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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: (Date of earliest event reported):
November 10, 1998 (October 28, 1998)
VERITAS DGC INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
DELAWARE 1-7427 76-0343152
(STATE OF INCORPORATION) (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER) (IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
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3701 KIRBY DRIVE, SUITE 112
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77098
(ADDRESS OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
(713) 512-8300
(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
(NOT APPLICABLE)
(FORMER NAME OR FORMER ADDRESS, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
NOTICE OF CERTAIN UNREGISTERED OFFERINGS UNDER RULE 135C
On October 23, 1998, Veritas DGC Inc. (the "Company") entered into a
Purchase Agreement for the purchase of an aggregate of $60.0 million of 9 3/4%
Senior Notes due 2003, Series B (the "Notes"). On October 28, 1998, the Company
issued a press release announcing the closing of the offering of the Notes (the
"Offering"). The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and are subject to certain transfer
restrictions. The Notes may be resold by the Initial Purchaser (as defined in
the Purchase Agreement) pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act to
Qualified Institutional Buyers, as defined in Rule 144A.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
AND EXHIBITS
(C) EXHIBITS
Exhibit 4.1 Purchase Agreement, dated October 23, 1998,
between Veritas DGC Inc. and Warburg Dillon
Read LLC.
Exhibit 4.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
October 28, 1998, between Veritas DGC Inc.
and Warburg Dillon Read LLC.
Exhibit 4.3 Indenture, dated as of October 28, 1998,
between Veritas DGC Inc. and State Street
Bank and Trust Company.
Exhibit 99.1 Veritas DGC Inc. press release dated
October 28, 1998.
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SIGNATURE
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: November 10, 1998
VERITAS DGC INC.
/s/ ANTHONY TRIPODO
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Anthony Tripodo,
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Accounting Officer and Treasurer
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EXHIBIT 4.1
VERITAS DGC INC.
$60,000,000 9 3/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2003, SERIES B
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
October 23, 1998
WARBURG DILLON READ LLC
as Initial Purchaser
535 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Dear Sirs:
Veritas DGC Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes to
issue and sell to Warburg Dillon Read LLC (the "Initial Purchaser") $60,000,000
aggregate principal amount of its 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series B (the
"Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture (the
"Indenture"), to be dated the Closing Date (as defined below), by and between
the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee").
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
given to such terms in the Indenture or the Offering Memorandum (as defined
below).
The Senior Notes will be offered and sold to the Initial Purchaser
pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively,
the "Act"). The Company has prepared a final offering memorandum, dated and
available for distribution on the date hereof (the "Offering Memorandum"),
relating to the Company and the Senior Notes.
The Initial Purchaser has advised the Company that the Initial
Purchaser intends, as soon as it deems advisable after this Purchase Agreement
(the "Agreement") has been executed and delivered, to resell (the "Exempt
Resales") the Senior Notes purchased by the Initial Purchaser under this
Agreement in private sales exempt from registration under the Act on the terms
set forth in the Offering Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, solely to (i)
persons whom the Initial Purchaser reasonably believes to be "qualified
institutional buyers," as defined in Rule 144A under the Act ("QIBs"), in
compliance with Rule 144A and (ii) other eligible purchasers pursuant to offers
and sales that occur outside the U.S. within the meaning of Regulation S under
the Act. The persons specified in clauses (i) and (ii) of the preceding sentence
are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Eligible Purchasers," and
the offering and sale of the Senior Notes to the Initial Purchaser and Eligible
Purchasers are sometimes referred to herein as the "Offering."
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Holders (including subsequent transferees) of the Senior Notes will
have the registration rights set forth in the registration rights agreement, to
be dated the Closing Date (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), between the
Company and the Initial Purchaser, for so long as such Senior Notes constitute
"Transfer Restricted Securities" (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agrees to
(a) file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), under
the circumstances set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, (i) a
registration statement under the Act (the "Exchange Offer Registration
Statement") relating to the Company's 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series C to
be offered in exchange (the "Exchange Notes") for the Senior Notes (the
"Exchange Offer") and/or (ii) a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule
415 under the Act (the "Shelf Registration Statement" and, together with the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the "Registration Statements") relating
to the resale by certain holders of the Senior Notes, and (b) use their best
efforts to cause such Registration Statements to be declared effective as soon
as practicable. This Agreement, the Senior Notes, the Exchange Notes, the
Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement are hereinafter sometimes
referred to collectively as the "Operative Documents."
Upon original issuance of the Senior Notes and until such time as the
same is no longer required under the applicable requirements of the Act, the
Senior Notes shall bear a legend substantially in the form provided in the
Offering Memorandum.
The net proceeds of the sale of the Senior Notes will be used in the
manner described in the Offering Memorandum.
The Company and the Initial Purchaser agree as follows:
1. SALE AND PURCHASE. Upon the basis of the representations, warranties
and covenants contained in this Agreement, and subject to the other terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Initial
Purchaser, and the Initial Purchaser agrees to purchase from the Company at a
purchase price of 97.75% of the principal amount per Senior Note ("the purchase
price per Note") plus accrued interest, if any, from October 28, 1998 to the
date of the payment and delivery, the aggregate principal amount of the Senior
Notes.
2. PAYMENT AND DELIVERY. Payment of the purchase price for the Senior
Notes shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available
funds, to an account of the Company designated by the Company at least two
business days prior to the payment date, against delivery of the certificates
for the Senior Notes for the account of the Initial Purchaser. Delivery of, and
payment of the purchase price for, the Senior Notes shall be made at 9:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the third business day following the date of this
Agreement (the "Closing Date") at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001
Fannin, Suite 2300, Houston, Texas 77002. The Closing Date, and the location of
delivery of, and the form of payment for, the Senior Notes may be varied by
mutual agreement between the Initial Purchaser and the Company.
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One or more of the Senior Notes in global form registered in such names
as the Initial Purchaser may request upon at least one business day's notice
prior to the Closing Date, having an aggregate principal amount corresponding to
the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes sold pursuant to Exempt
Resales to QIBs and to other Eligible Purchasers shall be delivered by the
Company to the Initial Purchaser (or as the Initial Purchaser directs), against
payment by the Initial Purchaser of the purchase price therefor by means of
transfer of immediately available funds (including book transfer) reasonably
acceptable to the Initial Purchaser and the Company to the order of the Company.
The Senior Notes shall be made available to the Initial Purchaser for inspection
not later than 9:30 a.m. on the business day immediately preceding the Closing
Date.
3. CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company covenants and agrees
with the Initial Purchaser as follows:
(a) To furnish the Initial Purchaser and those persons identified by
the Initial Purchaser, without charge, with as many copies of the Offering
Memorandum, and any amendments or supplements thereto, as the Initial Purchaser
may reasonably request for purposes contemplated by the Act. The Company
consents to the use of the Offering Memorandum, and any amendments and
supplements thereto required pursuant to this Agreement, by the Initial
Purchaser in connection with Exempt Resales that are in compliance with Section
4(B) of this Agreement.
(b) Not to amend or supplement the Offering Memorandum prior to the
Closing Date unless the Initial Purchaser shall previously have been advised of,
and shall not have objected to (any such objection not to be unreasonable), such
amendment or supplement within a reasonable time, but in any event not longer
than five days after being furnished with a copy of such amendment or
supplement. The Company shall promptly prepare, upon the Initial Purchaser's
reasonable request, any amendment or supplement to the Offering Memorandum that
may be necessary or advisable in connection with Exempt Resales.
(c) If, during the time that an Offering Memorandum is required to be
delivered in connection with any Exempt Resales or market-making transactions
after the date of this Agreement and prior to the consummation of the Exchange
Offer, any event shall occur that, in the judgment of the Company or in the
judgment of counsel to the Initial Purchaser, makes any statement of a material
fact in the Offering Memorandum untrue or that requires the making of any
additions to or changes in the Offering Memorandum in order to make the
statements in the Offering Memorandum, in the light of the circumstances under
which they are made, not misleading, or if it is necessary to amend or
supplement the Offering Memorandum to comply with all applicable laws, the
Company shall promptly notify the Initial Purchaser of such event and prepare an
appropriate amendment or supplement to the Offering Memorandum so that (i) the
statements in the Offering Memorandum as amended or supplemented will, in the
light of the circumstances at the time that the Offering Memorandum is delivered
to prospective Eligible Purchasers, not be misleading and (ii) the Offering
Memorandum will comply with applicable law.
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(d) To furnish such information as may be required and otherwise to
cooperate with the Initial Purchaser and counsel to the Initial Purchaser in
qualifying the Senior Notes and Exchange Notes for offering and sale under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Initial Purchaser may
request and to maintain such qualification in effect so long as required for the
Exempt Resales; provided that the Company shall not be required to qualify as a
foreign partnership, limited liability company or corporation in any
jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to file a general consent to
service of process in any such jurisdiction or subject itself to taxation in
excess of a nominal dollar amount in any such jurisdiction where it is not then
so subject (except service of process with respect to the offering and sale of
the Senior Notes and Exchange Notes).
(e) To advise the Initial Purchaser promptly and, if requested by the
Initial Purchaser, to confirm such advice in writing, of the issuance by any
securities commission of any stop order or notification suspending the
qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Senior Notes for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for
such purpose by any state securities commission or other regulatory authority.
The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts (unless otherwise agreed by
the Initial Purchaser) to prevent the issuance of any stop order or order
suspending the qualification or exemption of any of the Senior Notes under any
state securities or Blue Sky laws, and if at any time any state securities
commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the
qualification or exemption of any of the Senior Notes under any state securities
or Blue Sky laws, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts (unless
otherwise agreed by the Initial Purchaser) to obtain the withdrawal or lifting
of such order at the earliest possible time.
(f) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
consummated or this Agreement becomes effective or is terminated, to pay all
costs, expenses, fees, disbursements (including fees, expenses and disbursements
of counsel) and stamp, documentary or similar taxes incident to and in
connection with: (i) the preparation, printing, filing and distribution of the
Offering Memorandum (including, without limitation, financial statements) and
all amendments and supplements thereto, (ii) the preparation and delivery of the
Operative Documents and all other agreements, memoranda, correspondence and
documents prepared and delivered in connection with this Agreement and with the
Exempt Resales, (iii) the issuance, transfer and delivery by the Company of the
Senior Notes to the Initial Purchaser, (iv) the qualification or registration of
the Senior Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the
several states (including, without limitation, the cost of printing and mailing
a preliminary and final Blue Sky memorandum and the fees and disbursements of
counsel to the Initial Purchaser relating thereto), (v) the furnishing of such
copies of the Offering Memorandum, and all amendments and supplements thereto,
as may be reasonably requested for use in connection with Exempt Resales, (vi)
the preparation of certificates for the Senior Notes and Exchange Notes
(including, without limitation, printing and engraving thereof), (vii) the
application for eligibility of the Senior Notes for trading in the Private
Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages ("PORTAL") market of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), including, but
not limited to, all application fees and expenses, (viii) the approval of the
Senior Notes and Exchange Notes by The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") for
"book-entry" transfer, (ix) the rating of the Senior Notes and Exchange Notes
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by rating agencies, (x) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and its counsel and
(xi) the performance by the Company of its other obligations under the Operative
Documents, including, but not limited to, the fees, disbursements and expenses
of the Company's counsel and accountants.
(g) To use the proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes in the manner
described in the Offering Memorandum under the caption "Use of Proceeds."
(h) To do and perform all things required to be done and performed
under this Agreement by it prior to or after the Closing Date and to satisfy all
conditions precedent on its part to the delivery of the Senior Notes.
(i) Not to sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise
negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in the Act) that would be
integrated with the sale of the Senior Notes in a manner that would require the
registration under the Act of the sale of the Senior Notes to the Initial
Purchaser or any Eligible Purchasers.
(j) During the period of two years after the Closing Date or, if
earlier, until such time as the Senior Notes are no longer restricted securities
(as defined in Rule 144 under the Act), not to, and not to permit any of its
affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Act) to, resell any of the Senior
Notes that have been reacquired by any of them.
(k) Not to engage, or allow any of its affiliates, or any person acting
on its behalf (other than in any case the Initial Purchaser, as to whom the
Company makes no covenant) to engage, in any form of general solicitation or
general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D under the Act) in
connection with any offer or sale of the Senior Notes.
(l) Not to engage, or allow any of its affiliates, or any person acting
on its behalf (other than in any case the Initial Purchaser, as to whom the
Company makes no covenant), to engage in any directed selling effort with
respect to the Senior Notes, and agrees to comply with the offering restrictions
requirement of Regulation S under the Act. Terms used in this paragraph have the
meanings given to them by Regulation S.
(m) In connection with the Offering, until the Initial Purchaser shall
have notified the Company of the completion of the resale of the Senior Notes,
not to, and not to permit any of its affiliates to, either along or with one or
more other persons, bid for or purchase for any account in which it or any of
its affiliates has a beneficial interest in any Senior Notes; and neither it nor
any of its affiliates will make bids or purchases for the purpose of creating
actual, or apparent, active trading in, or of raising the price of, the Senior
Notes.
(n) During the period of two years after the Closing Date or, if
earlier, until such time as the Senior Notes are no longer restricted securities
(as defined in Rule 144 under the Act), not to be or become an investment
company required to be registered, but not registered, under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act").
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(o) From and after the Closing Date, for so long as any of the Senior
Notes remain outstanding and are "restricted securities" within the meaning of
Rule 144(a)(3) under the Act and during any period in which the Company is not
subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), to make available the information required by Rule
144A(d)(4) under the Act to (i) any holder or beneficial owner of Senior Notes
in connection with any sale of such Senior Notes and (ii) any prospective
purchaser of such Senior Notes from any such holder or beneficial owner
designated by the holder or beneficial owner.
(p) To comply with all of its agreements set forth in the Registration
Rights Agreement and all agreements set forth in the representations letter of
the Company to DTC relating to the approval of the Senior Notes by DTC for
"book-entry" transfer.
(q) To use its best efforts to effect the eligibility of the Senior
Notes for trading in the PORTAL market and to obtain approval of the Senior
Notes by DTC for "book-entry" transfer.
(r) From and after the Closing Date, for so long as any of the Senior
Notes remain outstanding, to deliver without charge to the Initial Purchaser,
promptly upon their becoming available, copies of (i) all reports and other
communications (financial or otherwise) that the Company shall mail or otherwise
make available to its security holders, (ii) all reports or financial statements
furnished to or filed by the Company with the Commission or any national
securities exchange and (iii) such other information as the Initial Purchaser
may reasonably request regarding the Company and its subsidiaries.
(s) Prior to the Closing Date, to furnish to the Initial Purchaser, as
soon as they have been prepared by the Company, a copy of any regularly prepared
internal financial statements of the Company for any period subsequent to the
period covered by the financial statements appearing in the Offering Memorandum
and prior to the Closing Date.
(t) Not to distribute prior to the Closing Date any offering material
in connection with the offer and sale of the Senior Notes other than the
Offering Memorandum.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
(A) The Company represents and warrants to the Initial Purchaser that:
(1) The Offering Memorandum has been prepared in connection with the
Exempt Resales. Neither the Offering Memorandum nor any supplement or amendment
thereto contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however,
that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to information
contained in or omitted from the Offering Memorandum, as supplemented or
amended, in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the
Initial Purchaser furnished in writing to the Company by the Initial Purchaser
expressly for use in the Offering Memorandum or
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any supplement or amendment thereto. No order prohibiting the use of the
Offering Memorandum or asserting that any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement are subject to the registration requirements of the Act has been
issued or threatened.
(2) All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable. The Operative Documents conform in all material respects to
their respective descriptions thereof contained in the Offering Memorandum.
(3) The only subsidiaries of the Company are the subsidiaries on
Schedule B attached hereto (the "Subsidiaries"). The Company has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware and each of its Subsidiaries has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing under the laws of its respective
jurisdiction of incorporation. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has full
power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described
in the Offering Memorandum.
(4) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are duly qualified or
licensed by and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which they conduct
their respective businesses and in which the failure, individually or in the
aggregate, to be so licensed or qualified could have a material adverse effect
on the business, condition (financial or other), properties, assets,
liabilities, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole ("Material Adverse Effect"). The Company and each
of its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with the laws,
orders, rules, regulations and directives issued or administered by such
jurisdictions.
(5) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach of, or
in default under (nor has any event occurred which with notice, lapse of time,
or both would constitute a breach of, or default under), its respective charter
or by-laws or in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement,
covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank
loan or credit agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound, and the
execution, delivery and performance of the Operative Documents and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not
conflict with, nor result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant to, or result in any breach of or constitute a default under (nor
constitute any event which with notice, lapse of time, or both would constitute
a breach of, or default under), or result in the acceleration of any obligation
under, any provisions of the charter or by-laws, of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or under any provision of any license, indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other agreement or instrument to which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or
their respective properties may be bound or affected, or under any federal,
state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order
applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
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(6) The Company has all requisite power and authority to execute,
deliver and perform all of its obligations under the Operative Documents and to
consummate the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents and, without
limitation, the Company has all requisite power and authority to issue, sell and
deliver the Senior Notes and the Exchange Notes.
(7) This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company. The Indenture has been duly and validly authorized by
the Company and, when duly executed and delivered by the Company, will be a
legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable in accordance with
its terms, subject to applicable laws of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws
relating to creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity
(whether applied in a proceeding in law or equity).
(8) The Senior Notes have been duly and validly authorized for issuance
and sale to the Initial Purchaser by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and,
when issued, authenticated and delivered to the Initial Purchaser against
payment therefor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the
Indenture, the Senior Notes will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the
Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the
Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable laws of
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws relating to creditors' rights generally
and to general principles of equity (whether applied in a proceeding in law or
equity).
(9) The Exchange Notes have been duly and validly authorized for
issuance and, when issued, authenticated and delivered by the Company in
accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer and the Indenture, the Exchange
Notes will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to
the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the Company in accordance
with their terms, subject to applicable laws of bankruptcy, insolvency or
similar laws relating to creditors' rights generally and to general principles
of equity (whether applied in a proceeding in law or equity).
(10) The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly and validly
authorized by the Company and, when duly executed and delivered by the Company,
will be a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable laws of bankruptcy, insolvency
or similar laws relating to creditors' rights generally and to general
principles of equity and subject to limitations on the enforceability of
provisions provided therein relating to indemnity or contribution under federal
and state securities laws.
(11) No approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any
national, state or local governmental or regulatory commission, board, body,
authority or agency is required in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement or any of the other Operative Documents, or any of
the transactions contemplated thereby other than the registration of the offer
and sale of the Exchange Notes under the Act pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement and any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws
of the various
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jurisdictions in which the Senior Notes and the Exchange Notes are being offered
by the Initial Purchaser.
(12) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has all necessary
licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals and has made all necessary
filings required under any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or
rule, and has obtained all necessary authorizations, consents and approvals from
other persons, in order to conduct its respective business. Neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of, or in default under, any such
license, authorization, consent or approval or any federal, state, local or
foreign law, regulation or rule or any decree, order or judgment applicable to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries the effect of which could have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(13) There are no legal or governmental proceedings, contracts or
documents of a character that would be required to be summarized or described in
the Offering Memorandum if it were a prospectus filed under the Act that are not
described in the Offering Memorandum.
(14) There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or threatened
against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties, at law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state, local or
foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency
which could result in a judgment, decree or order having a Material Adverse
Effect.
(15) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is
given in the Offering Memorandum, and except as may be otherwise stated in the
Offering Memorandum, there has not been (A) any material and unfavorable change,
financial or otherwise, in the business, properties, prospects, regulatory
environment, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise),
present or prospective, of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
(B) any transaction, which is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole, contemplated or entered into by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or (C) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, directly or
indirectly incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which is material
to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(16) The Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Offering
Memorandum) owned in the aggregate less than 6% of the consolidated assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of July 31, 1998 and had
in the aggregate less than 6% of the consolidated revenues of the Company and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, for the year ended July 31, 1998 (as
reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Offering
Memorandum). Except for the Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries, the Company
directly or indirectly through one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries owns
beneficially and of record all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Subsidiaries.
(17) The Company's significant subsidiaries named in Schedule C (the
"Significant Subsidiaries") owned in the aggregate more than 90% of the
consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of
July 31, 1998 and had in the aggregate more than 90% of the
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consolidated revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, for
the year ended July 31, 1998 (as reflected in the Consolidated Financial
Statements contained in the Offering Memorandum).
(18) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have obtained all
material environmental permits, licenses and other authorizations required by
federal, state, foreign and local law in order to conduct their businesses as
described in the Offering Memorandum. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries
are conducting their businesses in substantial compliance with such permits,
licenses and authorizations and with applicable environmental laws, except where
the failure to be in compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and,
except as described in the Offering Memorandum, the Company is not in violation
of any federal, state, foreign or local law or regulation relating to the
storage, handling, disposal, release or transportation of hazardous or toxic
materials.
(19) None of the assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses of the
Company's Subsidiaries other than the Significant Subsidiaries (as hereinafter
defined), when each such financial statement item is considered separately but
aggregated for all such non-Significant Subsidiaries, is material to the assets,
liabilities, revenues or expenses, respectively, of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(20) No forward looking statement within the meaning to Section 27A of
the Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act contained in the Offering Memorandum
has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed
other than in good faith.
(21) No registration under the Act of the Senior Notes is required for
the sale of the Senior Notes to the Initial Purchaser as contemplated by this
Agreement or for the Exempt Resales, assuming in each case (a) the purchasers
who buy the Senior Notes in the Exempt Resales are Eligible Purchasers and (b)
the accuracy of and compliance with the Initial Purchaser's representations,
warranties and covenants contained in Section 4(B) of this Agreement. No form of
general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms are used in
Regulation D under the Act) was used by the Company or any of its
representatives in connection with the offer and sale of any of the Senior Notes
or in connection with Exempt Resales, including, but not limited to, articles,
notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine or similar
medium or broadcast over television or radio, or any seminar or meeting whose
attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising.
Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has entered into, and none of the
Company or its affiliates will enter into, any contractual arrangement with
respect to the distribution of the Senior Notes except for this Agreement.
(22) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the other Operative
Documents and the sale of the Senior Notes and the Exchange Notes to be
purchased by the Eligible Purchasers will not involve any prohibited transaction
within the meaning of Section 406(a) of ERISA or Section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of
the Code. The representation made by the Company in the preceding sentence is
made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of, and compliance with, the
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<PAGE> 11
representations and covenants made or deemed made by the Eligible Purchasers as
set forth in the Offering Memorandum under the caption "Transfer Restrictions."
(23) The Offering Memorandum, as of its date, and each amendment or
supplement thereto, as of its date, contains the information specified in, and
meets the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act.
(24) None of the Company or its subsidiaries is an "investment company"
or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), or
analogous foreign laws and regulations.
(25) None of the Company, its subsidiaries, or their Affiliates (as
defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D under the Act) has (a) taken, directly or
indirectly, any action designed to, or that might reasonably be expected to,
cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries to facilitate the sale or resale of the
Senior Notes or (b) since commencement of the Offering (i) sold, bid for,
purchased or paid any person any compensation for soliciting purchases of the
Senior Notes in a manner that would require registration of the Senior Notes
under the Act or (ii) paid or agreed to pay to any person any compensation for
soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries in a manner that would require registration of the Senior Notes
under the Act.
(26) Neither the Company nor any of the Company's Subsidiaries (nor any
agent acting on behalf of the Company or the Company's Subsidiaries) has taken,
and none of them will take, any action that might cause this Agreement or the
issuance or sale of the Senior Notes or Exchange Notes to violate Regulation G
(12 C.F.R. Part 207), Regulation T (12 C.F.R. Part 220), Regulation U (12 C.F.R.
Part 221) or Regulation X (12 C.F.R. Part 224) of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System or analogous foreign laws and regulations, in each case
as in effect, or as the same may hereafter be in effect, on the Closing Date.
(27) The accountants who have certified the financial statements
included as part of the Offering Memorandum are independent accountants within
the meaning of the Act. The historical financial statements of the Company
comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements applicable to
registration statements on Form S-1 under the Act and present fairly in all
material respects the consolidated financial position and results of operations
of the Company at the respective dates and for the respective periods indicated
as if the Company were formed at the beginning of such periods. Such financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the
periods presented and comply as to form with the rules and regulations
promulgated under the Act.
The Company acknowledges that the Initial Purchaser and, for purposes
of the opinions to be delivered to the Initial Purchaser pursuant to Section 7
of this Agreement, the various law firms acting as counsel to the Company and
counsel to the Initial Purchaser will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the
foregoing representations and the Company hereby consents to such reliance.
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<PAGE> 12
(B) The Initial Purchaser represents, warrants and covenants to the
Company that it is a QIB with such knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters as are necessary in order to evaluate the merits and risks of
an investment in the securities. The Initial Purchaser represents, warrants and
agrees with the Company that (i) it has not and will not solicit offers for, or
offer or sell, the Senior Notes by any form of general solicitation or general
advertising (as those terms are used in Regulation D under the Act) or in any
manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Act
and (ii) it has and will solicit offers for the Senior Notes only from, and will
offer the Senior Notes only to, (x) persons whom the Initial Purchaser
reasonably believes to be QIBs or, if any such person is buying for one or more
institutional accounts for which such person is acting as fiduciary or agent,
only when such person has represented to the Initial Purchaser that each such
account is a QIB to whom notice has been given that such sale or delivery is
being made in reliance on Rule 144A, and, in each case, in transactions under
Rule 144A, or (y) persons other than U.S. persons outside the U.S. in reliance
on Regulation S.
The Initial Purchaser represents and warrants that the source of funds
being used by it to acquire the Senior Notes does not include the assets of any
"employee benefit plan" (within the meaning of Section 3 of ERISA) or any "plan"
(within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code).
The Initial Purchaser understands that the Company and, for purposes of
the opinion to be delivered to them pursuant to Section 7(f) hereof, counsel to
the Company will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the foregoing
representations, and the Initial Purchaser hereby consents to such reliance.
5. INDEMNIFICATION. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Initial Purchaser, each person, if any, who controls the Initial
Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, the agents, employees, officers and directors of the Initial
Purchaser and the agents, employees, officers and directors of any such
controlling person from and against any and all losses, liabilities, claims,
damages and expenses whatsoever (including but not limited to reasonable
attorneys' fees and any and all reasonable expenses whatsoever incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all reasonable amounts paid in
settlement of any claim or litigation) to which they or any of them may become
subject under the Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or
otherwise insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Offering
Memorandum, or in any supplement thereto or amendment thereof, or arise out of
or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information relating to the Initial Purchaser
furnished to the Company by the Initial Purchaser expressly for use therein.
This indemnity agreement will
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<PAGE> 13
be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have, including,
but not limited to, liability under this Agreement.
If any action is brought against the Initial Purchaser or any such
person with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company
pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, the Initial Purchaser or such person shall
promptly notify the indemnifying party in writing of the institution of such
action and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action,
including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified
party and payment of all fees and expenses, provided, however, that the omission
to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party
from any liability which they may have to the Initial Purchaser or any such
person or otherwise. The Initial Purchaser shall have the right to employ its
own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be
at the expense of the Initial Purchaser unless the employment of such counsel
shall have been authorized in writing by the indemnifying party in connection
with the defense of such action or the indemnifying party shall not have
employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action or such
indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be
defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those
available to the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall
not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the
indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses
shall be borne by the indemnifying party and paid as incurred (it being
understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the
expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with appropriate local
counsel) in any one action or series of related actions in the same jurisdiction
representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action). The
indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such claim or
action effected without its written consent but if settled with the written
consent of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Initial Purchaser and any such person from and against any
loss or liability by reason of such settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of
counsel as contemplated by the second sentence of this paragraph, then the
indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 60 business days after receipt by such indemnifying party
of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed
the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
settlement and (iii) such indemnified party shall have given the indemnifying
party at least 30 days' prior notice of its intention to settle. No indemnifying
party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect
any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any
indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been
sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding.
(b) The Initial Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and each of its agents,
employees, officers and directors and the agents,
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<PAGE> 14
employees, officers and directors of such controlling person from and against
any losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses whatsoever (including but
not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and any and all reasonable expenses
whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever and any and all
reasonable amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation) to which they
or either of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or
otherwise insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Offering
Memorandum, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of
or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in
each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that any such loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to the Initial
Purchaser furnished to the Company by the Initial Purchaser in writing expressly
for use therein. The Company and the Initial Purchaser acknowledge that the
information set forth in Section 8 is the only information furnished in writing
by the Initial Purchaser to the Company expressly for use in the Offering
Memorandum.
