-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, TZ/+HTNw9XdJZa6G+UxjKyujLE3gJqy+WFgFV1Uow4mnllCXZzQ72aW7gvuVjsi9 ncqGvk93N7IMqH+0ynx2pw== 0001047469-05-002461.txt : 20050204 0001047469-05-002461.hdr.sgml : 20050204 20050204155947 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-05-002461 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050204 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050204 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST I CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001157676 IRS NUMBER: 516522998 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122139-03 FILM NUMBER: 05577265 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 500 S. BUENA VISTA ST. STREET 2: C/O WALT DISNEY CO CITY: BURBANK STATE: CA ZIP: 91521 BUSINESS PHONE: 8185601000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 500 S BUENA VISTA ST STREET 2: C/O WALT DISNEY CO CITY: BURBANK STATE: CA ZIP: 91521 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST II CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001157677 IRS NUMBER: 516522999 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122139-02 FILM NUMBER: 05577264 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 500 S. BUENA VISTA ST. STREET 2: C/O WALT DISNEY CO CITY: BURBANK STATE: CA ZIP: 91521 BUSINESS PHONE: 8185601000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 500 S BUENA VISTA ST STREET 2: C/O WALT DISNEY CO CITY: BURBANK STATE: CA ZIP: 91521 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST III CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001157678 IRS NUMBER: 516523000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122139-01 FILM NUMBER: 05577263 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 500 S. BUENA VISTA ST. STREET 2: C/O WALT DISNEY CO CITY: BURBANK STATE: CA ZIP: 91521 BUSINESS PHONE: 8185601000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 500 S BUENA VISTA ST STREET 2: C/O WALT DISNEY CO CITY: BURBANK STATE: CA ZIP: 91521 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WALT DISNEY CO/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001001039 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990] IRS NUMBER: 954545390 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122139 FILM NUMBER: 05577262 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 500 SOUTH BUENA VISTA ST CITY: BURBANK STATE: CA ZIP: 91521 BUSINESS PHONE: 8185601000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 500 SOUTH BUENA VISTA ST CITY: BURBANK STATE: CA ZIP: 91521 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: DC HOLDCO INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19950918 S-3/A 1 a2151040zs-3a.htm S-3/A
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 4, 2005

Registration No. 333-122139



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


The Walt Disney Company
Disney Capital Trust I
Disney Capital Trust II
Disney Capital Trust III
  Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
  95-4545390
51-6522998
51-6522999
51-6523000
(Name of Registrant)   (State of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Numbers)

500 South Buena Vista Street Burbank, California 91521
(818) 560-1000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

DAVID K. THOMPSON, ESQ.
Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel—Corporate and Corporate Secretary
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California 91521
(818) 560-1000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)


Copy to:

MORTON A. PIERCE
FRANK R. ADAMS
Dewey Ballantine LLP
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 259-8000


Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public:
From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.


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

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

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

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

        If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. /x/


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




SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 4, 2005

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. NEITHER THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY NOR ANY DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST MAY SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

PROSPECTUS

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, California 91521
(818) 560-1000

DEBT SECURITIES
PREFERRED STOCK
COMMON STOCK
DEPOSITARY SHARES
WARRANTS
PURCHASE CONTRACTS
UNITS

DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST I
DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST II
DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST III
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, California 91521
(818) 560-1000

TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES


        We or, as applicable, the Disney Capital Trusts may offer from time to time the following types of securities:

    our debt securities, in one or more series, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, in each case consisting of notes or other unsecured evidences of indebtedness;

    shares of our preferred stock, which may be issued in the form of depositary receipts representing a fraction of a share of preferred stock;

    shares of our common stock;

    warrants to purchase any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus;

    trust preferred securities issued by one of the Disney Capital Trusts;

    purchase contracts to acquire any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus; or

    any combination of these securities, individually or as units.

        The securities will have an aggregate initial offering price of up to $5,000,000,000 or an equivalent amount in U.S. dollars if any securities are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars. The securities may be offered separately or together in any combination and as separate series.

        We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus, carefully before you invest.

        Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol "DIS."


NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


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

        This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.


The date of this prospectus is                  , 2005.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Forward-Looking Information   3
Our Company   5
The Disney Capital Trusts   6
Use of Proceeds   6
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges   7
General Description of Securities that We or the Trusts May Sell   7
Description of Debt Securities   8
Description of Preferred Stock   20
Description of Depositary Shares   23
Description of Common Stock   26
Description of Warrants   28
Description of Trust Preferred Securities   30
Description of Purchase Contracts   47
Description of Units   48
Plan of Distribution   48
Where You Can Find More Information   50
Legal Matters   51
Experts   51

        We have not authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation in connection with this offering other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and, if given or made, the information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy by anyone in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized, or in which the person is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make the offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale under this prospectus shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus, that the information contained in this prospectus is correct as of any time subsequent to its date, or that any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.


        Unless otherwise indicated, currency amounts in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement are stated in United States dollars ("$," "dollars," "U.S. dollars" or "U.S.$").

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to an aggregate offering price of $5,000,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both the prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."


FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

        The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Disney. We may from time to time make written or oral statements that are "forward-looking," including statements contained in this prospectus and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in reports to our shareholders. Such statements may, for example, express expectations or projections about future actions that we may take, including restructuring or strategic initiatives, or about developments beyond our control, including changes in domestic or global economic conditions. These statements are made on the basis of management's views and assumptions as of the time the statements are made and we undertake no obligation to update these statements. There can be no assurance, however, that our expectations will necessarily come to pass.

        Factors that may affect forward-looking statements.    For an enterprise as large and complex as ours, a wide range of factors could materially affect future developments and performance. Significant factors affecting specific business operations are identified in connection with the description of these operations and the financial results of these operations incorporated by reference into this prospectus. General factors affecting our operations include:

    Changes in company-wide or business-unit strategies, which may result in changes in the types or mix of businesses in which we are involved or will invest;

    Changes in U.S., global or regional economic conditions, which may affect attendance and spending at our parks and resorts, purchases of Disney-licensed consumer products, the advertising market for broadcast and cable television programming and the performance of our theatrical and home entertainment releases;

    Changes in U.S. and global financial and equity markets, including market disruptions and significant interest rate fluctuations, which may impede our access to, or increase the cost of, external financing for our operations and investments;

    Changes in cost of providing pension and other postretirement medical benefits, including changes in health care costs, investment returns on plan assets, and discount rates used to calculate pension and related liabilities;

    Increased competitive pressures, both domestically and internationally, which may, among other things, affect the performance of our parks and resorts operations, divert consumers from our creative or other products, or to other products or other forms of entertainment, or lead to increased expenses in such areas as television programming acquisition and motion picture production and marketing;

    Legal and regulatory developments that may affect particular business units, such as regulatory actions affecting environmental activities, consumer products, theme park safety, broadcasting or

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      Internet activities or the protection of intellectual property; the imposition by foreign countries of trade restrictions or motion picture or television content requirements or quotas, and changes in domestic or international tax laws or currency controls;

    Adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, which may, among other things, affect performance at our parks and resorts;

    Technological developments that may affect the distribution of our creative products or create new risks to our ability to protect our intellectual property;

    Labor disputes, which may lead to increased costs or disruption of operations in any of our business units;

    Changing public and consumer tastes and preferences, which may, among other things, affect our entertainment, broadcasting and consumer products businesses generally or our parks and resorts operations specifically, or result in lower broadcasting ratings or loss of advertising revenue;

    Changes in or termination of long-term contracts for the acquisition or distribution of media programming or products, which may impact the availability of programming or product, the cost of acquired content, the ability to distribute content, or the revenue recognized from the distribution of content; and

    International, political, health concerns and military developments that may affect, among other things, travel and leisure businesses generally or our parks and resorts operations specifically, or result in increases in broadcasting costs or loss of advertising revenue.

        This list of factors that may affect future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.

4



OUR COMPANY

        We, or Disney, together with our subsidiaries, are a diversified worldwide entertainment company with operations in four business segments: Media Networks, Parks & Resorts, Studio Entertainment and Consumer Products. References in this section of the prospectus to "Disney" include us and our subsidiaries. To find out how to obtain more information regarding us and our business, you should read the section of this prospectus entitled "Where You Can Find More Information."

        Our principal executive offices are located at 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California 91521, and our telephone number is (818) 560-1000.

Media Networks

        Disney operates the ABC Television Network and ten owned television stations and the ABC Radio Networks and 71 owned radio stations. Both the television and radio networks have affiliated stations providing coverage to households throughout the United States. Most of the owned television and radio stations are affiliated with either the ABC Television Network or the ABC Radio Networks. Disney's cable/satellite and international broadcast operations are principally involved in the production and distribution of cable television programming, the licensing of programming to domestic and international markets and investing in foreign television broadcasting, production and distribution entities. Primary cable/satellite programming services, which operate through consolidated subsidiary companies, are the ESPN-branded networks, Disney Channel, International Disney Channel, SOAPnet, Toon Disney, ABC Family Channel and JETIX channels in Europe and Latin America. Other programming services that operate through joint ventures, and are accounted for under the equity method, include A&E Television Networks, Lifetime Entertainment Services and E! Entertainment Television. Disney also produces original television programming for network, first-run syndication, pay and international syndication markets along with original animated television programming for network, pay and international syndication markets. Additionally, Disney operates ABC-, ESPN-, and Disney-branded Internet web site businesses.

Parks and Resorts

        Disney owns and operates the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California. The Walt Disney World Resort includes four theme parks (the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom), seventeen resort hotels, a retail, dining and entertainment complex, a sports complex, conference centers, campgrounds, golf courses, water parks and other recreational facilities. In addition, Disney Cruise Line is operated out of Port Canaveral, Florida. The Disneyland Resort includes two theme parks (Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure), three resort hotels and Downtown Disney. Disney earns royalties on revenues generated by the Tokyo Disneyland Resort, which includes two theme parks and two Disney-branded hotels near Tokyo, Japan, and is owned and operated by an unrelated Japanese corporation. Disney manages and has a 41% equity investment in Euro Disney S.C.A. (Euro Disney), a publicly held French entity that operates Disneyland Resort Paris, which includes the Disneyland Park, the Walt Disney Studios Park, seven themed hotels, two convention centers, the Disney Village, a shopping, dining and entertainment center and a 27 hole golf facility. Disney also manages and has a 43% equity interest in Hong Kong Disneyland, which is under construction and is scheduled to open in fiscal 2005. During fiscal 2004, Disney began consolidating Euro Disney and Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney's Walt Disney Imagineering unit designs and develops new theme park concepts and attractions, as well as resort properties. Disney also manages and markets vacation ownership interests through the Disney Vacation Club. Included in Parks and Resorts are Disney's NHL franchise, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and ESPN Zone, which operates sports-themed dining and entertainment facilities.

5



Studio Entertainment

        Disney produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures for worldwide distribution to the theatrical, home entertainment and television markets. Disney distributes these products through its own distribution and marketing companies in the United States and most foreign markets, primarily under the Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Miramax and Dimension banners. Disney also produces stage plays and musical recordings.

Consumer Products

        Disney licenses the name "Walt Disney," as well as its characters and visual and literary properties, to various manufacturers, retailers, show promoters and publishers throughout the world. Disney also engages in direct retail distribution principally through the Disney Stores. Disney produces books and magazines for the general public, computer software products for the entertainment market, as well as film, video and computer software products for the educational marketplace. Disney's Direct Marketing business operates the Disney Catalog, which markets Disney-themed merchandise through the direct mail channel. Catalog offerings include merchandise developed exclusively for the Disney Catalog and DisneyDirect.com, which is an internet shopping site, as well as other internal Disney businesses and Disney licensees.


THE DISNEY CAPITAL TRUSTS

        Each of Disney Capital Trust I, Disney Capital Trust II and Disney Capital Trust III is a statutory trust formed under Delaware law by us, as sponsor of each of the trusts, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee in the State of Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The trusts have been formed solely:

    for the possible sale of one or more series of trust preferred securities under this prospectus and the sale of trust common securities to us or one of our subsidiaries at the time of any sale of trust preferred securities;

    to purchase our junior subordinated debt securities with the proceeds of any sale of their securities; and

    to engage in related activities.

        The principal office of each of the trusts is c/o The Walt Disney Company, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California 91521, and its telephone number is (818) 560-1000.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes.

        These general corporate purposes may include, among others:

    to reduce our short-term indebtedness;

    to fund investments in, or extensions of credit or contributions to, our subsidiaries; and

    to fund acquisitions.

Proceeds may also be used for other purposes specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested prior to use. The precise amounts and timing of the application of proceeds will depend upon, among other things, our funding requirements and the funding requirements of our subsidiaries at the time of issuance and the availability of other funds.

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        The Disney Capital Trusts will use all of the proceeds from the sale of trust preferred securities and trust common securities to purchase our junior subordinated debt securities.


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

 
  Year Ended September 30,
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)(2)   5.5X   3.6X   3.5X   2.6X   3.9X

(1)
We calculated our ratio of earnings to fixed charges by dividing income before income taxes, minority interest, and the cumulative effect of accounting changes adjusted for (a) fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest, (b) amortization of capitalized interest, and (c) losses and undistributed earnings recognized with respect to less than 50% owned equity investments by fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on borrowings, capitalized interest, and that portion of rental expense that approximates interest expense (estimated to be one-third of rental expense).

(2)
Our ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the periods indicated above are the same as our ratios of earnings to fixed charges set forth above because we had no shares of preferred stock outstanding during the periods indicated and currently have no shares of preferred stock outstanding.


GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES THAT WE OR THE TRUSTS MAY SELL

        We or, as applicable, the Disney Capital Trusts directly or through agents, dealers or underwriters that we designate, may offer and sell, from time to time, up to $5,000,000,000 (or the equivalent in one or more foreign currencies or currency units) aggregate initial offering price of:

    our debt securities, in one or more series, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, in each case consisting of notes or other unsecured evidences of indebtedness;

    shares of our preferred stock, which may be issued in the form of depositary receipts representing a fraction of a share of preferred stock;

    shares of our common stock;

    warrants to purchase any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus;

    trust preferred securities issued by one of the Disney Capital Trusts;

    purchase contracts to acquire any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus; or

    any combination of these securities, individually or as units.

        We may offer and sell these securities either individually or as units consisting of one or more of these securities, each on terms to be determined at the time of sale. We may issue debt securities, preferred stock and/or trust preferred securities that are exchangeable for and/or convertible into common stock or any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus. When particular securities are offered, a supplement to this prospectus will be delivered with this prospectus, which will describe the terms of the offering and sale of the offered securities.

7



DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion of or in exchange for, other securities. The debt securities may be our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, which we refer to as "senior debt securities," or our subordinated obligations, which we refer to as "subordinated debt securities." The subordinated debt securities of any series may be our senior subordinated obligations, subordinated obligations, junior subordinated obligations or may have such other ranking as is described in the relevant prospectus supplement. We may issue any of these types of debt securities in one or more series.

        Our senior debt securities may be issued from time to time under a senior debt securities indenture. Our subordinated debt securities may be issued from time to time under a subordinated debt securities indenture. Each of the senior debt securities indenture and the subordinated debt securities indenture is referred to individually as an "indenture" and they are referred to collectively as the "indentures." Each trustee is referred to individually as a "trustee" and the trustees are collectively referred to as the "trustees."

        The following summary of selected provisions of the indentures and the debt securities is not complete. In connection with an investment in our debt securities, you should review the applicable prospectus supplement and the form of applicable indenture. The Senior Debt Securities Indenture and the Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. To obtain a copy of the applicable indenture, see "Where You Can Find More Information" in this prospectus. The following summary and any description of our debt securities contained in an applicable prospectus supplement are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the applicable indenture, which provisions, including defined terms, are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. When we refer to "Disney," "we," "us" or "our" in this section or when we otherwise refer to ourselves in this section, we mean The Walt Disney Company, excluding, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context requires, our subsidiaries.

        The following description of debt securities describes general terms and provisions of the series of debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. When we offer to sell a series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any particular terms of the debt securities described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described in this prospectus, then the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement will supersede the terms described in this prospectus.

General

        We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indentures. We can issue debt securities from time to time and in one or more series as determined by us. In addition, we can issue debt securities of any series with terms different from the terms of debt securities of any other series and the terms of particular debt securities within any series may differ from each other, all without the consent of the holders of previously issued series of debt securities. The debt securities of each series will be our direct, unsecured obligations.

        The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the debt securities being offered, including, where applicable, the following:

    the title of the series of debt securities;

    any limit on the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the series;

    whether the debt securities of the series are to be issuable in registered or bearer form or both and whether the debt securities of the series may be represented initially by a debt security in temporary or permanent global form, and, if so, the initial depositary with respect to such

8


      temporary or permanent global debt security and the circumstances under which beneficial owners of interests in any such temporary or permanent global debt security may exchange such interests for debt securities of such series of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination and the authorized newspapers for publication of notices to holders of bearer securities;

    any other terms required to establish a series of bearer securities, including, but not limited to, tax compliance procedures;

    the price or prices at which the debt securities of the series will be issued;

    whether the debt securities of the series will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

    the person to whom any interest will be payable on any registered securities of the series, if other than the person in whose name the registered security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the payment of interest;

    the manner in which, and the person to whom, any interest on any bearer securities of the series, will be payable, if other than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons relating to the bearer security, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary or permanent global security on an interest payment date will be paid;

    the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the debt securities of the series is payable or the method or methods, if any, used to determine those dates;

    the rate or rates at which the debt securities of the series will bear interest or the method or methods, if any, used to calculate those rate or rates;

    the date or dates, if any, from which interest on the debt securities of the series will accrue, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine those dates;

    the stated maturities of installments of interest, if any, on which any interest on the debt securities of the series will be payable and the regular record dates for any interest payable on any debt securities of the series which are registered securities;

    the place or places where and the manner in which the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series will be payable and the place or places where the debt securities of the series may be presented for transfer and, if applicable, conversion or exchange and the place or places where notices and demands in respect of the debt securities of the series may be served on us;

    our right, if any, to redeem the debt securities, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which, the debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part;

    our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase the debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of such debt securities, the conditions, if any, giving rise to such obligation, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which, the debt securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or part, and any provisions for the remarketing of such debt securities;

    the denominations in which any registered securities of the series are to be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denominations in which any bearer securities of the series are to be issuable, if other than denominations of $5,000 and $100,000;

9


    the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, of payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series, if other than U.S. dollars, and, if other than U.S. dollars, whether the debt securities of the series may be satisfied and discharged other than as provided in the applicable indenture;

    if the amount of payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series is to be determined by reference to an index, formula or other method, or based on a coin or currency or currency unit other than that in which the debt securities of the series are stated to be payable, the manner in which these amounts are to be determined and the calculation agent, if any, with respect thereto;

    if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities of the series which will be payable upon declaration or acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to an event of default;

    if we agree to pay any additional amounts on any of the debt securities, and coupons, if any, of the series to any holder who is a United States alien in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted, the circumstances and procedures under which we will make these payments, and whether those additional amounts paid by us will be treated as interest or principal pursuant to the applicable indenture, and whether we will have the option to redeem these debt securities rather than pay these additional amounts;

    whether the debt securities of the series are convertible or exchangeable into other debt or equity securities, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange will be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and any adjustments thereto, the conversion or exchange period and other conversion or exchange provisions;

    any terms applicable to debt securities of any series issued at an issue price below their stated principal amount, including the issue price thereof and the rate or rates at which the original issue discount will accrue;

    whether the debt securities of the series are to be issued or delivered (whether at the time of original issuance or at the time of exchange of a temporary security of such series or otherwise), or any installment of principal or any premium or interest is to be payable only, upon receipt of certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions in addition to those specified in the applicable indenture;

    whether the debt securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, will not be defeasible pursuant to the applicable indenture and, if other than by an officers' certificate, the manner in which any election by us to defease the debt securities of the series will be evidenced;

    any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default or our covenants with respect to the debt securities of the series, whether or not these events of default or covenants are consistent with the events of default or covenants set forth in this prospectus and any change in the rights of the trustee or the requisite holders of the debt securities of the series to declare the principal amount of that series due and payable pursuant to the applicable indenture;

    any special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities of the series; and

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

        The prospectus supplement relating to any series of subordinated debt securities being offered will also describe the subordination provisions applicable to that series, if different from the subordination provisions described in this prospectus. In addition, the prospectus supplement relating to a series of

10



subordinated debt will describe our rights, if any, to defer payments of interest on the subordinated debt securities by extending the interest payment period.

        Debt securities may be issued as original issue discount securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. In the event of an acceleration of the maturity of any original issue discount security, the amount payable to the holder upon acceleration will be determined in the manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Special United States federal tax and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, special United States federal tax considerations or other restrictions or terms applicable to any debt securities to be issued in bearer form, offered exclusively to non-United States holders or denominated in a currency other than United States dollars will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        The above is not intended to be an exclusive list of the terms that may be applicable to any debt securities and we are not limited in any respect in our ability to issue debt securities with terms different from or in addition to those described above or elsewhere in this prospectus, provided that the terms are not inconsistent with the applicable indenture. Any applicable prospectus supplement will also describe any special provisions for the payment of additional amounts with respect to the debt securities.

        For a description of additional provisions that may be applicable to junior subordinated debt securities that we may issue in connection with an offering of trust preferred securities under this prospectus, you should read "Description of Trust Preferred Securities."

Subordination Provisions Relating to Subordinated Debt

        Except as otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of subordinated debt securities, the subordinated debt securities will be issued under the subordinated debt securities indenture and will rank subordinated and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the subordinated debt securities indenture, to all of our "senior indebtedness," which is defined below.

        If

    we default in the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any senior indebtedness when it becomes due and payable after any applicable grace period, and the default is continuing;

    there is any other default in respect of our senior indebtedness which has occurred and is continuing which would permit the senior indebtedness to be accelerated;

    there is any judicial proceeding pending regarding any default in respect of our senior indebtedness; or

    the subordinated debt securities of the series are accelerated,

then, unless and until the event of default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, any acceleration is rescinded or annulled or any judicial proceeding is terminated, we cannot make any payment on account of or acquire the subordinated debt securities prior to the repayment in full of our outstanding senior indebtedness. Nevertheless, holders of subordinated debt securities may still receive and retain payments made:

    from a trust of the type described in "—Discharge and Defeasance" below;

    in our capital stock; or

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    in other securities which are payable no earlier than the final stated maturity date of the subordinated debt securities of the series, have terms no more restrictive than those of the subordinated debt securities of the series and are subordinated in right of payment to the senior indebtedness at least to the same extent as the subordinated debt securities of the series.

        If there is any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up, assignment for the benefit of our creditors, marshalling of our assets and liabilities, or other similar proceeding, whether or not voluntary, relating to us, our creditors or our assets, then all senior indebtedness must be paid in full or otherwise provided for before any payment may be made to any holders of subordinated debt securities other than payments made

    from a trust of the type described in "—Discharge and Defeasance" below;

    in our capital stock; or

    in other securities which are payable no earlier than the final stated maturity date of the subordinated debt securities of the series, have terms no more restrictive than those of the subordinated debt securities of the series and are subordinated in right of payment to the senior indebtedness at least to the same extent as the subordinated debt securities of the series.

The subordinated debt securities indenture trustee and the holders of subordinated debt securities must return and deliver any payments of cash, property or securities received by them, other than any permitted payments described above, to the trustee or other paying agent for application to the payment of all senior indebtedness until all senior indebtedness is paid in full.

        Unless otherwise specified with respect to a series of subordinated debt securities issued under the subordinated debt securities indenture, "senior indebtedness" under the subordinated debt securities indenture means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on (including interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding pursuant to any bankruptcy law, but only to the extent allowed or permitted to the holder against the bankruptcy or any other insolvency estate of Disney) and any other amounts due on or in connection with any of the following indebtedness, incurred, assumed or guaranteed by us, whether or not outstanding on the date we issue any series of subordinated debt securities (including renewals, extensions and refundings of these obligations):

    (1)
    our obligations for borrowed money;

    (2)
    our obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

    (3)
    our capital lease obligations;

    (4)
    all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (3) of other persons secured by a lien on any of our assets, whether or not we have assumed those obligations; and

    (5)
    all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (4) of other persons for the payment of which we are responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor.

        However, senior indebtedness does not include:

    (a)
    any indebtedness, including other series of debt securities issued under the subordinated debt securities indenture, created or evidenced by or outstanding pursuant to an instrument that expressly provides that the indebtedness is subordinated to any other indebtedness of ours, unless that indebtedness expressly provides that it will be senior to the subordinated debt securities of the series;

    (b)
    any indebtedness that by its terms states that it will not be senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities of the series; and

    (c)
    any indebtedness of ours to any of our affiliates or subsidiaries.

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        The subordinated debt securities indenture does not limit the amount of senior indebtedness that we may issue.

        We may issue senior subordinated debt securities under the subordinated debt securities indenture. In addition, in connection with any offering of trust preferred securities under this prospectus, we may issue junior subordinated debt securities. The subordination provisions applicable to any of these debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Consequences of Holding Company Status

        Our operations are conducted almost entirely through subsidiaries. Accordingly, our cash flow and our ability to service our debt, including the debt securities, are dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings to us, whether by dividends, loans or otherwise. The payment of dividends and the making of loans and advances to us by our subsidiaries may be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions, are contingent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and are subject to various business considerations. Our right to receive assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization (and the consequent right of the holders of the debt securities to participate in those assets) will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary's creditors (including trade creditors), except to the extent that we are recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary, in which case our claims would still be subordinate to any security interests in the assets of the subsidiary and any indebtedness of the subsidiary senior to that held by us.

Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer

        The debt securities of a series may be issued as registered securities, as bearer securities (with or without coupons attached) or as both registered securities and bearer securities. Debt securities of a series may be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global debt securities, as described below under "—Global Debt Securities." Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, registered securities will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof, and bearer securities will be issuable in denominations of $5,000 and $100,000.

        Registered securities of any series will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. In addition, if debt securities of any series are issuable as both registered securities and as bearer securities, at the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the applicable indenture, bearer securities (accompanied by all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of that series will be exchangeable for registered securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, any bearer security surrendered in exchange for a registered security between a regular record date or a special record date and the relevant date for payment of interest will be surrendered without the coupon relating to the date for payment of interest and interest will not be payable in respect of the registered security issued in exchange for the bearer security, but will be payable only to the holder of the coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture. Bearer securities may not be issued in exchange for registered securities.

        Debt securities may be presented for exchange as provided above, and unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, registered securities may be presented for registration of transfer, at the office or agency designated by us as registrar or co-registrar with respect to any series of debt securities, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes, assessments or other governmental charges as described in the applicable indenture. The transfer or exchange will be effected on the books of the registrar or any other transfer agent appointed by us upon the registrar or transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We intend to initially appoint the trustee as registrar and the name of any different

13



or additional registrar designated by us with respect to the debt securities of any series will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement. If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agents (in addition to the registrar) designated by us with respect to any series of debt securities, we may at any time rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any transfer agent acts, except that, if debt securities of a series are issuable only as registered securities, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for that series and, if debt securities of a series are issuable as bearer securities, we will be required to maintain (in addition to the registrar) a transfer agent in a place of payment for that series located outside the United States. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.

        In the event of any redemption of debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

    issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of debt securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on

    if debt securities of the series are issuable only as registered securities, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, and

    if debt securities of the series are issuable as bearer securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if debt securities of the series are also issuable as registered securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption;

    register the transfer of or exchange any registered security, or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being redeemed in part; or

    exchange any bearer security called for redemption, except to exchange the bearer security for a registered security of that series and of like tenor and principal amount that is immediately surrendered for redemption.

Covenants

        Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures do not include covenants limiting the amount of indebtedness that may be incurred or otherwise restricting our ability to enter into a highly leveraged transaction, including a reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar transaction involving us that may adversely affect the holders of the debt securities, if the transaction is a permissible consolidation, merger or similar transaction. In addition, unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures do not afford the holders of the debt securities the right to require us to repurchase or redeem the debt securities in the event of a highly leveraged transaction. See "—Mergers and Sales of Assets."

        For a description of covenants that may be applicable to junior subordinated debt securities issued in connection with an offering of trust preferred securities under this prospectus, you should read "Description of Trust Preferred Securities—Description of Additional Terms of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities to be Issued to the Trusts."

Payment and Paying Agents

        Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on registered securities will be made at the office of the paying agent or paying agents designated by us from time to time, except that at our option, payment of principal and premium, if any, or interest also may be made by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, payment of any installment of interest on registered securities will be made to the person in whose name the registered security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest payment.

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        Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on bearer securities will be payable, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at the offices of the paying agents outside the United States designated by us from time to time, or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee outside the United States. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, any payment of interest on any bearer securities will be made only against surrender of the coupon relating to the interest installment.

        Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee will be designated as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities which are issuable solely as registered securities and as our paying agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, for payments with respect to debt securities (subject to any limitations described in any applicable prospectus supplement) which are issuable as bearer securities. Any paying agents outside the United States and any other paying agents in the United States initially designated by us for any series of debt securities will be named in an applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that, if debt securities of a series are issuable only as registered securities, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for that series and, if debt securities of a series are issuable as bearer securities, we will be required to maintain (i) a paying agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for payments with respect to any registered securities of the series (and for payments with respect to bearer securities of the series in the circumstances described in the applicable indenture, but not otherwise), and (ii) a paying agent in a place of payment located outside the United States where debt securities of that series and any related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment.

        All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any debt security which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after that principal or interest shall have become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security or any coupon will thereafter look only to us for payment of those amounts.

Global Debt Securities

        The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in global form. A debt security in global form will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary, which will be identified in an applicable prospectus supplement. A global debt security may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. A debt security in global form may not be transferred except as a whole to the depositary for the debt security or to a nominee or successor of the depositary. If any debt securities of a series are issuable in global form, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the circumstances, if any, under which beneficial owners of interests in a global debt security may exchange their interests for definitive debt securities of that series of like tenor and principal amount in any authorized form and denomination, the manner of payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the global debt securities and the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any global debt security.

Mergers and Sales of Assets

        Each indenture provides that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another person, unless, among other things, (i) we are the continuing corporation, or the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if other than us) is a corporation, partnership or trust organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and that person expressly assumes all of our obligations under the applicable debt securities and the applicable indenture, (ii) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an event of default (any such event, a "default") or event of default shall have occurred or

15



be continuing under the applicable indenture and (iii) we deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel to the effect that the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, as the case may be, complies with the indenture and that all conditions precedent provided in the indenture with respect to the transaction have been satisfied. Upon the assumption of our obligations by a person to whom the properties or assets are conveyed or transferred, we will be discharged from all obligations under the applicable debt securities and the applicable indenture, except in the case of a lease of our properties and assets substantially as an entirety.

Events of Default

        Each indenture provides that if an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to a series of debt securities, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if any of the debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, that portion of the principal amount of the debt securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) of the debt securities of that series to be immediately due and payable. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series may rescind the declaration.

