-----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, WQaTzSxKMOsEldmlvdphDTofSa6HYOduqAlSBfem8Ju975j/X9sH3v5/Lu2Dw4qb cq1Gx0aCmA+f9VOHjj+HTg== 0001193125-05-173904.txt : 20050824 0001193125-05-173904.hdr.sgml : 20050824 20050824162039 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-173904 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050818 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20050824 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050824 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SYNIVERSE HOLDINGS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001169264 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: COMMUNICATION SERVICES, NEC [4899] IRS NUMBER: 300041666 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-32432 FILM NUMBER: 051046314 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 201 N FRANKLIN STREET STREET 2: SUITE 700 CITY: TAMPA STATE: FL ZIP: 33602 BUSINESS PHONE: 8132733000 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: TSI TELECOMMUNICATION HOLDINGS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20020315 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SYNIVERSE BRIENCE LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001268264 IRS NUMBER: 364350592 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-99293-05 FILM NUMBER: 051046315 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 201 NORTH FRANKLIN ST. CITY: TAMPA STATE: FL ZIP: 33602 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: TSI BRIENCE LLC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20031027 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SYNIVERSE TECHNOLOGIES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001172203 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663] IRS NUMBER: 061262301 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-88168 FILM NUMBER: 051046316 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 201 N FRANKLIN STREET STREET 2: SUITE 700 CITY: TAMPA STATE: FL ZIP: 33602 BUSINESS PHONE: 8132733000 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: TSI TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20020425 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 


 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 18, 2005

 


 

SYNIVERSE HOLDINGS, INC.

SYNIVERSE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

SYNIVERSE BRIENCE, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
Delaware

Delaware

 

001-32432
333-88168

333-99293-05

 

30-0041666
06-1262301

36-4350592

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 


 

One Tampa City Center, Suite 700

Tampa, Florida 33602

Telephone: (813) 273-3000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants’ principal executive offices)

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



ITEM 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

The information set forth under Item 2.03 “Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant” is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

On July 27, 2005, Syniverse Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) executed a Purchase Agreement, by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein and Lehman Brothers Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (the “Initial Purchasers”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, among other things, the Company agreed to sell to the Initial Purchasers $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 73/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the “Notes”).

 

Pursuant to an Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 24, 2005, among the Company, the guarantors named therein and the Initial Purchasers relating to the Notes (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), the Company and the guarantors are obligated to file and use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the Notes for other freely tradable notes issued by the Company that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and have substantially identical terms as the Notes. The Registration Rights Agreement provides that if the Company is not able to effect the applicable exchange offer, the Company will file with the SEC and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to the resales of the Notes. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will be obligated to pay additional interest on the Notes in certain instances, including if it does not file the registration statement by November 22, 2005 or complete the related exchange offer within 45 days of the effective date of the registration statement.

 

The Initial Purchasers and their affiliates have provided and may, from time to time, continue to provide investment banking, financial advisory and other services to the Company and its affiliates, for which they have received customary fees and reimbursements of expenses, and for which they expect to receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses, respectively. Lehman Brothers Inc. is acting as dealer-manager and solicitation agent for the tender offer and consent solicitation relating the Company’s 123/4% senior subordinated notes due 2009. Lehman Brothers Inc. was also a joint book-running manager and an underwriter for the initial public offering of Syniverse Holdings, Inc. and an affiliate of Lehman Brothers Inc. is the administrative agent and lender under the Company’s senior credit facility. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. was one of the underwriters for the initial public offering of Syniverse Holdings, Inc.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, which are attached as exhibits hereto and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

 

ITEM 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant

 

The Company completed the offering of the Notes on August 24, 2005. The Notes were offered within the United States only to qualified institutional investors pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and, outside the United States, only to non-U.S. investors.

 

As previously announced, the proceeds of this offering will be used to redeem or repurchase the Company’s 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2009.

 

The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

 

The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company that are subordinate in right of payments to all of the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness and equal in right of payment to the Company’s existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness and are unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured senior subordinated basis, as to the payment of principal and interest by Syniverse Holdings, Inc. and each of the Company’s current and


future domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness, including Syniverse Brience, LLC and Syniverse Technologies of Virginia, Inc. (collectively, the “Guarantors”). The Notes will mature on August 15, 2013. Interest on the Notes will be payable twice a year, on each February 15 and August 15, beginning February 15, 2006. Before August 15, 2008, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 107.75% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued interest, with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings. In addition, on or after August 15, 2009, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time at redemption prices that start at 103.875% of their aggregate principal amount. The Company is required to offer to purchase the Notes at 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued interest, if it experiences specific kinds of changes in control.

 

The Indenture contains covenants that will, among other things, limit the Company’s ability and that of its restricted subsidiaries to:

 

    incur additional indebtedness and issue preferred stock;

 

    pay dividends or make other distributions;

 

    make other restricted payments and investments;

 

    create liens;

 

    incur restrictions on the ability of their subsidiaries to pay dividends or other payments to them;

 

    sell assets;

 

    merge or consolidate with other entities; and

 

    enter into transactions with affiliates.

 

The foregoing description of the Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, which is attached as an exhibit hereto and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

 

ITEM 8.01. Other Events.

 

On August 23, 2005, the Company issued a press release announcing it had determined the consideration to be paid in its previously announced cash tender offer for any and all of the outstanding principal amount of its 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2009. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

 

On August 24, 2005, the Company accepted for payment pursuant to its previously announced tender offer for any and all of its 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2009, $144,750,000 aggregate principal amount of 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2009, representing all of the 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2009 that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to August 24, 2005.

 

ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


4.1    Indenture, dated as of August 24, 2005, by and among Syniverse Technologies, Inc., Syniverse Holdings, Inc., Syniverse Brience, LLC, Syniverse Technologies of Virginia, Inc. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.
10.1    Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2005, by and among Syniverse Technologies, Inc., Syniverse Holdings, Inc., Syniverse Brience, LLC, Syniverse Technologies of Virginia, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
10.2    Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2005, by and among Syniverse Technologies, Inc., Syniverse Holdings, Inc., Syniverse Brience, LLC, Syniverse Technologies of Virginia, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
99.1    Press Release issued on August 23, 2005 by Syniverse Technologies, Inc.


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: August 24, 2005

 

SYNIVERSE HOLDINGS, INC.

(Registrant)

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless
Raymond L. Lawless
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

SYNIVERSE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Registrant)

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless
Raymond L. Lawless
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

SYNIVERSE BRIENCE, LLC

(Registrant)

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless
Raymond L. Lawless
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


4.1*    Indenture, dated as of August 24, 2005, by and among Syniverse Technologies, Inc., Syniverse Holdings, Inc., Syniverse Brience, LLC, Syniverse Technologies of Virginia, Inc. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.
10.1*    Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2005, by and among Syniverse Technologies, Inc., Syniverse Holdings, Inc., Syniverse Brience, LLC, Syniverse Technologies of Virginia, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
10.2*    Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2005, by and among Syniverse Technologies, Inc., Syniverse Holdings, Inc., Syniverse Brience, LLC, Syniverse Technologies of Virginia, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
99.1*    Press Release issued on August 23, 2005 by Syniverse Technologies, Inc.

* Filed herewith electronically.
EX-4.1 2 dex41.htm INDENTURE, DATED AUGUST 24, 2005. Indenture, dated August 24, 2005.

Exhibit 4.1

 

EXECUTION COPY


 

Syniverse Technologies, Inc.

 

and each of the Guarantors named herein

 

7 ¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013

 


 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of August 24, 2005

 


 

The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.

 

Trustee

 



CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture
Act Section


   Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

      (a)(2)

   7.10

      (a)(3)

   N.A.

      (a)(4)

   N.A.

      (a)(5)

   7.10

      (b)

   7.10

      (c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   7.11

      (b)

   7.11

      (c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   2.05

      (b)

   12.03

      (c)

   12.03

313(a)

   7.06

      (b)(1)

   N.A.

      (b)(2)

   7.06; 7.07

      (c)

   7.06;12.02

      (d)

   7.06

314(a)

   4.03;12.02; 12.05

      (b)

   N.A.

      (c)(1)

   12.04

      (c)(2)

   12.04

      (c)(3)

   N.A.

      (d)

   N.A.

      (e)

   12.05

      (f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   7.01

      (b)

   7.05,12.02

      (c)

   7.01

      (d)

   7.01

      (e)

   6.11

316(a) (last sentence)

   2.09

      (a)(1)(A)

   6.05

      (a)(1)(B)

   6.04

      (a)(2)

   N.A.

      (b)

   6.07

      (c)

   2.12

317(a)(1)

   6.08

      (a)(2)

   6.09

      (b)

   2.04

318(a)

   12.01

      (b)

   N.A.

      (c)

   12.01

 

N.A. means not applicable.

 

* This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

ARTICLE 1.     
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION     
BY REFERENCE     

Section 1.01

   Definitions    1

Section 1.02

   Other Definitions    25

Section 1.03

   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act    25

Section 1.04

   Rules of Construction    25
ARTICLE 2.     
THE NOTES     

Section 2.01

   Form and Dating    26

Section 2.02

   Execution and Authentication    27

Section 2.03

   Registrar and Paying Agent    27

Section 2.04

   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust    27

Section 2.05

   Holder Lists    28

Section 2.06

   Transfer and Exchange    28

Section 2.07

   Replacement Notes    39

Section 2.08

   Outstanding Notes    39

Section 2.09

   Treasury Notes    39

Section 2.10

   Temporary Notes    40

Section 2.11

   Cancellation    40

Section 2.12

   Defaulted Interest    40
ARTICLE 3.     
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT     

Section 3.01

   Notices to Trustee    40

Section 3.02

   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased    41

Section 3.03

   Notice of Redemption    41

Section 3.04

   Effect of Notice of Redemption    42

Section 3.05

   Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price    42

Section 3.06

   Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part    42

Section 3.07

   Optional Redemption    42

Section 3.08

   Mandatory Redemption    43

Section 3.09

   Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds    44
ARTICLE 4.     
COVENANTS     

Section 4.01

   Payment of Notes    45

Section 4.02

   Maintenance of Office or Agency    46

Section 4.03

   Reports    46

Section 4.04

   Compliance Certificate    47

Section 4.05

   Taxes    48

Section 4.06

   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws    48

Section 4.07

   Restricted Payments    48

Section 4.08

   Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries    51

Section 4.09

   Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock    53

Section 4.10

   Asset Sales    57

 

i


Section 4.11

   Transactions with Affiliates    59

Section 4.12

   Liens    60

Section 4.13

   Business Activities    61

Section 4.14

   Corporate Existence    61

Section 4.15

   Change of Control    61

Section 4.16

   No Layering of Debt    63

Section 4.17

   Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries    63

Section 4.18

   Payments for Consent    63

Section 4.19

   Additional Note Guarantees    63

Section 4.20

   Changes in Covenants When Notes Rated Investment Grade    63
ARTICLE 5.     
SUCCESSORS     

Section 5.01

   Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets    64

Section 5.02

   Successor Corporation Substituted    65
ARTICLE 6.     
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES     

Section 6.01

   Events of Default    65

Section 6.02

   Acceleration    67

Section 6.03

   Other Remedies    68

Section 6.04

   Waiver of Past Defaults    68

Section 6.05

   Control by Majority    68

Section 6.06

   Limitation on Suits    68

Section 6.07

   Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment    69

Section 6.08

   Collection Suit by Trustee    69

Section 6.09

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    69

Section 6.10

   Priorities    70

Section 6.11

   Undertaking for Costs    70
ARTICLE 7.     
TRUSTEE     

Section 7.01

   Duties of Trustee    70

Section 7.02

   Rights of Trustee    71

Section 7.03

   Individual Rights of Trustee    72

Section 7.04

   Trustee’s Disclaimer    72

Section 7.05

   Notice of Defaults    72

Section 7.06

   Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes    72

Section 7.07

   Compensation and Indemnity    73

Section 7.08

   Replacement of Trustee    73

Section 7.09

   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.    74

Section 7.10

   Eligibility; Disqualification    74

Section 7.11

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company    74
ARTICLE 8.     
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE     

Section 8.01

   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    75

Section 8.02

   Legal Defeasance and Discharge    75

Section 8.03

   Covenant Defeasance    75

Section 8.04

   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance    76

 

ii


Section 8.05

   Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    77

Section 8.06

   Repayment to Company    77

Section 8.07

   Reinstatement    78
ARTICLE 9.     
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER     

Section 9.01

   Without Consent of Holders of Notes    78

Section 9.02

   With Consent of Holders of Notes    79

Section 9.03

   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act    80

Section 9.04

   Revocation and Effect of Consents    80

Section 9.05

   Notation on or Exchange of Notes    80

Section 9.06

   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.    81
ARTICLE 10.     
SUBORDINATION     

Section 10.01

   Agreement to Subordinate    81

Section 10.02

   Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy    81

Section 10.03

   Default on Designated Senior Debt    81

Section 10.04

   Acceleration of Notes    82

Section 10.05

   When Distribution Must Be Paid Over    82

Section 10.06

   Notice by Company    83

Section 10.07

   Subrogation    83

Section 10.08

   Relative Rights    83

Section 10.09

   Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company    83

Section 10.10

   Distribution or Notice to Representative    84

Section 10.11

   Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent    84

Section 10.12

   Authorization to Effect Subordination    84

Section 10.13

   Amendments    84
ARTICLE 11.     
NOTE GUARANTEES     

Section 11.01

   Guarantee    84

Section 11.02

   Subordination of Note Guarantee    85

Section 11.03

   Limitation on Guarantor Liability    86

Section 11.04

   Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee    86

Section 11.05

   Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms    86

Section 11.06

   Release of Guarantees    87
ARTICLE 12.     
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE     

Section 12.01

   Satisfaction and Discharge    88

Section 12.02

   Application of Trust Money    89
ARTICLE 13.     
MISCELLANEOUS     

Section 13.01

   Trust Indenture Act Controls    89

Section 13.02

   Notices    89

Section 13.03

   Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes    90

Section 13.04

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent    90

Section 13.05

   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion    91

 

iii


Section 13.06

   Rules by Trustee and Agents    91

Section 13.07

   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders    91

Section 13.08

   Governing Law    91

Section 13.09

   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements    91

Section 13.10

   Successors    92

Section 13.11

   Severability    92

Section 13.12

   Counterpart Originals    92

Section 13.13

   Table of Contents, Headings, etc.    92

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

   FORM OF NOTE     

Exhibit B

   FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER     

Exhibit C

   FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE     

Exhibit D

   FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR     

Exhibit E

   FORM OF NOTE GUARANTEE     

Exhibit F

   FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE     

 

iv


INDENTURE dated as of August 24, 2005 among: Syniverse Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined below), and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the 7 ¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the “Notes”):

 

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION

BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01 Definitions.

 

“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

 

(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

 

“Additional Notes” means an unlimited amount of Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same class as the Initial Notes.

 

“Administrative Agent” means Lehman Commercial Paper Inc.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings. No person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) in whom a Receivables Entity makes an Investment in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction will be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries solely by reason of such Investment.

 

“Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

 

1


“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date, the excess of:

 

(1) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at August 15, 2009 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07 hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note, through August 15, 2009 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the date of redemption), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

 

(2) the then outstanding principal amount of the Note.