If any action is brought against the Company or any such person with
respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Initial Purchaser pursuant
to the foregoing paragraph, the Company or such person shall promptly notify the
Initial Purchaser in writing of the institution of such action and the Initial
Purchaser shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment of
counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and payment of all
fees and expenses, provided, however, that the omission to so notify the Initial
Purchaser shall not relieve the Initial Purchaser from any liability which they
may have to the Company or any such person or otherwise. The Company or such
person shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the
fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Company or such
person unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in
writing by the Initial Purchaser in connection with the defense of such action
or the Initial Purchaser shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the
defense of such action or such indemnified party or parties shall have
reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which
are different from or additional to those available to the Initial Purchaser (in
which case the Initial Purchaser shall not have the right to direct the defense
of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties, but the Initial
Purchaser may employ counsel and participate in the defense thereof but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Initial Purchaser),
in any of which events such fees and expenses shall be borne by the Initial
Purchaser and paid as incurred (it being understood, however, that the Initial
Purchaser shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel
in any one action or series of related actions in the same jurisdiction
representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action). Anything
in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, the Initial Purchaser shall
not be liable for any settlement of any such claim or action effected without
the written consent of the Initial Purchaser but if settled with the written
consent of the Initial Purchaser, the Initial Purchaser agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless
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<PAGE> 15
the Company and any such person from and against any loss or liability by reason
of such settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an
indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second
sentence of this paragraph, then the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
if (a) such settlement is entered into more than 60 business days after receipt
by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (b) such indemnifying party
shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request
prior to the date of such settlement and (c) such indemnified party shall have
given the indemnifying party at least 30 days' prior notice of its intention to
settle. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding
in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and
indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless
such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from
all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.
6. CONTRIBUTION. In order to provide for contribution in circumstances
in which the indemnification provided for in Section 5 of this Agreement is for
any reason held to be unavailable from the indemnifying party, or is
insufficient to hold harmless a party indemnified under Section 5 of this
Agreement, the Company and the Initial Purchaser shall contribute to the amount
paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such aggregate losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and expenses of the nature contemplated by such
indemnification provision (including any investigation, legal and other expenses
incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action or
any claims asserted) to which the Company and the Initial Purchaser may be
subject (a) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchaser, on
the other hand, from the Offering or, (b) if such allocation is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (a) above but also the relative fault of
the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchaser, on the other hand, in
connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the
one hand, and the Initial Purchaser, on the other hand, shall be deemed to be in
the same proportion as (i) the total proceeds from the Offering (net of
discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Company
and (ii) the total discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchaser
as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Offering Memorandum. The
relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchaser, on
the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Company or the Initial Purchaser and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission or alleged statement or omission.
The Company and the Initial Purchaser agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6 were determined by pro
rata allocation or by any other method
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<PAGE> 16
of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations
referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6, (a) in no
case shall the Initial Purchaser be required to contribute any amount in excess
of the amount by which the total discount and commissions applicable to the
Senior Notes pursuant to this Agreement exceeds the amount of any damages that
the Initial Purchaser have otherwise been required to pay by reason of any
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission and (b) no
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 6,
each person, if any, who controls the Initial Purchaser within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same
rights to contribution as the Initial Purchaser, and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20
of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company,
respectively, where applicable, subject in each case to clauses (a) and (b) of
this paragraph. Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt
of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a
claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this
Section 6, notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought,
but the omission to so notify such party or parties shall not relieve the party
or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any obligation it or they
may have under this Section 6 or otherwise; provided, however, that no
additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice
has been given under Section 5 for purposes of indemnification. No party shall
be liable for contribution with respect to any action or claim settled without
its written consent, provided, however, that such written consent was not
unreasonably withheld.
7. CONDITIONS OF INITIAL PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS. The obligations of
the Initial Purchaser hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the
representations and warranties on the part of the Company on the date hereof and
at the time of purchase, the performance by the Company of their obligations
hereunder and to the following conditions:
(a) All of the representations and warranties of the Company contained
in this Agreement shall be true and correct on the date of this Agreement and on
the Closing Date. The Company shall have performed or complied with all of the
agreements contained in this Agreement and required to be performed or complied
with by them at or prior to the Closing Date.
(b) No stop order suspending the qualification or exemption from
qualification of the Senior Notes in any jurisdiction shall have been issued and
no proceeding for that purpose shall have been commenced or shall be pending or
threatened.
(c) No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or
order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental agency that
would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance of the Senior Notes or the
Exchange Offer; no action, suit or proceeding shall have been commenced and be
pending against or affecting or, to the best knowledge of the Company,
threatened against the Company before any court or arbitrator or any
governmental body, agency or official that, if adversely determined, would
result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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<PAGE> 17
(d) Since the date as of which information is given in the Offering
Memorandum and up to the Closing Date, except as otherwise expressly set forth
in the Offering Memorandum, (i) none of the Company or its subsidiaries has (A)
incurred any liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, that would,
either individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or
(B) entered into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of
business, and (ii) there has not been any event or development in respect of the
business, development or financial condition of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries that would, either individually or in the aggregate, result in a
Material Adverse Effect.
(e) The Initial Purchaser shall have received certificates, dated the
Closing Date, signed by (i) the Chief Executive Officer and (ii) the chief
financial or accounting officer of the Company confirming, as of the Closing
Date, the matters set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section
7.
(f) The Initial Purchaser shall have received on the Closing Date an
opinion dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Initial Purchaser, of Porter &
Hedges, L.L.P., counsel to the Company, in form and substance as set forth in
Exhibit A hereto.
(g) The Initial Purchaser shall have received on the Closing Date an
opinion (satisfactory in form and substance to the Initial Purchaser) dated the
Closing Date of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., special counsel to the Initial
Purchaser, covering substantially such matters as are customarily covered in
such opinions.
(h) The Initial Purchaser shall have received a "comfort letter" from
each of Deloitte & Touche L.L.P. and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
public accountants for the Company, dated as of the date of this Agreement,
addressed to the Initial Purchaser and in form and substance satisfactory to the
Initial Purchaser and counsel to the Initial Purchaser. In addition, as of the
Closing Date, the Initial Purchaser shall have received "bring-down comfort
letters" from Deloitte & Touche L.L.P. and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in form
and substance satisfactory to the Initial Purchaser and counsel to the Initial
Purchaser covering the same items and matters as covered in the "comfort
letters" but as of a date that is not more than three days prior to the date
thereof.
(i) The Company and the Trustee shall have entered into the Indenture,
in a form satisfactory to the Initial Purchaser, and the Initial Purchaser shall
have received counterparts, conformed as executed, thereof.
(j) The Company shall have entered into the Registration Rights
Agreement, in a form satisfactory to the Initial Purchaser, and the Initial
Purchaser shall have received counterparts, conformed as executed, thereof.
(k) The Senior Notes shall have been approved as eligible for trading
in the PORTAL market.
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<PAGE> 18
(l) The Senior Notes shall have initially been assigned ratings, if
any, of BB+ and B1 or higher by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's
Investors Services, Inc., respectively, and there shall not have occurred any
downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of (i) any intended or
potential downgrading or (ii) any review or possible change that does not
indicate an improvement in the rating accorded the Senior Notes.
(m) The Initial Purchaser shall have been furnished with certified
copies of such other documents as it may reasonably request.
(n) Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to the Initial Purchaser, shall
have been furnished with such documents as it may reasonably request to enable
it to review or pass upon the matters referred to in this Section 7 and in order
to evidence the accuracy, completeness or satisfaction in all material respects
of any of the representations, warranties or conditions contained in this
Agreement.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 7 shall not have
been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement to be fulfilled, this
Agreement may be terminated by the Initial Purchaser on notice to the Company at
any time at or prior to the Closing Date, and such termination shall be without
liability of any party to any other party except that the Company shall
reimburse the Initial Purchaser for all of the reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses, including the reasonable expense of Initial Purchaser's counsel,
incurred by the Initial Purchaser in connection with this Agreement.
Notwithstanding any such termination, the provisions of Sections 3(f), 5, 6, 9,
10(d), 13, 14 and 15 shall remain in effect.
The Company's obligation under this Agreement to sell the Senior Notes
to the Initial Purchaser on the Closing Date is subject to the Initial Purchaser
purchasing and paying for all of the Senior Notes.
8. INITIAL PURCHASER'S INFORMATION. The Company and the Initial
Purchaser severally acknowledge that the statements in the Offering Memorandum
set forth in (a) the last paragraph on the front cover page concerning the forms
of the offering by the Initial Purchaser; (b) the first paragraph on page 2
concerning stabilization activities by the Initial Purchaser; and (c) the
statements concerning the Initial Purchaser contained in the fifth paragraph
under the caption "Plan of Distribution" in the Offering Memorandum constitute
the only information furnished in writing by the Initial Purchaser expressly for
use in the Offering Memorandum.
9. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS. All representations and
warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, including the
agreements contained in Sections 3(f) and 10(d), the indemnity agreements
contained in Section 5 and the contribution agreements contained in Section 6
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchaser or any controlling
person thereof or by or on behalf of the Company, and shall survive delivery of
and payment for the Senior Notes to and by the Initial Purchaser. The
representations contained in Section 4 and the agreements
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<PAGE> 19
contained in Sections 3(f), 5, 6, 9, 10(d), 13, 14 and 15 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement, including pursuant to Sections 7 and 10.
10. EFFECTIVE DATE OF AGREEMENT.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective upon execution and delivery
of a counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto.
(b) The Initial Purchaser shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement at any time prior to the Closing Date by notice to the Company from
the Initial Purchaser, without liability (other than with respect to Sections 5
and 6) on the Initial Purchaser if, on or prior to such date, (i) the Company
shall have failed, refused or been unable to perform in any material respect any
agreement on its part to be performed under this Agreement, (ii) any other
condition of the obligations of the Initial Purchaser under this Agreement as
provided in Section 7 is not fulfilled when and as required in any material
respect, (iii) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange,
the American Stock Exchange or NASDAQ shall have been suspended or materially
limited, or minimum prices shall have been established on such exchange by the
Commission, or by such exchange or other regulatory body or governmental
authority having jurisdiction, (iv) a general banking moratorium shall have been
declared by U.S. federal, New York, or if a moratorium in foreign exchange
trading by major international banks or persons, shall have been declared, (v)
there is an outbreak or escalation of military action, hostilities or other
national or international calamity on or after the date of this Agreement, or if
there has been a declaration by the United States of a national emergency or
war, the effect of which shall be, in the Initial Purchaser's judgment, to make
it inadvisable or impracticable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the
Senior Notes on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Offering
Memorandum or (vi) there shall have been such a change in general economic,
governmental, political or financial conditions or the effect (or potential
effect if the financial markets in the United States have not yet opened) of
international conditions on the financial markets in the United States shall be
such, as, in the Initial Purchaser's judgment, make it inadvisable or
impracticable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Senior Notes on
the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Offering Memorandum.
(c) Any notice of termination pursuant to this Section 10 shall be
given at the address specified in Section 11 below by telephone, telex,
telephonic facsimile or telegraph, confirmed in writing by letter.
(d) If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to any clause of
Section 10(b), or if the sale of the Senior Notes provided for in this Agreement
is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Initial
Purchaser set forth in this Agreement is not satisfied or because of any
refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any
agreement in this Agreement or comply with any provision of this Agreement, the
Company will, subject to demand by the Initial Purchaser, reimburse the Initial
Purchaser for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the
reasonable fees and expenses of the Initial Purchaser's counsel) incurred in
connection with this Agreement.
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<PAGE> 20
11. NOTICES. All communications with respect to or under this
Agreement, except as may be otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement,
shall be in writing and, if sent to the Initial Purchaser, shall be mailed,
delivered, or telexed, telegraphed or telecopied and confirmed in writing to
Warburg Dillon Read LLC, 535 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022
(telephone: (212) 906-7000), Attention: Corporate Finance Department, telecopy
number: (212) 593-0164; and if sent to the Company, shall be mailed, delivered
or telexed, telegraphed or telecopied and confirmed in writing to Veritas DGC
Inc., 3701 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas (telephone: (713) 512-8300, Attention:
Chief Financial Officer, telecopy number: (713) 512-8721.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: (a) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (b) five
business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; (c)
when answered back, if telexed; (d) when receipt acknowledged if telecopied; and
(e) on the next business day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery.
12. PARTIES. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of, and
shall be binding upon, the Initial Purchaser and the Company and the controlling
persons and agents referred to in Sections 5 and 6, and their respective
successors and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have
any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by
virtue of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. The term "successors
and assigns" shall not include a purchaser, in its capacity as such, of Senior
Notes from the Initial Purchaser.
13. CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
the internal laws of the State of New York (without giving effect to any
provisions thereof relating to conflicts of law that would result in the
application of the laws of another jurisdiction).
14. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. The Company irrevocably submits to the
nonexclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in New York over
any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The
Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any
objection it may now or thereafter have to the laying of venue of any such court
and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court
has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Company agrees that a final
judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court shall
be conclusive and binding upon the Company and may be enforced in any other
courts to the jurisdiction of which the Company is or may be subject, by suit
upon such judgment. The Company hereby appoints, without power of revocation, CT
Corporation System as their agent to accept and acknowledge on its behalf
service of any and all process which may be served in any suit, action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this letter. Nothing herein shall
affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or shall
limit the right of the Initial Purchaser to bring proceedings against the
Company in the courts of any other jurisdiction.
15. CAPTIONS. The captions included in this Agreement are included
solely for convenience of reference and are not to be considered a part of this
Agreement.
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<PAGE> 21
16. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in various
counterparts and by the parties to this Agreement in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
17. MISCELLANEOUS. Warburg Dillon Read LLC, an indirect, wholly owned
subsidiary of UBS AG, is not a bank and is separate from any affiliated bank,
including any U.S. branch or agency of UBS AG. Because Warburg Dillon Read LLC
is a separately incorporated entity, it is solely responsible for its own
contractual obligations and commitments, including obligations with respect to
sales purchases of securities. Securities sold, offered or recommended by
Warburg Dillon Read LLC are not deposits, are not insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, are not guaranteed by a branch or agency, and are not
otherwise an obligation or responsibility of a branch or agency.
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<PAGE> 22
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the
Company and the Initial Purchaser, please so indicate in the space provided
below for the purpose, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall
constitute a binding agreement between the Company and the Initial Purchaser.
VERITAS DGC INC.
By: /s/ ANTHONY TRIPODO
---------------------------------------
Anthony Tripodo
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
Confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:
WARBURG DILLON READ LLC
By: /s/ KAJ AHLBURG
--------------------------------------
Name: Kaj Ahlburg
-----------------------------------
Title: Executive Director
----------------------------------
Leveraged Finance
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
--------------------------------------
Name: [ILLEGIBLE]
-----------------------------------
Title: Associate Director
----------------------------------
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<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 28, 1998
by and between
VERITAS DGC INC.
and
WARBURG DILLON READ LLC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of October 28, 1998 by and between VERITAS DGC INC. (the
"Issuer") and WARBURG DILLON READ LLC (the "Initial Purchaser"). The execution
and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial
Purchaser to purchase $60,000,000 of the 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series B
of the Issuer under the Purchase Agreement, dated October 22, 1998 (the
"Purchase Agreement"), by and between the Issuer and the Initial Purchaser.
The Issuer and the Initial Purchaser hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have
the following meanings:
Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated by the Commission pursuant thereto.
Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
Business Day: As that term is defined in the Indenture.
Closing Date: The date that the Notes are purchased by the Initial
Purchaser pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Consummate: A Registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated"
for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and
effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
relating to the Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the maintenance
of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the
Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period required
pursuant to Section 3(b) of this Agreement and (iii) the delivery by the Issuer
to the Registrar under the Indenture of New Notes in the same aggregate
principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes that were so
tendered.
Damages Payment Date: With respect to the Notes, each Interest Payment
Date.
Effectiveness Target Date: As defined in Section 5 of this Agreement.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission pursuant thereto.
<PAGE> 3
Exchange Offer: The registration under the Act by the Issuer of the New
Notes pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Issuer offers
the Holders of all outstanding Old Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities
the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Old Notes that are Transfer
Restricted Securities held by such Holders for New Notes in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes that
are Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such
Holders.
Exchange Offer Effective Date: The date on which the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchaser
proposes to sell the Notes to (i) certain "qualified institutional buyers," as
such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, and (ii) other eligible
purchasers pursuant to Regulation S under the Act.
Holders: As defined in Section 2(b) of this Agreement.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of October 28, 1998, by and between
the Issuer and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"),
pursuant to which the Notes are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.
Initial Purchaser: Warburg Dillon Read LLC.
Interest Payment Date: As defined in the Notes.
Issue Date: The date the Old Notes are originally issued (October 28,
1998).
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
New Notes: The 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series C of the Issuer to
be issued pursuant to the Indenture in connection with the Exchange Offer and
evidencing the same debt as the Old Notes.
Notes: Old Notes and New Notes.
Old Notes: The 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series B of the Issuer to
be issued pursuant to the Indenture on the Closing Date.
Participating Broker Dealer: As defined in Section 6(a)(iii) of this
Agreement.
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<PAGE> 4
Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or
unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision
thereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments
and supplements thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference, if any, in
such Prospectus.
Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 of this Agreement.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Issuer
relating to (a) an offering of New Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b)
the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the
Shelf Registration Statement that is filed pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all
amendments and supplements thereto (including pre- and post-effective
amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference or deemed to
be incorporated by reference, if any, therein.
Shelf Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 4(a) of this Agreement.
Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4(a) of this
Agreement.
Subsidiary: With respect to any Person, any other Person of which a
majority of the equity ownership or the voting securities is at the time owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other subsidiaries of
such Person or a combination thereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. Section
77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Transfer Restricted Securities: Each Note until, with respect to each
such Note, the earliest to occur of (i) the date on which each such Old Note has
been exchanged by a Person other than a Broker-Dealer for a New Note in the
Exchange Offer, (ii) following the exchange by a Broker-Dealer in the Exchange
Offer of an Old Note for a New Note, the date on which such New Note is sold to
a purchaser who receives from such Broker-Dealer on or prior to the date of such
sale a copy of the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, (iii) the date on which such Note has been effectively registered
under the Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration
Statement or (iv) the date on which such Note is distributed to the public
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act.
Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in
which securities of the Issuer are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the
public pursuant to an effective Registration Statement.
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<PAGE> 5
SECTION 2. SECURITIES SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT
(a) Transfer Restricted Securities. The securities entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.
(b) Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities. A Person is deemed to be
a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a "Holder") whenever such
Person beneficially owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Unless, due to a change in law or Commission policy after the date
hereof, the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under applicable federal law
or Commission policy, the Issuer shall (i) cause to be filed with the Commission
as soon as practicable on or prior to 60 days after the Closing Date, a
Registration Statement under the Act relating to the New Notes and the Exchange
Offer and (ii) use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be
declared effective by the Commission as soon as practicable on or prior to 120
days after the Closing Date. In connection with the foregoing, the Issuer shall
(A) file all pre-effective amendments to such Registration Statement as may be
necessary to cause such Registration Statement to become effective, (B) if
applicable, file a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement
pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act, (C) cause all necessary filings in
connection with the registration and qualification of the New Notes to be made
under the Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit
Consummation of the Exchange Offer (provided, however, that the Issuer shall not
be obligated to qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it
is not so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to general
service of process or taxation in any jurisdiction where it is not so subject,
except service of process with respect to the offering and sale of the Notes)
and (D) upon the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, commence the
Exchange Offer and use its best efforts to issue on or prior to 45 days after
the Exchange Offer Effective Date, New Notes in exchange for all Old Notes
tendered in the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate
form permitting registration of the New Notes to be offered in exchange for the
Transfer Restricted Securities and to permit resales of New Notes held by
Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) below. If, after such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement initially is declared effective by the Commission,
the Exchange Offer or the issuance of New Notes under the Exchange Offer or the
resale of New Notes received by Broker-Dealers in the Exchange Offer as
contemplated by Section 3(c) below is interfered with by any stop order,
injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or any other
governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement shall be deemed not to
have become effective for purposes of this Agreement during the period that such
stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement shall remain in
effect.
(b) The Issuer shall cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to
be effective continuously and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of
not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state
securities laws to Consummate the Exchange
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<PAGE> 6
Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be less than 20
business days. The Issuer shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all
applicable federal and state securities laws. The Issuer shall only offer to
exchange New Notes for Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, and only the New Notes
shall be registered under the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
(c) The Issuer shall indicate in a "Plan of Distribution" section
contained in the Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement that any Broker-Dealer that holds Old Notes that are Transfer
Restricted Securities and that were acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer
Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Issuer), may exchange such Old
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that such Broker-Dealer
may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Act and must,
therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Act in
connection with any resales of the New Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in
the Exchange Offer. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall allow the use of
the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Act, including Participating Broker-Dealers, and shall also contain all
other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the
Commission may require to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan
of Distribution" shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of
Notes held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by the
Commission.
The Issuer shall use its best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as
required by the provisions of Section 6(c) below to the extent necessary to
ensure that it is available for resales of Notes acquired by Broker-Dealers for
their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this
Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as
announced from time to time for such period of time as such Broker-Dealers must
comply with prospectus delivery requirements of the Exchange Act in order to
resell the Notes. The Issuer shall provide sufficient copies of the latest
version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time
during such period in order to facilitate such resales.
SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Issuer is not required to file an
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate the Exchange Offer
because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission
policy or (ii) any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall notify the
Issuer within 20 business days of the commencement of the Exchange Offer that
such Holder (A) is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from
participating in the Exchange Offer, or (B) may not resell the New Notes
acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a
prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder or (C)
is a Broker-Dealer and holds Old Notes (including the Initial Purchaser who
holds Old Notes as part of
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<PAGE> 7
an unsold allotment from the original offering of the Notes) acquired directly
from the Issuer or one of its affiliates or (iii) the Issuer does not consummate
the Exchange Offer within 45 days following the effectiveness date of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, then the Issuer shall (x) cause to be
filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act, which
may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in either
event, the "Shelf Registration Statement"), on or prior to the earliest to occur
of (1) the 45th day after the date on which the Issuer determines that it is not
required to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (2) the 45th day
after the date on which the Issuer receives notice from a Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities as contemplated by clause (ii) above (such earliest date
being the "Shelf Filing Deadline"), which Shelf Registration Statement shall
provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which
shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) of this
Agreement, and (y) use its best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration
Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the 60th day
after the Shelf Filing Deadline. The Issuer shall use its best efforts to keep
such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and
amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) of this Agreement
to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Notes by
the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities entitled to the benefit of this
Section 4(a) and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this
Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as
announced from time to time, for a continuous period of two years following the
date on which such Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective under the Act
or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Notes covered by the
Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration
Statement.
(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may
include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Issuer in writing, within 15 business days after receipt of a request
therefor, such information regarding such Holder as the Issuer may reasonably
request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included in such Shelf Registration
Statement. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being
effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Issuer all information required to be
disclosed to make the information previously furnished to the Issuer by such
Holder not materially misleading.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
If (i) any of the Registration Statements required by this Agreement is
not filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing
in this Agreement (or, if such date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding
Business Day), (ii) any of such Registration Statements has not been declared
effective by the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such
effectiveness in this Agreement (the "Effectiveness Target Date"), (iii) the
Exchange Offer has not been Consummated within 165 days after the Issue Date
(or, if such date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) or
(iv) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and
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<PAGE> 8
declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or usable in
connection with resales of Transfer Restricted Securities during the periods
required by this Agreement (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through
(iv), a "Registration Default"), the Issuer hereby agrees to pay liquidated
damages to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to the
first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration
Default, in an amount equal to $.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of
Notes constituting Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder for each
week or portion thereof that the Registration Default continues. The amount of
the liquidated damages shall increase by an additional $.05 per week per $1,000
in principal amount of Notes constituting Transfer Restricted Securities with
respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have
been cured, up to a maximum amount of liquidated damages of $.30 per week per
$1,000 in principal amount of Notes constituting Transfer Restricted Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer shall not be required to pay
liquidated damages to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities if the
Registration Default arises from the failure of the Issuer to file, or cause to
become effective, a Shelf Registration Statement within the time period required
by Section 4 of this Agreement and such Registration Default is by reason of the
failure of the Holders to provide the information regarding the Holder
reasonably requested by the Issuer, the NASD or any other regulatory agency
having jurisdiction over any of the Holders at least 10 business days prior to
such Registration Default. All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid by the
Issuer on each Damages Payment Date to the Holders in the same manner as
interest is paid to such Holders. Following the cure of all Registration
Defaults relating to any particular Transfer Restricted Securities, the accrual
of liquidated damages with respect to such Transfer Restricted Securities will
cease.
All obligations of the Issuer set forth in the preceding paragraph that
are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted Security at the time
such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security shall survive until
such time as all such obligations with respect to such Transfer Restricted
Security shall have been satisfied in full.
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the
Exchange Offer, the Issuer shall comply with all of the provisions of Section
6(c) below, shall use its best efforts to effect such exchange to permit the
sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the
intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and shall comply with all of
the following provisions:
(i) If, due to a change in law or Commission policy after the
date hereof, in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Issuer there
is a question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by
applicable federal law or Commission policy, the Issuer hereby agrees
to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the
Commission allowing the Issuer to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such
Old Notes. The Issuer hereby agrees to pursue the issuance of such a
no-action letter or favorable decision to the Commission staff
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<PAGE> 9
level but shall not be required to take commercially unreasonable
action to effect a change of Commission policy. The Issuer hereby
agrees, however, to (A) participate in telephonic conferences with the
Commission, (B) deliver to the Commission an analysis prepared by
special counsel to the Issuer setting forth the legal bases, if any,
upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer
should be permitted and (C) diligently pursue a resolution (which need
not be favorable) by the Commission of such submission. The Initial
Purchaser shall be given prior notice of any action taken by the Issuer
under this clause (i).
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall furnish, upon the request of the Issuer,
prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written
representation to the Issuer (which may be contained in the letter of
transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement)
to the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate of the Issuer, (B) it is
not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a
distribution of the New Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and
(C) it is acquiring the New Notes in its ordinary course of business.
In addition, all such Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall
otherwise cooperate in the Issuer's preparations for the Exchange
Offer.
(iii) The Issuer and the Initial Purchaser acknowledge that
the staff of the Commission has taken the position that any
broker-dealer that owns New Notes that were received by such
broker-dealer for its own account in the Exchange Offer (a
"Participating Broker-Dealer") may be deemed to be an "underwriter"
within the meaning of the Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with any resale of such New Notes
(other than a resale of an unsold allotment resulting from the original
offering of the Notes).
The Issuer and the Initial Purchaser also acknowledge that it is the
Commission staff's position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a
statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating
Broker-Dealers may resell the New Notes, without naming the Participating
Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of New Notes owned by them, such
Prospectus may be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers to satisfy their
prospectus delivery obligations under the Act in connection with resales of New
Notes for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the
requirements of the Act.
(b) Shelf Registration Statement. In the event that a Shelf
Registration Statement is required by this Agreement, the Issuer shall comply
with all the provisions of Section 6(c) of this Agreement and shall use its best
efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer
Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or
methods of distribution of such Transfer Restricted Securities and, in
connection therewith, the Issuer will as expeditiously as possible prepare and
file with the Commission a Shelf Registration Statement relating to the
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<PAGE> 10
registration on any appropriate form under the Act, which form shall be
available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with
the intended method or methods of distribution of such Transfer Restricted
Securities.