        Under each indenture, unless otherwise specified with respect to a series of debt securities, the following events will constitute an event of default with respect to a series of debt securities:

    (a)
    default in payment of the principal of any debt security of the series;

    (b)
    default in payment of any interest on any debt security of the series when due, continuing for 30 days;

    (c)
    failure by us to comply with our other agreements in the debt securities of the series or the applicable indenture for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of that series upon the receipt by us of notice of the default given by the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series and our failure to cure the default within 60 days after receipt by us of the notice;

    (d)
    specified events of bankruptcy or insolvency; and

    (e)
    any other event of default applicable to the series of debt securities and set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        The trustee will give notice to holders of the debt securities of any continuing default known to the trustee within 90 days after the occurrence of the default. However, the trustee may withhold notice of any default, other than a payment default, if it determines in good faith that withholding the notice is in the interests of the holders.

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series so long as the direction does not conflict with any law or the indenture and subject to other limitations provided for in the applicable indenture. Before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the indenture at the direction of holders, the trustee will be entitled to receive from the holders reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying with the direction. With respect to each series of debt securities, no holder will have any right to pursue any remedy with respect to the applicable indenture or the debt securities, unless

    (a)
    the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series;

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    (b)
    the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series have made a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;

    (c)
    the holder or holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee;

    (d)
    the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series have not given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request; and

    (e)
    the trustee has failed to comply with the request within the 60-day period.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right of any holder of any debt security or coupon to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest in respect of a debt security or payment of the coupon on the date specified for payment in the debt security or coupon representing the installment of interest (the "stated maturity" or "stated maturities") or to institute suit for the enforcement of payment may not be impaired or adversely affected without the holder's consent. The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive an existing default with respect to that series and its consequences, other than (i) any default in any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any debt security of the series or (ii) any default in respect of the covenants or provisions in the applicable indenture which may not be modified without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected as described in "—Modification and Waiver," below.

        Each indenture provides for us to deliver to the trustee within 120 days after the end of each of our fiscal years an officers' certificate stating whether or not the signers know of any default that occurred during the last fiscal year.

Modification and Waiver

        The indentures permit us and the applicable trustee to execute a supplemental indenture without the consent of the holders of the debt securities or any related coupons:

    to evidence the succession of another corporation to us and the assumption by it of our obligations under the applicable indenture and the debt securities;

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

    to provide that bearer securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions (including restrictions relating to payment in the United States) on the payment of principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on bearer securities, to permit bearer securities to be issued in exchange for registered securities, to permit bearer securities to be issued in exchange for bearer securities of other authorized denominations or to permit the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form;

    to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series or coupons as permitted by the applicable indenture;

    to provide for the acceptance of appointment under the applicable indenture of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any provisions of that indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee;

    to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

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    to add to, change or eliminate any provisions (which addition, change or elimination may apply to one or more series of debt securities), provided that the addition, change or elimination neither (a) applies to any debt security of any series that was created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture and is entitled to the benefit of that provision nor (b) modifies the rights of the holder of any such debt security with respect to that provision;

    to secure the debt securities; or

    to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of the debt securities.

        Each indenture also permits us and the applicable trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the supplemental indenture, to execute a supplemental indenture to add provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any provisions of, the indenture with respect to that series of debt securities or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities of that series and any related coupons under the applicable indenture. However, the supplemental indenture will not, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

    change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal or interest on, the debt securities or any premium payable upon redemption thereof;

    reduce the amount of principal of any original issue discount securities that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of maturity thereof;

    reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or the rate of interest on, the debt securities;

    change the place or currency of payment of principal and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities;

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

    reduce the above-stated principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the indenture;

    modify the foregoing requirements or reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series necessary to waive any covenant or past default; or

    in the case of subordinated debt securities, amend or modify any of the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to subordination of the debt securities in any manner adverse to the holders of the debt securities.

Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive certain past defaults and may waive compliance by us with certain of the restrictive covenants described above with respect to the debt securities of that series.

Discharge and Defeasance

        Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture provides that we may satisfy and discharge obligations thereunder with respect to the debt securities of any series by delivering to the trustee for cancellation all outstanding debt securities of the series or depositing with the trustee, after the outstanding debt securities have become due and payable, or will become due and payable within one year or will be called for redemption within one year, cash sufficient to pay at stated maturity or redemption all of the outstanding debt securities of the series and all other sums payable under the indenture with respect to the series.

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        In addition, unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture provides that we may:

    (a)
    be discharged from our obligations in respect of the debt securities of a series ("defeasance and discharge"), or

    (b)
    cease to comply with specified restrictive covenants ("covenant defeasance"), including those described under "—Mergers and Sales of Assets";

and the omission will not be an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, in each case at any time prior to the stated maturity or redemption thereof, if we irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust:

            (i)    sufficient funds in the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are denominated to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest to stated maturity or redemption on, the debt securities of that series, or

            (ii)   that amount of direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on which are fully guaranteed by, the government which issued the currency in which the debt securities are denominated, and which are not subject to prepayment, redemption or call, as will, together with the predetermined and certain income to accrue thereon without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest to stated maturity or redemption on, the debt securities of that series.

        The defeasance and discharge and covenant defeasance described above are effective only if, among other things, we deliver an opinion of counsel to the effect that (i) we have met all of the conditions precedent to the defeasance and the holders of the debt securities of the series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance, and will be subject to tax in the same manner as if no defeasance had occurred and (ii) in the case of defeasance and discharge, the opinion as to tax consequences is based upon an Internal Revenue Service ruling or a change in applicable federal income tax law.

        Upon the defeasance and discharge, the holders of the debt securities of the series will no longer be entitled to the benefits of the applicable indenture, except for the purposes of registration of transfer and exchange of the debt securities of the series and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities and may look only to the deposited funds or obligations for payment.

The Trustees under the Indentures

        The trustees under the indentures, and/or one or more of their respective affiliates, may be lenders under our credit agreements and may provide other commercial banking, investment banking and other services to us and/or our subsidiaries and affiliates. Each trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us and/or our subsidiaries and affiliates. However, if any trustee acquires any conflicting interest, as defined in the Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate the conflict or resign.

        The trustees will perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in the indentures, unless an event of default occurs and is continuing. In case an event of default occurs and is continuing, a trustee will exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs

Applicable Law

        The debt securities and the indentures will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

        We may issue, from time to time, shares of one or more series or classes of our preferred stock. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of any series of preferred stock and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the series of preferred stock offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that preferred stock. The following summary of provisions of the preferred stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of our charter, bylaws and the certificate of designation relating to a specific series of the preferred stock, which will be in the form filed as an exhibit to, or incorporated by reference in, the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part at or prior to the time of issuance of that series of preferred stock. You should read our charter, bylaws and the relevant certificate of designation.

General

        Under our charter, we have the authority to issue 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock, in one or more series or classes, and to fix for each series voting powers and those preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and those qualifications, limitations or restrictions as are permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

        Our Board of Directors is authorized to determine the terms for each series of preferred stock, and the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any series of preferred stock being offered, including:

    the designation of the shares and the number of shares that constitute the series;

    the dividend rate (or the method of calculation thereof), if any, on the shares of the series and the priority as to payment of dividends with respect to other classes or series of our capital stock;

    the dividend periods (or the method of calculation thereof);

    the voting rights of the shares;

    the liquidation preference and the priority as to payment of the liquidation preference with respect to other classes or series of our capital stock and any other rights of the shares of the series upon our liquidation or winding-up;

    whether or not and on what terms the shares of the series will be subject to redemption or repurchase at our option;

    whether and on what terms the shares of the series will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities;

    whether depositary shares representing shares of the series of preferred stock will be offered and, if so, the fraction of a share of the series of preferred stock represented by each depositary share (see "Description of Depositary Shares" below);

    whether the shares of the series of preferred stock will be listed on a securities exchange;

    any special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the series; and

    the other rights and privileges and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the rights or privileges of the series.

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Dividends

        Holders of shares of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by our Board of Directors out of our funds legally available therefor, an annual cash dividend payable at the dates and at the rates, if any, per share per annum as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of preferred stock will rank junior as to dividends to any preferred stock that may be issued in the future that is expressly senior as to dividends to that preferred stock. If we should fail at any time to pay accrued dividends on any senior shares at the time the dividends are payable, we may not pay any dividend on the junior preferred stock or redeem or otherwise repurchase shares of junior preferred stock until the accumulated but unpaid dividends on the senior shares have been paid or set aside for payment in full by us.

        Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, no dividends (other than in common stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of any series as to dividends and upon liquidation) may be declared or paid or set aside for payment, nor may any other distribution be declared or made upon the common stock, or any of our other capital stock ranking junior to or on a parity with the preferred stock of that series as to dividends, nor may any common stock or any of our other capital stock ranking junior to or on a parity with the preferred stock of that series as to dividends be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any of that stock) by us (except by conversion into or exchange for other capital stock of ours ranking junior to the preferred stock of that series as to dividends) unless (i) if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on the preferred stock of that series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period and (ii) if such series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the preferred stock of such series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current dividend period. However, any monies deposited in any sinking fund with respect to any preferred stock in compliance with the provisions of the sinking fund may be applied to the purchase or redemption of that preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the sinking fund, regardless of whether at the time of the application full dividends, including cumulative dividends, upon shares of the preferred stock outstanding on the last dividend payment date have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. In addition, any junior or parity preferred stock or common stock may be converted into or exchanged for our stock ranking junior to the preferred stock as to dividends.

        The amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period or any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Accrued but unpaid dividends will not bear interest, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Convertibility

        No series of preferred stock will be convertible into, or exchangeable for, other securities or property except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption and Sinking Fund

        No series of preferred stock will be redeemable or receive the benefit of a sinking fund except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Liquidation Rights

        Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of shares of each series of preferred stock are entitled to receive out of our assets available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of (i) any other shares of preferred stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and (ii) shares of common stock, liquidating distributions per share in the amount of the liquidation preference specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for that series of preferred stock plus any dividends accrued and accumulated but unpaid to the date of final distribution; but the holders of each series of preferred stock will not be entitled to receive the liquidating distribution of, plus such dividends on, those shares until the liquidation preference of any shares of our capital stock ranking senior to that series of the preferred stock as to the rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up shall have been paid (or a sum set aside therefor sufficient to provide for payment) in full. If upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the amounts payable with respect to the preferred stock, and any other preferred stock ranking as to any distribution on a parity with the preferred stock are not paid in full, then the holders of the preferred stock and the other parity preferred stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amount to which they are entitled. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement for a series of preferred stock, after payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of shares of preferred stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of our assets. Neither a consolidation or merger of us with another corporation nor a sale of securities shall be considered a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us.

Voting Rights

        The holders of each series or class of preferred stock we may issue will have no voting rights, except as required by law and as described below or in the applicable prospectus supplement. Our Board of Directors may, upon issuance of a series or class of preferred stock, grant voting rights to the holders of that series or class to elect additional board members if we fail to pay dividends in a timely fashion.

        Without the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of any class of preferred stock then outstanding, we may not:

    increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of that class;

    increase or decrease the par value of the shares of that class; or

    alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of that class so as to affect them adversely.

        If the amendment would adversely alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of one or more series of a class of preferred stock, but not the entire class, then only the shares of the affected series will have the right to vote on the amendment.

Miscellaneous

        The holders of our preferred stock will have no preemptive rights. All shares of preferred stock being offered by the applicable prospectus supplement will be fully paid and not liable to further calls or assessment by us. If we should redeem or otherwise reacquire shares of our preferred stock, then these shares will resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock undesignated as to series, and will be available for subsequent issuance. There are no restrictions on repurchase or redemption of the preferred stock while there is any arrearage on sinking fund installments except as may be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement. Payment of dividends on any series of

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preferred stock may be restricted by loan agreements, indentures and other transactions entered into by us. Any material contractual restrictions on dividend payments will be described or incorporated by reference in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        When we offer to sell a series of preferred stock, we will describe the specific terms of the series in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any particular terms of a series of preferred stock described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described in this prospectus, then the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement will be deemed to supersede the terms described in this prospectus.

No Other Rights

        The shares of a series of preferred stock will not have any preferences, voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights except as set forth above or in the applicable prospectus supplement, our charter or the applicable certificate of designation or as otherwise required by law.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        The transfer agent and registrar for each series of preferred stock will be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement.


DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

        We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares rather than full shares of the preferred stock of a series. In the event that we exercise this option, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock as described below.

        The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under one or more deposit agreements among us, a depositary to be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the holders from time to time of depositary receipts issued thereunder. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented thereby (including, as applicable, dividend, voting, redemption, subscription and liquidation rights).

        The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock.

        The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the depositary shares so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the depositary shares or the deposit agreement described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. The forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipt have been or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

        The following summary of certain provisions of the depositary shares and deposit agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, all

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the provisions of the deposit agreement and the applicable prospectus supplement, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

        Immediately following our issuance of shares of a series of preferred stock that will be offered as fractional shares, we will deposit the shares with the depositary, which will then issue and deliver the depositary receipts to the purchasers thereof. Depositary receipts will only be issued evidencing whole depositary shares. A depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

        Pending the preparation of definitive depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to (and entitling the holders thereof to all the rights pertaining to) the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. Definitive depositary receipts will be prepared thereafter without unreasonable delay, and such temporary depositary receipts will be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.

Dividends and Other Distributions

        The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the related series of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the series of preferred stock in proportion to the number of the depositary shares owned by the holders.

        In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled thereto in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionately among the holders or that it is not feasible to make the distributions, in which case the depositary may, with our approval, adopt any method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting the distribution, including the sale (at public or private sale) of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, at the place or places and upon those terms as it may deem proper.

        The amount distributed in any of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

        If any series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from any redemption, in whole or in part, of the series of the preferred stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the series of the preferred stock. If we redeem shares of a series of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or substantially equivalent method determined by the depositary.

        After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the moneys payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon such redemption, upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. Any funds deposited by us with the depositary for any depositary shares that the holders thereof fail to redeem will be returned to us after a period of two years from the date the funds are so deposited.

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Voting the Underlying Preferred Stock

        Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the series of preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the related series of preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of the series of preferred stock represented by that holder's depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, provided the depositary receives the instructions sufficiently in advance of the meeting to enable it to so vote or cause to be voted the shares of preferred stock, and we will agree to take all reasonable action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing the preferred stock.

Withdrawal of Stock

        Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary and upon payment of the taxes, charges and fees provided for in the deposit agreement and subject to the terms thereof, the holder of the depositary shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property, if any, represented by the depositary shares. Holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive whole shares of the related series of preferred stock, but holders of the whole shares of preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit the shares of preferred stock with the depositary or to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder or upon his or her order at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.

Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement

        The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares of any series and any provision of the applicable deposit agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares of any series will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares of the series then outstanding. Every holder of a depositary receipt at the time the amendment becomes effective will be deemed, by continuing to hold the depositary receipt, to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may any amendment impair the right of any holder of any depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares and subject to any conditions specified in the deposit agreement, to receive shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us at any time upon not less than 60 days prior written notice to the depositary, in which case, on a date that is not later than 30 days after the date of the notice, the depositary shall deliver or make available for delivery to holders of depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares. The deposit agreement shall automatically terminate after all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or there has been a final distribution in respect of

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the related series of preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us and the distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary shares.

Charges of Depositary

        We will pay all transfer and other taxes and the governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay the charges of the depositary, including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the related series of preferred stock and the initial issuance of the depositary shares and all withdrawals of shares of the related series of preferred stock, except that holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us written notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal is to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary, which successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Miscellaneous

        The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the related preferred stock.

        The depositary's corporate trust office will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts and if shares of a series of preferred stock are redeemable, the depositary will also act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.


DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

        We may issue, from time to time, shares of our common stock, the general terms and provisions of which are summarized below. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, the provisions of our charter, bylaws and the applicable prospectus supplement.

Authorized Shares

        Under our charter, we have the authority to issue 4,600,000,000 shares of common stock.

Dividends

        Subject to any preferential rights of any series of preferred stock, holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive dividends on the stock out of assets legally available for distribution when, as and if authorized and declared by our Board of Directors. The payment of dividends on the common stock will be a business decision to be made by our Board of Directors from time to time based upon results of our operations and our financial condition and any other factors as our Board of Directors considers relevant. Payment of dividends on the common stock may be restricted by loan agreements, indentures and other transactions entered into by us from time to time. Any material contractual restrictions on dividend payments will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Voting Rights

        Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters voted on generally by the stockholders, including the election of directors, and, except as otherwise required by law or except as provided with respect to any series of preferred stock, the holders of the shares possess all voting power. Our charter does not provide for cumulative voting for the election of directors. As a result, under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the holders of more than one-half of the outstanding shares of common stock generally will be able to elect all the directors of Disney then standing for election and holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any director.

Liquidation Rights

        Subject to any preferential rights of any series of preferred stock, holders of shares of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Absence of Other Rights

        Holders of common stock have no preferential, preemptive, conversion or exchange rights.

Miscellaneous

        All shares of common stock being offered by the applicable prospectus supplement will be fully paid and not liable to further calls or assessment by us.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        We are the principal transfer agent and registrar for the common stock.

Certain Anti-takeover Effects

        General.    Certain provisions of our charter and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") could make it more difficult to consummate an acquisition of control of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy fight, open market purchases or otherwise in a transaction not approved by our Board of Directors. The provisions described below may reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited proposal for the restructuring or sale of all or substantially all of our assets or an unsolicited takeover attempt which is unfair to our stockholders. The summary of the provisions set forth below does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our charter and the DGCL.

        Our Board of Directors has no present intention to introduce additional measures that might have an anti-takeover effect; however, our Board of Directors expressly reserves the right to introduce these measures in the future.

        Business Combinations.    Section 203 of the DGCL restricts a wide range of transactions ("business combinations") between a corporation and an interested stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is, generally, any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the corporation's outstanding voting stock. Business combinations are broadly defined to include (i) mergers or consolidations with, (ii) sales or other dispositions of more than 10% of the corporation's assets to, (iii) certain transactions resulting in the issuance or transfer of any stock of the corporation or any subsidiary to, (iv) certain transactions resulting in an increase in the proportionate share of stock of the corporation or any subsidiary owned by, or (v) receipt of the benefit (other than proportionately as a stockholder) of any loans, advances or other financial benefits by, an interested stockholder. Section 203 provides that an interested stockholder may not engage in a business combination with the corporation for a period of three years from the time of becoming an interested stockholder unless (a) the Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted

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in the person becoming an interested stockholder prior to the time that person became an interested stockholder; (b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested stockholder, that person owned at least 85% of the corporation's voting stock (excluding, for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and shares owned by certain employee stock plans); or (c) the business combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder. The restrictions on business combinations with interested stockholders contained in Section 203 of the DGCL do not apply to a corporation whose certificate of incorporation or bylaws contains a provision expressly electing not to be governed by the statute; however, neither our charter nor our bylaws contains a provision electing to "opt-out" of Section 203.

        Supermajority Requirements.    In addition to the requirements of Section 203 of the DGCL, our charter provides that the affirmative vote of four-fifths of our outstanding stock entitled to vote shall be required for:

    (1)
    any merger or consolidation to which we, or any of our subsidiaries, and an Interested Person (as defined below) are parties;

    (2)
    any sale or other disposition by us, or any of our subsidiaries, of all or substantially all of our or its assets to an interested person, as defined below;

    (3)
    any purchase or other acquisition by us, or any of our subsidiaries, of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of an interested person; and

    (4)
    any other transaction with an interested person which requires the approval of our stockholders under the DGCL.

However, the above will not apply to any transaction if (a) the transaction is authorized by a resolution of our Board of Directors, provided that a majority of the members of our Board of Directors voting for the approval of the transaction were duly elected and acting members of our Board of Directors prior to the date that the person, firm or corporation, or any group thereof, with whom the transaction is proposed, became an interested person, or (b) the provision of a vote in excess of that required by the DGCL for the transaction violates the express provisions of the DGCL. An "interested person" is any person, firm or corporation, or any group thereof, acting or intending to act in concert, including any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such person, firm or corporation or group, which owns of record or beneficially, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of any class of our voting securities.

        Special Meetings.    Pursuant to the DGCL, a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the Board of Directors or by any other person authorized to do so in the charter or the bylaws. Our charter provides that special meetings of stockholders may only be called by our Board of Directors, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, or our President.

        Additional Authorized Shares of Capital Stock.    The additional shares of authorized common stock and preferred stock available for issuance under our charter could be issued at such times, under such circumstances and with such terms and conditions as to impede a change in control.


DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may issue, either separately or together with other securities, warrants for the purchase of any of the other types of securities that we may sell under this prospectus.

        The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating

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to any or all warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered. Copies of the form of agreement for each warrant, which we refer to collectively as "warrant agreements," including the forms of certificates representing the warrants, which we refer to collectively as "warrant certificates" and reflecting the provisions to be included in such agreements that will be entered into with respect to the particular offerings of each type of warrant, have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or as exhibits to documents which have been or will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

        The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may apply to the warrants so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants, warrant agreements and warrant certificates does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreements and warrant certificates, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

General

        The prospectus supplement shall set forth the terms of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered as well as the related warrant agreement and warrant certificates, including the following, where applicable:

    the principal amount of, or the number of securities, as the case may be, purchasable upon exercise of each warrant and the initial price at which the principal amount or number of securities, as the case may be, may be purchased upon such exercise;

    the designation and terms of the securities, if other than common stock, purchasable upon exercise thereof and of any securities, if other than common stock, with which the warrants are issued;

    the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants;

    the date, if any, on and after which the warrants, and any securities with which the warrants are issued, will be separately transferable;

    the offering price of the warrants, if any;

    the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which that right will expire;

    a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;

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

    call provisions of the warrants, if any;

    antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any; and

    any other material terms of the warrants.

Exercise of Warrants

        Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash that principal amount of or number of securities, as the case may be, at the exercise price set forth in, or to be determined as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or

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any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement at any time up to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed, we will, as soon as practicable, issue the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrant. If less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of warrants.

No Rights of Security Holder Prior to Exercise

        Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants, and will not be entitled to:

    in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise; or

    in the case of warrants to purchase equity securities, the right to vote or to receive dividend payments or similar distributions on the securities purchasable upon exercise.

Exchange of Warrant Certificates

        Warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new warrant certificates of different denominations at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.


DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

        We may offer one or more series of trust preferred securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion of or in exchange for, other securities. All of the trust common securities will be owned directly or indirectly by us. The trust preferred securities would be issued by one of the Disney Capital Trusts. The terms of the series of trust preferred securities will include those stated in the amended trust agreement entered into at the time the securities are issued and those made part of the amended trust agreement by the Trust Indenture Act or the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The amended trust agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. We will enter into a guarantee with respect to each series of trust preferred securities under which we will irrevocably and unconditionally agree to make certain payments to the holders of that series of trust preferred securities, subject to applicable subordination provisions, except that the guarantee will only apply when the trust has sufficient funds legally and immediately available to make those payments but has not made them.

        The proceeds from the sale of a series of trust preferred securities and any trust common securities will be used by the trust to purchase a series of our junior subordinated debt securities. The payment terms of the series of junior subordinated debt securities will mirror the terms of that series of trust preferred securities and any trust common securities. Each series of junior subordinated debt securities will be issued under our subordinated debt securities indenture. Except as described in an applicable prospectus supplement, the features of the junior subordinated debt securities will be similar to the subordinated debt securities described above under "Description of Debt Securities," with the additional features summarized below under "—Description of Additional Terms of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities to be Issued to the Trusts."

        The series of junior subordinated debt securities purchased with the proceeds from the sale of a series of trust preferred securities and trust common securities by a trust, along with its rights under the amended trust agreement and other agreements described in this section, will be the sole assets of the trust, and our payments under the series of junior subordinated debt securities and the agreement

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as to expenses and liabilities between us and the trust will be the sole revenue of the trust. If we fail to make a payment on the series of junior subordinated debt securities, the trust will not have sufficient funds to make related payments, including distributions, on the series of trust preferred securities.

        Our guarantee, when taken together with our obligations under the junior subordinated debt securities, the related indenture and the amended trust agreement, will provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by us of payments due on the trust preferred securities.

        The following summary of selected provisions of the amended trust agreement, and the trust preferred securities, related guarantees and junior subordinated debt securities, is not complete. When we offer to sell a series of trust preferred securities, we will describe the material additional terms of the series in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any particular terms of the trust preferred securities described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described in this prospectus, then the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement will supersede the terms described in this prospectus. In addition, you should review the forms of amended trust agreement, guarantee, subordinated debt securities indenture, agreement as to expenses and liabilities and certificate evidencing the trust preferred securities, which forms have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. To obtain a copy of these documents, see "Where You Can Find More Information" in this prospectus. The following summary and any description of trust preferred securities and related matters in the applicable prospectus supplement are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of these documents, which provisions, including defined terms, are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. When we refer to "Disney," "we," "us" or "our" in this section or when we otherwise refer to ourselves in this section, we mean The Walt Disney Company, excluding, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context requires, our subsidiaries. References to "trust securities" below include trust preferred securities and trust common securities (all of which, with respect to any trust, will be directly or indirectly owned by us), collectively.

General

        Each trust may issue only one series of trust preferred securities and one series of trust common securities, and will use the proceeds from the sale of a series of trust preferred securities and trust common securities to purchase our junior subordinated debt securities. See "—Description of Additional Terms of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities to be Issued to the Trusts" below. The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any series of trust preferred securities will describe the terms of the trust preferred securities, including, where applicable:

    the title of the trust preferred securities;

    the liquidation amount and number of trust preferred securities issued;

    any limit on the aggregate liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities;

    whether the trust preferred securities may be represented initially by a trust preferred security in temporary or permanent global form, and if so, the initial depositary with respect to the temporary or permanent global debt security and whether and the circumstances under which beneficial owners of interests in any the temporary or permanent global debt security may exchange those interests for trust preferred securities of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination;

    the price or prices at which the trust preferred securities will be issued;

    the annual distribution rate or rates on the trust preferred securities or the method or methods, if any, used to calculate those rates, the payment date or dates and the record dates used to determine the holders who are to receive distributions;

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    the date or dates from which distributions on the trust preferred securities will be cumulative or the method or methods, if any, used to determine those dates;

    the person to whom any distributions will be payable on any trust preferred securities, if other than the person in whose name the security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the payment of such interest;

    the regular payment date or dates on which distributions on the trust preferred securities will be payable and the regular record dates for the distributions payable on the trust preferred securities;

    the place or places where and the manner in which the distributions of and payments in redemption of the trust preferred securities will be payable and the place or places where the trust preferred securities of the series may be presented for transfer and, if applicable, conversion or exchange and the place or places where notices and demands in respect of the trust preferred securities may be served on us;

    the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which, the trust preferred securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;

    whether the trust preferred securities are convertible or exchangeable into our common stock or other securities, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which the conversion or exchange will be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and any adjustments thereto, the conversion or exchange period and other conversion or exchange provisions;

    the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the junior subordinated debt securities and the related guarantee may be distributed to holders of those trust preferred securities and trust common securities;

    any securities exchange on which the trust preferred securities will be listed; and

    any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of the trust preferred securities.

        The interest rate and interest and other payment dates of each series of junior subordinated debt securities issued to a trust will correspond to the rate at which distributions will be paid and the distribution and other payment dates of the trust preferred securities of that trust. Holders of trust preferred securities will have no preemptive or similar rights.

Distributions

        Distributions on the trust preferred securities will be made on the dates payable to the extent that the trust has funds available for the payment of distributions in the trust's property account. The trust's funds available for distribution to the holders of the trust securities will be limited to payments received from us on the junior subordinated debt securities issued to the trust in connection with the issuance of the trust preferred securities. We will guarantee the payment of distributions out of monies held by the trust to the extent set forth under "—Description of the Guarantees" below.

        Distributions on the trust preferred securities will be payable to the holders named on the securities register of the trust at the close of business on the relevant record dates, which, as long as the trust preferred securities remain in book-entry only form, will be one business day prior to the relevant payment dates. Distributions will be paid through the property trustee who will hold amounts received in respect of the junior subordinated debt securities in the property account for the benefit of the holders of the trust securities. In the event that the trust preferred securities do not continue to remain in book-entry only form, the administrative trustees will have the right to select relevant record dates, which will be at least 15 days prior to the relevant payment dates. In the event that any date on

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which distributions are to be made on the trust preferred securities is not a business day, then payment of the distributions payable on that date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a business day and without any interest or other payment in respect of that delay, except that, if that business day is in the next succeeding calendar year, the payment will be made on the immediately preceding business day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the payment date.

Deferral of Distributions

        We will have the right under the junior subordinated debt securities to defer payments of interest on the junior subordinated debt securities by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the junior subordinated debt securities. As a consequence of our extension of the interest payment period on junior subordinated debt securities held by a trust, distributions on the trust preferred securities would be deferred during any such extended interest payment period. The trust will give the holders of the trust preferred securities notice of an extension period upon their receipt of notice from us. If distributions are deferred, the deferred distributions and accrued interest will be paid to holders of record of the trust preferred securities as they appear on the books and records of the trust on the record date next following the termination of the deferral period. See "—Description of Additional Terms of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities to be Issued to the Trusts" below for more information on our right to defer interest payments.

Mandatory Redemption

        The trust preferred securities have no stated maturity date, but will be redeemed upon the maturity of the junior subordinated debt securities issued to the trust in connection with the issuance of the trust preferred securities or to the extent the junior subordinated debt securities are redeemed prior to maturity. The junior subordinated debt securities will mature on the date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The junior subordinated debt securities may be redeemed at our option, to the extent specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and may also be redeemed at any time, in whole although not in part, in certain circumstances upon the occurrence of a tax event or an investment company event as described under "—Special Event Redemption" below.

        Upon maturity of the junior subordinated debt securities, the proceeds of their repayment simultaneously will be applied to redeem all outstanding trust securities at the redemption price. Upon the redemption of the junior subordinated debt securities, either at our option or pursuant to a tax event or investment company event, the trust will use the cash it receives upon redemption to redeem trust securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the junior subordinated debt securities so redeemed at the redemption price. Before such redemption, holders of trust securities will be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice. In the event that fewer than all of the outstanding trust securities are to be redeemed, the trust securities will be redeemed proportionately.

Special Event Redemption

        Both a tax event and an investment company act event constitute special events for purposes of the redemption provisions described above.