 

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

 

“Asset Sale” means:

 

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights outside of the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; provided that the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of this Indenture described under Section 4.15 and/or the provisions described under Section 5.01 and not by the provisions of Section 4.10; and

 

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

 

(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets or Equity Interests having a fair market value of less than $15.0 million;

 

(2) a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(4) the sale or lease of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business;

 

(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

(6) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted by Section 4.07;

 

(7) the licensing of intellectual property to third Persons on customary terms as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith;

 

(8) a transfer or sale of Receivables and Related Assets of the type specified in the definition of “Qualified Receivables Transaction” to a Receivables Entity or to any other Person in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction or the creation of a Lien on any such Receivables or Related Assets in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; and

 

(9) disposition of an account receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof.

 

2


“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

“Board of Directors” means:

 

(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

 

(2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership; and

 

(3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

 

“Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

 

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Capital Stock” means:

 

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

 

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated), of corporate stock;

 

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

 

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

 

“Cash Equivalents” means:

 

(1) United States dollars or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, the local currency of the jurisdiction in which it conducts operations;

 

(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities), having maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition;

 

3


(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances (or in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, the foreign equivalent) with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better or in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, any local office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits in excess of $500.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof);

 

(4) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Moody’s Investors Services, Inc.;

 

(5) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) or (4) above;

 

(6) commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and in each case maturing within 12 months after the date of acquisition; and

 

(7) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (6) of this definition.

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, other than a Principal or a Related Party of a Principal), it being understood that as of the date of this Indenture, the Company’s SS7 network does not by itself constitute substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

 

(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

 

(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above), other than the Principals and their Related Parties, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Parent or the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or

 

(4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Parent or the Company are not Continuing Directors.

 

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A.

 

4


“Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

 

(1) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(2) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(3) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), and other non-cash items (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period), of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(4) any net gain or loss resulting from Hedging Obligations relating to currency exchange risk; plus

 

(5) any net after-tax income or loss from discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of discontinued operations; plus

 

(6) transition expenses incurred in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 pursuant to the acquisition of Interoperator Services North America in an amount not to exceed $2.0 million in fiscal 2004 and $6.0 million in fiscal 2005; plus

 

(7) up to $10.0 million of expenses related to the relocation of the Company’s headquarters; provided such costs are incurred in fiscal 2004, 2005 and 2006 and expensed on the consolidated income statements of the Company; minus

 

(8) all non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business (excluding any items which represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for anticipated cash charges made in any prior period),

 

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:

 

(1) the Net Income, of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of

 

5


dividends or distributions paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

 

(2) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under the second clause (3) of Section 4.07 hereof, the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders (except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions that have actually been paid in cash to the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not subject to any such restrictions);

 

(3) the Net Income (or loss) of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition will be excluded;

 

(4) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;

 

(5) the net loss of any Person, other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be excluded;

 

(6) non-cash charges relating to employee benefit or other management compensation plans of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity-based awards of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding in each case any non-cash charge to the extend that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense incurred in a prior period) in each case, to the extent that such non-cash charges are deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income will be excluded; and

 

(7) items classified as extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring (including, without limitation, reasonable and customary fees and expenses (including call premiums) incurred in connection with any Equity Offering or issuance, incurrence, redemption, prepayment or repurchase of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture (or which would have been permitted to be incurred under this Indenture if this Indenture had been in place at such time) (in each case, whether or not consummated), investment banking and legal fees and similar expenses and transition expenses relating to any acquisition or Permitted Investment (in each case, whether or not consummated), and severance, relocation and other restructuring costs), and related tax effects (to the extent such tax effects were included in Net Income) according to GAAP, will be excluded.

 

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:

 

(1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of this Indenture; or

 

(2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election.

 

6


“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

 

“Credit Agent” means Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., in its capacity as administrative agent for the lenders party to the Credit Agreement, or any successor thereto or any person otherwise appointed.

 

“Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2005, by and among the Company, the Guarantors, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., as administrative agent, Lehman Brothers Inc., as book manager and lead arranger, LaSalle Bank National Association, as syndication agent, and the other lenders party thereto, providing for up to $460.0 million of revolving credit and term loan borrowings, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

 

“Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

 

“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

 

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

 

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note will not bear the Global Note Legend and will not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

“Designated Noncash Consideration” means any noncash consideration received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the fair market value of such noncash consideration and the basis of the valuation.

 

“Designated Senior Debt” means:

 

(1) any Indebtedness or other amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement; and

 

(2) after payment in full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement, any other Senior Debt permitted under this Indenture the principal amount of which is $25.0 million or more.

 

7


“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia or that guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company.

 

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

“Equity Offering” means (1) a public offering of common equity securities or (2) a private placement of common equity securities yielding gross proceeds to the issuer of at least $25.0 million.

 

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Exchange Notes” means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

 

“Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Existing Indebtedness” means the amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement), in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.

 

“fair market value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party.

 

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any

 

8


deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations (excluding amortization of debt issuance costs); plus

 

(2) the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

 

(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

 

(4) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), or to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings), or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

 

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

 

(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including any related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period will be calculated on a pro forma basis in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, but including Pro Forma Cost Savings, but without giving effect to clause (3) of the proviso set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income;

 

(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded from the four-quarter reference period on a pro forma basis (as provided above);

 

9


(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded from the four-quarter reference period on a pro forma basis (as provided above), but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

 

(4) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period; and

 

(5) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

 

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4), 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof.

 

“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

 

“GTCR” means GTCR Golder Rauner, L.L.C.

 

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

 

“Guarantee and Collateral Agreement” means the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement among the Company, the Parent and each subsidiary guarantor to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2005, as the same may be amended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

 

“Guarantors” means each of:

 

(1) Parent;

 

(2) the Company’s direct and indirect Domestic Subsidiaries existing on the date of this Indenture; and

 

10


(3) any other Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture,

 

and their respective successors and assigns.

 

“Hedge Agreements” means all interest rate swaps, caps or collar agreements or similar arrangements entered into by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries providing for protection against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates or the exchange of nominal interest obligations, either generally or under specific contingencies.

 

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

 

(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements; and

 

(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices or currency exchange rates.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

 

“IAI Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold to Institutional Accredited Investors.

 

“Indebtedness” means with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:

 

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

 

(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

 

(3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;

 

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;

 

(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or

 

(6) representing any Hedging Obligations,

 

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations), would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person), and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

11


“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

 

“Initial Notes” means the first $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

 

“Initial Purchasers” means Lehman Brothers Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

 

“Institutional Accredited Investor” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.

 

“Insurance Financing Arrangements” means any agreement between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with an insurance carrier or an Affiliate of such issuance carrier providing insurance maintained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business which enables the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay any insurance premiums and applicable financing charges due in respect of any such insurance coverage in installments over the term of the applicable insurance policy.

 

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates), in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

 

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

 

“Lender” means the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time party to the Credit Agreement.

 

“Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected

 

12


under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in, except in connection with any Qualified Receivables Transaction, and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes), of any jurisdiction.

 

“Liquidated Damages” means all liquidated damages then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:

 

(1) any gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (or loss), realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale (without giving effect to the $15.0 million threshold); or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

(2) any extraordinary gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (or loss).

 

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other than Senior Debt, secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

 

(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender;

 

(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary), would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and

 

(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

 

13


“Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company’s payment obligations under this Indenture and on the Notes, executed pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

 

“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes will be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes will include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

 

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

“Offering Memorandum” means that offering memorandum dated August 18, 2005 relating to the Notes and the Guarantees.

 

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.

 

“Parent” means Syniverse Holdings, Inc., the direct parent entity of the Company.

 

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, will include Euroclear and Clearstream).

 

“Permitted Business” means the businesses engaged in by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of original issuance of the Notes and/or any activities that are similar, ancillary or related to, or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of, any of those businesses.

 

“Permitted Investments” means:

 

(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

 

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

 

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

14


(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10;

 

(5) any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

 

(6) any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of such persons incurred in the ordinary course of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

 

(7) Hedging Obligations;

 

(8) any Investment existing on the date of this Indenture;

 

(9) loans and advances to employees and officers of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business having an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(10) loans to management employees of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the purchase of Equity Interests having an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $3.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(11) accounts receivable created or acquired in the ordinary course of business;

 

(12) Guarantees by the Company of Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company under this Indenture;

 

(13) any Investment in a joint venture with one or more foreign partners to the extent that, as a result of the Investment, the Company recognizes gross profit from licensing of intellectual property or sales of equipment to that joint venture over the twelve-month period following the Investment that is at least equal to the amount of such Investment;

 

(14) repurchases of Notes (including Additional Notes);

 

(15) Investments resulting from the acquisition of a Person that at the time of such acquisition held instruments constituting Investments that were not acquired in contemplation of the acquisition of such Person;

 

(16) any Investment in a Receivables Entity or any Investment by a Receivables Entity in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Receivables Transaction or any related Indebtedness; and

 

(17) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (17) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $30.0 million and 5.0% of Total Assets.

 

15


“Permitted Junior Securities” means:

 

(1) common Equity Interests in the Company or any Guarantor; or

 

(2) debt or preferred equity securities of the Company or any Guarantor issued pursuant to a plan of reorganization consented to by each class of Senior Debt; provided that all such securities are subordinated to all Senior Debt and any debt securities issued in exchange for Senior Debt to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Notes and the Guarantees are subordinated to Senior Debt under this Indenture.

 

“Permitted Liens” means:

 

(1) Liens securing Senior Debt and other Obligations with respect thereto;

 

(2) Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors;

 

(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired, merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary;

 

(4) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;

 

(5) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(6) Liens existing on the date of this Indenture and any renewals thereof on terms no more restrictive and secured by the same collateral as existing on the date of this Indenture;

 

(7) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded, provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;

 

(8) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to obligations that do not exceed $20.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(9) Liens on assets of Unrestricted Subsidiaries that secure Non-Recourse Debt of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(10) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, including any Lien securing letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in connection therewith, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

16


(11) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;

 

(12) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of banker’s acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment, or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(13) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to commercial letters of credit which encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and products and proceeds thereof;

 

(14) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual, or warranty requirements of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including rights of offset and set-off;

 

(15) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred in reliance on clause (4) of the second paragraph of Section 4.09 so long as such Lien extends to no assets other than the assets acquired;

 

(16) Leases or subleases granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(17) Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases;

 

(18) Liens securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees and any Notes issued in exchange therefor in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the related Note Guarantees;

 

(19) Liens securing intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(20) Liens securing Hedging Agreements that are permitted by this Indenture to be incurred;

 

(21) Liens to secure Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, covering only assets of such Foreign Subsidiary; and

 

(22) Liens on Receivables and Related Assets of the type specified in the definition of “Qualified Receivables Transaction” incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction.

 

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

 

(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), of the Indebtedness extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued

 

17


interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);

 

(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;

 

(3) (a) if the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is earlier than the final maturity date of the Notes, the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; or (b) if the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is later than the final maturity date of the Notes, the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date at least 91 days later than the final maturity date of the Notes;

 

(4) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and

 

(5) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.

 

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

 

“Principals” means GTCR Fund VII, L.P. and/or GTCR Fund VII/A, L.P.

 

“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

 

“Pro Forma Cost Savings” means, with respect to any period, the reduction in costs and related adjustments associated with the acquisition of a business that are attributable to that period and that (i) are calculated on a basis that is consistent with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act as in effect and applied as of the date of this Indenture or (ii) the Company reasonably determines are probable based upon specifically identified actions to be taken within six months of the date of an acquisition; provided, however, that the Company’s chief financial officer shall have certified in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee the specific actions to be taken, the cost savings to be achieved from each such action and that such savings have been determined to be probable; as if, in the case of each of clause (i) and (ii), all such reductions in costs and related adjustments had been effected as of the beginning of such period.

 

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

“Qualified Receivables Transaction” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company may sell, convey, contribute to capital or

 

18


otherwise transfer to a Receivables Entity or to any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Entity), or may grant a security interest in and/or pledge, any Receivables or interests therein and any assets related thereto, including, without limitation, all collateral securing such Receivables, all contracts and contract rights, purchase orders, security interests, financing statements or other documentation in respect of such Receivables, any Guarantees, indemnities, warranties or other obligations in respect of such Receivables, any other assets that are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving receivables similar to such Receivables and any collections or proceeds of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Related Assets”), which transfer, grant of security interest or pledge is funded in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by the incurrence or issuance by the transferee or any successor transferee of Indebtedness, fractional undivided interests, or other securities that are to receive payments from, or that represent interests in, the cash flow derived from such Receivables and Related Assets or interests in Receivables and Related Assets, it being understood that a Qualified Receivables Transaction may involve:

 

(1) one or more sequential transfers or pledges of the same Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein, and

 

(2) periodic transfers or pledges of Receivables and/or revolving transactions in which new Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein, are transferred or pledged upon collection of previously transferred or pledged Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein, and provided that:

 

(A) the Board of Directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which is party to such Qualified Receivables Transaction shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Receivables Transaction is economically fair and reasonable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable, and the Receivables Entity, and

 

(B) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which is party to such Qualified Receivables Transaction).

 

The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to secure Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Credit Agreement shall not be deemed a Qualified Receivables Transaction.

 

“Receivables” means accounts receivable (including all rights to payment created by or arising from the sale of goods, leases of goods or the rendition of services, no matter how evidenced (including in the form of chattel paper) and whether or not earned by performance) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, whether now existing or arising in the future.

 

“Receivables Entity” means any Person formed for the purposes of engaging in a Qualified Receivables Transaction with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of Receivables of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is the direct parent company of such Receivables Entity, or, if the Receivables Entity

 

19


is not a Subsidiary of the Company, by the Board of Directors of any Restricted Subsidiary participating in such Qualified Receivables Transaction (in each case, as provided below), as a Receivables Entity and:

 

(1) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which:

 

(A) is Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other than a Receivables Entity (excluding any Guarantees (other than Guarantees of the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness and Guarantees of collection on Receivables) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings);

 

(B) is recourse to or obligates the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Receivables Entity) in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings; or

 

(C) subjects any property or asset of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other than a Receivables Entity, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

 

(2) with which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other than a Receivables Entity has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms which the Company reasonably believes to be no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing the Receivables; and

 

(3) to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results (other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings).

 

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the applicable Restricted Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the trustee by filing with the trustee a certified copy of the resolution of such Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

 

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2005, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Company to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.

 

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

 

20


“Related Party” means:

 

(1) any investment fund or other entity controlled by or under common control with the Principals or the principals that control the respective Principals; or

 

(2) any trust, corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, owners or Persons beneficially holding a 50% or more controlling interest of which consist of any one or more Principals and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause (1).

 

“Representative” means this Indenture trustee or other trustee, agent or representative for any Senior Debt.

 

“Reserved Contributions” means the net cash proceeds received by the Company after the date of this Indenture from (a) contributions to its common equity capital and (b) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, in each case that is designated within 60 days of the receipt of such net cash proceeds as a “Reserved Contribution” pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate.

 

“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Division of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated the Securities Act.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Senior Debt” means:

 

(1) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding under Credit Facilities and all obligations under Specified Hedging Agreements;

 

21


(2) any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Guarantee; and

 

(3) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1) and (2).

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding, Senior Debt will not include:

 

(1) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company;

 

(2) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Company;

 

(3) any trade payables; or

 

(4) the portion of any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture; provided that Indebtedness under a Credit Facility will not cease to be Senior Debt under this clause (4) if the lenders obtained a certificate from an officer of the Company as of the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness to the effect that such Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred by this Indenture.