(c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement
and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of
Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration
Statement and the related Prospectus, to the extent that the same are required
to be available to permit resales of Notes by Broker-Dealers), the Issuer shall:
(i) use its best efforts to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective for the applicable time period required
hereunder and provide all requisite financial statements for the period
specified in Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable; upon the
occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration
Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material
misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for
resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by
this Agreement, the Issuer shall promptly notify the Holders to suspend
use of the Prospectus, and the Holders shall suspend use of the
Prospectus, and such Holders shall not communicate non-public
information to any third party, in violation of the securities laws,
until the Issuer has made an appropriate amendment to such Registration
Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement
or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), the Issuer
shall use its best efforts to cause such amendment to be declared
effective and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to
become usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable
thereafter;
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to such Registration Statement as may be
necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the
applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as
applicable, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been
sold; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required
Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to
Rule 424 under the Act during the applicable time period required
hereunder and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules
424 and 430A under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with the
provisions of the Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the
disposition of all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such
Registration Statement during such period in accordance with the
intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers of such
securities set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in
such Prospectus as so supplemented;
(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, the Initial
Purchaser, and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each of
the selling Holders promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to
confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any
prospectus
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<PAGE> 11
supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed and, with respect
to any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto,
when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the
Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments
or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating
to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, (C) of the issuance by
the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement under the Act or of the suspension by any state
securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted
Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation
of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the
existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any
statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement
or Prospectus, as the case may be, or any document incorporated by
reference in such Registration Statement or Prospectus untrue in any
material respect, or that requires the making of any additions to or
changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to
make the statements in such Registration Statement or Prospectus not
misleading and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop
order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or
any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall
issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from
qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state
securities or Blue Sky laws, the Issuer shall use its best efforts to
obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible
time;
(iv) furnish to each of the underwriter(s), if any, the
Initial Purchaser and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement,
each of the selling Holders before filing with the Commission, copies
of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included in such
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements
to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all
documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such
Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the
reasonable review of such underwriter(s), if any, the Initial
Purchaser, and such Holders for a period of at least five business
days, and the Issuer will not file any such Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus, as the case may be, (including all such
documents incorporated by reference) to which any underwriter, Initial
Purchaser or selling Holder shall reasonably object within five
business days after the receipt of such Registration Statement or
Prospectus. A selling Holder or underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to
have reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration Statement,
Prospectus, amendment or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be
filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;
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<PAGE> 12
(v) promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be
incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus,
(a) provide copies of such document to the selling Holders and to the
underwriter(s), if any, (b) make the Issuer's representatives available
for discussion of such document and other customary due diligence
matters; provided that such discussion and due diligence shall be
coordinated on behalf of the selling Holders by one counsel designated
by and on behalf of such selling Holders and (c) include such
information in such document prior to the filing of such document as
such selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request;
(vi) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the
selling Holders, any underwriter participating in any disposition
pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant
retained by such selling Holders or any of the underwriter(s), if any,
at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours,
all relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents
and properties of the Issuer and cause the Issuer's officers, directors
and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any
such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with
such Registration Statement subsequent to the filing thereof and prior
to its effectiveness; provided, however, that such persons shall first
agree in writing with the Issuer that any information that is
reasonably and in good faith designated by the Issuer in writing as
confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept
confidential by such persons, unless and to the extent that (i)
disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative
order or is necessary to respond to inquiries of regulatory
authorities, (ii) disclosure of such information is required by law
(including any disclosure requirements pursuant to federal securities
laws in connection with the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement
or the use of any Prospectus), (iii) such information becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or
failure to safeguard such information by such person or (iv) such
information becomes available to such person from a source other than
the Issuer and its Subsidiaries and such source is not bound by a
confidentiality agreement;
(vii) if requested by any selling Holders or the
underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration
Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective
amendment if necessary, such information as such selling Holders and
underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included
therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the
"Plan of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Securities,
information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being
paid for Transfer Restricted Securities and any other terms of the
offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such
offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement
or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Issuer is
notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment; provided, however, that the
Issuer shall not be required to take any action pursuant to this
Section 6(c)(vii) that would, in the opinion of counsel for the Issuer,
violate applicable law;
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<PAGE> 13
(viii) furnish to each underwriter, if any, the Initial
Purchaser and upon request to the Issuer to a selling Holder without
charge, at least one conformed copy of the Registration Statement, as
first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto,
including, upon the request of such Person, all documents incorporated
by reference therein and all exhibits to the extent requested
(including exhibits incorporated therein by reference);
(ix) deliver to each selling Holder, each of the
underwriter(s), if any, and the Initial Purchaser, without charge, as
many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus)
and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably
request; the Issuer hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus by each of the selling
Holders and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the
offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in
accordance with the terms thereof and with U.S. Federal securities laws
and Blue Sky laws covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto;
(x) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting
agreement in form, scope and substance as is customary in underwritten
offerings of securities of this type) and take all such other
reasonable actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or
facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement,
all as may be reasonably requested by any Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities or the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with any sale
or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any
Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and whether or
not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the
registration is an Underwritten Registration, the Issuer shall (i) make
such representations and warranties to the Holders of such Transfer
Restricted Securities and the underwriters, if any, with respect to the
business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries (including with respect to
businesses or assets acquired or to be acquired by any of them), and
the Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any,
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each
case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by the
Issuer to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and confirm the same
if and when customarily requested; (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to
the Issuer and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form,
scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
underwriters, if any, and special counsel to the Holders of the
Transfer Restricted Securities being sold), addressed to each selling
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities and each of the underwriters,
if any, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested
in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably
requested by such underwriters, if any, and special counsel to Holders
of Transfer Restricted Securities; (iii) use its best efforts to obtain
customary "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the
independent certified public accountants of the Issuer (and, if
necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any
subsidiary of the Issuer or of any business acquired by the Issuer or
any such subsidiary for which financial statements and financial data
is, or is required to be, included in the
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<PAGE> 14
Registration Statement), addressed (where reasonably possible) to each
selling Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities and each of the
underwriters, if any, such letters to be in customary form and covering
matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in
connection with underwritten offerings; (iv) if an underwriting
agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification
provisions and procedures no less favorable to the selling Holders and
the underwriters, if any, than those set forth in Section 8 hereof (or
such other provisions and procedures acceptable to the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement and the
underwriters, if any); and (v) deliver such documents and certificates
as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities being
sold and the underwriters, if any, to evidence the continued validity
of the representations and warranties made pursuant to clause (i) above
and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in
the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the
Issuer;
If at any time the representations and warranties of the
Issuer contemplated in clause (x)(i) above cease to be true and
correct, the Issuer shall so advise the Initial Purchaser and the
underwriter(s), if any, and each selling Holder promptly and, if
requested by any of them, shall confirm such advice in writing;
(xi) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if
any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration
and qualification (or exemption from such registration or
qualification) of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offer and sale
under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the
selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request in
writing and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable
to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement; provided,
however, that the Issuer shall not be required to register or qualify
as a foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take
any action that would subject it to the service of process or to
taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the
Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
subject;
(xii) if a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section
4(b), cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and
the managing Underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation
and delivery of one or more global certificates representing Transfer
Restricted Securities to be sold, which certificates shall not bear any
restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit with
The Depository Trust Company;
(xiii) in connection with any sale or transfer of Transfer
Restricted Securities that will result in such securities no longer
being Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling
Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely
preparation and
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<PAGE> 15
delivery of one or more global certificates representing Transfer
Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive
legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or the
underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two business days prior to
any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such underwriter(s);
(xiv) use its best efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with
or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may
be necessary to enable the seller or sellers of such Transfer
Restricted Securities or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the
disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the
proviso contained in clause (xi) above;
(xv) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D)
of this Agreement shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related
Prospectus or any document incorporated in such Registration Statement
or Prospectus by reference or file any other required document so that,
as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted
Securities, the Registration Statement will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and the
Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements contained therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(xvi) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted
Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration
Statement and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with one or more
global certificates for the Transfer Restricted Securities that are in
a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company;
(xvii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made
with the NASD and in the performance of any due diligence investigation
by any underwriter (including any "qualified independent underwriter"
that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the NASD);
(xviii) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission in regards to any
Registration Statement, and make generally available to its
securityholders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earning
statement of the Issuer meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which
need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the
end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are
sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or reasonable best efforts
Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an
offering, beginning with the first month of the Issuer's first fiscal
quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration
Statement; and
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<PAGE> 16
(xix) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not
later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement
required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate
with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the
Indenture, if any, as may be required for such Indenture to be so
qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and use
its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all customary
documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other
forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable
such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.
Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security
that, upon receipt of any notice from the Issuer of the existence of any fact of
the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) of this Agreement, such Holder will
forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to
the applicable Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies
of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) of
this Agreement, or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Issuer
that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any
additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus. If so directed by the Issuer, each Holder will deliver to the Issuer
(at the Issuer's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in
such Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted
Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event
that the Issuer shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 of this
Agreement, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the
period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to
Section 6(c)(iii)(D) of this Agreement to and including the date when each
selling Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the
copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section
6(c)(xv) of this Agreement or shall have received the Advice.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All fees and expenses incident to the Issuer's performance of or
compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Issuer regardless of whether
a Registration Statement becomes effective, including without limitation: (i)
all registration and filing fees and expenses (including filings made with the
NASD (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any "qualified independent
underwriter" and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations
of the NASD)); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities
and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all expenses of printing; (iv) all
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuer and, subject to Section 7(b)
below, the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; and (v) all fees and
disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Issuer
(including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or
incident to such performance).
The Issuer will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including,
without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the
fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by it.
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<PAGE> 17
Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes shall pay all underwriting
discounts and commissions of any underwriters with respect to any Notes sold by
or on behalf of it.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Issuer will reimburse the
Initial Purchaser and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being
tendered in the Exchange Offer and/or resold pursuant to the "Plan of
Distribution" contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or
registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the
reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. or such other counsel as may be chosen by the Holders of
a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose
benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Issuer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless (i) the Initial
Purchaser, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities and each Participating
Broker Dealer, (ii) each person, if any, who controls any of the foregoing
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act
(any of the persons referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred
to as a "controlling person") and (iii) its agents, employees, officers and
directors and the agents, employees, officers and directors of any such
controlling person (collectively, the "Indemnified Persons") from and against
any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses whatsoever
(including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and any and all
reasonable expenses whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and
any and all reasonable amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation) to
which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Issuer will not be liable in
any such case to the extent, but only to the extent, that any such loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of or is based upon any such
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Issuer by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person relating to
such Indemnified Person expressly for use therein. This indemnity agreement will
be in addition to any liability that the Issuer may otherwise have, including,
but not limited to, liability under this Agreement.
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<PAGE> 18
If any action is brought against any Indemnified Persons or any such
person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Issuer pursuant
to the foregoing paragraph, such Indemnified Persons or such person shall
promptly notify the indemnifying party in writing of the institution of such
action and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action,
including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified
party and payment of all fees and expenses, provided, however, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party shall be materially prejudiced thereby
(through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses), that the omission to
so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from
any liability which they may have to the Indemnified Persons or any such person
or otherwise. Such Indemnified Persons shall have the right to employ its own
counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at
the expense of such Indemnified Persons unless the employment of such counsel
shall have been authorized in writing by the indemnifying party in connection
with the defense of such action or the indemnifying party shall not have
employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action or such
indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be
defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those
available to the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall
not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the
indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses
shall be borne by the indemnifying party and paid as incurred (it being
understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the
expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with appropriate local
counsel) in any one action or series of related actions in the same jurisdiction
representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action). The
indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such claim or
action effected without its written consent but if settled with the written
consent of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless any Indemnified Persons and any such person from and against
any loss or liability by reason of such settlement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of
counsel as contemplated by the second sentence of this paragraph, then the
indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 60 business days after receipt by such indemnifying party
of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed
the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
settlement and (iii) such indemnified party shall have given the indemnifying
party at least 30 days' prior notice of its intention to settle. No indemnifying
party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect
any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any
indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been
sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding.
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<PAGE> 19
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement pursuant to which a
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities offers or sells Transfer Restricted
Securities, such Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Issuer, its directors and officers and any person controlling the
Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act, and each of their agents, employees, officers and directors
from and against any losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses
whatsoever (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and any and
all reasonable expenses whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or
defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim
whatsoever and any and all reasonable amounts paid in settlement of any claim or
litigation) to which they or either of them may become subject under the Act,
the Exchange Act or otherwise insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims,
damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Registration Statement, or in any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only
to the extent, that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises
out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information relating to such Holder furnished to the Issuer by such
Holder expressly for use in such Registration Statement.
If any action is brought against the Issuer or any such person in
respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to foregoing paragraph, the Issuer or such person
shall promptly notify such Holder in writing of the institution of such action
and such Holder shall assume the defense of such action, including the
employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and
payment of all fees and expenses, provided, however, except to the extent that
the indemnifying party shall be materially prejudiced thereby (through the
forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses), that the omission to so notify
such Holder shall not relieve such Holder from any liability which it may have
to the Issuer or any such person or otherwise. The Issuer or such person shall
have the right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Issuer or such person
unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by
such Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with the defense of
such action or such Holder shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the
defense of such action or such indemnified party or parties shall have
reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which
are different from or additional to those available to such Holder (in which
case such Holder shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action
on behalf of the indemnified party or parties, but such Holder may employ
counsel and participate in the defense thereof but the fees and expenses of such
counsel shall be at the expense of such Holder), in any of which events such
fees and expenses shall be borne by such Holder and paid as incurred (it being
understood, however, that such Holder shall not be liable for the expenses of
more than one separate counsel in any one action or series of related actions in
the same jurisdiction representing the indemnified parties who are parties
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<PAGE> 20
to such action). Anything in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, any
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall not be liable for any settlement
of any such claim or action effected without the written consent of such Holder
but if settled with the written consent of such Holder, such Holder agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer and any such person from and against any
loss or liability by reason of such settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of
counsel as contemplated by the second sentence of this paragraph, then the
indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 60 business days after receipt by such indemnifying party
of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed
the indemnifying party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
settlement and (iii) such indemnified party shall have given the indemnifying
party at least 30 days' prior notice of its intention to settle. No indemnifying
party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect
any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any
indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been
sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding.
(c) In order to provide for contribution in circumstances in which the
indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 8 is for
any reason held to be unavailable from the indemnifying party, or is
insufficient to hold harmless a party indemnified under this Section 8, the
Issuer and the Indemnified Parties shall contribute to the aggregate losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and expenses of the nature contemplated by such
indemnification provision (including any investigation, legal and other expenses
incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action or
any claims asserted) to which the Issuer and the Indemnified Parties may be
subject, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Issuer, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Parties,
on the other hand, from the offering of the Old Notes or, (ii) if such
allocation is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Issuer, on the one hand, and the
Indemnified Parties, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or
omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
benefits received by the Issuer, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Parties,
on the other hand, shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total
proceeds from the offering of Old Notes (net of discounts but before deducting
expenses) received by the Issuer as set forth in the table on the cover page of
the Offering Memorandum bear to the total proceeds received by such Holder with
respect to its sale of Transfer Restricted Securities or New Notes. The relative
fault of the Issuer, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Parties, on the other
hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuer
or the Indemnified Parties and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access
to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
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<PAGE> 21
The Issuer and the Initial Purchaser agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contribution pursuant to this paragraph (c) of this Section 8
were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that
does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to above.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c) of this Section 8, (i) in no
case shall an Indemnified Party be required to contribute any amount in excess
of the amount by which the total received by such Indemnified Party with respect
to its sale of its Transfer Restricted Securities or New Notes, as the case may
be, exceeds the amount of any damages that such Indemnified Party has otherwise
been required to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission and (ii) no person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. For purposes of this paragraph (c) of this Section 8, each
person, if any, who controls an Indemnified Party within the meaning of Section
15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as such Indemnified Party, and each person, if any, who controls
the Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Issuer, subject
to clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph. Any party entitled to contribution
will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any Action against
such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against
another party or parties under this paragraph 8(c), notify such party or parties
from whom contribution may be sought, but, except to the extent that the
indemnifying party shall be materially prejudiced thereby (through the
forfeiture of substantive rights and defenses), the omission to so notify such
party or parties shall not relieve the party or parties from whom contribution
may be sought from any obligation it or they may have under this paragraph (c)
or otherwise. No party shall be liable for contribution with respect to any
action or claim settled without its written consent; provided, however, that
such written consent was not unreasonably withheld.
SECTION 9. RULE 144A
The Issuer shall use its best efforts, for so long as any Transfer
Restricted Securities remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or
beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale
of such securities and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted
Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by
Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A.
SECTION 10. PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS
No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration under this
Agreement unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Transfer
Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled under this Agreement to approve such
arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires,
powers of attorneys, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and
other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
-20-
<PAGE> 22
SECTION 11. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS
The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted
Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the
investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will
administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in
such offering; provided, that such investment bankers and managers must be
reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer.
SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Remedies. Each Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise
all rights provided in this Agreement, in the Indenture, the Purchase Agreement
or granted by law, including recovery of liquidated or other damages, will be
entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Issuer
agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss
incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and
hereby agrees to waive the defense in any Action for specific performance that a
remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuer will not on or after the
date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities
that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions of this Agreement. The rights granted to
the Holders under this Agreement do not in any way conflict with and are not
inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the securities of the
Issuer under any agreement in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(c) Adjustments Affecting the Notes. Without the written consent of the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Transfer
Restricted Notes, the Issuer will not take any action, or permit any change to
occur, with respect to the Notes that would materially and adversely affect the
ability of the Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer.
(d) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from
the provisions of this Agreement may not be given unless the Issuer has obtained
the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount
of Transfer Restricted Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or
consent to departure from the provisions of this Agreement that relates
exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being sold or tendered
pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not affect directly or
indirectly the rights of other Holders whose securities are not being sold or
tendered pursuant to such Registration Statement may be given by the Holders of
a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities
being so sold or tendered.
-21-
<PAGE> 23
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivering, first-class
mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier or
air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the
records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the
Registrar under the Indenture; and
(ii) if to the Issuer, at:
Veritas DGC Inc.
3701 Kirby Drive
Houston, Texas 77098
Facsimile: (713) 512-8300
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
Porter & Hedges, L.L.P.
700 Louisiana, Suite 3500
Houston, Texas 77002-2730
Facsimile: (713) 228-1331
Attention: T. William Porter
(iii) if to the Initial Purchaser, at:
Warburg Dillon Read LLC
535 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Facsimile: (212) 593-0164
Attention: Corporate Finance Department
with a copy to:
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
2300 First City Tower
1001 Fannin
Houston, Texas 77002
Facsimile: (713) 758-2346
Attention: J. Mark Metts
-22-
<PAGE> 24
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: (i) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (ii) five
business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed;
(iii) when answered back, if telexed; (iv) when receipt acknowledged, if
telecopied; and (v) on the next business day, if timely delivered to an air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the
parties, including without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties to this Agreement in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Captions. The captions included in this Agreement are included
solely for convenience of reference and are not to be considered a part of this
Agreement.
(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(j) Submission to Jurisdiction. The Issuer irrevocably submits to the
nonexclusive jurisdiction of any State or Federal court sitting in New York over
any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this agreement. The
Issuer irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection
it may now or thereafter have to the laying of venue of any such court and any
claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court has been
brought in an inconvenient forum. The Issuer agrees that a final judgment in any
such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court shall be conclusive
and binding upon the Issuer and may be enforced in any other courts to the
jurisdiction of which the Issuer is or may be subject, by suit upon such
judgment. The Issuer hereby appoints, without power of revocation, CT
Corporation System as its agent to accept and acknowledge on its behalf service
of any and all process which may be served in any suit, action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this letter.
(k) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement, or the application of any such provision in any
circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality
and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the
remaining provisions contained in this Agreement shall not be affected or
impaired thereby.
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<PAGE> 25
(l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the other Operative
Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties to this Agreement in
respect of the subject matter contained in this Agreement. There are no
restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth
or referred to in this Agreement with respect to the registration rights granted
by the Issuer with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with
respect to such subject matter.
-24-
<PAGE> 26
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.
VERITAS DGC INC.
By: /s/ ANTHONY TRIPODO
-------------------------------------
Name: Anthony Tripodo
-----------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President
----------------------------------
WARBURG DILLON READ LLC
By: /s/ KAJ AHLBURG
-------------------------------------
Name: Kaj Ahlburg
-----------------------------------
Title: Executive Director
----------------------------------
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
-------------------------------------
Name: [Illegible]
-----------------------------------
Title: Associate Director
----------------------------------
-25-
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VERITAS DGC INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Trustee
------------------
INDENTURE
Dated as of October 28, 1998
------------------
$60,000,000
9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series B
9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL
APPLICATION...........................................................................1
Section 1.1 Definitions............................................................................1
Section 1.2 Other Definitions.....................................................................22
Section 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.....................................22
Section 1.4 Rules of Construction.................................................................23
ARTICLE II SENIOR NOTE FORMS.....................................................................23
Section 2.1 Forms Generally.......................................................................23
ARTICLE III THE SENIOR NOTES......................................................................25
Section 3.1 Title and Terms.......................................................................25
Section 3.2 Denominations.........................................................................26
Section 3.3 Execution, Authentication, and Dating.................................................26
Section 3.4 Temporary Securities..................................................................27
Section 3.5 Security Register and Registrar.......................................................28
Section 3.6 Transfer and Exchange.................................................................28
Section 3.7 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Senior Notes....................................39
Section 3.8 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved........................................39
Section 3.9 Persons Deemed Owners.................................................................40
Section 3.10 Cancellation..........................................................................41
Section 3.11 Computation of Interest...............................................................41
ARTICLE IV SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE............................................................41
Section 4.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture...............................................41
Section 4.2 Application of Trust Money............................................................42
ARTICLE V REMEDIES.......................................................................................42
Section 5.1 Events of Default. ...................................................................42
Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment....................................44
Section 5.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.......................46
Section 5.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim......................................................46
Section 5.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Senior Notes.........................47
Section 5.6 Application of Money Collected........................................................47
Section 5.7 Limitation on Suits...................................................................48
Section 5.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium
and Interest..........................................................................48
Section 5.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies....................................................49
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative........................................................49
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver..........................................................49
Section 5.12 Control by Holders....................................................................49
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults...............................................................50
Section 5.14 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws...............................................50
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ARTICLE VI THE TRUSTEE...........................................................................50
Section 6.1 Duties of Trustee.....................................................................50
Section 6.2 Certain Rights of Trustee.............................................................51
Section 6.3 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Senior Notes......................52
Section 6.4 May Hold Senior Notes.................................................................53
Section 6.5 Money Held in Trust...................................................................53
Section 6.6 Compensation and Reimbursement........................................................53
Section 6.7 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility...............................................54
Section 6.8 Conflicting Interests.................................................................54
Section 6.9 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.....................................54
Section 6.10 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor................................................55
Section 6.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business...........................56
Section 6.12 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.....................................56
Section 6.13 Notice of Defaults....................................................................56
ARTICLE VII HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND
COMPANY...............................................................................57
Section 7.1 Holders' Lists; Holder Communications; Disclosures Respecting
Holders...............................................................................57
Section 7.2 Reports By Trustee....................................................................57
Section 7.3 Reports by Company....................................................................58
ARTICLE VIII CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER
OR LEASE..............................................................................58
Section 8.1 Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms..................................58
Section 8.2 Successor Substituted.................................................................60
ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES...............................................................60
Section 9.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders....................................60
Section 9.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.......................................61
Section 9.3 Execution of Supplemental Indentures..................................................62
Section 9.4 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.....................................................62
Section 9.5 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act...................................................62
Section 9.6 Reference in Senior Notes to Supplemental Indentures..................................62
Section 9.7 Notice of Supplemental Indentures and Waivers.........................................62
ARTICLE X COVENANTS.............................................................................63
Section 10.1 Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, Interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any.......................................................................63
Section 10.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency.......................................................63
Section 10.3 Money for Senior Note Payments to Be Held in Trust....................................63
Section 10.4 Corporate Existence...................................................................65
Section 10.5 Payment of Taxes; Maintenance of Properties; Insurance................................65
Section 10.6 Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions.............................................66
Section 10.7 Limitation on Conduct of Business.....................................................66
Section 10.8 Statement by Officers as to Default...................................................66
Section 10.9 Provision of Financial Information....................................................67
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Section 10.10 Limitation on Restricted Payments.....................................................67
Section 10.11 Limitation on Indebtedness and Disqualified Capital Stock.............................70
Section 10.12 Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock by Restricted
Subsidiaries..........................................................................70
Section 10.13 Limitation on Liens...................................................................70
Section 10.14 Purchase of Senior Notes Upon Change of Control.......................................71
Section 10.15 Limitation on Asset Sales.............................................................72
Section 10.16 Limitation on Redemptions and Other Repayments of Senior
Notes and Series A Notes..............................................................75
Section 10.17 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates............................................75
Section 10.18 Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Restricted Subsidiaries...............................................................76
Section 10.19 Waiver of Certain Covenants...........................................................77
Section 10.20 Qualification of Indenture............................................................77
ARTICLE XI REDEMPTION OF SENIOR NOTES............................................................77
Section 11.1 Right of Redemption...................................................................77
Section 11.2 Applicability of Article..............................................................78
Section 11.3 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.................................................78
Section 11.4 Selection by Trustee of Senior Notes to Be Redeemed...................................78
Section 11.5 Notice of Redemption..................................................................79
Section 11.6 Deposit of Redemption Price...........................................................79
Section 11.7 Senior Notes Payable on Redemption Date...............................................79
Section 11.8 Senior Notes Redeemed in Part.........................................................80
ARTICLE XII DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE....................................................80
Section 12.1 Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance..........................80
Section 12.2 Defeasance and Discharge..............................................................80
Section 12.3 Covenant Defeasance...................................................................81
Section 12.4 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.......................................81
Section 12.5 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held
in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions..............................................83
Section 12.6 Reinstatement.........................................................................84
ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................................84
Section 13.1 Compliance Certificates and Opinions..................................................84
Section 13.2 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee................................................85
Section 13.3 Acts of Holders.......................................................................85
Section 13.4 Notices, etc. to Trustee and the Company..............................................86
Section 13.5 Notice to Holders; Waiver.............................................................87
Section 13.6 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents..............................................87
Section 13.7 Successors and Assigns................................................................87
Section 13.8 Severability..........................................................................87
Section 13.9 Benefits of Indenture.................................................................88
Section 13.10 Governing Law; Trust Indenture Act Controls...........................................88
Section 13.11 Legal Holidays........................................................................88
Section 13.12 No Recourse Against Others............................................................88
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Section 13.13 Duplicate Originals......................................89
Section 13.14 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements............89
</TABLE>
Exhibit A - Form of Senior Notes
Exhibit B-1 - Form of Certificate for Exchange or Registration of Transfer
from U.S. Global Note to Regulation S Global Note
Exhibit B-2 - Form of Certificate for Exchange or Registration of Transfer
from Regulation S Global Note to U.S. Global Note
Exhibit B-3 - Form of Certificate for Exchange or Registration of Transfer
of Certificated Senior Notes
Exhibit B-4 - Form of Certificate for Exchange or Registration of Transfer
from U.S. Global Note or Regulation S Global Note to
Certificated Senior Note
Exhibit C - Form of Certificate to be delivered by Institutional
Accredited Investors
Annex A - Form of Registration Rights Agreement
iv
<PAGE> 6
Reconciliation and Tie between Trust Indenture Act
of 1939 and Indenture, dated as of October 28, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trust Indenture Indenture
Act Section Section
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Section 310(a)(1) ............................................................. 6.7
(a)(2) ............................................................. 6.7
(b) ............................................................. 6.7,6.8, 6.9
Section 311(a) ............................................................. 6.12
(b) ............................................................. 6.12
Section 312 ............................................................. 7.1
Section 313 ............................................................. 7.2
Section 314(a) ............................................................. 7.3
(a)(4) ............................................................. 10.8(a)
(c)(1) ............................................................. 13.1
(c)(2) ............................................................. 13.1
(e) ............................................................. 13.1
Section 315(a) ............................................................. 6.1
(b) ............................................................. 6.13
(c) ............................................................. 6.1
(d) ............................................................. 6.1
Section 316(a)(last
sentence) ............................................................. 1.1("Outstanding")
(a)(1)(A) ............................................................. 5.2,5.12
(a)(1)(B) ............................................................. 5.13
(b) ............................................................. 5.8
(c) ............................................................. 13.3(d)
Section 317(a)(1) ............................................................. 5.3
(a)(2) ............................................................. 5.4
(b) ............................................................. 10.3
Section 318(a) ............................................................. 14.10(b)
</TABLE>
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose,
be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
<PAGE> 7
THIS INDENTURE, dated as of October 28, 1998, is between VERITAS DGC
INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Company"), and STATE
STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (hereinafter called
the "Trustee").
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of 9 3/4%
Senior Notes due 2003, Series B (the "Initial Senior Notes"), of substantially
the tenor and in the aggregate principal amount hereinafter set forth, and to
provide therefor and for, if and when issued as further evidence of the
Company's indebtedness and in substitution for the Initial Senior Notes pursuant
to this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined herein), the
Company's 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series C (the "Exchange Notes," and
together with the Initial Senior Notes, the "Senior Notes"), the Company has
duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.
All things necessary have been done on the part of the Company to make
the Senior Notes, when issued and executed by the Company and authenticated and
delivered by the Trustee as herein provided, the valid obligations of the
Company and to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and the
Trustee, in accordance with their respective terms.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the
Initial Senior Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and
agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Senior
Notes, without preference of one series over the other, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1 Definitions.
"Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person (a) existing at
the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) assumed in
connection with acquisitions of Properties from such Person (other than any
Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person
becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such acquisition). Acquired Indebtedness
shall be deemed to be incurred on the date the acquired Person becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary or the date of the related acquisition of Properties from
such Person.
"Act," when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified
in Section 13.3.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person, any other
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this
definition, "control," when used with respect to any Person, means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing. For purposes of this definition, beneficial
1
<PAGE> 8
ownership of 10% or more of the voting common equity (on a fully diluted basis)
of a Person shall be deemed to constitute control of such Person.
"Agent" means the Security Registrar or any Paying Agent.
"Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or exchange
of beneficial interests in a Global Note, the rules and procedures of the
Depository that apply to such transfer and exchange.