        A tax event means that the trust has received an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, change or announced proposed change in, the laws or regulations of the United States or any of its political subdivisions or taxing authorities, or written administrative or judicial decision, interpretation or application of these laws and regulations, there is more than an insubstantial risk that:

    the trust is or within 90 days would be subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income accrued or received on the junior subordinated debt securities;

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    interest payable to the trust on the junior subordinated debt securities is not or within 90 days would not be deductible, in whole or in part, by us for United States federal income tax purposes; or

    the trust is or within 90 days would be subject to a more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

        An investment company event means that the trust has received an opinion of counsel to the effect that, as a result of an amendment to or change in the applicable laws or regulations, or written administrative or judicial decision, interpretation or application of these laws and regulations, the trust is or will be considered an investment company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

Redemption Procedures

        A trust may not redeem fewer than all of the outstanding trust securities unless all accumulated and unpaid distributions have been paid on all trust securities for all distribution periods terminating on or prior to the date of redemption. If fewer than all of the outstanding trust securities are to be redeemed, the trust securities will be redeemed proportionately.

        If (1) a trust gives a notice of redemption of trust securities (which notice may not be conditional) and (2) we have paid to the property trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the junior subordinated debt securities, then on or before the redemption date, the property trustee will deposit with the paying agent funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price. Upon surrender of the trust securities to the paying agent, the holders of the trust securities will be paid the applicable redemption price plus accumulated distributions to the redemption date.

        Once notice of redemption is given, distributions will cease to accumulate and all rights of holders of trust preferred securities called for redemption will cease, except the right of the holders to receive the redemption price plus accumulated distributions. If any redemption date is not a business day, then payment of the redemption price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay. However, if such business day falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately preceding business day.

        We or our subsidiaries may, at any time, and from time to time, purchase outstanding trust securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

        The terms on which the trust preferred securities or related junior subordinated debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Those terms, if applicable, will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, and may include provisions under which the number of shares of our common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of trust preferred securities or related junior subordinated debt securities would be subject to adjustment.

Dissolution

        Each amended trust agreement will state that the trust will be dissolved:

    upon our bankruptcy;

    upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to us;

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    upon obtaining the consent of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the trust securities, voting together as a single class;

    90 days after the revocation of our charter, but only if the charter is not reinstated during that 90-day period;

    upon entry of a court order for the dissolution of us or the trust;

    upon the redemption of all of the trust securities;

    upon the distribution of the related junior subordinated debt securities directly to the holders of the trust securities; or

    if prior to the issuance of the trust securities, when we and the administrative trustees have consented to dissolution of the trust.

In the event of a dissolution, after the trust pays all amounts owed to creditors, the holders of the trust securities will be entitled to receive:

    cash equal to the total liquidation amount of each trust security specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of payment; or

    junior subordinated debt securities in a total principal amount equal to the total liquidation amount of the trust securities.

        If the trust cannot pay the full amount due on its trust securities because insufficient assets are available for payment, then the amounts payable by the trust on its trust securities will be paid proportionately. However, if an event of default under the related amended trust agreement occurs, the total amounts due on the trust preferred securities will be paid before any distribution on the trust common securities.

Distribution of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

        We will have the right at any time to dissolve a trust and, after satisfaction of the liabilities of creditors of the trust as provided by applicable law, to cause the distribution of junior subordinated debt securities issued to the trust to the holders of the trust securities in a total stated principal amount equal to the total stated liquidation amount of the trust securities then outstanding. The right to dissolve the trust and distribute the junior subordinated debt securities will be conditioned on our receipt of an opinion rendered by tax counsel that the distribution would not be taxable for United States federal income tax purposes to the holders.

Trust Enforcement Events

        Upon the occurrence of a trust enforcement event, the property trustee, as the sole holder of the junior subordinated debt securities, will have the right under the subordinated debt securities indenture to declare the principal of, interest on and premium, if any, on the junior subordinated debt securities to be immediately due and payable. A trust enforcement event under the amended trust agreement also will be an event of default under the subordinated debt securities indenture. See "—Description of Additional Terms of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities to be Issued to the Trusts."

        Under the amended trust agreement, until all trust enforcement events with respect to the trust preferred securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the holder of the trust common securities will be deemed to have waived any trust enforcement event with respect to the trust common securities, the property trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the holders of the trust preferred securities and only the holders of the trust preferred securities will have the right to direct the property trustee with respect to certain matters under the amended trust agreement and the subordinated debt securities indenture as it relates to the junior subordinated debt securities. In the

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event that any trust enforcement event with respect to the trust preferred securities is waived by the holders of the trust preferred securities as provided in the amended trust agreement, the holder of trust common securities has agreed that the waiver also constitutes a waiver of the trust enforcement event with respect to the trust common securities for all purposes under the amended trust agreement without any further act, vote or consent of the holder of trust common securities.

        Each amended trust agreement will provide that we and the administrative trustees shall deliver to the property trustee within 120 days after the end of each of our fiscal years a certificate evidencing compliance with all the applicable conditions and covenants under the amended trust agreement during the last fiscal year.

        If a property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the amended trust agreement or the subordinated debt securities indenture to the fullest extent permitted by law and, subject to the terms of the amended trust agreement and the subordinated debt securities indenture, any holder of trust securities may sue us, or seek other remedies, to enforce the property trustee's rights under the amended trust agreement or the subordinated debt securities indenture without first instituting a legal proceeding against the property trustee or any other person. If a trust enforcement event occurs and is continuing as a result of our failure to pay the principal of, interest on or premium, if any, on the junior subordinated debt securities when payable, then a holder of the trust preferred securities may directly sue us or seek other remedies, to collect its proportionate share of payments owed. See "—Relationship Among the Trust Preferred Securities, the Guarantees and the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Held By The Trust" below.

Removal and Replacement of Trustees

        Once trust securities have been issued, the number of trustees may be increased or decreased by a majority in liquidation amount of the trust common securities and only the holder of trust common securities has the right to remove or replace the trustees of the trust, except that while an event of default in respect of the junior subordinated debt securities has occurred and is continuing, the holders of a majority of the trust preferred securities will have this right. The resignation or removal of any property or Delaware trustee and the appointment of a successor property or Delaware trustee will be effective only on the acceptance of appointment by the successor property or Delaware trustee in accordance with the provisions of the amended trust agreement. The resignation of an administrative trustee is effective upon delivery of notice of resignation.

Mergers and Sales of Assets

        A trust may not consolidate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any other trust entity (each, a merger event), except as described below. A trust may, at our request and with the consent of a majority of its administrative trustees (but without the consent of the holders of its trust securities, the Delaware trustee or the property trustee), consolidate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties or assets substantially as an entirety to, another trust, provided that:

    the successor entity either (1) assumes all of the obligations of the trust relating to its trust securities or (2) substitutes other securities for the trust preferred securities that are substantially similar to the trust preferred securities, so long as the successor securities rank the same as the trust preferred securities for distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise;

    we appoint a trustee of the successor entity who has the same powers and duties as the property trustee of the trust, as the holder of the junior subordinated debt securities;

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    the trust preferred securities are listed, or any successor securities will be listed, upon notice of issuance, on the same securities exchange or other organization that the trust preferred securities are then listed;

    the merger event does not cause the trust preferred securities or successor securities to be downgraded by any nationally recognized rating agency;

    the merger event does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the trust preferred securities or successor securities in any material way, other than with respect to any dilution of the holders' interest in the new entity;

    the successor entity has a purpose identical to that of the trust;

    prior to the merger event, we have received an opinion of counsel stating that (1) the merger event does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the trust preferred securities or any successor securities in any material way, other than with respect to any dilution of the holders' interest in the new entity, (2) following the merger event, neither the trust nor the successor entity will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, and (3) following the merger event the trust or the successor entity will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes;

    we directly or indirectly own all of the trust common securities of the successor entity and guarantee the obligations of the successor entity under the successor securities in the same manner as in the guarantee; and

    the successor entity assumes all of the obligations of the trust with respect to the trustees.

        In addition, unless all of the holders of the trust preferred securities and trust common securities approve otherwise, the trust will not consolidate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties or assets substantially as an entirety to, any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, merge with or into, or replace it, if, in the opinion of tax counsel, the transaction would cause the trust or the successor entity to be classified other than as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes and would cause the holders of the trust securities not to be treated as owning an undivided interest in the junior subordinated debt securities.

Voting Rights; Amendment of Amended Trust Agreement

        The holders of trust securities have no voting rights except as discussed under "—Removal and Replacement of Trustees" and "—Mergers and Sales of Assets" above and "—Description of the Guarantees" below and as otherwise required by law and the amended trust agreement.

        The amended trust agreement may be amended if approved by us, a majority of the administrative trustees of the trust, the property trustee and, if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware trustee, the Delaware trustee. However, if any proposed amendment provides for:

    any action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the trust securities, whether by way of amendment to the amended trust agreement or otherwise; or

    the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the trust other than under the terms of its amended trust agreement;

then the holders of the trust securities as a single class will be entitled to vote on the amendment. In that case, the amendment will be effective only if approved by at least a majority in liquidation amount of the trust securities affected by the amendment. However, if any proposed amendment would adversely affect only the trust preferred securities or the trust common securities, then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on the amendment.

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        In addition, if any proposed amendment provides for:

    any action that would change the amount or timing of any distribution of the trust securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any distribution required to be made in respect of the trust securities on a specified date; or

    any action that would restrict the right of a holder of trust securities to institute suit for the enforcement of payment of the distribution on or after the specified date;

then the holders of trust securities as a single class will be entitled to vote on the amendment. In that case, the amendment will be effective only if approved by each holder of trust securities affected by the amendment.

        No amendment may be made to an amended trust agreement if that amendment would:

    cause the trust to be characterized as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes;

    reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the property trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or

    cause the trust to be deemed to be an investment company which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

        As described in the form of amended trust agreement, the administrative trustees may hold a meeting to have holders of trust securities vote on an amendment or have them approve an amendment by written consent.

        If a vote by the holders of trust preferred securities is taken or a consent is obtained, any trust preferred securities owned by us or our affiliates will, for purposes of the vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding, which will have the following consequences:

    we and our affiliates will not be able to vote on or consent to matters requiring the vote or consent of holders of trust preferred securities; and

    any trust preferred securities owned by us or our affiliates will not be counted in determining whether the required percentage of votes or consents has been obtained.

        The holders of a majority of the total liquidation amount of each of the trust preferred securities and the trust common securities have the right to:

    direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the property trustee; or

    direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the property trustee under the amended trust agreement, including the right to direct the property trustee, as the holder of the junior subordinated debt securities, to

    exercise the remedies available under the subordinated debt securities indenture with respect to the junior subordinated debt securities;

    consent to any amendment or modification of the subordinated indenture with respect to the junior subordinated debt securities; or

    waive any event of default under the subordinated debt securities indenture that is waivable.

        However, the holders of a majority of the total liquidation amount of the trust common securities can exercise the foregoing rights only after all trust enforcement events with respect to the trust preferred securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. In addition, before taking any of the foregoing actions, the property trustee must obtain an opinion of tax counsel stating that, as a

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result of that action, the trust will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes and that each holder of trust securities will be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in junior subordinated debt securities.

Information Concerning the Property Trustee

        For matters relating to compliance with the Trust Indenture Act, the property trustee will have all of the duties and responsibilities of an indenture trustee under the Trust Indenture Act. The property trustee, and/or one or more of its affiliates, may be a lender under our credit agreements and may provide other commercial banking, investment banking and other services to us and/or our subsidiaries and affiliates. The property trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us and/or our subsidiaries and affiliates. However, if the property trustee acquires any conflicting interest, as defined in the Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate the conflict or resign.

        The property trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of a trust enforcement event, undertakes to perform only the duties that are specifically described in the amended trust agreement and, upon a trust enforcement event, must use the same degree of care and skill as a prudent man would exercise or use in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to this provision, the property trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the applicable amended trust agreement at the request of any holder of trust preferred securities unless it is offered reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Information Concerning the Administrative Trustees

        Initially, there will be three administrative trustees of each trust. The administrative trustees may be officers or employees of Disney or entities affiliated with us. The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of and, among other things, to operate the trust in a way that:

    will not cause it to be deemed to be an investment company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act;

    will cause it to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes; and

    will cause the junior subordinated debt securities it holds to be treated as our indebtedness for United States federal income tax purposes.

        The administrative trustees are authorized to take any action, so long as it is consistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust and the amended trust agreement, that they determine to be necessary or desirable for those purposes.

Description of the Guarantees

        We will execute a guarantee for the benefit of the holders of each series of trust preferred securities. Each guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The applicable prospectus supplement with respect to the trust preferred securities will identify the guarantee trustee. The terms of the guarantee will be those set forth in the guarantee and those made part of the guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. The guarantee trustee will hold each guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities to which it relates.

General

        We will irrevocably and unconditionally agree under each guarantee to pay the guarantee payments that are set forth below, to the extent specified in that guarantee, to the holders of the trust preferred securities to which the guarantee relates, to the extent that the guarantee payments are not paid by or

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on behalf of the related trust. We are required to pay the guarantee payments to the extent specified in the relevant guarantee regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that we may have or may assert against any person.

        The following payments and distributions on the trust preferred securities of a trust are guarantee payments:

    any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid on the trust preferred securities of the trust, but only to the extent that the trust has funds legally and immediately available for those distributions;

    the redemption price for any trust preferred securities that the trust calls for redemption, including all accumulated and unpaid distributions to the redemption date, but only to the extent that the trust has funds legally and immediately available for the payment; and

    upon a dissolution, winding-up or termination of the trust, other than in connection with the distribution of junior subordinated debt securities to the holders of trust securities of the trust or the redemption of all the trust preferred securities of the trust, the lesser of:

    the sum of the liquidation amount and all accumulated and unpaid distributions on the trust preferred securities of the trust to the payment date, to the extent that the trust has funds legally and immediately available for the payment; and

    the amount of assets of the trust remaining available for distribution to holders of the trust preferred securities of the trust in liquidation of the trust.

        We may satisfy our obligation to make a guarantee payment by making that payment directly to the holders of the related trust preferred securities or by causing the trust to make the payment to those holders.

        Each guarantee will be a full and unconditional guarantee, subject to certain subordination provisions of the guarantee payments with respect to the related trust preferred securities from the time of issuance of those trust preferred securities, except that the guarantee will only apply to the payment of distributions and other payments on the trust preferred securities when the trust has sufficient funds legally and immediately available to make those distributions or other payments.

        If we do not make the required payments on the junior subordinated debt securities that the property trustee holds under a trust, that trust will not make the related payments on its trust preferred securities.

Subordination

        Our obligations under each guarantee will be unsecured obligations of ours. Those obligations will rank:

    subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our other liabilities, other than obligations or liabilities that rank equal in priority or subordinate by their terms;

    equal in priority with the junior subordinated debt securities that we may issue and similar guarantees; and

    senior to our common stock.

        Each guarantee will be a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This means that the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against us, as guarantor, to enforce its rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity.

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        The terms of the trust preferred securities will provide that each holder of the trust preferred securities, by accepting those trust preferred securities, agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of the related guarantee.

Amendments

        We may amend the guarantee without the consent of any holder of the trust preferred securities to which the guarantee relates if the amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of those holders. We may otherwise amend the guarantee with the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding trust preferred securities to which the guarantee relates.

Termination

        The guarantee will terminate and be of no further effect when:

    the redemption price of the trust preferred securities to which it relates is fully paid;

    we distribute the related junior subordinated debt securities to the holders of those trust preferred securities; or

    the amounts payable upon liquidation of the related trust are fully paid.

        Each guarantee will remain in effect or will be reinstated if at any time any holder of the related trust preferred securities must restore payment of any sums paid to that holder with respect to those trust preferred securities or under that guarantee.

Certain Covenants

        We will covenant that, so long as any trust preferred securities remain outstanding, if we have given notice of our election to defer payments of interest on the junior subordinated debt securities or if there is an event of default under the guarantee or the subordinated debt securities indenture with respect to the junior subordinated debt securities (or any event of which we have knowledge that with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an event of default under the subordinated debt securities indenture with respect to the junior subordinated debt securities and which we have not taken responsible steps to cure):

    we will not make distributions related to our debt securities that rank equally with or junior to the junior subordinated debt securities, including any payment of interest, principal or premium, or repayments, repurchases or redemptions; and

    we will not make distributions related to our capital stock, including dividends, redemptions, repurchases, liquidation payments, or guarantee payments.

We may, however, make the following types of distributions:

    dividends paid in common stock;

    dividends in connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan, the issuance of capital stock under any such plan or the redemption or repurchase of any rights pursuant to such plan;

    payments under a guarantee to a trust holding junior subordinated debt securities of the same series;

    repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of our capital stock in connection with any benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors, consultants or advisors; and

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    the purchases of fractional interests in shares of capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of the capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged.

        Because we are a holding company, the claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will have a priority over our equity rights and the rights of our creditors, including the trust, as holder of the guarantee and the junior subordinated debt securities, to participate in the assets of the subsidiary upon the subsidiary's liquidation. See "Description of Debt Securities—Consequences of Holding Company Status."

Events of Default

        An event of default will occur under any guarantee if we fail to perform any of our payment obligations under the guarantee. The holders of a majority of the trust preferred securities of any series may waive any such event of default and its consequences on behalf of all of the holders of the trust preferred securities of that series. The guarantee trustee is entitled to enforce the guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities of a series if an event of default occurs under the related guarantee.

        The holders of a majority of the trust preferred securities to which a guarantee relates have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee with respect to that guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power that the guarantee trustee holds under that guarantee. Any holder of the related trust preferred securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce that holder's rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the guarantee trustee or any other person or entity.

Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee

        The guarantee trustee, and/or one or more of its affiliates, may be a lender under our credit agreements and may provide other commercial banking, investment banking and other services to us and/or our subsidiaries and affiliates. The guarantee trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us and/or our subsidiaries and affiliates. However, if the guarantee trustee acquires any conflicting interest, as defined in the Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate the conflict or resign.

        The guarantee trustee will perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in each guarantee unless an event of default under the guarantee occurs and is continuing. In case an event of default occurs and is continuing, the guarantee trustee will exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to those provisions, the guarantee trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its powers under any guarantee at the request of any holder of the related trust preferred securities unless that holder offers reasonable indemnity to the guarantee trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which it might incur as a result.

Applicable Law

        The guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities

        We will enter into an agreement as to expenses and liabilities in connection with each amended trust agreement. The agreement as to expenses and liabilities will provide that we will, with certain exceptions, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the full payment of any indebtedness, expenses or liabilities of the related trust to each person or entity to whom that trust becomes indebted or liable. The exceptions are the obligations of the trust to pay to the holders of the related trust preferred

42



securities or other similar interests in the trust the amounts due to the holders under the terms of those trust preferred securities or those similar interests.

Description of Additional Terms of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities to be Issued to the Trusts

General

        The junior subordinated debt securities, which each trust that issues trust preferred securities will hold as trust assets, will be issued under the subordinated debt securities indenture relating to that series of junior subordinated debt securities. Except as described in an applicable prospectus supplement, the features of the junior subordinated debt securities will be similar to the subordinated debt securities described above under "Description of Debt Securities," with the additional features summarized below.

        Junior subordinated debt securities will be issued in a principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of trust preferred securities plus our investment in trust common securities. The entire principal amount of the junior subordinated debt securities held by each trust will mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, on the date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        If distributed to the holders of trust preferred securities upon dissolution of a trust, junior subordinated debt securities represented by a paper certificate may be presented for exchange or transfer at the office of the relevant registrar. Holders will not have to pay any service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of their certificates, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with such registration of transfer.

Subordination

        The junior subordinated debt securities will rank subordinated and junior in right of payment, to the extent described in the applicable prospectus supplement and as set forth in the subordinated debt securities indenture, to all of our senior indebtedness. For purposes of the junior subordinated debt securities, senior indebtedness shall include those obligations described as senior indebtedness for purposes of the subordinated debt securities under "Description of Debt Securities—Subordination Provisions Relating to Subordinated Debt" above, as well as all principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of subordinated debt securities issued under the subordinated debt securities indenture, except for any series of subordinated debt securities that by its terms is subordinated to, or ranks on an equal basis with, junior subordinated debt securities.

        The subordinated debt securities indenture does not limit the amount of senior indebtedness that we may issue.

Optional Redemption

        To the extent described in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will have the right to redeem the junior subordinated debt securities, in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after the applicable redemption date at the applicable redemption price, together with interest, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice.

Deferral of Interest Payments on Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

        We can defer interest payments by extending the interest payment period for the number of consecutive extension periods specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Other details regarding the extension period will also be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. No extension period may extend beyond the maturity of the junior subordinated debt securities. At the end of the extension period (or periods), we will pay all interest then accrued and unpaid, together with

43



interest on the deferred amount as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

        During any extension period, we will not make distributions related to our capital stock, including dividends, redemptions, repurchases, liquidation payments, or guarantee payments. In addition, we will not make any payments, redeem or repurchase any debt securities of equal or junior rank to the junior subordinated debt securities or make any guarantee payments on any such debt securities of our subsidiaries. We may, however, make the following types of distributions:

    dividends or distributions paid in common stock;

    dividends in connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan;

    payments to a trust holding securities of the same series under a guarantee;

    repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of our capital stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors, consultants or advisors; or

    the purchases of fractional interests in shares of capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of the capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged.

        Prior to the termination of any extension period for a series of junior subordinated debt securities, we may further defer payments of interest on the junior subordinated debt securities by extending the interest payment period, provided that the extension period together with all previous and further extensions thereof for the series of junior subordinated debt securities may not extend beyond five consecutive years or extend beyond the maturity of the series. Upon the termination of any extension period, and the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest on the junior subordinated debt securities then due, we may select a new extension period for the series of junior subordinated debt securities, subject to the above requirements. No interest on a series of junior subordinated debt securities during an extension period, except at the end thereof, will be due and payable.

        If the property trustee is the sole holder of the junior subordinated debt securities, we will give the property trustee notice of the selection of an extension period for such series of junior subordinated debt securities one business day prior to the earlier of:

    the regular record date for the interest payment on which the extension period is to commence or relating to the interest payment on which an extension period that is being extended would otherwise terminate; or

    the date a trust is required to give notice to the applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of the trust preferred securities on the record date or the date the distribution is payable, but in any event not less than one business day prior to such record date.

The administrative trustees shall give notice of the selection of an extension period to the holders of trust preferred securities. If the property trustee is not the sole holder of a series of junior subordinated debt securities, we will give the holders of such junior subordinated debt securities notice of the selection of an extension period ten business days prior to the earlier of:

    the regular record date for the interest payment on which the extension period is to commence or relating to the interest payment on which an extension period that is being extended would otherwise terminate; or

    the date we are required to give notice to the applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of the subordinated debt securities, but in any event at least two business days before such record date.

        We have no present intention to defer interest payments.

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Certain Covenants

        The subordinated debt securities indenture, as it applies to any junior subordinated debt securities, will require us to:

    maintain 100% direct or indirect ownership of the trust common securities of any trust to which the junior subordinated debt securities have been issued while the junior subordinated debt securities remain outstanding; and

    pay to any trust to which the junior subordinated debt securities have been issued any taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than withholding taxes) imposed by the United States or any other taxing authority on that trust, so that the net amounts received and retained by that trust (after paying any taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges) will be not less than the trust would have received had no such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges been imposed.

        If there has occurred any event of default, then we may not:

    declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of our capital stock; or

    make any payment of interest, principal or premium, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any, debt securities (including guarantees other than the trust guarantee) issued by us which rank pari passu with or junior to the junior subordinated debt securities.

        The preceding sentence, however, shall not restrict:

    dividends or distributions paid in common stock;

    dividends in connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan;

    payments to a trust holding securities of the same series under a guarantee;

    repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of our capital stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors, consultants or advisors; or

    the purchase of fractional interests in shares of capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provision of the capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged.

        The subordinated debt securities indenture will provide that, with respect to any junior subordinated debt securities, we will not merge or consolidate with another corporation or sell or lease all or substantially all of our assets to another corporation, or purchase all or substantially all the assets of another corporation unless:

    either (1) we are the continuing corporation or (2) the successor corporation, if other than us, expressly assumes the obligations evidenced by the junior subordinated debt securities issued pursuant to the subordinated debt securities indenture and our obligations under the trust guarantees;

    immediately prior to and after the transaction, there would not be any events of default in the performance of any covenant or condition of the subordinated debt securities indenture as it relates to the junior subordinated debt securities; and

    the transaction is permitted under the relevant amended trust agreement and guarantee and does not give rise to any breach or violation of such trust agreement or guarantee.

Modification of the Subordinated Indenture

        If we and the trustee propose a modification of the subordinated debt securities indenture or the rights of the holders of a series of junior subordinated debt securities that requires the consent of the

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holders of the series and the modification relates to a series of junior subordinated debt securities held by or on behalf of a Disney Capital Trust, then:

    if the consent of a majority in aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated debt securities is required, the modification will not be effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of trust securities issued by the affected trust have consented to the modification; and

    if the consent of each outstanding junior subordinated debt security is required, the modification will not be effective until each holder of the trust securities of the affected trust has consented to the modification.

However, the holders of the trust common securities can vote to provide the foregoing consent only after all events of default with respect to the trust preferred securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated and after the property trustee has obtained an opinion from tax counsel that the corresponding trust will not fail to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes, as provided in the amended trust agreement.

Additional Events of Default

        In addition to the events of default described under "Description of Debt Securities—Events of Default," the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or termination of a Disney Capital Trust will be an additional event of default regarding any series of junior subordinated debt securities held as trust assets, unless the dissolution, winding up or termination is in connection with:

    the distribution of junior subordinated debt securities to holders of trust securities in liquidation of a trust;

    the redemption of all outstanding trust securities of such trust; or

    certain mergers or consolidations permitted by the amended trust agreement.

        Holders of a majority in principal amount of junior subordinated debt securities of any series or the majority in liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities of a trust or of the trust common securities of a trust may waive any past default will respect to such securities, except a default in payment of principal, premium or interest or a default in a covenant or provision which may not be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of a junior subordinated debt security of the affected series or the affected trust preferred securities or trust common securities. The holders of trust preferred securities in certain circumstances have the right to direct the property trustee to exercise its rights as holder of junior subordinated debt securities.

Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Trust Preferred Securities

        To the extent any action under the subordinated debt securities indenture as it relates to a series of junior subordinated debt securities is entitled to be taken by the holders of at least a specified percentage of junior subordinated debt securities, holders of the corresponding trust preferred securities may take any action if it is not taken by the property trustee of the related Disney Capital Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an event of default has occurred and is continuing and is attributable either to:

    our failure to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on or interest on the junior subordinated debt securities on the due date; or

    our failure to deliver the required securities or other rights upon an appropriate conversion or exchange right election;

a holder of the related trust preferred securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against us for enforcement of payment to that holder of the principal of or premium, if any, on or interest on the junior subordinated debt securities having a principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of the

46



trust preferred securities held by that holder or for enforcement of such conversion or exchange rights, as the case may be, which is referred to as a direct action. We may not amend the subordinated debt securities indenture to remove the foregoing right to bring a direct action without the prior written consent of the holders of all of the trust preferred securities outstanding. Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of trust preferred securities by us in connection with a direct action, we shall remain obligated to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on and interest on the related junior subordinated debt securities, and we shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of the trust preferred securities with respect to payments on the trust preferred securities to the extent of any payments made by us to that holder in any direct action.

        The holders of the trust preferred securities will not be able to exercise directly any remedies, other than those set forth in the preceding paragraph, available to the holders of the related junior subordinated debt securities unless an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the applicable declaration of trust. See "—Trust Enforcement Events."

Relationship Among the Trust Preferred Securities, the Guarantees and the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Held by the Trust

        We will guarantee payments of distributions and redemption and liquidation payments due on the trust preferred securities, to the extent the trust has funds available for the payments, to the extent described under "—Description of the Guarantees." No single document executed by us in connection with the issuance of the trust preferred securities will provide for our full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the trust preferred securities. It is only the combined operation of our obligations under the guarantee, the amended trust agreement and the subordinated debt securities indenture (as it relates to the junior subordinated debt securities) that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the trust's obligations under the trust preferred securities.

        As long as we make payments of interest and other payments when due on the junior subordinated debt securities held by the trust, those payments will be sufficient to cover the payment of distributions and redemption and liquidation payments due on the trust preferred securities issued by the trust, primarily because:

    the total principal amount of the junior subordinated debt securities will be equal to the sum of the total liquidation amount of the trust securities;

    the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the junior subordinated debt securities will match the distribution rate and distribution and other payment dates for the trust securities;

    we will pay for any and all costs, expenses and liabilities of the trust except its obligations under its trust preferred securities; and

    each amended trust agreement will provide that the trust will not engage in any activity that is not consistent with the limited purposes of the trust.

        If and to the extent that we do not make payments of the junior subordinated debt securities, the trust will not have funds available to make payments of distributions or other amounts due on its trust preferred securities. In those circumstances, holders will not be able to rely upon the guarantee for payment of these amounts. Instead, holders may directly sue us or seek other remedies to collect their proportionate share of payments owed. If holders sue us to collect payment, then we will assume rights as a holder of trust preferred securities under the amended trust agreement to the extent we make a payment to holders in any such legal action.


DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

        We may issue, from time to time, purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us and us to sell to the holders, a specified principal amount of debt securities or a

47



specified number of shares of common stock or preferred stock or any of the other securities that we may sell under this prospectus at a future date or dates. The consideration payable upon settlement of the purchase contracts may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by a specific reference to a formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract and other securities or obligations issued by us or third parties, including United States treasury securities, securing the holders' obligations to purchase the relevant securities under the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or units or vice versa, and the payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts.

        The prospectus supplement will describe, among other things, the material terms of any purchase contracts and of the securities being sold pursuant to such purchase contracts, a discussion, if appropriate, of any special United States Federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts and any material provisions governing the purchase contracts that differ from those described above. The description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, relating to the purchase contracts.


DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

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

        Any applicable prospectus supplement will describe, among other things:

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

    any material provisions relating to the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;

    if appropriate, any special United States Federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

    any material provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described above.


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We and, in the case of trust preferred securities, a Disney Capital Trust may sell the securities to one or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them or may sell the securities to investors through agents or dealers. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We and, in the case of trust preferred securities, a Disney Capital Trust, also reserve the right to sell securities directly to investors on our own or its behalf in those jurisdictions where we are, or it is, authorized to do so.

        Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We and, in the case of trust preferred securities, a Disney Capital Trust also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as our agents to offer and sell the securities upon the terms and conditions set forth in any prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us or a Disney Capital

48



Trust in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent.

        If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we or, in the case of trust preferred securities, a Disney Capital Trust, may sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

        Any underwriting compensation paid by us or by a Disney Capital Trust to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements with us and, in the case of trust preferred securities, a Disney Capital Trust to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to reimbursement by us and, in the case of trust preferred securities, a Disney Capital Trust for certain expenses.

        In connection with underwritten offerings of securities, underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market, including by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids, each of which is described below.

    A stabilizing bid means the placing of any bid, or the effecting of any purchase, for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of a security.

