provided pursuant to this Indenture, (ii) if material,
appropriate pro forma financial information and (iii) all instructions and
materials necessary to tender Securities pursuant to the Offer, together
with the address referred to in clause (3)). Notice of an Offer shall also
be given in accordance with any applicable requirements of any other
securities exchange on which the Securities are listed.
(2) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Offer is
delivered to the Trustee as provided above, the Company shall deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate as to (i) the amount of
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the Offer (the "Offer Amount"), (ii) the allocation of the Net Available Cash
from the Asset Dispositions pursuant to which such Offer is being made and
(iii) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.06(a).
On such date, the Company shall also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or
with a paying agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own paying agent,
segregate and hold in trust) an amount equal to the Offer Amount to be invested
in Temporary Cash Investments and to be held for payment in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 4.06(c)(2). Upon the expiration of the period for
which the Offer remains open (the "Offer Period"), the Company shall deliver to
the Trustee for adjustment (in the case of Global Securities) or cancellation
(in the case of Definitive Securities) the Securities or portions thereof that
have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Company. On the
Purchase Date, the Paying Agent shall promptly cause the principal amount of any
Global Security tendered pursuant to the Offer to be adjusted on Schedule A
thereof to be equal to any unpurchased portion of such Global Security which
unpurchased portion must be equal to $1,000 in principal amount at maturity or
an integral multiple thereof, and shall promptly authenticate and mail or
deliver to each tendering Holder of a Definitive Security, a new Definitive
Security or Securities equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of
the Definitive Security surrendered which unpurchased portion must be equal to
$1,000 in principal amount at maturity or an integral multiple thereof. The
Trustee shall promptly (but in any case not later than five Business Days after
the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to
the purchase price of the Securities tendered by such Holder and accepted by the
Company for purchase. Any Securities not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or
delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company
shall publicly announce the results of the Offer not later than the third
Business Day following the Purchase Date. In the event that the aggregate
principal amount of the Securities or portion thereof surrendered by
Securityholders thereof pursuant to an Offer is less than the Offer Amount, the
Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Company immediately after the expiration
of the Offer Period for application in accordance with this Section 4.06.
(3) Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be required to
surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Company
at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the
Purchase Date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the
Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day prior to the
Purchase Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the
Holder, the principal amount of the Security which was delivered by the Holder
for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to
have such Security purchased. If at the expiration of the Offer Period the
aggregate principal amount of Securities surrendered by Holders exceeds the
Offer Amount, the Company shall select the Securities to be purchased in
compliance with the requirements of the principal securities exchange, if any,
on which such Securities are listed or, if such Securities are not so listed or
such exchange prescribes no method of selection, subject to applicable law, on a
pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the
Company so that only Securities in denominations of $1,000, or integral
multiples thereof, shall be purchased).
(4) At the time the Company delivers Securities to the Trustee which are to
be accepted for purchase, the Company shall also deliver an Officers'
Certificate stating that such Securities are to be accepted by the Company
pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.06. A Security
shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the Trustee,
directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor to the
surrendering Holder.
(d) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the
requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws
or regulations, including any securities laws of the United Kingdom and
requirements of the London Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange on
which the Securities are listed, to the extent such laws or regulations are
applicable in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to this
Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations
conflict with provisions of this Section, the Company shall comply with the
applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have
breached its obligations under this Section by virtue thereof.
A-8
<PAGE>
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with an Asset Disposition
constituting the sale of all or substantially all the assets (whether directly
or indirectly through the sale of Capital Stock of any Subsidiary or
Subsidiaries holding such assets) of a Non-Core Business as an entirety, up to
50% of the consideration thereof received by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary may be in a form other than cash. In addition, the requirements, of
clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of this Section 4.06 shall not apply in respect of a
disposition of Capital Stock of a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Company
if such disposition occurred by operation of law pursuant to a merger,
consolidation, reorganization or similar transaction involving such Person but
not involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.07. LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. (a) The
Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, enter into or conduct any transaction (including the
purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any
service) with any Affiliate of the Company (an "Affiliate Transaction") on
terms (i) that are less favorable to the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained at the
time of such transaction in arm's-length dealings with a Person who is not
such an Affiliate and (ii) that, in the event such Affiliate Transaction
involves an aggregate amount in excess of L2.5 million, are not in writing
and have not been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors having no personal stake in such Affiliate Transaction and who are
not employed by or otherwise associated with such Affiliate. In addition, if
such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of L5.0 million, a
fairness opinion must be provided by an independent nationally recognized
appraisal or investment banking firm that such Affiliate Transaction is fair
to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a
financial point of view.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not prohibit (i) any Restricted
Payment permitted to be paid pursuant to Section 4.04, (ii) any issuance of
securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise
pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock
ownership plans approved by the Board of Directors, (iii) loans or advances to
employees in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practices
of the Company or its Subsidiaries, but in any event not to exceed Ll.5 million
in the aggregate outstanding at any one time, (iv) the payment of reasonable
fees to directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries who are not employees of
the Company or its Subsidiaries, (v) fees, compensation, indemnity or employee
benefit or similar arrangements paid to officers or employees of the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business, (vi) any
transaction between the Company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or between Wholly
Owned Subsidiaries, (vii) transactions pursuant to agreements as in effect on
the Issue Date, and (viii) any issuance of Capital Stock by the Company.
SECTION 4.08. CHANGE OF CONTROL. (a) Upon a Change of Control, each
Holder shall have the right to require that the Company repurchase all or
any part of such Holder's Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to
101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and
Additional Amounts, if any, to the date of repurchase (and, in the case of
Definitive Securities, subject to the right of Holders of record on a record
date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date and
Additional Amounts, if any, in respect thereof), in accordance with the
terms contemplated in Section 4.08(b); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
notwithstanding the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Company shall not
be obligated to purchase the Securities pursuant to this Section 4.08 in the
event that it has exercised its right to redeem all the Securities under
paragraph 6 or 7 of the Securities. In the event that at the time of such
Change of Control the terms of the Bank Indebtedness restrict or prohibit
the repurchase of Securities pursuant to this Section, then prior to the
publishing or mailing of the notice to Holders provided for in
Section 4.08(b) below but in any event within 30 days following any Change
of Control, the Company shall (i) repay in full in cash all Bank
Indebtedness or offer to repay in full all Bank Indebtedness and repay the
Bank Indebtedness of each lender who has accepted such offer or (ii) obtain
the requisite consent under the agreements governing the Bank Indebtedness
to permit the repurchase of the Securities as provided for in
Section 4.08(b).
A-9
<PAGE>
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control (except as provided
in the proviso to the first sentence of Section 4.08(a)), the Company shall
publish notice of such in a leading newspaper having a general circulation
in New York (which is expected to be THE WALL STREET JOURNAL) (and, if and
so long as the Securities are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the
rules of such Stock Exchange shall so require, a newspaper having a general
circulation in London (which is expected to be THE FINANCIAL TIMES))or, in
the case of Definitive Securities, mail a notice to each Holder, in each
case with a copy to the Trustee, with the following information:
(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has
the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder's Securities at
a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof,
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the
date of repurchase (and in the case of Definitive Securities, subject to
the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest due
on the relevant interest payment date and Additional Amounts, if any, in
respect thereof);
(2) the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information
regarding such Change of Control;
(3) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor
later than 60 days from the date such notice is published or, where
relevant, mailed, except as may otherwise be required by applicable law);
and
(4) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this
Section, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Securities
purchased.
Such notice shall also be given in accordance with any applicable
requirements of any other securities exchange on which the Securities are
listed.
(c) Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be required to
surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the
Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days
prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their
election if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business
Day prior to the purchase date a facsimile transmission or letter setting
forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security which was
delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Security purchased.
(d) On the purchase date, all Securities or portions thereof that are
purchased by the Company under this Section shall be delivered to the
Trustee for adjustment (in the case of Global Securities) or cancellation
(in the case of Definitive Securities), and the Trustee shall promptly cause
the principal amount of any Global Security tendered under this Section to
be adjusted on Schedule A thereof to be equal to any unpurchased portion of
such Global Security which unpurchased portion must be equal to $1,000 in
principal amount at maturity or an integral multiple thereof, and shall
promptly authenticate and mail or deliver to each tendering Holder of a
Definitive Security, a new Definitive Security or Securities equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Definitive Security
surrendered which unpurchased portion must be equal to $1,000 in principal
amount at maturity or an integral multiple thereof. The Trustee shall
promptly (but in any case not later than five Business Days after the
purchase date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to
the purchase price of the Securities tendered by such Holder and accepted by
the Company for purchase pursuant to this Section. Any Securities not so
accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by or on behalf of the
Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the
results of the Offer not later than the second Business Day following the
purchase date.
(e) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the
requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities
laws or regulations, including any securities laws of the United Kingdom and
requirements of the London Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange
A-10
<PAGE>
on which the Securities are listed, to the extent such laws or regulations
are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to
this Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with provisions of this Section, the Company shall
comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be
deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section by virtue
thereof.
SECTION 4.11. LIMITATION ON LIENS. The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or
permit to exist any Lien on any of its property or assets (including Capital
Stock), whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, securing any
obligation other than Senior Indebtedness of the Company, in the case of the
Company, or Senior Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary, in the case of a
Restricted Subsidiary, unless contemporaneously therewith (or prior to)
effective provision is made to secure the Securities and any Note Guarantee
of such Restricted Subsidiary on an equal and ratable basis (or on a senior
basis to, in the case of Subordinated Obligations) with such obligation for
so long as such obligation is so secured. The preceding sentence shall not
require the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary equally and ratably to
secure the Securities if the Lien consists of Permitted Liens.
SECTION 4.12. FUTURE NOTE GUARANTORS. The Company shall cause each
Restricted Subsidiary that is or becomes a guarantor of Indebtedness
Incurred pursuant to clause (b)(i) or (b)(ii) of Section 4.03 (or any
Refinancing thereof) or Incurs Bank Indebtedness or, to the extent required
by clause (c) of Section 4.03, Incurs any other Indebtedness (prior to or
concurrently with any such Incurrence) to execute and deliver to the Trustee
a Note Guarantee pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall Guarantee payment
of the Securities. Each Note Guarantee shall be limited to an amount not to
exceed the maximum amount that can be Guaranteed by that Subsidiary without
rendering the Note Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary, voidable
under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent
transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
SECTION 4.13. LIMITATION ON LINES OF BUSINESS. The Company shall not,
and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business,
other than a Related Business.
SECTION 4.14. LIMITATION ON SALE/LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS. The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any
Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to any property unless (a) the
Company or such Subsidiary would be entitled to (i) Incur Indebtedness in an
amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale/Leaseback
Transaction pursuant to Section 4.03 and (ii) create a Lien on such property
securing such Attributable Debt without equally and ratably securing the
Securities pursuant to Section 4.11(b) the net cash proceeds received by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection, such Sale/Leaseback
Transaction are at least equal to the fair value (as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors) of such property and (c) the transfer of
such property is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such
transaction in compliance with, Section 4.06.