"Asset Sale" means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease or
other disposition to any Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, by means of a Sale/Leaseback
Transaction or a merger or consolidation) (collectively, for purposes of this
definition, a "transfer"), directly or indirectly, in one or a series of related
transactions, of (a) any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary held by the
Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (b) all or substantially all of the
Properties of any division or line of business of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or (c) any other Properties of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries other than transfers of cash, Cash Equivalents, accounts
receivable, or other Properties in the ordinary course of business or transfers
in accordance with the proviso to clause (vi) of the definition of Permitted
Investments. For the purposes of this definition, the term "Asset Sale" also
shall not include any of the following: (i) any transfer of Properties
(including Capital Stock) which is governed by, and made in accordance with, the
provisions of Article VIII hereof; (ii) any transfer of Properties to an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, if permitted under Section 10.10 hereof; (iii) sales of
damaged, worn-out or obsolete equipment or assets that, in the Company's
reasonable judgment, are either (x) no longer used or (y) no longer useful in
the business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iv) any lease of
any Property entered into in the ordinary course of business and with respect to
which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is the lessor, except any such
lease that provides for the acquisition of such Property by the lessee during or
at the end of the term thereof for an amount that is less than the fair market
value thereof at the time the right to acquire such property is granted; and (v)
any transfers that, but for this clause (v), would be Asset Sales, if (A) the
Company elects to designate such transfers as not constituting Asset Sales and
(B) after giving effect to such transfers, the aggregate fair market value of
the Properties transferred in such transaction or any series of related
transactions so designated by the Company does not exceed $500,000.
"Attributable Indebtedness" means, with respect to any particular lease
under which any Person is at the time liable, whether or not accounted for as a
Capitalized Lease Obligation, and at any date as of which the amount thereof is
to be determined, the present value of the total net amount of rent required to
be paid by such Person under the lease during the primary term thereof, without
giving effect to any renewals at the option of the lessee, discounted from the
respective due dates thereof to such date of determination at a rate of interest
per annum equal to the discount rate which would be applicable to a Capitalized
Lease Obligation with a like term in accordance with GAAP. As used in the
preceding sentence, the "net amount of rent" under any such lease for any such
period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required to be paid with
respect to such period by the lessee thereunder, excluding any amounts required
to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance,
taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges. In the case
2
<PAGE> 9
of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon payment of a penalty, such
net amount of rent shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent
shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the
first date upon which it may be so terminated.
"Average Life" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, as at any date
of determination, the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the products
of (i) the number of years (and any portion thereof) from the date of
determination to the date or dates of each successive scheduled principal
payment (including, without limitation, any sinking fund or mandatory redemption
payment requirements) of such Indebtedness multiplied by (ii) the amount of each
such principal payment by (b) the sum of all such principal payments.
"Board of Directors" means, with respect to the Company, either the
board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such board
of directors, and, with respect to any Subsidiary, either the board of directors
of such Subsidiary or any duly authorized committee of that board.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
its Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee, and with respect to a Subsidiary, a
copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
such Subsidiary to have been duly adopted by its Board of Directors and to be in
full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the
Trustee.
"Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York,
Boston, Massachusetts or Hartford, Connecticut are authorized or obligated by
law or executive order to close.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents in the equity
interests (however designated) in such Person, and any rights (other than debt
securities convertible into an equity interest), warrants or options exercisable
for, exchangeable for or convertible into such an equity interest in such Person
(for purposes of this Indenture, the Exchangeable Shares of VES shall be treated
as Capital Stock of the Company, for which they are exchangeable, and shall not
be treated as Capital Stock of VES).
"Capitalized Lease Obligation" means any obligation to pay rent or
other amounts under a lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use)
any Property (whether real, personal or mixed) that is required to be classified
and accounted for as a capital lease obligation under GAAP, and, for the purpose
of this Indenture, the amount of such obligation at any date shall be the
capitalized amount thereof at such date, determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Cash Equivalents" means (i) any evidence of Indebtedness with a
maturity of 180 days or less issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured
by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof
(provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is
pledged in support thereof); (ii) demand and time deposits and certificates of
deposit or acceptances with a maturity of 180 days or less of (A) any financial
institution that is a member of the Federal
3
<PAGE> 10
Reserve System having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not
less than $500,000,000 or (B) any commercial bank organized under the laws of
any other country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development and has total assets in excess of $500,000,000; (iii) commercial
paper with a maturity of 180 days or less issued by a corporation that is not an
Affiliate of the Company and is organized under the laws of any state of the
United States or the District of Columbia and rated at least A-l by S&P or at
least P-l by Moody's; (iv) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than
seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (i) above
entered into with any commercial bank meeting the specifications of clause (ii)
above; (v) overnight bank deposits and bankers' acceptances at any commercial
bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (ii) above; (vi) demand and
time deposits and certificates of deposit with any commercial bank organized in
the United States not meeting the qualifications specified in clause (ii) above,
provided that such deposits and certificates support bond, letter of credit and
other similar types of obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;
and (vii) investments in money market or other mutual funds substantially all of
whose assets comprise securities of the types described in clauses (i) through
(v) above.
"Cedel" means Cedel bank, societe anonyme.
"Certificated Senior Notes" means Senior Notes that are in the form of
the Senior Note attached hereto as Exhibit A (but without including the text
referred to in footnotes 1 and 3 and Schedule A referred to in footnote 4
thereto).
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any event or series of
events by which: (a) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more
than 50% of the total Voting Stock of the Company; (b) the Company consolidates
with or merges into another Person or any Person consolidates with, or merges
into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which the
outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is changed into or exchanged for cash,
securities or other Property, other than any such transaction where (i) the
outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is changed into or exchanged for Voting
Stock of the surviving or resulting Person that is Qualified Capital Stock and
(ii) the holders of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such
transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the Voting
Stock of the surviving or resulting Person immediately after such transaction;
(c) the Company, either individually or in conjunction with one or more
Restricted Subsidiaries, sells, assigns, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise
disposes of, or the Restricted Subsidiaries sell, assign, convey, transfer,
lease or otherwise dispose of, all or substantially all of the Properties of the
Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (either in one
transaction or a series of related transactions), including Capital Stock of the
Restricted Subsidiaries, to any Person (other than the Company or a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary); (d) during any consecutive two-year period, 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 stockholders of the Company
was approved by a vote of a two-thirds of the directors then still in office who
were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved)
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<PAGE> 11
cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the
Company then in office; or (e) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as now
or hereafter in effect, together with all regulations thereunder issued by the
Internal Revenue Service.
"Commission" or "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as
from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any
time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the
body performing such duties at such time.
"Common Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that
does not rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of
assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of such Person, to shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this Indenture, until a successor Person shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Company" shall mean such successor Person.
"Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman, its President, any Vice
President, its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and delivered to the
Trustee.
"Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, for any period, the
ratio on a pro forma basis of (a) the sum of Consolidated Net Income,
Consolidated Fixed Charges, Consolidated Income Tax Expense and Consolidated
Non-cash Charges deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, in each case,
for such period, of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis, all determined in accordance with GAAP, to (b) the sum of
such Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period; provided, however, that (i) the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated on a pro forma
basis assuming that (A) the Indebtedness to be incurred (and all other
Indebtedness incurred after the first day of such period of four full fiscal
quarters referred to in Section 10.11(a) hereof through and including the date
of determination), and (if applicable) the application of the net proceeds
therefrom (and from any other such Indebtedness), including to refinance other
Indebtedness, had been incurred on the first day of such four-quarter period
and, in the case of Acquired Indebtedness, on the assumption that the related
transaction (whether by means of purchase, merger or otherwise) also had
occurred on such date with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such
acquisition being included in such pro forma calculation and (B) any acquisition
or disposition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Properties
outside the ordinary course of business, or any repayment of any principal
amount of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary prior to
the Stated Maturity thereof, in either case since the first day of such period
of four full fiscal quarters through and including the date of determination,
had been consummated on such first day of such four-quarter period, (ii) in
making such computation, the Consolidated Fixed Charges attributable to interest
on any Indebtedness required to be computed on a pro forma basis in accordance
with Section 10.11(a) hereof and (A) bearing a floating interest rate
5
<PAGE> 12
shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the date of computation had been
the applicable rate for the entire period and (B) which was not outstanding
during the period for which the computation is being made but which bears, at
the option of the Company, a fixed or floating rate of interest, shall be
computed by applying, at the option of the Company, either the fixed or floating
rate, (iii) in making such computation, the Consolidated Fixed Charges
attributable to interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility
required to be computed on a pro forma basis in accordance with Section 10.11(a)
hereof shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such
Indebtedness during the applicable period, provided that such average daily
balance shall be reduced by the amount of any repayment of Indebtedness under a
revolving credit facility during the applicable period, which repayment
permanently reduced the commitments or amounts available to be reborrowed under
such facility, (iv) notwithstanding clauses (ii) and (iii) of this proviso,
interest on Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such
interest is covered by agreements relating to Interest Rate Protection
Obligations, shall be deemed to have accrued at the rate per annum resulting
after giving effect to the operation of such agreements, and (v) if after the
first day of the period referred to in clause (a) of this definition the Company
has permanently retired any Indebtedness out of the Net Cash Proceeds of the
issuance and sale of shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company within 30
days of such issuance and sale, Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be calculated
on a pro forma basis as if such Indebtedness had been retired on the first day
of such period.
"Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, for any period, without
duplication, (i) the sum of (a) the interest expense of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, (A) any amortization of
debt discount, (B) the net cost under Interest Rate Protection Obligations
(including any amortization of discounts), (C) the interest portion of any
deferred payment obligation constituting Indebtedness, (D) all commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and
bankers' acceptance financing and (E) all accrued interest, in each case to the
extent attributable to such period, (b) to the extent any Indebtedness of any
Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) is guaranteed by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, the aggregate amount of interest paid (to
the extent not accrued in a prior period) or accrued by such other Person during
such period attributable to any such Indebtedness, in each case to the extent
attributable to that period, (c) the aggregate amount of the interest component
of Capitalized Lease Obligations paid (to the extent not accrued in a prior
period), accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries during such period, (d) the aggregate amount of
dividends paid (to the extent not accrued in a prior period) or accrued on
Preferred Stock or Disqualified Capital Stock of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, to the extent such Preferred Stock or Disqualified Capital Stock
is owned by Persons other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and (e)
one-third of the rental expense (including without limitation marine vessel
charter payments) under operating leases with remaining noncancellable terms of
at least one year (excluding leases in respect of office space) of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP, less (ii), to the extent included in clause (i)
above, amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries during such period.
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<PAGE> 13
"Consolidated Income Tax Expense" means, for any period, the provision
for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes (including state franchise
taxes accounted for as income taxes in accordance with GAAP) of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the consolidated net
income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period
as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted by excluding (a) net after-tax
extraordinary gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), (b)
net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto)
attributable to Asset Sales, (c) the net income (or net loss) of any Person
(other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), in which the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except
to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash by such other Person
during such period (regardless of whether such cash dividends or distributions
are attributable to net income (or net loss) of such Person during such period
or during any prior period), (d) net income (or net loss) of any Person (other
than VES) combined with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a
"pooling of interests" basis attributable to any period prior to the date of
combination, (e) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that
the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that
Restricted Subsidiary of its net income is not at the date of determination
permitted, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or
any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or
governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its
stockholders, (f) income resulting from transfers of assets received by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (g) for
the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996, merger related costs reflected in the
Company's consolidated financial statements.
"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, at any date, the aggregate
amount of assets included on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, less (i) without duplication,
applicable reserves and other properly deductible items and after deducting
therefrom all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt
discount and expense and other like intangibles and (ii) current liabilities
(other than current liabilities constituting Indebtedness for borrowed money),
as determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, at any date, the consolidated
stockholders' equity of the Company less (without duplication) the amount of
such stockholders' equity attributable to Disqualified Capital Stock or treasury
stock of the Company and the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries, as determined in
accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Non-cash Charges" means, for any period, the aggregate
depreciation, depletion, amortization and other non-cash expenses (excluding
non-cash expenses related to multi- client seismic data sales and write-offs and
write-downs related to the Company's multi-client seismic data library) of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income for
such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP
(excluding any such non-cash charge for which an accrual of or reserve for cash
charges for any future period is required).
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<PAGE> 14
"Corporate Trust Office" means the principal corporate trust office of
the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall
be administered, which office at the date of execution of this Indenture is
located at Goodwin Square, 225 Asylum Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06103.
"Credit Facility" means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July
18, 1996 among the Company, the Subsidiaries of the Company named therein, as
Borrowers, each of the banks named therein as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank
(Texas) National Association, as Agent for the Lenders, as such Credit Agreement
was in effect on the Series A Issue Date.
"Currency Hedge Obligations" means, at any time as to any Person, the
obligations of such Person at such time which were incurred in the ordinary
course of business pursuant to any foreign currency exchange agreement, option
or futures contract or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to
protect against or manage such Person's or any of its Subsidiaries' exposure to
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
"Default" means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or
passage of time or both would become, an Event of Default.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8 hereof.
"Depository" means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their
respective successors.
"Disinterested Director" means, with respect to any transaction or
series of transactions in respect of which the Board of Directors of the Company
is required to deliver a Board Resolution hereunder, a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company who does not have any material direct or indirect
financial interest (other than an interest arising solely from the beneficial
ownership of Capital Stock of the Company) in or with respect to such
transaction or series of transactions.
"Disqualified Capital Stock" means any Capital Stock that, either by
its terms, by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or
exchangeable or by contract or otherwise, is, or upon the happening of an event
or passage of time would be, required to be redeemed or repurchased, in whole or
in part, prior to the final Stated Maturity of the Senior Notes or is redeemable
at the option of the holder thereof at any time prior to such final Stated
Maturity, or is convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at any time
prior to such final Stated Maturity. For purposes of Section 10.11(a) hereof,
Disqualified Capital Stock shall be valued at the greater of its voluntary or
involuntary maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price plus accrued and unpaid
dividends. For such purposes, the "maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price"
of any Disqualified Capital Stock which does not have a fixed redemption or
repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such
Disqualified Capital Stock as if such Disqualified Capital Stock were redeemed
or repurchased on the date of determination, and if such price is based upon, or
measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Capital Stock, such fair
market value shall be determined in good faith by the board of directors of the
issuer of such Disqualified Capital Stock; provided, however, that if such
Disqualified Capital Stock is not at the date of determination
8
<PAGE> 15
permitted or required to be redeemed or repurchased, the "maximum fixed
redemption or repurchase price" shall be the book value of such Disqualified
Capital Stock.
"Euroclear" means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels
office, as operator of the Euroclear system.
"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 5.1 hereof.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time, and any successor act thereto.
"Exchange Notes" has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this
Indenture and particularly means any of the Senior Notes authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
"Exchange Offer" means the offer that may be made by the Company
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to exchange Exchange Notes for
Initial Senior Notes.
"Fair Market Value" means the fair market value of a Property as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and evidenced
by a Board Resolution, which determination shall be conclusive for purposes of
this Indenture; provided, however, that unless otherwise specified herein, the
Board of Directors shall be under no obligation to obtain any valuation or
assessment from any investment banker, appraiser or other third party.
"Federal Bankruptcy Code" means the United States Bankruptcy Code of
Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time.
"Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries" means Digicon (Nigeria) Limited,
Digicon (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Digital Exploration (Nigeria) Limited and P.T.
Digicon Mega Pratama.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied, that are set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in
such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant
segment of the accounting profession of the United States of America, which are
applicable as of the date of this Indenture.
The term "guarantee" means, as applied to any obligation, (i) a
guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments or documents for
collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any
manner, of any part or all of such obligation and (ii) an agreement, direct or
indirect, contingent or otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in
any way the payment or performance (or payment of damages in the event of
non-performance) of all or any part of such obligation, including, without
limiting the foregoing, the payment of amounts drawn down under letters of
credit. When used as a verb, "guarantee" has a corresponding meaning.
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<PAGE> 16
"Global Note" means, individually and collectively, the Regulation S
Global Notes, the U.S. Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes.
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Senior Note is registered in a
Security Register.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication,
(a) all liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise, for borrowed money
or for the deferred purchase price of Property or services (excluding any trade
accounts payable and other accrued current liabilities incurred in the ordinary
course of business) and all liabilities of such Person incurred in connection
with any letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or other similar credit
transactions or any agreement to purchase, redeem, exchange, convert or
otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of such Person, or any warrants,
rights or options to acquire such Capital Stock, outstanding on the date of this
Indenture or thereafter, if, and to the extent, any of the foregoing would
appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance
with GAAP, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes,
debentures or other similar instruments, if, and to the extent, any of the
foregoing would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person
prepared in accordance with GAAP, (c) all Indebtedness of such Person created or
arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with
respect to Property acquired by such Person (even if the rights and remedies of
the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to
repossession or sale of such Property), but excluding trade accounts payable
arising in the ordinary course of business, (d) the Attributable Indebtedness
respecting all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (e) all
Indebtedness referred to in the preceding clauses of other Persons and all
dividends of other Persons, the payment of which is secured by (or for which the
holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to
be secured by) any Lien upon Property (including, without limitation, accounts
and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not
assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness (the amount of
such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such Property or
the amount of the obligation so secured), (f) all guarantees by such Person of
Indebtedness referred to in this definition, (g) all obligations of such Person
under or in respect of Currency Hedge Obligations and Interest Rate Protection
Obligations and (h) deferred credits respecting discontinued services.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and as it may
from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof.
"Initial Senior Notes" has the meaning set forth in the recitals to
this Indenture and more particularly means any of the Senior Notes authenticated
and delivered under this Indenture other than Exchange Notes.
"Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding" means, with respect to any
Person, (a) an insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership,
liquidation, reorganization or similar case or proceeding in connection
therewith, relative to such Person or its creditors, as such, or its assets or
(b) any liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up proceeding of such Person,
whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or
bankruptcy or (c) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other
marshaling of assets and liabilities of such Person.
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<PAGE> 17
"Indirect Participant" means a Person who holds an interest through a
Participant.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an "accredited investor" as
defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.
"Interest Payment Date" means the Stated Maturity of an installment of
interest on the Senior Notes.
"Interest Rate Protection Obligations" means the obligations of any
Person pursuant to any arrangement with any other Person whereby, directly or
indirectly, such Person is entitled to receive from time to time periodic
payments calculated by applying either a floating or a fixed rate of interest on
a stated notional amount in exchange for periodic payments made by such Person
calculated by applying a fixed or a floating rate of interest on the same
notional amount and shall include, without limitation, interest rate swaps,
caps, floors, collars and similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect
against or manage such Person's and any of its Subsidiaries' exposure to
fluctuations in interest rates.
"Investment" means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect
advance, loan, guarantee of Indebtedness or other extension of credit 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 by such Person of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes,
debentures or other securities (including derivatives) or evidences of
Indebtedness issued by, any other Person. In addition, the Fair Market Value of
the net assets of any Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted
Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be an
"Investment" made by the Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at such time.
"Investments" shall exclude (a) extensions of trade credit or other advances to
customers on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade
practices or otherwise in the ordinary course of business, (b) Interest Rate
Protection Obligations and Currency Hedge Obligations, but only to the extent
that the same constitute Permitted Indebtedness, and (c) endorsements of
negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business.
"Issue Date" means the date of first issuance of the Senior Notes under
this Indenture.
"Lien" means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or other),
security interest, hypothecation, assignment for security, claim or similar type
of encumbrance (including, without limitation, any agreement to give or grant
any lease, conditional sale or other title retention agreement having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) upon or with
respect to any Property of any kind. A Person shall be deemed to own subject to
a Lien any Property which such Person has acquired or holds subject to the
interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital
lease or other title retention agreement.
"Liquidated Damages" means all liquidated damages owing at the time of
determination pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement.
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<PAGE> 18
"Maturity" means, with respect to any Senior Notes, the date on which
any principal of such Senior Notes becomes due and payable as therein or herein
provided, whether at the Stated Maturity with respect to such principal or by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or purchase or otherwise.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
"Net Available Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the
proceeds thereof in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments in
respect of deferred payment obligations when received in the form of cash or
Cash Equivalents (except to the extent that such obligations are financed or
sold with recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), net of (i)
brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses (including fees and expenses
of legal counsel, accountants and investment banks) related to such Asset Sale,
(ii) provisions for all taxes payable as a result of such Asset Sale, (iii)
amounts required to be paid to any Person (other than the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary) owning a beneficial interest in the Property subject to
the Asset Sale or having a Lien thereon and (iv) appropriate amounts to be
provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a
reserve required in accordance with GAAP consistently applied against any
liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, after such Asset Sale, including,
without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities,
liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any
indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale, all as reflected in
an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee; provided, however, that any
amounts remaining after adjustments, revaluations or liquidations of such
reserves shall constitute Net Available Proceeds.
"Net Cash Proceeds," with respect to any issuance or sale of Qualified
Capital Stock or other securities, 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
and expenses actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net
of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
"Non-Recourse Indebtedness" means Indebtedness or that portion of
Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in connection
with the acquisition by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of any
Property and as to which (a) the holders of such Indebtedness agree that they
will look solely to the Property so acquired and securing such Indebtedness for
payment on or in respect of such Indebtedness, and neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) (i) provides credit support,
including any undertaking, agreement or instrument which would constitute
Indebtedness or (ii) is directly or indirectly liable for such Indebtedness, and
(b) no default with respect to such Indebtedness would permit (after notice or
passage of time or both), according to the terms thereof, any holder of any
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default on
such Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable
prior to its Stated Maturity.
"Offering Memorandum" means the Company's offering memorandum dated
October 23, 1998 relating to its offering of the Initial Senior Notes.
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<PAGE> 19
"Officers" means, with respect to any Person, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer and the
Treasurer of such Person.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of
the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant
Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered
to the Trustee.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be
counsel for the Company including an employee of the Company, and who shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
"Outstanding," when used with respect to Senior Notes, means, as of the
date of determination, all Senior Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture, except:
(i) Senior Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(ii) Senior Notes, or portions thereof, for whose payment or
redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited
with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust
or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company
shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Senior
Notes, provided that, if such Senior Notes are to be redeemed, notice
of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or
provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(iii) Senior Notes, except to the extent provided in Sections
12.2 and 12.3 hereof, with respect to which the Company has effected
legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as provided in Article XII
hereof; and
(iv) Senior Notes which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.7
hereof or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Senior Notes have
been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than
any such Senior Notes in respect of which there shall have been
presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such securities
are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands the Senior Notes are
valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of Outstanding Senior Notes have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, consent, notice or waiver hereunder, and for the
purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, Senior Notes
owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Senior Notes or any Affiliate
of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected
in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand,
authorization, direction, consent, notice or waiver, only Senior Notes which the
Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Senior Notes so owned
which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the
pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to
act with respect to such Senior Notes and
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<PAGE> 20
that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Senior Notes
or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.
"Participant" means with respect to DTC, Euroclear or Cedel, a Person
who has an account with DTC, Euroclear or Cedel, respectively (and, with respect
to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Cedel).
"Paying Agent" means any Person (including the Company acting as Paying
Agent) authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any,
on) or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
"Permitted Indebtedness" means any of the following:
(i) Indebtedness (and any guarantee thereof) under one or more
working capital credit facilities with banks and other financial
institutions in an aggregate principal amount at any one time
outstanding not to exceed $20,000,000, less any amounts derived from
Asset Sales and applied to the permanent reduction of the Indebtedness
under any such credit facilities as contemplated by Section 10.15
hereof (the "Maximum Bank Credit Amount");
(ii) Indebtedness under the Senior Notes and the Series A
Notes;
(iii) Indebtedness outstanding or in effect on the Series A
Issue Date (and not repaid or defeased with the proceeds of the
offering of the Series A Notes);
(iv) Indebtedness under Interest Rate Protection Obligations,
provided that (1) such Interest Rate Protection Obligations are related
to payment obligations on Permitted Indebtedness or Indebtedness
otherwise permitted by Section 10.11(a) hereof, and (2) the notional
principal amount of such Interest Rate Protection Obligations does not
exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness to which such Interest
Rate Protection Obligations relate;
(v) Indebtedness under Currency Hedge Obligations, provided
that (1) such Currency Hedge Obligations are related to payment
obligations on Permitted Indebtedness or Indebtedness otherwise
permitted by Section 10.11(a) hereof, or to the foreign currency cash
flows reasonably expected to be generated by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, and (2) the notional principal amount of such
Currency Hedge Obligations does not exceed the principal amount of such
Indebtedness and the amount of such foreign currency cash flows to
which such Currency Hedge Obligations relate;
(vi) Indebtedness of the Company to a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company
or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon
any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other
event which results in any such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary
ceasing to be a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or any other
subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or
a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary), such
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<PAGE> 21
Indebtedness shall be deemed, in each case, to be incurred and shall be
treated as an incurrence for purposes of Section 10.11(a) hereof at the
time the Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary in question ceased to be a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or the time such subsequent transfer
occurred;
(vii) Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety
bonds issued for the account of the Company in the ordinary course of
business, including guaranties or obligations of the Company with
respect to letters of credit supporting such bid, performance or surety
obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money
borrowed);
(viii) Non-Recourse Indebtedness;
(ix) any renewals, substitutions, refinancings or replacements
(each, for purposes of this clause (ix), a "refinancing") by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness incurred
pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii), including any successive refinancings
by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, so long as (A) any such
new Indebtedness shall be in a principal amount that does not exceed
the principal amount (or, if such new Indebtedness being refinanced
provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due
and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof, such lesser
amount as of the date of determination) so refinanced plus the amount
of any premium required to be paid in connection with such refinancing
pursuant to the terms of the Indebtedness refinanced or the amount of
any premium reasonably determined by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary as necessary to accomplish such refinancing, plus the amount
of expenses of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary incurred in
connection with such refinancing, (B) in the case of any refinancing of
Indebtedness (including the Senior Notes) that is pari passu with or
subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes and the Series A
Notes, then such new Indebtedness is pari passu with or subordinated in
right of payment to the Senior Notes at least to the same extent as the
Indebtedness being refinanced and (C) such new Indebtedness has an
Average Life equal to or longer than the Average Life of the
Indebtedness being refinanced and a final Stated Maturity that is at
least 91 days later than the final Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness
being refinanced; and
(x) any additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal
amount not in excess of $5,000,000 at any one time outstanding and any
guarantee thereof.
"Permitted Investments" means any of the following: (i) Investments in
Cash Equivalents; (ii) Investments in the Company or any of its Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) Investments by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in another Person, if as a result of such Investment (A)
such other Person becomes a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or (B) such other
Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or
substantially all of its Properties to, the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary; (iv) Investments permitted under Section 10.15 hereof; (v)
Investments made in the ordinary course of business in prepaid expenses, lease,
utility, workers' compensation, performance and other similar deposits; (vi)
Investments in stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts
owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings
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<PAGE> 22
or upon the foreclosure, perfection or enforcement of any Lien in favor of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case as to debt owing to the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that arose in the ordinary course of
business of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary, provided that any
stocks, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts that arose in
the ordinary course of business (and received other than as a result of
bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or upon foreclosure, perfection or
enforcement of any Lien) that are, within 30 days of receipt, converted into
cash or Cash Equivalents shall be treated as having been cash or Cash
Equivalents at the time received; and (vii) Investments in joint ventures,
partnerships or Affiliates in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time
$7.5 million.
"Permitted Liens" means the following types of Liens:
(a) Liens existing as of the Series A Issue Date;
(b) Liens securing the Senior Notes and the Series A Notes;
(c) Liens in favor of the Company;
(d) Liens on accounts receivable, notes receivable, chattel
paper or inventory securing Indebtedness under one or more working
capital facilities with banks or other financial institutions that does
not, in the aggregate, exceed the greater of (x) 10% of the Company's
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or (y) the Maximum Bank Credit Amount;
(e) Liens securing Indebtedness that constitutes Permitted
Indebtedness pursuant to clause (ix) of the definition of "Permitted
Indebtedness" incurred as a refinancing of any Indebtedness secured by
Liens described in clause (a) or (d) of this definition;
(f) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers,
warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen and other
Liens imposed by law incurred in the ordinary course of business for
sums not delinquent or being contested in good faith, if such reserve
or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP
shall have been made in respect thereof;
(g) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the payment
or performance of tenders, statutory or regulatory obligations, surety
and appeal bonds, bids, government contracts and leases, performance
and return of money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of
obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
(h) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so
long as any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly
initiated for the review of such
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<PAGE> 23
judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within
which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired;
(i) any interest or title of a lessor under any Capitalized
Lease Obligation (to the extent the Attributable Indebtedness related
thereto constitutes Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the
terms of this Indenture) or operating lease;
(j) purchase money Liens; provided, however, that (i) the
related purchase money Indebtedness shall not be secured by any
Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the
Property so acquired and the proceeds thereof and (ii) the Lien
securing such Indebtedness shall be created within 90 days of such
acquisition;
(k) Liens securing obligations under or in respect of either
Currency Hedge Obligations or Interest Rate Protection Obligations;
(l) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and
proceeds of any Person securing such Person's obligations in respect of
bankers' acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person
to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or
other goods;
(m) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to
commercial letters of credit which encumber documents and other
Property relating to such letters of credit and products and proceeds
thereof;
(n) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations
arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty
requirements of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
including rights of offset and set-off; and
(o) Liens securing Non-Recourse Indebtedness; provided,
however, that the related Non-Recourse Indebtedness shall not be
secured by any Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
other than the Property acquired by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary with the proceeds of such Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
"Permitted Subsidiary Indebtedness" means, with respect to Restricted
Subsidiaries, Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time
outstanding up to the excess, if any, of (A) 10% of the Company's Consolidated
Net Tangible Assets over (B) the greater of $20,000,000 or the aggregate
principal amount of outstanding secured Indebtedness of the Company incurred in
compliance with Section 10.11(a).
"Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.
"Predecessor Senior Note" of any particular Senior Note means every
previous Senior Note, including any Senior Note of a different series,
evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that
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<PAGE> 24
evidenced by such particular Senior Note; and, for the purposes of this
definition, any Senior Note authenticated and delivered under Section 3.7 hereof
in exchange for a mutilated security or in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen
Senior Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost,
destroyed or stolen Senior Note.
"Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all
shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of
such Person's preferred or preference stock, whether now outstanding or issued
after the date of this Indenture, including, without limitation, all classes and
series of preferred or preference stock of such Person.
"Property" means, with respect to any Person, any interest of such
Person in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or
tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, Capital Stock in any
other Person.
"Public Equity Offering" means an offer and sale of Common Stock of the
Company made after the Series A Issue Date pursuant to a registration statement
that has been declared effective by the Commission pursuant to the Securities
Act (other than a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to
equity securities issuable under any employee plan of the Company).
"Qualified Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all Capital Stock
of such Person other than Disqualified Capital Stock.
"Qualified Institutional Buyer" or "QIB" shall have the meaning
specified in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
"Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date
means the April 1 or October 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may
be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
"Redemption Date," when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or
pursuant to this Indenture.
"Redemption Price," when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of the date of this Indenture, by and between the Company
and Warburg Dillon Read LLC, a copy of which agreement is attached hereto as
Annex A.
"Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act (including
any successor regulation thereto), as it may be amended from time to time.
"Regulation S Global Note" means a permanent global senior note that
contains the paragraphs referred to in footnote 1, the text referred to in
footnote 3 and the additional schedule referred to in footnote 4 to the form of
the Senior Note attached hereto as Exhibit A, and that is
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<PAGE> 25
deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository and registered in
the name of the Depository or its nominee, representing the Initial Senior Notes
sold in reliance on Regulation S.
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any
officer in the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee, and also means, with
respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Trustee
to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with
the particular subject.
"Restricted Investment" means (without duplication) (i) the designation
of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in the manner described in the
definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and (ii) any Investment other than a
Permitted Investment.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company, whether
existing on or after the date of this Indenture, unless such Subsidiary of the
Company is an Unrestricted Subsidiary or is designated as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act (including any
successor regulation thereto), as it may be amended from time to time.
"S&P" means Standard and Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.
"Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means any direct or indirect arrangement
pursuant to which Properties are sold or transferred by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary and are thereafter leased back from the purchaser or
transferee thereof by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time
to time, and any successor act thereto.
"Security Register", "Security Registrar" and "Registrar" have the
respective meanings specified in Section 3.5 hereof.
"Senior Notes" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this
Indenture and more particularly means any securities authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture.
"Series A Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of October 23, 1996
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company (as successor in
interest to Fleet National Bank), as Trustee, providing for the issuance of the
Series A Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $75,000,000, as such may be
amended and supplemented from time to time.
"Series A Issue Date" means the date on which the Series A Notes were
originally issued under the Series A Indenture, October 23, 1996.
"Series A Notes" means the Company's 9 3/4% Senior Notes due October
15, 2003 issued pursuant to the Series A Indenture, as such may be amended or
supplemented from time to time.
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<PAGE> 26
"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8 hereof.
"Stated Maturity" means, when used with respect to any Indebtedness or
any installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in the instrument
evidencing or governing such Indebtedness as the fixed date an which the
principal of such Indebtedness or such installment of interest is due and
payable.
"Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company which is
expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) a corporation a
majority of whose Voting Stock is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by
such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and
one or more Subsidiaries thereof or (ii) any other Person (other than a
corporation), including, without limitation, a joint venture, in which such
Person, one or more Subsidiaries thereof or such Person and one or more
Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination
thereof, have at least majority ownership interest entitled to vote in the
election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or other Persons performing
similar functions).
"Transfer Restricted Senior Notes" means Senior Notes that bear or are
required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
"Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended and in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed
until such time as this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, and thereafter as
in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, except
as provided in Section 9.5 hereof.
"Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Trustee" shall mean such successor Trustee.
"Unrestricted Global Note" means a Global Note that does not and is not
required to bear a Private Placement Legend.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that
at the time of determination will be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by
the Board of Directors of the Company as provided below and (ii) any Subsidiary
of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may
designate any Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary so long as
(a) neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary is directly or indirectly
liable pursuant to the terms of any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary; (b) no
default with respect to any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or otherwise) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default on such other
Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to
its Stated Maturity; (c) such designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary would be
permitted under Section 10.10 hereof; and (d) such designation shall not result
in the creation or imposition of any
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<PAGE> 27
Lien on any of the Properties of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other
than any Permitted Lien or any Lien the creation or imposition of which shall
have been in compliance with Section 10.13 hereof); provided, however, that with
respect to clause (a), the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may be liable for
Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary if (x) such liability constituted a
Permitted Investment or a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 10.10 hereof,
in each case at the time of incurrence, or (y) the liability would be a
Permitted Investment at the time of designation of such Subsidiary as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary. Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the
Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing a Board Resolution with the
Trustee giving effect to such designation. The Board of Directors of the Company
may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary if,
immediately after giving effect to such designation, on a pro forma basis (i) no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) the
Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (not including the
incurrence of Permitted Indebtedness) under Section 10.11(a) hereof and (iii) if
any of the Properties of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would
upon such designation become subject to any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien),
the creation or imposition of such Lien shall have been in compliance with
Section 10.13 hereof.
"U.S. Global Note" means a permanent Global Note that contains the
paragraphs referred to in footnote 1, the text referred to in footnote 3 and the
additional schedule referred to in footnote 4 to the form of the Senior Note
attached hereto as Exhibit A, and that is deposited with the Trustee, as
custodian for the Depository, and registered in the name of the Depository or
its nominee, representing Senior Notes sold in reliance or Rule 144A or in
reliance on another exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act.
"VES" means Veritas Energy Services Inc., a Delaware corporation.
"Vice President," when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee,
means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or
words added before or after the title "vice president."
"Voting Stock" means any class or classes of Capital Stock pursuant to
which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary
circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers
or trustees of any Person (irrespective of whether or not, at the time, stock of
any other class or classes shall have, or might have, voting power by reason of
the happening of any contingency).
"Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" means (a) any Restricted
Subsidiary to the extent (i) all of the Capital Stock or other ownership
interests in such Restricted Subsidiary, other than any directors' qualifying
shares mandated by applicable law, is owned directly or indirectly by the
Company or (ii) such Restricted Subsidiary is organized in a foreign
jurisdiction and is required by the applicable laws and regulations of such
foreign jurisdiction to be partially owned by the government of such foreign
jurisdiction or individual or corporate citizens of such foreign jurisdiction in
order for such Restricted Subsidiary to transact business in such foreign
jurisdiction, provided that the Company, directly or indirectly, owns the
remaining Capital Stock or ownership interest in such Restricted Subsidiary and,
by contract or otherwise, controls the management and
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<PAGE> 28
business of such Restricted Subsidiary and derives the economic benefits of
ownership of such Restricted Subsidiary to substantially the same extent as if
such Restricted Subsidiary were a wholly owned Subsidiary, and (b) any Foreign
Restricted Subsidiary so long as the direct or indirect ownership interest of
the Company therein is no less than at the Series A Issue Date.
Section 1.2 Other Definitions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Term Defined
---- in Section
----------
<S> <C> <C>
"Change of Control Notice"......................................... 10.14(c)
"Change of Control Offer".......................................... 10.14(a)
"Change of Control Purchase Date".................................. 10.14(c)
"Change of Control Purchase Price"................................. 10.14(a)
"Defaulted Interest"............................................... 3.8
"Excess Proceeds".................................................. 10.15(b)
"Net Proceeds Deficiency".......................................... 10.15(c)
"Net Proceeds Offer"............................................... 10.15(c)
"Net Proceeds Payment Date"........................................ 10.15(c)
"Offered Price".................................................... 10.15(c)
"Payment Amount"................................................... 10.15(c)
"Payment Restriction"............................................. 10.17
"Private Placement Legend"......................................... 3.6(e)(i)
"Purchase Notice".................................................. 10.15(c)
"Restricted Payment"............................................... 10.10(a)
"Surviving Entity"................................................. 8.1(a)
"Trigger Date"..................................................... 10.15(c)
"U.S. Government Obligations"...................................... 12.4(a)
</TABLE>
Section 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision
is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
"indenture securities" means the Senior Notes,
"indenture security holder" means a Holder,
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture,
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the
Trustee, and
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company or any
other obligor on the Securities.
All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule and
not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.
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<PAGE> 29
Section 1.4 Rules of Construction.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to
them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with GAAP and all accounting calculations will be
determined in accordance with GAAP;
(c) the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision;
(d) the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter;
(e) a "day" means a calendar day;
(f) the term "merger" includes a statutory share exchange and the term
"merged" has a correlative meaning; and
(g) references to agreements and other instruments include subsequent
amendments and waivers but only to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture.
ARTICLE II
SENIOR NOTE FORMS
Section 2.1 Forms Generally.
(a) General. The Senior Notes, together with the Trustee's certificate
of authentication, shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A
hereto and shall be printed, typewritten, lithographed or engraved or produced
by any combination of these methods or may be produced by any other method
permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Senior Notes may
be listed, as evidenced by the execution of such Senior Notes. The Senior Notes
may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule
or usage. Each Senior Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The
Senior Notes shall be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
The Initial Senior Notes and the Exchange Notes shall be considered
collectively to be a single class for all purposes of this Indenture, including,
without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
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<PAGE> 30
The terms and provisions contained in the Senior Notes shall
constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the
Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture,
expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
(b) Global Notes. Initial Senior Notes shall be issued initially in the
form of one or more permanent Global Notes in definitive fully registered form
without coupons. Initial Senior Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on
Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of one or more U.S. Global
Notes, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Initial
Senior Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the
Depository, and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the
Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as
hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Global Notes
may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the
records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter
provided. Initial Senior Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S
shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Global Note, which
shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of such Initial Senior Notes
represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository, and
registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of the Depository for
the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Cedel, duly
executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter
provided. During the "40-day distribution compliance period" (as defined in
Regulation S), beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note shall be
held only through Euroclear or Cedel, and, pursuant to the Depository's
procedures, Indirect Participants that hold a beneficial interest in the
Regulation S Global Note shall not be able to transfer such interest to a Person
that takes delivery thereof in the form of an interest in the U.S. Global Notes.
Following the termination of the 40-day distribution compliance period,
beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may be exchanged for
beneficial interests in U.S. Global Notes and beneficial interests in the U.S.
Global Notes may be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Regulation S
Global Note, pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. The principal amount of the
Regulation S Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by
adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its
nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as
hereinafter provided.
Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Senior Notes
as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the
aggregate amount of Outstanding Senior Notes from time to time endorsed on
Schedule A thereto and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Senior Notes
represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as
appropriate, to reflect exchanges, redemptions and transfers of interests. Any
endorsement on Schedule A of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase
or decrease in the amount of Outstanding Senior Notes represented thereby shall
be made by the Trustee in accordance with instructions given by the Holder
thereof as required by Section 3.6 hereof.
The provisions of the "Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System"
and "Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear" and the "Management
Regulations" and "Instructions to Participants" of Cedel shall be applicable to
interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through
Euroclear or Cedel. The Trustee shall have no obligation to notify Holders of
any such procedures or to monitor or enforce compliance with the same.
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<PAGE> 31
Participants shall have no rights either under this Indenture with
respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository or by the
Trustee as custodian for the Depository or under such Global Note, and the
Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the
Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all
purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent
the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving
effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by
the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Participants, the
operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of
the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.
(c) Certificated Senior Notes. Senior Notes issued in definitive,
nonglobal form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto
(but without including the text referred to in footnotes 1, 3 and 4 thereto).
(d) Provisions Applicable to Forms of Notes. The Senior Notes may also
have such additional provisions, omissions, variations or substitutions as are
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, and may have such
letters, numbers or other marks or identification and such legends or
endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with this Indenture,
any applicable law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with the rules of
any securities exchange or governmental agency or as may be determined
consistently herewith by the Officers of the Company executing such Senior
Notes, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Senior Notes. All
Senior Notes will be otherwise substantially identical except as provided
herein.
ARTICLE III
THE SENIOR NOTES
Section 3.1 Title and Terms.
The aggregate principal amount of Initial Senior Notes which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture for original issue is limited
to $60,000,000, and the aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes which may
be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture for original issue is
limited to $60,000,000. The aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes
Outstanding at any one time may not exceed such amount except as provided in
Section 3.7 hereof.
The Initial Senior Notes shall be known and designated as the "9 3/4%
Senior Notes due 2003, Series B" of the Company, and the Exchange Notes shall be
known and designated as the "9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series C" of the
Company. The Stated Maturity of the Senior Notes shall be October 15, 2003, and
they shall bear interest at the rate of 9 3/4% per annum from October 28, 1998,
or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or
duly provided for, payable semiannually in cash in arrears on April 15 and
October 15 in each year, commencing April 15, 1999, and at said Stated Maturity,
until the principal thereof is paid or duly provided for.
The principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on the
Securities shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained
for such purpose in the City of New York provided,
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however, that, at the option of the Company, interest may be paid on
Certificated Senior Notes on or before the due date (i) by check mailed to
addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear on the
Security Register, or (ii) with respect to any Holder owning Senior Notes in the
principal amount of $500,000 or more, by wire transfer to an account maintained
by the Holder located in the United States, as specified in a written notice to
the Trustee by any such Holder requesting payment by wire transfer and
specifying the account to which transfer is requested.
The Senior Notes shall rank pari passu in right of payment with the
Series A Notes and senior in right of payment to all Subordinated
Indebtedness.
The Senior Notes shall be redeemable as provided in Article XI hereof.
The Senior Notes shall be subject to defeasance at the option of the
Company as provided in Article XII hereof.
Section 3.2 Denominations.
The Senior Notes shall be issuable only in denominations of $1,000 and
any integral multiple thereof.
Section 3.3 Execution, Authentication, and Dating.
The Senior Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its
Chairman of the Board, its President or a Vice President of the Company, under
its corporate seal affixed thereto or reproduced thereon and attested by its
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. The signature of any of
these officers on the Senior Notes may be manual or facsimile signatures of the
present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise
reproduced on the Senior Notes.
Senior Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals
who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Senior Notes or did not
hold such offices at the date of such Senior Notes.
At any time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the
Company may deliver Senior Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for
authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and
delivery of such Senior Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company
Order shall authenticate and deliver such Senior Notes; provided, however, the
Trustee shall authenticate (i) Initial Senior Notes for original issue in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000 and (ii) Exchange Notes for
issue only in the Exchange Offer for a like principal amount of Initial Senior
Notes exchanged in such Exchange Offer, in each case upon the receipt of a
Company Order directing the Trustee to authenticate such Senior Notes and
certifying that all conditions precedent to the issuance of the relevant Senior
Notes contained herein have been complied with.
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Each Senior Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Senior Note a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly
executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such
certificate upon any Senior Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only
evidence, that such Senior Note has been duly authenticated and delivered
hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
In case the Company, pursuant to and in compliance with Article VIII
hereof, shall be consolidated or merged with or into any other Person or shall
sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all
of its Properties to any Person, and the successor Person resulting from such
consolidation, or surviving such merger, or into which the Company shall have
been merged, or the Person which shall have received a sale, conveyance,
transfer, lease or other disposition as aforesaid, shall have executed an
indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article VIII hereof,
any of the Senior Notes authenticated or delivered prior to such sale,
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition may,
from time to time, at the request of the successor Person be exchanged for other
Senior Notes executed in the name of the successor Person with such changes in
phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise in substance of like
tenor as the Senior Notes surrendered for such exchange and of like principal
amount; and the Trustee, upon Company Request of the successor Person, shall
authenticate and deliver Senior Notes as specified in such request for the
purpose of such exchange. If Senior Notes shall at any time be authenticated and
delivered in any new name of a successor Person pursuant to this Section in
exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Senior
Notes, such successor Person, at the option of the Holders but without expense
to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Senior Notes at the time
Outstanding for Senior Notes authenticated and delivered in such new name.
Section 3.4 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Senior Notes, the Company may
execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Senior Notes which are printed, lithographed, typewritten,
mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination,
substantially of the tenor of the definitive Senior Notes in lieu of which they
are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and
other variations as the officers executing such Senior Notes may determine, as
conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Senior Notes.
If temporary Senior Notes are issued, the Company will cause definitive
Senior Notes to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of
definitive Senior Notes, the temporary Senior Notes shall be exchangeable for
definitive Senior Notes upon surrender of the temporary Senior Notes at the
office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose pursuant to Section
10.2 hereof, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of
any one or more temporary Senior Notes, the Company shall execute and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal
amount of definitive Senior Notes of like tenor and of
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authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Senior Notes shall
in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as
definitive Senior Notes.
Section 3.5 Security Register and Registrar.
The Company shall cause to be kept a register (the "Security Register")
in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the
Company shall provide for the registration of Senior Notes and of transfers of
Senior Notes. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form
capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. At all
reasonable times and during normal business hours, the Security Register shall
be open to inspection by the Trustee. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed
as security registrar (the "Security Registrar" or "Registrar") for the purpose
of registering Senior Notes and transfers of Senior Notes as herein provided.
Section 3.6 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. The transfer and
exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be effected through the
Depository, in accordance with this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures.
Beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take
delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Note in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures and, in the case of a Transfer
Restricted Senior Note, the transfer restrictions set forth in the legend in
subsection (e) of this Section 3.6. Transfers of beneficial interests in the
Global Notes to Persons required to take delivery thereof in the form of an
interest in another Global Note shall be permitted as follows:
(i) U.S. Global Note to Regulation S Global Note. Prior
to the expiration of the 40-day distribution
compliance period, an owner of a beneficial interest
in a U.S. Global Note deposited with the Depository
(or the Trustee) will not be permitted to transfer
its interest to a Person who wishes to take delivery
thereof in the form of an interest in the Regulation
S Global Note. If, at any time after the expiration
of the 40-day distribution compliance period, an
owner of a beneficial interest in a U.S. Global Note
deposited with the Depository (or the Trustee) wishes
to transfer its beneficial interest in such U.S.
Global Note to a Person who is required or permitted
to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest
in a Regulation S Global Note, such owner shall,
subject to the Applicable Procedures, exchange or
cause the exchange of such interest for an equivalent
beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note as
provided in this Section 3.6(a)(i). Upon receipt by
the Trustee of (1) instructions given in accordance
with the Applicable Procedures from a Participant
directing the Trustee to credit or cause to be
credited a beneficial interest in the Regulation S
Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial
interest in the U.S. Global Note to be transferred,
(2) a written order given in accordance with the
Applicable Procedures containing information
regarding the
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Participant account of the Depository and the
Euroclear or Cedel account to be credited with such
increase, and, in the case of Global Notes that are
Transfer Restricted Senior Notes, (3) a certificate
in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto given by the owner
of such beneficial interest stating that the transfer
of such interest has been made in compliance with the
transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes
and pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or
Rule 904 of Regulation S, then the Trustee, as
Registrar, shall instruct the Depository to reduce or
cause to be reduced the aggregate principal amount of
the applicable U.S. Global Note and to increase or
cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount
of the Regulation S Global Note by the principal
amount of the beneficial interest in the U.S. Global
Note to be exchanged or transferred, to credit or
cause to be credited to the account of the Person
specified in such instructions, a beneficial interest
in the Regulation S Global Note equal to the
reduction in the aggregate principal amount of such
U.S. Global Note, and to debit, or cause to be
debited, from the account of the Person making such
exchange or transfer the beneficial interest in the
U.S. Global Note that is being transferred.
(ii) Regulation S Global Note to U.S. Global Note. Prior
to the expiration of the 40-day distribution
compliance period, an owner of a beneficial interest
in the Regulation S Global Note deposited with the
Depository (or the Trustee) will not be permitted to
transfer its interest to a Person who wishes to take
delivery thereof in the form of an interest in a U.S.
Global Note. If, at any time after the expiration of
the 40-day distribution compliance, an owner of a
beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note
deposited with the Depository (or with the Trustee)
wishes to transfer its beneficial interest in such
Regulation S Global Note to a Person who is required
or permitted to take delivery thereof in the form of
an interest in a U.S. Global Note, such owner shall,
subject to the Applicable Procedures, exchange or
cause the exchange of such interest for an equivalent
beneficial interest in a U.S. Global Note as provided
in this Section 3.6(a)(ii). Upon receipt by the
Trustee of (1) instructions from Euroclear or Cedel,
if applicable, and the Depository, directing the
Trustee, as Registrar, to credit or cause to be
credited a beneficial interest in the applicable U.S.
Global Note equal to the beneficial interest in the
Regulation S Global Note to be transferred, such
instructions to contain information regarding the
Participant account with the Depository to be
credited with such increase, (2) a written order
given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures
containing information regarding the participant
account of the Depository and, in the case of Global
Notes that are Transfer Restricted Senior Notes, (3)
a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-2 attached
hereto given by
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the owner of such beneficial interest stating (A) if
the transfer is pursuant to Rule 144A, that the
Person transferring such interest in the Regulation S
Global Note reasonably believes that the Person
acquiring such interest in a U.S. Global Note is a
QIB and is obtaining such beneficial interest in a
transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and
any applicable blue sky or securities laws of any
state of the United States, (B) that the transfer
complies with the requirements of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act or is being effected pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities
Act, (C) if the transfer is to an Institutional
Accredited Investor that such transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act and that a
certificate in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto
is attached thereto, together with, if the Company
should so request, an Opinion of Counsel acceptable
to the Company that such transfer is in compliance
with the Securities Act or (D) if the transfer is
pursuant to any other exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act, that the transfer
of such interest has been made in compliance with the
transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes
and pursuant to and in accordance with the
requirements of the exemption claimed, such statement
to be supported by an Opinion of Counsel from the
transferee or the transferor in form reasonably
acceptable to the Company and to the Registrar and,
in each case, in accordance with any applicable
securities laws of any state of the United States or
any other applicable jurisdiction, then the Trustee,
as Registrar, shall instruct the Depository to reduce
or cause to be reduced the aggregate principal amount
of such Regulation S Global Note and to increase or
cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount
of the applicable U.S. Global Note by the principal
amount of the beneficial interest in the Regulation S
Global Note to be transferred, and the Trustee, as
Registrar, shall instruct the Depository,
concurrently with such reduction, to credit or cause
to be credited to the account of the Person specified
in such instructions a beneficial interest in the
applicable U.S. Global Note equal to the reduction in
the aggregate principal amount of such Regulation S
Global Note and to debit or cause to be debited from
the account of the Person making such transfer the
beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note
that is being transferred.
(iii) U.S. Global Note to Institutional Accredited
Investor. If, at any time, an owner of a beneficial
interest in a U.S. Global Note deposited with the
Depository (or the Trustee) wishes to transfer its
beneficial interest in such U.S. Global Note to a
Person who is an Institutional Accredited Investor,
such owner shall, subject to the Applicable
Procedures and the other provisions of this Section
3.6, exchange or cause the exchange of such interest
for an equivalent beneficial
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interest in a U.S. Global Note as provided
in this Section 3.6(a)(iii). Upon receipt by
the Trustee of (1) instructions given in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures
from a Participant directing the Trustee to
credit or cause to be credited a beneficial
interest in the U.S. Global Note in an
amount equal to the beneficial interest in
the U.S. Global Note to be exchanged, (2) a
written order given in accordance with the
Applicable Procedures containing information
regarding the Participant account of the
Depository to be credited with such
increase, and, in the case of Global Notes
that are Transfer Restricted Senior Notes,
(3) a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit C hereto given by the proposed
transferee, and, if the Company should so
request, an Opinion of Counsel provided by
the transferor or the transferee (a copy of
which the transferor attaches to such
certificate), in form reasonably acceptable
to the Company and to the Registrar, to the
effect that such transfer is in compliance
with the Securities Act, then the Trustee,
as Registrar, shall instruct the Depository
to credit or cause to be credited to the
account of the Person specified in such
instructions, a beneficial interest in the
appropriate U.S. Global Note equal to the
aggregate principal amount being
transferred, and to debit, or cause to be
debited, from the account of the Person
making such transfer the beneficial interest
in the U.S. Global Note that is being
transferred.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Senior Notes. When
Certificated Senior Notes are presented by a Holder to the Registrar with a
request to register the transfer of the Certificated Senior Notes or to exchange
such Certificated Senior Notes for an equal principal amount of Certificated
Senior Notes of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the
transfer or make the exchange as requested only if the Certificated Senior Notes
are presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, are
endorsed (or are accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by his attorney,
duly authorized in writing), contain a signature guarantee and, in the case of
Certificated Senior Notes that are Transfer Restricted Senior Notes, the
Registrar receives the following additional information and documentation (all
of which may be submitted by facsimile):
(i) if such Transfer Restricted Senior Note is
being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder
for registration in the name of such Holder,
without transfer, or such Transfer
Restricted Senior Note is being transferred
(A) to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or (B) pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities
Act, a certification to that effect from
such Holder (in substantially the form of
Exhibit B-3 hereto);
(ii) if such Transfer Restricted Senior Note is
being transferred to a QIB in accordance
with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or
pursuant to an exemption from registration
in accordance with Rule 144 under
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the Securities Act or in an offshore
transaction pursuant to and in compliance
with Rule 904 under the Securities Act or
pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, a
certification to that effect from such
Holder (in substantially the form of Exhibit
B-3 hereto); or
(iii) if such Transfer Restricted Senior Note is
being transferred in reliance on any other
exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act, a certification to
that effect from such Holder (in
substantially the form of Exhibit B-3
hereto), if the Company should so request,
an Opinion of Counsel from such Holder or
the transferee, in form reasonably
acceptable to the Company and to the
Registrar, to the effect that such transfer
is in compliance with the Securities Act and
if such transferee is an Institutional
Accredited Investor, a certification
substantially in the form of Exhibit C
hereto.
(c) Transfer of a Beneficial Interests in Global Notes
for Certificated Senior Notes.
(i) The Global Notes that are Transfer
Restricted Senior Notes or the Unrestricted
Global Notes, as the case may be, shall be
exchanged by the Company as a whole for one
or more Certificated Senior Notes in an
equal aggregate principal amount and
representing Initial Senior Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, if the
Depository has notified the Company that it
is unwilling or unable to continue as
Depository and a successor to the Depository
is not appointed by the Company within 90
calendar days. If an Event of Default occurs
and is continuing, the Company shall, at the
request of the Holder thereof, exchange all
or part of a Global Note that is a Transfer
Restricted Senior Note or an Unrestricted
Global Note, as the case may be, for one or
more Certificated Senior Notes representing
Initial Senior Notes or Exchange Notes, as
the case may be; provided that the principal
amount of each of such Certificated Senior
Notes, and such Global Note, after such
exchange, shall be $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof. Whenever a Global Note is
exchanged as a whole for one or more
Certificated Senior Notes, it shall be
surrendered by the Holder thereof to the
Trustee for cancellation as provided in
Section 3.10. Whenever a Global Note is
exchanged in part for one or more
Certificated Senior Notes, it shall be
surrendered by the Holder thereof to the
Trustee and the Trustee shall make the
appropriate notations to Schedule A thereof
pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof. All
Certificated Senior Notes or Exchange Notes,
as the case may be, issued in exchange for a
Global Note or any portion thereof shall be
registered in such names, and delivered to
such Persons, as the Depository shall
instruct the Trustee. Any Certificated
Senior
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Notes issued pursuant to this Section
3.6(c)(i) shall include the Private
Placement Legend, except as otherwise
provided in this Section 3.6. Interests in a
Global Note may not be exchanged for
Certificated Senior Notes other than as
provided in this Section 3.6. If a
beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted
Senior Note is being transferred, the
following additional documents and
information must be submitted to the
Registrar (including by facsimile):
(A) if such beneficial interest is being
transferred to the Person designated
by the Depository as being the
beneficial owner or to the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, a
certification to that effect from
such Person (in substantially the
form of Exhibit B-4 hereto);
(B) if such beneficial interest is being
transferred to a QIB in accordance
with Rule 144A under the Securities
Act or pursuant to an exemption from
registration in accordance with Rule
144 under the Securities Act or in
an offshore transaction pursuant to
and in compliance with Rule 904
under the Securities Act or pursuant
to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act,
a certification to that effect from
the transferor (in substantially the
form of Exhibit B-4 hereto);
(C) if such beneficial interest is being
transferred in reliance on any other
exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act,
a certification to that effect from
the transferor (in substantially the
form of Exhibit B-4 hereto), if the
Company should so request, an
Opinion of Counsel from the
transferee or the transferor, in
form reasonably acceptable to the
Company and to the Registrar, to the
effect that such transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act,
and if such transferee is an
Institutional Accredited Investor, a
certification substantially in the
form of Exhibit C hereto,
in which case the Trustee, as custodian for
the Depository, shall, in accordance with
the standing instructions and procedures
existing between the Depository and the
Trustee, cause the aggregate principal
amount of U.S. Global Notes or Regulation S
Global Notes, as applicable, to be reduced
accordingly and, following such reduction,
the Company shall execute and, the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver to the
transferee a Certificated Senior Note in the
appropriate principal amount.