    A syndicate covering transaction means the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting syndicate or the effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection with the offering.

    A penalty bid means an arrangement that permits the managing underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member in connection with the offering when offered securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions.

        These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. Underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, or to continue the activities if commenced.

        If so indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, we and/or a Disney Capital Trust may authorize dealers acting as our or its agents to solicit offers by institutions to purchase the securities from us or it at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate principal amount or offering price of the securities sold pursuant to delayed delivery contracts will not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom delayed delivery contracts, when authorized, may be entered into include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to approval by us and/or a Disney Capital Trust.

        The securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms ("remarketing firms"), acting as principals

49



for their own accounts or as agents for us and/or a Disney Capital Trust. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities remarketed thereby. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us and/or a Disney Capital Trust to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

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

        The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or a foreign securities exchange. Securities offered may be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom or agents through whom these securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in these securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or the trading market for any such securities.

        One or more of the underwriters, and/or one or more of their respective affiliates, may be a lender under our credit agreements and may provide other commercial banking, investment banking and other services to us and/or our subsidiaries and affiliates in the ordinary course of business.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy this information at the Public Reference Room maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C., 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings are also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. This information may also be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

        This prospectus constitutes part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we and the Disney Capital Trusts filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this prospectus omits some of the information, exhibits and undertakings included in the registration statement. You may read and copy the information omitted from this prospectus but contained in the registration statement, as well as the periodic reports and other information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, at the Public Reference Room maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.

        Statements contained in this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference herein or therein as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein or therein are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to, or incorporated by reference in, the registration statement, each statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

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        We have elected to "incorporate by reference" certain information into this prospectus. By incorporating by reference, we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document we have filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for information incorporated by reference that is superseded by information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any document we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Likewise, any statement in this prospectus or any document which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein will be deemed to have been modified or superseded to the extent that any statement contained in any applicable prospectus supplement or any document that we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes that statement. We incorporate by reference the following documents that we have previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed):

    (a)
    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004, filed on December 13, 2004;

    (b)
    Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on December 23, 2004 and January 21, 2005; and

    (c)
    Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on November 17, 1999.

        We also are incorporating by reference all future documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior to the termination of the offering of the securities made hereby (other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed). In addition, all filings that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this amendment to the registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.

        We will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, on the written or oral request of that person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus other than exhibits to these documents, unless the exhibits are also specifically incorporated by reference herein. Requests for copies should be directed to The Walt Disney Company, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California 91521, Attention: Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel—Corporate and Corporate Secretary; telephone number (818) 560-1000. The information relating to us contained in this prospectus does not purport to be complete and should be read together with the information contained in the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the information included in the applicable prospectus supplement.


LEGAL MATTERS

        Legal matters with respect to the validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Dewey Ballantine LLP, New York, New York. Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, Los Angeles, California, will act as counsel for any agents or underwriters. Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP, Wilmington, Delaware, will pass on certain matters for us with respect to the trust preferred securities.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


ITEM 14.    OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

        All expenses other than the Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees are estimated.

 
   
SEC registration fee   $ 373,991
Accountants' fees and expenses     30,000
Legal fees and expenses     100,000
Printing and engraving expenses     100,000
Rating agencies' fees     1,700,000
Trustee's and registrar's fees and expenses     35,000
Miscellaneous     65,000
   
  Total:   $ 2,403,991
   


ITEM 15.    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

        The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as amended to date, provide that the Registrant shall indemnify to the full extent authorized or permitted by law (as now or hereafter in effect) any person made, or threatened to be made, a defendant or witness to any action, suit or proceeding (whether civil or criminal or otherwise) by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate, is or was a director or officer of the Registrant or by reason of the fact that such director or officer, at the request of the Registrant, is or was serving any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, in any capacity.

        Under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation (or a person who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action brought by or in the right of a corporation, the corporation may indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation (or a person who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent a court finds that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court shall deem proper.

        The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws further provide that (i) Registrant may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of Registrant or is serving at the request of Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not Registrant would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of law, and (ii) Registrant may create a trust fund, grant a

II-1



security interest and/or use other means (including, without limitation, letters of credit, surety bonds and/or similar arrangements), as well as enter into contracts providing indemnification to the full extent authorized or permitted by law and including as part thereof provisions with respect to any and all of the foregoing to ensure the payment of such amounts as may become necessary to effect indemnification as provided therein, or elsewhere. The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation further provides that a director of the Registrant shall not be liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

        Registrant maintains an officer's and director's liability insurance policy insuring its officers and directors against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by them in their capacities as such, and insuring Registrant under certain circumstances, in the event that indemnification payments are made to such officers and directors.

        Registrant has also entered into indemnification agreements (the "Indemnification Agreements") with certain of its directors and officers (individually, the "Indemnitee"). The Indemnification Agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any claim. The Indemnification Agreements provide for the prompt advancement of all expenses to the Indemnitee and for reimbursement to Registrant if it is found that such Indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law. The Indemnification Agreements also provide that after a Change in Control (as defined in the Indemnification Agreements) of Registrant which is not approved by the Board of Directors of Registrant, all determinations regarding a right to indemnity and the right to advancement of expenses shall be made by independent legal counsel selected by the Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, in the event of a Potential Change In Control (as defined in the Indemnification Agreements), the Indemnitee may require Registrant to establish a trust for his or her benefit and to fund such trust in amounts reasonably anticipated or proposed to be paid to satisfy Registrant's indemnification obligations under the Indemnification Agreements.

        The foregoing summaries are necessarily subject to the complete text of the statute, the Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and the arrangements referred to above and are qualified in their entirety by reference thereto.


ITEM 16.    EXHIBITS

Exhibit
No.

  Description
1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Debt Securities.

*1.2

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Preferred Stock.

*1.3

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Common Stock.

*1.4

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Warrants.

*1.5

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Trust Preferred Securities.

*1.6

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Purchase Contracts.

*1.7

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Units.

1.8

 

Form of Distribution Agreement with respect to Debt Securities.

4.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference from Annex C to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-88105) filed on September 30, 1999).
     

II-2



4.2

 

Bylaws of Registrant (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(a) of Disney's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004).

4.3

 

Senior Debt Securities Indenture (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 of Disney's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2001).

*4.4

 

Form of Senior Debt Securities.

4.5

 

Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

*4.6

 

Form of Subordinated Debt Securities.

*4.7

 

Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of Warrant Certificate).

*4.8

 

Form of Purchase Contract (including form of Purchase Contract Certificate) and, if applicable, Pledge Agreement.

*4.9

 

Form of Unit Agreement (including form of Unit Certificate).

4.10

 

Form of Deposit Agreement (including form of Depositary Receipts) (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-52659)).

4.11

 

Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-52659)).

*4.12

 

Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock.

*4.13

 

Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.

4.14

 

Certificate of Trust of Disney Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.15

 

Trust Agreement of Disney Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.16

 

Certificate of Trust of Disney Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.17

 

Trust Agreement of Disney Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.18

 

Certificate of Trust of Disney Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.19

 

Trust Agreement of Disney Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

†4.20

 

Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Disney Capital Trusts relating to Trust Preferred Securities.

4.21

 

Form of Trust Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.20).

4.22

 

Form of Guarantee Agreement of The Walt Disney Company relating to Trust Preferred Securities (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.23

 

Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities relating to Trust Preferred Securities (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).
     

II-3



5.1

 

Opinion of Dewey Ballantine LLP.

5.2

 

Opinion of Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP, Delaware Counsel.

†12.1

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

23.1

 

Consent of Dewey Ballantine LLP (included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).

23.2

 

Consent of Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP (included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2).

23.3

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP).

†24

 

Powers of Attorney.

25.1

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Trustee under the Senior Debt Securities Indenture.

**25.2

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Trustee under the Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture.

**25.3

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Trustee under Guarantee Agreement of The Walt Disney Company relating to Trust Preferred Securities.

**25.4

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Trustee under Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Disney Capital Trusts relating to Trust Preferred Securities.

*
To be filed by a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference from a Current Report on Form 8-K.

**
To be filed separately pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 305(b)(2).

Previously filed.


ITEM 17.    UNDERTAKINGS

    (a)
    The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:

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

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

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

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

        provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

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

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

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

        (c)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

        (d)   The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

II-5



SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Burbank, State of California, on the 4th day of February, 2005.

    THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 
    By:   /s/  THOMAS O. STAGGS      
Thomas O. Staggs
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
                                     *
        (Michael D. Eisner)
  Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (Robert A. Iger)

 

President and Chief Operating Officer and Director

 

February 4, 2005

        /s/  
THOMAS O. STAGGS      
        (Thomas O. Staggs)

 

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (John J. Garand)

 

Executive Vice President—Planning and Control (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (George J. Mitchell)

 

Chairman of the Board

 

February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (John E. Bryson)

 

Director

 

February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (John S. Chen)

 

Director

 

February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (Judith L. Estrin)

 

Director

 

February 4, 2005
             

II-6



                                     *

        (Fred H. Langhammer)

 

Director

 

February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (Aylwin B. Lewis)

 

Director

 

February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (Monica C. Lozano)

 

Director

 

February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (Robert W. Matschullat)

 

Director

 

February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J.)

 

Director

 

February 4, 2005

                                     *

        (Gary L. Wilson)

 

Director

 

February 4, 2005

*By:

 

/s/  
THOMAS O. STAGGS      
Thomas O. Staggs
Attorney-in-fact

 

 

 

 

II-7


        Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, Disney Capital Trust I certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Burbank, State of California, on the 4th day of February, 2005.

    DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST I

 

 

BY THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, AS SPONSOR

 

 

 

 

 
    By:   /s/  THOMAS O. STAGGS      
Thomas O. Staggs
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

        Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, Disney Capital Trust II certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Burbank, State of California, on the 4th day of February, 2005.

    DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST II

 

 

BY THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, AS SPONSOR

 

 

 

 

 
    By:   /s/  THOMAS O. STAGGS      
Thomas O. Staggs
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

        Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, Disney Capital Trust III certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Burbank, State of California, on the 4th day of February, 2005.

    DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST III

 

 

BY THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, AS SPONSOR

 

 

 

 

 
    By:   /s/  THOMAS O. STAGGS      
Thomas O. Staggs
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

II-8



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
No.

  Description
1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Debt Securities.

*1.2

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Preferred Stock.

*1.3

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Common Stock.

*1.4

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Warrants.

*1.5

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Trust Preferred Securities.

*1.6

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Purchase Contracts.

*1.7

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Units.

1.8

 

Form of Distribution Agreement with respect to Debt Securities.

4.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference from Annex C to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-88105) filed on September 30, 1999).

4.2

 

Bylaws of Registrant (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(a) of Disney's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004).

4.3

 

Senior Debt Securities Indenture (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 of Disney's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2001).

*4.4

 

Form of Senior Debt Securities.

4.5

 

Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

*4.6

 

Form of Subordinated Debt Securities.

*4.7

 

Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of Warrant Certificate).

*4.8

 

Form of Purchase Contract (including form of Purchase Contract Certificate) and, if applicable, Pledge Agreement.

*4.9

 

Form of Unit Agreement (including form of Unit Certificate).

4.10

 

Form of Deposit Agreement (including form of Depositary Receipts) (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-52659)).

4.11

 

Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-52659)).

*4.12

 

Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock.
     


*4.13

 

Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.

4.14

 

Certificate of Trust of Disney Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.15

 

Trust Agreement of Disney Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.16

 

Certificate of Trust of Disney Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.17

 

Trust Agreement of Disney Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.18

 

Certificate of Trust of Disney Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.19

 

Trust Agreement of Disney Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

†4.20

 

Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Disney Capital Trusts relating to Trust Preferred Securities.

4.21

 

Form of Trust Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.20).

4.22

 

Form of Guarantee Agreement of The Walt Disney Company relating to Trust Preferred Securities (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

4.23

 

Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities relating to Trust Preferred Securities (incorporated by reference from Disney's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67870)).

5.1

 

Opinion of Dewey Ballantine LLP.

5.2

 

Opinion of Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP, Delaware Counsel.

†12.1

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

23.1

 

Consent of Dewey Ballantine LLP (included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).

23.2

 

Consent of Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP (included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2).

23.3

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP).

†24

 

Powers of Attorney.

25.1

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Trustee under the Senior Debt Securities Indenture.

**25.2

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Trustee under the Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture.

**25.3

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Trustee under Guarantee Agreement of The Walt Disney Company relating to Trust Preferred Securities.

**25.4

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Trustee under Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Disney Capital Trusts relating to Trust Preferred Securities.

*
To be filed by a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference from a Current Report on Form 8-K.

**
To be filed separately pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 305(b)(2).

Previously filed.



QuickLinks

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
OUR COMPANY
THE DISNEY CAPITAL TRUSTS
USE OF PROCEEDS
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES THAT WE OR THE TRUSTS MAY SELL
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
LEGAL MATTERS
EXPERTS
PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-1.1 2 a2151040zex-1_1.htm EXHIBIT 1.1
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EXHIBIT 1.1


FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT—DEBT SECURITIES

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

            •    

The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, California 91521

Dear Sirs:

        We (the "Representatives") are acting on behalf of the underwriters (including ourselves) named below (such underwriters being herein called the "Underwriters"), and we understand that The Walt Disney Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes to issue and sell U.S. $    •    aggregate principal amount of its     •    (the "Debt Securities").

        Subject to the terms and conditions set forth or incorporated by reference herein, the Company hereby agrees to sell and the Underwriters agree to purchase, severally and not jointly, the principal amount of the Debt Securities set forth below opposite their names at a purchase price of    •    % of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, from    •    :

Name
  Principal Amount of
Debt Securities

        

        The Underwriters will pay for the Debt Securities upon delivery thereof to The Depository Trust Company or its designated custodian at 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on     •    or at such other time, not later than 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on    •    as shall be designated by the Representatives. The time and date of such payment and delivery are hereinafter referred to as the "Closing Date."



        The Debt Securities shall have the terms set forth in the Prospectus dated    •    , as supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement dated     •    , including the following:

TERMS OF DEBT SECURITIES    
 
Title:

 

 
 
Aggregate Principal Amount:

 

$
 
Initial Offering Price:

 

        %
 
Purchase Price:

 

        %
 
Currency of Payment:

 

 
 
Ratings of debt securities included in the Registration Statement:

 

 
 
Maturity Date:

 

 
 
Interest Rate:

 

        %
 
Redemption Provisions:

 

 
 
Interest Payment Dates:

 

                        and                         commencing (interest accrues from)
 
Regular Record Dates:

 

The • day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding the related Interest Payment Date
 
Form and Denominations:

 

 
 
Ranking:

 

The Debt Securities will be of the Company issued under the                        , dated as of                        (the "Indenture"), by and among the Company, as issuer, and                        , as trustee (the "Trustee").
 
Listing:

 

 
 
Notices:

 

Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives                        c/o                         ,                        attention of                        ; and notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California 91521, attention of Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, with copies to the attention of the Company's Legal Department and to Dewey Ballantine LLP at 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, attention of Morton A. Pierce, Esq.

        Except as otherwise noted above, all provisions contained in the Standard Provisions, a copy of which is attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein, except that if any term defined in such document is otherwise defined herein, the definition set forth herein shall control.

        Please confirm your agreement by having an authorized officer sign a copy of this Agreement in the space set forth below.

2


        Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

                        ,                         acting severally on behalf of themselves and the Underwriters named herein

 

 

 

 

By

 
         
Name:
Title

Accepted:

 

 

 

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 
   
Name:
Title:
     

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 
   
     

3



THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

STANDARD PROVISIONS
(DEBT SECURITIES)

            •    

        From time to time, The Walt Disney Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), may enter into one or more underwriting agreements that provide for the sale of designated securities to the several underwriters named therein. The standard provisions set forth herein may be incorporated by reference in any such underwriting agreement (an "Underwriting Agreement"). The Underwriting Agreement, including the provisions incorporated therein by reference, is herein referred to as "this Agreement". Terms defined in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as therein defined.

        The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-122139) including a prospectus, which, among other things, relates to the Debt Securities and has filed with, or transmitted for filing to, or shall promptly hereafter file with or transmit for filing to, the Commission a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") specifically relating to the Debt Securities pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and/or a term sheet or an abbreviated term sheet (each, a "Term Sheet"), pursuant to Rule 434 of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act Regulations"), specifically relating to the Debt Securities. The term Registration Statement means the registration statement as amended to the date of this Agreement and shall include any related Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations. The term Basic Prospectus means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time the Registration Statement was declared effective by the Commission. The term Prospectus means the Basic Prospectus together with the final Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering of the Debt Securities, each in the form furnished to the Underwriters by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Debt Securities, as from time to time amended or supplemented in accordance with the 1933 Act, except that if any revised prospectus or prospectus supplement shall be provided to the Underwriters by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Debt Securities which differs from the prospectus or prospectus supplement on file at the Commission (whether or not such revised prospectus or prospectus supplement is required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act Regulations), the term "Prospectus" shall refer to the prospectus and prospectus supplement, as so revised, from and after the time it is first provided to the Underwriters for such use; provided, however, that if the Company elects to rely upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, then all references to the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to the final or preliminary prospectus and the Term Sheet relating to the Debt Securities in the form furnished to the Underwriters by the Company in reliance upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations (in which case, all references in this Agreement to the date of the Prospectus shall mean the date of such Term Sheet). The term preliminary prospectus means a preliminary prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Debt Securities together with the Basic Prospectus. Any reference herein to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include, in addition to the information expressly set forth therein, only the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission for the most recently completed fiscal year (the "Annual Report"), and the documents, financial statements and schedules filed subsequent to the last day of such fiscal year incorporated by reference therein or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, and any reference to any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents, financial statements and schedules filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") after the date hereof, and so incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated therein

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(such incorporated documents, financial statements and schedules being herein called the "Incorporated Documents"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this Agreement any prospectus, prospectus supplement, term sheet or abbreviated term sheet prepared or filed with respect to an offering pursuant to the Registration Statement of a series of securities other than the Debt Securities shall not be deemed to have supplemented the Prospectus.

        1.    Representations and Warranties.    The Company represents and warrants to each of the Underwriters that:

            (a)   The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act. The Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with. In addition, on or prior to the Closing Date, the Indenture shall have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "1939 Act").

            (b)   The Registration Statement, at the later of the time it became effective and the date the most recent Annual Report was filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. At the date of the Underwriting Agreement and at the Closing Date, the Prospectus and any amendments and supplements thereto did not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 434. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this representation and warranty does not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, made in reliance upon information furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters expressly for use therein or to those parts of the Registration Statement which constitute the Trustee's Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 under the 1939 Act (the "Form T-1"). There is no contract or document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which is not described or filed as required.

            (c)   The Incorporated Documents, when they became effective or were filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any such Incorporated Document was filed or became effective, when such amendment was filed or became effective) with the Commission, as the case may be, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act, and any Incorporated Documents filed subsequent to the date of the Underwriting Agreement and prior to the termination of the offering of the Debt Securities, will, when they are filed with the Commission, comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act; no such Incorporated Document, when it became effective or was filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any such Incorporated Document was filed or became effective, when such amendment was filed or became effective) with the Commission, contained, and no Incorporated Document filed subsequent to the date of the Underwriting Agreement and prior to the Closing Date will contain, an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, or will omit, to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

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            (d)   This Agreement, the Indenture and the Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus.

            (e)   The Indenture (assuming due execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee) is, and the Debt Securities (when executed by the Company and authenticated in accordance with the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters) will be, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (B) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (C) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than in United States dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law and (D) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in a foreign currency or composite currency. The Debt Securities (when executed by the Company and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters) will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture (subject to the exceptions set forth in the preceding sentence).

            (f)    The Company is a validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of Delaware. The Company has full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as presently conducted and as described in the Prospectus; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.

            (g)   Except as contemplated in the Prospectus or reflected therein by the filing of any amendment or supplement thereto or any Incorporated Document, since the date of the most recent consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus there has not been any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

            (h)   The Company is not in violation of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as amended. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the issuance and sale of the Debt Securities and the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture will not conflict with or constitute a breach of or a default (with the passage of time or otherwise) under (A) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as amended, of the Company, (B) subject to the Company's compliance with any applicable covenants pertaining to its incurrence of unsecured indebtedness contained therein, any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject, which breach or default would, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, or (C) any applicable law, administrative regulation or administrative or court decree. Except for orders, permits and similar authorizations required under or by the securities or Blue Sky laws of certain jurisdictions, any securities exchange on which any of the Debt Securities might be listed or with respect to Debt Securities which are to be indexed or linked to any foreign currency, composite currency, commodity, equity index or similar index, no consent, approval, authorization or other order of any regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body is legally required for the valid issuance and sale of the Debt Securities.

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            (i)    To the best of the Company's knowledge, the accountants who have audited and reported upon the financial statements filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are independent accountants as required by the 1933 Act. The historical financial statements included in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or incorporated therein by reference fairly present the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries at the respective dates and for the respective periods to which they apply. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, except as set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus. The selected financial data and the summary historical financial information of the Company, if any, included in the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements of the Company incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The unaudited pro forma financial statements, if any, together with the related notes and any supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis substantially consistent with the audited financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; the assumptions on which such unaudited pro forma financial statements have been prepared are reasonable; and such unaudited pro forma financial statements have been prepared, and the pro forma adjustments set forth therein have been applied, in accordance with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations (including, without limitation, Regulations S-X promulgated by the Commission), and such pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of such statements.

            (j)    Each of Disney Enterprises, Inc., ABC, Inc. and Walt Disney World Co. (collectively, the "Significant Subsidiaries"), is a validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation. Each of the Significant Subsidiaries has full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as presently conducted and as described in the Prospectus; and each of the Significant Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each United States jurisdiction in which such qualification is required whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where a failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

        Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to any Underwriter or to counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Debt Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to such Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby on the date of such certificate.

        2.    Public Offering.    The Company is advised by the Representatives that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Debt Securities as soon after this Agreement has been entered into as in the Representatives' judgment is advisable. The terms of the public offering of the Debt Securities have been provided by the Representatives to the Company and are in all material respects completely set forth in the Prospectus.

        3.    Purchase and Delivery.    Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, payment for the Debt Securities shall be made by wire transfer, of immediately available funds, by the Underwriters to the order of the Company, at the time set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, upon delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of the Debt Securities, registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives shall request in writing not less than two full business days prior to the date of delivery, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of the Debt Securities to the Underwriters duly paid. The Notes may be

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represented by one or more global notes which may be deposited with a custodian for, and registered in the name of, The Depository Trust Company or its nominee.

        4.    Payment of Expenses.    The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement, any Underwriting Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters, the Indenture and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Debt Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Debt Securities and any certificates for the Debt Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel, accountants and other advisors or agents (including transfer agents and registrars), as well as the fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, (v) the qualification of the Debt Securities under state securities laws or the applicable laws of any foreign jurisdiction in which the Debt Securities are offered in accordance with the provisions of Section 6(g) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation, printing and delivery of the Blue Sky Survey and any Legal Investment Survey, and any amendment thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Term Sheet, and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, (vii) the fees charged by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations for the rating of the Debt Securities, and (viii) the fees and expenses incurred with respect to the listing of the Debt Securities on any securities exchange.

        5.    Conditions to Closing.    The several obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the following conditions:

            (a)    Opinion of Counsel to Company.    On the Closing Date, the Underwriters shall have received an opinion from Dewey Ballantine LLP, counsel to the Company, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters to the effect that:

                (i)  The Company is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware.

               (ii)  The Company has the corporate power and corporate authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture, to borrow money as contemplated in this Agreement and the Indenture and to issue, sell and deliver the Debt Securities.

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

              (iv)  The Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Indenture is subject to and may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, (c) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in United States dollars, (d) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in U.S. dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law and (e) governmental authority to

5



      limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currency, currency units or composite currencies.

               (v)  No Governmental Approval is required on the part of the Company in connection with the issuance or sale of the Debt Securities other than registration thereof under the 1933 Act, qualification of the Indenture under the 1939 Act, and such registrations or qualifications as may be necessary under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various United States jurisdictions in which the Debt Securities are to be offered or sold.

              (vi)  The Debt Securities, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will constitute 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 the qualification that the enforceability of the Debt Securities is subject to and may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, (c) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in United States dollars, (d) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in U.S. dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law and (e) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currency, currency units or composite currencies.

             (vii)  The Registration Statement has been declared effective under the 1933 Act and the Indenture has been qualified under the 1939 Act, and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or contemplated.

            (viii)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Indenture by the Company, the issuance and sale of the Debt Securities and the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture will not (A) violate the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as amended, of the Company, (B) violate any Applicable Laws or (C) breach or otherwise violate any obligation of or restriction on the Company under any judgment, decree or order, applicable to the Company and known to such counsel, of any court or Governmental Authority entered in any proceeding to which the Company was or is now a party or by which it is bound; provided, that such counsel may state that no opinion is expressed as to the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which any of the Debt Securities are to be offered.

              (ix)  The Registration Statement, as of the later of its effective date and the date the most recent Annual Report was filed with the Commission, and the Prospectus, as of its date, appeared on their face to comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the related rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder then in effect, except that in each case such counsel need not express an opinion as to (i) the Incorporated Documents, (ii) the financial statements, schedules and other financial and statistical data included or incorporated by reference therein or excluded therefrom or (iii) the exhibits to the Registration Statement, including the Form T-1 incorporated by reference therein.

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               (x)  The statements in the Prospectus under the captions "Description of Debt Securities" and "Description of the Notes," insofar as they purport to summarize certain provisions of documents specifically referred to therein, fairly present the information required by Form S-3.

              (xi)  Although the discussion set forth in the Prospectus under the headings "United States Tax Documentation Requirements for United States Aliens" and "United States Federal Income Tax Considerations for United States Aliens" does not purport to discuss all possible United States Federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the Debt Securities, in such counsel's opinion, such discussion constitutes, in all material respects, a fair and accurate summary of the United States Federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the Debt Securities by the holders addressed therein, based upon current law and subject to the qualifications set forth therein.

        In rendering the opinions set forth above, such counsel may state that, with respect to Debt Securities the payments of principal or interest on which will be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors, no opinion is expressed with respect to the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, or the rules, regulations and interpretations of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder.

        In rendering the opinions set forth above, the term "Applicable Laws" shall mean the Delaware General Corporation Law and those laws, rules and regulations of the States of California and New York and of the United States of America which such counsel has, in the exercise of customary diligence, recognized as applicable to the Company or transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement, the term "Governmental Authority" shall mean any California, New York, Delaware or federal executive, legislative, judicial, administrative or regulatory body and the term "Governmental Approval" shall mean any order, consent, permit or approval of any Governmental Authority pursuant to Applicable Laws.

        In addition, such counsel may state that such counsel has not undertaken to determine independently, and therefore does not assume any responsibility explicitly or implicitly for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectus (except as set forth in clauses (x) and (xi) above). Such counsel may also state that such counsel has participated in conferences with representatives of the Company and the Underwriters in the course of the preparation of the Registration Statement and Prospectus and has considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein. However, such counsel shall state that, based upon and subject to the foregoing, nothing has come to such counsel's attention that causes such counsel to believe that the Registration Statement, as of the time it became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus, as of the date of this Agreement or as of the Closing Date included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (except in each case as to the financial statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data included or incorporated by reference therein or excluded therefrom and, in the case of the Registration Statement, except as to exhibits thereto (including, without limitation, the Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee on Form T-1 incorporated by reference therein), as to all of which such counsel need express no opinion).

            (b)    Opinion of Counsel Employed by Company.    On the Closing Date, the Underwriters shall have received an opinion from David K. Thompson, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel—Corporate and Corporate Secretary, or from other counsel employed by the Company

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    (provided that such counsel is at least a Vice President of the Company), dated as of the date hereof and in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, to the effect that:

                (i)  The Company and each of the Significant Subsidiaries is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation.

               (ii)  Except as set forth in the Prospectus, there is not pending or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, threatened any action, suit or proceeding against the Company or any of its subsidiaries before or by any court or governmental agency or body, which is likely (to the extent not covered by insurance) to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

              (iii)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, there is no contract or document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which is not described or filed as required.

              (iv)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, the Company is not in violation of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as amended.

               (v)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Indenture will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default (with the passage of time or otherwise) under, any material contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject.

              (vi)  Each of the Incorporated Documents, as of the date such document was filed with the Commission, complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act, except that in each case such counsel need not express an opinion as to the financial statements and schedules and other financial data included or incorporated by reference therein or excluded therefrom.

        In addition, such counsel shall state that nothing has come to such counsel's attention that leads him to believe that either the Registration Statement at the time such Registration Statement became effective contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or the Prospectus as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement and as of the Closing Date contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that such counsel need express no opinion or belief with respect to the financial statements, schedules and other financial data included or incorporated by reference therein, or excluded therefrom or the exhibits to the Registration Statement, including the Form T-1.

            (c)    Opinion of Underwriters' Counsel.    On the Closing Date, the Underwriters shall have received an opinion from counsel to the Underwriters, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters.

            (d)    Officer's Certificate.    On the Closing Date the Underwriters shall have received a certificate signed by an officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that (i) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1 hereof are true and correct in all material respects with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the date of such certificate, (ii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions required by this Agreement or the Indenture on its part to be performed or satisfied at

8



    or prior to the date of such certificate and (iii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated or, to the best of such officer's knowledge, threatened by the Commission. The Officer's Certificate shall further state that except as contemplated in the Prospectus or reflected therein by the filing of any amendment or supplement thereto or any Incorporated Document, at the Closing Date, there shall not have been, since the date of the most recent consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise. As used in this Section 5(d), the term "Prospectus" means the Prospectus (as defined herein) in the form first used to confirm sales of the Debt Securities.

            (e)    Comfort Letters.    On the Closing Date, the Underwriters shall have received letters from the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters.

            (f)    Ratings.    At the Closing Date, the debt securities included in the Registration Statement shall have the ratings accorded by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations, if and as specified in the Underwriting Agreement, and the Company shall have delivered to the Representatives a letter, dated as of such date, from each such rating organization, or other evidence satisfactory to the Representatives, confirming that the Debt Securities have such ratings.

            (g)    Other Documents.    On the Closing Date, counsel to the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as such counsel may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling such counsel to pass upon the issuance and sale of Debt Securities as herein contemplated and related proceedings, or in order to evidence the accuracy and completeness of any of the representations and warranties or the fulfillment of any of the conditions herein contained.

        If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by 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 (i) the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters and (ii) the covenants set forth in Section 6(f) hereof, the indemnity and contribution agreement set forth in Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 hereof and the provisions of Section 18 hereof shall remain in effect.