SECTION 4.15. LIMITATION ON THE SALE OR ISSUANCE OF CAPITAL STOCK OF
RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES. The Company shall not sell any shares of Capital
Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to issue or sell any shares of its
Capital Stock except: (i) to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary; or
(ii) if, immediately after giving effect to such issuance or sale, such
Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary.
The proceeds of any sale of such Capital Stock permitted hereby shall be
treated as Net Available Cash from an Asset Disposition and shall be applied
in accordance with Section 4.06.
A-11
<PAGE>
II. IF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE ADOPTED, ARTICLE 5 OF THE INDENTURE SHALL
BE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS (DELETED LANGUAGE IS SHOWN IN STRIKEOUT TEXT AND ADDED
LANGUAGE IS SHOWN IN BOLD AND DOUBLE UNDERLINE TEXT:
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSOR COMPANY
SECTION 5.01. WHEN COMPANY MAY MERGE OR TRANSFER ASSETS. The Company
shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or
lease all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:
(i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the "Successor
Company") shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
England and Wales or the United States of America, any state thereof or the
District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall
expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and
delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the
obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;
(ii) immediately afer giving effect to such transaction, <#>(and
treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as
having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
at the time of such transaction)</#>, no Default shall have occurred and be
continuing;
(iii) <#>immediately after giving effect to such Transaction, the
Successor Company would be able to incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness
pursuant to Section 4.03(a)</#> [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED];
(iv) <#>immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the
Successor Company shall have Consolidated Net Worth in an amount which is
not less than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to
such transaction</#> [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED];
(v) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation,
merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this
Indenture; and
(vi) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of tax
counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee stating that (A) the Holders
(or beneficial owners, if not the Holders) will not recognize income, gain
or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such
transaction, (B) any payment of principal, redemption price or purchase
price of, premium (if any), Additional Amounts (if any) and interest on the
Securities by the Successor Company to a Holder (or beneficial owner, if not
a Holder) after the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease of
assets will be exempt from the Taxes described under Section 4.16 and
(C) no other taxes on income (including taxable capital gains) will be
payable under the laws of the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction where
the Successor Company is or becomes located by a Holder (or beneficial
owner, if not a Holder) who is not and is not deemed to be a resident of the
United Kingdom or other jurisdiction where the Company is or becomes located
and does not carry on a trade in the United Kingdom through a branch, agency
or permanent establishment to which the Securities of that Holder are
attributable (or, as the case may be, does not carry on any business
activities through a branch, agency or permanent establishment in such other
jurisdiction where the Successor Company is or becomes located) in respect
of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of Securities, including the
receipt of principal, premium (if any), Additional Amounts (if any) or
interest paid pursuant to such Securities.
The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, but the
predecessor Company in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease of all or
substantially all its assets shall not be released from the obligation to pay
the principal of and interest on the Securities.
A-12
<PAGE>
Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (I), (V) AND (VI), <#>(BUT SUBJECT TO
COMPLIANCE WITH THE REMAINING CLAUSES), (A) ANY RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY MAY
CONSOLIDATE WITH, MERGE INTO OR TRANSFER ALL OR PART OF ITS PROPERTIES AND
ASSETS TO THE COMPANY AND (B) THE COMPANY MAY MERGE WITH A WHOLLY-OWNED
SUBSIDIARY INCORPORATED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF REINCORPORATING THE COMPANY IN
ANOTHER JURISDICTION TO REALIZE TAX OR OTHER BENEFITS</#> THE COMPANY WILL BE
ENTITLED TO ENTER INTO THE SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH THE THOMSON
CORPORATION DATED MARCH 23, 2000 AND TO PERFORM ALL OF ITS OBLIGATIONS
THEREUNDER WITHOUT COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 5.01.
III. IF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE ADOPTED, SECTION 4.02 OF THE INDENTURE
SHALL BE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS (DELETED LANGUAGE IS SHOWN IN STRIKEOUT TEXT AND
ADDED LANGUAGE IS SHOWN IN BOLD AND DOUBLE UNDERLINE TEXT):
SECTION 4.02. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY; REPORTS TO
HOLDERS. (a) The Company shall maintain the office or agency (which office
may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or
co-Registrar) required under Section 2.03 where Securities may be
surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices
and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this
Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the
Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or
agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required
office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address
thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or
served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 11.02. The Company
hereby initially designates the office of the Trustee, located at 101
Barclay Street, New York, NY 10286, as its office or agency outside the
United Kingdom as required under Section 2.03 hereof.
(b) <#>Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the
Commission, So long as the Company is required to file reports with the
Commission pursuant to Sections 13 and 15 of the Exchange Act, the Company
shall furnish to the holders of the Securities (i) all annual and quarterly
financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing
with the Commission on Forms 20-F and 10-Q (or any successor forms) if the
Company were required to file such Forms, including a "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations"
and, with respect to the annual financial information, a report thereon by
the Company's certified independent accounts and (ii) all information that
would be required to be contained in current reports that would be required
to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to
file such reports; provided, however, that (x) such quarterly financial
information may be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United Kingdom, shall be furnished within 60 days
following the end of each fiscal quarter of the Company and may be provided
in a report on Form 6-K, (y) such annual financial information shall be
furnished within 120 days following the end of the fiscal year of the
Company and (z) such information that would be required to be contained in a
report on Form 8-K may be provided in a report on Form 6-K and any financial
statements, pro forma financial information and exhibits specified under
Item 7 of Form 8-K will be provided to the extent applicable and available
without unreasonable expense. So long as the Company is required to file
reports with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13 and 15 of the Exchange
Act, In addition, whether or not required by the rules and regulations of
the Commission, the Company shall file a copy of all such information and
reports with the Commission for public availability (unless the Commission
will not accept such a filing). In addition, the Company shall furnish to
the Holders of the Securities and to prospective investors, upon the
requests of such Holders, any information required to be delivered pursuant
to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act so long as the Securities are
not freely transferable under the Act by Persons not "affiliates" under the
Securities Act.</#> The Company shall also comply with the provisions of TIA
Section 314(a).
A-13
<PAGE>
IV. IF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE ADOPTED, SECTION 6.01 OF THE INDENTURE
SHALL BE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS (DELETED LANGUAGE IS SHOWN IN STRIKEOUT TEXT AND
ADDED LANGUAGE IS SHOWN IN BOLD DOUBLE UNDERLINE TEXT):
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. An "Event of Default" occurs if:
(1) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on, or Additional
Amounts, if any, with respect to, any Security when the same becomes due and
payable, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article I, and
such default continues for a period of 30 days:
(2) the Company (i) defaults in the payment of the principal of any
Security when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon
redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise, whether
or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article 10 or (ii) fails to
redeem or purchase Securities when required pursuant to this Indenture or
the Securities, whether or not such redemption or purchase shall be
prohibited by Article 10;
(3) <#>the Company fails to comply with Section 5.01</#>; [INTENTIONALLY
OMITTED]
(4) <#>THE COMPANY FAILS TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05,
4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16 OR 4.17 (IN EACH CASE,
OTHER THAN A FAILURE TO PURCHASE SECURITIES WHEN REQUIRED), AND SUCH FAILURE
CONTINUES FOR 30 DAYS AFTER THE NOTICE SPECIFIED BELOW</#> [INTENTIONALLY
OMITTED];
(5) the Company or any Note Guarantor fails to comply with any of its
agreements in the Securities, the Note Guarantees or this Indenture (other
than those referred to in (1), OR (2), <#>(3) or 4</#> above) and such
failure continues for 60 days after the notice specified below;
(6) <#>Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary is not
paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the
acceleration by the holders thereof because of a default and the total
amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds L10.0 million or
its foreign currency equivalent at the time;</#> [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
(7) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries suspends making
payment of, or is unable to, or admits inability to pay its debts (or any
class of its debts) as they fall due, or is deemed unable to pay its debts
pursuant to or for the purposes of any applicable law, or is adjudicated or
found bankrupt or insolvent or a moratorium is declared in respect of its
Indebtedness;
(8) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the
meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case;
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an
involuntary case;
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any
substantial part of its property;
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of, or enters into a
composition or other arrangement with, its creditors;
(E) passes a resolution or presents a petition for its winding-up,
liquidation or administration;
or takes any comparable action under any other laws relating to
insolvency, bankruptcy or debt moratorium: OR;
A-14
<PAGE>
(9) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under
any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or
(C) orders the winding up, liquidation or administration of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary;
or any similar relief is granted under any other laws and the order or
decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days .
(10) <#>any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of
L10.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time (net of amounts
paid within 45 days of any such judgment or decree under any insurance,
indemnity, bond, surety or similar instrument) is entered against the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary and is not discharged, waived or
stayed and either (A) an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any
creditor upon such judgment or decree or (B) there is a period of 60 days
following the entry of such judgment or decree during which such judgment or
decree is not discharged, waived or the execution thereof stayed; or</#>
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
(11) any Note Guarantee shall cease to be in full force and effect
(except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any Note Guarantor or
person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm its
obligations under this Indenture or any Note Guarantee and such Default
continues for 10 days after the notice specified below.
The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any
such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is 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.
The term "Bankruptcy Law" means the English Insolvency Act 1986 as
supplemented or amended together with all rules, regulations and instruments
made thereunder and applicable English law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
winding up, administration, receivership and other similar matters, Title 11,
UNITED STATES CODE, or any similar Federal, state or other law for the relief of
debtors. The term "Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator,
administrator, administrative receiver, custodian or similar official under any
Bankruptcy Law.
A Default under clause <#>(4)</#> (5) or (11) is not an Event of Default
until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities notify the Company of the Default and the Company does
not cure such Default within the time specified in such claims after receipt of
such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied
and state that such notice is a "Notice of Default".
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the
occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate of
<#>any Event of Default under clause (6)</#> any event which with the giving of
notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under
clause <#>(4)</#>, or (5) <#>or (10)</#>, its status and what action the Company
is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
V. THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 1.01 OF THE INDENTURE HAVE
BEEN PROVIDED TO ASSIST YOU IN UNDERSTANDING THE FOREGOING AMENDMENTS:
"Acquisition" means the acquisition by the Company of all the
outstanding capital stock of Knight-Ridder Information Inc. and
Knight-Ridder AG pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated
September 29, 1997, between the Company and Knight-Ridder Business
Information Services, Inc.
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<PAGE>
"Additional Assets" means (i) any tangible property or assets (other
than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary in a Related Business; (ii) the Capital Stock of a
Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition
of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or
(iii) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at
such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; or (iv) an Investment that is
permitted under clause (ix) of the definition of Permitted Investment (which
Investment shall be considered a Permitted Investment under such clause for
the purposes of the limit on such Permitted Investments); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that any such Restricted Subsidiary described in clause (ii) or (iii) above
is primarily engaged in a Related Business.