 

“Shelf Registration Statement” means the Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1–02 of Regulation S–X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

“Specified Hedge Agreement” means any Hedge Agreement (a) entered into by (i) any Loan Party and (ii) any Lender or any affiliate thereof, or any Person that was a Lender or an affiliate thereof when such Hedge Agreement was entered into, as counterparty and (b) which has been designated by such Lender and the Company, by notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 90 days after the execution and delivery thereof by any such Loan Party as a Specified Hedge Agreement; provided that the designation of any Hedge Agreement as a Specified Hedge Agreement shall not create in favor of any Lender or affiliate thereof that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or of the obligations of any Credit Agreement guarantor under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

“Standard Securitization Undertakings” means all representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities, performance Guarantees and servicing obligations entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Receivables Entity) which are customary in connection with any Qualified Receivables Transaction.

 

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

 

22


“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency), to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA.

 

“Total Assets” means, as of any date, the consolidated assets as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H. 15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to August 15, 2009; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to August 15, 2009, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

“Trustee” means the party named as such in the preamble to this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

 

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

 

(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

 

(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

 

(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or

 

23


(b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

 

(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09, the Company will be in default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

 

“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(o) under the Securities Act.

 

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

 

(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth), that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

 

(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

“Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” of any specified Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares), will at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

24


Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term


   Defined
in
Section


“Affiliate Transaction”

   4.11

“Asset Sale Offer”

   3.09

“Authentication Order”

   2.02

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.15

“Change of Control Payment”

   4.15

“Change of Control Payment Date”

   4.15

“Covenant Defeasance”

   8.03

“DTC”

   2.03

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Excess Proceeds”

   4.10

“incur”

   4.09

“Initial Lien”

   4.12

“Legal Defeasance”

   8.02

“Offer Amount”

   3.09

“Offer Period”

   3.09

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Permitted Debt”

   4.09

“Purchase Date”

   3.09

“Registrar”

   2.03

“Restricted Payments”

   4.07

 

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

 

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

“indenture securities” means the Notes;

 

“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

 

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

 

“obligor” on the Notes and the Note Guarantees means the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Note Guarantees, respectively.

 

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

 

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

25


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

 

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

 

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

 

(5) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

 

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

 

(7) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the TIA will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

 

ARTICLE 2.

THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

 

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” or “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note,” as the case may be, attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein, and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

 

(c) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

26


Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

 

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

 

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by two Officers (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue. There may be an unlimited aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

 

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon

 

27


any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

 

The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

 

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

 

(1) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary; or

 

(2) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee.

 

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

 

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

 

(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be

 

28


made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

 

(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

 

(A) both:

 

(i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

 

(ii) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

 

(B) both:

 

(i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

 

(ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above.

 

Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

 

(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

29


(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

(C) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and:

 

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

 

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

 

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an

 

30


Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

 

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

 

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

 

(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

 

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

 

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global

 

31


Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

(2) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:

 

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

 

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

 

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

 

(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the

 

32


applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

 

(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

 

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

 

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

33


the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the IAI Global Note.

 

(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

 

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

 

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

 

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

 

(ii) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

 

(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a

 

34


request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

 

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (2)(B), (2)(D) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

 

(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

 

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

 

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

35


(C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

 

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

 

(ii) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate:

 

(1) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered into the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; and

 

(2) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer.

 

Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.

 

(g) Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

(1) Private Placement Legend.

 

36


(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A)(1) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (3) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (4) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (5) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE BLUE SKY LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES.”

 

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

(2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

 

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN

 

37


AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

 

(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 or at the Registrar’s request.

 

(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

 

(3) The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

(4) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(5) The Company will not be required:

 

(A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

 

(B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

 

(C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

 

38


(6) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(7) The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

 

(8) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

 

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

 

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the sole discretion of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

 

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding, and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

 

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, will be considered as though not outstanding if the Holders thereof would not be permitted to vote on such matter pursuant to the TIA, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in

 

39


relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

 

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

 

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

 

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

ARTICLE 3.

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

 

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:

 

(1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

 

(2) the redemption date;

 

40


(3) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

 

(4) the redemption price.

 

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption or purchase on a pro rata basis unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements.

 

In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

 

The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

 

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 12 of this Indenture.

 

The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:

 

(1) the redemption date;

 

(2) the redemption price;

 

(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

 

(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

41


(7) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

 

(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

 

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

 

One Business Day prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

 

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

 

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

 

(a) At any time prior to August 15, 2008, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture (including Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price of 107.75% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of

 

42


one or more Equity Offerings by the Company or a contribution to the Company’s common equity made with the net cash proceeds of a concurrent Equity Offering by the Parent (but excluding any Reserved Contribution); provided that:

 

(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and

 

(2) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

 

(b) The Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to August 15, 2009, at the option of the Company upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to, the applicable redemption date, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date.

 

(c) Except pursuant to the two preceding paragraphs, the Notes are not redeemable at the Company’s option prior to August 15, 2009. The Company is not prohibited, however, from acquiring the Notes by means other than a redemption, whether pursuant to a tender offer or otherwise, assuming such acquisition does not otherwise violate the terms of this Indenture.

 

(d) After August 15, 2009 the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on August 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Year


   Percentage

 

2009

   103.875 %

2010

   101.938 %

2011 and thereafter

   100.000 %

 

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

 

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.

 

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

43


Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

 

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”), it will follow the procedures specified below.

 

The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets. The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

 

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, and Liquidated Damages, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

 

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

 

(1) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

 

(2) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

 

(3) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest;

 

(4) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

 

(5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in integral multiples of $1,000 only;

 

(6) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

 

(7) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

 

(8) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company will select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such adjustments as may be

 

44


deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $1,000, or integral multiples thereof, will be purchased); and

 

(9) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

 

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company will authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

 

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

 

ARTICLE 4.

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

 

The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due. The Company will pay all Liquidated Damages, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Prior to any relevant date of payment, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer Certificate setting forth the amount of any Liquidated Damages to be paid, and the Trustee shall have no liability with respect to the calculation thereof.

 

45


Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

The Company hereby designates the office of the Trustee at 101 Barclay Street, New York, NY, as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

 

Section 4.03 Reports.

 

Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, if not filed electronically with the SEC through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval System (or any successor system), the Company will furnish to the Holders of Notes or cause the Trustee to furnish to the Holders of Notes, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations:

 

(1) all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such reports; and

 

(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.

 

All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Company’s (or the Parent’s if the Parent continues to be a Guarantor of the Notes) consolidated financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants. In addition, the Company will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and will post the reports on its website within those time periods.

 

If, at any time, the Company is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in the preceding paragraphs of this covenant with the SEC within the time periods specified above unless the SEC will not accept such a filing. The Company will not take any action for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC will not accept the Company’s filings for any reason, the Company will post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraphs on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the SEC.

 

46


If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company. The Company’s reporting obligations with respect to the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above will be deemed satisfied in the event that the Parent continues to be a Guarantor of the Notes and files such reports and other information referred to therein in accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X.

 

In addition, the Company agrees that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time it is not required to file with the SEC the reports required by the preceding paragraphs, it will furnish to the Holders of Notes and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

 

(a) The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

(b) So long as not contrary to the then current recommendations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the year-end financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.03 above shall be accompanied by a written statement of the Company’s independent public accountants (who shall be a firm of established national reputation) that in making the examination necessary for certification of such financial statements, nothing has come to their attention that would lead them to believe that the Company has violated any provisions of Article 4 or Article 5 hereof or, if any such violation has occurred, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, it being understood that such accountants shall not be liable directly or indirectly to any Person for any failure to obtain knowledge of any such violation.

 

(c) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

47


Section 4.05 Taxes.

 

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

 

The Company and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.

 

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or its Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

 

(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) (a) any Equity Interests of the Company, (b) any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Company or (c) any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that are owned by an Affiliate of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Notes or any Guarantee (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or

 

(4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

 

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

 

(1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;

 

48


(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.09; and

 

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (11) of the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(a) an amount equal to the Company’s Consolidated Cash Flow from June 30, 2005 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended full fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, taken as a single accounting period, less the product of 1.75 times the Company’s Fixed Charges from June 30, 2005 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended full fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, taken as a single accounting period; plus

 

(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds, and the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors) of any property other than cash that is used or useful in a Permitted Business, received by the Company since the date of this Indenture as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), or the amount by which Indebtedness is reduced on the Company’s balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange of any Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries into Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock or Equity Interests (or debt securities), sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); provided that any proceeds received from any Reserved Contribution will be disregarded for purposes of this clause (3)(b); plus

 

(c) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the net reduction in Restricted Investments that were made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the date of this Indenture in any Person resulting from repurchases, repayments or redemptions of such Investments by such Person, proceeds realized on the sale of such Investments and proceeds representing the return of capital (excluding dividends and distributions), in each case received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and (ii) to the extent such Person is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

The preceding provisions will not prohibit:

 

(1) the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the

 

49


Company), of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from clause (3)(b) of the preceding paragraph; and provided, further that any Reserved Contribution will be disregarded for purposes of this clause (2);

 

(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or any Guarantee with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(4) the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

 

(5) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any distribution, loan or advance to the Parent for the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Parent, in each case held by any former or current employees, officers, directors or consultants of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or their respective estates, spouses or family members under any management equity plan or stock option or other management or employee benefit plan, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2.0 million in any calendar year pursuant to this clause (5); provided that the Company may carry forward and make in a subsequent calendar year, in addition to the amounts permitted for such calendar year, the amount of such purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions or retirements for value permitted to have been made but not made in any preceding calendar year up to a maximum of $6.0 million in any calendar year pursuant to this clause (5); and provided further, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture less any amount previously applied to the payment of Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (5); provided further, that cancellation of the Indebtedness owing to the Company from employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company from such Persons will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provisions of this Indenture;

 

(6) the payment of dividends or other distributions or the making of loans or advances to the Parent in amounts required for the Parent to pay franchise taxes and other fees required to maintain their existence and to provide for all other operating costs of the Parent, including, without limitation, in respect of director fees and expenses, administrative, legal and accounting services provided by third parties and other costs and expenses (including all costs and expenses with respect to filings with the SEC), plus any bona fide indemnification claims made by directors or officers of the Parent;

 

(7) the payment of dividends or other distributions by the Company to the Parent in amounts required to pay the tax obligations of the Parent attributable to the Company and its Subsidiaries determined as if the Company and its Subsidiaries had filed a separate consolidated, combined or unitary return for the relevant taxing jurisdiction; provided that in no event may the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (7) to enable the Parent to pay Federal, state and local taxes (and franchise taxes based on income) exceed the amount of such Federal, state and

 

50


local taxes (and franchise taxes based on income) actually owing by the Parent at such time and any refunds received by the Parent attributable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall promptly be returned by the Parent to the Company;

 

(8) repurchases of Capital Stock of the Company deemed to occur upon the cashless exercise of stock options and warrants;

 

(9) the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the date of this Indenture in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof;

 

(10) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, Investments that are made with Reserved Contributions;

 

(11) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Company; provided, however, that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of the covenant described under this subheading (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company); and

 

(12) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, other Restricted Payments not otherwise permitted pursuant to this covenant in an aggregate amount not to exceed $65.0 million since the date of this Indenture.

 

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash), will be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant will be determined by the Board of Directors whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee. The Board of Directors’ determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the fair market value exceeds $20.0 million. Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by this Section 4.07 were computed, together with a copy of any fairness opinion or appraisal required by this Indenture.

 

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

51


However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

(1) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit Facilities as in effect on the date of this Indenture and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements, provided that the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of this Indenture;

 

(2) this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees;

 

(3) applicable law or rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

 

(5) customary non-assignment provisions in leases, licenses and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

 

(6) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on that property of the nature described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;

 

(7) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of Capital Stock or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary or an agreement entered into for the sale of specified assets that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition;

 

(8) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

(9) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

 

(10) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, assets sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(11) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(12) restrictions on the transfer of assets subject to any Lien permitted under this Indenture imposed by the holder of such Lien;

 

52


(13) Indebtedness incurred after the date of this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing the new Indebtedness are, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to the Holders of the Notes than those contained in the agreements governing Indebtedness that were in effect on the date of this Indenture;

 

(14) other Indebtedness or Preferred Stock that is incurred by a Foreign Subsidiary of the Company subsequent to the date of this Indenture pursuant to clauses (5), (15) or (20) of the second paragraph of Section 4.09 hereof;

 

(15) any encumbrance or restriction existing under or by reason of Indebtedness or other contractual requirements of a Receivables Entity or any Standard Securitization Undertaking, in each case in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; provided that such restrictions apply only to such Receivables Entity and Receivables and Related Assets;

 

(16) other Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (20) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”; and

 

(17) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (16) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to the Holders of Notes than those contained in the applicable contracts, instruments or obligations prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company and any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and any Guarantor may issue preferred stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the preferred stock or Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

 

The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

 

(1) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness and letters of credit under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount

 

53


equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder), not to exceed $460.0 million less:

 

(a) the aggregate principal amount of all then outstanding Indebtedness incurred under clause (2) of this paragraph; and

 

(b) the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture to repay any term Indebtedness under a Credit Facility or to repay any revolving credit Indebtedness under a Credit Facility and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof;

 

(2) Indebtedness incurred by a Receivables Entity in a Qualified Receivables Transaction that is not recourse to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings); provided, however, that after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (2) and then outstanding does not exceed $460.0 million less:

 

(a) the aggregate principal amount of all then outstanding Indebtedness incurred under clause (1) of this paragraph; and

 

(b) the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture to repay any term Indebtedness under a Credit Facility or to repay any revolving credit Indebtedness under a Credit Facility and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof;

 

(3) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;

 

(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the related Guarantees to be issued on the date of this Indenture and the Exchange Notes and the related Guarantees to be issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property (real or personal), plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (5), not to exceed at any time outstanding the greater of $30.0 million and 5.0% of Total Assets;

 

(6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness), that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under the first paragraph of this covenant or clauses (3), (4), (5), (6), (10), (11), (15), (19) or (20) of this paragraph;

 

54


(7) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

 

(a) if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and

 

(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (7);

 

(8) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9) the guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the Guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

 

(10) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims or self insurance; provided, however, that, in each case, upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

 

(11) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Capital Stock for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided that:

 

(a) that Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote or footnotes to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on that balance sheet for purposes of this clause (a)); and

 

(b) the maximum assumable liability in respect of that Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds including noncash proceeds (the fair market value of those noncash proceeds being measured at the time received and without giving effect to

 

55


any subsequent changes in value) actually received by the Company and/or that Restricted Subsidiary in connection with that disposition;

 

(12) the issuance of preferred stock by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Equity Interests or any other event that results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of preferred stock that results in such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, shall be deemed in each case to be an issuance of such shares of preferred stock that was not permitted by this clause (12);

 

(13) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations in respect of performance and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(14) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five business days of its incurrence;

 

(15) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of $20.0 million and 10.0% of the aggregate total assets (as calculated in accordance with GAAP) of all Foreign Subsidiaries;

 

(16) Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by the Company or any Guarantor to current or former officers, directors and employees, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent corporations permitted by Section 4.07 hereof;

 

(17) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent the proceeds of such Indebtedness are deposited and used to defease all Outstanding Notes as described in Sections 8.02, 8.03 and 12.01 hereof;

 

(18) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness incurred in respect of Insurance Financing Arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

 

(19) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of a Person incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Person was acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or merged into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock is not incurred in connection with or in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, such acquisition or merger; and provided, further, that after giving effect to such incurrence of Indebtedness the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of this covenant; and

 

(20) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable), at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (20), not to exceed $50.0 million.

 

56


For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (20) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this covenant. Indebtedness under Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which Notes are first issued and authenticated under this Indenture will be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued. Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.