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(ii) Certificated Senior Notes issued in exchange
for a beneficial interest in a U.S. Global
Note or Regulation S Global Note, as
applicable, pursuant to this Section 3.6(c)
shall be registered in such names and in
such authorized denominations as the
Depository, pursuant to instructions from
its Participants or Indirect Participants or
otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The
Trustee shall deliver such Certificated
Senior Notes to the Persons in whose names
such Senior Notes are so registered.
Following any such issuance of Certificated
Senior Notes, the Trustee, as Registrar,
shall instruct the Depository to reduce or
cause to be reduced the aggregate principal
amount at maturity of the applicable Global
Note to reflect the transfer.
(d) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture (other than the provisions
set forth in subsection (e) of this Section 3.6), a Global Note may not be
transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository
or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the
Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or
a nominee of such successor Depository. Any Holder of a beneficial interest in a
Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, be deemed to have agreed
that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only
through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its
agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Senior Notes
represented hereby shall be required to be reflected in book entry form.
(e) Legends.
(i) Except as permitted by the following
paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Senior
Note certificate evidencing a Global Note or
Certificated Senior Note (and all Senior
Notes issued in exchange therefor or
substitution thereof) shall bear a legend
(the "Private Placement Legend") in
substantially the following form:
THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED
HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A
TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER
SECTION 5 OF THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND
THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE
OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN
THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN
APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH
PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY
(1) BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF REPRESENTS
THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S.
PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY
EVIDENCED HEREBY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION
IN
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COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT AND (2) IS HEREBY NOTIFIED
THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE
EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5
OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A
THEREUNDER OR ANOTHER EXEMPTION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY
EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF
THE COMPANY THAT (X) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE
RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED
ONLY (i) (a) TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER
REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION
MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b)
IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF
RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c)
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON-U.S.
PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH
ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND
BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE
COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (ii) TO THE COMPANY,
OR (iii) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES
LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR
ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (Y)
THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER
IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE
SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (X) ABOVE.
(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer
Restricted Senior Note (including any
Transfer Restricted Senior Note represented
by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under
the Securities Act or pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the
Securities Act:
(A) in the case of any Transfer
Restricted Senior Note that is a
Certificated Senior Note, the
Registrar shall permit the Holder
thereof to exchange such Transfer
Restricted Senior Note for a
Certificated Senior Note that does
not bear the legend set forth in (i)
above and rescind any restriction on
the transfer of such Transfer
Restricted Senior Note upon receipt
of a
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certification from the transferring
Holder substantially in the form of
Exhibit B-4 hereto; and
(B) in the case of any Transfer
Restricted Senior Note represented
by a Global Note, such Transfer
Restricted Senior Note shall not be
required to bear the legend set
forth in (i) above, but shall
continue to be subject to the
provisions of Section 3.6(a) and (c)
hereof; provided, however, that with
respect to any request for an
exchange of a Transfer Restricted
Senior Note that is represented by a
Global Note for a Certificated
Senior Note that does not bear the
legend set forth in (i) above, which
request is made in reliance upon
Rule 144 or pursuant to an effective
registration statement, the Holder
thereof shall certify in writing to
the Registrar that such request is
being made pursuant to Rule 144 or
pursuant to an effective
registration statement (such
certification to be substantially in
the form of Exhibit B-4 hereto).
(iii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer
Restricted Senior Note (including any
Transfer Restricted Senior Note represented
by a Global Note) in reliance on any
exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act (other than exemptions
pursuant to Rule 144A or Rule 144 under the
Securities Act) in which the Holder or the
transferee provides an Opinion of Counsel to
the Company and the Registrar in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to the
Company and the Registrar (which Opinion of
Counsel shall also state that the transfer
restrictions contained in the legend are no
longer applicable):
(A) in the case of any Transfer
Restricted Senior Note that is a
Certificated Senior Note, the
Registrar shall permit the Holder
thereof to exchange such Transfer
Restricted Senior Note for a
Certificated Senior Note that does
not bear the legend set forth in (i)
above and rescind any restriction on
the transfer of such Transfer
Restricted Senior Note; and
(B) in the case of any Transfer
Restricted Senior Note represented
by a Global Note, such Transfer
Restricted Senior Note shall not be
required to bear the legend set
forth in (i) above, but shall
continue to be subject to the
provisions of Section 3.6(a) and (c)
hereof.
(iv) By its acceptance of any Initial Senior Note
represented by a certificate bearing the
Private Placement Legend, each Holder of,
and beneficial owner of an interest in, such
Initial Senior Note shall be
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deemed to have acknowledged the restrictions
on transfer of such Initial Senior Note set
forth in the Private Placement Legend and
under the heading "Transfer Restrictions" in
the Offering Memorandum and agreed that it
will transfer such Initial Senior Note only
in accordance with the Private Placement
Legend and the restrictions set forth under
the heading "Transfer Restrictions" in the
Offering Memorandum.
(v) Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the
occurrence of the Exchange Offer in
accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon
receipt of an authentication order in
accordance with Section 3.3 hereof, the
Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more
Unrestricted Global Notes in aggregate
principal amount equal to the principal
amount of the restricted beneficial
interests validly tendered and not properly
withdrawn by Persons that certify in the
letter of transmittal delivered in the
Exchange Offer that they are not (x) Persons
participating in the distribution of the
Exchange Notes or (y) Persons who are
affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act) of the Company and accepted
Exchange Notes for exchange in the Exchange
Offer and (ii) Certificated Senior Notes
that do not bear the Private Placement
Legend in an aggregate principal amount
equal to the principal amount of the
Certificated Senior Notes that are Transfer
Restricted Senior Notes accepted for
exchange in the Exchange Offer. Concurrently
with the issuance of such Senior Notes, the
Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal
amount of the applicable Global Notes to be
reduced accordingly and the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver to the Persons designated by the
Holders of Certificated Senior Notes so
accepted Certificated Senior Notes in the
appropriate principal amount.
(f) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such
time as all beneficial interests in Global Notes have been exchanged for
Certificated Senior Notes, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, all Global Notes
shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with
Section 3.10 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial
interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Certificated Senior Notes, redeemed,
repurchased or canceled, the principal amount of Senior Notes represented by
such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made
on such Global Note by the Trustee to reflect such reduction.
(g) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and
exchanges, the Company shall execute and,
upon the written order of the Company signed
by an
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Officer of the Company, the Trustee shall
authenticate Global Notes and Certificated
Senior Notes at the Registrar's request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder
for any registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
stamp or transfer tax or similar
governmental charge payable in connection
therewith (other than any such stamp or
transfer taxes or similar governmental
charge payable upon exchange or transfer
pursuant to Sections 3.3, 9.6, 10.14, 10.15
and 11.8 hereof).
(iii) All Global Notes and Certificated Senior
Notes issued upon any registration of
transfer or exchange of Global Notes or
Certificated Senior Notes shall be the valid
obligations of the Company, evidencing the
same debt, and entitled to the same benefits
under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or
Certificated Senior Notes surrendered upon
such registration of transfer or exchange.
(iv) The Registrar shall not be required: (A) to
issue, to register the transfer of or to
exchange Senior Notes during a period
beginning at the opening of business fifteen
(15) days before the day of any selection of
Senior Notes for redemption under Section
11.4 hereof and ending at the close of
business on the day of selection, (B) to
register the transfer of or to exchange any
Senior Note so selected for redemption in
whole or in part, except the unredeemed
portion of any Senior Note being redeemed in
part, or (C) to register the transfer of or
to exchange a Senior Note between a Record
Date and the next succeeding Interest
Payment Date.
(v) Prior to due presentment for the
registration of a transfer of any Senior
Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company
may deem and treat the Person in whose name
any Senior Note is registered as the
absolute owner of such Senior Note for the
purpose of receiving payment of principal of
and interest on such Senior Notes and for
all other purposes, and neither the Trustee,
any Agent nor the Company shall be affected
by notice to the contrary.
(vi) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes
and Certificated Senior Notes in accordance
with the provisions of Section 3.3 hereof.
Section 3.7 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Senior Notes.
If (i) any mutilated Senior Note is surrendered to the Trustee or (ii)
the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the
destruction, loss or theft of any Senior Notes, and there is delivered to the
Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by
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them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Company or the Trustee that such Senior Note has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, in exchange for any such mutilated Senior Note or in
lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Senior Note, a new Senior Note of
like principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Senior Note has
become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Senior Note, pay such Senior Note.
Upon the issuance of any new Senior Note under this Section, the
Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Senior Note issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Senior Note shall be at any time enforceable by
anyone, and shall be entitled to all benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with any and all other Senior Notes duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.8 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Interest on any Senior Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or
duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in
whose name such Senior Note (or one or more Predecessor Senior Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest
at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to
Section 10.2 hereof.
Any interest on any Senior Note which is payable, but is not punctually
paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall forthwith cease to
be payable to the Holder on the Regular Record Date by virtue of having been
such Holder, and such defaulted interest and (to the extent lawful) interest on
such defaulted interest at the rate borne by the Senior Notes (such defaulted
interest and interest thereon herein collectively called "Defaulted Interest")
may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause
(a) or (b) below:
(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to
the Persons in whose names the Senior Notes (or one or more Predecessor Senior
Notes) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the
payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following
manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of
Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Senior Note and the date of the
proposed payment,
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and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of
money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such
Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for
such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, and such money when
deposited shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such
Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be
not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the
proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of
the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the
Company of such Special Record Date, and in the name and at the expense of the
Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest
and the Special Record Date therefor to be given in the manner provided for in
Section 13.5 hereof, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.
Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record
Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the
Persons in whose names the Senior Notes (or their respective Predecessor Senior
Notes) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and
shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Senior Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required
by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the
proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed
practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Senior Note
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Senior Note shall carry the rights to interest
accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 3.9 Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to the due presentment of a Senior Note for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Security Registrar, the Trustee and any agent of the
Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Senior Note is
registered as the owner of such Senior Note for the purpose of receiving payment
of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and (subject to Section 3.8 hereof)
interest on such Senior Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or
not such Senior Note be overdue, and none of the Company, the Security
Registrar, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.
Section 3.10 Cancellation.
All Senior Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee,
be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company
may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Senior Notes
previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have
acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Senior Notes so delivered shall be
promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Senior Notes shall be authenticated in lieu
of or in exchange for any Senior
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Notes canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by
this Indenture. All canceled Senior Notes held by the Trustee shall be disposed
of as directed by a Company Order or in accordance with the Trustee's usual
practice; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to destroy
canceled Senior Notes.
Section 3.11 Computation of Interest.
Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
ARTICLE IV
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect
(except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Senior
Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all Outstanding Senior
Notes, and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, upon payment of
all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6 hereof, execute proper instruments
acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture when
(a) either
(1) all Senior Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered
(other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen
and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.7 hereof
and (ii) Senior Notes for whose payment money or United States
governmental obligations of the type described in clause (i) of the
definition of Cash Equivalents have theretofore been deposited in trust
with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held in trust by
the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from
such trust, as provided in Section 10.3 hereof) have been delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation, or
(2) all such Senior Notes not theretofore delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated
Maturity within one year, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year
under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for
the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in
the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
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and the Company, in the case of clause (2)(i), (2)(ii) or (2)(iii)
above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the
Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire
indebtedness on such Senior Notes not theretofore delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any), interest
and Liquidated Damages to the date of such deposit (in the case of
Senior Notes which have become due and payable) or to the Stated
Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, together with
instructions from the Company irrevocably directing the Trustee to
apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as
the case may be;
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due
and payable hereunder by the Company; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, which, taken together, state that all conditions
precedent herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture
have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.6 hereof and, if money
shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the
obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.2 hereof and the last paragraph of
Section 10.3 hereof shall survive.
Section 4.2 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3 hereof,
all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof shall be
held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Senior
Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying
Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if
any), interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, for whose payment such money has
been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES
Section 5.1 Events of Default.
"Event of Default," wherever used herein, means any one of the
following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant
to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation
of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on
any of the Senior Notes when the same becomes due and payable, whether such
payment is due at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, upon repurchase pursuant to
a Change of Control Offer or a Net Proceeds Offer, upon acceleration or
otherwise; or
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(b) default in the payment of any installment of interest or Liquidated
Damages, if any, on any of the Senior Notes, when it becomes due and payable,
and the continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(c) default in the performance or breach of the provisions of Article
VIII hereof, the failure to make or consummate a Change of Control Offer in
accordance with the provisions of Section 10.14 or the failure to make or
consummate a Net Proceeds Offer in accordance with the provisions of Section
10.15; or
(d) the Company shall fail to perform or observe any other term,
covenant or agreement contained in the Senior Notes or this Indenture (other
than a default specified in subparagraph (a), (b) or (c) above) for a period of
30 days after written notice of such failure stating that it is a "notice of
default" hereunder and requiring the Company to remedy the same shall have been
given (x) to the Company by the Trustee or (y) to the Company and the Trustee by
the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes
then Outstanding; or
(e) the occurrence and continuation beyond any applicable grace period
of any default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on or
interest on any Indebtedness of the Company (other than the Senior Notes) or any
Restricted Subsidiary for money borrowed when due, or any other default
resulting in acceleration of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary for money borrowed, provided that the aggregate principal amount of
such Indebtedness shall exceed $5,000,000; or
(f) final judgments or orders rendered against the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary that are unsatisfied and that require the payment in
money, either individually or in an aggregate amount, that is more than
$5,000,000 over the coverage under applicable insurance policies and either (A)
commencement by any creditor of an enforcement proceeding upon such judgment
(other than a judgment that is stayed by reason of pending appeal or otherwise)
or (B) the occurrence of a 30-day period during which a stay of such judgment or
order, by reason of pending appeal or otherwise, was not in effect: or
(g) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in
the premises (A) for relief in respect of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy
Code or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law or (B) adjudging the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary bankrupt or insolvent, or approving a petition seeking
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any applicable
federal or state law, or appointing under any such law a custodian, receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or of a substantial part of its
consolidated assets, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs,
and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other
decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(h) the commencement by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of a
voluntary case or proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other
applicable federal or state
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bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or any other case or
proceeding to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the entry of a decree or order for
relief in respect thereof in an involuntary case or proceeding under the Federal
Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or
insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of a petition or consent seeking reorganization or relief
under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by it under any such
law to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of or taking
possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or
sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its consolidated assets, or the making
by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors under any such law, or the
admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they
become due or taking of corporate action by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action.
Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
Section 5.1(g) or (h) hereof) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes
then Outstanding, by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if such
notice is given by the Holders), may, and the Trustee upon the request of the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Senior Notes shall, by a notice in writing to the Company, declare all unpaid
principal of, premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on all the Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately, upon
which declaration all amounts payable in respect of the Senior Notes shall be
immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(g)
or (h) hereof occurs and is continuing, the amounts described above shall become
and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act
on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made and
before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by
the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes, by written notice
to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its
consequences if
(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay,
(1) all overdue interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on
all Outstanding Senior Notes,
(2) all unpaid principal of (and premium on) any Outstanding
Senior Notes which have become due otherwise than by such declaration
of acceleration, including any Senior Notes required to have been
purchased on a Change of Control Date or a Net Proceeds Payment Date
pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or a Net Proceeds Offer, as
applicable, and interest on such unpaid principal at the rate borne by
the Senior Notes,
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(3) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
interest on overdue interest, overdue principal and overdue Liquidated
Damages, if any, at the rate borne by the Senior Notes (without
duplication of any amount paid or deposited pursuant to clauses (1) and
(2) above), and
(4) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel;
(b) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a
court of competent jurisdiction as certified to the Trustee by the Company; and
(c) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of amounts of
principal of (or premium, if any, on), interest or Liquidated Damages, if any,
on Senior Notes which have become due solely by such declaration of
acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13 hereof.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any
right consequent thereon.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in
Section 5.1(e) hereof shall have occurred and be continuing, such Event of
Default and any consequential acceleration shall be automatically rescinded if
the Indebtedness that is the subject of such Event of Default has been repaid,
or if the default relating to such Indebtedness is waived or cured and if such
Indebtedness has been accelerated, then the holders thereof have rescinded their
declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness (provided, in each
case, that such repayment, waiver, cure or rescission is effected within a
period of 10 days from the continuation of such default beyond the applicable
grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration), and written notice of such
repayment, or cure or waiver and rescission, as the case may be, shall have been
given to the Trustee by the Company and countersigned by the holders of such
Indebtedness or a trustee, fiduciary or agent for such holders or other evidence
satisfactory to the Trustee of such events is provided to the Trustee, within 30
days after any such acceleration in respect of the Senior Notes, and so long as
such rescission of any such acceleration of the Senior Notes does not conflict
with any judgment or decree as certified to the Trustee by the Company.
Section 5.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
(a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Senior Note when such installment becomes due
and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if
any, on) any Senior Note at the Maturity thereof or with respect to any Senior
Note required to have been purchased by
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the Company on the Change of Control Purchase Date or the Net Proceeds Payment
Date pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or Net Proceeds Offer, as applicable,
then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee for the
benefit of the Holders of such Senior Notes, the whole amount then due and
payable on such Senior Notes for principal (and premium, if any), interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on any overdue principal (and premium,
if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally
enforceable, upon any overdue installment of interest or Liquidated Damages, if
any, at the rate borne by the Senior Notes, and, in addition thereto, such
further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of
collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand,
the Trustee, in its own name as trustee of an express trust, may institute a
judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may
prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same
against the Company or any other obligor upon the Senior Notes and collect the
money adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the
Property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Senior Notes, wherever
situated.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its
discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the
Holders by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most
effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation,
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
judicial proceeding relative to the Company, or any other obligor upon the
Senior Notes, their creditors or the Property of the Company or of such other
obligor, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Senior Notes
shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or
otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on
the Company or such other obligor for the payment of overdue principal, premium,
if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such
proceeding or otherwise,
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and
premium, if any), interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, owing and unpaid in
respect of the Senior Notes and to file such other papers or documents and take
any other actions including participation as a full member of any creditor or
other committee as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of
the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the
Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
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(b) to collect and receive any money or other Property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each
Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee
shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay the
Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6 hereof.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Senior
Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote
in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 5.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Senior
Notes.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Senior
Notes may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of
any of the Senior Notes or the production thereof in any proceeding relating
thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in
its own name and as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment
shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Senior Notes in respect of which such
judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.6 Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in the case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or
premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Senior Notes and the
notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender
thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: to the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
Section 6.6 hereof;
SECOND: to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
principal of (and premium, if any, on), interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Senior Notes in respect of which or for the
benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without
preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and
payable on such Senior Notes for principal (and premium, if any),
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, respectively; and
THIRD: the balance, if any, to the Company.
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Section 5.7 Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Senior Notes shall have any right to institute any
proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a
continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Senior Notes shall have made written request to the Trustee to
institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as
Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in
compliance with such request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request
and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given
to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority or more in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes;
it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders shall have any
right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders,
or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders
or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein
provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders.
Section 5.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal,
Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
any Senior Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to
receive payment, as provided herein (including, if applicable, Article XII
hereof) and in such Senior Note of the principal of (and premium if any, on) and
(subject to Section 3.8 hereof) interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on,
such Senior Note on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Senior
Note (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute
suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be
impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce
any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to
the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to
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any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders
shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder
and thereunder and all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall
continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment
of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Senior Notes in the last paragraph of
Section 3.7 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or
remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be
cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the
concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Senior Note
to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair
any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or
an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law
to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as
often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case
may be.
Section 5.12 Control by Holders.
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Senior Notes shall have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee,
or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, provided that
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or
with this Indenture,
(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(c) the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in
personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the Holders not joining therein.
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Senior Notes may on behalf of the Holders of all the Senior
Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default hereunder and its
consequences, except a Default or Event of Default
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(a) in respect of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
on), interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Senior Note, or
(b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article IX
hereof cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Senior Note affected thereby.
Upon any such waiver, such Default or Event of Default shall cease to
exist for every purpose under this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to
any subsequent or other fault or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon.
Section 5.14 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that each may lawfully do so) that
it will not at any time insist upon, plead or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension, or usury law or other law
wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which would prohibit or
forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of (premium,
if any, on), interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Senior Notes as
contemplated herein, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of
this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company
hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant
that they will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein
granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such
power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE VI
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the
same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only
such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture
against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, and shall be fully protected in so relying,
as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions
furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of
this Indenture; provided,
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however, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and
opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the
requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful misconduct,
except that:
(i) this paragraph shall not limit the effect of Section
6.1(b);
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is
proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the
pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance
with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 5.12.
Section 6.2 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1 hereof:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting
or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
party or parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution
of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall
deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence
be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
rely upon an Officers' Certificate;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of
any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such
request or direction;
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(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the
Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into
such facts or matters as it may reasonably see fit;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder;
(h) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it in good faith and believed by it in good faith to be authorized or
within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
and
(i) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any
matter unless a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge thereof or unless
written notice thereof is received by the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office
and such notice references the Senior Notes generally, the Company or this
Indenture.
The Trustee shall not be required to advance, expend or risk its own
funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of
its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it
shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to
it.
Section 6.3 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Senior
Notes.
The recitals contained herein and in the Senior Notes, except for the
Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of
the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their
correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or
sufficiency of this Indenture or the Senior Notes, except that the Trustee
represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture,
authenticate the Senior Notes and perform its obligations hereunder. The Trustee
shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Senior
Notes or the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.4 May Hold Senior Notes.
The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Senior Note Registrar or any other
agent of the Company or of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity,
may become the owner or pledgee of Senior Notes and, subject to TIA Sections
310(b) and 311 in the case of the Trustee, may otherwise deal with the Company
with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Paying Agent,
Senior Note Registrar or such other agent.
Section 6.5 Money Held in Trust.
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Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be
under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as
otherwise agreed with the Company.
Section 6.6 Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for
all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited
by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust);
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this
Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may be attributable to the Trustee's wilful misconduct, negligence
or bad faith; and
(c) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any
loss, liability or expense incurred without wilful misconduct, negligence or bad
faith on its part, (i) arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending
itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder or (ii) in connection with
enforcing this indemnification provision.
The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.6 to compensate the
Trustee, to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and
advances and to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee shall constitute
additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture or any other termination under any Insolvency or
Liquidation Proceeding. As security for the performance of such obligations of
the Company, the Trustee shall have a claim and lien prior to the Senior Notes
upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except
funds held in trust for payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) or
interest on particular Senior Notes. Such lien shall survive the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture or any other termination under any Insolvency or
Liquidation Proceeding.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after the
occurrence of an Event of Default specified in paragraph (g) or (h) of Section
5.1 of this Indenture, such expenses and the compensation for such services are
intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Insolvency or
Liquidation Proceeding.
Section 6.7 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible
to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital
and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
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of federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.7, the combined capital and
surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at
any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with
the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
Section 6.8 Conflicting Interests.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the
operation of TIA Section 310(b)(1) the Series A Indenture and any other
indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest
or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the
requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section 310(b)(1) are met.
Section 6.9 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 6.10 hereof.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof
to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required
by Section 6.10 hereof shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30
days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Trustee.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of not
less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior
Notes, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
(d) If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of
TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by
any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Senior Note for at
least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.7
hereof and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the
Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Senior
Note for at least six months, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or
control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
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then, in any such case, (i) the Company, by a Board Resolution, may remove the
Trustee, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder who has been a bona
fide Holder of a Senior Note for at least six months may, on behalf of himself
and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction
for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, the
Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If,
within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the
occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Act of the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior
Notes delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee
so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become
the successor Trustee and supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the
Company. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Company or
the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any
Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Senior Note for at least six months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. The
evidence of such successorship may, but need not be, evidenced by a supplemental
indenture.
(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal
of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to the Holders of
Senior Notes in the manner provided for in Section 13.5 hereof. Each notice
shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate
Trust Office.
Section 6.10 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge
and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting
such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring
Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further
act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts
and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the
successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of all amounts due
it under Section 6.6 hereof, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to
such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee
and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all money
and other Property held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. Upon request of any
such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for
more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all
such rights, powers and trusts.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of
such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.
Section 6.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which
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the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or
substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the
successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise
qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of
any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case
any Senior Notes shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the
Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to
such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Senior
Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had
itself authenticated such Senior Notes; and in case at that time any of the
Senior Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor Trustee may
authenticate such Senior Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder
or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates
shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Senior Notes of like tenor
or in this Indenture provided; provided, however, that the right to adopt the
certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate
Senior Notes in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its
successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 6.12 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company
(or any other obligor under the Senior Notes), the Trustee shall be subject to
the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims
against the Company (or any such other obligor).
Section 6.13 Notice of Defaults.
Within 60 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder, the
Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section
313(c), notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such
Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the
case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on),
interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Senior Note, the Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors,
the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible
Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such
notice is in the interest of the Holders.
ARTICLE VII
HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1 Holders' Lists; Holder Communications; Disclosures
Respecting Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
the Holders. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be under any
responsibility with regard to the accuracy of such list. If the Trustee is not
the Security Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee semi-annually
before each Regular Record Date, and at such other times as the Trustee may
reasonably request in writing, a list, in such form as the Trustee may
reasonably request, as of such date of the names and addresses of the
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Holders then known to the Company. The Company and the Trustee shall also
satisfy any other requirements imposed upon each of them by TIA Section 312(a).
Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with
other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Senior
Notes. Every Holder of Senior Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees
with the Company, the Security Registrar and the Trustee that none of the
Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee, or any agent of any of them,
shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to
the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with TIA Section 312,
regardless of the source from which such information was derived, that each of
such Persons shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c) and that the
Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant
to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).
Section 7.2 Reports By Trustee.
Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with May 15, 1999,
the Trustee shall transmit by mail to the Holders, as their names and addresses
appear in the Security Register, a brief report dated as of such May 15 in
accordance with and to the extent required under TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee
shall also comply with TIA Sections 313(b) and 313(c).
The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing if the Senior
Notes become listed on any stock exchange or automatic quotation system.
A copy of each Trustee's report, at the time of its mailing to Holders
of Senior Notes, shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the Commission
and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Senior Notes are listed.
Section 7.3 Reports by Company.
The Company shall:
(a) file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company is required
to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations
prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company
is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of
said Sections, then the Company shall file with the Trustee such information,
documents or reports as required pursuant to Section 10.9 hereof;
(b) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules
and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional
information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company
with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time
to time by such rules and regulations; and
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(c) transmit by mail to all Holders, in the manner and to the extent
provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and
reports (without exhibits except to the extent required by TIA Section 313(c))
required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this
Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time
by the Commission.
ARTICLE VIII
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
Section 8.1 Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not, in any single transaction or a series of related
transactions, merge or consolidate with or into any other Person, or sell,
assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all
the Properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis to any Person or group of Affiliated Persons, and the Company shall not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or
series of transactions if such transaction or series of transactions, in the
aggregate, would result in a sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the Properties of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis to any other Person or
group of Affiliated Persons, unless at the time and after giving affect thereto:
(a) either (i) if the transaction is a merger or consolidation, the
Company shall be the surviving Person of such merger or consolidation, or (ii)
the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into
which the Company is merged or to which the Properties of the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, are sold, assigned, conveyed,
transferred, leased or otherwise disposed of (any such surviving Person or
transferee Person being called the "Surviving Entity") shall be a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state
thereof or the District of Columbia and shall, in either case, expressly assume
by a supplemental indenture to this Indenture executed and delivered to the
Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company
under the Senior Notes and this Indenture, and, in each case, this Indenture
shall remain in full force and effect;
(b) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such
transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any
Indebtedness not previously an obligation of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries which becomes the obligation of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with or as a result of such
transaction or transactions as having been incurred at the time of such
transaction or transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing;
(c) except in the case of the consolidation or merger of any Restricted
Subsidiary with or into the Company, immediately after giving effect to such
transaction or transactions on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Net Worth of
the Company (or the Surviving Entity if the Company is not the continuing
obligor under this Indenture) is at least equal to the Consolidated Net Worth of
the Company immediately before such transaction or transactions;
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(d) except in the case of the consolidation or merger of the Company
with or into a Restricted Subsidiary or any Restricted Subsidiary with or into
the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary, immediately before and immediately
after giving effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro forma basis
(assuming that the transaction or transactions occurred on the first day of the
period of four full fiscal quarters ending immediately prior to the consummation
of such transaction or transactions, with the appropriate adjustments with
respect to the transaction or transactions being included in such pro forma
calculation), the Company (or the Surviving Entity if the Company is not the
continuing obligor under this Indenture) could incur $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness (excluding Permitted Indebtedness) under Section 10.11(a) hereof;
(e) if any of the Properties of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries would upon such transaction or series of related transactions
become subject to any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien), the creation or
imposition of such Lien shall have been in compliance with Section 10.13 hereof;
and
(f) the Company (or the Surviving Entity if the Company is not the
continuing obligor under this Indenture) shall have delivered to the Trustee, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, (i) an Officers'
Certificate stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, lease
or other disposition and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection
with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with this Indenture
and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that the requirements of Section 8.1(a)
have been satisfied.