"Asset Disposition" means any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition
of shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors'
qualifying shares), property or other assets (each referred to for the
purposes of this definition as a "disposition") by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (including any disposition by means of a merger,
consolidation or similar transaction) other than (i) a disposition by a
Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (ii) a disposition of inventory or
Temporary Cash Investments in the ordinary course of business, (iii) the
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in the
manner permitted pursuant to Section 5.01, (iv) a disposition of obsolete
equipment that is no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of
the Company and its Subsidiaries and that is disposed of in the ordinary
course of business, (v) a disposition of equipment in exchange for other
equipment equivalent or superior as to type and quality, (vi) a disposition
of other equipment that is no longer used or useful in the conduct of the
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries and that is disposed of in the
ordinary course of business, so long as the fair market value of all assets
disposed of pursuant to this clause (vi) does not exceed L2.5 million in the
aggregate in any fiscal year and L5.0 million in the aggregate, (vii) the
sale of other assets so long as the fair market value of the assets disposed
of pursuant to this clause (vii) does not exceed Ll.0 million in the
aggregate in any fiscal year and L2.5 million in the aggregate and
(viii) for purposes of Section 4.06 only, a disposition subject to
Section 4.04.
"Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with respect to
any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing
(i) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of
determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of
such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such
Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (ii) the sum of
all such payments.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) any "Person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 or 13d-5 under the Exchange
Act, except that such person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership"
of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such
right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time),
directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the
Voting Stock of the Company (for purposes of this clause (i), such other
person shall be deemed to own beneficially any Voting Stock of a specified
corporation held by a parent corporation if such other person "beneficially
owns" (as defined in this clause (i)), directly or indirectly, more than 35%
of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation); or
(ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Company
(together with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors
or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was
approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Company then still
in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose
election or nomination for election was previously
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<PAGE>
so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company then in office.
"Consolidated Coverage Ratio" as of any date of determination means the
ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the period of the most
recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 60 days prior to the
date of such determination or for which financial statements are publicly
available in respect of the most recent such quarter to (ii) Consolidated
Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
(A) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any
Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding on
such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to
calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness,
EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated
after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness as if such
Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such period and the
discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased or
otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such
discharge had occurred on the first day of such period, (B) if since the
beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have
made any Asset Disposition, the EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by
an amount equal to the EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the
assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period or
increased by an amount equal to the EBITDA (if negative) directly
attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest Expense for
such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest
Expense directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged
with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in
connection with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Capital
Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest
Expense for such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such
Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing
Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after
such sale), (C) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an Investment
in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person that becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary) or an acquisition of assets, including any acquisition of assets
occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made
hereunder, which constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit
of a business, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period
shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the
Incurrence of any Indebtedness and the effect of related expenses and cost
reductions) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day
of such period and (D) if since the beginning of such period any Person
(that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period)
shall have made any Asset Disposition or any Investment or acquisition of
assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (B) or
(C) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such
period, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be
calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset
Disposition, Investment or acquisition of assets occurred on the first day
of such period. For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect
is to be given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be
determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of
the Company after consultation with the independent certified public
accountants of the Company. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of
interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such
Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of
determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking
into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if
such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term as at the date of
determination in excess of 12 months).
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total
interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus, to
the extent Incurred by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such
period but not included in such interest expense, (i) interest expense
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<PAGE>
attributable to Capitalized Lease Obligations and Attributable Debt,
(ii) amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost,
(iii) capitalized interest, (iv) noncash interest expense, (v) commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges with respect to letters of credit and
bankers' acceptance financing, (vi) interest accruing on any Indebtedness of
any other Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED that payment of such amounts
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is being made to, or is sought
by, the holders of such Indebtedness pursuant to such Guarantee, (vii) net
costs associated with Hedging Obligations (including amortization of fees),
(viii) Preferred Stock dividends in respect of all Preferred Stock of
Subsidiaries of the Company and Disqualified Stock of the Company held by
Persons other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, and (ix) the
cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to
the extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest
or fees to any Person (other than the Company) in connection with
Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that there
shall be excluded therefrom any such interest expense of any Unrestricted
Subsidiary to the extent the related Indebtedness is not Guaranteed or paid
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income (loss)
of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income: (i) any net
income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary,
except that (A) subject to the limitations contained in clause (iv) below,
the Company's equity in the net income of any such Person for such period
shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount
of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution
(subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted
Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (iii) below) and (B) the
Company's equity in a net loss of any such Person (other than an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) for such period shall be included in determining
such Consolidated Net Income; (ii) any net income (loss) of any Person
acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary in a pooling of interests
transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition; (iii) any
net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary if such Subsidiary is subject
to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the
making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to the Company, except that (A) subject to the limitations
contained in clause (iv) below, the Company's equity in the net income of
any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such
Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash that could have
been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the
Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend (subject, in the case
of a dividend that could have been made to another Restricted Subsidiary, to
the limitation contained in this clause) and (B) the Company's equity in a
net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included
in determining such Consolidated Net Income; (iv) any gain (but not loss)
realized upon the sale or other disposition of any asset of the Company or
its consolidated Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback
Transaction) that is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary
course of business and any gain (but not loss) realized upon the sale or
other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person; (v) any extraordinary
gain or loss; and (vi) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.04
only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends,
repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from
Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the
extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of
Restricted Payments permitted under such section pursuant to
clause (a)(3)(D) thereof.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means the total of the amounts shown on the
balance sheet of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on
a Consolidated basis in accordance with U.K. GAAP, as of the end of the most
recent fiscal quarter of the Company ending at least 60 days prior to the
taking of any action for the purpose of which the determination is being
made or for which financial statements are publicly available, as (i) the
par or stated value of all outstanding
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Capital Stock of the Company plus (ii) paid in capital or capital surplus
relating to such Capital Stock plus (iii) any retained earnings or earned
surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit and (B) any amounts attributable to
Disqualified Stock.
"EBITDA" for any period means the Consolidated Net Income for such
period, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such
Consolidated Net Income: (i) income tax expense, (ii) Consolidated Interest
Expense, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense and (v) any
non-cash expense in connection with the Acquisition or any restructuring in
connection with the Acquisition contemplated at the time of the Acquisition
(excluding any such expense that (x) requires any accrual of a cash reserve
or (y) represents an accrual of, or reserve for, anticipated cash payments
in any future period), in each case for such period. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and
the depreciation and amortization of, a Subsidiary of the Company shall be
added to Consolidation Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and
in the same proportion) that the net income of such Subsidiary was included
in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount
would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the
Company by such Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been
obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements,
instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental
regulations applicable to such Subsidiary or its stockholders.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date of
determination (without duplication):
(i) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of indebtedness of
such Person for borrowed money;
(ii) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of
such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar
instruments;
(iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or
other similar instruments (including reimbursement obligations with respect
thereto);
(iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid
purchase price of property or services (except Trade Payables), which
purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such
property in service or taking delivery and title thereto or the completion
of such services;
(v) all Capitalized Lease Obligations and all Attributable Debt of such
Person;
(vi) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the
redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with
respect to any Subsidiary of the Company, the maximum liquidation preference
(or, if greater, maximum mandatory redemption or repurchase price) with
respect to any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued
dividends except to the extent such dividends increase such preference (or
price));
(vii) all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset
of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the amount of Indebtedness of such Person shall be
the lesser of (A) the fair market value of such asset at such date of
determination and (B) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;
(viii) all Indebtedness of other Persons to the extent Guaranteed by
such Person; and
(ix) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging
Obligations of such Person.
The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the
outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described
above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving
rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date.
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"Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
(other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that
are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of such Person) or
other extension of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar
arrangement) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or
other property to others or any payment for property or services for the
account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock,
Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by such Person. For
purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and Section 4.04,
(i) "Investment" shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company's
equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net
assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is
designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that upon a
redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company
shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent "Investment" in an
Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (x) the
Company's "Investment" in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation
less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in such
Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at
the time of such redesignation; and (ii) any property transferred to or from
an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the
time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors.
"Maturity Date" means November 15, 2007.
"Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash payments
received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of
principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise or by
deposit in escrow (whether as a reserve for adjustment of the purchase
price, for satisfaction of indemnities in respect of such Asset Disposition
or otherwise in connection with such Asset Disposition), but only as and
when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of
assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations
relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset
Disposition or received in any other noncash form) therefrom, in each case
net of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and
other fees and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial,
foreign and local taxes required to be paid or accrued as a liability under
U.K. GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset Disposition, (ii) all payments
made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such
Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such
assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary
consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law be repaid out of the
proceeds from such Asset Disposition, (iii) all distribution and other
payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or
joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition and (iv) the deduction
of appropriate amounts to be provided by the seller as a reserve, in
accordance with U.K. GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the
assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition and retained by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition.
"Net Cash Proceeds", with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital
Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys'
fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, discounts
or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in
connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof.
"Non-Core Businesses" means each of the Document Delivery business,
CD-ROM business and CARL Library System business as described in the
Offering Memorandum dated November 10, 1997 relating to the Company's 11%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007.
"Permitted Investment" means an Investment by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in (i) a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that will,
upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary
is a Related Business; (ii) another Person if as a result of such Investment
such other Person is merged or
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consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all
its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that such Person's primary business is a Related Business; (iii) Temporary
Cash Investments; (iv) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and
payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as
the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the
circumstances; (v) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters
that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as
expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of
business; (vi) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary and not exceeding Ll.5 million in the aggregate outstanding at
any one time; (vii) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement
of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments or claims;
(viii) the entities set forth in Schedule I hereto but only to the extent
that (x) such Investments are required to be made by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to legally binding written commitments as in
existence on the Issue Date and (y) the aggregate amount of all such
Investments made under this clause (viii) does not exceed $15.0 million;
(ix) a joint venture or other entity principally engaged in a Related
Business, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the aggregate amount of all such
Investments under this clause (ix) shall not exceed L7.5 million; (x) a
Content Provider for the sole purpose of obtaining a license to or an
ownership interest in Content for inclusion in the online services of the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Board of
Directors confirms such purpose and determines that such Investment is in
the best interests of the Company (such confirmation and determination to be
conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors);
PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that the aggregate amount of all such Investments
under this clause (x) shall not exceed L10.0 million; and (xi) any Person to
the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the
consideration received for an Asset Disposition as permitted pursuant to
Section 4.06.