 

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

 

(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

 

(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and

 

(3) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

 

(a) the fair market value of such asset at the date of determination, and

 

(b) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

 

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

 

(1) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of;

 

(2) the fair market value is determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee; and

 

57


(3) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following (and any combination thereof) will be deemed to be cash:

 

(a) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Guarantee), that are expressly assumed by the transferee of any such assets;

 

(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion;

 

(c) any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (2) or (4) of the next paragraph of this Section 4.10; and

 

(d) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Asset Sale having a fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (d) that is at the time outstanding, not to exceed 5% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Noncash Consideration.

 

Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may apply those Net Proceeds, at its option:

 

(1) to repay Senior Debt and, if the Senior Debt repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

 

(2) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Stock of, another Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3) to make a capital expenditure; or

 

(4) to acquire other long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business.

 

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture; provided that if during such 365-day period the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company enters into a definitive binding agreement committing it to apply such Net Proceeds in accordance with the requirements of clause (2), (3) or (4) of the immediately preceding paragraph after such 365th day, such 365-day period will be extended with respect to the amount of Net Proceeds so committed for a period not to exceed 180 days until such Net Proceeds are required to be applied in accordance with such agreement (or, if earlier, until termination of such agreement).

 

Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20.0 million, within 30 days thereof the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset

 

58


Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee will select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

 

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

 

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

 

(1) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

 

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee:

 

(a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $5.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this covenant and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors; and

 

(b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.

 

The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:

 

(1) any employment agreement or other compensation arrangements or agreements entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2) transactions between or among the Company and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

59


(3) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries owns an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

 

(4) payment of customary directors fees and expenses to directors of Parent, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the provision and payment of customary indemnification to directors and officers of the Company;

 

(5) issuances of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) to Affiliates of the Company;

 

(6) Restricted Payments that are permitted by Section 4.07;

 

(7) loans or advances by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to employees of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are entered into in the ordinary course of business and that are approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all such loans or advances do not exceed $5.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(8) transactions with Transaction Network Services Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

 

(9) transactions effected pursuant to the agreements described in the Company’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” as the same are in effect on the date of this Indenture or any amendment, modification or replacement to such agreement (so long as the amendment, modification or replacement is not disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes in any respect);

 

(10) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture that are fair to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company or the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as would reasonably have been entered into at such time with an unaffiliated party; and

 

(11) any transaction effected as part of a Qualified Receivables Transaction.

 

Section 4.12 Liens.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness or trade payables (other than Permitted Liens) on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired, without effectively providing that the Notes shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) the obligations so secured for so long as such obligations are so secured.

 

Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to the preceding sentence shall provide by its terms that such Lien (the “Initial Lien”) shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Initial Lien.

 

60


Section 4.13 Business Activities.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Section 4.14 Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

 

(1) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and

 

(2) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 4.15 Change of Control.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages on the Notes repurchased, if any, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”), subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:

 

(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;

 

(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no later than 30 business days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

 

(3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

 

(4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

61


(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and

 

(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof.

 

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change in Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Sections 3.09 or 4.15 of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 or this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

 

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

 

(1) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

 

(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.

 

The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof.

 

(c) Prior to complying with any of the provisions of this Section 4.15, but in any event within 90 days following a Change of Control, the Company will either repay all outstanding Senior Debt or obtain the requisite consents, if any, under all agreements governing outstanding Senior Debt to permit the repurchase of Notes required by this Section 4.15. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and Section 3.09 hereof and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to this Indenture as described above under Section 3.07, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price. A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control or conditional upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.

 

62


Section 4.16 No Layering of Debt.

 

The Company will not incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Senior Debt of the Company and senior in right of payment to the Notes. No Guarantor will incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Senior Debt of such Guarantor and senior in right of payment to such Guarantor’s Guarantee. No such Indebtedness will be considered to be senior in right of payment by virtue of being secured on a first or junior priority basis.

 

Section 4.17 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of Section 4.07 or Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the redesignation would not cause a Default.

 

Section 4.18 Payments for Consent.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

Section 4.19 Additional Note Guarantees.

 

If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, and such Domestic Subsidiary Guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its other Restricted Subsidiaries, then that newly acquired or created Domestic Subsidiary will become a Guarantor and execute a supplemental indenture and deliver an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Trustee within 20 Business Days of the date on which it Guaranteed Indebtedness of the Company or any of its other Restricted Subsidiaries, except for Domestic Subsidiaries that have properly been designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance with this Indenture for so long as they continue to constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this covenant will not apply to any Receivables Entity.

 

Section 4.20 Changes in Covenants When Notes Rated Investment Grade

 

If on any date following the date of this Indenture:

 

(1) the Notes are rated Baa3 (with a stable outlook) or better by Moody’s and BBB- (with a stable outlook) or better by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally

 

63


recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency); and

 

(2) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,

 

then, beginning on that day and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the provisions of Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.19, 4.11, 4.17 and clause (4)(b) of Section 5.01 will be suspended.

 

During any period that the foregoing Sections have been suspended, the Company’s Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant Section 4.17 or the second paragraph of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.”

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the rating assigned by either such rating agency should subsequently decline to below Baa3 (with a stable outlook) or BBB- (with a stable outlook), respectively, the foregoing covenants will be reinstituted as of and from the date of such rating decline. Calculations under Section 4.07 will be made as if Section 4.07 had been in effect since the date of this Indenture except that no default will be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment made while that covenant was suspended.

 

ARTICLE 5.

SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

 

The Company may not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:

 

(1) either: (a) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is either (i) a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia or (ii) is a partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia that has at least one Restricted Subsidiary that is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia which corporation becomes a co-issuer of the Notes pursuant to a supplemental indenture duly and validly executed by the Trustee;

 

(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

 

(3) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

64


(4) except in the case of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into a Guarantor, either:

 

(a) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.09; or

 

(b) on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transaction, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the pro forma Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company will exceed the actual Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company on such date.

 

In addition, the Company may not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. This Section 5.01 will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.

 

ARTICLE 6.

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

 

Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

 

(1) the Company defaults for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Notes whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2) the Company defaults in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes, whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of this Indenture;

 

(3) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to comply with the provisions of Section 4.10 or 4.15 hereof;

 

65


(4) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to observe or perform any other covenant, representation, warranty or other agreement in this Indenture for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class;

 

(5) a default occurs under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default:

 

(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal on such Indebtedness at the Stated Maturity thereof (a “Payment Default”); or

 

(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

 

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $20.0 million or more;

 

(6) a final judgment or final judgments for the payment of money are entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, which judgment or judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days after such judgment becomes final and non-appealable; provided that the aggregate of all such undischarged judgments exceeds $20.0 million;

 

(7) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

 

(a) commences a voluntary case;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(e) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

 

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

 

(a) is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(b) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a

 

66


whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

 

(c) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

 

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

 

(9) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee (other than a Note Guarantee issued by a Subsidiary that is not a Significant Subsidiary) is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Note Guarantee (other than a Guarantee issued by a Subsidiary that is not a Significant Subsidiary).

 

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

 

In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to the Company any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately; provided, that so long as any Obligations pursuant to the Credit Agreement shall be outstanding or the commitments thereunder shall not have expired or been terminated, such acceleration will not be effective until the earlier of (1) the acceleration of any such Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement or (2) five Business Days after receipt by the Company and the Credit Agent of written notice of such acceleration. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

 

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the Holders rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest or premium that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

 

If an Event of Default occurs on or after August 15, 2009 by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, then, upon acceleration of the Notes, an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable, to the extent permitted by law, anything in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default occurs prior to August 15, 2009 by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the Notes prior to such date, then, upon acceleration of the Notes, an additional premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable in an amount, for each of the years beginning on August 15 of the years set forth below, as set forth below (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes on the date of payment that would otherwise be due but for the provisions of this sentence):

 

Year


   Percentage

 

2005

   7.750 %

2006

   6.781 %

2007

   5.812 %

2008

   4.843 %

 

67


Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

 

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

 

A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

 

(1) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

 

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(3) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and

 

68


(5) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

 

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.

 

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

69


Section 6.10 Priorities.

 

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any and interest, respectively; and

 

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

ARTICLE 7.

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

 

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

 

70


(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

 

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

 

(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

 

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee in its discretion may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney and shall, absent its bad faith, incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

71


(g) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder, absent bad faith on the part the of Trustee (in any such capacity) or of such agent, custodian or other Person.

 

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

 

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

 

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

 

(a) Within 60 days after each August 15 beginning with the August 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the 12 months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

 

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes will be mailed by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

 

72


Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

 

(a) The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

(b) The Company and the Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Guarantor will defend the claim, and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel, and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(c) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

(d) To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

 

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

 

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

 

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

 

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

73


(3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

 

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).

 

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

 

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

74


ARTICLE 8.

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

 

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

 

(2) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

 

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(4) this Article 8.

 

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

 

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18 and 4.19 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to

 

75


the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(5) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

 

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

 

(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in United States dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

 

(2) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

 

(A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

 

(B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

 

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(3) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

 

76


(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others; and

 

(7) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 8.06 Repayment to Company.

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a

 

77


date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 9.

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

 

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes without the consent of any Holder of a Note:

 

(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

 

(3) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Company pursuant to Article 5 hereof;

 

(4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder of the Note;

 

(5) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(6) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Company’s Offering Memorandum dated August 18, 2005, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in the Description of Notes was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or the Notes;

 

(7) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof; or

 

(8) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes.

 

78


Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

 

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Note Guarantees and the Notes with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes).

 

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

 

It is not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

 

(1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof;

 

79


(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

 

(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

 

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes;

 

(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by one of the covenants described in Sections 4.10 or 4.15);

 

(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

 

(9) make any change in the amendment and waiver provisions in clauses (1) through (8) of this Section 9.02.

 

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

 

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

 

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

80


Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

 

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04 hereof, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE 10.

SUBORDINATION

 

Section 10.01 Agreement to Subordinate.

 

The Company agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Note agrees, that the Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article 10, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt (whether outstanding on the date hereof or hereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed), and that the subordination is for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt.

 

Section 10.02 Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.

 

Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property, in an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshaling of the Company’s assets and liabilities:

 

(1) holders of Senior Debt will be entitled to receive payment in full of all Obligations due in respect of such Senior Debt (including interest after the commencement of any bankruptcy proceeding at the rate specified in the applicable Senior Debt) before the Holders of Notes will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution with respect to the Notes (except that Holders of Notes may receive and retain Permitted Junior Securities and payments made from any defeasance trust created pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof); and

 

(2) until all Obligations with respect to Senior Debt (as provided in clause (1) above) are paid in full, any distribution to which Holders would be entitled but for this Article 10 will be made to holders of Senior Debt (except that Holders of Notes may receive and retain Permitted Junior Securities and payments made from any defeasance trust created pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof), as their interests may appear.

 

Section 10.03 Default on Designated Senior Debt.

 

(a) The Company may not make any payment or distribution to the Trustee or any Holder in respect of Obligations with respect to the Notes and may not acquire from the Trustee or any Holder any Notes for cash or property (other than Permitted Junior Securities and payments made from any defeasance trust created pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof) until all principal and other Obligations with respect to the Senior Debt have been paid in full if:

 

(1) payment default on Senior Debt occurs; or

 

81


(2) any other default occurs and is continuing on any series of Designated Senior Debt that permits holders of that series of Designated Senior Debt to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of such default (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) from the Company or the holders of any Designated Senior Debt. If the Trustee receives any such Payment Blockage Notice, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice will be effective for purposes of this Section unless and until (A) at least 365 days have elapsed since the effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice and (B) all scheduled payments of principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the Notes that have come due have been paid in full in cash.

 

No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee may be, or may be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice unless such default has have been waived for a period of not less than 90 days.

 

(b) The Company may and will resume payments on and distributions in respect of the Notes and may acquire them upon the earlier of:

 

(1) in the case of a payment default, upon the date upon which such default is cured or waived, or

 

(2) in the case of a nonpayment default, upon the earliest of (a) the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived, (b) 179 days after the date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received, and (c) the date on which the Trustee receives notice from the Representative for such Designated Senior Debt rescinding the Payment Blockage Notice, unless the maturity of any Designated Senior Debt has been accelerated,

 

if this Article 10 otherwise permits the payment, distribution or acquisition at the time of such payment or acquisition.

 

No new Payment Blockage Notice may be delivered unless and until 365 days have elapsed since the delivery of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice.

 

Section 10.04 Acceleration of Notes.

 

If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company will promptly notify holders of Senior Debt of the acceleration.

 

Section 10.05 When Distribution Must Be Paid Over.

 

In the event that the Trustee or any Holder receives any payment of any Obligations with respect to the Notes (other than Permitted Junior Securities and payments made from any defeasance trust created pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof) at a time when a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or such Holder, as applicable, has actual knowledge that such payment is prohibited by Section 10.04 hereof, such payment will be held by the Trustee or such Holder, in trust for the benefit of, and will be paid forthwith over and delivered, upon written request, to, the holders of Senior Debt as their interests may appear or their Representative under the agreement, indenture or other document (if any) pursuant to which Senior Debt may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to the payment of all Obligations with respect to Senior Debt remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Obligations in full in accordance with their terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Debt.

 

82


With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform only those obligations on the part of the Trustee as are specifically set forth in this Article 10, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Debt will be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee will not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt, and will not be liable to any such holders if the Trustee pays over or distributes to or on behalf of Holders or the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holders of Senior Debt are then entitled by virtue of this Article 10, except if such payment is made as a result of the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Trustee.

 

Section 10.06 Notice by Company.

 

The Company will promptly notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent of any facts known to the Company that would cause a payment of any Obligations with respect to the Notes to violate this Article 10, but failure to give such notice will not affect the subordination of the Notes to the Senior Debt as provided in this Article 10.

 

Section 10.07 Subrogation.

 

After all Senior Debt is paid in full and until the Notes are paid in full, Holders of Notes will be subrogated (equally and ratably with all other Indebtedness pari passu with the Notes) to the rights of holders of Senior Debt to receive distributions applicable to Senior Debt to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to the Holders of Notes have been applied to the payment of Senior Debt. A distribution made under this Article 10 to holders of Senior Debt that otherwise would have been made to Holders of Notes is not, as between the Company and Holders, a payment by the Company on the Notes.

 

Section 10.08 Relative Rights.

 

This Article 10 defines the relative rights of Holders of Notes and holders of Senior Debt. Nothing in this Indenture will:

 

(1) impair, as between the Company and Holders of Notes, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of, premium and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes in accordance with their terms;

 

(2) affect the relative rights of Holders of Notes and creditors of the Company other than their rights in relation to holders of Senior Debt; or

 

(3) prevent the Trustee or any Holder of Notes from exercising its available remedies upon a Default or Event of Default, subject to the rights of holders and owners of Senior Debt to receive distributions and payments otherwise payable to Holders of Notes.

 

If the Company fails because of this Article 10 to pay principal of, premium or interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on a Note on the due date, the failure is still a Default or Event of Default.

 

Section 10.09 Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company.

 

No right of any holder of Senior Debt to enforce the subordination of the Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes may be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or any Holder or by the failure of the Company or any Holder to comply with this Indenture.

 

83


Section 10.10 Distribution or Notice to Representative.

 

Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Debt, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative.

 

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article 10, the Trustee and the Holders of Notes will be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction or upon any certificate of such Representative or of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making any distribution to the Trustee or to the Holders of Notes for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 10.

 

Section 10.11 Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 10 or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee will not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment or distribution by the Trustee, and the Trustee and the Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the Notes, unless the Trustee has received at its Corporate Trust Office at least five Business Days prior to the date of such payment written notice of facts that would cause the payment of any Obligations with respect to the Notes to violate this Article 10. Only the Company or a Representative may give the notice. Nothing in this Article 10 will impair the claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Debt with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights.