Section 8.2 Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with or merger of the Company
into any other corporation or any sale, assignment, lease, conveyance, transfer
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Properties of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance
with Section 8.1 hereof, the Surviving Entity shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Indenture with the same effect as if such Surviving Entity had been named
as the Company herein, and in the event of any such sale, assignment, lease,
conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the Company (which term shall for
this purpose mean the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
this Indenture or any successor Person which shall theretofore become such in
the manner described in Section 8.1 hereof), except in the case of a lease,
shall be discharged of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and
the Senior Notes, and the Company may be dissolved and liquidated and such
dissolution and liquidation shall not cause a Change of Control under clause (e)
of the definition thereof to occur unless the sale, assignment, lease,
conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
Properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis to any Person otherwise results in a Change of Control.
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ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a
Board Resolution and the Trustee upon Company Request, at any time and from time
to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the
assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained
herein and in the Senior Notes; or
(b) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(c) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA; or
(d) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder
by a successor Trustee pursuant to the requirements of Sections 6.9 and 6.10
hereof; or
(e) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein,
or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising
under this Indenture provided that such action shall not adversely affect the
interests of the Holders in any material respect; or
(f) to secure the Senior Notes pursuant to the requirements of Section
10.13 hereof or otherwise.
Section 9.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes, by Act of said
Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized
by a Board Resolution and the Trustee upon Company Request may enter into an
indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under
this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall,
without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Senior Note affected
thereby:
(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment
of interest on, any Senior Note, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the
rate of interest thereon or any premium
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thereon, or change the coin or currency in which principal of any Senior Note,
any premium, the interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Senior Note is
payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or
after the Redemption Date); or
(b) reduce the percentage of aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Senior Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such
supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any
waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain
defaults hereunder or the consequences of a default provided for in this
Indenture; or
(c) modify any of the provisions of this Section or Sections 5.13 and
10.19 hereof, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain
other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the
consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Senior Note affected thereby;
(d) change the ranking of the Senior Notes in a manner adverse to the
Holders or expressly subordinate in right of payment the Senior Notes to any
other Indebtedness; or
(e) amend, change or modify the obligation of the Company to make and
consummate a Change of Control Offer in the event of a Change of Control, or to
make and consummate a Net Proceeds Offer with respect to any Asset Sale, or
modify any of the provisions or definitions with respect thereto.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of the Holders under this Section
to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it
shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.3 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that
the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such
supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.4 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article,
this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Senior Notes theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.
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Section 9.5 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.6 Reference in Senior Notes to Supplemental Indentures.
Senior Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by
the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine,
new Senior Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and
the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by
the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for
Outstanding Senior Notes of like tenor.
Section 9.7 Notice of Supplemental Indentures and Waivers.
Promptly after (i) the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.2 hereof or (ii)
a waiver under Section 5.13 or 10.19 hereof becomes effective, the Company shall
give notice thereof to the Holders of each Outstanding Senior Note affected, in
the manner provided for in Section 13.5 hereof, setting forth in general terms
the substance of such supplemental indenture or waiver, as the case may be.
ARTICLE X
COVENANTS
Section 10.1 Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, Interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders that it
will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on),
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Senior Notes in accordance with
the terms of the Senior Notes and this Indenture. The Company shall notify the
Trustee and any Paying Agent immediately upon the occurrence of any Registration
Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) obligating the Company
to pay Liquidated Damages, and the Company shall notify the Trustee and any
Paying Agent as soon as practicable prior to any Interest Payment Date of the
amount of Liquidated Damages payable to each Holder on such date.
Section 10.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Senior Notes may
be presented or surrendered for payment, where Senior Notes may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Senior Notes and this Indenture may be
served. The Corporate Trust Office shall be such office or agency of the
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Company, unless the Company shall designate and maintain some other office or
agency for one or more of such purposes. The Company will give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of any change in the location of any 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
aforementioned office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the
Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and
demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Senior Notes may be presented or surrendered for
any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind any such designation.
Further, if at any time there shall be no such office or agency in The City of
New York where the Senior Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, the
Company shall forthwith designate and maintain such an office or agency in The
City of New York, in order that the Senior Notes shall at all times be payable
in The City of New York. The Company will give prompt written notice to the
Trustee of any such designation or rescission and any change in the location of
any such other office or agency.
Section 10.3 Money for Senior Note Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, it shall,
on or before 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on each due date of the principal of (and
premium, if any, on), interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any of the
Senior Notes, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons
entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any),
interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, so becoming due until such sum shall be
paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will
promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for the
Senior Notes, it will on or before 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on each due date of
the principal of (and premium, if any, on), interest or Liquidated Damages, if
any, on, any Senior Notes, deposit with a Paying Agent immediately available
funds sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any), interest or
Liquidated Damages, if any, so becoming due, such funds to be held in trust for
the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and
(unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the
Trustee of such action or any failure so to act.
The Company shall cause each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to
execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent
shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that
such Paying Agent will:
(a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any, on), interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on Senior Notes in
trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be
paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
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(b) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other
obligor upon the Senior Notes) in the making of any payment of principal (and
premium, if any), interest or Liquidated Damages, if any; and
(c) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the
written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in
trust by such Paying Agent.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or
by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in
trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee
upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or
such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee,
such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to
such sums.
Subject to applicable escheat and abandoned property laws, any money
deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in
trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on), interest or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Senior Note and remaining unclaimed for two
years after such principal (and premium, if any), interest or Liquidated
Damages, if any, have become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on
Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such
trust; and the Holder of such Senior Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured
general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all
liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money,
and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease;
provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required
to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be
published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily
published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and
that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from
the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining
will be repaid to the Company.
Section 10.4 Corporate Existence.
Except as expressly permitted by Article VIII hereof, Section 10.15
hereof or other provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall do or cause to
be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the
corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the
Company and each Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be required to preserve any such existence of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, rights or franchises, if the Board of Directors of the Company
shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the
conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material
respect to the Holders.
Section 10.5 Payment of Taxes; Maintenance of Properties; Insurance.
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The Company shall or, as applicable, shall cause its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the
same shall become delinquent, (a) all material taxes, assessments and
governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or Property of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary and (b) all lawful claims for labor, materials and
supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the Property of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such
tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
appropriate provision has been made in accordance with GAAP.
The Company shall or, as applicable, shall cause its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, cause all material Properties owned by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary and used or held for use in the conduct of its business or
the business of any Restricted Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order (ordinary wear and tear excepted), all as in
the judgment of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may be necessary so
that its business may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary from discontinuing the maintenance of any of such
Properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, desirable in the conduct of the
business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in
any material respect to the Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
contained in this Section 10.5 shall limit or impair in any way the right of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to sell, divest and otherwise to engage
in transactions that are otherwise permitted by this Indenture.
The Company shall at all times keep all of its, and cause its
Restricted Subsidiaries to keep their, Properties which are of an insurable
nature insured with insurers, believed by the Company to be responsible, against
loss or damage to the extent that property of similar character and in a similar
location is usually so insured by corporations similarly situated and owning
like Properties.
The Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may adopt such other plan or
method of protection, in lieu of or supplemental to insurance with insurers,
whether by the establishment of an insurance fund or reserve to be held and
applied to make good losses from casualties, or otherwise, conforming to the
systems of self-insurance maintained by corporations similarly situated and in a
similar location and owning like Properties, as may be determined by the Board
of Directors of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.
Section 10.6 Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, enter into, assume, guarantee or otherwise become
liable with respect to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction unless (a) the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, would be able to incur
Indebtedness (not including the incurrence of Permitted Indebtedness) pursuant
to and in an amount equal to the Attributable Indebtedness with respect to such
Sale/Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Sections 10.11(a) and 10.11(c) hereof,
(b) the Company or
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such Restricted Subsidiary receives proceeds from such Sale/Leaseback
Transaction at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the Property subject
thereto and (c) the Company applies an amount in cash equal to the Net Available
Proceeds of the Sale/Leaseback Transaction in accordance with the provisions of
Section 10.15 hereof as if such Sale/Leaseback Transaction were an Asset Sale.
Section 10.7 Limitation on Conduct of Business.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, engage in the conduct of any business other than the businesses
being conducted on the Series A Issue Date (such businesses being providing data
acquisition, data processing, multi-client data surveys and information services
to the petroleum industry) and such other businesses as are reasonably necessary
or desirable to facilitate the conduct and operation of such businesses.
Section 10.8 Statement by Officers as to Default.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the
end of each fiscal year of the Company and within 45 days of the end of each of
the first, second and third quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, an
Officers' Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal quarter or fiscal year,
as applicable, has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with
a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and
fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each
such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of such Officer's
knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every
covenant contained in this Indenture and no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred to either such Officer's knowledge, describing all such Defaults or
Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action the
Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto). Such Officers'
Certificate shall comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4). For purposes of this
Section 10.8(a), such compliance shall be determined without regard to any
period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.
(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Senior Notes is
outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, upon any of its Officers becoming aware of
any Default or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying such
Default or Event of Default and what action the Company proposes to take with
respect thereto, within 10 days of its occurrence.
Section 10.9 Provision of Financial Information.
The Company shall file on a timely basis with the SEC, to the extent
such filings are accepted by the Commission and whether or not the Company has a
class of securities registered under the Exchange Act, the annual reports,
quarterly reports and other documents that the Company would be required to file
if it were subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act. The Company shall
also file with the Trustee (with exhibits), and provide to each Holder of Senior
Notes (without exhibits), without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports
and documents within 15 days after the date on which the Company files such
reports and documents with the Commission or the date
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on which the Company would be required to file such reports and documents if the
Company were so required and, if filing such reports and documents with the
Commission is not accepted by the Commission or is prohibited under the Exchange
Act, the Company shall supply at its cost copies of such reports and documents
(including any exhibits thereto) to any Holder of Senior Notes, securities
analyst or prospective investor promptly upon written request given in
accordance with Section 13.4 hereof.
Section 10.10 Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, take the following actions:
(i) declare or pay any dividend on, or make any other
distribution to holders of, any shares of Capital Stock of the Company
(other than dividends or distributions payable solely in shares of
Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or in options, warrants or other
rights to purchase Qualified Capital Stock of the Company);
(ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value
any Capital Stock of the Company or any Affiliate thereof (other than
any Restricted Subsidiary or except pursuant to a Permitted Investment)
or any options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock;
(iii) make any principal payment on or repurchase, redeem,
defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any
scheduled principal payment, scheduled sinking fund payment or
maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness, except in any case out of the
Net Cash Proceeds of any Permitted Indebtedness referred to in clause
(ix) of the definition thereof, or
(iv) make any Restricted Investment;
(such payments or other actions described in clauses (i) through (iv) being
collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless at the time of and
after giving effect to the proposed Restricted Payment (the amount of any such
Restricted Payment, if other than cash, shall be the amount determined by the
Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive and
evidenced by a Board Resolution), (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, (B) the Company could incur $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness (excluding Permitted Indebtedness) in accordance with Section
10.11(a) hereof and (C) the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments declared
or made after the Series A Issue Date shall not exceed the sum (without
duplication) of the following:
(1) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company accrued on a
cumulative basis during the period beginning on August 1, 1996 and
ending on the last day of the Company's last fiscal quarter ending
prior to the date of such proposed Restricted Payment (or, if such
Consolidated Net Income shall be a loss, minus 100% of such loss), plus
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(2) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received after the Series A Issue
Date by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries) of shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the
Company or any options, warrants or rights to purchase such shares of
Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, plus
(3) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received after the Series A Issue
Date by the Company (other than from any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries) upon the exercise of any options, warrants or rights to
purchase shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, plus
(4) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received after the Series A Issue
Date by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries) of Indebtedness or shares of Disqualified
Capital Stock that have been converted into or exchanged for Qualified
Capital Stock of the Company, together with the aggregate cash received
by the Company at the time of such conversion or exchange, plus
(5) to the extent not otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income,
the net reduction in Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries resulting
from dividends, repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of
assets, in each case to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after
the Series A Issue Date from any Unrestricted Subsidiary or from the
redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary
(valued in each case as provided in the definition of Investment), not
to exceed in the case of any Unrestricted Subsidiary the total amount
of Investments (other than Permitted Investments) in such Unrestricted
Subsidiary made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such
Unrestricted Subsidiary that which was previously treated as a
Restricted Payment, plus
(6) $2,500,000.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries may take the following actions so long as (in the case of clauses
(ii) and (iii) below) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing:
(i) the payment of any dividend on any Capital Stock of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary within 60 days after the date of
declaration thereof, if at such declaration date such declaration
complied with the provisions of paragraph (a) above (and such payment
shall be deemed to have been paid on such date of declaration for
purposes of any calculation required by the provisions of paragraph (a)
above);
(ii) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary, in exchange for, or out of the aggregate
Net Cash Proceeds of, a substantially concurrent issue and sale (other
than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of shares of Qualified Capital Stock
of the Company; and
(iii) the repurchase, redemption, repayment, defeasance or
other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated
Indebtedness in exchange for, or out of the
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aggregate Net Cash Proceeds from, a substantially concurrent issue and
sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of shares of Qualified
Capital Stock of the Company.
The actions described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph (b) shall
be Restricted Payments that shall be permitted to be made in accordance with
this paragraph (b) but shall reduce the amount that would otherwise be available
for Restricted Payments under clause (C) of paragraph (a), provided that any
dividend paid pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph (b) shall reduce the
amount that would otherwise be available under clause (C) of paragraph (a) when
declared, but not also when subsequently paid pursuant to such clause (i).
(c) In computing Consolidated Net Income under paragraph (a) above, (1)
the Company shall use audited financial statements for the portions of the
relevant period for which audited financial statements are available on the date
of determination and unaudited financial statements and other current financial
data based on the books and records of the Company for the remaining portion of
such period and (2) the Company shall be permitted to rely in good faith on the
financial statements and other financial data derived from the books and records
of the Company that are available on the date of determination. If the Company
makes a Restricted Payment which, at the time of the making of such Restricted
Payment would in the good faith determination of the Company be permitted under
the requirements of this Indenture, such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to
have been made in compliance with this Indenture notwithstanding any subsequent
adjustments made in good faith to the Company's financial statements affecting
Consolidated Net Income of the Company for any period.
Section 10.11 Limitation on Indebtedness and Disqualified Capital
Stock.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, guarantee or in any manner become
directly or indirectly liable for the payment of (collectively, "incur") any
Indebtedness (including any Acquired Indebtedness but excluding any Permitted
Indebtedness), or any Disqualified Capital Stock, unless, on a pro forma basis
after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds
therefrom, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the four full fiscal
quarters immediately preceding such event, taken as one period, would have been
equal to or greater than 2.5 to 1.0.
(b) The Company shall not incur any Indebtedness that is expressly
subordinated to any other Indebtedness of the Company unless such Indebtedness,
by its terms or the terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such
Indebtedness is issued or outstanding, is also expressly made subordinate to the
Senior Notes at least to the extent it is subordinated to such other
Indebtedness.
(c) The Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
incur any Indebtedness (excluding Permitted Indebtedness referred to in clauses
(i) and (vi) (to the extent consisting of Indebtedness to the Company) of the
definition thereof and Permitted Subsidiary Indebtedness) or to issue any
Preferred Stock.
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(d) For purposes of this Section 10.11, Indebtedness of any Person that
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary by merger, consolidation or other acquisition
shall be deemed to have been incurred by the Company and the Restricted
Subsidiary at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary.
Section 10.12 Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock by
Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Company (a) shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue or
sell any Capital Stock to any Person other than to the Company or a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary and (b) shall not permit any Person other than the Company
or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary to own any Capital Stock of any
Restricted Subsidiary, in each case except with respect to a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary as described in the definition of "Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary."
Section 10.13 Limitation on Liens.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, affirm or suffer to exist or
become effective any Lien of any kind, except for Permitted Liens, upon any of
their respective Properties, whether owned on the Series A Issue Date or
acquired thereafter, or any income or profits therefrom, to secure any
Indebtedness of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, unless prior to, or
contemporaneously therewith, the Senior Notes are equally and ratably secured;
provided, however, that if such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the
Senior Notes, the Lien securing such Indebtedness shall be subordinated and
junior to the Lien securing the Senior Notes with the same relative priority as
such Indebtedness has with respect to the Senior Notes. The foregoing covenant
shall not apply to any Lien securing Acquired Indebtedness, provided that any
such Lien extends only to the Properties that were subject to such Lien prior to
the related acquisition by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and was not
created, incurred or assumed in contemplation of such transaction.
Section 10.14 Purchase of Senior Notes Upon Change of Control.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall be
obligated to make an offer to purchase (a "Change of Control Offer") all of the
then Outstanding Senior Notes, in whole or in part, from the Holders of such
Senior Notes in integral multiples of $1,000, at a purchase price (the "Change
of Control Purchase Price") equal to 101% of the principal amount of such Senior
Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
Change of Control Purchase Date (as defined below), in accordance with the
procedures set forth in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this Section. The Company
shall, subject to the provisions described below, be required to purchase all
Senior Notes properly tendered into the Change of Control Offer and not
withdrawn. The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer
upon a Change of Control if another Person makes the Change of Control Offer at
the same purchase price, at the same times and otherwise in substantial
compliance with the requirements applicable to a Change of Control Offer to be
made by the Company and purchases all Senior Notes validly tendered and not
withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
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(b) The Change of Control Offer is required to remain open for at least
20 Business Days and until the close of business on the fifth Business Day prior
to the Change of Control Purchase Date (as defined below).
(c) Not later than the 30th day following any Change of Control, the
Company shall give to the Trustee in the manner provided in Section 13.4 and
each Holder of the Senior Notes in the manner provided in Section 13.5, a notice
(the "Change of Control Notice") governing the terms of the Change of Control
Offer and stating:
(1) that a Change in Control has occurred and that such Holder
has the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder's Senior
Notes, or portion thereof, at the Change of Control Purchase Price;
(2) any information regarding such Change of Control required
to be furnished pursuant to Rule 13e-1 under the Exchange Act and any
other Senior Notes laws and regulations thereunder;
(3) a purchase date (the "Change of Control Purchase Date")
which shall be on a Business Day and no earlier than 30 days nor later
than 60 days from the date the Change of Control occurred;
(4) that any Senior Note, or portion thereof, not tendered or
accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest:
(5) that unless the Company defaults in depositing money with
the Paying Agent in accordance with the last paragraph of clause (d) of
this Section 10.14, or payment is otherwise prevented, any Senior Note,
or portion thereof, accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of
Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of
Control Purchase Date; and
(6) the instructions a Holder must follow in order to have his
Senior Notes repurchased in accordance with paragraph (d) of this
Section.
(d) Holders electing to have Senior Notes purchased will be required to
surrender such Senior Notes to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the
Change of Control Notice at least five Business Days prior to the Change of
Control Purchase Date. Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if
the Paying Agent receives, not later than three Business Days prior to the
Change of Control Purchase Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or
letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the certificate number(s) (in the
case of Certificated Senior Notes) and principal amount of the Senior Notes
delivered for purchase by the Holder as to which his election is to be withdrawn
and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Senior
Notes purchased. Holders whose Senior Notes are purchased only in part will be
issued new Senior Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of
the Senior Notes surrendered.
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On the Change of Control Purchase Date, the Company shall (i) accept
for payment Senior Notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to a
Change of Control Offer, (ii) irrevocably deposit with the Paying Agent money
sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Senior Notes or portions thereof so
tendered, and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Senior
Notes so accepted. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail or deliver to Holders of
the Senior Notes so tendered payment in an amount equal to the purchase price
for the Senior Notes, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and mail or make available for delivery to such Holders a new
Senior Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Senior
Note which any such Holder did not surrender for purchase. The Company shall
announce the results of a Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable
after the Change of Control Purchase Date. For purposes of this Section 10.14,
the Trustee will act as the Paying Agent.
(e) The Company shall comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and
any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and
regulations are applicable, in the event that a Change of Control occurs and the
Company is required to purchase Senior Notes as described in this Section 10.14.
Section 10.15 Limitation on Asset Sales.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, engage in any Asset Sale unless (i) the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of
such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the Properties sold
or otherwise disposed of pursuant to the Asset Sale, (ii) at least 80% of the
consideration received by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, in respect of such Asset Sale consists of cash or Cash Equivalents and
(iii) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate certifying
that such Asset Sale complies with clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section
10.15(a). The amount (without duplication) of any Indebtedness (other than
Subordinated Indebtedness) of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary that is
expressly assumed by the transferee in such Asset Sale and with respect to which
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is
unconditionally released by the holder of such Indebtedness, shall be deemed to
be cash or Cash Equivalents for purposes of clause (ii) and shall also be deemed
to constitute a repayment of, and a permanent reduction in, the amount of such
Indebtedness for purposes of the following paragraph.
(b) If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary engages in an Asset
Sale or incurs an Event of Loss, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may
either, no later than 210 days after such Asset Sale, (i) apply all or any of
the Net Available Proceeds therefrom to repay Indebtedness (other than
Subordinated Indebtedness) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
provided, in each case, that the related loan commitment (if any) is thereby
permanently reduced by the amount of such Indebtedness so repaid, or (ii) invest
all or any part of the Net Available Proceeds thereof in Properties that replace
the Properties that were the subject of such Asset Sale or such Event of Loss,
as the case may be, or in other Properties that will be used in the business of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries. The amount of such Net Available
Proceeds not applied or invested as provided in this paragraph shall constitute
"Excess Proceeds."
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(c) When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds equals or exceeds
$5,000,000 (the "Trigger Date"), the Company shall make an offer to purchase,
from all Holders of the Senior Notes, an aggregate principal amount of Senior
Notes equal to such Excess Proceeds as follows:
(1) Not later than the 30th day following the Trigger Date,
the Company shall give to the Trustee in the manner provided in Section
13.4 hereof and each Holder of the Senior Notes in the manner provided
in Section 13.5 hereof, a notice (a "Purchase Notice") offering to
purchase (a "Net Proceeds Offer") from all Holders of the Senior Notes
the maximum principal amount (expressed as a multiple of $1,000) of
Senior Notes that may be purchased out of an amount (the "Payment
Amount") equal to such remaining Excess Proceeds.
(2) The offer price for the Senior Notes shall be payable in
cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior
Notes tendered pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer, plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date such Net
Proceeds Offer is consummated (the "Offered Price"), in accordance with
the procedures set forth in paragraph (d) of this Section. To the
extent that the aggregate Offered Price of the Senior Notes tendered
pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer is less than the Payment Amount
relating thereto (such shortfall constituting a "Net Proceeds
Deficiency"), the Company may use such Net Proceeds Deficiency, or a
portion thereof, for general corporate purposes, subject to the
limitations of Section 10.10 hereof.
(3) If the aggregate Offered Price of Senior Notes validly
tendered and not withdrawn by Holders thereof exceeds the Payment
Amount, Senior Notes to be purchased will be selected on a pro rata
basis by the Trustee based on the aggregate principal amount of Senior
Notes so tendered. Upon completion of a Net Proceeds Offer, the amount
of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.
(4) The Purchase Notice shall set forth a purchase date (the
"Net Proceeds Payment Date"), which shall be on a Business Day no
earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the Trigger Date. The
Purchase Notice shall also state (i) that a Trigger Date with respect
to one or more Asset Sales has occurred and that such Holder has the
right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder's Senior Notes
at the Offered Price, subject to the limitations described in the
foregoing paragraph (3), (ii) any information regarding such Net
Proceeds Offer required to be furnished pursuant to Rule 13e-1 under
the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations
thereunder, (iii) that any Senior Note, or portion thereof, not
tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest, (iv)
that, unless the Company defaults in depositing money with the Paying
Agent in accordance with the last paragraph of clause (d) of this
Section 10.15, or payment is otherwise prevented, any Senior Note, or
portion thereof, accepted for payment pursuant to the Net Proceeds
Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Net Proceeds Payment
Date, and (v) the instructions a Holder must follow in order to have
his Senior Notes repurchased in accordance with paragraph (d) of this
Section.
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(d) Holders electing to have Senior Notes purchased will be required to
surrender such Senior Notes to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the
Purchase Notice at least five Business Days prior to the Net Proceeds Payment
Date. Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent
receives, not later than three Business Days prior to the Net Proceeds Payment
Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name
of the Holder, the certificate number(s) (in the case of Certificated Senior
Notes) and principal amount of the Senior Notes delivered for purchase by the
Holder as to which his election is to be withdrawn and a statement that such
Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Senior Notes purchased. Holders
whose Senior Notes are purchased only in part will be issued new Senior Notes
equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Senior Notes
surrendered.
On the Net Proceeds Payment Date, the Company shall (i) accept for
payment Senior Notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to a Net
Proceeds Offer in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Payment Amount or
such lesser amount of Senior Notes as has been tendered, (ii) irrevocably
deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all
Senior Notes or portions thereof so tendered in an aggregate principal amount
equal to the Payment Amount or such lesser amount and (iii) deliver or cause to
be delivered to the Trustee the Senior Notes so accepted. The Paying Agent shall
promptly mail or deliver to Holders of the Senior Notes so accepted payment in
an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Company shall execute and the
Trustee shall authenticate and mail or make available for delivery to such
Holders a new Senior Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion
of the Senior Note which any such Holder did not surrender for purchase. Any
Senior Notes so accepted will be promptly mailed or delivered to the Holder
thereof. The Company shall announce the results of a Net Proceeds Offer on or as
soon as practicable after the Net Proceeds Payment Date. For purposes of this
Section 10.15, the Trustee will act as the Paying Agent.
(e) The Company shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to enter
into or suffer to exist any agreement that would place any restriction of any
kind (other than pursuant to law or regulation) on the ability of the Company to
make a Net Proceeds Offer following any Asset Sale. The Company shall comply
with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and
regulations thereunder, if applicable, in the event that an Asset Sale occurs
and the Company is required to purchase Senior Notes as described in this
Section 10.15.
Section 10.16 Limitation on Redemptions and Other Repayments of Senior
Notes and Series A Notes.
The Company will not optionally make any principal payment on, or
redeem, repurchase, defease (including both legal and covenant defeasance) or
otherwise acquire or retire for value (other than through open market or
privately negotiated purchases), prior to any scheduled principal payment,
scheduled sinking fund payment or other stated maturity (collectively, for
purposes of this covenant, only, "redeem," and such action being a "redemption")
the Senior Notes unless, substantially concurrently with such redemption, the
Company redeems (or, if such redemption requires the consent of the holders of
the Series A Notes, offers to redeem) an aggregate principal amount of the
Series A Notes (rounded to the nearest integral multiple of $1,000) equal to the
product of (i) a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal
amount of the Senior
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Notes to be so redeemed (or for which such offer to redeem will be made) and the
denominator of which is the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes
Outstanding immediately prior to such proposed redemption and (ii) the aggregate
principal amount of the Series A Notes outstanding immediately prior to such
proposed redemption.
The Company will not optionally redeem (other than through open market
or privately negotiated purchases) the Series A Notes unless, substantially
concurrently with such redemption, the Company redeems (or, if such redemption
requires the consent of the holders of the Senior Notes, offers to redeem) an
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes (rounded to the nearest integral
multiple of $1,000) equal to the product of (i) a fraction, the numerator of
which is the aggregate principal amount of the Series A Notes to be so redeemed
(or for which such offer to redeem will be made) and the denominator of which is
the aggregate principal amount of the Series A Notes outstanding immediately
prior to such proposed redemption and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the
Senior Notes Outstanding immediately prior to such proposed redemption.
Section 10.17 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or suffer to exist any
transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation,
the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of Property or the rendering of any
services) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (other than
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), unless (i) such transaction or series
of related transactions is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than would be available in a
comparable transaction in arm's-length dealings with an unrelated third party,
(ii) with respect to any one transaction or series of related transactions
involving aggregate payments in excess of $1,000,000 but less than $5,000,000 in
the aggregate, the Company delivers an Officers' Certificate to the Trustee
certifying that (A) such transaction or series of related transactions complies
with clause (i) above and (B) such transaction or series of related transactions
has been approved by the Board of Directors (including a majority of the
Disinterested Directors) of the Company, and (iii) with respect to any one
transaction or series of related transactions involving aggregate payments in
excess of $5,000,000, the Company delivers an Officers' Certificate to the
Trustee certifying to the two matters referred to in clause (ii) above and that
the Company has obtained a written opinion from an independent nationally
recognized investment banking firm or appraisal firm specializing or having a
speciality in the type and subject matter of the transaction or series of
related transactions at issue, which opinion shall be to the effect set forth in
clause (i) above or shall state that such transaction or series of related
transactions is fair from a financial point of view to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the foregoing restriction shall
not apply to (w) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary made in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 outstanding at any one time, (x)
indemnities of officers, directors and employees of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary permitted by bylaw or statutory provisions, (y) the
payment of reasonable and customary regular fees to directors of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries who are not employees of the Company or any
Affiliate and (z) the Company's employee compensation and other benefit
arrangements.