"Permitted Liens" means, with respect to any Person, (a) pledges or
deposits by such Person under workmen's compensation laws, unemployment
insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection
with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness)
or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or
statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or United States
government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a
party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for
the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of
business; (b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers', warehousemen's and
mechanics' Liens, in each case for sums not yet due or being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of
judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person
shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review;
(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges not yet delinquent
or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;
PROVIDED that any reserve or other appropriate provision required in
accordance with U.K. GAAP shall have been made therefor; (d) Liens in favor
of issuers of surety bonds or letters of credit issued pursuant to the
request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its
business; (e) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or
reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers,
electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or
zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens
incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership
of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness
and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of
said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the
business of such Person; (f) Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred to finance
the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or
additions to, property; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Lien may not extend to
any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary at the
time the Lien is Incurred, and the
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Indebtedness secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than 365 days
after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair,
improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property
subject to the Lien; (g) Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted pursuant to
the covenant described under Section 4.03(b)(i) or (b)(ii); (h) Liens
existing on the Issue Date; (i) Liens on property or shares of stock of a
Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, such
Liens are not created, Incurred or assumed in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; PROVIDED
FURTHER, HOWEVER, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (j) Liens on property at the
time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property, including
any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such Liens are
not created, Incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of,
such acquisition; PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that the Liens may not extend
to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(k) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted
Subsidiary owing to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary; (l) Liens
securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is, and is
permitted to be under the Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property
securing such Hedging Obligations; and (m) Liens to secure any refinancing,
refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings,
refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of
any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses
(f), (h), (i) and (j); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (x) such new Lien shall be
limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien
(plus improvements on such property) and (y) the Indebtedness secured by
such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum
of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of
the Indebtedness described under clauses (f), (h), (i) or (j) at the time
the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under the Indenture and (B) an
amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related
to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement.
"Refinance Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund,
refinance, replace, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any
defeasance or discharge mechanism) (collectively, "refinances", and
"refinanced" shall have a correlative meaning) any Indebtedness existing on
the date of this Indenture or Incurred in compliance with this Indenture
(including Indebtedness of the Company that refinances Indebtedness of any
Restricted Subsidiary (to the extent permitted in this Indenture) and
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of
another Restricted Subsidiary) including Indebtedness that refinances
Refinancing Indebtedness; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) the Refinancing
Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of
the Indebtedness being refinanced, (ii) the Refinancing Indebtedness has an
Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is
equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being
refinanced and (iii) such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an
aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an
aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal
amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted
value) then outstanding of the Indebtedness being refinanced (plus the
amount of any customary fees and expenses in connection therewith); PROVIDED
FURTHER, HOWEVER, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include
(A) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of
the Company or (B) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
that refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that
at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary
by the Board of Directors in the manner provided below and (ii) any
Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may
designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or
newly formed Subsidiary of the Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary
unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or
Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company
or
A-22
<PAGE>
any other Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary of the
Subsidiary to be so designated; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that either (A) the
Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or
less or (B) if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000,
then such designation would be permitted under Section 4.04. The Board of
Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that immediately after giving effect to such
designation (x) the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
under Section 4.03(a) and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be
continuing. Any such designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary
or Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to
the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of
the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officers'
Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing
provisions.
VI. THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL CONTAIN A NEW SECTION 1020 ENTITLED
"WAIVERS" WHICH IS REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY BELOW:
"SECTION 1020. WAIVERS. THE APPLICATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE
INDENTURE ARE HEREBY WAIVED TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH PROVISIONS MIGHT
OTHERWISE INTERFERE WITH THE ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS
CONTEMPLATED BY THE ASSET PURCHASE TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THE OFFER TO
PURCHASE AND CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT OF THE COMPANY REFERRED TO IN
SECTION 2."
A-23
<PAGE>
Facsimile copies of the Consent and Letter of Transmittal, properly completed
and duly signed, will be accepted. The Consent and Letter of Transmittal, the
Notes and any other required documents should be sent by each Holder or his
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the
Depositary as follows:
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER AND SOLICITATION IS:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
BY OVERNIGHT COURIER AND BY HAND
BY MAIL: AFTER 4:30 P.M.: BY HAND BEFORE 4:30 P.M.:
The Bank of New York The Bank of New York The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street 7E 101 Barclay Street 7E 101 Barclay Street 7E
New York, NY 10286 New York, NY 10286 New York, NY 10286
Attention: Carolle Montreuil Attention: Carolle Montreuil Attention: Carolle Montreuil
BY FACSIMILE
(212) 815-6339
FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE
(for Confirmation Only)
(212) 815-5788
</TABLE>
Any questions or requests for assistance or additional copies of this Statement,
the Consent and Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or
other materials may be directed to the Information Agent at the telephone number
and address listed below. A Holder may also contact the Dealer Manager at its
telephone numbers set forth below or such Holder's broker, dealer, commercial
bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer and
Solicitation.
THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION IS:
D.F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 269-5550
All Others Call Toll Free: (888) 242-8154
THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER AND SOLICITATION AGENT FOR THE SOLICITATION IS:
WASSERSTEIN PERELLA & CO., INC.
31 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Mark Hootnick
Samuel Greene
Phone: (212) 969-2700
Fax: (212) 969-7836
<PAGE>
CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO TENDER AND TO GIVE CONSENT IN RESPECT OF
11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT
DATED MARCH 24, 2000
BY
THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
THE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON APRIL 20,
2000, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). HOLDERS OF NOTES MUST TENDER
THEIR NOTES AND PROVIDE THEIR CONSENTS ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE IN
ORDER TO RECEIVE THE TENDER PAYMENT. TENDERED NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY
TIME ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE, BUT NOT THEREAFTER. CONSENTS MAY BE
REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (AS
DEFINED HEREIN).
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION IS:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BY OVERNIGHT COURIER
BY MAIL: AND BY HAND AFTER 4:30 PM: BY HAND BEFORE 4:30 PM:
The Bank of New York The Bank of New York The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street 7E 101 Barclay Street 7E 101 Barclay Street 7E
New York, NY 10286 New York, NY 10286 New York, NY 10286
Attention: Carolle Montreuil Attention: Carolle Montreuil Attention: Carolle Montreuil
<S> <C> <C>
BY FACSIMILE:
(212) 815-6339
FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
ONLY
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
(for Confirmation Only)
(212) 815-5788
</TABLE>
DELIVERY OF THIS CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO THE DEPOSITARY AT AN
ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A
FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS LISTED ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID
DELIVERY.
THE INFORMATION AGENT IS:
D.F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 269-5550
All Others Call Toll Free: (888) 242-8154
ONLY HOLDERS OF RECORD AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MARCH 24, 2000 (EACH A
"RECORD HOLDER") WILL BE ENTITLED TO PROVIDE CONSENTS TO THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS.
HOLDERS WHO WISH TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE TENDER PAYMENT PURSUANT TO
THE OFFER MUST VALIDLY TENDER (AND NOT WITHDRAW) THEIR NOTES AND PROVIDE THEIR
CONSENTS TO THE DEPOSITARY ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE. TENDERED NOTES
MAY NOT BE WITHDRAWN AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE, AND CONSENTS MAY NOT BE REVOKED
AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.
<PAGE>
This Consent and Letter of Transmittal is to be used by holders (the
"Holders") of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes") of The Dialog
Corporation plc, a company incorporated in England and Wales (the "Company"),
and, if: (i) certificates representing Notes are to be physically delivered to
the Depositary herewith by such Holders; (ii) tender of Notes is to be made by
book-entry transfer to the Depositary's account at The Depository Trust Company
("DTC") (the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") pursuant to the procedures set
forth under the caption "Procedures for Tendering Notes and Delivering
Consents--Book-Entry Delivery Procedures" in Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase
and Consent Solicitation Statement dated March 24, 2000 (as it may be
supplemented and amended from time to time, the "Statement"); (iii) tender of
Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in
Section 8 of the Statement under the caption "Procedures for Tendering Notes and
Delivering Consents--Guaranteed Delivery"; or (iv) tender of Notes is to be made
according to the DTC Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP"), pursuant to the
procedures set forth in Section 8 of the Statement under the caption "Procedures
for Tendering Notes and Delivering Consents--Tender of Notes Held Through DTC."
If a registered Holder who desires to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer is
not the Record Holder, a Consent Proxy must be completed and properly executed
by the Record Holder and must be delivered with the Consent and Letter of
Transmittal of the registered Holder.
All capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Statement.
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
If a Holder desires to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer and deliver a
Consent to the Proposed Amendments pursuant to the Solicitation and time will
not permit this Consent and Letter of Transmittal, any Consent Proxy,
certificates representing such Notes and all other required documents to reach
the Depositary, or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed, on
or prior to the Consent Date or the Expiration Date, as the case may be, then
such Holder must tender such Notes and deliver such Consent and Consent Proxy,
if applicable, according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in
Section 8 of the Statement under the caption "Procedures for Tendering Notes and
Delivering Consents--Guaranteed Delivery." See Instruction 2.
HOLDERS WHO DESIRE TO TENDER THEIR NOTES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND RECEIVE
THE TENDER PAYMENT ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE CONSENTS TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
WITH RESPECT TO SUCH NOTES. ACCORDINGLY, THE PROPER TENDER BY A HOLDER OF NOTES
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER WILL CONSTITUTE THE DELIVERY OF A CONSENT OF SUCH HOLDER
TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE NOTES SO
TENDERED.
The valid withdrawal of a Holder's Notes prior to the execution of the
Supplemental Indenture will constitute the concurrent valid revocation of such
Holder's Consent. A Holder who validly withdraws previously tendered Notes will
not receive the Tender Payment. A Holder may not validly revoke a Consent unless
such Holder validly withdraws such Holder's previously tendered Notes. Tendered
Notes may not be withdrawn after the Expiration Date, and Consents may not be
revoked after the execution of the Supplemental Indenture.
The undersigned should complete, execute and deliver this Consent and Letter
of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with
respect to the Offer and the Solicitation.
2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TENDER OF NOTES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE ENCLOSED HEREWITH.
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH A BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution: _____________________________________________
Name of Book-Entry Transfer Facility:
/ / DTC
Account Number: ____________________________________________________________
Transaction Code Number: ___________________________________________________
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE
OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE
THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of Registered Note Holder(s): ______________________________________
Window Ticket Number (if any): _____________________________________________
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: ________________________
Date of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery: _____________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3
<PAGE>
List below the Notes to which this Consent and Letter of Transmittal
relates. If the space provided is inadequate, list the certificate numbers and
principal amounts on a separately executed schedule and affix the schedule to
this Consent and Letter of Transmittal. Tenders of Notes will be accepted only
in principal amounts equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF 11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF AGGREGATE TENDERED AND AS
REGISTERED HOLDER(S) CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT TO WHICH CONSENTS
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK) NUMBER(S)(*) REPRESENTED** ARE GIVEN**
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Principal
Amount of Notes
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Need not be completed by Holders tendering by book-entry transfer.
** Unless otherwise specified, it will be assumed that the entire aggregate principal amount
represented by the Notes described above is being tendered. See Instruction 4. Holders who desire
to tender their Notes pursuant to the Offer and receive the Tender Payment are required to consent
to the Proposed Amendments with respect to all Notes tendered by such Holders.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The names and addresses of the registered Holders should be printed, if not
already printed above, exactly as they appear on the Notes tendered hereby. The
Notes and the principal amount of the Notes that the undersigned wishes to
tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes.