 

Section 10.12 Authorization to Effect Subordination.

 

Each Holder of Notes, by the Holder’s acceptance thereof, authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article 10, and appoints the Trustee to act as such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. If the Trustee does not file a proper proof of claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to in Section 6.09 hereof at least 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim, the Representatives are hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 10.13 Amendments.

 

The provisions of this Article 10 may not be amended or modified without the written consent of the holders of all Senior Debt.

 

ARTICLE 11.

NOTE GUARANTEES

 

Section 11.01. Guarantee.

 

(a) Subject to this Article 11, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

 

(1) the principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

 

84


(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

 

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

 

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

 

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

 

Section 11.02. Subordination of Note Guarantee.

 

The Obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guarantee pursuant to this Article 11 will be junior and subordinated to the Senior Debt of such Guarantor on the same basis as the Notes are junior and subordinated to Senior Debt of the Company. For the purposes of the foregoing sentence, the Trustee and the Holders will have the right to receive and/or retain payments by any of the Guarantors only at such times as they may receive and/or retain payments in respect of the Notes pursuant to this Indenture, including Article 10 hereof.

 

85


Section 11.03. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

 

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 11, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

Section 11.04. Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.

 

To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto will be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

 

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01 will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

 

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

 

In the event that the Company creates or acquires any Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, if required by Section 4.24 hereof, the Company will cause such Domestic Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.24 hereof and this Article 11, to the extent applicable.

 

Section 11.05. Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.06, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

 

(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(2) either:

 

(a) the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under the Registration Rights Agreement and, pursuant to a

 

86


supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, under the Notes, this Indenture and the Note Guarantee on the terms set forth herein or therein; and

 

(b) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation, Section 4.10 hereof.

 

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Note Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

 

Section 11.06. Release of Guarantees.

 

The Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:

 

(1) in the event of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all the Capital Stock of any Guarantor, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transactions) the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof;

 

(2) if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.17;

 

(3) upon legal defeasance, covenant defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the Notes as provided under Sections 8.02. 8.03 and 12.01 hereof.

 

(4) at such time as such Subsidiary Guarantor does not have any Indebtedness outstanding that would have required such Subsidiary Guarantor to become a Guarantor pursuant to the covenant described under Section 4.19 hereof; or

 

(5) in connection with the sale, disposition or transfer of all of the assets of a Guarantor to another Guarantor or the Company.

 

87


Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any applicable Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

 

Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee will remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 11.

 

ARTICLE 12.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 12.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

 

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

 

(1) either:

 

(a) all Notes that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

 

(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

 

(3) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

 

(4) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

 

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

 

88


Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the provisions of Section 12.02 and Section 8.06 will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 12.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

Section 12.02 Application of Trust Money.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 12.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.01; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 13.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the imposed duties will control.

 

Section 13.02 Notices.

 

Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

 

If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

 

Syniverse Technologies, Inc.

One Tampa City Center, Suite 700

Tampa, Florida 33602

Telecopier No.: (813) 273-3430

Attention: Robert Garcia, Jr.

 

With a copy to:

Kirkland & Ellis

Aon Center

200 East Randolph Drive

 

89


Chicago, Illinois 60601

Telecopier No.: (312) 861-2200

Attention: Dennis M. Myers

 

If to the Trustee:

 

The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.

2 North La Salle Street, Suite 1020

Chicago, Illinois 60602

Telecopier No.: (312) 827-8542/3

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

 

The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Section 13.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

 

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

 

90


Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and must include:

 

(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

 

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

 

Section 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

Section 13.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

 

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member or managing member of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. This waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

 

Section 13.08 Governing Law.

 

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

Section 13.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

91


Section 13.10 Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.05.

 

Section 13.11 Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 13.12 Counterpart Originals.

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

Section 13.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

[Signatures on following page]

 

92


 

SIGNATURES

 

Dated as of August 24, 2005

 

SYNIVERSE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:

 

Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:

 

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

SYNIVERSE HOLDINGS, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:

 

Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:

 

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

SYNIVERSE BRIENCE, LLC

By:

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:

 

Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:

 

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

SYNIVERSE TECHNOLOGIES OF VIRGINIA, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:

 

Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:

 

Secretary and Treasurer

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

By:

 

/s/ J. Bartolini

   

Name:

 

J. Bartolini

   

Title:

 

Vice President

 

93

EX-10.1 3 dex101.htm PURCHASE AGREEMENT Purchase Agreement

Exhibit 10.1

 

$175,000,000

 

SYNIVERSE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

7¾% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2013

 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

August 18, 2005

 

Lehman Brothers Inc.

745 7th Avenue

New York, New York 10019

 

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

60 Wall Street

New York, New York 10005

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Syniverse Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes, upon the terms and considerations set forth herein, to issue and sell to you, as the initial purchasers (the “Initial Purchasers”), $175,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7 ¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the “Notes”). The Notes will (i) have terms and provisions which are summarized in the Offering Memorandum (as defined below) dated as of the date hereof and (ii) are to be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the “Indenture”) to be entered into between the Company, the Guarantors (as defined below) and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Company’s obligations under the Notes, including the due and punctual payment of interest on the Notes, will be unconditionally guaranteed (the “Guarantee”) by Syniverse Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”), Syniverse Technologies of Virginia, Inc. (“Syniverse Virginia”) and Syniverse Brience LLC (“Syniverse Brience”) (each, a “Guarantor” and together, the “Guarantors”). As used herein, the term “Notes” shall include the Guarantees thereof by the Guarantors, unless the context otherwise requires. This is to confirm the agreement concerning the purchase of the Notes from the Company by the Initial Purchasers.

 

1. Preliminary Offering Memorandum and Offering Memorandum. The Notes will be offered and sold to the Initial Purchasers without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), in reliance on an exemption pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Act. The Company and the Guarantors have prepared a preliminary offering memorandum, dated August 15, 2005 (the “Preliminary Offering Memorandum”), and an offering memorandum, to be dated August 18, 2005 (the “Offering Memorandum”), setting forth information regarding the Company, the Guarantors, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Exchange Notes (as defined herein) and the Exchange Guarantees (as defined herein) and incorporating by reference the Annual


Report on Form 10-K of Syniverse Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”) and the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of Holdings and the Company for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005, and the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on August 27, 2004, November 16, 2004, February 18, 2005 and May 6, 2005 (collectively, the “Exchange Act Documents”), each as filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any references herein to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum shall be deemed to include all amendments and supplements thereto and the Exchange Act Documents. The Company and the Guarantors hereby confirm that they have authorized the use of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum in connection with the offering and resale of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers.

 

It is understood and acknowledged that upon original issuance thereof, and until such time as the same is no longer required under the applicable requirements of the Act, the Notes (and all securities issued in exchange therefor, in substitution thereof), shall bear the following legend (along with such other legends as the Initial Purchasers and their counsel deem necessary):

 

“THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A)(1) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (3) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (4) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (5) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE BLUE SKY LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES.”

 

The Initial Purchasers have advised the Company that they will make offers (the “Exempt Resales”) of the Notes purchased by the Initial Purchasers hereunder on the terms set forth in the Offering Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, solely to (i) persons whom the Initial Purchasers reasonably believe to be “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Act (“QIBs”) and (ii) outside the United States to certain persons in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Act specified in clauses (i) and (ii) being referred to herein as the “Eligible Purchasers”. The Initial Purchasers will offer the Notes to Eligible Purchasers initially at a price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount thereof. Such price may be changed at any time without notice.

 

Holders (including subsequent transferees), of the Notes will have the registration rights set forth in the registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), to be dated the Closing Date (as defined herein), in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, for so long as

 

2


such Notes constitute “Transfer Restricted Securities” (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will agree to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the circumstances set forth therein, a registration statement under the Act (the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement”) relating to the Company’s 7 ¾% Exchange Notes due 2013 (the “Exchange Notes”) and the Guarantor’s Exchange Guarantees (the “Exchange Guarantees”) to be offered in exchange for the Notes and the Guarantees, such portion of the offering is referred to as the “Exchange Offer.”

 

2. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, represent, warrant and agree that:

 

(a) When the Notes are issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, such Notes will not be of the same class (within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act) as securities of the Company that are listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or that are quoted in a United States automated inter-dealer quotation system.

 

(b) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Notes and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum, will be, an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

(c) The Company and each of the Guarantors has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into the Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and the Guarantors and, when executed by the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will be validly executed and delivered and (assuming the due execution and delivery thereof by the Initial Purchasers), will be the legally valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, enforceable against the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditor’s rights generally, by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and, as to rights of indemnification and contribution, by principles of public policy. The Registration Rights Agreement will conform to the description thereof in the Offering Memorandum.

 

(d) Assuming that the Initial Purchasers’ representations and warranties in Section 3(b) are true, the purchase and resale of the Notes pursuant hereto (including pursuant to the Exempt Resales), is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act. No form of general solicitation or general advertising was used by the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective representatives (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation), in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes, including, but not limited to, articles, notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine, or

 

3


similar medium or broadcast over television or radio or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising.

 

(e) Each of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum, as of its date, contains all the information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act.

 

(f) The Preliminary Offering Memorandum and Offering Memorandum with respect to the Notes have both been prepared by the Company and the Guarantors for use by the Initial Purchasers in connection with the Exempt Resales. No order or decree preventing the use of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum, or any order asserting that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the registration requirements of the Act has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has commenced or is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of the Guarantors, is contemplated.

 

(g) The Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum as of their respective dates and the Offering Memorandum as of the Closing Date (as defined below), did not or will not at any time 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, except that this representation and warranty does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and Offering Memorandum made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Initial Purchasers furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers expressly for use therein.

 

(h) The market-related and customer-related data and estimates included under the captions “Summary” and “Business” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum is based on or derived from sources which the Company believes to be reliable.

 

(i) The Company and each Guarantor have been duly incorporated or formed and are validly existing as corporations or limited liability companies, as the case may be, in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions (except for a failure of Syniverse Virginia to be in good standing under the laws of its state of formation which would not have a material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), stockholders’ equity, prospects or results of operations (a “Material Adverse Effect”) of the Company and the Guarantors, taken as a whole), are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing as foreign corporations or limited liability companies, as the case may be, in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and each Guarantor, as the case may be, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged, except where such failure to have such power and authority would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and each Guarantor; and except for Syniverse Brience, LLC, none of the subsidiaries of the Company is a “significant subsidiary”, as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations.

 

4


(j) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Offering Memorandum, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and (except for directors’ qualifying shares), are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims except as otherwise disclosed in the Offering Memorandum and except for such liens, encumbrances, equities or claims that would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(k) The Indenture has been duly and validly authorized by the Company and the Guarantors, and upon its execution and delivery and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Trustee, will constitute the valid and binding agreement of the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable against the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles; no qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “1939 Act”) is required in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes contemplated hereby or in connection with the Exempt Resales. The Indenture will conform to the description thereof in the Offering Memorandum.

 

(l) The Notes have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and when duly executed by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and, assuming due authentication of the Notes by the Trustee, upon delivery to the Initial Purchasers against payment therefor in accordance with the terms hereof, will have been validly issued and delivered, and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles. The Notes will conform to the description thereof in the Offering Memorandum.

 

(m) The Exchange Notes have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and if and when duly issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered in accordance with the Exchange Offer provided for in the Registration Rights Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

 

(n) The Guarantees have been duly and validly authorized by the Guarantors and when duly executed and delivered by the Guarantors in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and upon the due execution, authentication and delivery of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture and the issuance of the Notes in the sale to the Initial Purchasers contemplated by this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable

 

5


against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Guarantors’ obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles. The Guarantees will conform to the description thereof in the Offering Memorandum.

 

(o) The Exchange Guarantees have been duly and validly authorized by the Guarantors and if and when duly executed and delivered by the Guarantors in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and upon the due execution and authentication of the Exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture and the issuance and delivery of the Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantors, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Guarantors’ obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

 

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

 

(q) The issue and sale of the Notes and the Guarantees and the compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with all of the provisions of the Notes, the Guarantees, the Exchange Notes, the Exchange Guarantees, the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated (including, without limitation, consummation of the tender offer and consent solicitation pursuant to the terms of the offer to purchase and consent solicitation statement dated August 8, 2005) will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is subject except where such conflict, breach, violation or default would not have a Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Formation, partnership agreement or By-laws or other organizational documents, as applicable, of the Company or any of the Guarantors or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries or any of their properties; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Notes and the Guarantees or the consummation by the Company and the Guarantors of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or the Indenture, except for the filing of a registration statement by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Act pursuant to the Registration Right Agreement hereof and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers, except where such failure to have such consents, approvals,

 

6


authorizations, registrations or qualifications would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, each of the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries.

 

(r) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company owned (other than that certain Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 27, 2001, by and among the Company, Syniverse Holdings, Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc. and that certain Registration Agreement, dated February 14, 2002, among Syniverse Holdings, Inc., GTCR Fund VII, L.P., GTCR Fund VII/A, L.P., GTCR Co-Invest, L.P., G. Edward Evans and the other signatories thereto) or to be owned by such person or to require the Company to include such securities in the securities registered pursuant to Registration Rights Agreement or in any securities being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act.

 

(s) During the six-month period preceding the date of the Offering Memorandum, none of the Company, the Guarantors or any other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Guarantor has offered or sold to any person any Notes or Guarantees, or any securities of the same or a similar class as the Notes or Guarantees, other than Notes or Guarantees offered or sold to the Initial Purchasers hereunder. The Company and the Guarantors will take reasonable precautions designed to insure that any offer or sale, direct or indirect, in the United States or to any U.S. person (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act), of any Notes or Guarantees or any substantially similar security issued by the Company or any Guarantor, within six months subsequent to the date on which the distribution of the Notes and the Guarantees has been completed (as notified to the Company by the Initial Purchasers), is made under restrictions and other circumstances reasonably designed not to affect the status of the offer and sale of the Notes and the Guarantees in the United States and to U.S. persons contemplated by this Agreement as transactions exempt from the registration provisions of the Securities Act; including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulations D or S of, the Securities Act.

 

(t) Neither the Company, any Guarantor nor any of their respective subsidiaries has sustained, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Offering Memorandum, any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum; and, since such date, there has not been any change in the capital stock (other than grants or exercises of stock options pursuant to employee stock option plans or other employee benefit plans from shares reserved for issuance under such plans) or long-term debt (other than scheduled principal payments on its senior credit facility, the partial tender for its existing 123/4% senior subordinated notes due 2009 and the refinancing of its previous senior credit facility) of the Company, any Guarantor or any of their respective subsidiaries or any material adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company, any Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum.

 

7


(u) The financial statements (including the related notes and supporting schedules), included in the Offering Memorandum present fairly the financial condition and results of operations of the entities purported to be shown thereby, at the dates and for the periods indicated, and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved.

 

(v) Ernst & Young, who have certified certain financial statements included in the Offering Memorandum, whose report appears in the Offering Memorandum and who have delivered the initial letter referred to in Section 7(e) hereof, are independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.

 

(w) KPMG, who have certified certain financial statements included in the Offering Memorandum, whose report appears in the Offering Memorandum and who have delivered the initial letter referred to in Section 7(g) hereof, are independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.

 

(x) The Company, the Guarantors and each of their respective subsidiaries have good title in fee simple to all real property and good title to all personal property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Offering Memorandum or such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries; and all real property and buildings held under lease by the Company, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases (except as such enforceability may be limited by laws relating to bankruptcy and general principles of equity), with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries.

 

(y) The Company and each of its subsidiaries carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries.