        6.    Covenants of the Company.    In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters contained herein, the Company covenants as follows:

            (a)    Notice of Certain Events.    The Company will notify the Representatives promptly of (i) the effectiveness of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement (other than a post-effective amendment relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Debt Securities), (ii) the transmittal to the Commission for filing of any supplement to the Prospectus (other than a supplement relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Debt Securities), (iii) the receipt of any comments from the Commission with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (other than any comments relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Debt Securities), (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information (other than any such request relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Debt Securities) and (v) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and, if any such stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible time unless the Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine that it is not in its best interest to do so.

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            (b)    Notice of Certain Proposed Filings.    During the period from the date of the Underwriting Agreement to and including the Closing Date, at or prior to the filing thereof, the Company will give the Representatives notice of its intention to file any additional registration statement with respect to the registration of additional Debt Securities to be covered by this Agreement, any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (other than an amendment or supplement relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Debt Securities), whether by the filing of documents pursuant to the 1934 Act, the 1933 Act or otherwise, and will furnish the Underwriters with copies of any such amendment or supplement or other documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel to the Underwriters shall reasonably object, unless, in the judgment of the Company or its counsel, such amendment or supplement or other document is necessary to comply with law.

            (c)    Copies of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.    The Company will deliver to the Underwriters one copy of the Registration Statement (as originally filed) and of each amendment thereto (including the Incorporated Documents and any exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein) and the preliminary prospectus as the Representatives may reasonably request. The Company will furnish to the Underwriters as many copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as the Representatives shall reasonably request so long as the Underwriters are required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with sales or solicitations of offers to purchase the Debt Securities.

            (d)    Revisions of Registration Statement and Prospectus—Material Changes.    So long as the Underwriters are required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with sales of the Debt Securities, if any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, after consultation with counsel for the Underwriters, to further amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, prompt notice shall be given, and confirmed in writing, to the Representatives, and the Company will prepare and file as soon as practicable such amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus as may be necessary to correct such misstatement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters, without charge, such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. The filing of any such amendment or supplement shall not constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in Section (5) hereof or of Section 11(i).

            (e)    Compliance with 1934 Act.    The Company, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, will comply, in a timely manner, with all applicable requirements under the 1934 Act relating to the filing with the Commission of the Company's reports pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act and, if then applicable, the Company's proxy statements pursuant to Section 14(a) of the 1934 Act.

            (f)    Earnings Statement.    The Company will make generally available to its security holders, as soon as practicable but in any event not later than 15 months after the Closing Date, a consolidated earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering the twelve-month period beginning after the latest of (i) the effective date of the Registration Statement, (ii) the effective date of the most recent post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to become effective or (iii) the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission prior to the Closing Date, which earnings statement will satisfy the provisions of

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    Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act. The Company may elect to rely upon Rule 158 under the 1933 Act and may elect to make such earnings statement available more frequently than once in any period of twelve months.

            (g)    Blue Sky Qualifications.    The Company will endeavor, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Debt Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states in the United States as the Representatives may reasonably designate, and will maintain such qualifications in effect for as long as may be required for the distribution of the Debt Securities; provided, however, that the Company will promptly notify the Representatives of any suspension or termination of any such qualifications; and provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to register or qualify as a foreign corporation or take any action which would subject it to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.

        7.    Indemnification of the Underwriters.    The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

            (a)   against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9 hereof, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Underwriters), as incurred, insofar as such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arises out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

            (b)   against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9 hereof, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Underwriters), as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever insofar as such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and

            (c)   against any and all expense whatsoever (including, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9 hereof, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Underwriters), as incurred, reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission;

provided, however, that this indemnity shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (A) to the extent arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon the Form T-1 under the 1939 Act filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; or (B) to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission in the Prospectus if such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission is corrected in all material respects in an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus and if, having previously been furnished by or on behalf of the Company with copies of the Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, such Underwriter thereafter failed to deliver such Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, if required to be delivered by such Underwriter prior to or concurrently with the sale of the Debt Securities to the person asserting such

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loss, liability, claim, damage or expense who purchased the Debt Securities which are the subject thereof from such Underwriter; or (C) as to which such Underwriter may be required to indemnify the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.

        8.    Indemnification of the Company.    Each Underwriter severally (and not jointly) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of Section 7 hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.

        9.    General.    In case any action, suit or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought against any Underwriter or any person controlling such Underwriter, based upon the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 7, such Underwriter or controlling person shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel (such counsel to be reasonably acceptable to such Underwriter) and payment of all expenses. Any such Underwriter or any such controlling person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action, suit or proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or such controlling person unless (A) the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically authorized in writing by the Company, (B) the Company shall have failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or (C) the named parties to any such action, suit or proceeding (including any impleaded parties) shall include both such Underwriter or such controlling person and the Company, and such Underwriter or such controlling person shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from, or additional to, those available to the Company (in which case, if such Underwriter or such controlling person notifies the Company in writing that it selects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Company, the Company shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action, suit or proceeding on behalf of such Underwriter or such controlling person, it being understood, however, that the Company shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for all such Underwriters and such controlling persons, which firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives on behalf of all of such Underwriters and such controlling persons).

        In case any action, suit or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought against the Company, any of the Company's directors or officers, or any person controlling the Company, with respect to which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter pursuant to Section 8, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company by this Section 9, and the Company, the Company's directors and officers and any such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to the Underwriters by this Section 9.

        10.    Contribution.    In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in Sections 7 and 8 hereof is for any reason held to be unenforceable with respect to the indemnified parties although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Underwriters, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits

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received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Debt Securities. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required pursuant to Section 9 hereof or pursuant to the last sentence of this Section 10, then the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to such aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by the Company and the Underwriters, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Debt Securities shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the sale of the Debt Securities received by the Company (before deducting expenses) bear to the total commissions or other compensation or remuneration received by the Underwriters in respect thereof. The relative fault 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 Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Debt Securities purchased by it exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 10, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company. Any party entitled to contribution pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 10, will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this Section 10, 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 other obligation it or they may have otherwise than under this Section 10; provided, however, that such notice need not be given if such party entitled to contribution hereunder has previously given notice pursuant to Section 9 hereof with respect to the same action, suit or proceeding.

        11.    Termination.    The Underwriters may terminate the Underwriting Agreement immediately upon notice to the Company, at any time prior to the Closing Date if (i) there has been, since the date of the Underwriting Agreement, any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, (ii) there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other calamity or crisis, the effect of which is such as to make it, in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives, impracticable to market the Debt Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Debt Securities, (iii) trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended (other than pursuant to a request by the Company with respect to an announcement by the Company of certain information not constituting a material adverse change, since the date of the Underwriting Agreement, in the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise), the effect of which is such as to make it, in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives, impracticable to market the Debt Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of

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the Debt Securities, (iv) trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange has been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required, by such exchange or by order of the Commission or any other governmental authority, or if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities or if a banking moratorium has been declared by the relevant authorities in the country or countries of origin of any foreign currency or currencies in which the Debt Securities are denominated or payable or (v) after the date of the Underwriting Agreement, the rating assigned by any nationally recognized securities rating agency to any debt securities of the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement shall have been lowered or any such rating agency shall have publicly announced that it has placed any debt securities of the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries on what is commonly termed a "watch list" with negative implications. As used in this Section 11, the term "Prospectus" means the Prospectus (as defined herein) in the form first used to confirm sales of the Debt Securities.

        In the event of any such termination, no party will have any liability to any other party hereto, except that (i) the covenants set forth in Section 6(f) hereof, the indemnity and contribution agreement set forth in Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 hereof and the provisions of Section 18 hereof shall remain in effect and (ii) if the Underwriting Agreement is terminated by the Underwriters in accordance with the provisions of Section 11(i) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

        12.    Defaulting Underwriters.    If on the Closing Date any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Debt Securities that it has or they have agreed to purchase on such date, and the aggregate amount of Debt Securities which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate amount of the Debt Securities to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the amount of Debt Securities set forth opposite their respective names above bears to the aggregate amount of Debt Securities set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as the Representatives may specify, to purchase the Debt Securities which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date. If on the Closing Date any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Debt Securities and the aggregate amount of Debt Securities with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate amount of Debt Securities to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such Debt Securities are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. In any such case either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date but in no event for longer then seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

        13.    Selling and Other Restrictions.    

        (a)   Each Underwriter, on behalf of itself and each of its affiliates that participates in the initial distribution of the Debt Securities, severally:

              (i)  represents and agrees with the Company that (a) it has not offered or sold and prior to the date six months after the date of issue of the Notes will not offer or sell any Debt Securities to persons in the United Kingdom, except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses or otherwise in circumstances that have not resulted and will not result in an

14


    offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public Offers of Securities Regulation 1995 or the U.K. Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA"); (b) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Debt Securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to the Company; and (c) it has complied, and will comply with, all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Debt Securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom;

             (ii)  acknowledges and agrees with the Company that the Debt Securities have not been registered under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and are not being offered or sold and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the account of any resident of Japan, except (1) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and (2) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law;

            (iii)  agrees that the Debt Securities may not be offered, sold, transferred or delivered in or from The Netherlands, as part of their initial distribution or as part of any re-offering, and neither the Prospectus nor any other document in respect of the offering may be distributed or circulated in The Netherlands, other than to individuals or legal entities which include, but are not limited to, banks, brokers, dealers, institutional investors and undertakings with a treasury department, who or which trade or invest in securities in the conduct of a business or profession; and

            (iv)  agrees that it has not and will not offer or sell any Debt Securities or distribute any document or other material relating to the Debt Securities either directly or indirectly, to the public or any member of the public in Singapore other than (1) to an institutional investor or other person specified in Section 106C of the Companies Act, Chapter 50 of Singapore (the "Singapore Companies Act"), or (2) to a sophisticated investor in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 106D of the Singapore Companies Act or (3) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other provision of the Singapore Companies Act.

        (b)   In addition to the provisions of subparagraph (a)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this Section 13, each Underwriter severally represents to and agrees with the Company that it has not offered, sold or delivered and that it will not offer, sell or deliver, directly or indirectly, any of the Debt Securities or distribute the Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus or any other material relating to the Debt Securities, in or from any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will, to the best of its knowledge and belief, result in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations thereof and which will not impose any obligations on the Company except as contained in this Agreement.

        (c)   Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Section 13 and except for registration under the 1933 Act and compliance with the 1933 Act Regulations and the qualification of the Debt Securities for offer and sale under the applicable securities laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as the Representatives may designate pursuant to Section 6(g), the Company shall not have any responsibility for, and each Underwriter severally agrees with the Company that each such Underwriter and its respective affiliates will obtain, any consent, approval or authorization required by them for the subscription, offer, sale or delivery by them of any of the Debt Securities under the laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction to which they are subject or in or from which they make such subscription, offer, sale or delivery of any of the Debt Securities.

        14.    Notices.    All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication.

        15.    Parties.    This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Underwriters and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is

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intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 7 and 8 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Debt Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

        16.    Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery.    All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Company, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Debt Securities.

        17.    Miscellaneous.    The Underwriting Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto were upon the same instrument.

        18.    Choice of Law.    THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES CREATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTION 5-1401 OF TITLE 14 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.

        19.    Headings.    The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.

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FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT—DEBT SECURITIES UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT STANDARD PROVISIONS (DEBT SECURITIES)
EX-1.8 3 a2151040zex-1_8.htm EXHIBIT 1.8
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EXHIBIT 1.8


FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT—DEBT SECURITIES


THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

Medium-Term Notes, Series    •    

Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

            •    , 2005

[AGENTS]

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

        The Walt Disney Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), confirms its agreement with each of    •    (each an "Agent" and collectively, the "Agents") with respect to the issue and sale by the Company of its Medium-Term Notes, Series    •    (the "Notes"). The Notes are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2001 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (the "Trustee"). As of the date hereof, the Company has authorized the issuance and sale of up to U.S. $    •    aggregate initial offering price (or its equivalent, based upon the applicable exchange rate at the time of issuance, in such foreign currencies or composite currencies as the Company shall designate in the Notes at the time of issuance) of Notes directly or through the Agents pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Such Notes are in addition to other Medium-Term Notes of the Company outstanding at the date hereof. It is understood, however, that the Company may from time to time authorize the issuance of additional Notes and that, at the option of the Company, such Notes may be distributed through or sold to the Agents pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, all as though the issuance of such Notes were authorized as of the date hereof.

        This Agreement provides both for the sale of Notes by the Company directly to purchasers, in which case the Agents will act as agents of the Company in soliciting Note purchasers, and (as may from time to time be agreed to by the Company and one or more Agents) to such Agent or Agents as principal for resale to purchasers.

        The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-122139) for the registration of debt securities and other securities, including the Notes, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and the offering thereof from time to time in accordance with Rule 415 of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act Regulations"). Such registration statement has been declared effective by the Commission and the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "1939 Act"). Such registration statement (and any further registration statements that may be filed by the Company for the purpose of registering additional Notes and which the Company and the Agents agree is to be covered by this Agreement) and the prospectus constituting a part thereof, together with any prospectus supplement relating to the Notes, including, in each case, all Incorporated Documents (as hereinafter defined), as from time to time amended or supplemented by the filing of documents pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), or the 1933 Act or otherwise, are referred to herein as the "Registration Statement" and the "Prospectus," respectively, except that, if any revised prospectus shall be provided to the Agents by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Notes which is not required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations, the term "Prospectus" shall refer to such revised prospectus from and after the time it is first provided to the Agents for such use. The term "Prospectus" shall also include any term sheet or abbreviated term sheet as such terms are used in Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations (each a "Terms Sheet"). The term "Registration Statement"



shall also include any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations. In addition, any reference herein to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include, in addition to the information expressly set forth therein, only the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission for the most recently completed fiscal year (the "Annual Report"), and the documents, financial statements and schedules filed subsequent to the last day of such fiscal year incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, and any reference to any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents, financial statements and schedules filed by the Company with the Commission under the 1934 Act after the date hereof, and so incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference (such incorporated documents, financial statements and schedules being herein called the "Incorporated Documents"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this Agreement any prospectus or prospectus supplement or any Term Sheets prepared or filed with respect to an offering pursuant to the Registration Statement of securities other than the Notes shall not be deemed to have supplemented the Prospectus.

        SECTION 1.    Representations and Warranties; Additional Certificates.    

            (a)    Representations and Warranties.    The Company represents and warrants to each Agent as of the date hereof, as of the date of each acceptance by the Company of an offer for the purchase of Notes (whether through an Agent as agent or from an Agent as principal), as of the date of each delivery of Notes by the Company to the purchasers (the date of each such delivery to an Agent as principal being hereafter referred to as a "Settlement Date"), and as of the dates referred to in Section 6(a) hereof (each of the dates referenced above being referred to hereafter as a "Representation Date"), as follows:

                (i)  The Incorporated Documents, when they became effective or were filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any such Incorporated Document was filed or became effective, when such amendment was filed or became effective) with the Commission, as the case may be, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act, and any Incorporated Documents filed subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the termination of the offering of the Notes, will, when they are filed with the Commission, comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act; no such Incorporated Document, when it became effective or was filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any such Incorporated Document was filed or became effective, when such amendment was filed or became effective) with the Commission, contained, and no Incorporated Document filed subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the termination of the offering of the Notes will contain, an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, or will omit, to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

               (ii)  The Registration Statement, at the later of the time it became effective and the date the most recent Annual Report was filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations; at the applicable Representation Date, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and any supplements or amendments thereto, will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations; and the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and any such supplement or amendment thereto, at all such times did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; except that this representation and warranty does not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, made in reliance upon information

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      furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of the Agents expressly for use therein or to those parts of the Registration Statement which constitute the Trustee's Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 under the 1939 Act (the "Form T-1"). There is no contract or document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which is not described or filed as required.

              (iii)  This Agreement, the Indenture, the Notes and any applicable Terms Agreement have been duly authorized by the Company and conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus.

              (iv)  The Indenture (assuming due execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee) is, and the Notes (when executed by the Company and authenticated in accordance with the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the purchasers thereof) will be, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (B) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (C) requirements that a claim with respect to any Notes denominated other than in United States dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law and (D) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in a foreign currency or composite currency. The Notes (when executed by the Company and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the purchasers thereof) will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture (subject to the exceptions set forth in the preceding sentence).

               (v)  The Company is a validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of Delaware. The Company has full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as presently conducted and as described in the Prospectus; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

              (vi)  Each of Disney Enterprises, Inc., ABC, Inc. and Walt Disney World Co. (collectively, the "Significant Subsidiaries") is a validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation. Each of the Significant Subsidiaries has full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as presently conducted and as described in the Prospectus; and each of the Significant Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each United States jurisdiction in which such qualification is required whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where a failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

             (vii)  Except as contemplated in the Prospectus or reflected therein by the filing of any amendment or supplement thereto or any Incorporated Document, since the date of the most recent consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, unless the Company has notified the Agents as

3



      provided in Section 3(d) hereof, there has not been any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

            (viii)  The Company is not in violation of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as amended. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the issuance and sale of the Notes and the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture and any applicable Terms Agreement will not conflict with or constitute a breach of or a default (with the passage of time or otherwise) under (A) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as amended, of the Company, (B) subject to the Company's compliance with any applicable covenants pertaining to its incurrence of unsecured indebtedness contained therein, any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject, which breach or default would, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, or (C) any applicable law, administrative regulation or administrative or court decree. Except for orders, permits and similar authorizations required under or by the securities or Blue Sky laws of certain jurisdictions, any securities exchange on which any of the Notes might be listed or with respect to Notes which are to be indexed or linked to any foreign currency, composite currency, commodity, equity index or similar index, no consent, approval, authorization or other order of any regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body is legally required for the valid issuance and sale of the Notes. As of the date of each acceptance by the Company of an offer for the purchase of Notes and as of the date of each delivery of Notes by the Company, the Company by such acceptance or delivery, as the case may be, shall be deemed to represent and warrant to the Agents that, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such acceptance or delivery, the Company shall be in compliance with the requirements of any applicable covenants pertaining to its incurrence of unsecured indebtedness contained in the agreements or instruments referred to in clause (B) above.

              (ix)  To the best of the Company's knowledge, the accountants who have audited and reported upon the financial statements filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are independent accountants as required by the 1933 Act. The historical financial statements included in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or incorporated therein by reference fairly present the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries at the respective dates and for the respective periods to which they apply. Such historical financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, except as set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus. The unaudited pro forma financial statements, if any, together with the related notes and any supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, fairly present the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis substantially consistent with the audited financial statements of Disney included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; the assumptions on which such unaudited pro forma financial statements have been prepared are reasonable; and such unaudited pro forma financial statements have been prepared, and the pro forma adjustments set forth therein have been applied, in accordance with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations (including, without limitation, Regulations S-X promulgated by the Commission), and such pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of such statements.

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            (b)    Additional Certifications.    Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to an Agent or to counsel for the Agents in connection with an offering of Notes shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to such Agent as to the matters covered thereby on the date of such certificate.

        SECTION 2.    Solicitations as Agents; Purchases as Principals.    

            (a)    Solicitations as Agents.    Subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and subject to the reservation by the Company of the right to sell Notes directly on its own behalf and to any person, to sell Notes through others (provided that any other agent will execute an agreement with the Company which contains substantially the same terms and conditions contained herein), and to designate and select additional agents to become party to this Agreement, the Company hereby (i) appoints each Agent as an agent of the Company for the purpose of soliciting offers to purchase the Notes from the Company by others and (ii) agrees that whenever the Company determines to sell Notes directly to an Agent as principal for resale to others, it will enter into a Terms Agreement relating to such sale in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(b) hereof. Without the prior written consent of the Company, the Agents are not authorized to appoint sub-agents or to engage the services of any other broker or dealer in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes; provided, that without the Company's consent, the Agents may solicit offers to purchase the Notes from other brokers or dealers. In connection with the solicitation of offers to purchase Notes, without the prior consent of the Company, the Agents are not authorized to provide any written information relating to the Company to any prospective purchaser other than the Prospectus and the Incorporated Documents. Each Agent will make reasonable efforts to assist the Company in obtaining performance by each purchaser whose offer to purchase Notes from the Company has been solicited by such Agent, as agent, and accepted by the Company, but such Agent shall not have any liability to the Company in the event any such purchase is not consummated for any reason.

            The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the solicitation of offers to purchase the Notes through the Agents commencing at any time for any period of time or permanently. Upon receipt of instructions from the Company, the Agents will, as soon as possible, suspend the solicitation of offers to purchase the Notes from the Company until such time as the Company has advised the Agents that such solicitation may be resumed.

            The Company agrees to pay each Agent a commission, which such Agent is hereby authorized to deduct from the sales proceeds of each Note sold by the Company as a result of a solicitation made by such Agent, equal to the applicable percentage of the principal amount of each such Note, as set forth in Exhibit A hereto. Without the consent of the Company, no Agent, as an agent, may reallow any portion of the commission payable pursuant hereto to dealers or purchasers in connection with the offer and sale of any Notes.

            As an agent, each Agent is authorized, except during periods of suspension as provided in this Agreement, to solicit offers to purchase the Notes. Each Agent shall communicate to the Company, orally or in writing, each reasonable offer to purchase Notes received by such Agent, as agent. Each Agent shall have the right in its discretion reasonably exercised to reject any offer to purchase the Notes received by such Agent which it does not deem reasonable, and any such rejection shall not be deemed a breach of such Agent's agreements contained herein. The Company shall have the sole right to accept offers to purchase the Notes and may reject any such offer in whole or in part, and any such rejection shall not be deemed to be a breach of any agreement of the Company contained herein. The purchase price, interest rate, maturity date and other terms of the Notes agreed upon by the Company shall be set forth in a pricing supplement to the Prospectus to be prepared following each acceptance by the Company of an offer for the purchase of Notes (a "Pricing Supplement"). Except as may be otherwise provided in any Pricing

5



    Supplement, each Note will be issued in the denomination of U.S. $1,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of U.S. $1,000. All Notes will be sold at 100% of their principal amount unless otherwise agreed to by the Company. Each Agent acknowledges and agrees that any funds which such Agent receives in respect of a purchase of Notes, which purchase has been solicited by such Agent, as agent of the Company, will be received, held and disposed of by such Agent, as agent of the Company, subject to the right of such Agent to deduct from the sale proceeds the applicable commission as set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

            If requested by a prospective purchaser of Notes denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the Agent soliciting the offer to purchase will use its reasonable efforts to arrange for the conversion of U.S. dollars into such currency to enable the purchaser to pay for such Notes. Such requests must be made on or before the third business day preceding the date of delivery of the Notes, or by such other dates as determined by such Agent. Each such conversion will be made by the relevant Agent on such terms and subject to such conditions, limitations and charges as such Agent may from time to time establish in accordance with its regular foreign exchange practice. All costs of exchange will be borne by purchasers of the Notes.

            (b)    Purchases as Principal.    Each sale of Notes to an Agent as principal shall be made in accordance with the terms contained herein and pursuant to a separate agreement which will provide for the sale of such Notes to, and the purchase and any reoffering thereof by, such Agent. Each such separate agreement (which may be an oral agreement if confirmed within 24 hours thereafter by an exchange of any standard form of written telecommunication (including facsimile transmission) between the Agent and the Company) is herein referred to as a "Terms Agreement." Unless the context otherwise requires, each reference contained herein to "this Agreement" shall be deemed to include any applicable Terms Agreement between the Company and the Agent. Each such Terms Agreement, whether oral (and confirmed in writing, which confirmation may be by facsimile transmission) or in writing shall be with respect to such information (as applicable) as is specified in Exhibit B hereto. An Agent's commitment to purchase Notes pursuant to any Terms Agreement shall be deemed to have been made on the basis of the representations and warranties of the Company herein contained and shall be subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth. The Agents may offer the Notes they have purchased as principal to other dealers. The Agents may sell Notes to any dealer at a discount and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Terms Agreement, such discount allowed to any dealer will not be in excess of the discount to be received by such Agent from the Company. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Terms Agreement, any Notes sold to an Agent as principal will be purchased by such Agent at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof less a percentage equal to the commission applicable to any agency sale of a Note of identical maturity.

            (c)    Administrative Procedures.    Administrative procedures with respect to the sale of Notes shall be agreed upon from time to time by the Agents and the Company (the "Procedures"). The Procedures initially agreed upon shall be those set forth in Exhibit C hereto. The Agents and the Company agree to perform the respective duties and obligations specifically provided to be performed by the Agents and the Company herein and in the Procedures.

        SECTION 3.    Covenants of the Company.    The Company covenants with each Agent as follows:

            (a)    Notice of Certain Events.    The Company will notify the Agents promptly of (i) the designation and selection of additional agents to become party to this Agreement, (ii) the designation and selection of additional agents for the sale of Notes pursuant to any agreement other than this Agreement, (iii) the effectiveness of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement (other than a post-effective amendment relating solely to an offering of debt securities other than the Notes), (iv) the transmittal to the Commission for filing of any supplement to the Prospectus (other than a Pricing Supplement or a supplement relating solely to

6


    an offering of securities other than the Notes), (v) the receipt of any comments from the Commission with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (other than any comments relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Notes), (vi) any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information (other than any such request relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Notes) and (vii) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and, if any such stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible time unless the Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine that it is not in its best interest to do so.

            (b)    Notice of Certain Proposed Filing.    At or prior to the filing thereof, the Company will give the Agents notice of its intention to file any additional registration statement with respect to the registration of additional Notes to be covered by this Agreement, any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (other than a Pricing Supplement or an amendment or supplement relating solely to an offering of debt securities other than the Notes), whether by the filing of documents pursuant to the 1934 Act, the 1933 Act or otherwise, and will furnish the Agents with copies of any such amendment or supplement or other documents promptly after the filing thereof.

            (c)    Copies of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.    The Company will deliver to the Agents one signed and as many conformed copies of the Registration Statement (as originally filed) and of each amendment thereto (including the Incorporated Documents and any exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein) as the Agents may reasonably request. The Company will furnish to the Agents as many copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as the Agents shall reasonably request so long as the Agents are required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with sales or solicitations of offers to purchase the Notes.

            (d)    Revisions of Prospectus—Material Changes.    So long as the Agents are required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with sales or solicitations of offers to purchase the Notes, if any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, after consultation with counsel for the Agents, to further amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel for the Company, to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, prompt notice shall be given, and confirmed in writing, to the Agents to cease the solicitation of offers to purchase the Notes in their capacity as agents and to cease sales of any Notes the Agents may then own as principal. In addition, if any Agent holds Notes purchased for resale pursuant to a Terms Agreement and the Company has given notice to the Agents pursuant to this subsection (d) within 90 days after the date of execution of such Terms Agreement, the Company will prepare and file as soon as practicable an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to the Agents.

            (e)    Compliance with 1934 Act; Accountants' Consents.    The Company will (i) comply, in a timely manner, with all applicable requirements under the 1934 Act relating to the filing with the Commission of the Company's reports pursuant to Section 13(a),13(c) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act and, if then applicable, of the Company's proxy statements pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act

7



    and (ii) use its best efforts to obtain the written consent of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm as to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of the audited financial statements reported on by them and contained in the Company's annual reports on Form 10-K under the 1934 Act.

            (f)    Earnings Statements.    The Company will make generally available to its security holders, in each case as soon as practicable but in any event not later than 15 months after the acceptance by the Company of an offer to purchase Notes hereunder, a consolidated earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering the twelve-month period beginning after the latest of (i) the effective date of the Registration Statement, (ii) the effective date of the most recent post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to become effective prior to the date of such acceptance and (iii) the date of the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission prior to the date of such acceptance, which earnings statement will satisfy the provisions of Section 11 (a) of the 1933 Act (and, at the option of the Company, Rule 158 of the 1933 Act Regulations). Nothing in this Section 3(f) shall require the Company to make such earnings statement available more frequently than once in any period of twelve months.

            (g)    Blue Sky Qualifications.    The Company will endeavor, in cooperation with the Agents, to qualify the Notes for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions of the United States as the Agents may reasonably designate, and will maintain such qualifications in effect for as long as may be required for the distribution of the Notes; provided, however, that the Company will promptly notify the Agents of any suspension or termination of any such qualifications, and provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to register or qualify as a foreign corporation or take any action which would subject it to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.

            (h)    Suspension of Certain Obligations.    The Company shall not be required to comply with the provisions of subsections (b), (c), (d), (e) or (g) of this Section 3 during any period from the time the Agents shall have been notified to suspend the solicitation of offers to purchase the Notes in their capacity as agents or resales of Notes purchased pursuant to a Terms Agreement to the time the Company shall determine that the solicitation of offers to purchase the Notes through any Agent or Agents or resales as principal of Notes purchased pursuant to a Terms Agreement by any Agent or Agents should be resumed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Agent holds Notes purchased for resale pursuant to a Terms Agreement the Company shall comply with the provisions of subsections (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) of this Section 3 during the 90 day period from and including the date of execution of such Terms Agreement; provided, however, that the Company shall have the right, in its reasonable business judgment, to suspend such compliance during such 90 day period for an aggregate of up to 45 days, in which event such 90 day period shall be extended by the greater of (i) the number of days included in any such period of suspension and (ii) 30 days.

        SECTION 4.    Payment of Expenses.    The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including:

            (a)   The preparation and filing of the Registration Statement and all amendments thereto and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and all Incorporated Documents;

            (b)   The preparation, filing and printing of this Agreement;

            (c)   The preparation, printing, issuance and delivery of the Notes;

            (d)   The fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, of any calculation agent or exchange rate agent and of The Depository Trust Company;

8



            (e)   The reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agents incurred in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and in connection with the review of subsequent deliveries pursuant to this Agreement;

            (f)    The qualification of the Notes under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(g) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agents in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of any Blue Sky survey;

            (g)   The printing and delivery to the Agents in quantities as hereinabove stated of copies of the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and the delivery by the Agents of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto in connection with solicitations of offers to purchase, or confirmations of sales of, the Notes;

9


            (h)   Any fees charged by rating agencies for the rating of the Notes;

            (i)    Any advertising and other out-of-pocket expenses of the Agents incurred with the prior written approval of the Company; and

            (j)    Reasonable fees and disbursements in connection with the subsequent delivery of legal opinions pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof.

        SECTION 5.    Conditions of Obligations.    The obligations of any Agent to solicit offers to purchase the Notes as agent of the Company and the obligations of any Agent to purchase Notes pursuant to any Terms Agreement will be subject at all times to the accuracy, as of the applicable Representation Date, of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company herein and to the accuracy, as of the date made, of the statements of the Company's officers made in any certificate furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance and observance by the Company of all covenants and agreements herein contained on its part to be performed and observed, and to the following additional conditions precedent:

            (a)    Opinion of Counsel to Company.    On the date hereof, the Agents shall have received an opinion from Dewey Ballantine LLP, counsel to the Company, dated as of the date hereof and in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Agents to the effect that:

                (i)  The Company is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

               (ii)  The Company has the corporate power and corporate authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture, to borrow money as contemplated in this Agreement and the Indenture, and to issue, sell and deliver the Notes.