4
<PAGE>
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to The Dialog Corporation plc, a company
incorporated in England and Wales (the "Company"), upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in its Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation
Statement dated March 24, 2000 (as it may be supplemented and amended from time
to time, the "Statement"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in
accordance with this Consent and Letter of Transmittal, and delivers Consents to
the Proposed Amendments with respect to the principal amount of Notes indicated
in the table above entitled "Description of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes" under
the column heading "Principal Amount Tendered and as to which Consents are
Given."
Subject to purchase by the Company, by acceptance for payment and payment
for the principal amount of Notes tendered herewith, in accordance with the
terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer and applicable law, including
the prior execution of the Supplemental Indenture, the undersigned hereby sells,
assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company, all right, title
and interest in and to all of the Notes tendered hereby. The undersigned also
hereby delivers Consents to the Proposed Amendments with respect to the entire
principal amount of Notes so tendered. The undersigned hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Depositary the true and lawful agent and
attorney-in-fact of the undersigned (with full knowledge that the Depositary
also acts as the agent of the Company) with respect to such Notes, with full
powers of substitution and revocation (such power of attorney being deemed to be
an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) to (i) present such Notes and all
evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or transfer ownership of, such Notes
on the account books maintained by any of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities to,
or upon the order of, the Company, (ii) present such Notes for transfer of
ownership on the books of the relevant security register, (iii) receive all
benefits and otherwise of such Notes, and (iv) deliver to the Company and the
Trustee this Consent and Letter of Transmittal as evidence of the undersigned's
Consent to the Proposed Amendments and as certification that Requisite Consents
to the Proposed Amendments duly executed by Holders have been received, all in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offer and the Solicitation as
described in the Statement.
The undersigned agrees and acknowledges that, by the execution and delivery
hereof, the undersigned makes and provides the written Consent to the Proposed
Amendments with respect to the principal amount of Notes tendered herewith, as
permitted by Section 9.02 of the Indenture. The undersigned understands that the
Consents provided hereby shall remain in full force and effect unless and until
such Consents are revoked in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
Statement and this Consent and Letter of Transmittal. The undersigned also
understands that the Proposed Amendments will be effected by the Supplemental
Indenture which will be executed by the Issuer and the Trustee following receipt
of the Requisite Consents. However, the Proposed Amendments, by their terms, do
not become effective or effect any change in the operating provisions of the
Indenture unless the Company purchases, by accepting for payment, all Notes
validly tendered (and not withdrawn) pursuant to the Offer, in which event the
Proposed Amendments shall be deemed effective as of immediately prior to such
acceptance for payment, and the Company shall thereafter be obligated to pay for
the Notes so accepted on the Payment Date. The undersigned also understands that
no revocation of Consents may be made after the execution of the Supplemental
Indenture, but if the Offer is terminated thereafter without any Notes having
been purchased, the Proposed Amendments will not become effective.
If the undersigned is not the registered Holder of the Notes tendered
herewith or such Holder's legal representative or attorney-in-fact, then, in
order to provide valid Consents (and to make a valid tender, since Notes may not
be tendered without also consenting to the Proposed Amendments), the undersigned
has obtained a properly completed irrevocable proxy dated the date hereof that
authorizes the undersigned to vote such Notes on behalf of the Holder thereof,
and such proxy is being delivered with this Consent and Letter of Transmittal.
5
<PAGE>
The undersigned understands that tenders of Notes may be withdrawn and
Consents may be revoked at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date by
written notice of withdrawal or revocation, or a properly transmitted "Request
Message" through ATOP, received by the Depositary, in accordance with the
procedures set forth in Section 9 of the Statement under the caption "Withdrawal
of Tenders and Revocation of Consents." A valid withdrawal of tendered Notes on
or prior to the Expiration Date will be deemed a revocation of the related
Consents. Consents may be revoked at any time prior to the execution of the
Supplemental Indenture, but a valid revocation of Consents will result in a
withdrawal of a tender of the Notes. In the event of a termination of the Offer
without any Notes having been purchased thereunder, the Notes tendered pursuant
to the Offer will be returned to the tendering Holders promptly (or, in the case
of Notes tendered by book-entry transfer, such Notes will be credited to an
account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility from which such Notes
were delivered). If the Company makes a material change in the terms of the
Offer or the information concerning the Offer or waives a material condition of
the Offer, the Company will disseminate additional Offer materials and extend
the Offer, to the extent required by law. If the Solicitation is amended prior
to the execution of the Supplemental Indenture in a manner determined by the
Company to constitute a material adverse change to the Holders, the Company
promptly will disclose such amendment and, if necessary, extend the Solicitation
for a period deemed by the Company to be adequate to permit Holders to deliver
or revoke their Consents.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Notes pursuant to any of the
procedures described in the Statement and in the instructions hereto and
acceptance of such Notes by the Company will constitute a binding agreement
between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Offer and the Solicitation and this Consent and Letter of
Transmittal. For purposes of the Offer, the undersigned understands that validly
tendered Notes (or defectively tendered Notes with respect to which the Company
has waived, or has caused to be waived, such defect) will be deemed to have been
accepted for payment if, as and when the Company gives oral or written notice
thereof to the Depositary. The Company will pay for Notes so accepted as soon as
practicable following the acceptance of Notes validly tendered for purchase and
payment pursuant to the Offer by depositing the Tender Payment in immediately
available funds with the Depositary. For purposes of the Solicitation, Consents
received by the Depositary will be deemed to have been accepted if, as and when
the Company gives written notice to the Trustee of the receipt by the Depositary
of the Requisite Consents and the Supplemental Indenture is executed.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full
power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Notes tendered
hereby and to give the Consents contained herein, and that, when such tendered
Notes are accepted for payment and paid for by the Company, the Company will
acquire good title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges
and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim or right. The undersigned,
upon request, will execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the
Depositary or by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale,
assignment and transfer of the Notes tendered hereby, to perfect the
undersigned's Consents to the Proposed Amendments or to complete the execution
of the Supplemental Indenture.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Consent and Letter
of Transmittal shall not be affected by and shall survive, the death or
incapacity of the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder
shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in
bankruptcy, personal and legal representatives, successors and assigns of the
undersigned.
The undersigned understands that, if the undersigned is not the Record
Holder of the Notes, the undersigned must deliver, with the Consents contained
herein, a completed and validly executed Consent Proxy from such Record Holder
of the Notes. Any delivery of a Consent without such consent proxy by the
undersigned who is not a Record Holder will constitute an invalid Consent (and
an invalid tender, since Notes may not be tendered without also consenting to
the Proposed Amendments).
6
<PAGE>
The undersigned understands that the delivery and surrender of any Notes is
not effective, and the risk of loss of the Notes does not pass to the Company,
until receipt by the Depositary of this Consent and Letter of Transmittal, or a
facsimile hereof, properly completed and duly executed, together with all
accompanying evidences of authority and any other required documents in form
satisfactory to the Company. All questions as to form of all documents and the
validity (including time of receipt) and acceptance of tenders and withdrawals
of Notes and deliveries and revocations of Consents will be determined by the
Company, in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding.
Unless otherwise indicated herein under "Special Payment or Issuance
Instructions," the undersigned hereby requests that any Notes representing
principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for payment be issued in the
name(s) of the undersigned, and checks for the Tender Payment to be made in
connection with the Offer be issued to the order of the undersigned. Similarly,
unless otherwise indicated herein under "Special Delivery Instructions," the
undersigned hereby requests that any Notes representing principal amounts not
tendered or not accepted for payment and checks for the Tender Payment to be
made in connection with the Offer be delivered to the undersigned at the address
shown below the undersigned's signature(s). In the event that the "Special
Payment or Issuance Instructions" box or the "Special Delivery Instructions" box
is, or both are, completed, the undersigned hereby requests that any Notes
representing principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for payment be
issued in the name(s) of, certificates for such Notes be delivered to, and
checks for the Tender Payment to be made in connection with the Offer be issued
in the name(s) of, and be delivered to, the person(s) at the address(es) so
indicated, and credit for Notes representing principal amounts not tendered or
not accepted for payment be made to the account of the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility so indicated, as applicable. The undersigned recognizes that the
Company has no obligation pursuant to the "Special Payment or Issuance
Instructions" box or the "Special Delivery Instructions" box to transfer any
Notes from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if the Company does not
accept for purchase any of the principal amount of such Notes so tendered.
7
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------
SPECIAL PAYMENT OR
ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7)
To be completed ONLY if Notes in a principal amount not tendered or not
accepted for purchase are to be issued in the name of, or checks for the
Tender Payment are to be issued to the order of, someone other than the
person or persons whose signature(s) appear(s) within this Consent and
Letter of Transmittal or issued to an address different from that shown in
the box entitled "Description of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes" within this
Consent and Letter of Transmittal.
Issue: G Notes
G Checks
(check as applicable)
Name _______________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Address ____________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
____________________________________________________________________________
(Zip Code)
____________________________________________________________________________
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)
(See Substitute Form W-9 herein)
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL DELIVERY
INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7)
To be completed ONLY if Notes in a principal amount not tendered or not
accepted for payment or checks for the Tender Payment are to be sent to
someone other than the person or persons whose signature(s) appear(s) within
this Consent and Letter of Transmittal or to an address different from that
shown in the box entitled "Description of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes"
within this Consent and Letter of Transmittal.
Deliver: G Notes
G Checks
(check as applicable)
Name _______________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Address ____________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
__________________________________________________________________________
(Zip Code)
- -----------------------------------------------------
8
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------
PLEASE SIGN HERE
(TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING AND CONSENTING HOLDERS OF NOTES REGARDLESS
OF WHETHER NOTES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY DELIVERED HEREWITH)
By completing, executing and delivering this Consent and Letter of
Transmittal, the undersigned hereby consents to the Proposed Amendments with
respect to the principal amount of the Notes tendered herewith.
This Consent and Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the registered
Holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for Note(s) or, if
tendered by a participant in one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities,
exactly as such participant's name appears on a security position listing as
owner of Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become registered Holder(s) by
endorsements and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by
trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
please set forth full title and see Instruction 5.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE(S) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S) OR AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY
(SEE GUARANTEE REQUIREMENT BELOW)
Dated: ______________________________________________________________ , 2000
Name(s) ____________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Capacity ___________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Tel. No. _____________________________________________________
Tax Identification or
Social Security No. ________________________________________________________
(COMPLETE ACCOMPANYING SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9)
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(IF REQUIRED--SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5)
Authorized Signature _______________________________________________________
Name of Firm _______________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
Area Code & Tel. No. _______________________________________________________
Dated: ______________________________________________________________ , 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------
CONSENT PROXY
PLEASE SIGN HERE
(TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL RECORD HOLDERS
OF NOTES WHO ARE NO LONGER
REGISTERED HOLDERS OF NOTES)
By completing, executing and delivering this Consent proxy, the
undersigned hereby appoints the Current Holder, with full power of
substitution, to provide the Consent and Notice of Transmittal to the
Proposed Amendments with respect to the principal amount of the Notes
registered in the name of the undersigned on the Record Date.