 

(z) The Company and each of its subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights and licenses necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses and do not believe that the conduct of their respective businesses will conflict with, and have not received any notice of any claim of conflict with, any such rights of others.

 

(aa) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries, would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries; and to the best of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ knowledge, no

 

8


such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others.

 

(ab) No relationship, direct or indirect, required to be described under Item 404 of Regulation S-K, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries on the one hand, and the directors, officers or stockholders of the Company or any of its subsidiaries on the other hand, which is not described in the Offering Memorandum.

 

(ac) No labor disturbance by the employees of the Company exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

(ad) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ERISA”); no “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA), has occurred with respect to any “pension plan” (as defined in ERISA), for which the Company would have any liability; the Company has not incurred and does not expect to incur liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “pension plan” or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the “Code”); and each “pension plan” for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

 

(ae) The Company and the Guarantors have filed all federal, state and local income and franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof or has timely requested extensions thereof and have paid all taxes due thereon (except for those taxes that are currently being contested in good faith), and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries which has had (nor does the Company or the Guarantors have any knowledge of any tax deficiency which, if determined adversely to the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries, would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries.

 

(af) Since the date as of which information is given in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum through the date hereof, and except as may otherwise be disclosed or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum, neither the Company nor the Guarantors have (i) issued or granted any securities (other than grants or exercises of stock options pursuant to employee stock option plans or other employee benefit plans from shares reserved for issuance under such plans), (ii) incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, other than liabilities and obligations which were incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii) entered into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of business or (iv) declared or paid any dividend on its capital stock.

 

(ag) The Company and the Guarantors (i) make and keep accurate books and records and (ii) maintain internal accounting controls which provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization, (B) transactions

 

9


are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements and to maintain accountability for its assets, (C) access to their respective assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s authorization and (D) the reported accountability for their respective assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals.

 

(ah) Neither the Company, the Guarantors nor any of their respective subsidiaries (i) is in violation of its charter or by-laws, (ii) is in default in any respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject or (iii) is in violation in any respect of any law, ordinance, governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or its property or assets may be subject or has failed to obtain any license, permit, certificate, franchise or other governmental authorization or permit necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business, except, with regard to (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, for such defaults, violations or failures that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries.

 

(ai) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, has used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

 

(aj) There has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture, refinement, transportation, handling or treatment of toxic wastes, medical wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their predecessors in interest), at, upon or from any of the property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or its subsidiaries in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would require remedial action under any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or remedial action which would not have, or would not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such violations and remedial actions, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its subsidiaries; there has been no material spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries have knowledge, except for any such spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which would not have or would not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such spills, discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes, dumpings and releases, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its subsidiaries; and the terms “hazardous wastes”, “toxic wastes”, “hazardous substances” and “medical wastes” shall have the meanings specified in any applicable local, state, federal and foreign laws or regulations with respect to environmental protection.

 

10


(ak) None of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes), will violate or result in a violation of Section 7 of the Exchange Act, or any regulation promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulations T, U, and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

(al) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries does business with the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba within the meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes.

 

(am) The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that (i) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within those entities in order for timely decisions for required disclosure in the periodic reports required to be filed by the Company under the Exchange Act; (ii) have been evaluated for effectiveness and presented in the Company’s most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the Commission (the “Report”) as of the end of the period covered by such Report based on such evaluation and (iii) are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established.

 

(an) Based on the evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures, the Company is not aware of (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the design or operation of its internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

(ao) Since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that would significantly affect the Company’s internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

3. Purchase of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers, Agreements to Sell, Purchase and Resell

 

(a) The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Initial Purchasers contained herein and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers and, upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Guarantors herein contained and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Initial Purchaser, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of 97.75% of the principal amount thereof, the total principal amount of Notes set forth opposite the name of such Initial Purchaser in Schedule 1 hereto. The Company and the Guarantors shall not be obligated to deliver any of the securities to be delivered hereunder except (i) upon payment for all of the securities to be purchased as provided herein and (ii) prior to or concurrently with the Closing, the Company shall have obtained consents from and purchased at

 

11


least a majority of the Company’s outstanding 12-3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2009 pursuant to the terms of the offer to purchase and consent solicitation statement dated August 8, 2005.

 

(b) Each of the Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to the Company and the Guarantors that it will offer the Notes for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Offering Memorandum. Each of the Initial Purchasers hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company and the Guarantors that it: (i) is a QIB with such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as are necessary in order to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in the Notes; (ii) is purchasing the Notes pursuant to a private sale exempt from registration under the Act; (iii) in connection with the Exempt Resales, will solicit offers to buy the Notes only from, and will offer to sell the Notes only to, the Eligible Purchasers in accordance with this Agreement and on the terms contemplated by the Offering Memorandum; and (iv) will not offer or sell the Notes, nor has it offered or sold the Notes by, or otherwise engaged in, any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D; including, but not limited to, advertisements, articles, notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar medium or broadcast over television or radio, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising), in connection with the offering of the Notes. The Initial Purchasers have advised the Company that they will offer the Notes to Eligible Purchasers at a price initially equal to 100.000% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of issuance of the Notes. Such price may be changed by the Initial Purchasers at any time thereafter without notice.

 

(c) Each of the Initial Purchasers understands that the Company and the Guarantors and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Sections 7(c) and 7(d) hereof, counsel to the Company and counsel to the Initial Purchasers, will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the foregoing representations, warranties and agreements and the Initial Purchasers hereby consents to such reliance.

 

4. Delivery of and Payment for the Stock. Delivery of the Notes and Payment Therefor. Delivery to the Initial Purchasers of and payment for the Notes shall be made at the office of Latham & Watkins LLP, 53rd at Third, 885 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (the “Closing Location”) at 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on August 24, 2005 (the “Closing Date”). Such delivery and payment shall be referred to herein as the “Closing”. The Closing Location and the Closing Date may be varied by agreement between the Initial Purchasers and the Company. A meeting will be held at the Closing Location on the New York Business Day next preceding the Closing Date, at which meeting the final drafts of the documents to be delivered will be available for review by the parties hereto. For the purposes of this Section 4, “New York Business Day” shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

The Notes to be purchased by the Initial Purchasers hereunder will be represented by one or more definitive global Notes in book-entry form, which will be deposited by or on behalf of the Company with The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its designated custodian. The Company and the Guarantors will deliver the Notes and the Guarantees to each Initial Purchaser,

 

12


for the account of that Initial Purchaser, against payment by or on behalf of that Initial Purchaser of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer in immediately available funds, by causing DTC to credit the Notes to the account of that Initial Purchaser at DTC. The Company will cause the certificates representing the Notes to be made available to the Initial Purchasers for checking at least 24 hours prior to the Closing Date at the office of DTC or its designated custodian.

 

5. Agreements of the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally agree with each of the Initial Purchasers as follows:

 

(a) The Company and the Guarantors will furnish to the Initial Purchasers, without charge, as of the date of the Offering Memorandum, such number of copies of the Offering Memorandum as may then be amended or supplemented as they may reasonably request.

 

(b) The Company and the Guarantors will not make any amendment or supplement to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or to the Offering Memorandum of which the Initial Purchasers shall not previously have been advised or to which they shall reasonably object after being so advised.

 

(c) Prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors shall have delivered or will deliver to the Initial Purchasers, without charge, in such quantities as the Initial Purchasers shall have requested or may hereafter reasonably request, copies of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum. The Company and each of the Guarantors consent to the use, in accordance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of the jurisdictions in which the Notes are offered by the Initial Purchasers and by dealers, prior to the date of the Offering Memorandum, of each Preliminary Offering Memorandum so furnished by the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and each of the Guarantors consent to the use of the Offering Memorandum in accordance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of the jurisdictions in which the Notes are offered by the Initial Purchasers and by all dealers to whom Notes may be sold, in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes.

 

(d) If, at any time prior to completion of the distribution of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers to Eligible Purchasers, any event shall occur that in the judgment of the Company, any of the Guarantors or in the opinion of counsel for the Initial Purchasers should be set forth in the Offering Memorandum in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary to supplement or amend the Offering Memorandum in order to comply with any law, the Company and the Guarantors will forthwith prepare an appropriate supplement or amendment thereto, and will expeditiously furnish to the Initial Purchasers and dealers a reasonable number of copies thereof.

 

(e) The Company and each of the Guarantors will cooperate with the Initial Purchasers and with their counsel in connection with the qualification of the Notes for offering and sale by the Initial Purchasers and by dealers under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Initial Purchasers may designate and will file such consents to service of process or other documents necessary or appropriate in order to effect such qualification; provided, that in no event shall the Company or any of the Guarantors be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action which would

 

13


subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Notes, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.

 

(f) For a period of 180 days from the date of the Offering Memorandum, the Company and the Guarantors will not, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, issue any instrument convertible into or exchangeable for, or otherwise transfer or dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device which is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition in the future of), any debt securities of the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries in either the capital markets or the bank loan markets, except (i) in exchange for the Exchange Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer or (ii) with the prior consent of the Initial Purchasers.

 

(g) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company and the Guarantors will furnish to the Initial Purchasers (i) as soon as available, a copy of each report of the Company mailed to stockholders generally or filed with any stock exchange or regulatory body and (ii) from time to time such other information concerning the Company and/or the Guarantors as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

 

(h) If this Agreement shall terminate or shall be terminated after execution and delivery pursuant to any provisions hereof (otherwise than by notice given by the Initial Purchasers terminating this Agreement pursuant to Section 9 hereof), or if this Agreement shall be terminated by the Initial Purchasers because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company or any of the Guarantors to comply with the terms or fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors agree to reimburse the Initial Purchasers for all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel), reasonably incurred by it in connection herewith, but without any further obligation on the part of the Company or any of the Guarantors for loss of profits or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Guarantors shall not be required to reimburse the Initial Purchasers if this Agreement is terminated as a result of the conditions in Section 7(k) hereof not being satisfied.

 

(i) The Company and the Guarantors will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to be sold by the Company hereunder substantially in accordance with the description set forth in the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Use of Proceeds.”

 

(j) Except as stated in this Agreement and in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and Offering Memorandum, neither the Company, the Guarantors nor any of their respective affiliates have taken, nor will any of them take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company or any of the Guarantors to facilitate the sale or resale of the Notes and the Guarantees. Except as permitted by the Act, the Company and the Guarantors will not distribute any offering material in connection with the Exempt Resales.

 

(k) The Company and the Guarantors will use their reasonable best efforts to permit the Notes to be designated Private Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages (“PORTAL”) MarketSM securities in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted

 

14


by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. relating to trading in The PORTAL Market and to permit the Notes to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

 

(l) From and after the Closing Date, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding and are “restricted securities” within the meaning of the Rule 144(a)(3) under the Act or, if earlier, until three years after the Closing Date, and during any period in which the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company and the Guarantors will furnish to holders of the Notes and prospective purchasers of Notes designated by such holders, upon request of such holders or such prospective purchasers, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act to permit compliance with Rule 144A in connection with resale of the Notes.

 

(m) During the period of two years after the Closing Date, the Company and the Guarantors will not, and will not permit any of their “affiliates” (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act), to, resell any of the Notes which constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 144 that have been reacquired by any of them.

 

(n) The Company and the Guarantors have complied and will comply with all provisions of Florida Statutes Section 517.075 relating to issuers doing business with Cuba.

 

(o) The Company and the Guarantors agree not to sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in the Act), that would be integrated with the sale of the Notes in a manner that would require the registration under the Act of the sale to the Initial Purchasers or the Eligible Purchasers of the Notes.

 

(p) The Company and the Guarantors agree to comply with all the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and all agreements set forth in the representation letters of the Company and the Guarantors to DTC relating to the approval of the Notes by DTC for “book entry” transfer.

 

(q) The Company and the Guarantors agree that prior to any registration of the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, or at such earlier time as may be required, the Indenture shall be qualified under the 1939 Act and any necessary supplemental indentures will be entered into in connection therewith.

 

(r) The Company and the Guarantors will not voluntarily claim, and will resist actively all attempts to claim, the benefit of any usury laws against holders of the Notes.

 

(s) The Company and the Guarantors will do and perform all things required or necessary to be done and performed under this Agreement by them prior to the Closing Date, and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the Initial Purchasers’ obligations hereunder to purchase the Notes.

 

(t) To take such steps as shall be necessary to ensure that neither the Company nor any subsidiary shall become an “investment company” within the meaning of such term under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

15


6. Expenses. Each of the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally agree, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement becomes effective or is terminated, to pay all costs, expenses, fees and taxes incident to and in connection with: (i) the preparation, printing, filing and distribution of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum (including, without limitation, financial statements), and all amendments and supplements thereto (but not, however, legal fees and expenses of the Initial Purchasers’ counsel incurred in connection therewith); (ii) the preparation, printing (including, without limitation, word processing and duplication costs), and delivery of this Agreement, the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, all Blue Sky Memoranda and all other agreements, memoranda, correspondence and other documents printed and delivered in connection therewith and with the Exempt Resales (but not, however, legal fees and expenses of the Initial Purchasers’ counsel incurred in connection with any of the foregoing other than fees of such counsel plus reasonable disbursements incurred in connection with the preparation, printing and delivery of such Blue Sky Memoranda); (iii) the issuance and delivery by the Company of the Notes and by the Guarantors of the Guarantees; (iv) the qualification of the Notes and the Exchange Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the several states (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Initial Purchasers’ counsel relating to such registration or qualification); (v) furnishing such copies of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum, and all amendments and supplements thereto, as may be reasonably requested for use in connection with the Exempt Resales; (vi) the preparation of certificates for the Notes and the Guarantees (including, without limitation, printing and engraving thereof); (vii) the fees, disbursements and expenses and listing fees in connection with the application for quotation of the Notes on PORTAL; (viii) all fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel), of the Company and the Guarantors in connection with approval of the Notes by DTC for “book-entry” transfer; (ix) any fees charged by securities rating services for rating the Notes and the Exchange Notes; (x) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any agent of the Trustee in connection with the Indenture, the Notes and the Exchange Notes; and (xi) the performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their other obligations under this Agreement.

 

7. Conditions of Initial Purchasers’ Obligations. The obligations of the Initial Purchasers hereunder are subject to the accuracy, when made and on the Closing Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein in all material respects, to the performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their respective obligations hereunder in all material respects, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:

 

(a) The Initial Purchasers shall not have discovered and disclosed to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date that the Offering Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue statement of a fact which, in the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, is material or omits to state a fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

(b) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Exchange Notes, the Exchange Guarantees, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Offering Memorandum, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions

 

16


contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to Latham & Watkins LLP, and the Company and the Guarantors shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

 

(c) Kirkland & Ellis LLP shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers its written opinion, as counsel to the Company, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto and Troutman Sanders LLP shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers its written opinion, as Virginia local counsel, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

 

(d) The Initial Purchasers shall have received from Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Initial Purchasers, such negative assurance letter or letters, opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Notes, the Offering Memorandum and other related matters as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

 

(e) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Initial Purchasers shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter, in form and substance satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the date hereof (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (ii) stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Offering Memorandum, as of a date not more than five days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to initial purchasers in connection with similar offerings.

 

(f) With respect to the letter of Ernst & Young LLP referred to in the preceding paragraph and delivered to the Initial Purchasers concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “initial letter”), the Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers a letter (the “bring-down letter”), of such accountants, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii) stating, as of the date of the bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Offering Memorandum, as of a date not more than five days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by the initial letter and (iii) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the initial letter.

 

(g) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Initial Purchasers shall have received from KPMG LLP a letter, in form and substance satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the date hereof (i) confirming that they

 

17


are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (ii) stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Offering Memorandum, as of a date not more than five days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to initial purchasers in connection with similar offerings.