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Section 10.18 Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions
Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, create or suffer to exist or allow to become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability
of any Restricted Subsidiary (a) to pay dividends, in cash or otherwise, or make
any other distributions on its Capital Stock, or make payments on any
Indebtedness owed, to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (b) to
make loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (c) to
transfer any of its Property to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary
or (d) to guarantee the Senior Notes (any such restrictions being collectively
referred to herein as a "Payment Restriction"), except in any such case for such
encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) this Indenture,
the Series A Indenture, the Credit Facility or any other agreement in effect or
entered into on the Series A Issue Date, or (ii) any agreement, instrument or
charter of or in respect of a Restricted Subsidiary entered into prior to the
date on which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary and
outstanding on such date and not entered into in connection with or in
contemplation of becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, provided such consensual
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Properties other than those
owned or held by the Restricted Subsidiary at the time it became a Restricted
Subsidiary or subsequently acquired by such Restricted Subsidiary other than the
Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or (iii) pursuant to an agreement
effecting a modification, renewal, refinancing, replacement or extension of any
agreement, instrument or charter (other than this Indenture or the Series A
Indenture) referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, provided, however, that the
provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction are not materially less
favorable to the Holders of the Senior Notes than those under or pursuant to the
agreement, instrument or charter so modified, renewed, refinanced, replaced or
extended, or (iv) customary provisions restricting the subletting or assignment
of any lease or the transfer of copyrighted or patented materials, or (v)
provisions in agreements that restrict the assignment of such agreements or
rights thereunder, or (vi) the sale or other disposition of any Properties
subject to a Lien securing Indebtedness.
Section 10.19 Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any
term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 10.5 through 10.13 and
Sections 10.16 through 10.18 hereof if, before or after the time for such
compliance, the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Senior Notes, by Act of such Holders, waive such compliance in
such instance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall
extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so
expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations
of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term,
provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 10.20 Qualification of Indenture.
The Company shall qualify this Indenture under the TIA in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay
all costs and expenses (including
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attorneys' fees for the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith. In connection
with any such qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, the Trustee shall
be entitled to receive from the Company any such Officers' Certificates,
Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as it may reasonably request.
ARTICLE XI
REDEMPTION OF SENIOR NOTES
Section 11.1 Right of Redemption.
The Senior Notes may be redeemed, at the election of the Company, as a
whole or from time to time in part, at any time on or after October 15, 2000,
upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days' notice to each Holder of Senior
Notes to be redeemed, subject to the conditions and at the Redemption Prices
(expressed as percentages of principal amount) specified in the form of Senior
Note, together with accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record
date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to
the Redemption Date).
In addition, at any time on or prior to October 15, 1999, up to
$15,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes may be redeemed, at
the election of the Company, upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days' notice
to each Holder of Senior Notes to be redeemed, from the Net Cash Proceeds of a
Public Equity Offering, at the Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of
principal amount) specified in the form of Senior Note, together with accrued
and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the Redemption Date,
provided that at least $45,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes
remains Outstanding immediately after such redemption and that such redemption
occurs within 60 days following the closing of such Public Equity Offering.
Section 11.2 Applicability of Article.
Redemption of Senior Notes at the election of the Company or otherwise,
as permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in
accordance with such provision and this Article.
Section 11.3 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Senior Notes pursuant to
Section 11.1 hereof shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any
redemption at the election of the Company, the Company shall, at least 60 days
prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall
be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and
of the principal amount of Senior Notes to be redeemed and shall deliver to the
Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the
Senior Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 11.4 hereof. Any election to
redeem Senior Notes shall be revocable until the
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Company gives a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 11.5 hereof to the
Holders of Senior Notes to be redeemed.
Section 11.4 Selection by Trustee of Senior Notes to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Senior Notes are to be redeemed, the particular
Senior Notes to be redeemed shall be selected not less than 30 days nor more
than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding
Senior Notes not previously called for redemption, pro rata, by lot or by any
other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may
provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal of Senior
Notes; provided, however, that any such partial redemption shall be in integral
multiples of $1,000.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Senior
Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Senior Notes selected for
partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs of this Section 11.4
shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a Global Note,
whether such Global Note is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of
any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of
the Global Note shall be in an authorized denomination.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise
requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Senior Notes shall relate, in
the case of any Senior Note redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the
portion of the principal amount of such Senior Note which has been or is to be
redeemed.
Section 11.5 Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided for in
Section 13.5 hereof not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the
Redemption Date, to each Holder of Senior Notes to be redeemed.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date;
(b) the Redemption Price;
(c) in the case of a partial redemption of Certificated Senior Notes,
the identification of the particular Senior Notes to be redeemed, and, if any
Global Note or Certificated Senior Note is to be redeemed in part, the portion
of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed;
(d) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price (together with
accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section
11.7 hereof) will become due and payable upon each such Senior Note, or the
portion thereof, to be redeemed, and that, unless the
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Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and any applicable
accrued and unpaid interest, interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after
said date; and
(e) the place or places where such Senior Notes are to be surrendered
for payment of the Redemption Price.
Notice of redemption of Senior Notes to be redeemed at the election of
the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. Failure to give such
notice by mailing to any Holder of Senior Notes or any defect therein shall not
affect the validity of any proceedings for the redemption of other Senior Notes.
Section 11.6 Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or before 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on any Redemption Date, the
Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the
Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as
provided in Section 10.3 hereof) immediately available funds in an amount
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on,
all the Senior Notes which are to be redeemed on such Redemption Date.
Section 11.7 Senior Notes Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Senior Notes
so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified (together with accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued and
unpaid interest) such Senior Notes shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender
of any such Senior Note for redemption in accordance with said notice, such
Senior Note shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however,
that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the
Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Senior Notes, or one or
more Predecessor Senior Notes, registered as such at the close of business on
the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section
3.8 hereof.
If any Senior Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon
surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall,
until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the
Senior Notes.
Section 11.8 Senior Notes Redeemed in Part.
Any Senior Note which is to be redeemed only in part shall be
surrendered at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose
pursuant to Section 10.2 hereof (with, if the Company or the Trustee so
requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof
or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall
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authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Senior Note without service
charge, a new Senior Note or Senior Notes, of any authorized denomination as
requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange
for the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Senior Note so
surrendered.
ARTICLE XII
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 12.1 Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance.
The Company may, at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with
respect to the Senior Notes, elect to have either Section 12.2 or Section 12.3
hereof be applied to all Outstanding Senior Notes upon compliance with the
conditions set forth below in this Article XII.
Section 12.2 Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company's exercise under Section 12.1 hereof of the option
applicable to this Section 12.2, the Company shall be deemed to have been
discharged from its obligations with respect to all Outstanding Senior Notes on
the date the conditions set forth in Section 12.4 hereof are satisfied
(hereinafter, "legal defeasance"). For this purpose, such legal defeasance means
that the Company shall be deemed (i) to have paid and discharged its obligations
under the Outstanding Senior Notes, provided, however, that the Senior Notes
shall continue to be deemed to be "Outstanding" for purposes of Section 12.5
hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and
(B) below, and (ii) to have satisfied all its other obligations with respect to
such Senior Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, at the expense and
direction of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the
same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated
or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Senior Notes
to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 12.4 hereof and as
more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of
(and premium if any, on), interest and Liquidated Damages on such Senior Notes
when such payments are due (or at such time as the Senior Notes would be subject
to redemption at the option of the Company in accordance with this Indenture),
(B) the obligations of the Company under Sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 5.8, 6.6,
6.9, 6.10, 10.2 and 10.3, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities
of the Trustee hereunder, and (D) the obligations of the Company under this
Article XII. Subject to compliance with this Article XII, the Company may
exercise its option under this Section 12.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise
of its option under Section 12.3 hereof with respect to the Senior Notes.
Section 12.3 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company's exercise under Section 12.1 hereof of the option
applicable to this Section 12.3, (i) the Company and shall be released from its
obligations under any covenant contained in Article VIII, in Sections 10.5
through 10.17 and (ii) the occurrence of any event specified in Section 5.1(c)
or 5.1(d) hereof (with respect to any of Article VIII, Sections 10.5 through
10.18, and Section 10.20) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of
Default, in each case
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with respect to the Outstanding Senior Notes on and after the date the
conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "covenant defeasance"),
and the Senior Notes shall thereafter be deemed not to be "Outstanding" for the
purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and
the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall
continue to be deemed "Outstanding" for all other purposes hereunder. For this
purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding
Senior Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in
respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Article or
Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Sections 5.1(c) and 5.1(d)
hereof), whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere
herein to any such Article or Section or by reason of any reference in any such
Article or Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but,
except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Senior Notes
shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company's exercise under
Section 12.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.3, subject to
the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.4 hereof, Sections
5.1(e) and 5.1(f) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
Section 12.4 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section
12.2 or Section 12.3 hereof to the Outstanding Senior Notes:
(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of
Section 6.7 hereof who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article
XII applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the
following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely
to, the benefit of the Holders of such Senior Notes, (A) cash in United States
dollars in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the
scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance
with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any
payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay
and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying
trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of (and premium, if any, on),
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Outstanding Senior Notes on the
Stated Maturity thereof (or Redemption Date, if applicable), provided that the
Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed in writing by the Company to
apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to said
payments with respect to the Senior Notes. Before such a deposit, the Company
may give to the Trustee, in accordance with Section 11.3 hereof, a notice of its
election to redeem all of the Outstanding Senior Notes at a future date in
accordance with Article XI hereof, which notice shall be irrevocable. Such
irrevocable redemption notice, if given, shall be given effect in applying the
foregoing. For this purpose, "U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that
are (x) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely
payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (y) obligations of a
Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of
the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally
guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of
America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of
the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository
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receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act),
as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific
payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held
by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt,
provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to
make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository
receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S.
Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the
U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
(b) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Senior Notes
shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as
Sections 5.1(g) and 5.1(h) are concerned, at any time during the period ending
on the 91st day after the date of such deposit.
(c) Such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not cause the
Trustee to have a conflicting interest under this Indenture or the Trust
Indenture Act with respect to any securities of the Company.
(d) Such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound,
as evidenced to the Trustee in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee
concurrently with such deposit.
(e) In the case of an election under Section 12.2 hereof, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the
Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue
Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of this Indenture there has been a
change in the applicable federal income tax laws, in either case providing that
the Holders of the Outstanding Senior Notes will not recognize income, gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such legal defeasance and
will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner
and at the same times as would have been the case if such legal defeasance had
not occurred (it being understood that (x) such Opinion of Counsel shall also
state that such ruling or applicable law is consistent with the conclusions
reached in such Opinion of Counsel and (y) the Trustee shall be under no
obligation to investigate the basis or correctness of such ruling).
(f) In the case of an election under Section 12.3 hereof, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
Holders of the Outstanding Senior Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will
be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not
occurred.
(g) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which, taken together, state that all
conditions precedent provided for relating to either the legal defeasance under
Section 12.2 hereof or the covenant defeasance under Section 12.3 (as the case
may be) have been complied with.
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Section 12.5 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held
in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3 hereof,
all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof)
deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee--collectively for
purposes of this Section 12.5, the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 12.4 hereof in
respect of the Outstanding Senior Notes shall be held in trust and applied by
the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Senior Notes and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Holders of such Senior Notes of all sums due and to become due
thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any), interest and Liquidated
Damages, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against all taxes, fees
or other charges imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Governmental
Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 12.4 hereof or the principal and
interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other
charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Senior
Notes.
Anything in this Article XII to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company
Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in
Section 12.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then
be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent legal defeasance or covenant
defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.
Section 12.6 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with Section 12.5 hereof by reason of any order or judgment of any
court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting
such application, then the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the
Senior Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred
pursuant to Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof, as the case may be, until such time as
the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance
with Section 12.5 hereof; provided, however, that if the Company makes any
payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on), interest or Liquidated
Damages, if any, on any Senior Note following the reinstatement of its
obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of
such Senior Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or
Paying Agent.
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ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.1 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take
any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to
the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust
Indenture Act or this Indenture. Each such certificate and each such opinion
shall be in the form of an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, as
applicable, and shall comply with the requirements of this Indenture.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that each Person signing such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such Person, such
Person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to
enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such
covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
The certificates and opinions provided pursuant to this Section 13.1
and the statements required by this Section 13.1 shall comply in all respects
with TIA Sections 314(c) and (e).
Section 13.2 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer may be based, insofar as it
relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations
by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care
should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to
the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any
such
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Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon
an officers' certificate, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate with respect to such matters
is erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.
Section 13.3 Acts of Holders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by
Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing
such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of
a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this
Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the
manner provided in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such
execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Senior Notes
held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the
Senior Note Register.
(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Senior Notes any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act,
the Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in
advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act,
but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section
316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to
such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days
prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and
not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is
fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders
of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be
Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite
proportion of Outstanding Senior Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to
such
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request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act,
and for that purpose the Outstanding Senior Notes shall be computed as of such
record date, provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the
Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become
effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven
months after the record date.
(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Senior Note shall bind every future
Holder of the same Senior Note and the Holder of every Senior Note issued upon
the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof,
in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or
the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made
upon such Senior Note.
Section 13.4 Notices, etc. to Trustee and the Company
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to
be made upon, given or furnished to or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or the Company shall be sufficient for
every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing
(in the English language) and delivered in person or mailed by
certified or registered mail (return receipt requested) to the Trustee
at its Corporate Trust Office; or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for
every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if
in writing (in the English language) and delivered in person or mailed
by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested) to the
Company, addressed to it at the Company's offices located at 3701 Kirby
Drive, Suite 112, Houston, Texas 77098, Attention: Chief Financial
Officer, or at any other address otherwise furnished in writing to the
Trustee by the Company.
Section 13.5 Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders by the
Company, the Trustee or any Paying Agent, such notice shall be sufficiently
given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing (in the English
language) and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by
such event, at his address as it appears in the Senior Note Register, not later
than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the
giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail,
neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed,
to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with
respect to other Holders. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein
prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder,
whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice. Where this Indenture
provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the
Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and
such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders
shall
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be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to
the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular
mail service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impracticable to mail
notice of any event to Holders when such notice is required to be given pursuant
to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as
shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving
of such notice for every purpose hereunder.
Section 13.6 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are
for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 13.7 Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall
bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of
the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
Section 13.8 Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Senior Notes shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby,
and a Holder shall have no claim therefor against any party hereto.
Section 13.9 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Senior Notes, express or implied,
shall give to any Person (other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any
Security Registrar and their successors hereunder and the Holders) any benefit
or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 13.10 Governing Law; Trust Indenture Act Controls.
(a) THIS INDENTURE AND THE SENIOR NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE COMPANY
IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES
FEDERAL OR NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, THE CITY OF
NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
INDENTURE, OR THE SENIOR NOTES, AND THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL
CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED BY
ANY SUCH COURT.
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(b) This Indenture shall be deemed to be subject to the provisions of
the Trust Indenture Act prior to its qualification thereunder and shall, to the
extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. If and to the extent that any
provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties
imposed by operation of Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, or conflicts
with any provision (an "incorporated provision") required by or deemed to be
included in this Indenture by operation of such Trust Indenture Act section,
such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.
Section 13.11 Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, or Stated
Maturity or Maturity of any Senior Note shall not be a Business Day, then
(notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Senior Notes)
payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such
date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force
and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or at the
Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided, however, that no interest shall accrue
for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date,
Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.
Section 13.12 No Recourse Against Others.
A director, officer, employee, stockholder, incorporator or Affiliate,
as such, past, present or future, of the Company shall not have any personal
liability under the Senior Notes or this Indenture by reason of his or its
status as a director, officer, employee, stockholder, incorporator or Affiliate
or any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Senior Notes or
this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such
obligations or their creation. Each Holder, by accepting any of the Senior
Notes, waives and releases all such liability to the extent permitted by
applicable law.
Section 13.13 Duplicate Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies or counterparts of this
Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together
represent the same agreement.
Section 13.14 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or
debt agreement of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may
not be used to interpret this Indenture.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.
ISSUER:
VERITAS DGC INC.
By: /s/ ANTHONY TRIPODO
----------------------------------------
Name: Anthony Tripodo
-------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President,
------------------------------
Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
TRUSTEE:
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ SUSAN C. MERKER
----------------------------------------
Name: Susan C. Merker
------------------------------
Title: President
------------------------------
<PAGE> 96
EXHIBIT A
(Face of Senior Note)
[THIS SENIOR NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A
NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITORY OR A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.
UNLESS THIS SENIOR NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO
VERITAS DGC INC. (THE "COMPANY") OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER,
EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SENIOR NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF
CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER
USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS
THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
THIS SENIOR NOTE IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR SENIOR NOTES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF
A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SENIOR NOTE
(OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SENIOR NOTE AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR
ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.(1)]
[THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A
TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY
MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH
REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE
SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY (1) BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT
IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY
EVIDENCED HEREBY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (2) IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY
- -----------------
(1) These three paragraphs should be included only if the Senior Note is
issued in global form.
<PAGE> 97
BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES
ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER OR ANOTHER EXEMPTION UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
COMPANY THAT (X) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED
ONLY (i) (a) TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A
TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING
THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE THE UNITED
STATES TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE
904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM
THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION
OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (ii) TO THE COMPANY, OR (iii) PURSUANT
TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER
APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (Y) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS
REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (X) ABOVE.(2)]
- -------------
(2)This paragraph should be removed upon the exchange of the Initial
Senior Notes for Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer or upon the registration
of Initial Senior Notes pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights
Agreement.
2
<PAGE> 98
VERITAS DGC INC.
9 3/4% Senior Note due 2003, Series __
No. $
----- ------------
CUSIP No.
Veritas DGC Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein called the "Company,"
which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _________ or
registered assigns the principal sum of _________Dollars [, or such greater or
lesser amount as may from time to time be endorsed on Schedule A hereto,(3)] on
October 15, 2003, at the office or agency of the Company referred to below, and
to pay interest thereon, commencing on April 15, 1999 and continuing
semiannually thereafter, on April 15 and October 15 in each year, accruing from
October 28, 1998, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which
interest has been paid or duly provided for, at the rate of 9 3/4% per annum,
until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for, and (to the extent
lawful) to pay on demand interest on any overdue interest at the rate borne by
the Senior Notes from the date on which such overdue interest becomes payable to
the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for. The
Company also agrees to pay any Liquidated Damages required by Section 5 of the
Registration Rights Agreement, upon the conditions, at the rates and for the
periods specified therein. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture,
be paid to the Person in whose name this Senior Note (or one or more Predecessor
Senior Notes) is registered on the Security Register at the close of business on
the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the April 1 or October
1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such
Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided
for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record
Date, and such Defaulted Interest, and (to the extent lawful) interest on such
Defaulted Interest at the rate borne by the Senior Notes, may be paid to the
Person in whose name this Senior Note (or one or more Predecessor Senior Notes)
is registered on the Security Register at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Senior Notes not less than
10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any
other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
exchange on which the Senior Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be
required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on), interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on this Senior Note will be made at the office or
agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in The City of New York, in
such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment
is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that
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(3)This phrase should be included only if the Senior Note is issued in
global form.
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<PAGE> 99
payment of interest may be made on Certificated Senior Notes at the option of
the Company on or before the due date (i) by check mailed to the address of the
Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the Security Register or
(ii) with respect to any Holder owning Senior Notes in the principal amount of
$500,000 or more, by wire transfer to an account maintained by the Holder
located in the United States, as specified in a written notice to the Trustee by
any such Holder requesting payment by wire transfer and specifying the account
to which transfer is requested.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Senior Note
set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been duly executed
by the trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this
Senior Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.
VERITAS DGC INC.
By:
-----------------------------------
President
Attest:
- ------------------------------------
Secretary
TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Senior Notes referred to in the within mentioned
Indenture.
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Trustee
By:
---------------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
Dated:
--------------------------
4
<PAGE> 100
(Reverse of Senior Note)
This Senior Note is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company designated as its 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series __ (herein
called, together with the 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series __, the "Senior
Notes"), limited (except as otherwise provided in the Indenture referred to
below) in aggregate principal amount to $60,000,000 which may be issued under an
indenture (herein called the "Indenture") dated as of October 28, 1998 between
the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company (herein called the
"Trustee," which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to
which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made
for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties,
obligations and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the
Holders of the Senior Notes, and of the terms upon which the Senior Notes are,
and are to be, authenticated and delivered.
The Senior Notes are subject to redemption, at the option of the
Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after October 15, 2000, upon not
less than 30 or more than 60 days' notice at the following Redemption Prices
(expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below if redeemed
during the 12-month period beginning October 15 of the years indicated below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REDEMPTION
YEAR PRICE
---- -------------
<S> <C>
2000........................................ 104.875%
2001........................................ 102.438%
2002 and thereafter......................... 100.000%
</TABLE>
together in the case of any such redemption with accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the
relevant Record Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is
on or prior to the Redemption Date), all as provided in the Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time on or prior to October 15,
1999 up to $15,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes may be
redeemed, at the option of the Company, upon not less than 30 or more than 60
days' notice, from the Net Cash Proceeds of a Public Equity Offering, at a
Redemption Price equal to 109.75% of the principal amount thereof, together with
accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the Redemption
Date, provided that at least $45,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Senior
Notes remain Outstanding immediately after such redemption and that such
redemption occurs within 60 days following the closing of such Public Equity
Offering.
In the case of any redemption of Senior Notes, interest installments
whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to
Holders of such Senior Notes, or one or
5
<PAGE> 101
more Predecessor Senior Notes, of record at the close of business on the
relevant Record Date referred to on the face hereof. Senior Notes (or portions
thereof) for whose redemption and payment provision is made in accordance with
the Indenture shall cease to bear interest from and after the Redemption Date.
In the event of redemption or purchase of this Senior Note in part only, a new
Senior Note or Senior Notes for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion hereof
shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
The Senior Notes do not have the benefit of any mandatory redemption or
sinking fund obligations.
In the event of a Change of Control of the Company, and subject to
certain conditions and limitations provided in the Indenture, the Company will
be obligated to make an offer to purchase, on a Business Day not more than 60 or
less than 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control of the
Company, all of the then Outstanding Senior Notes at a purchase price equal to
101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest
and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the Change of Control Purchase Date, all as
provided in the Indenture.
In the event of Asset Sales, under certain circumstances, the Company
will be obligated to make a Net Proceeds Offer to purchase all or a specified
portion of each Holder's Senior Notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest
and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the Net Proceeds Payment Date.
As set forth in the Indenture, an Event of Default is generally (i)
failure to pay principal upon maturity, redemption or otherwise (including
pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or a Net Proceeds Offer); (ii) default for
30 days in payment of interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Senior
Notes; (iii) default in the performance of agreements relating to mergers,
consolidations and sales of all or substantially all assets or the failure to
make or consummate a Change of Control Offer or a Net Proceeds Offer; (iv)
failure for 30 days after notice to comply with any other covenants in the
Indenture or the Senior Notes; (v) certain payment defaults under, and the
acceleration prior to the maturity of, certain Indebtedness of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount in excess of
$5,000,000; (vi) certain final judgments or orders against the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount of more than $5,000,000 over the
coverage under applicable insurance policies which remain unsatisfied and either
become subject to commencement of enforcement proceedings or remain unstayed for
a period of 30 days; and (vii) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary. If any Event of
Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes may declare the
principal amount of all the Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately,
except that (a) in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events
of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, the principal amount of the Senior Notes will become due and payable
immediately without further action or notice, and (b) in the case of an Event of
Default which relates to certain payment defaults or acceleration with respect
to certain Indebtedness, any such Event of Default and any consequential
acceleration of the Senior Notes will be automatically
6
<PAGE> 102
rescinded if any such Indebtedness is repaid or if the default relating to such
Indebtedness is cured or waived and if the holders thereof have accelerated such
Indebtedness then such holders have rescinded their declaration of acceleration.
No Holder may pursue any remedy under the Indenture unless the Trustee shall
have failed to act after notice from such Holder of an Event of Default and
written request by Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Senior Notes, and the offer to the Trustee of indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to it; however, such provision does not affect the right to sue for
enforcement of any overdue payment on a Senior Note by the Holder thereof.
Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of
any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any
continuing default (except default in payment of principal, premium or interest)
if it determines in good faith that withholding the notice is in the interest of
the Holders. The Company is required to file annual and quarterly reports with
the Trustee as to the absence or existence of defaults.
The Indenture contains provisions for (i) defeasance at any time of the
entire indebtedness of the Company on this Senior Note and (ii) discharge from
certain restrictive covenants and the related Defaults and Events of Default,
upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein, which
provisions apply to this Senior Note.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders under the Indenture at any time by the
Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at the time Outstanding. The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Senior Notes, on behalf
of the Holders of all the Senior Notes, to waive compliance by the Company with
certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the
Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by or on behalf of
the Holder of this Senior Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder
and upon all future Holders of this Senior Note and of any Senior Note issued
upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu
hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this
Senior Note. Without the consent of any Holder, the Company and the Trustee may
amend or supplement the Indenture or the Senior Notes to cure any ambiguity,
defect or inconsistency, to qualify or maintain the qualification of the
Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act and to make certain other specified
changes and other changes that do not materially adversely affect the interests
of any Holder in any material respect.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Senior
Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company,
which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if
any, on) and interest on this Senior Note at the times, place, and rate, and in
the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein
set forth, the transfer of this Senior Note is registerable on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of this
7
<PAGE> 103
Senior Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company
maintained for such purpose duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security
Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing, with signature guaranteed, and thereupon one or more new Senior Notes,
of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Senior Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons
in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Senior Notes
are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes of a
different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the
same.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Senior Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.
A director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or Affiliate
of the Company, as such, past, present or future shall not have any personal
liability under this Senior Note or any other Senior Note or the Indenture by
reason of his or its status as such director, officer, employee, incorporator,
stockholder or Affiliate, or any liability for any obligations of the Company
under the Senior Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect
of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder, by
accepting this Senior Note, waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver
and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of this Senior Note.
Prior to the time of due presentment of this Senior Note for
registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company
or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Senior Note is registered
as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Senior Note is
overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent shall be affected by
notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Senior Note which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. The Company will
furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the
Indenture. Requests may be made to the Company at 3701 Kirby Drive, Suite 112,
Houston, Texas 77098, Attention: Chief Financial Officer (or such other address
as the Company may have furnished in writing to the Trustee).
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed on the Senior Notes as a convenience to the Holders thereof. No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as printed on the
Senior Notes and reliance may be placed only on the other identifying
information printed hereon.
8
<PAGE> 104
Interest on this Senior Note shall be computed on the basis of a
360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
This Senior Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.
9
<PAGE> 105
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Senior Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and
transfer this Senior Note to
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert assignee's Social Senior Note or Tax I.D. No.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint________________________________________________________
to transfer this Senior Note on the books of the Company or the agent appointed
by the Company to maintain such books. The agent appointed hereby may substitute
another to act for him.
================================================================================
Date:
---------------------
Your signature:
--------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears
on the face of this Senior Note)
Signature Guarantee:
10
<PAGE> 106
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Senior Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 10.14 or 10.15 of the Indenture, check the box below:
[ ] Section 10.14 [ ] Section 10.15
If you want to elect to have only part of the Senior Note purchased by
the Company pursuant to Section 10.14 or Section 10.15 of the Indenture, state
the amount you elect to have purchased (must be an integral multiple of $1,000):
$__________________
Date:
---------------------
Your signature:
--------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears
the Senior Note)
Social Security No.
Tax Identification No.:
------------------------------
Signature Guarantee:
11
<PAGE> 107
SCHEDULE A
CHANGES IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SENIOR NOTE(4)
The following changes in the principal amount of this Global Note have
been recorded:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMOUNT OF DECREASE IN AMOUNT OF INCREASE IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS SIGNATURE OF
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF GLOBAL NOTE FOLLOWING AUTHORIZED OFFICER
DATE OF TRANSACTION THIS GLOBAL NOTE THIS GLOBAL NOTE SUCH DECREASE OF TRUSTEE
(OR INCREASE)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(4)This should be included only if the Senior Note is issued in global
form.
12
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.1
[VERITAS DGC INC. LOGO]
VERITAS DGC INC. ANNOUNCES SALE OF 9 3/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2003
NYSE & TSE SYMBOL: VTS
HOUSTON, TX (OCTOBER 28, 1998) - Veritas DGC Inc. announced today that it has
sold $60 million principal amount of 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, Series B (the
"Notes") in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers at a purchase
price of 100% of the principal amount of the Notes. The sale of the Notes was
not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and, therefore, may not be
offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable
exemption from registration. The $58.2 million of net proceeds from the
transaction are to be used for general corporate purposes.
Veritas DGC Inc. is a leading provider of land, transition zone and marine-based
seismic data acquisition, seismic data processing, and multi-client data sales
to the petroleum industry.
For additional information, please contact:
Stephanie Schlimper, Investor Relations (713) 512-8821
Tony Tripodo, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Rene M.J. VandenBrand, Vice President, Business Developer
-End-