This Consent proxy must be signed by the Record Holder(s) exactly as
name(s) appear(s) on certificates(s) for Note(s), or by person(s) authorized
to become registered Holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted
herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians,
attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary
or representative capacity, please set forth full title and see Instruction
5.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE(S) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S) OR AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY
(SEE GUARANTEE REQUIREMENT BELOW)
Dated: ______________________________________________________________ , 2000
Name(s) ____________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Capacity ___________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(IF REQUIRED--SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5)
Authorized Signature _______________________________________________________
Name of Firm _______________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
Area Code & Tel. No. _______________________________________________________
Dated: ______________________________________________________________ , 2000
- -----------------------------------------------
9
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS
THESE INSTRUCTIONS FORM PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER AND THE
SOLICITATION.
1. SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. All signatures on this Consent and Letter of
Transmittal must be guaranteed by a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings
association or other entity which is a member in good standing of the Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion
Signature Guarantee Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program, or a bank,
broker, dealer, credit union, savings association or other entity which is an
"eligible guarantor institution," as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (each of the foregoing being
referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), unless the Notes tendered hereby are
tendered (i) by a registered Holder of the Notes (or by a participant in one of
the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities whose name appears on a security position
listing as the owner of such Notes) who has not completed either the box
entitled "Special Delivery Instruction" or the box entitled "Special Payment or
Issuance Instructions" on this Consent and Letter of Transmittal, or (ii) for
the account of an Eligible Institution. If the Notes are registered in the name
of a person other than the signer of this Consent and Letter of Transmittal or
if Notes not accepted for payment or not tendered are to be returned to a person
other than the registered Holder, then the signatures on this Consent and Letter
of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution as described above.
See Instruction 5.
2. DELIVERY OF CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND NOTES. This Consent
and Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by Holders if (i) certificates
representing Notes are to be physically delivered to the Depositary herewith by
such Holders; (ii) tender of Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the
Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the
procedures set forth in Section 8 of the Statement under the caption "Procedures
for Tendering Notes and Delivering Consents--Book-Entry Delivery Procedures";
(iii) tender of Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in Section 8 of the Statement under the caption "Procedures
for Tendering Notes and Delivering Consents--Guaranteed Delivery"; or
(iv) tender of Notes and delivery of Consents is to be made through ATOP,
pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 8 of the Statements under the
caption "Procedures for Tendering Notes and Delivering Consents--Tender of Notes
Held Through DTC."
In order to validly tender Notes pursuant to the Offer and validly deliver
Consents pursuant to the Solicitation, all physically delivered Notes, or a
Book-Entry Confirmation, including by means of an Agent's Message, of the
transfer into the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility of all
Notes delivered electronically, as well as a properly completed and duly
executed Consent and Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) and any
other documents required by this Consent and Letter of Transmittal, must be
received by the Depositary at its address set forth herein on or prior to the
Expiration Date, or the tendering Holder must comply with the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth below. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
If a Holder desires to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer and deliver a
Consent to the Proposed Amendments pursuant to the Solicitation and time will
not permit this Consent and Letter of Transmittal, certificates representing
such Notes and all other required documents to reach the Depositary, or the
procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on or prior to the
Expiration Date, such Holder must tender such Notes and deliver such Consent
pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 8 of the
Statement under the caption "Procedures for Tendering Notes and Delivering
Consents--Guaranteed Delivery." Pursuant to such procedures, (i) such tender
must be made by or through an Eligible Institution, (ii) a properly completed
and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form of
the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery provided by the Company, or an Agent's Message
with respect to guaranteed delivery that is acceptable to the Company, must be
received by the Depositary, either by hand delivery, mail, telegram, or
facsimile transmission, on or prior to the Expiration Date and (iii) the
certificates for all tendered Notes, in proper form for transfer (or a
Book-Entry Confirmation, including by means of an Agent's Message, of the
transfer of such Notes into
10
<PAGE>
the Depositary's account at one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities pursuant
to the procedures for such transfer set forth in Section 8 of the Statement
under the caption "Procedures of Tendering Notes and Delivering
Consents--Book-Entry Delivery Procedures"), together with a properly completed
and duly executed Consent and Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof)
with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by this
Consent and Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Depositary within
three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of the execution of
the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE NOTES
AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH A BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER FACILITY AND ANY ACCEPTANCE OR AGENT'S MESSAGE TRANSMITTED THROUGH
ATOP, IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER. If delivery is by mail,
registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended.
In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed for such documents to reach the
Depositary on or prior to the Expiration Date. Except as otherwise provided in
this Instruction 2, delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by
the Depositary.
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. All
tendering Holders, by execution of this Consent and Letter of Transmittal (or a
facsimile thereof), waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of
their Notes for payment.
If the registered holder of the Notes is not the Record Holder of such
Notes, a Consent Proxy must be properly completed and executed by the Record
Holder of the Notes. A Consent Proxy must be delivered together with the Consent
and Letter of Transmittal by the registered holder in accordance with the
permitted methods of delivery provided for herein.
3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the
certificate numbers and/or the principal amounts represented by Notes should be
listed on a separate, signed schedule attached hereto.
4. PARTIAL TENDERS. Tenders of Notes will be accepted only in principal
amounts equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. If Holders wish to tender
and deliver Consents with respect to less than the entire principal amount
evidenced by any Notes submitted, such Holders must fill in the principal amount
that is to be tendered in the column entitled "Principal Amount Tendered and as
to which Consents are Given" in the table entitled "Description of 11% Senior
Subordinated Notes." In the case of a partial tender of Notes, as soon as
practicable after the Expiration Date, new certificates for the remainder of the
Notes that were evidenced by such Holder's old certificates will be issued in
the name of and sent to such Holder, unless otherwise provided in the
appropriate "special instruction" box or boxes on this Consent and Letter of
Transmittal. Unless otherwise indicated in the table entitled "Description of
11% Senior Subordinated Notes" under the column heading "Principal Amount
Tendered and as to which Consents are Given," the entire principal amount that
is represented by Notes delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been
tendered, and the tendering Holder will be deemed to have delivered a Consent to
the Proposed Amendments with respect to the entire principal amount of Notes so
tendered.
5. SIGNATURES ON CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INSTRUMENTS OF TRANSFER
AND ENDORSEMENTS. If this Consent and Letter of Transmittal is signed by the
registered Holder(s) of the Notes tendered hereby, the signatures must
correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) without
alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If this Consent and Letter of
Transmittal is signed by a participant in one of the Book-Entry Transfer
Facilities whose name is shown as the owner of the Notes tendered hereby, the
signature must correspond with the name shown on the security position listing
as the owner of the Notes.
If any of the Notes tendered hereby are registered in the name of two or
more Holders, all such Holders must sign this Consent and Letter of Transmittal.
If any of the Notes tendered hereby are registered in different names on several
certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate
Consents and Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of
certificates.
11
<PAGE>
If this Consent and Letter of Transmittal or instrument of transfer is or
any Notes are signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian,
attorney-in-fact, agent, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when
signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of such person's
authority to so act must be submitted.
When this Consent and Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
Holder(s) of the Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of Notes
or separate instruments of transfer are required unless payment is to be made,
or Notes not tendered or purchased are to be issued, to a person other than the
registered Holder(s), in which case signatures on such Notes or instruments of
transfer must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
IF THIS CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS SIGNED OTHER THAN BY THE
REGISTERED HOLDER(S) OF THE NOTES LISTED, THE NOTES MUST BE ENDORSED OR
ACCOMPANIED BY APPROPRIATE WRITTEN INSTRUMENT OR INSTRUMENTS OF TRANSFER, IN
EITHER CASE SIGNED EXACTLY AS THE NAME OR NAMES OF THE REGISTERED HOLDER(S)
APPEAR ON THE NOTES AND SIGNATURE(S) ON SUCH NOTES OR INSTRUMENTS OF TRANSFER
ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION, UNLESS THE
SIGNATURE IS THAT OF AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION. IN ADDITION, SUCH TENDER MUST BE
ACCOMPANIED BY A VALID CONSENT OR PROXY OF SUCH REGISTERED HOLDER(S), SINCE
NOTES MAY NOT BE TENDERED WITHOUT A CONSENT TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS BEING
PROVIDED THEREWITH AND ONLY REGISTERED HOLDERS ARE ENTITLED TO PROVIDE CONSENTS
TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. SIGNATURES ON SUCH CONSENT OR PROXY MUST BE
GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION, UNLESS THE SIGNATURE IS THAT OF AN
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.
Pursuant to authority granted by DTC, any DTC participant which has Notes
credited to its DTC account at any time (and thereby held of record by DTC's
nominee) may directly provide a Consent to the Proposed Amendments as though it
were the registered Holder by so completing, executing and delivering this
Consent and Letter of Transmittal.
6. SPECIAL PAYMENT OR ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If a check
and/or certificates for unpurchased or untendered Notes are to be issued in the
name of a person other than the signer of this Consent and Letter of
Transmittal, or if a check is to be sent and/or such Notes are to be returned to
someone other than the signer of this Consent and Letter of Transmittal or to an
address other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Consent and
Letter of Transmittal should be completed. All Notes tendered by book-entry
transfer and not accepted for payment will be returned by crediting the account
at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility designated above as the account from which
such Notes were delivered, unless the appropriate box on this Consent and Letter
of Transmittal is checked, in which case the Notes will be returned by crediting
the account indicated in such box.
7. TRANSFER TAXES. Except as set forth in this Instruction 7, the Company
will pay or cause to be paid any transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and
sale of Notes to it, or to its order, pursuant to the Offer. If payment of the
Tender Payment is to be made to, or if Notes not tendered or purchased are to be
registered in the name of, any persons other than the registered owners, or if
tendered Notes are registered in the name of any persons other than the persons
signing this Consent and Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered Holder or such other person) payable on
account of the transfer to such other person will be deducted from the Tender
Payment unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes or exemption
therefrom is submitted.
8. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The conditions of the Offer and the Solicitation
may be amended or waived by the Company, in whole or in part, at any time and
from time to time in the Company's sole discretion, in the case of any Notes
tendered or Consents delivered.
9. SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. Each tendering Holder (or other payee) is required
to provide the Depositary with a correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN"),
generally the Holder's social security or federal employer identification
number, together with certain other information, on Substitute Form W-9, which
is provided under "Important Tax Information" below, and is required to certify
that the Holder (or other payee) is not subject to backup withholding. Failure
to provide such holder's taxpayer identification
12
<PAGE>
number on the Substitute Form W-9 may subject the tendering Holder (or other
payee) to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and 31% federal
income tax withholding on the payment of the Tender Payment. More serious
penalties may be imposed for providing false information which, if willfully
done, may result in fines and/or imprisonment. The box in part 3 of the
Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the tendering Holder (or other payee) has
not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in
the near future. If the box in Part 3 is checked and the Depositary is not
provided with a TIN by the time of payment, the Depositary will withhold 31% on
all such payments of the Tender Payment until a TIN is provided to the
Depositary.
10. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions relating to
the procedures for tendering Notes and providing Consents to the Proposed
Amendments and requests for assistance may be directed to the Dealer Manager at
its address and telephone number set forth below. Additional copies of the
Statement, this Consent and Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery and the Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number
on Substitute Form W-9 may be obtained from the Information Agent at the address
and telephone number set forth below or from your broker, dealer, commercial
bank, trust company or other nominee.
IMPORTANT: IN ORDER TO VALIDLY TENDER NOTES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND
VALIDLY DELIVER CONSENTS PURSUANT TO THE SOLICITATION, THIS CONSENT AND LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL (OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF), TOGETHER WITH CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING
NOTES (OR A BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION, INCLUDING BY MEANS OF AN AGENT'S MESSAGE)
AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS OR THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY, MUST BE
RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under federal income tax law, certain Holders whose Notes are tendered and
accepted for payment or exchange are required to provide the Depositary with
such Holder's current TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below. If such Holder is an
individual, the TIN is his or her Social Security number. If the Depositary is
not provided with the correct TIN, the Holder or other payee may be subject to a
$50 or greater penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, any
Tender Payment paid to such Holder or other payee with respect to Notes
purchased pursuant to the Offer may be subject to 31% backup withholding tax.
Certain Holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt
recipient, that Holder must submit to the Depositary a properly completed
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (a "Form W-8"), signed under penalties of
perjury, attesting to that individual's exempt status. A Form W-8 can be
obtained from the Depositary. See the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional
instructions.
If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 31% of
any Tender Payment paid to the Holder or other payee. Backup withholding is not
an additional tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of persons subject
to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If
withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from
the Internal Revenue Service.
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
To prevent backup withholding on any Tender Payment paid to a Holder or
other payee with respect to Notes purchased pursuant to the Offer, the Holder is
required to notify the Depositary of the Holder's current TIN (or the TIN of any
other payee) by completing the form below, certifying that the TIN provided on
Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a TIN), and that
(1) the Holder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that the
Holder is subject to backup
13
<PAGE>
withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends or
(2) the Internal Revenue Service has notified the Holder that the Holder is no
longer subject to backup withholding.
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE DEPOSITARY
The Holder is required to give the depositary the TIN (e.g., social security
number or employer identification number) of the record owner of the Notes. If
the Notes are registered in more than one name or are not registered in the name
of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9," for additional guidance
on which number to report.
14
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYER'S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSTITUTE PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE Social Security Number(s) or Employer
FORM W-9 YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT Identification Number(s)
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY ------------------------
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE SIGNING AND DATING
BELOW.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PART 2--Certification--Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer
identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued
for me), and
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ("TIN") from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup
withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or
dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer
subject to backup withholding.
CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS--You must cross out item (2) above if
you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to
backup withholding because of under reporting interest or dividends
on your tax return.
---------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE PART 3
---------------
DATE ------------------- Awaiting TIN / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN A $50 OR GREATER
PENALTY IMPOSED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF
31% OF ANY CASH PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND THE
SOLICITATION. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL
DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART
3 OF THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or
(2) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I
understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the
time of payment, 31% of all reportable cash payments made to me thereafter
will be withheld until I provide a taxpayer identification number.
Signature
---------------------------------------------------- Date
---------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15
<PAGE>
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION IS:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
BY MAIL: BY OVERNIGHT COURIER AND BY BY HAND BEFORE 4:30 P.M.:
The Bank of New York HAND AFTER 4:30 PM: The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street 7E The Bank of New York 101 Barclay Street 7E
New York, NY 10286 101 Barclay Street 7E New York, NY 10286
Attention: Carolle Montreuil New York, NY 10286 Attention: Carolle Montreuil
Attention: Carolle Montreuil
BY FACSIMILE:
(212) 815-6339
FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
ONLY
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
(for Confirmation Only)
(212) 815-5788
</TABLE>
THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER AND FOR THE SOLICITATION IS:
D.F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 269-5550
All Others Call Toll Free: (888) 242-8154
THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER AND SOLICITATION AGENT FOR THE SOLICITATION IS:
WASSERSTEIN PERELLA & CO., INC.
31 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Mark Hootnick
Samuel Greene
Phone: (212) 969-2700
Fax: (212) 969-7836
<PAGE>
THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
ANY AND ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING
11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
AND
SOLICITATION OF CONSENTS FOR
AMENDMENT OF RELATED INDENTURE
THE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON APRIL 20,
2000, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). HOLDERS OF NOTES MUST TENDER
THEIR NOTES AND PROVIDE THEIR CONSENTS (AS DEFINED BELOW) ON OR PRIOR TO THE
EXPIRATION DATE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE TENDER PAYMENT (AS DEFINED BELOW).
TENDERED NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION
DATE, BUT NOT THEREAFTER. CONSENTS MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE
EXECUTION OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).
March 24, 2000
To Our Clients:
Enclosed for your consideration are an Offer to Purchase and Consent
Solicitation Statement dated March 24, 2000 (as it may be supplemented and
amended from time to time, the "Statement") and the Consent and Letter of
Transmittal and instructions thereto (the "Consent and Letter of Transmittal")
relating to the offer (the "Offer") by The Dialog Corporation plc, a company
incorporated in England and Wales (the "Company"), to purchase for cash any and
all of its outstanding 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes"), at
a purchase price equal to (i) $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes,
plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the Payment Date
(as defined in the Statement), ((i) plus (ii), the "Tender Payment") from any
and all registered Holders thereof and the solicitation (the "Solicitation") of
consents (the "Consents") from registered Holders with respect to the Proposed
Amendments (as defined in the Statement).
HOLDERS WHO DESIRE TO TENDER THEIR NOTES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND RECEIVE
THE TENDER PAYMENT ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE CONSENT TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
WITH RESPECT TO SUCH NOTES. TENDERS OF NOTES MAY NOT BE WITHDRAWN AFTER THE
EXPIRATION DATE, AND CONSENTS MAY NOT BE REVOKED AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE. ACCORDINGLY, THE PROPER TENDER BY A HOLDER OF A NOTE
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER WILL CONSTITUTE THE DELIVERY OF A CONSENT TO THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE NOTES TENDERED.
Only Holders of record at the close of business on March 24, 2000 (each a
"Record Holder") will be entitled to provide Consents to the Proposed
Amendments.
All capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Statement.
The materials relating to the Offer and the Solicitation are being forwarded
to you as the beneficial owner of Notes carried by us for your account or
benefit but not registered in your name. A tender of any Notes and delivery of
the related Consents with respect to any Notes may only be made by us as the
registered Holder and pursuant to your instructions. Therefore, the Company
urges beneficial owners of Notes registered in the name of a broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to contact such Holder promptly
if they wish to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer and deliver Consents pursuant
to the Solicitation.
Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish us to tender,
and deliver Consents with respect to, any or all of the Notes held by us for
your account. We urge you to read carefully the Statement and the Consent and
Letter of Transmittal before instructing us to tender your Notes and to provide
the
<PAGE>
related Consents with respect to such Notes. Your instructions to us should be
forwarded as promptly as possible in order to permit us to tender Notes and
provide the related Consents on your behalf in accordance with the provisions of
the Offer and the Solicitation. The Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New
York City time, on April 20, 2000, unless the Expiration Date is extended as
provided in the Statement. Tenders of Notes may be withdrawn at any time on or
prior to the Expiration Date or as otherwise provided in the Statement. A
withdrawal of tendered Notes prior to the Expiration Date and prior to the
execution of the Supplemental Indenture will be deemed a revocation of the
related Consents. Consents may be revoked prior to the execution of the
Supplemental Indenture, but if the Offer with respect to the Notes is terminated
thereafter without any Notes having been purchased, the Proposed Amendments will
not become effective.
Your attention is directed to the following:
1. The Offer is for all outstanding Notes.
2. Holders who desire to tender their Notes pursuant to the Offer and
receive the Tender Payment are required to deliver Consents to the Proposed
Amendments with respect to such Notes on or prior to the Expiration Date.
3. If you desire to tender any Notes pursuant to the Offer and receive
the Tender Payment, we must receive your instructions in ample time to
permit us to effect a tender of the Notes and deliver the related Consents
on your behalf prior to the Expiration Date.
4. The Company's obligation to pay the Tender Payment for tendered Notes
is subject to certain conditions set forth in Section 11 of the Statement
under the caption "Conditions to the Offer," including the Minimum Tender
Condition, the Consent Condition, the Asset Sale Condition and the Bank
Facility Repayment Condition.
5. Any transfer taxes incident to the transfer of Notes from the
tendering Holder to the Company will be paid by the Company, except as
provided in the Statement and the instructions to the Consent and Letter of
Transmittal.
IF YOU WISH TO HAVE US TENDER AND DELIVER CONSENTS WITH RESPECT TO ANY OR
ALL OF YOUR NOTES HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT PURSUANT TO THE OFFER
AND THE SOLICITATION, PLEASE SO INSTRUCT US BY COMPLETING, EXECUTING AND
RETURNING TO US THE ATTACHED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. The accompanying Consent and
Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you for informational purposes only and
may not be used by you to tender Notes held by us and registered in our name for
your account or to deliver Consents.
2
<PAGE>
LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed
material referred to therein relating to the Offer and the Solicitation by The
Dialog Corporation plc.
This will instruct you to tender and to deliver the undersigned's Consents
with respect to the principal amount of Notes indicated below held by you for
the account or benefit of the undersigned, pursuant to the terms of and
conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement
dated March 24, 2000 and the related Consent and Letter of Transmittal.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES WHICH ARE TO BE TENDERED AND FOR
WHICH CONSENTS TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
ARE TO BE GIVEN:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11% NOTES ARE TO BE TENDERED AND CONSENTS TO THE
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE TO BE GIVEN
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT ("YES" OR "NO")*
<S> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Unless otherwise indicated, "yes" will be assumed. Holders who desire to tender their Notes
pursuant to the Offer and receive the Tender Payment are required to provide Consents to the
Proposed Amendments with respect to such Notes tendered by such Holders by the Expiration
Date.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- -----------------------------------
(PLEASE) SIGN HERE
- -----------------------------------
Signature(s)
- -----------------------------------
Name(s) (Please Print)
- -----------------------------------
Address
- -----------------------------------
Zip Code
- -----------------------------------
Area Code and Telephone No.
- -----------------------------------
Tax Identification or Social
Security No.
- -----------------------------------
My Account Number With You
- -----------------------------------
Dated: , 2000
- -----------------------------------
3
<PAGE>
THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
ANY AND ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING
11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
AND
SOLICITATION OF CONSENTS FOR
AMENDMENT OF RELATED INDENTURE
THE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON APRIL 20,
2000, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE") AS PROVIDED IN THE STATEMENT.