 

(h) With respect to the letter of KPMG LLP referred to in the preceding paragraph and delivered to the Initial Purchasers concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “initial letter”), the Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers a letter (the “bring-down letter”), of such accountants, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii) stating, as of the date of the bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Offering Memorandum, as of a date not more than five days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by the initial letter and (iii) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the initial letter.

 

(i) Neither the Company, any Guarantor nor any of their respective subsidiaries shall have sustained, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Offering Memorandum, any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum; and, since such date, there shall not have been any change in the capital stock (other than grants or exercises of stock options pursuant to employee stock option plans or other employee benefit plans from shares reserved for issuance under such plans) or long-term debt (other than scheduled principal payments on its senior credit facility, the partial tender for its existing 123/4% senior subordinated notes due 2009 and the refinancing of its previous senior credit facility) of the Company, any Guarantor or any of their respective subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company, any Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum.

 

(j) The Company and each Guarantor shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Initial Purchasers on the Closing Date certificates of officers of the Company and each Guarantor satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and each Guarantor herein at and as of the Closing Date, as to the performance by the Company and each Guarantor of all of their obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date and as to such other matters as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

 

18


(k) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization”, as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company’s debt securities.

 

(l) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or in the over-the-counter market, or trading in any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been suspended or minimum prices shall have been established on any such exchange or such market by the Commission, by such exchange or by any other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction; (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by Federal or state authorities; (iii) the United States shall have become engaged in hostilities, there shall have been an escalation in hostilities involving the United States or there shall have been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States; or (iv) there shall have occurred any other calamity or crisis or such a material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions in the United States, as to make it, in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or delivery of the Notes being delivered on the Closing Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Offering Memorandum.

 

(m) Prior to or concurrently with the Closing, the Company shall have obtained consents from and purchased at least a majority of the Company’s outstanding 12-3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2009 pursuant to the terms of the offer to purchase and consent solicitation statement dated August 8, 2005.

 

All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Latham & Watkins LLP.

 

8. Indemnification and Contribution.

 

(a) The Company and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, shall indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, its officers, directors and employees and each person, if any, who controls that Initial Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage, liability or action relating to purchases and sales of Notes), to which that Initial Purchaser, officer, director, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained (A) in any Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (B) in any blue sky application or other document prepared or executed by the Company (or based upon any written information furnished by the Company), specifically for the purpose of qualifying any or all of the Notes under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction (any such application, document or information being hereinafter called a “Blue Sky Application”), (ii) the omission or

 

19


alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky Application any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (iii) any act or failure to act or any alleged act or failure to act by that Initial Purchaser in connection with, or relating in any manner to, the Notes or the offering contemplated hereby, and which is included as part of or referred to in any loss, claim, damage, liability or action arising out of or based upon matters covered by clause (i) or (ii) above (provided that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be liable under this clause (iii) to the extent that it is determined in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that such loss, claim, damage, liability or action resulted directly from any such acts or failures to act undertaken or omitted to be taken by that Initial Purchaser through its gross negligence or willful misconduct), and shall reimburse that Initial Purchaser and each such officer, director, employee or controlling person promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Initial Purchaser, officer, director, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum, or in any such amendment or supplement, or in any Blue Sky Application, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning that Initial Purchaser furnished to the Company through that Initial Purchaser by or on behalf of that Initial Purchaser specifically for inclusion therein; provided further, that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be liable to that Initial Purchaser or any of its officers, directors and employees or any person controlling that Initial Purchaser with respect to any such untrue statement or omission made in any Preliminary Offering Memorandum existing as of the date hereof that is corrected in the Offering Memorandum existing as of its date if (i) the person asserting any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action purchased the Notes from that Initial Purchaser in reliance upon any Preliminary Offering Memorandum existing as of the date hereof but was not delivered or sent a copy of the Offering Memorandum existing as of its date, if required by law, at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Notes to such person, unless such failure to deliver or send the Offering Memorandum was a result of noncompliance by the Company and the Guarantors with Section 5(a) of this Agreement and (ii) it shall have been determined that such Initial Purchaser, and each such officer, director, employee and controlling person, if any, would not have incurred such loss, claim, damage liability or action had the Offering Memorandum been delivered or sent. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability which the Company or the Guarantors may otherwise have to that Initial Purchaser or to any officer, director, employee or controlling person of that Initial Purchaser.

 

(b) Each Initial Purchaser shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each Guarantor, their respective officers and employees, each of their respective directors, and each person, if any, who controls the Company and each Guarantor within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof, to which the Company or any Guarantor or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained (A) in any

 

20


Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or (B) in any Blue Sky Application or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky Application any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning that Initial Purchaser furnished to the Company by or on behalf of that Initial Purchaser specifically for inclusion therein, and shall reimburse the Company or any Guarantor and any such director, officer or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any Guarantor or any such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability which any Initial Purchaser may otherwise have to the Company and each Guarantor or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person.

 

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided, however, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under this Section 8 except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure and, provided, further, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 8. If any such claim or action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that the Initial Purchasers shall have the right to employ counsel to represent jointly the Initial Purchasers and their respective officers, employees and controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the Initial Purchasers against the Company or the Guarantors under this Section 8 if, in the reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchasers, it is advisable for the Initial Purchasers and those officers, employees and controlling persons to be jointly represented by separate counsel, and in that event the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the Company or the Guarantors. No indemnifying party shall (i) without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action), unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written

 

21


consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with the consent of the indemnifying party or if there be a final judgment of the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

 

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 shall for any reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or 8(b) in respect of any loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, the Guarantors on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other from the offering of the Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, the Guarantors, on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, the Guarantors, on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Notes purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses), received by the Company, the Guarantors on the one hand, and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchasers with respect to the Notes purchased under this Agreement, on the other hand, bear to the total gross proceeds from the offering of the Notes under this Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Offering Memorandum. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Guarantors or the Initial Purchasers, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company, the Guarantors, and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section were to be determined by pro rata allocation, or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section 8 shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 8(d), any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8(d), no Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Notes underwritten by them and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Initial Purchaser have otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act), shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Initial Purchasers’ obligations to contribute as provided in this Section 8(d) are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

 

22


(e) The Initial Purchasers severally confirm and the Company acknowledges that the statements with respect to the public offering of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers set forth in the second to last paragraph on the front cover of the Offering Memorandum and in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in the Offering Memorandum are correct and constitute the only information concerning such Initial Purchasers furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers specifically for inclusion in the Offering Memorandum.

 

9. Termination. The obligations of the Initial Purchasers hereunder may be terminated by the Initial Purchasers by notice given to and received by the Company prior to the delivery of and payment for the Notes if, prior to that time, any of the events described in Section 7(k), shall have occurred or if the Initial Purchasers shall decline to purchase the Notes for any reason permitted under this Agreement.

 

10. Reimbursement of Initial Purchasers’ Expenses. If the Company shall fail to tender the Notes for delivery to the Initial Purchasers by reason of any failure, refusal or inability on the part of the Company to perform any agreement on its part to be performed, or because any other condition of the obligations hereunder required to be fulfilled by the Company is not fulfilled (other than those in Section 7(k)), the Company will reimburse each Initial Purchaser for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel), incurred by that Initial Purchaser in connection with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Notes, and upon demand the Company shall promptly pay the full amount thereof to that Initial Purchaser.

 

11. Notices, etc. All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and:

 

(a) if to the Initial Purchasers, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to (i) Lehman Brothers Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158, Attention: Syndicate Department (Fax: 646-497-4815), with a copy, in the case of any notice pursuant to Section 8(c), to the Director of Litigation, Office of the General Counsel, Lehman Brothers Inc., 399 Park Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10022 (Fax: 212-520-0421) and (ii) Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Patricia McGowan.

 

(b) if to the Company or to the Guarantors, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the Offering Memorandum, Attention: General Counsel (Fax: 813-273-3430), with a copy to Stephen L. Ritchie, P.C., Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 200 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601 (Fax: 312-861-2200).

 

12. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each Initial Purchaser, the Company, and their respective successors. This Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only those persons, except that (a) the representations, warranties, indemnities and agreements of the Company and the Guarantors contained in this Agreement shall also be deemed to be for the benefit of the person or persons, if any, who controls that Initial Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and (b) the indemnity agreement of each Initial Purchaser

 

23


contained in Section 8(b) of this Agreement shall be deemed to be for the benefit of directors of the Company, officers of the Company and any person controlling the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons referred to in this Section 12, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein.

 

13. No Fiduciary Duty. The Company acknowledges and agrees that in connection with this offering, sale of the Notes or any other services the Initial Purchasers may be deemed to be providing hereunder, notwithstanding any preexisting relationship, advisory or otherwise, between the parties or any oral representations or assurances previously or subsequently made by the Initial Purchasers: (i) no fiduciary or agency relationship between the Company and any other person, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other, exists; (ii) the Initial Purchasers are not acting as advisors, experts or otherwise, to the Company, and such relationship between the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other, is entirely and solely commercial, based on arms-length negotiations; (iii) any duties and obligations that the Initial Purchasers may have to the Company shall be limited to those duties and obligations specifically stated herein; and (iv) the Initial Purchasers and their respective affiliates may have interests that differ from those of the Company. The Company hereby waives any claims that the Company may have against the Initial Purchasers with respect to any breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the Notes.

 

14. Research Independence. In addition, the Company acknowledges that the Initial Purchasers’ respective research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Initial Purchasers’ research analysts may hold and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of its investment bankers. The Company acknowledges that each Initial Purchaser is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies which may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

15. Survival. The respective indemnities, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf on them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Notes and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any of them or any person controlling any of them.

 

16. Definition of the Term “Subsidiary”. For purposes of this Agreement, “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations.

 

17. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New York.

 

24


18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

19. Headings. The headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Attached]

 

25


If the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the Company, the Guarantors, and the Initial Purchasers, please indicate your acceptance in the space provided for that purpose below.

 

Very truly yours,

SYNIVERSE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

By

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:  Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:    Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

SYNIVERSE HOLDINGS, INC.

By

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:  Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:    Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

SYNIVERSE TECHNOLOGIES OF VIRGINIA, INC.

By

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:  Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:    Secretary and Treasurer

SYNIVERSE BRIENCE LLC

By

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:  Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:    Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

26


LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.

By

 

/s/ Peter Toul

   

Name:  Peter Toul

   

Title:    Managing Director

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

By

 

/s/ David Crescenzi

   

Name:  David Crescenzi

   

Title:    Vice President

By

 

/s/ Mark Fedorick

   

Name:  Mark Fedorick

   

Title:    Managing Director

 

27

EX-10.2 4 dex102.htm EXCHANGE AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit 10.2

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

Syniverse Technologies, Inc.

 

7 ¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013

 

unconditionally guaranteed as to the

payment of principal, premium,

if any, and interest by

 

Each of the Guarantors named herein

 


 

Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement

 

August 24, 2005

 

Lehman Brothers Inc.

790 7th Avenue

New York, New York 10019

 

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

60 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Syniverse Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the Purchasers (as defined herein) upon the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement (as defined herein) its 7 ¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, which are unconditionally guaranteed by Syniverse Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the direct parent of the Company (“Syniverse Holdings”), and each of Syniverse’s current and future Domestic Subsidiaries, including Syniverse Brience, LLC (“Syniverse Brience”) and Syniverse Technologies of Virginia, Inc. (“Syniverse Virginia”) (collectively, the “Guarantors”). As an inducement to the Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and in satisfaction of a condition to the obligations of the Purchasers thereunder, the Company and the Guarantors agree with the Purchasers for the benefit of holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined herein) as follows:

 

1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings (capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture or Purchase Agreement, as the case may be):

 

Base Interest” shall mean the interest that would otherwise accrue on the Securities under the terms thereof and the Indenture, without giving effect to the provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

 

1


The term “broker-dealer” shall mean any broker or dealer registered with the Commission under the Exchange Act.

 

Closing Date” shall mean the date on which the Securities are initially issued.

 

Commission” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, whichever is the relevant statute for the particular purpose.

 

Effective Time,” in the case of (i) an Exchange Registration, shall mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective or as of which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement otherwise becomes effective and (ii) a Shelf Registration, shall mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Shelf Registration Statement effective or as of which the Shelf Registration Statement otherwise becomes effective.

 

Electing Holder” shall mean any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities that has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in accordance with Section 3(d)(ii) or 3(d)(iii) hereof.

 

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.

 

Exchange Notes” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

Exchange Offer” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

Exchange Registration” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3(c) hereof.

 

The term “holder” shall mean the Purchasers and other persons who acquire Transfer Restricted Securities from time to time (including any successors or assigns), in each case for so long as such person owns any Transfer Restricted Securities.

 

Indenture” shall mean the Indenture, dated as of August 24, 2005, between the Company, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, as the same shall be amended from time to time.

 

Liquidated Damages” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.

 

Notice and Questionnaire” means a Notice of Registration Statement and Selling Security holder Questionnaire substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.

 

2


The term “person” shall mean a corporation, association, partnership, organization, business, individual, government or political subdivision thereof or governmental agency.

 

Purchase Agreement” shall mean the Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2005, between the Purchasers, the Guarantors and the Company relating to the Securities.

 

Purchasers” shall mean Lehman Brothers Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

 

Registration Default” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.

 

Registration Expenses” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4 hereof.

 

Resale Period” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

Restricted Holder” shall mean (i) a holder that is an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405, (ii) a holder who acquires Exchange Notes outside the ordinary course of such holder’s business, (iii) a holder who has arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing Exchange Notes and (iv) a holder that is a broker-dealer, but only with respect to Transfer Restricted Securities received by such broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities acquired by the broker-dealer directly from the Company.

 

Rule 144,” “Rule 405” and “Rule 415” shall mean, in each case, such rule promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), as the same shall be amended from time to time.

 

Securities” shall mean, collectively, the 7 ¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 of the Company, to be issued and sold to the Purchasers, and securities issued in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof pursuant to the Indenture. Each Security is entitled to the benefit of the guarantees provided for in the Indenture (the “Guarantees”) and, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference herein to a “Security,” an “Exchange Note” or a “Transfer Restricted Security” shall include a reference to the related Guarantees.

 

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, or any successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.

 

Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(b) hereof.

 

Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(b) hereof.

 

3


Transfer Restricted Securities” shall mean the Securities; until:

 

(1) the date on which such Security has been exchanged by a Person other than a broker-dealer for an Exchange Note in the Exchange Offer;

 

(2) following the exchange by a broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer of a Security for an Exchange Note, the date on which such Exchange Note is sold to a purchaser who receives from such broker-dealer on or prior to the date of such sale a copy of the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement;

 

(3) the date on which such Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement; or

 

(4) the date on which such Security is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

 

Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, or any successor thereto, and the rules, regulations and forms promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be amended from time to time.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference herein to a “Section” or “clause” refers to a Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, and the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision.