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

              (iv)  The Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Indenture is subject to and may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, (c) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in United States dollars, (d) requirements that a claim with respect to any Notes denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in U.S. dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law and (e) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currency, currency units or composite currencies.

               (v)  No Governmental Approval is required on the part of the Company in connection with the issuance or sale of the Notes, other than registration thereof under the 1933 Act, the qualification of the Indenture under the 1939 Act, and such registrations or qualifications as may be necessary under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various United States jurisdictions in which the Notes are to be offered or sold.

              (vi)  The Notes, when the final terms of a particular Note and its issuance and sale have been established in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and when executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the purchasers thereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will constitute valid

10



      and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Notes is subject to and may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, (c) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in United States dollars, (d) requirements that a claim with respect to any Notes denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in U.S. dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law and (e) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currency, currency units or composite currencies.

             (vii)  The Registration Statement has been declared effective under the 1933 Act and the Indenture has been qualified under the 1939 Act, and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or contemplated.

            (viii)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Indenture by the Company, the issuance and sale of the Notes and the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture will not (A) violate the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as amended, of the Company, (B) violate any Applicable Laws or (C) breach or otherwise violate any obligation of or restriction on the Company under any judgment, decree or order, applicable to the Company and known to such counsel, of any court or Governmental Authority entered in any proceeding to which the Company was or is now a party or by which it is bound; provided, that such counsel may state that no opinion is expressed as to the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which any of the Notes are to be offered.

              (ix)  The Registration Statement, as of the later of its effective date and the date the most recent Annual Report was filed with the Commission, and the Prospectus, as of the date of the prospectus supplement relating to the Notes, appeared on their face to comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the related applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder then in effect, except that in each case such counsel need not express an opinion as to (i) the Incorporated Documents, (ii) the financial statements, schedules and other financial and statistical data included or incorporated by reference therein or excluded therefrom or (iii) the exhibits to the Registration Statement, including, without limitation, the Statement of Eligibility under the 1939 Act of the Trustee on Form T-1 incorporated by reference therein (the "Form T-1").

               (x)  The statements in the Prospectus under the captions "Description of Debt Securities" and "Description of the Notes," insofar as they purport to summarize certain provisions of the Notes and the Indenture, fairly present the information required by Form S-3.

            In rendering the opinions set forth above, such counsel may state that, with respect to Notes the payments of principal or interest on which will be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors, no opinion is expressed with respect to the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, or the rules, regulations and interpretations of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder.

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            In rendering the opinions set forth above, the term "Applicable Laws" shall mean the Delaware General Corporation Law and those laws, rules and regulations of the States of California and New York and of the United States of America which such counsel has, in the exercise of customary diligence, recognized as applicable to the Company or transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement; the term "Governmental Authority" shall mean any California, New York, Delaware or federal executive, legislative, judicial, administrative or regulatory body; and the term "Governmental Approval" shall mean any order, consent, permit or approval of any Governmental Authority pursuant to Applicable Laws.

            In addition, such counsel may state that such counsel has not undertaken to determine independently, and therefore does not assume any responsibility explicitly or implicitly for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectus (except as set forth in clause (x) above). Such counsel may also state that such counsel has participated in conferences with representatives of the Company and the Agents in the course of the preparation of the Registration Statement and Prospectus and has considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein. However, such counsel shall state that, based upon and subject to the foregoing, nothing has come to such counsel's attention that causes such counsel to believe that the Registration Statement, as of the time it became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus, as of the date of this Agreement (and, if the opinion is being given pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof as a result of the Company having entered into a Terms Agreement, as of the Settlement Date with respect to such Terms Agreement) includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (except in each case as to the financial statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data included or incorporated by reference therein or excluded therefrom and, in the case of the Registration Statement, except as to exhibits thereto (including, without limitation, the Form T-1, as to all of which such counsel need express no opinion).

            (b)    Opinion of Counsel Employed by Company.    On the date hereof, the Agents shall have received an opinion from David K. Thompson, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel—Corporate and Corporate Secretary, or from other counsel employed by the Company (provided that such counsel is at least a Vice President of the Company), dated as of the date hereof and in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Agents, to the effect that:

                (i)  The Company and each of the Significant Subsidiaries is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation.

               (ii)  Except as set forth in the Prospectus, there is not pending or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, threatened any action, suit or proceeding against the Company or any of its subsidiaries before or by any court or governmental agency or body, which is likely (to the extent not covered by insurance) to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

              (iii)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, there is no contract or document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which is not described or filed as required.

              (iv)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, the Company is not in violation of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as amended.

12



               (v)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Indenture will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default (with the passage of time or otherwise) under, any material contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject.

              (vi)  Each of the Incorporated Documents, as of the date such document was filed with the Commission, complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act, except that in each case such counsel need not express an opinion as to the financial statements, schedules and other financial data included or incorporated by reference therein or excluded therefrom.

            In addition, such counsel shall state that nothing has come to such counsel's attention that leads him to believe that either the Registration Statement at the time such Registration Statement became effective contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or the Prospectus as of the date of this Agreement (and, if the opinion is being given pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof as a result of the Company having entered into a Terms Agreement, as of the Settlement Date with respect to such Terms Agreement) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that such counsel need express no opinion with respect to the financial statements, schedules and other financial data included or incorporated by reference therein or excluded therefrom or the exhibits to the Registration Statement, including the Form T-1.

            (c)    Opinion of Agents' Counsel.    On the date hereof, the Agents shall have received an opinion from counsel to the Agents, dated as of the date hereof and in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents.

            (d)    Officer's Certificate.    On the date hereof (and, if this certificate is being delivered pursuant to a Terms Agreement, as of the Settlement Date with respect to such Terms Agreement), the Agents shall have received a certificate signed by an officer of the Company, substantially in the form of Appendix I hereto and dated the date hereof, to the effect that (i) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1(a) hereof are true and correct in all material respects with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the date of such certificate, (ii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions required by this Agreement or the Indenture on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the date of such certificate, and (iii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated or, to the best of such officer's knowledge, threatened by the Commission. The officer's certificate shall further state that except as contemplated in the Prospectus or reflected therein by the filing of any amendment or supplement thereto or any Incorporated Document, at the date hereof and at each Settlement Date with respect to any Terms Agreement, there has not been, since the date of the most recent consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

13



            (e)    Comfort Letter.    On the date hereof, the Agents shall have received a letter from the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, dated as of the date hereof and in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents, to the effect that:

                (i)  They are an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the Public Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

               (ii)  In their opinion, the consolidated financial statements and supporting schedule(s) of the Company and its subsidiaries audited and reported upon by them and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations with respect to registration statements on Form S-3 and the 1934 Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder.

              (iii)  They have performed specified procedures, not constituting an audit, including a reading of the latest available interim consolidated financial statements of the Company, a reading of the minute books of the Company since the end of the most recent fiscal year with respect to which an audit report has been issued, inquiries of and discussions with certain officials of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting matters with respect to the latest available interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company, and such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter, and on the basis of such inquiries and procedures nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that: (A) the latest available unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company were not fairly presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited financial statements incorporated by reference therein, or (B) at a specified date not more than five days prior to the date of such letter, there was any change in the outstanding capital stock of the Company or any increase in consolidated long-term debt of the Company or any decrease in the stockholders' equity of the Company, in each case as compared with the amounts shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectus or, during the period from the date of such balance sheet to a specified date not more than five days prior to the date of such letter, there were any decreases, as compared with the corresponding period in the preceding year, in consolidated revenues or net income of the Company, except in each such case as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement and Prospectus or except for such exceptions enumerated in such letter as shall have been agreed to by the Agents and the Company.

              (iv)  In addition to the examination referred to in their report included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and the limited procedures referred to in clause (iii) above, they have carried out certain other specified procedures, not constituting an audit, with respect to certain financial information which is included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, which would normally be covered under auditing procedures and which are specified by the Agents, and have found such financial information to be in agreement with the relevant accounting, financial and other records of the Company identified in such letter.

            (f)    Other Documents.    On the date hereof and on each Settlement Date with respect to any applicable Terms Agreement, counsel to the Agents shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as such counsel may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling such counsel to pass upon the issuance and sale of Notes as herein contemplated and related proceedings, or in

14


    order to evidence the accuracy and completeness of any of the representations and warranties or the fulfillment of any of the conditions herein contained.

            If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by any of the Agents (as to itself only) and any Terms Agreement may be terminated by the Agent party to such Terms Agreement by notice to the Company at any time and any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party, except that the covenants set forth in Section 3(f) hereof, the provisions of Section 4 hereof, the indemnity and contribution agreement set forth in Sections 7 and 8 hereof, and the provisions of Sections 9 and 13 hereof shall remain in effect.

        SECTION 6.    Subsequent Documentation Requirement of the Company.    The Company covenants and agrees that so long as Notes are authorized for sale pursuant to this Agreement and unless the sale of Notes has been suspended as provided in this Agreement:

            (a)    Subsequent Delivery of Certificates.    Each time that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented (other than by (i) a Pricing Supplement or an amendment or other supplement providing solely for a change in the interest rates of the Notes or changes in other terms of the Notes or (ii) an amendment or supplement which relates exclusively to an offering of securities other than the Notes) or there is filed with the Commission any document (other than a Current Report on Form 8-K unless delivery of a certificate is reasonably requested by the Agents with respect to such filing) incorporated by reference into the Prospectus or the Company sells Notes to an Agent pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the terms of which so require, the Company shall use its best efforts to furnish or cause to be furnished to the Agents or to the Agent party to the Terms Agreement, as the case may be, promptly following such amendment, supplement or filing or on the Settlement Date with respect to such Terms Agreement, as the case may be, a certificate in form satisfactory to counsel for the Agents to the effect that the statements contained in the certificate referred to in Section 5(d) hereof, which was last furnished to the Agents, are true and correct at the time of such amendment, supplement, filing or sale, as the case may be, as though made at and as of such time (except that such statements shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to such time) or, in lieu of such certificate, a certificate of the same tenor as the certificate referred to in said Section 5(d), modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such certificate; provided, however, that in the case of any such amendment or supplement that relates to Notes which are indexed or linked to any foreign currency, composite currency, commodity, equity index or similar index, such certificate shall state that, for purposes of such certificate, the phrase "or with respect to Notes which are to be indexed or linked to any currency, composite currency, commodity, equity index or similar index" appearing in the second sentence of Section 1(a)(viii) hereof shall be deemed not to apply with respect to such Notes.

            (b)    Subsequent Delivery of Legal Opinions.    Each time that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented (other than by (i) a Pricing Supplement or an amendment or other supplement providing solely for a change in the interest rates of the Notes or changes in other terms of the Notes or (ii) an amendment or supplement providing primarily for the inclusion of additional financial information, or (iii) an amendment or supplement which relates exclusively to an offering of securities other than the Notes) or there is filed with the Commission any document incorporated by reference into the Prospectus (other than any Annual Report on Form 10-K, Current Report on Form 8-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q relating primarily to financial statements or other financial information as of and for any fiscal quarter) or the Company sells Notes to an Agent pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the terms of which so require, the Company shall use its best efforts to furnish or cause to be furnished promptly following such amendment, supplement or filing or on the Settlement Date with respect to such

15



    Terms Agreement, as the case may be, to the Agents or to the Agent party to the Terms Agreement, as the case may be (with a copy to counsel to the Agents or counsel to such Agent, as the case may be), letters substantially in the form of Appendix II hereto (modified, as necessary, in the case of a Terms Agreement) from the counsel last furnishing the opinions referred to in Sections 5(a) and 5(b) hereof or, in lieu of such letters, letters from other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Agents (which, in the case of the opinions referred to in such Section 5(b), shall include David K. Thompson, Senior Vice President—Deputy General Counsel of the Company), dated the date of delivery of such letter and in form satisfactory to counsel for the Agents, of the same tenor as the opinions referred to in Sections 5(a) and 5(b) (other than, in the case of the opinion delivered pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof, the matters covered by Sections 5(b)(ii) and 5(b)(v) (with respect to execution and delivery)) hereof, but modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such opinion; provided, however, that (i) in the case of any such amendment or supplement that relates to Notes which are indexed or linked to any foreign currency, composite currency, commodity, equity index or similar index, the opinions referred to in Section 5(a) hereof shall not include the exceptions set forth in such Section 5(a) as to Notes which are to be indexed or linked to any foreign currency, composite currency, commodity, equity index or similar index and (ii) if reasonably requested by the Agents, the counsel delivering the opinions referred to in Section 5(b) shall expand the opinion rendered pursuant to Section 5(b)(i) to include any other subsidiary of the Company that, as a result of actions or events occurring after the date of this Agreement is of substantially similar materiality to the Company, on a consolidated basis, as each of the Significant Subsidiaries are as of the date of this Agreement. The Company shall use its best efforts to furnish or cause to be furnished to the Agents, promptly following each filing by the Company of a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an Annual Report on Form 10-K, a letter from the counsel last furnishing the opinion referred to in Section 5(b) hereof, or from other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Agents, dated the date of delivery of such letter and in form satisfactory to counsel for the Agents, of the same tenor as the opinion referred to in Section 5(b)(ii) hereof, but modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such letter.

            (c)    Subsequent Delivery of Comfort Letters.    Each time that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented to include additional financial information or there is filed with the Commission any document incorporated by reference into the Prospectus which contains additional financial statement information relating to the Company or the Company sells Notes pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the terms of which so require, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Company's independent public accountants promptly following such amendment, supplement or filing or on the Settlement Date with respect to such Terms Agreement, as the case may be, to furnish the Agents or to the Agent party to the Terms Agreement, as the case may be, a letter, dated the date of filing of such amendment, supplement or document with the Commission, or such Settlement Date, as the case may be, in form satisfactory to counsel for the Agents (or such Agent), of the same tenor as the portions of the letter referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 5(e) hereof but modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and Prospectus, as amended and supplemented to the date of such letter, and of the same general tenor as the portions of the letter referred to in clause (iii) (other than the information required by clause (B) thereof, except in the case of a Terms Agreement, the terms of which so require) and clause (iv) of said Section 5(e) with such changes as may be necessary to reflect changes in the financial statements and other information derived from the accounting records of the Company; provided, however, that if the Registration Statement or the Prospectus is amended or supplemented primarily to include financial information as of and for a fiscal quarter, the Company's independent certified public accountants may limit the scope of such letter to the unaudited financial statements included in such amendment or supplement.

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        SECTION 7.    Indemnification.    

            (a)    Indemnification of the Agents.    The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Agent and each person, if any, who controls an Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act as follows:

                (i)  against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (c) below, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Agents), as incurred, insofar as such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arises out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

               (ii)  against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (c) below, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Agents), as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever insofar as such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and

              (iii)  against any and all expense whatsoever (including, subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (c) below, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Agents), as incurred, reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided, however, that this indemnity shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage of expense (A) to the extent arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon the Form T-1; or (B) to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission in the Prospectus if such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission is corrected in all material respects in an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus and if, having previously been furnished by or on behalf of the Company with copies of the Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, such Agent thereafter failed to deliver such Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, prior to or concurrently with the sale of a Note or Notes to the person asserting such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense who purchased such Note or Notes which are the subject thereof from such Agent; or (C) as to which such Agent may be required to indemnify the Company pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 7.

            (b)    Indemnification of the Company.    Each Agent severally (and not jointly) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section 7, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written

17


    information furnished to the Company by such Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.

            (c)    General.    

                (i)  In case any action, suit or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought against any Agent or any person controlling such Agent, based upon the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to this Section 7, such Agent or controlling person shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel (such counsel to be reasonably acceptable to such Agent) and payment of all expenses. Any such Agent or any such controlling person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action, suit or proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be at the expense of such Agent or such controlling person unless (A) the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically authorized in writing by the Company, (B) the Company shall have failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or (C) the named parties to any such action, suit or proceeding (including any impleaded parties) shall include both such Agent or such controlling person and the Company, and such Agent or such controlling person shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from, or additional to, those available to the Company (in which case, if such Agent or such controlling person notifies the Company in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Company, the Company shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action, suit or proceeding on behalf of such Agent or such controlling person, it being understood, however, that the Company shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for all such Agents and such controlling persons, which firm shall be designated in writing by a majority of all such Agents, on behalf of all of such Agents and such controlling persons).

               (ii)  In case any action, suit or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought against the Company, any of the Company's directors or officers, or any person controlling the Company, with respect to which indemnity may be sought against any Agent pursuant to this Section 7, such Agent shall have the rights and duties given to the Company by subsection (c)(i) of this Section 7, and the Company, the Company's directors and officers and any such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to the Agents by subsection (c)(i) of this Section 7.

        SECTION 8.    Contribution.    In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in Section 7 hereof is for any reason held to be unenforceable with respect to the indemnified parties although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Company and each Agent shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Agents, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and each of the Agents participating in the offering that gave rise to such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses (a "Relevant Agent") on the other hand from the offering of such Notes. If however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required pursuant to Section 7(c) hereof or pursuant to the last sentence of this Section 8, then the Company and each Relevant Agent shall contribute to such aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by the Company and the Relevant Agents, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to

18


reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and each Relevant Agent on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and each Relevant Agent on the other hand in connection with the offering of such Notes shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the sale of such Notes by such Relevant Agent received by the Company (before deducting expenses) bear to the total commissions or other compensation or remuneration received by such Relevant Agent in respect thereof. The relative fault 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 such Relevant Agent and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. If more than one Agent is a Relevant Agent in respect of a proceeding, each Relevant Agent's obligation to contribute pursuant to this Section 8 shall be several and not joint, and shall be in the proportion that the principal amount of the Notes that are the subject of such proceeding and that were offered and sold through such Relevant Agent bears to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes that are the subject of such proceeding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Agent shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Notes purchased by or through it were sold exceeds the amount of any damages which such Agent has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 8, each person, if any, who controls an Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Agent, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company. Any party entitled to contribution pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 8 will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this Section 8, 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 other obligation it or they may have otherwise than under this Section 8; provided, however, that such notice need not be given if such party entitled to contribution hereunder has previously given notice pursuant to Section 7(c) hereof with respect to the same action, suit or proceeding.

        SECTION 9.    Representations. Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery.    All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or any Terms Agreement, or contained in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Agent or any controlling person as defined in Section 15 of the 1933 Act of any Agent, or by or on behalf of the Company, and shall survive each delivery of and payment for any of the Notes.

        SECTION 10.    Termination.    

            (a)    Termination of this Agreement.    This Agreement (excluding any Terms Agreement) may be terminated by the Company (i) for any reason at any time with respect to any Agent or Agents upon the giving of 2 business days' written notice of such termination to each other party hereto or (ii) at any time upon notice to each other party hereto if no Notes then remain authorized for sale pursuant hereto. This Agreement may be terminated by any Agent (as to itself only) either (x) upon the giving of 2 business days' written notice of such termination to each other party hereto or (y) at any time upon notice to the Company if the Company shall have failed to furnish

19


    or cause to be furnished the certificates, opinions or letters referred to in Section 5 or 6 hereof or if no Notes then remain authorized for sale pursuant hereto.

            (b)    Termination of a Terms Agreement.    An Agent party to a Terms Agreement may terminate such Terms Agreement (as to itself only) immediately upon notice to the Company, at any time prior to the Settlement Date relating thereto if (i) there has been, between the date of such Terms Agreement and the related Settlement Date, any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, (ii) there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other calamity or crisis, the effect of which is such as to make it, in the reasonable judgment of such Agent, impracticable to market the Notes or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Notes, (iii) trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended (other than pursuant to a request by the Company with respect to an announcement by the Company of certain information not constituting a material adverse change, since the date of such Terms Agreement, in the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise), the effect of which is such as to make it, in the reasonable judgment of such Agent, impracticable to market the Notes or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Notes, (iv) trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange has been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required, by such exchange or by order of the Commission or any other governmental authority, or if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities or if a banking moratorium has been declared by the relevant authorities in the country or countries of origin of any foreign currency or currencies in which the Notes are denominated or payable or (v) after the date of such Terms Agreement the rating assigned by any nationally recognized securities rating agency to any debt securities of the Company as of the date of such Terms Agreement shall have been lowered or any such rating agency shall have publicly announced that it has placed any debt securities of the Company on what is commonly termed a "watch list" with negative implications.

            (c)    General.    In the event of any such termination, no party will have any liability to any other party hereto, except that (i) a terminating Agent shall be entitled to any commissions earned in accordance with the third paragraph of Section 2(a) hereof, (ii) if at the time of termination (A) a terminating Agent and the Company shall have entered into a Terms Agreement and the Settlement Date with respect thereto shall not yet have occurred or (B) an offer to purchase any of the Notes has been accepted by the Company but the time of delivery to the purchaser or his agent of the Note or Notes relating thereto has not occurred, the covenants set forth in Sections 3 (subject to the provisions of Section 3(h)) and 6 hereof shall remain in effect until such Settlement Date or until such Notes are so delivered, as the case may be, and (iii) the covenant set forth in Section 3(f) hereof, the provisions of Section 4 hereof, the indemnity and contribution agreements set forth in Sections 7 and 8 hereof, and the provisions of Sections 9 and 13 hereof shall remain in effect.

        SECTION 11.    Notices.    All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Agents shall be directed, as the case may be, to:

      Attention:

      Notices to the Company shall be directed to it at:

      500 South Buena Vista Street
      Burbank, California 91521
      Attention: Legal Department

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        SECTION 12.    Parties.    This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Agents (and, in the case of a Terms Agreement, the Agent or Agents party thereto) and the Company and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 7 and 8 hereof and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Notes shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

        SECTION 13.    Governing Laws.    THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES CREATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF TITLE 14 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW AND NEW YORK CIVIL PRACTICE LAW RULE 327(b).

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        If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument along with all counterparts will become a binding agreement between the Agents and the Company in accordance with its terms.

            Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

                Name:    
                Title:    

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of  •  , 2005:

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 
    Name:                
    Title:                

By:

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 
    Name:                
    Title:                

By:

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 
    Name:                
    Title:                


EXHIBIT A

Term(1)

  Commission Rate(2)
 
More than 9 months but less than 1 year     %
From 1 year but less than 18 months     %
From 18 months but less than 2 years     %
From 2 years but less than 3 years     %
From 3 years but less than 4 years     %
From 4 years but less than 5 years     %
From 5 years but less than 6 years     %
From 6 years but less than 7 years     %
From 7 years but less than 10 years     %
From 10 years but less than 15 years     %
From 15 years but less than 20 years     %
From 20 years but less than 30 years     %
From 30 years      

(1)
With respect to each Note that is subject to purchase by the Company at the option of the holder thereof (a "Put Note"), the word "Term" as used in this Exhibit A refers to the earliest purchase date specified in the applicable Put Note.

(2)
With respect to each Note that is a Discount Security (as defined in the Indenture), the commission payable to each Agent with respect to each such Note sold as a result of a solicitation made by such Agent shall be based on the purchase price of such Note.

A-1



EXHIBIT B

        The following terms, if applicable, shall be agreed to by each Agent and the Company pursuant to each Terms Agreement:

Principal Amount:   $
  (or principal amount of foreign currency or composite currency)    

Interest Rate

 

 
 
If Fixed Rate Note, Interest Rate:

 

 
 
If Floating Rate Note:

 

 

Base Rate or Rates:

 

 

Initial Interest Rate:

 

 

Spread or Spread Multiplier, if any:

 

 

Interest Reset Dates:

 

 

Interest Payment Dates:

 

 

Index Maturity:

 

 

CMT Maturity Index, if any:

 

 

Interest Determination Dates:

 

 

Maximum Interest Rate, if any:

 

 

Minimum Interest Rate, if any:

 

 

Interest Reset Period:

 

 

Interest Payment Period:

 

 

Calculation Agent (if other than the Trustee):

 

 

If Redeemable:

 

 
 
Earliest Redemption Date:

 

 
 
Redemption Price:

 

 

Stated Maturity:

 

 

Final Maturity (for Renewable Notes):

 

 

Initial Maturity (for Renewable Notes):

 

 

Purchase Price:

 

%
     

B-1



Settlement Date and Time:

 

 

Currency of Denomination (if currency is other than U.S. dollar):

 

 

Currency of Payment (if currency is other than U.S. dollar):

 

 

Denominations:

 

 

Additional Terms:

 

 

B-2



EXHIBIT C

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

MEDIUM TERM NOTES, SERIES    

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

    •    , 2005

        The administrative procedures and specific terms of the offering of Medium-Term Notes, Series     •    (the "Notes") on a continuing basis by The Walt Disney Company (the "Issuer") pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, dated     •    , 2005 (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Distribution Agreement"), between the Issuer and each of    •    (each an "Agent" and collectively, the "Agents") are explained below. In the Distribution Agreement, the Agents have agreed to act as agents of the Issuer to solicit offers to purchase the Notes. Each Agent, as principal, may purchase Notes for its own account pursuant to the terms and settlement details of a terms agreement entered into between the Issuer and such Agent, as contemplated by the Distribution Agreement. In the Distribution Agreement, the Issuer reserves the right to sell Notes directly on its own behalf and to or through others.

        Each Note will be issued under an indenture between the Issuer and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (the "Trustee"), dated as of September 24, 2001 (the "Indenture"), relating to senior debt securities of the Issuer. Notes will bear interest at either fixed rates ("Fixed Rate Notes") or floating rates ("Floating Rate Notes"). Each Note will be represented by either a Global Security (as defined hereinafter) delivered to the Trustee, as agent for The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), and recorded in the book-entry system maintained by DTC (a "Book-Entry Note") or a certificate delivered to the Holder thereof or a Person designated by such Holder (a "Certificated Note"). Owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be entitled to physical delivery of Certificated Notes equal in principal amount to their respective beneficial interests only under certain limited circumstances.

        The Trustee will act as Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes and will perform, as Paying Agent, unless otherwise specified in the Notes, the Indenture or herein, the other duties specified herein. Book-Entry Notes will be issued in accordance with the administrative procedures set forth in Part I hereof, and Certificated Notes will be issued in accordance with the administrative procedures set forth in Part II hereof. Any administrative responsibilities, document control and record-keeping functions to be performed by the Issuer will be performed by its Treasury Department. To the extent that the procedures set forth herein conflict with any provision of the Notes (which, in the case of Book-Entry Notes shall be the related Global Security), the Indenture or the Distribution Agreement, the relevant provisions of the Notes, the Indenture or the Distribution Agreement shall be controlling. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Indenture, the Officers' Certificate establishing the Notes pursuant to Section 2.3(a) of the Indenture or the Notes shall be used herein as therein defined.

PART I:    ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR BOOK ENTRY NOTES

        In connection with the qualification of the Book-Entry Notes for eligibility in the book-entry system maintained by DTC, the Trustee will perform the custodial, document control and administrative functions described below, in accordance with its respective obligations under a Letter of Representations from the Issuer and the Trustee to DTC, dated    •    , and a Medium-Term Note Certificate Agreement between the Trustee and DTC, dated May 14, 1991, and its obligations as a participant in DTC, including DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System ("SDFS").

C-1


Issuance:   On any date of settlement (as defined under "Settlement" below) for one or more Book-Entry Notes, the Issuer will issue a single global security in fully registered form without coupons (a "Global Security") representing up to $500,000,000 principal amount of all such Notes that have the same Stated Maturity and Final Maturity, Earliest Redemption Date, Redemption Price and other redemption provisions, if any, Interest Payment Dates, Regular Record Dates, Interest Payment Period, original issue discount, if any, and, additionally, in the case of Fixed Rate Notes, interest rate and, in the case of Floating Rate Notes, Initial Interest Rate, Base Rate or Rates, Index Maturity, Interest Reset Period, Interest Reset Dates, Spread or Spread Multiplier, if any, Minimum Interest Rate, if any, and Maximum Interest Rate, if any (collectively, the "Terms"). Each Global Security will be dated and issued as of the date of its authentication by the Trustee. Each Global Security will bear interest from the later of the Original Issue Date specified therein or from the most recent Interest Payment Date with respect to such Global Security (or Predecessor Security) to which interest has been paid or duly provided for (such later date being herein referred to as a "Global Interest Accrual Date"). Book-Entry Notes may only be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars. No Global Security will represent any Certificated Note.

Identification Numbers:

 

The Issuer has arranged with the CUSIP Service Bureau of Standard & Poor's Corporation (the "CUSIP Service Bureau") for the reservation of a series of CUSIP numbers (including tranche numbers), which series consists of approximately [900] CUSIP numbers (of which [850] remained unassigned as of the date hereof) and relates to Global Securities representing the Book-Entry Notes. The Issuer has obtained from the CUSIP Service Bureau a written list of such series of reserved CUSIP numbers and has delivered to the Trustee and DTC such written list of such CUSIP numbers. The Trustee will assign CUSIP numbers to Global Securities as described under Settlement Procedure "B" below. DTC will notify the CUSIP Service Bureau periodically of the CUSIP numbers that the Trustee has assigned to Global Securities. At any time when fewer than 100 of the reserved CUSIP numbers of a series remain unassigned to Global Securities, the Trustee, if it deems necessary, will reserve additional CUSIP numbers for assignment to Global Securities representing Book-Entry Notes. Upon obtaining such additional CUSIP numbers, the Trustee shall deliver a list of such additional CUSIP numbers to the Issuer and DTC.

Registration:

 

Each Global Security will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC, on the register of Securities maintained under the Indenture. The beneficial owner of a Book-Entry Note (or one or more indirect participants in DTC designated by such owner) will designate one or more participants in DTC (with respect to such Note, the "Participants") to act as agent or agents for such owner in connection with the book-entry system maintained by DTC, and DTC will record in book-entry form, in accordance with instructions provided by such Participants, a credit balance with respect to such Note in the account of such Participants. The ownership interest of such beneficial owner in such Note will be recorded through the records of such Participants or through the separate records of such Participants and one or more indirect participants in DTC.
                 

C-2



Transfers:

 

Transfers of a Book-Entry Note will be accomplished by book entries made by DTC and, in turn, by Participants (and in certain cases, one or more indirect participants in DTC) acting on behalf of beneficial transferors and transferees of such Note.

Exchanges:

 

At the request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall deliver to DTC and the CUSIP Service Bureau at any time a written notice of consolidation specifying (i) the CUSIP numbers of two or more Outstanding Global Securities that represent Book-Entry Notes having the same Terms and for which interest has been paid to the same date, (ii) a date, occurring at least 30 days after such written notice is delivered and at least 30 days before the next Interest Payment Date for such Book-Entry Notes, on which such Global Securities shall be exchanged for a single replacement Global Security and (iii) a new CUSIP number, obtained from the Issuer, to be assigned to such replacement Global Security. Upon receipt of such a notice, DTC will send to its Participants (including the Trustee) a written reorganization notice to the effect that such exchange will occur on such date. Prior to the specified exchange date, the Trustee will deliver to the CUSIP Service Bureau a written notice setting forth such exchange date and the new CUSIP number and stating that, as of such exchange date, the CUSIP numbers of the Global Securities to be exchanged will no longer be valid. On the specified exchange date, the Trustee will exchange such Global Securities for a single Global Security bearing the new CUSIP number, and the CUSIP numbers of the exchanged Global Securities will, in accordance with CUSIP Service Bureau customary procedures, be cancelled and not immediately reassigned. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Global Securities to be exchanged exceed $500,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, one Global Security will be authenticated and issued to represent each $500,000,000 of principal amount of the exchanged Global Securities and an additional Global Security will be authenticated and issued to represent any remaining principal amount of such Global Securities (see "Denominations" below).
                 