HOLDERS OF NOTES MUST TENDER THEIR NOTES AND PROVIDE THEIR CONSENTS (AS
DEFINED BELOW) ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE
TENDER PAYMENT (AS DEFINED BELOW). TENDERED NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME
ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE, BUT NOT THEREAFTER. CONSENTS MAY BE
REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (AS
DEFINED HEREIN).
March 24, 2000
To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees:
We are enclosing herewith the materials listed below relating to the offer
(the "Offer") by The Dialog Corporation plc, a company incorporated in England
and Wales (the "Company"), to purchase any and all of its outstanding 11% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes"), at a purchase price equal to
(i) $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes, plus (ii) accrued and
unpaid interest up to, but not including, the Payment Date (as defined in the
Statement), ((i) plus (ii), the "Tender Payment"), upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation
Statement dated March 24, 2000 (as it may be supplemented and amended from time
to time, the "Statement") and in the related Consent and Letter of Transmittal.
Simultaneously with the Offer, the Company is seeking consents (the "Consents")
to the Proposed Amendments (as defined in the Statement).
Only Holders of record at the close of business on March 24, 2000 (each a
"Record Holder") will be entitled to provide Consents to the Proposed
Amendments.
Holders who desire to tender their Notes pursuant to the Offer and receive
the Tender Payment are required to provide Consents to the Proposed Amendments.
Tenders of Notes may not be withdrawn after the Expiration Date and consents may
not be revoked after the execution of the Supplemental Indenture. Current
Holders of the Notes who are not Record Holders must obtain a Consent Proxy
properly executed by such Record Holder and deliver such Consent Proxy together
with the Consent and Letter of Transmittal in order to provide a valid Consent.
Accordingly, the proper tender by a Holder of a Note pursuant to the Offer will
constitute the providing of Consents by such Holder to the Proposed Amendments
with respect to the principal amount of the Notes so tendered.
For your information and for forwarding to your clients, for whom you hold
Notes registered in your name or in the name of your nominee, we are enclosing
the following documents:
1. OFFER TO PURCHASE AND CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT dated March 24,
2000.
2. CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL for your use and for the
information of your clients, together with GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9, providing information
relating to backup federal income tax withholding.
3. NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY to be used to accept the Offer if the
Notes and all other required documents cannot be delivered to the Depositary
by the Expiration Date.
<PAGE>
4. A printed form of a "TO OUR CLIENTS" letter, including a Letter of
Instructions, which may be sent to your clients for whose accounts you hold
Notes registered in your name or in the name of your nominee, with space
provided for obtaining such clients' instructions with regard to the Offer
and the Consent Solicitation. This form will enable your clients to tender,
and provide Consents with respect to, any and all Notes that they own.
5. Return envelope addressed to the Depositary.
WE URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO
OBTAIN THEIR INSTRUCTIONS.
Any inquiries you may have with respect to the Offer should be addressed to
D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Information Agent for the Offer and the Solicitation,
at the address and telephone number set forth on the back cover page of the
Statement or to Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc., the Dealer Manager for the
Offer and the Solicitation Agent for the Solicitation, at the telephone numbers
set forth on the back cover page of the Statement. Additional copies of the
enclosed materials may be obtained from the Information Agent.
Very truly yours,
Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc.
NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU
THE AGENT OF THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC, THE DEALER MANAGER, THE INFORMATION
AGENT OR THE DEPOSITARY, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE ANY
DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFER OTHER THAN THE DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED
THEREIN.
2
<PAGE>
11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY OF
11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
This form, or a form substantially equivalent to this form, must be used to
accept the Offer (as defined below) if certificates for the principal amount of
11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes") are not immediately
available, if the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a
timely basis, or if time will not permit all other documents required by the
Consent and Letter of Transmittal to be delivered to The Bank of New York, as
Depositary, on or prior to the expiration of the Offer. Such form may be
delivered by hand or transmitted by mail, or by facsimile transmission, to the
Depositary. See Section 8--"Procedures for Tendering Notes and Delivering
Consents" in the Statement (as defined below). The Eligible Institution (as
defined below) which completes this form must communicate the guarantee to the
Depositary and either the Consent and Letter of Transmittal and certificates for
Notes must be delivered to the Depositary or the Depositary must receive
confirmation of book-entry transfer of the Notes to the Depositary's account at
The Depository Trust Company within three New York Stock Exchange trading days
after the Expiration Date (as defined in the Statement). Failure to do so could
result in a financial loss to such Eligible Institution.
TO: THE BANK OF NEW YORK, DEPOSITARY
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
BY OVERNIGHT COURIER
BY MAIL: AND BY HAND AFTER 4:30 P.M.: BY HAND BEFORE 4:30 P.M.:
The Bank of New York The Bank of New York The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street 7E 101 Barclay Street 7E 101 Barclay Street 7E
New York, NY 10286 New York, NY 10286 New York, NY 10286
Attention: Carolle Montreuil Attention: Carolle Montreuil Attention: Carolle Montreuil
BY FACSIMILE
(212) 815-6339
FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE
(for Confirmation Only)
(212) 815-5788
</TABLE>
Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above or
transmission of instructions via a facsimile number other than one listed above
will not constitute a valid delivery.
This form is not to be used to guarantee signatures. If a signature on the
Consent and Letter of Transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution under the instructions thereto, such signature guarantee must appear
in the applicable space provided in the signature box on the Consent and Letter
of Transmittal.
<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to The Dialog Corporation plc, a company
incorporated in England and Wales (the "Company"), upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated March 24, 2000 (the
"Offer to Purchase"), and the Consent and Letter of Transmittal (which together
with the Offer to Purchase, constitutes the "Offer"), receipt of which hereby is
acknowledged, the principal amount of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
(the "Notes") of the Company, listed below, pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedure set forth in Section 8--"Procedures for Tendering Notes and Delivering
Consents" in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated
March 24, 2000 (the "Statement").
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal Amount of Notes Signature
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certificate Nos. (if available): Name(s) of Record Holder(s):
(Please Print)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If Notes will be tendered Address:
by book-entry transfer:
Name of Tendering Institution:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account No. at The Depositary Trust Company Area Code and Telephone Number:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GUARANTEE
(NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
The undersigned, a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings association, or other
entity which is a member in good standing of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion
Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Guarantee Program, the Stock
Exchange Medallion Program, or a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings association,
or other entity which is an "eligible guarantor institution," as such term is defined in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (each an "Eligible
Institution"), guarantees to deliver to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth
above (i) certificate(s) for the Notes tendered hereby, in proper form for transfer,
together with a properly completed and duly executed Consent(s) and Letter(s) of
Transmittal, with any required signature. Notes tendered hereby into the Depositary's
account at The Depository Trust Company, all within three New York Stock Exchange trading
days after the Expiration Date.
- ------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Name of Firm Authorized Signature
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
Address Name
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
City, State, Zip Code Title
- --------------------------------------------
Area Code and Telephone Number
- --------------------------------------------
Date: __________________________________________,
2000
DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES WITH THIS FORM. YOUR CERTIFICATES MUST BE SENT WITH THE CONSENT
AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO GIVE THE
PAYER. Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e.,
000-00-000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only
one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to
give the payer.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
GIVE THE
FOR THIS TYPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
ACCOUNT: NUMBER OF-
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
1. An individual's The individual
account
2. Two or more The actual owner of the
individuals (joint account or, if combined
account) funds, any one of the
individuals (1)
3. Husband and wife The actual owner of the
(joint account) account or, if joint
funds, either person(1)
4. Custodian account of The minor(2)
minor (Uniform Gift
to Minors Act)
5. Adult and minor The adult or, if the
(joint account) minor is the only
contributor, the
minor(1)
6. Account in the name The ward; minor, or
of guardian or incompetent person(3)
committee for a
designated ward,
minor, or
incompetent person
7. a. The usual The grantor-trustee(1).
revocable savings
trust account
(grantor is also
trustee)
b. So-called trust The actual owner(4)
account that is
not a legal or
valid trust under
State law
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------
GIVE THE
EMPLOYER
IDENTIFICATION
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT: NUMBER OF-
- --------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
8. Sole proprietorship The owner(4)
account.
9. A valid trust, estate The legal entity (Do
or pension trust not furnish the
identifying number of
the personal
representative or
trustee unless the
legal entity itself is
not designated in the
account title.)(5)
10. Corporate account The corporation
11. Religious, The organization
charitable, or
educational
organization account
12. Partnership account The partnership
held in the name of
the business
13. Association, club or The organization
other tax-exempt
organization
14. A broker or The broker or nominee
registered nominee
15. Account with the The public entity
Department of
Agriculture in the
name of a public
entity (such as a
state or local
government, school
district, or prison)
that receives
agricultural program
payments
</TABLE>
(1) List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.
(2) Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.
(3) Circle the ward's, minor's or incompetent person's name and furnish such
person's social security number.
(4) Show the name of the owner.
(5) List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension trust.
NOTE: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be
considered to be that of the first name listed.
<PAGE>
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
OBTAINING A NUMBER
If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card (for
individuals), or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (for
businesses and all other entities), at the local office of the Social Security
Administration or the Internal Revenue Service and apply for a number.
PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payees specifically exempt from backup withholding on ALL payments include
the following:
- A corporation.
- A financial institution.
- An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual
retirement plan.
- The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or
any subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
- A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or
any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the U.S. or
a possession of the U.S.
- A real estate investment trust.
- A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
- An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust described in
section 4947(a)(1).
- An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of
1940.
- A foreign central bank of issue.
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to
backup withholding include the following:
- Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441.
- Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S.
and which have at least one nonresident partner.
- Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in
money.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the
following:
- Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. NOTE: You may
be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is
paid in the course of the payer's trade or business and you have not
provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.
- Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under
section 852).
- Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to non-resident aliens.
- Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
- Payments made to a nominee.
EXEMPT PAYEES DESCRIBED ABOVE MUST STILL COMPLETE THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 TO
AVOID POSSIBLE ERRONEOUS BACKUP WITHHOLDING. FILE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 WITH THE
PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE
OF THE FORM, AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST,
DIVIDENDS, OR PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS, ALSO SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
Certain payments other than interest, dividends and patronage dividends,
that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup
withholding. For details, see the regulations under section 6041, 6041A(a), 6045
and 6050A.
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE.--Section 6019 requires most recipients of dividend,
interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers
who must report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for
identification purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not
recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 31%
of taxable interest, dividends, and certain other payments to a payee who does
not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may
also apply.
PENALTIES
(1) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FURNISH TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.--If you
fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject
to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to
reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO WITHHOLDING.--If you
make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition
of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
(3) CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING INFORMATION.--Willfully falsifying
certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including
fines and/or imprisonment.
(4) FAILURE TO REPORT CERTAIN DIVIDEND AND INTEREST PAYMENTS.--If you fail
to include any portion of an includible payment for interest, dividends or
patronage dividends in gross income and such failure is due to negligence, a
penalty of 20% is imposed on any portion of an underpayment attributable to that
failure.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE
SERVICE.
2