C-3



Maturities:

 

Each Book-Entry Note will mature on a date nine months or more after the settlement date for such Note.

Notice of Redemption Dates:

 

In the case of a full redemption of all Book-Entry Notes represented by a single Global Security, the Trustee will notify DTC, not more than 60 but not less than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date with respect to such Global Security, of the CUSIP number of such Global Security, the Redemption Date and the Redemption Price. In the case of a redemption of less than all Book-Entry Notes represented by a single Global Security, the Trustee will notify DTC not more than two Business Days before 60 days, but not less than two Business Days before 30 days, prior to the Redemption Date with respect to such Global Security, of the CUSIP number of such Global Security, the Redemption Date and the Redemption Price.

Denominations:

 

Book-Entry Notes will be sold in denominations of $1,000 and any amount in excess thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000. Global Securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and any amount in excess thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000 up to a maximum denomination of $500,000,000. If one or more Book-Entry Notes having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $500,000,000 would, but for the preceding sentence, be represented by a single Global Security, then one Global Security will be issued to represent each $500,000,000 principal amount of such Book-Entry Note or Notes and an additional Global Security will be issued to represent any remaining principal amount of such Book-Entry Note or Notes. In such a case, each of the Global Securities representing such Book-Entry Note or Notes shall be assigned the same CUSIP number.

Interest:

 

General.    Interest on each Book-Entry Note will accrue from the Global Interest Accrual Date with respect to the Global Security representing such Note and will be paid on the Interest Payment Dates of the Global Security representing such Book-Entry Note. In the case of a Global Security originally issued between a Regular Record Date and the related Interest Payment Date or on an Interest Payment Date, the first interest payment will be made on the Interest Payment Date immediately following the next Regular Record Date. Each payment of interest on a Global Security will include interest accrued to but excluding the Interest Payment Date or Maturity. See "Calculation of Interest" below. Interest payable at the Maturity of a Book-Entry Note will be payable to the Person to whom the principal of such Note is payable. Standard & Poor's Corporation will use the information received in the pending deposit message described under Settlement Procedure "C" below in order to include the amount of any interest payable and certain other information regarding any Global Security in the appropriate weekly supplement to the Corporate Registered Bond Interest Record published by Standard & Poor's Corporation.
                 

C-4



 

 

Regular Record Dates.    Except as otherwise provided with respect to any Book-Entry Note as specified in the related Global Security, the Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date for Fixed Rate Book-Entry Notes shall be the January 15 or July 15, as the case may be, next preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date. Except as otherwise provided with respect to any Book-Entry Note as specified in the related Global Security, the Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date for Floating Rate Book-Entry Notes shall be the fifteenth day (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

 

 

Fixed Rate Book-Entry Notes.    Except as otherwise provided with respect to any Book-Entry Note as specified in the related Global Security, interest payments on Fixed Rate Book-Entry Notes will be made semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, as specified in the related Global Security, and at Stated Maturity, subject to the exceptions specified in "Payments of Principal and Interest" below.

 

 

Floating Rate Book-Entry Notes.    Except as otherwise provided with respect to any Book-Entry Note as specified in the related Global Security, interest payments on Floating Rate Book-Entry Notes will be made monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually of each year, as specified in the related Global Security, and at Stated Maturity. Except as otherwise provided with respect to any Book-Entry Note as specified in the related Global Security and with respect to Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Notes, subject to the exceptions specified in "Payments of Principal and Interest" below, interest will be payable, in the case of Floating Rate Book-Entry Notes which pay interest (i) monthly, on the third Wednesday of each month; (ii) quarterly, on the third Wednesday of each March, June, September and December of each year; (iii) semiannually, on the third Wednesday of each of the two months specified in the Global Security representing the applicable Book-Entry Note; and (iv) annually, on the third Wednesday of the month specified in the Global Security representing the applicable Book-Entry Note. In the case of Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Notes, interest will be payable on the first calendar day of each March, June, September and December.

 

 

Notice of Interest Payment and Regular Record Dates.    On the first Business Day of January, April, July and October of each year, the Trustee will deliver to the Issuer and DTC a written list of Regular Record Dates and Interest Payment Dates (to the extent then determinable by the Trustee) that will occur with respect to each Global Security during the six-month period beginning on such first Business Day. Promptly after each Interest Determination Date for Floating Rate Notes, the calculation agent (the "Calculation Agent") will notify Standard & Poor's Corporation of the interest rates determined on such Interest Determination Date.
                 

C-5



Calculation of Interest:

 

Fixed Rate Book-Entry Notes.    Interest on Fixed Rate Book-Entry Notes (including interest for partial periods) will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

 

Floating Rate Book-Entry Notes.    Interest rates on Floating Rate Book-Entry Notes will be determined as set forth in the Global Security representing the applicable Floating Rate Book-Entry Notes. Interest will be calculated in the case of (a) Commercial Paper Rate Notes, LIBOR Notes, CD Rate Notes, Federal Funds Rate Notes, Prime Rate Notes, J.J. Kenny Rate Notes, Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Notes and EURIBOR Notes, on the basis of the actual number of days in the interest period and a 360-day year, and (b) Treasury Rate Notes and CMT Rate Notes, on the basis of the actual number of days in the interest period and the actual number of days in the year.

Payments of Principal and Interest:

 

Payments of Interest Only.    Promptly after each Regular Record Date, the Trustee will deliver to the Issuer and DTC a written notice specifying by CUSIP number the amount of interest to be paid on each Global Security on the following Interest Payment Date (other than an Interest Payment Date coinciding with Stated Maturity) and the total of such amounts. DTC will check the amount payable on each Global Security on such Interest Payment Date as shown in the appropriate weekly supplements to the Corporate Registered Bond Interest Record published by Standard & Poor's Corporation. On such Interest Payment Date, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee the total amount of interest due on such Interest Payment Date (other than at Stated Maturity), and the Trustee will pay such amount to DTC at the times and in the manner set forth below under "Manner of Payment."

 

 

If any Interest Payment Date for a Fixed Rate Book-Entry Note is scheduled to occur on a day that is not a Business Day with respect to such Fixed Rate Book-Entry Note, the payment due on such Interest Payment Date will be made on the following day that is a Business Day with respect to such Fixed Rate Book-Entry Note, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable on such Interest Payment Date for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date to such following day that is a Business Day.

 

 

If any Interest Payment Date for a Floating Rate Book-Entry Note is scheduled to occur on a day that is not a Business Day with respect to such Floating Rate Book-Entry Note, the payment due on such Interest Payment Date will be made on the following day that is a Business Day with respect to such Floating Rate Book-Entry Note, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable on such Interest Payment Date for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date to such following day that is a Business Day, except that in the case of a Floating Rate Book-Entry Note that is a LIBOR Note or a EURIBOR Note (or a Floating Rate Book-Entry Note for which LIBOR or EURIBOR is the applicable Base Rate), if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, the payment due on such Interest Payment Date will be made on the immediately preceding day that is a Business Day.
                 

C-6



 

 

Payments at Maturity.    On or about the first Business Day of each month, the Trustee will deliver to the Issuer and DTC a written list of principal and interest to be paid on each Global Security maturing either at Stated Maturity or on a Redemption Date occurring in the following month (to the extent then determinable by the Trustee). The Issuer, the Trustee and DTC will confirm the amounts of such principal and interest payments with respect to each such Global Security on or about the fifth Business Day preceding the Maturity of such Global Security. The Issuer will pay to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as the Paying Agent, the principal amount of such Global Security, together with interest due at such Maturity. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. will pay such amounts to DTC at the times and in the manner set forth under "Manner of Payment" below. If any Maturity of a Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes is not a Business Day, the payment due on such day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the period from and after such Maturity. Promptly after payment to DTC of the principal and interest due at the Stated Maturity of such Global Security, the Trustee will cancel such Global Security in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, deliver to the Issuer an appropriate debit advice and a certificate of destruction relating to all such cancelled Global Securities. On the first Business Day of each month, the Trustee will deliver to the Issuer by facsimile transmission a written statement, indicating the total principal amount of Outstanding Global Securities for which it serves as trustee as of the immediately preceding Business Day.

 

 

Manner of Payment.    The total amount of any principal and interest due on Global Securities on any Interest Payment Date or at Maturity shall be debited from an account of the Issuer maintained at the Trustee with funds available for immediate use in the amount required for such payment. The Trustee will pay by separate wire transfer (using Fedwire message entry instructions in a form previously specified by DTC) to an account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York previously specified by DTC, in funds available for immediate use by DTC, each payment of interest and principal due on a Global Security on such date. On each Interest Payment Date, interest payments shall be made to DTC in same day funds in accordance with existing arrangements between the Trustee and DTC. Thereafter on each such date, DTC will pay, in accordance with its SDFS operating procedures then in effect, such amounts in funds available for immediate use to the respective Participants in whose names the Book-Entry Notes represented by such Global Securities are recorded in the book-entry system maintained by DTC. Neither the Issuer (either as Issuer or as Paying Agent) nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for the payment by DTC to such Participants of the principal of and interest on the Book-Entry Notes.
                 

C-7



 

 

Withholding Taxes.    The amount of any taxes required under applicable law to be withheld from any interest payment on a Book-Entry Note will be determined and withheld by the Participant, indirect participant in DTC or other Person responsible for forwarding payments and materials directly to the beneficial owner of such Note.

Acceptance and Rejection of Offers:

 

The Issuer has the sole right to accept offers to purchase Book-Entry Notes and may reject any such offer in whole or in part. Each Agent may, in its discretion reasonably exercised, reject any offer to purchase Book-Entry Notes received by it in whole or in part. Each Agent will advise the Issuer promptly by telephone or by facsimile transmission of all offers to purchase Book-Entry Notes received by such Agent, other than those rejected by it.

Settlement:

 

The receipt by the Issuer of immediately available funds in payment for a Book-Entry Note and the authentication and issuance of the Global Security representing such Note shall constitute "settlement" with respect to such Note. Each offer accepted by the Issuer will be settled on the third Business Day (or, if acceptance by the Issuer occurs after 4:30 p.m., New York time, on the fourth Business Day) following acceptance of such offer pursuant to the timetable for settlement set forth below, unless the Issuer and the purchaser agree to settlement on another day which shall be no earlier than the Business Day following acceptance of such offer.

Settlement Procedures:

 

In the event of a purchase of Book-Entry Notes by one or more of the Agents, as principal, appropriate settlement details, if different from those set forth below, will be set forth in an applicable Terms Agreement to be entered into between such Agent or Agents and the Issuer pursuant to the Distribution Agreement. Settlement Procedures with regard to each Book-Entry Note sold by the Issuer through an Agent, as agent, shall be as follows:
                 

C-8



 

 

    A.

 

Such Agent will advise the Issuer by facsimile transmission or orally (if confirmed within 24 hours by written telecommunication) of the following settlement information:

 

 

 

 

1.

 

Principal amount.

 

 

 

 

2.

 

Stated Maturity.

 

 

 

 

3.

 

If such Note is a Fixed Rate Note, the interest rate. If such Note is a Floating Rate Note, the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

a.

 

Base Rate or Base Rates;

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.

 

Initial Interest Rate;

 

 

 

 

 

 

c.

 

Spread or Spread Multiplier, if any;

 

 

 

 

 

 

d.

 

Interest Reset Dates;

 

 

 

 

 

 

e.

 

Interest Reset Period;

 

 

 

 

 

 

f.

 

Interest Payment Dates;

 

 

 

 

 

 

g.

 

Index Maturity;

 

 

 

 

 

 

h.

 

Interest Payment Period;

 

 

 

 

 

 

i.

 

Calculation Agent (if other than Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.;

 

 

 

 

 

 

j.

 

Maximum Interest Rate, if any;

 

 

 

 

 

 

k.

 

Minimum Interest Rate, if any;

 

 

 

 

 

 

l.

 

Interest Determination Dates; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

m.

 

Index Currency, if applicable.

 

 

 

 

4.

 

Earliest Redemption Date, Redemption Price and other redemption provisions, if any.

 

 

 

 

5.

 

Settlement date.

 

 

 

 

6.

 

Original Issue Price.

 

 

 

 

7.

 

Original issue discount, if any.

 

 

 

 

8.

 

Agent's commission, determined as provided in Section 2 of the Distribution Agreement between the Issuer and such Agent.

 

 

 

 

9.

 

Additional terms or provisions of such Note, if any.

 

 

 

 

10.

 

Net Proceeds to the Issuer.

 

 

 

 

11.

 

Commission.

 

 

 

 

12.

 

Discount.

 

 

 

 

13.

 

Initial Maturity Date (for Renewable Notes).
                 

C-9



 

 

 

 

14.

 

Final Maturity Date (for Renewable Notes).

 

 

        B.

 

The Issuer will advise the Trustee by telephone (confirmed in writing signed by an authorized person at any time on the same date) or facsimile transmission signed by an authorized person of the information set forth in Settlement Procedure "A" above and the name of such Agent.

 

 

        C.

 

The Trustee will assign a CUSIP number to the Global Security representing such Note. The Trustee will notify the Issuer and the Agent of such CUSIP number by telephone as soon as practicable.

 

 

        D.

 

The Trustee will enter a pending deposit message through DTC's Participant Terminal System, providing the following settlement information to DTC, such Agent, and Standard & Poor's Corporation.

 

 

 

 

1.

 

The information set forth in Settlement Procedure "A" above.

 

 

 

 

2.

 

Numbers of the participant accounts maintained by DTC on behalf of the Trustee and the Agent.

 

 

 

 

3.

 

Identification as a Fixed Rate Book-Entry Note or a Floating Rate Book-Entry Note.

 

 

 

 

4.

 

Initial Interest Payment Date for such Note, Regular Record Date and amount of interest payable on such Interest Payment Date.

 

 

 

 

5.

 

Interest Payment Period.

 

 

 

 

6.

 

CUSIP number of the Global Security representing such Note.

 

 

 

 

7.

 

Whether such Global Security will represent any other Book-Entry Note (to the extent known at such time).

 

 

        E.

 

The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee a pre- printed Global Security to represent such Note, in a form that has been approved by the Issuer, the Agents and the Trustee.

 

 

        F.

 

The Trustee will complete and authenticate the Global Security representing such Note.

 

 

        G.

 

DTC will credit such Note to the Trustee's participant account at DTC.

 

 

        H.

 

The Trustee will enter an SDFS deliver order through DTC's Participant Terminal System instructing DTC to (i) debit such Note to the Trustee's participant account and credit such Note to such Agent's participant account and (ii) debit such Agent's settlement account and credit the Trustee's settlement account for an amount equal to the price of such Note less such Agent's commission. The entry of such a deliver order shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Trustee to DTC that (i) the Global Security representing such Book-Entry Note has been issued and authenticated and (ii) the Trustee is holding such Global Security pursuant to the Medium-Term Note Certificate Agreement between the Trustee and DTC.
                 

C-10



 

 

        I.

 

Such Agent will enter an SDFS deliver order through DTC's Participant Terminal System instructing DTC (i) to debit such Note to such Agent's participant account and credit such Note to the participant accounts of the Participants with respect to such Note and (ii) to debit the settlement accounts of such Participants and credit the settlement account of such Agent for any amount equal to the price of such Note.

 

 

        J.

 

Transfers of funds in accordance with SDFS deliver orders described in Settlement Procedures "G" and "H" above will be settled in accordance with SDFS operating procedures in effect on the settlement date.

 

 

        K.

 

The Trustee will credit to an account of the Issuer maintained at the Trustee funds available for immediate use in the amount transferred to the Trustee in accordance with Settlement Procedure "G" above.

 

 

        L.

 

The Trustee will retain the Global Security representing such Note and will send a photocopy thereof to the Issuer by first-class mail. The Trustee will send to the Issuer, at the request of the Issuer, a written statement setting forth (i) the principal amount of Notes Outstanding under the Indenture as of the date of such report, (ii) a brief description of any sales of which the Issuer has advised the Trustee but which have not yet been settled and (iii) a description of issuances and retirements of, payment on and other activity relating to the Notes during the related month.

 

 

        M.

 

Such Agent will confirm the purchase of such Note to the purchaser either by transmitting to the Participants with respect to such Note a confirmation order or orders through DTC's institution delivery system or by mailing a written confirmation to such purchaser.

C-11


Settlement Procedures Timetable:   For orders of Book-Entry Notes solicited by an Agent, as agent, and accepted by the Issuer for settlement on the first Business Day after the sale date, Settlement Procedure "A" through "L" above shall be completed as soon as possible but not later than the respective times (New York City time) set forth below:

 

 

Settlement Procedure


 

Time

        A   11:00 am. on the sale date
        B   12:00 noon on the sale date
        C   2:00 p.m. on the sale date
        D   3:00 p.m. on the sale date
        E   9:00 a.m. on settlement date
        F   10:00 a.m. on settlement date
        G-I   2:00 p.m. on settlement date
        J-M   5:00 p.m. on settlement date

 

 

If a sale is to be settled more than one Business Day after the sale date, Settlement Procedure "A" shall be completed as soon as practicable but no later than 11:00 a.m. on the first Business Day after the sale date and Settlement Procedures "B" and "C" shall be completed as soon as practicable but no later than 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the first Business Day after the sale date. If the Initial Interest Rate for a Floating Rate Book-Entry Note has not been determined at the time that Settlement Procedure "A" is completed, Settlement Procedures "B" and "C" shall be completed as soon as such rate has been determined but no later than 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the second Business Day before the settlement date. Settlement Procedures "D" through "L" shall be completed as soon as possible thereafter but not later than the respective times (New York City time) set forth in the preceding table, except that Settlement Procedures "I" through "L" are subject to extension in accordance with any extension of Fedwire closing deadlines and in the other events specified in the SDFS operating procedures in effect on the settlement date.

 

 

If settlement of a Book-Entry Note is rescheduled or cancelled, the Trustee will deliver to DTC, through DTC's Participant Terminal System, a cancellation message to such effect by no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day immediately preceding the scheduled settlement date.

Failure to Settle:

 

If the Trustee fails to enter an SDFS deliver order with respect to a Book-Entry Note pursuant to Settlement Procedure "G," the Trustee may deliver to DTC, through DTC's Participant Terminal System, as soon as practicable, a withdrawal message instructing DTC to debit such Note to the Trustee's participant account. DTC will process the withdrawal message, provided that the Trustee's participant account contains a principal amount of the Global Security representing such Note that is at least equal to the principal amount to be debited. If a withdrawal message is processed with respect to all the Book-Entry Notes represented by a Global Security, the Trustee will mark such Global Security "cancelled," make appropriate entries in the Trustee's records and send such cancelled Global Security to the Issuer. The CUSIP number assigned to such Global Security shall, in accordance with CUSIP Service Bureau customary procedures, be cancelled and not immediately reassigned. If a withdrawal message is processed with respect to one or more, but not all, of the Book-Entry Notes represented by a Global Security, the Trustee will exchange the Global Security for two Global Securities, one of which shall represent such Book-Entry Note or Notes for which such withdrawal message has been processed and shall be cancelled immediately after issuance and the other of which shall represent the remaining Book-Entry Notes previously represented by the surrendered Global Security and shall bear the CUSIP number of the surrendered Global Security.
     

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If the purchase price for any Book-Entry Note is not timely paid to the applicable Participants with respect to such Note by the beneficial purchaser thereof (or a Person, including an indirect participant in DTC, acting on behalf of such purchaser), such Participants and, in turn, the Agent for such Note, may enter SDFS deliver orders through DTC's Participant Terminal System reversing the orders entered pursuant to Settlement Procedures "H" and "G," respectively. Thereafter, the Trustee will deliver the withdrawal message and take the related actions described in the preceding paragraph. If such failure shall have occurred for any reason other than default by the applicable Agent in the performance of its obligations hereunder or under the Distribution Agreement, the Issuer will pay to such Agent an amount equal to the interest earned by the Issuer with respect to such funds during the period when the funds were credited to the account of the Issuer.

 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon any failure to settle with respect to a Book-Entry Note, DTC may take such actions as it deems appropriate in accordance with its SDFS operating procedures then in effect in order to reverse the orders entered into DTC's Participant Terminal System pursuant to Settlement Procedures "H" and "G," respectively.In the event of a failure to settle with respect to one or more, but not all, of the Book-Entry Notes to have been represented by a Global Security, the Trustee will provide, in accordance with Settlement Procedures "D" and "E," for the authentication and issuance of a Global Security representing the other Book-Entry Notes to have been represented by such Global Security and will make appropriate entries in its records.
     

C-13



Procedure for Postings:

 

The Issuer will periodically contact one or more Agents for recommended interest rates, coupons or spreads ("postings") with respect to Notes being offered. When the Issuer has determined or changed its postings with respect to Notes being offered, it will promptly advise the Agents. At such times as the Issuer is not posting, the Agents will not solicit firm offers but may record "indications of interest" only.

Pricing Supplements:

 

Within five Business Days after any sale of Notes, the Issuer will file or transmit for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), in compliance with Rule 424(b)(3) of the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, a copy of a pricing supplement to the Prospectus (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) relating to such Notes that reflects the applicable interest rates and other terms (the "Pricing Supplement") and will deliver a copy of such Pricing Supplement to each of the Agents and to the Trustee.

Suspension of Solicitation, Amendment or Supplement:

 

The Issuer may instruct the Agents to suspend solicitation of offers to purchase Book-Entry Notes at any time. Upon receipt of such instructions, each Agent will as soon as possible suspend such solicitations until such time as it has been advised by the Issuer that such solicitations may be resumed. The Issuer will, consistent with its obligations under the Distribution Agreement, promptly advise each Agent and the Trustee whether orders outstanding at the time such Agent suspends solicitation may be settled and whether copies of the Prospectus, as in effect at the time of the suspension, together with the appropriate Pricing Supplement, may be delivered in connection with the settlement of such orders. The Issuer will have the sole responsibility for such decision and for any arrangements that may be made in the event that the Issuer determines that such orders may not be settled or that copies of such Prospectus and Pricing Supplement may not be so delivered.

Delivery of Prospectus:

 

A copy of the most recent Prospectus and of the applicable Pricing Supplement, if any, must be provided to a purchaser by the applicable Agent prior to or at the time of the earlier of (a) the written confirmation of a sale sent to a purchaser of Book-Entry Notes or his Agent, and (b) the date of settlement of any such Book-Entry Notes (see "Settlement Procedures").

Advertising Costs:

 

The Issuer will determine with the Agents the amount and nature of advertising that may be appropriate in offering the Notes. Advertising expenses approved in writing by the Issuer in connection with the solicitation of purchases of the Notes from the Issuer will be paid by the Issuer.

C-14


PART II:    ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES

        The Trustee will serve as Registrar in connection with the Certificated Notes.

Issuance:   Each Certificated Note will be dated and issued as of the date of its authentication by the Trustee. Each Certificated Note will bear interest from the later of the Original Issue Date specified therein or from the most recent Interest Payment Date with respect to such Certificated Note (or Predecessor Security) to which interest has been paid or duly provided for (such later date being herein referred to as a "Certificated Interest Accrual Date").

Registration:

 

Certificated Notes will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons.

Transfers and Exchanges:

 

A Certificated Note may be presented for transfer or exchange at the Corporate Trust office of the Trustee. Certificated Notes will be exchangeable for other Certificated Notes having identical terms but different denominations without service charge. Certificated Notes will not be exchangeable for Book-Entry Notes.

Maturities:

 

Each Certificated Note will mature on a date nine months or more from the settlement date for such Note.

Denominations:

 

Certificated Notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or any amount in excess thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000.

Interest:

 

General.    Interest on each Certificated Note will accrue from the Certificated Interest Accrual Date of such Note. In the case of a Certificated Note originally issued between a Regular Record Date and the related Interest Payment Date or on an Interest Payment Date, the first interest payment will be made on the Interest Payment Date following the next Regular Record Date. Each payment of interest on a Certificated Note will include interest accrued to but excluding the Interest Payment Date or Maturity. See "Calculation of Interest" below. Interest will be payable to the person in whose name a Certificated Note is registered on the register of Securities at the close of business on the Regular Record Date next preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date; provided, however, interest payable at Maturity will be payable to the Person to whom principal of such Certificated Note is payable.

 

 

Regular Record Date.    The Regular Record Date with respect to Fixed Rate Certificated Notes shall be the January 15 or July 15, as the case may be, next preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date. The Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date for Floating Rate Certificated Notes shall be the fifteenth day (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

 

 

Fixed Rate Certificated Notes.    Interest payments on Fixed Rate Certificated Notes will be made semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each year and at Maturity, subject to the exceptions specified in "Payments of Principal and Interest" below.
     

C-15



 

 

Floating Rate Certificated Notes.    Interest payments will be made on Floating Rate Certificated Notes monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually of each year, as specified in the related Note, and at maturity. Subject to the exceptions specified in "Payments of Principal and Interest" below and except with respect to Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Notes, interest will be payable, in the case of Floating Rate Certificated Notes which pay interest (i) monthly, on the third Wednesday of each month; (ii) quarterly, on the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year; (iii) semiannually, on the third Wednesday of each of the two months specified in the applicable Certificated Note; and (iv) annually, on the third Wednesday of the month specified in the applicable Certificated Note. In the case of Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Notes, interest will be payable on the first calendar day of each March, June, September and December.

Calculation of Interest:

 

Fixed Rate Certificated Notes.    Interest on Fixed Rate Certificated Notes (including interest for partial periods) will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

 

Floating Rate Certificated Notes.    Interest rates on Floating Rate Certificated Notes will be determined as set forth in the applicable Notes. The Issuer and the Trustee will confirm the amount of the initial interest payment due on any Floating Rate Certificated Note for which the initial Interest Period is shorter or longer than the Index Maturity. Promptly after each Interest Determination Date for Floating Rate Certificated Notes, the Calculation Agent will notify Standard & Poor's Corporation of the interest rates determined on such Interest Determination Date. Interest will be calculated in the case of (a) Commercial Paper Rate Notes, LIBOR Notes, CD Rate Notes, Federal Funds Rate Notes, Prime Rate Notes, J.J. Kenny Rate Notes, Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Notes and EURIBOR Notes, on the basis of the actual number of days in the interest period and a 360-day year; and (b) Treasury Rate Notes and CMT Rate Notes, on the basis of the actual number of days in the interest period and the actual number of days in the year.

Payments of Principal and Interest:

 

The Trustee will pay the principal amount of each Certificated Note at Maturity upon presentation of such Note to the Trustee.

Interest:

 

Such payment, together with payment of interest due at Maturity of such Note, will be made in funds available for immediate use by the Holder of such Note. Certificated Notes presented to the Trustee at Maturity for payment will be cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and returned to the Issuer. All interest payments on a Certificated Note (other than interest due at Maturity) will be made by check drawn on the Trustee (or another Person appointed by the Trustee) and mailed by the Trustee to the Person entitled thereto as provided in such Note. Following each Regular Record Date and Special Record Date, the Trustee will furnish the Issuer with a list of interest payments to be made on the following Interest Payment Date for each Certificated Note and in total for all Certificated Notes. Interest at Maturity will be payable to the Person to whom the payment of principal is payable. The Trustee will provide monthly to the Issuer lists of principal and interest to be paid on Certificated Notes maturing in the next month. The Trustee will be responsible for withholding taxes on interest paid on Certificated Notes as required by applicable law. On the first Business Day of each month, the Trustee will deliver to the Issuer by facsimile transmission a written statement, indicating the total principal amount of Outstanding Certificated Notes for which it serves as trustee as of the immediately preceding Business Day.
     

C-16



 

 

If any Interest Payment Date for a Fixed Rate Certificated Note is scheduled to occur on a day that is not a Business Day with respect to such Fixed Rate Certificated Note, the payment due on such Interest Payment Date will be made on the following day that is a Business Day with respect to such Fixed Rate Certificated Note, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable on such Interest Payment Date for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date to such following day that is a Business Day.

 

 

If any Interest Payment Date for a Floating Rate Certificated Note is scheduled to occur on a day that is not a Business Day with respect to such Floating Rate Certificated Note, such Interest Payment Date will be the following day that is a Business Day with respect to such Floating Rate Certificated Note;
provided, however, that in the case of a Floating Rate Certificated Note that is a LIBOR Note or a EURIBOR Note (or a Floating Rate Certificated Note for which LIBOR or EURIBOR is the applicable Base Rate), if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date will be the immediately preceding day that is a Business Day.

 

 

If the date of Maturity of a Certificated Note is scheduled to occur on a day that is not a Business Day with respect to such Certificated Note, the payment due at Maturity will be made on the following day that is a Business Day with respect to such Certificated Note, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable at Maturity for the period from and after the date of Maturity.

C-17


Acceptance and Rejection of Offers:   The Issuer has the sole right to accept offers to purchase Certificated Notes and may reject any offer in whole or in part. Each Agent may, in its discretion reasonably exercised, reject any offer to purchase Certificated Notes received by it in whole or part. Each Agent will advise the Issuer promptly by telephone or facsimile transmission of all offers to purchase Certificated Notes received by such Agent, other than those rejected by it.

Settlement:

 

The receipt by the Issuer of immediately available funds in exchange for an authenticated Certificated Note delivered to the selling Agent and such Agent's delivery of such Note against receipt of immediately available funds shall constitute "settlement" with respect to such Note. Each offer accepted by the Issuer will be settled on the third Business Day (or, if acceptance by the Issuer occurs after 4:30 p.m., New York time, on the fourth Business Day) following acceptance of such offer pursuant to the timetable for settlement set forth below, unless the Issuer and the purchaser agree to settlement on another day;
provided, however, that the Issuer will notify the Trustee at least twenty-four hours prior to the time of settlement.

Settlement Procedures:

 

In the event of a purchase of Certificated Notes by one or more of the Agents, as principal, appropriate settlement details, if different from those set forth below, will be set forth in an applicable Terms Agreement to be entered into between such Agent or Agents and the Issuer pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.

 

 

Settlement Procedures with regard to each Certificated Note sold by the Issuer through an Agent, as agent, shall be as follows:

 

 

    A.

 

Such Agent will advise the Issuer by facsimile transmission or orally (if confirmed within 24 hours by written telecommunication) of the following settlement information:

 

 

 

 

1.

 

Name in which such Note is to be registered (the "Registered Owner").

 

 

 

 

2.

 

Address of the Registered Owner and address for payment of principal and interest.

 

 

 

 

3.

 

Taxpayer identification or Social Security number of the Registered Owner (if available).

 

 

 

 

4.

 

Principal amount.

 

 

 

 

5.

 

Stated Maturity.

 

 

 

 

6.

 

If such Note is Fixed Rate Note, the interest rate. If such Note is a Floating Rate Note, the following:
                 

C-18



 

 

 

 

 

 

a.

 

Base Rate or Base Rates;

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.

 

Initial Interest Rate;

 

 

 

 

 

 

c.

 

Spread or Spread Multiplier, if any;

 

 

 

 

 

 

d.

 

Interest Reset Dates;

 

 

 

 

 

 

e.

 

Interest Reset Period;

 

 

 

 

 

 

f.

 

Interest Payment Dates;

 

 

 

 

 

 

g.

 

Index Maturity;

 

 

 

 

 

 

h.

 

Interest Payment Period;

 

 

 

 

 

 

i.

 

Calculation Agent (if other than Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.;

 

 

 

 

 

 

j.

 

Maximum Interest Rate, if any;

 

 

 

 

 

 

k.

 

Minimum Interest Rate, if any;

 

 

 

 

 

 

l.

 

Interest Determination Dates; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

m.

 

Index Currency, if applicable.

 

 

 

 

7.

 

Earliest Redemption Date, Redemption Price and other redemption provisions, if any.

 

 

 

 

8.

 

Settlement date.

 

 

 

 

9.

 

Original Issue Price.

 

 

 

 

10.

 

Original issue discount, if any.

 

 

 

 

11.

 

Agent's commission, determined as provided in Section 2 of the Distribution Agreement between the Issuer and such Agent.

 

 

 

 

12.

 

Additional terms or provisions of such Note, if any.

 

 

 

 

13.

 

Net Proceeds to the Issuer.

 

 

 

 

14.

 

Commission.

 

 

 

 

15.

 

Discount.

 

 

 

 

16.

 

Initial Maturity Date (for Renewable Notes).

 

 

 

 

17.

 

Final Maturity Date (for Renewable Notes).

 

 

    B.

 

The Issuer will advise the Trustee by telephone (confirmed in writing signed by an authorized person at any time on the same date) or facsimile transmission signed by an authorized person of the information set forth in Settlement Procedure "A" above and the name of such Agent.

 

 

    C.

 

The Issuer will deliver (if not previously delivered) to the Trustee a preprinted four-ply packet for such Note, which packet will contain the following documents in forms that have been approved by the Issuer, the Agents and the Trustee:
                 

C-19



 

 

 

 

1.

 

Note with customer confirmation.

 

 

 

 

2.

 

Stub One—for the Trustee.

 

 

 

 

3.

 

Stub Two—for the Agent.

 

 

 

 

4.

 

Stub Three—for the Issuer.

 

 

    D.

 

The Trustee will complete and authenticate such Note and deliver it (with the confirmation) and Stubs One and Two to such Agent, and such Agent will acknowledge receipt of the Note by stamping or otherwise marking Stub One and returning it to the Trustee. Such delivery will be made only against such acknowledgment of receipt and evidence that instructions have been given by such Agent for payment to the account of the Issuer at the Trustee, in funds available for immediate use, of an amount equal to the price of such note less Agent's commission. In the event that the instructions given by such Agent for payment to the account of the Issuer are revoked, the Issuer will, as promptly as possible, wire transfer to the account of such Agent an amount of immediately available funds equal to the amount of such payment and such Agent will return such Note to the Trustee.

 

 

    E.

 

Such Agent will deliver such Note (with confirmation) to the customer against payment in immediately available funds. Such Agent will obtain the acknowledgment of receipt of such Note by retaining Stub Two.

 

 

    F.

 

The Trustee will retain Stub One and will send Stub Three to the Issuer by first-class mail. Monthly, the Trustee will send to the Issuer a written statement, setting forth (i) the principal amount of the Notes Outstanding under the Indenture as of the date of such report, (ii) a brief description of any sales of which the Issuer has advised the Trustee but which have not yet been settled and (iii) a description of issuances and retirements of, payments on and other activity relating to the Notes during the related month.

C-20


Settlement Procedures Timetable:   For offers of Certificated Notes solicited by an Agent, as agent, and accepted by the Issuer, Settlement Procedures "A" through "F" set forth above shall be completed on or before the respective times (New York City time) set forth below:

 

 

Settlement Procedure


 

Time

        A   3:00 p.m. on day before settlement date
        B   4:00 p.m. on day before settlement date
        C-D   2:15 p.m. on settlement date
        E   3:00 p.m. on settlement date
        F   5:00 p.m. on settlement date

Failure to Settle:

 

If a purchaser fails to accept delivery of and make payment for any Certificated Note, the selling Agent will notify the Issuer and the Trustee by telephone and return such Note to the Trustee. Upon receipt of such Note, the Issuer will immediately wire transfer to the account of the Agent an amount equal to the amount previously credited thereto in respect of such Note. Such wire transfer will be made on the settlement date, if possible, and in any event not later than the day following the settlement date. If the failure shall have occurred for any reason other than a default by the applicable Agent in the performance of its obligations hereunder and under the Distribution Agreement, the Issuer will pay to such Agent an amount equal to the interest earned by the Issuer with respect to such funds during the period when they were credited to the account of the Issuer. Immediately upon receipt of the Certificated Note in respect of which such failure occurred, the Trustee will mark such Note "cancelled," make appropriate entries in the Trustee's records and send such cancelled Note to the Issuer.

Procedure for Postings:

 

The Issuer will periodically contact one or more Agents for recommended postings with respect to Certificated Notes being offered. When the Issuer has determined or changed its postings with respect to Certificated Notes being offered, it will promptly advise the Agents. At such times as the Issuer is not posting, the Agents will not solicit firm offers but may record "indications of interest" only.

Pricing Supplements:

 

Within five Business Days after any sale of Certificated Notes, the Issuer will file or transmit for filing with the Commission in compliance with Rule 424(b)(3) of the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, a copy of a Pricing Supplement to the Prospectus relating to such Notes that reflects the applicable interest rates and other terms and will deliver a copy of such Pricing Supplement to each of the Agents and the Trustee.

Suspension of Solicitation, Amendment or Supplement:

 

The Issuer may instruct the Agents to suspend solicitation of offers to purchase Certificated Notes at any time. Upon receipt of such instructions, each Agent will as soon as possible suspend such solicitations until such time as it has been advised by the Issuer that such solicitations may be resumed. The Issuer will, consistent with its obligations under the Distribution Agreement, promptly advise each Agent and the Trustee whether orders outstanding at the time such Agent suspends solicitation may be settled and whether copies of the Prospectus, as in effect at the time of the suspension, together with the appropriate Pricing Supplement, may be delivered in connection with the settlement of such orders. The Issuer will have the sole responsibility for such decision and for any arrangements that may be made in the event that the Issuer determines that such orders may not be settled or that copies of such Prospectus and Pricing Supplement may not be so delivered.
     

C-21



Delivery of Prospectus:

 

A copy of the most recent Prospectus and of the applicable Pricing Supplement, if any, must be provided to a purchaser by the applicable Agent prior to or at the time of the earlier of (a) the written confirmation of a sale sent to a purchaser of Certificated Notes or his agent and (b) the delivery of any such Certificated Notes to a purchaser or his agent (see Settlement Procedures).

Advertising Costs:

 

The Issuer will determine with the Agents the amount and nature of advertising that may be appropriate in offering the Certificated Notes. Advertising expenses approved in writing by the Issuer in connection with the solicitation of purchases of Certificated Notes from the Issuer will be paid by the Issuer.

C-22



Appendix I


FORM OF OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

        I, [Name], [Title] of The Walt Disney Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), pursuant to Section 5(d) of the Distribution Agreement, dated    •    , 2005 (the "Distribution Agreement"), among the Company and     •    (collectively, the "Agents"), relating to the offering from time to time by the Company directly or through the Agents of up to $    •    aggregate principal amount of Medium-Term Notes, Series    •    of the Company, hereby certify on behalf of the Company that:

            1.     Except as contemplated in the Prospectus or reflected therein by the filing of any amendment or supplement thereto or any Incorporated Document, since the date of the most recent consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, there has not been any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

            2.     The representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1(a) of the Distribution Agreement (other than Section 1(a)(vii) thereof) are true and correct in all material respects with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the date hereof.

            3.     The Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions required by the Distribution Agreement or the Indenture on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the date hereof.

            4.     No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated or, to the best of my knowledge, threatened by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given in the Distribution Agreement.

Appendix I-1


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name this    •     day of    •    .

 
   
   
    By:    
        Name:
        Title:

Appendix I-2



Appendix II

FORM OF RELIANCE LETTER OF COUNSEL

        [Date]

[AGENTS]

              Re: The Walt Disney Company Medium-Term Notes, Series    •    

Dear Sirs:

        [We] [I] have delivered an opinion to you dated    •    as counsel to The Walt Disney Company (the "Company"), pursuant to Section [5(a)][5(b)] of the Distribution Agreement, dated as of    •    , 2005 (the "Distribution Agreement"), among the Company and    •    . You may continue to rely upon such opinion [(other than, in the case of the opinion delivered pursuant to Section 5(b) of the Distribution Agreement, the matters covered by Section 5(b)(ii) and 5(b)(v) (with respect to execution and delivery) thereof, as to which no opinion is expressed)] as if it were dated as of this date, except that all statements and opinions contained therein shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and Prospectus (as such terms are defined in the Distribution Agreement) as amended and supplemented to this date.

        This letter is delivered to you pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Distribution Agreement.

                        Very truly yours,

Appendix II-1




QuickLinks

FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT—DEBT SECURITIES
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY Medium-Term Notes, Series • Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT A
EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT C THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY MEDIUM TERM NOTES, SERIES ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
FORM OF OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
FORM OF RELIANCE LETTER OF COUNSEL
EX-5.1 4 a2151040zex-5_1.htm EXHIBIT 5.1
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EXHIBIT 5.1

[LETTERHEAD]

February 4, 2005

The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, California 91521

    Re:
    REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3

Dear Sirs:

        We have acted as counsel to The Walt Disney Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-122139) (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by the Company, and by Disney Capital Trust I, Disney Capital Trust II and Disney Capital Trust III, each a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (each a "Trust" and collectively, the "Trusts"), on January 19, 2005. The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the following securities with an aggregate initial public offering price of up to $5,000,000,000: (i) common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock"); (ii) one or more classes or series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ("Preferred Stock"), interests in which may be represented by depositary shares of the Company ("Depositary Shares"); (iii) one or more series of debt securities of the Company ("Debt Securities"), consisting of debentures, notes and/or other evidences of indebtedness, which may be unsubordinated ("Senior Debt Securities") or subordinated ("Subordinated Debt Securities") to certain other obligations of the Company; (iv) warrants to purchase Securities (as hereinafter defined) of the Company ("Warrants"); (v) Trust Preferred Securities of one or more of the Trusts ("Trust Preferred Securities"), and related guarantees by the Company of the Trust Preferred Securities (individually, a "Trust Guarantee," and-collectively, the "Trust Guarantees"); (vi) purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase Securities (as hereinafter defined) at a future date or dates ("Purchase Contracts"); and (vii) units comprised of one or more Securities (as hereinafter defined) in any combination ("Units," and together with the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Trust Preferred Securities, Trust Guarantees and Purchase Contracts, "Securities").

        The Senior Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to that certain Indenture dated as of September 24, 2001 between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the "Senior Indenture Trustee"), as amended or supplemented from time to time (the "Senior Indenture"). The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under a subordinated debt securities indenture in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time (the "Subordinated Indenture"), proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more trustees chosen by the Company and qualified to act as such under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA") (any such trustee, the "Subordinated Indenture Trustee"). The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are sometimes hereinafter referred to individually as an "Indenture" and collectively as the "Indentures." The Warrants will be issued under a warrant agreement in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein (a "Warrant Agreement"). The Trust Preferred Securities will be issued by a Trust pursuant to an amended and restated trust agreement in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time (a "Trust Agreement"), proposed to be entered into between the Company, as sponsor, a Property Trustee to be chosen by the Company and qualified to act as such under the TIA, a Delaware Trustee to be chosen by the Company, and the Administrative Trustees to be named therein, and each Trust Guarantee will be issued pursuant to a guarantee agreement in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time (a "Guarantee Agreement"), proposed to be entered



into between the Company and the trustee to be named therein. The Purchase Contracts will be issued under a purchase contract agreement in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein (a "Purchase Contract Agreement"). The Units will be issued under a unit agreement in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein (a "Unit Agreement").

        This opinion is delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

        We have examined (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the Senior Indenture; (iii) the form of Subordinated Indenture; (iv) the form of Trust Agreement; (v) the form of Guarantee Agreement; (vi) the form of deposit agreement relating to the Depositary Shares in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the "Deposit Agreement"); (vii) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended and currently in effect (the "Certificate of Incorporation"); (viii) the Bylaws of the Company as currently in effect (the "Bylaws"); and (ix) the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") relating to the Registration Statement and the issuance of the Securities (the "Board Resolutions"). We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth herein.

        In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies, or as retrieved from the Commission's EDGAR database, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. In making our examination of documents executed by parties other than the Company, we have assumed that such parties had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all their obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the validity and binding effect thereof. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which were not independently established or verified, we have, with your consent, relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others.

        In our capacity as your counsel in connection with the Registration Statement, we are familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by the Company in connection with the Registration Statement and the authorization and issuance of the Securities. For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that such proceedings will be timely and properly completed, in accordance with all requirements of applicable laws, in the manner presently proposed.

        Based upon the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

            1.     With respect to any offering of Common Stock (the "Offered Common Stock"), the shares of the Offered Common Stock (including any Offered Common Stock duly issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Securities) will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than the par value thereof.

            2.     With respect to any offering of any series of Preferred Stock (the "Offered Preferred Stock"), when the Certificate of Designations (as hereinafter defined) has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, the shares of the Offered Preferred Stock (including any Offered Preferred Stock duly issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Securities), will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than the par value thereof.



            3.     With respect to any offering of any series of Depositary Shares (the "Offered Depositary Shares"), when (i) the Deposit Agreement relating to the Offered Depositary Shares has been duly executed and delivered as contemplated by the Board Resolutions or other action by the Board or a duly appointed committee thereof; and (ii) the Preferred Stock which is represented by the Offered Depositary Shares is duly authorized, validly issued and delivered to the Depositary in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, (1) the Offered Depositary Shares will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and (2) when the receipts evidencing the Offered Depositary Shares ("Receipts") are duly issued against the deposit of the Preferred Stock in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, such Receipts will be validly issued and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified therein and in the Deposit Agreement.

            4.     With respect to any offering of any series of Debt Securities offered under the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture (the "Offered Debt Securities"), when (i) the applicable Indenture has been qualified under the TIA and duly executed and delivered by the Company; and (ii) the applicable trustee has been qualified under the TIA and an applicable Form T-1 has been properly filed with the Commission, the Offered Debt Securities (including any Offered Debt Securities duly issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Securities) will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

            5.     With respect to any offering of any series of Warrants (the "Offered Warrants"), when the Warrant Agreement relating to the Offered Warrants, in the form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein, has been duly executed and delivered as contemplated by the Board Resolutions or other action by the Board or a duly appointed committee thereof, the Offered Warrants will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

            6.     With respect to any offering of any Trust Preferred Securities by a Trust (the "Offered Trust Preferred Securities") and any related Trust Guarantee by the Company (the "Offered Trust Guarantee"), when (i) the Offered Trust Preferred Securities have been executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable Trust Agreement; (ii) the applicable trustees have been qualified under the TIA and an applicable Form T-1 in respect of each trustee has been properly filed with the Commission; (iii) the applicable Trust Agreement in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement has been qualified under the TIA and has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (iv) the applicable Guarantee Agreement in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement has been qualified under the TIA and the Offered Trust Guarantee has been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Guarantee Agreement, the Offered Trust Guarantee will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

            7.     With respect to any offering of Purchase Contracts (the "Offered Purchase Contracts"), when the Purchase Contract Agreement, in the form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein, has been duly executed and delivered as contemplated by the Board Resolutions or other action by the Board or a duly appointed committee thereof, the Offered Purchase Contracts will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

            8.     With respect to any offering of any series of Units (the "Offered Units"), when the Unit Agreement relating to the Offered Units, in the form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein, has been duly executed and delivered as contemplated by the Board Resolutions or other action by the Board or a duly appointed committee thereof, the Offered Units will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.



        The opinions set forth herein are subject to the following assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions being true and correct at or prior to the time of the delivery of any Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (collectively, the "Offered Securities"): (i) the Board, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company shall have duly established the terms of the Offered Securities and duly authorized and taken any other necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities and related matters (including without limitation with respect to Offered Preferred Stock, the execution, acknowledgment and filing of a Certificate of Designations (the "Certificate of Designations") in accordance with the applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) and such authorizations and actions have not been rescinded; (ii) the terms of the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities have been duly established in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any applicable Deposit Agreement, Indenture, Warrant Agreement, Trust Agreement, Guarantee Agreement, Purchase Contract or Unit Agreement (collectively, the "Applicable Agreements"), and any other relevant agreement so as not to violate any applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (subject to the further assumption that the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws have not been amended from the date hereof in a manner that would affect the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein), or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (iii) the Offered Securities (and, to the extent necessary, any securities which are a component of the Offered Purchase Contracts or Units), and any certificates or receipts representing the interests in the relevant Offered Securities, have been duly authenticated, executed, countersigned, registered and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor and have been duly issued and sold in accordance with any relevant agreement (including, any Applicable Agreements), any underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Securities or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered, applicable, valid and binding purchase agreement, or as otherwise contemplated by the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, and any Prospectus Supplement relating thereto; (iv) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments) and any additional registration statement filed under Rule 462 will have been declared effective under the Act and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded; (v) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement will have been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder describing the Offered Securities offered thereby; (vi) the Offered Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable Federal and state securities laws and solely in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement and there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity of the opinions rendered herein; (vii) if the Offered Securities will be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Securities in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or incorporated by reference therein, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (viii) in the case of an Indenture, Warrant Agreement, Purchase Contract, Unit Agreement, Certificate of Designation, Deposit Agreement or other agreement or instrument pursuant to which any Securities are to be issued, there shall be no terms or provisions contained therein which would affect the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein.

        We also have assumed that (i) the Senior Indenture has been, and the Subordinated Indenture will be, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the respective trustees, and that any Debt Securities that may be issued will be authenticated by duly authorized officers of the applicable trustee; (ii) any Trust Agreement and Guarantee Agreement, respectively, will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the applicable trustees; (iii) any Deposit Agreement will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Depositary, and the Depositary Receipts will be duly signed by the Depositary; and (iv) any Warrant Agreements, any Purchase Contracts and any Unit Agreements will be duly authorized, executed, delivered and duly signed by the applicable parties thereto other than the Company.

        Members of our firm are admitted to the Bar in the State of New York and we do not express any opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York and the General



Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, but this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations thereunder, as in effect on the date hereof. We disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein.

        Any opinion set forth herein as to enforceability of obligations of the Company is subject to: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and the discretion of the court before which any proceedings therefore may be brought (such principles of equity are of general application, and in applying such principles, a court might include a covenant of good faith and fair dealing and apply concepts of reasonableness and materiality); (ii) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in U.S. dollars; (iii) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in U.S. dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law; and (iv) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currency or composite currency. Rights to indemnification and contribution may also be limited by Federal and state securities laws.

        We express no opinion as to the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any provision in any agreement or instrument that (i) requires or relates to payment of any interest at a rate or in an amount which a court would determine in the circumstances under applicable law to be commercially unreasonable or a penalty or a forfeiture or (ii) relates to governing law and submission by the parties to the jurisdiction of one or more particular courts.

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/  
DEWEY BALLANTINE LLP      
Dewey Ballantine LLP



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EX-5.2 5 a2151040zex-5_2.htm EXHIBIT 5.2

EXHIBIT 5.2

[LETTERHEAD]

                        February 4, 2005

To Each of the Persons Listed
on Schedule I Attached Hereto

    Re:
    Disney Capital Trust I
    Disney Capital Trust II
    Disney Capital Trust III

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as special Delaware counsel for The Walt Disney Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), Disney Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust ("Trust I"), Disney Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust ("Trust II") and Disney Capital Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust ("Trust III" and together with Trust I and Trust II, individually a "Trust" and collectively the "Trusts") in connection with the proposed issuance of the preferred securities of each Trust representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Trust (each, a "Preferred Security" and collectively, the "Preferred Securities"). Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used herein as defined in the Trust Agreements (as defined below).

        For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, we have examined only the following documents and have conducted no independent factual investigations of our own:

        1.     The Certificate of Trust for Trust I, dated as of August 15, 2001 (the "Trust I Certificate"), as filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary of State") on August 16, 2001;

        2.     The Trust Agreement of Trust I dated as of August 15, 2001 by and among the Company, as Sponsor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee (the "Original Trust I Agreement");

        3.     The Certificate of Trust for Trust II, dated as of August 15, 2001 (the "Trust II Certificate"), as filed with the Secretary of State on August 16, 2001;

        4.     The Trust Agreement of Trust II dated as of August 15, 2001 by and among the Company, as Sponsor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee (the "Original Trust II Agreement");

        5.     The Certificate of Trust for Trust III, dated as of August 15, 2001 (the "Trust III Certificate" together with the Trust I Certificate and the Trust II Certificate, collectively, the "Trust Certificates"), as filed with the Secretary of State on August 16, 2001;

        6.     The Trust Agreement of Trust III dated as of August 15, 2001 by and among the Company, as Sponsor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee (the "Original Trust III Agreement" together with the Original Trust I Agreement and the Original Trust II Agreement, collectively, the "Original Trust Agreements");

        7.     A Certificate of Good Standing for each Trust, dated February 4, 2005, obtained from the Secretary of State;

        8.     The Registration Statement filed on Form S-3 (File No. 333-122139) with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Trusts and the Company on January 19, 2005, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 on February 4, 2005, relating to the distribution of Preferred Securities of each Trust under specified Rules of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement");

        9.     A form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for each of the Trusts, to be entered into by and among the Company, as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Property Trustee, each of the Administrative Trustees named therein, and each of the holders, from time to time, of the undivided beneficial interests in the assets



of such Trust (collectively, the "Trust Agreements" and individually, a "Trust Agreement"), attached as Exhibit 4.20 to the Registration Statement; and

        10.   A Certificate of the Company, as Sponsor of each Trust dated as of February 4, 2005 certifying as to the factual matters stated therein (the "Officer's Certificate").

        For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other than the documents listed in (1) through (10) above. In particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than the documents listed in (1) through (10) above) that is referred to or incorporated by reference into the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists no provision in any document that we have not reviewed that is inconsistent with the opinions stated herein.

        In addition, we have conducted no independent factual investigation of our own but rather have relied solely on the foregoing documents, the statements and information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed therein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate.

        Based upon the foregoing, and upon an examination of such questions of law of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

        1.     Each Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing as a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. §§ 3801 et seq. (the "Statutory Trust Act").

        2.     When and if (a) the Trust Agreement of a Trust has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto, which Trust Agreement sets forth the terms of the Preferred Securities for such Trust, and (b) appropriate action has been taken to duly authorize the issuance and fix the terms and form of the Preferred Securities under such Trust Agreement, and, subject to the other qualifications set forth herein (including, without limitation, paragraph 3 below), the Preferred Securities of such Trust will have been duly authorized by such Trust Agreement, and when the Preferred Securities with the terms and form so fixed shall have been duly and validly issued and sold in accordance with the Trust Agreement and the Registration Statement, and in a manner consistent therewith (including, without limitation and if applicable, due execution and authentication thereof under the Trust Agreement), such Preferred Securities will represent validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Trust.

        3.     When and if the actions referred to in paragraph 2 have occurred, the holders of the Preferred Securities of a Trust, as beneficial owners of Preferred Securities of such Trust, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, except that the holders of Preferred Securities may be obligated to make payments as set forth in the applicable Trust Agreement.

        All of the foregoing opinions contained herein are subject to the following assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions:

            a.     The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of Delaware presently in effect, excluding the securities laws thereof. We have not considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including, without limitation, federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto.

            b.     We have assumed the due execution and delivery by each party listed as a party to each document examined by us. We have assumed further the due authorization by each party thereto (exclusive of the Administrative Trustees) of each document examined by us, and that each of such parties has, or, in the case of the Trust Agreements, will have, the full power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver and perform each such document. We also have assumed that each of the

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    parties (exclusive of the Trust and the Administrative Trustees) (x) to the Original Trust Agreements is, and (y) to the Trust Agreement will remain, duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization. We have assumed that the documents examined by us to which each entity is a party (exclusive of the Trusts) do not, and will not result in the breach of the terms of, and do not, and will not, contravene their respective constituent documents. We have also assumed that that the documents examined by us to which each entity is a party (exclusive of the Trusts but solely with respect to the laws, rules and regulations of the State of Delaware) do not, and will not, result in the breach of the terms of, and do not, and will not, contravene any law, rule or regulation applicable to it. We have further assumed that that the documents examined by us to which each entity is a party (exclusive of the Trusts but solely with respect to any filing with, or approval or consent of, any governmental authority of the State of Delaware) require under any law, statute, rule, or regulation any filing with, or any approval or consent of, any governmental authority. In addition, we have assumed the legal capacity of any natural persons who are parties to any of the documents examined by us.

            c.     We have assumed that all signatures on documents examined by us are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and that all documents submitted to us as copies conform with the originals.

            d.     We have assumed that the Trust Certificates and the Original Trust Agreements do, and the Trust Certificates and the Trust Agreements will, constitute the entire agreement among each of the respective parties thereto with respect to the subject matter thereof, including with respect to the creation, operation, dissolution and winding up of the applicable Trust.

            e.     We have assumed that the Preferred Securities will be issued in accordance with the Trust Agreements and the Registration Statement.

            f.      We have assumed that the facts in the Officer's Certificate were true and correct when made and have remained true and correct at all times since such date through and including the date hereof.

            g.     We note that we do not assume responsibility for the contents of any offering material relating to the Trusts or the Preferred Securities, including, without limitation, the Registration Statement.

            h.     Except as expressly set forth in the opinions above, we express no opinion on any documents or agreements referred to, or incorporated by reference into, the Original Trust Agreements, the Trust Agreements or the Registration Statement.

            i.      The opinions rendered herein speak only as of the date of this letter, and we undertake no duty to advise you as to any change in law or change in fact occurring after the delivery of this letter that could affect any of the opinions rendered herein.

        We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of Persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. Except as stated above, this opinion is rendered solely for your benefit in connection with the matters set forth herein and,

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without our prior written consent, may not be furnished or quoted to, or relied upon by, any other person or entity for any purpose.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/  
POTTER ANDERSON & CORROON LLP      

4


Schedule I

DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST I

DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST II

DISNEY CAPITAL TRUST III

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY



EX-23.3 6 a2151040zex-23_3.htm EXHIBIT 23.3
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EXHIBIT 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

        We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated December 9, 2004 relating to the consolidated financial statements, management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in The Walt Disney Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Los Angeles, California
February 4, 2005




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EX-25.1 7 a2151040zex-25_1.htm EXHIBIT 25.1
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EXHIBIT 25.1



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE


CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

Not Applicable   94-1347393
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization if not a U.S. national bank)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

420 Montgomery Street

 

 
San Francisco, CA   94163
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Wells Fargo & Company
Law Department, Trust Section
MAC N9305-172
Sixth and Marquette, 17th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55479
(agent for services)


THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE   95-4545390
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

500 SOUTH BUENA VISTA STREET

 

 
BURBANK, CA   91521
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
(Title of the indenture securities)




        Item 1.    General Information.    Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

    (a)
    Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.


    Comptroller of the Currency,
    Treasury Department
    Washington, D.C. 20230


    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
    Washington, D.C. 20429


    Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
    San Francisco, CA 94120

    (b)
    Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.


    The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

        Item 2.    Affiliations with Obligor.    If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

            None with respect to the trustee.

        No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

        Item 15.    Foreign Trustee.    Not applicable.

        Item 16.    List of Exhibits.    List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility. Wells Fargo Bank incorporates by reference into this Form T-1 exhibits attached hereto.

Exhibit 1.   A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

Exhibit 2.

 

A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated November 28, 2001.*

Exhibit 3.

 

A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers. A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence (with Fiduciary Powers) for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated November 28, 2001.*

Exhibit 4.

 

Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*

Exhibit 5.

 

Not applicable.

Exhibit 6.

 

The consents of United States institutional trustees required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

Exhibit 7.

 

Attached is a copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

Exhibit 8.

 

Not applicable.

Exhibit 9.

 

Not applicable.

*
Incorporated by reference to exhibit number 25 filed with registration statement number 333-87398.


SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Los Angeles and State of California on the day of 4th of February, 2005.

    WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

/s/ Jeanie Mar
   
    Name: Jeanie Mar
    Title: Vice President


Exhibit 6

February 4, 2005

Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

        In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request thereof.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

/s/  
JEANIE MAR      
    Jeanie Mar
    Vice President


Exhibit 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

Wells Fargo Bank National Association
of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
at the close of business September 30, 2004, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 
  Dollar Amounts
In Millions

ASSETS      
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:      
  Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin   $ 13,183
  Interest-bearing balances     2,782
Securities:      
  Held-to-maturity securities     0
  Available-for-sale securities     30,191
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:      
  Federal funds sold in domestic offices     5,017
  Securities purchased under agreements to resell     961
Loans and lease financing receivables:      
  Loans and leases held for sale     33,062
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income     240,775
  LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses     2,467
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance     238,308
Trading Assets     5,989
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)     3,273
Other real estate owned     122
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies     299
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding     112
Intangible assets      
  Goodwill     8,558
  Other intangible assets     8,485
Other assets     12,631
   
Total assets   $ 362,973
   
       


LIABILITIES

 

 

 
Deposits:      
  In domestic offices   $ 261,252
    Noninterest-bearing     79,485
    Interest-bearing     181,767
  In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs     18,543
    Noninterest-bearing     3
    Interest-bearing     18,540
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:      
  Federal funds purchased in domestic offices     11,909
  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase     3,155
Trading liabilities     4,285
Other borrowed money      
  (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)     15,091
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding     112
Subordinated notes and debentures     4,531
Other liabilities     10,005
   
Total liabilities   $ 328,883

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries

 

 

53

EQUITY CAPITAL

 

 

 
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus     0
Common stock     520
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)     24,512
Retained earnings     8,305
Accumulated other comprehensive income     700
Other equity capital components     0
   
Total equity capital     34,037
   

Total liabilities, minority interest, and equity capital

 

$

362,973
   

2


        I, James E. Hanson, Vice President of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

James E. Hanson
Vice President

        We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

Dave Hoyt
Howard Atkins
Pat Callahan
  Directors

3




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SIGNATURE
Exhibit 6
Exhibit 7
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