 

2. Registration Under the Securities Act.

 

(a) Except as set forth in Section 2(b) below, the Company and the Guarantors agree to file under the Securities Act, on or prior to 90 days after the Closing Date, a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange (such registration statement, the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement”, and such offer, the “Exchange Offer”) any and all of the Securities for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities issued by the Company and guaranteed by the Guarantors, which debt securities and guarantees are substantially identical to the Securities and the related Guarantees, respectively (and are entitled to the benefits of a trust indenture which is substantially identical to the Indenture or is the Indenture and which has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act), except that they have been registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and do not contain provisions for the Liquidated Damages as contemplated in Section 2(c) below (such new debt securities hereinafter called “Exchange Notes”). The Company and the Guarantors agree to use all commercially reasonable efforts to have the Exchange Offer Registration Statement declared effective by the Commission on or prior to 180 days after the Closing Date. The Exchange Offer will be registered under the Securities Act on the appropriate form and will comply with all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. Unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by applicable law or Commission policy, the Company and the Guarantors further agree to use all commercially reasonable efforts to commence and complete the Exchange Offer on or prior to 45 business days, or longer, if required by the federal securities laws, after such date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement was declared effective by the Commission,

 

4


exchange Exchange Notes for all Transfer Restricted Securities that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer will be deemed to have been “completed” only if the debt securities and related guarantees received by holders other than Restricted Holders in the Exchange Offer for Transfer Restricted Securities are, upon receipt, transferable by each such holder without restriction under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and without material restrictions under the blue sky or securities laws of a substantial majority of the States of the United States of America. The Exchange Offer shall be deemed to have been completed upon the earlier to occur of (i) the Company having exchanged the Exchange Notes for all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and (ii) the Company having exchanged, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Exchange Notes for all Transfer Restricted Securities that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn before the expiration of the Exchange Offer. The Company agrees (x) to include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a prospectus for use in any resales by any holder of Exchange Notes that is a broker-dealer and (y) to keep such Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective for a period (the “Resale Period”) beginning when Exchange Notes are first issued in the Exchange Offer and ending upon the earlier of the expiration of the 180th day after the Exchange Offer has been completed or such time as such broker-dealers no longer own any Transfer Restricted Securities. With respect to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, such holders shall have the benefit of the rights of indemnification and contribution set forth in Sections 6(a), (c), (d) and (e) hereof.

 

(b) If (i) the Company and the Guarantors are not (A) required to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; or (B) permitted to consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy, (ii) any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities notifies the Company prior to the 20th day following the consummation of the Exchange Offer that (X) it is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer; or (Y) that it may not resell the Exchange Notes acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for resales; or (Z) that it is a broker-dealer and owns Securities acquired directly from the Company or an affiliate of the Company, the Company and the Guarantors will use all commercially reasonable efforts to file under the Securities Act on or prior to 30 days after such filing obligation arises, a “shelf” registration statement providing for the registration of, and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis by the holders of, all of the Transfer Restricted Securities, pursuant to Rule 415 or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission (such filing, the “Shelf Registration” and such registration statement, the “Shelf Registration Statement”). The Company and the Guarantors agree to use all commercially reasonable efforts (x) to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become or be declared effective on or prior to 90 days after such obligation arises and to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for a period ending on the earlier of the second anniversary of the Effective Time or such time as there are no longer any Transfer Restricted Securities outstanding, provided, however, that no holder shall be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement or to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities unless such holder is an Electing Holder, and (y) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, promptly upon the request of any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities that is

 

5


not then an Electing Holder, to take any action reasonably necessary to enable such holder to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities, including, without limitation, any action necessary to identify such holder as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement, provided, however, that nothing in this clause (y) shall relieve any such holder of the obligation to return a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in accordance with Section 3(d)(ii) hereof. The Company further agrees to supplement or make amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement, as and when required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act, and the Company agrees to furnish to each Electing Holder copies of any such supplement or amendment prior to its being used or promptly following its filing with the Commission.

 

(c) In the event that (i) the Company and the Guarantors have not filed the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement on or before the date on which such registration statement is required to be filed pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b), respectively, or (ii) such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement has not become effective or been declared effective by the Commission on or before the date on which such registration statement is required to become or be declared effective pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b), respectively (the “Effectiveness Target Date”), or (iii) the Exchange Offer has not been consummated within 30 business days of the Effectiveness Target Date with respect to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (iv) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement required by Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof is declared effective but thereafter ceases to be effective or usable in connection with resales of Transfer Restricted Securities during the time period specified herein (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a “Registration Default” and each period during which a Registration Default has occurred and is continuing, a “Registration Default Period”), then, as liquidated damages for such Registration Default, subject to the provisions of Section 9(b), liquidated damages (“Liquidated Damages”), in addition to the Base Interest, shall accrue at a rate of 0.25% per annum with respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of the first Registration Default. The amount of Liquidated Damages will increase by an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of Liquidated Damages for all Registration Defaults of 1.0% per annum. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of Liquidated Damages will cease. All accrued Liquidated Damages will be paid by the Company and the Guarantors on each Interest Payment Date (as defined in the Indenture) to the Global Note Holder (as defined in the Indenture) by wire transfer of immediately available funds or by federal funds check and to Holders of Certificated Notes (as defined in the Indenture) by wire transfer to the accounts specified by them or by mailing checks to their registered addresses if no such accounts have been specified.

 

(d) Any reference herein to a registration statement as of any time shall be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, therein by reference as of such time and any reference herein to any post-effective amendment to a registration statement as of any time shall be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, therein by reference as of such time.

 

6


3. Registration Procedures.

 

If the Company and the Guarantors file a registration statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b), the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a) At or before the Effective Time of the Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration, as the case may be, the Company shall qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

(b) In the event that such qualification would require of a new trustee under the Indenture, the Company shall appoint a new trustee thereunder pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

 

(c) In connection with the Company’s obligations with respect to the registration of Exchange Notes as contemplated by Section 2(a) (the “Exchange Registration”), if applicable, the Company and the Guarantors shall, as soon as practicable (or as otherwise specified):

 

(i) prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as practicable but no later than 90 days after the Closing Date, an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on any form which may be utilized by the Company and which shall permit the Exchange Offer and resales of Exchange Notes by broker-dealers during the Resale Period to be effected as contemplated by Section 2(a), and use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable thereafter, but no later than 180 days after the Closing Date;

 

(ii) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to effect and maintain the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement for the periods and purposes contemplated in Section 2(a) hereof and as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions applicable to the form of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and promptly provide each broker-dealer holding Exchange Notes with such number of copies of the prospectus included therein (as then amended or supplemented), in conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, as such broker-dealer reasonably may request prior to the expiration of the Resale Period, for use in connection with resales of Exchange Notes;

 

(iii) with respect to a Shelf Registration Statement, promptly advise each broker-dealer that has requested or received copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement, and, if requested by such broker-dealer, confirm such advice in writing, (A) when such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or any prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of

 

7


any comments by the Commission and by the blue sky or securities commissioner or regulator of any state with respect thereto or any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (D) if at any time the representations and warranties of the Company contemplated by Section 5 cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (E) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Exchange Notes for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, or (F) at any time during the Resale Period when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, that such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, prospectus, prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment does not conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;

 

(iv) in the event that the Company would be required, pursuant to Section 3(c)(iii)(F) above, to notify any broker-dealers holding Exchange Notes, without delay prepare and furnish to each such holder a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of such Exchange Notes during the Resale Period, such prospectus shall conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and shall 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 in light of the circumstances then existing;

 

(v) use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest practicable date;

 

(vi) use all commercially reasonable efforts to (A) register or qualify the Exchange Notes under the securities laws or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are contemplated by Section 2(a) no later than the commencement of the Exchange Offer, (B) keep such registrations or qualifications in effect and comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of offers, sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions until the expiration of the Resale Period and (C) take any and all other actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each broker-dealer holding Exchange Notes to consummate the disposition thereof in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that neither the Company nor the Guarantors shall be required for any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for the requirements of this Section 3(c)(vi), (2) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) make any changes to

 

8


its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or any agreement between it and its stockholders;

 

(vii) provide a CUSIP number for all Exchange Notes, not later than the applicable Effective Time;

 

(viii) use all commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable but no later than eighteen months after the effective date of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, an earning statement of the Company and its subsidiaries complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158 thereunder).

 

(d) In connection with the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations with respect to the Shelf Registration, if applicable, the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i) prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as practicable but in any case within the time periods specified in Section 2(b), a Shelf Registration Statement on any form which may be utilized by the Company and which shall register all of the Transfer Restricted Securities for resale by the holders thereof in accordance with such method or methods of disposition as may be specified by such of the holders as, from time to time, may be Electing Holders and use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable but in any case within the time periods specified in Section 2(b);

 

(ii) not less than 30 calendar days prior to the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, mail the Notice and Questionnaire to the holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; no holder shall be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement as of the Effective Time, and no holder shall be entitled to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities at any time, unless such holder has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company by the deadline for response set forth therein; provided, however, holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall have at least 28 calendar days from the date on which the Notice and Questionnaire is first mailed to such holders to return a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company;

 

(iii) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, upon the request of any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities that is not then an Electing Holder, promptly send a Notice and Questionnaire to such holder; provided that the Company shall not be required to take any action to name such holder as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement or to enable such holder to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities until such holder has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company;

 

(iv) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to effect and maintain the effectiveness

 

9


of such Shelf Registration Statement for the period specified in Section 2(b) hereof and as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions applicable to the form of such Shelf Registration Statement, and furnish to the Electing Holders copies of any such supplement or amendment simultaneously with or prior to its being used or filed with the Commission;

 

(v) use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Electing Holders provided for in such Shelf Registration Statement;

 

(vi) provide (A) the Electing Holders, (B) the underwriters (which term, for purposes of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, shall include a person deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, if such person notifies the Company of its status as an underwriter), if any, thereof, (C) any sales or placement agent therefor, (D) counsel for any such underwriter or agent and (E) not more than one counsel for all the Electing Holders the opportunity to participate in the preparation of such Shelf Registration Statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the Commission and each amendment or supplement thereto;

 

(vii) for a reasonable period prior to the filing of such Shelf Registration Statement, and throughout the period specified in Section 2(b), make available at reasonable times at the Company’s principal place of business or such other reasonable place for inspection by the persons referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) who shall certify to the Company that they have a current intention to sell the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration such financial and other information and books and records of the Company, and cause the officers, employees, counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company to respond to such inquiries, as shall be reasonably necessary, in the judgment of the respective counsel referred to in such Section, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act; provided, however, that each such party shall be required to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any other person any information or records reasonably designated by the Company as being confidential (and, if requested by the Company, will enter into a confidentiality agreement providing that), until such time as (A) such information becomes a matter of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in such registration statement or otherwise), or (B) such person shall be required so to disclose such information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the matter (subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such person shall have given the Company prompt prior written notice of such requirement), or (C) such information is required to be set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or in an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to such prospectus in order that such Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement, as the case may be, complies with applicable requirements of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Commission and does not contain an

 

10


untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;

 

(viii) with respect to a Shelf Registration Statement, promptly advise each of the Electing Holders, any sales or placement agent therefor and any underwriter thereof (which notification may be made through any managing underwriter that is a representative of such underwriter for such purpose) and, if requested by each of the Electing Holders, any sales or placement agent therefor and any underwriter thereof, confirm such advice in writing, (A) when such Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or any prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of any comments by the Commission and by the blue sky or securities commissioner or regulator of any state with respect thereto or any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to such Shelf Registration Statement or prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (D) if at any time the representations and warranties of the Company contemplated by Section 3(d)(xvii) or Section 5 cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (E) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, or (F) if at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, that such Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment does not conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;

 

(ix) use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest practicable date;

 

(x) if requested by any managing underwriter or underwriters, any placement or sales agent or any Electing Holder, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as is required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and as such managing underwriter or underwriters, such agent or such Electing Holder specifies should be included therein relating to the terms of the sale of such Transfer Restricted Securities, including information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold by such Electing Holder or agent or to any underwriters, the name and description of such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, the offering price of such Transfer Restricted Securities and any discount, commission or other compensation payable in respect thereof, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and with respect to any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold by such

 

11


Electing Holder or agent or to such underwriters; and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment promptly after notification of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

 

(xi) furnish to each Electing Holder, each placement or sales agent, if any, therefor, each underwriter, if any, thereof and the respective counsel referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) an executed copy (or, in the case of an Electing Holder, a conformed copy) of such Shelf Registration Statement, each such amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto (in the case of an Electing Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, upon request) and documents incorporated by reference therein) and such number of copies of such Shelf Registration Statement (excluding exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein unless specifically so requested by such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, as the case may be) and of the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), in conformity in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and such other documents, as such Electing Holder, agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the offering and disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities owned by such Electing Holder, offered or sold by such agent or underwritten by such underwriter and to permit such Electing Holder, agent and underwriter to satisfy the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; and the Company hereby consents to the use of such prospectus (including such preliminary and summary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto by each such Electing Holder and by any such agent and underwriter, in each case in the form most recently provided to such person by the Company, in connection with the offering and sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the prospectus (including such preliminary and summary prospectus) or any supplement or amendment thereto;

 

(xii) use all commercially reasonable efforts to (A) register or qualify the Transfer Restricted Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement under such securities laws or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Electing Holder and each placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and underwriter, if any, thereof shall reasonably request, (B) keep such registrations or qualifications in effect and comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of offers, sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions during the period the Shelf Registration is required to remain effective under Section 2(b) above and for so long as may be necessary to enable any such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter to complete its distribution of Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement and (C) take any and all other actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such Electing Holder, agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that neither the Company nor the Guarantors shall be required for any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for the requirements of this Section 3(d)(xii), (2) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) make any changes to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or any agreement between it and its stockholders;

 

12


(xiii) unless any Transfer Restricted Securities shall be in book-entry only form, cooperate with the Electing Holders and the managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold, which certificates, if so required by any securities exchange upon which any Transfer Restricted Securities are listed, shall be penned, lithographed or engraved, or produced by any combination of such methods, on steel engraved borders, and which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends; and, in the case of an underwritten offering, enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriters may request at least two business days prior to any sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities;

 

(xiv) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Securities, not later than the applicable Effective Time;

 

(xv) enter into on one occasion, an underwriting agreement, engagement letter, agency agreement, “best efforts” underwriting agreement or similar agreement, as appropriate, including customary provisions relating to indemnification and contribution, and take such other actions in connection therewith as any Electing Holders aggregating at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities at the time outstanding shall request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities;

 

(xvi) if an offering contemplated by the Shelf Registration is an underwritten offering, (A) make such representations and warranties to the Electing Holders and the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the underwriters, if any, thereof in form, substance and scope as are customarily made in connection with an offering of debt securities pursuant to any appropriate agreement or to a registration statement filed on the form applicable to the Shelf Registration; (B) obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company in customary form and covering such matters, of the type customarily covered by such an opinion, as the managing underwriters, if any, or as any Electing Holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities at the time outstanding may reasonably request, addressed to such Electing Holder or Electing Holders and the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the underwriters, if any, thereof and dated the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement (and if such Shelf Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering of a part or all of the Transfer Restricted Securities, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto); (C) obtain a “cold comfort” letter or letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company addressed to the selling Electing Holders, the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor or the underwriters, if any, thereof, dated (i) the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the effective date of any prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement which includes unaudited or audited financial statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to that of the latest such statements included in such prospectus (and, if such Shelf Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering pursuant to any prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement

 

13


which includes unaudited or audited financial statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to that of the latest such statements included in such prospectus, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto), such letter or letters to be in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by letters of such type; (D) deliver such documents and certificates, including officers’ certificates, as may be reasonably requested by any Electing Holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities at the time outstanding or the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof to evidence the accuracy of the representations and warranties made pursuant to clause (A) above or those contained in Section 5(a) hereof and the compliance with or satisfaction of any agreements or conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company or the Guarantors; and (E) undertake such obligations relating to expense reimbursement, indemnification and contribution as are provided in Section 6 hereof;

 

(xvii) notify in writing each holder of Transfer Restricted Securities of any proposal by the Company to amend or waive any provision of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to Section 9(h) hereof and of any amendment or waiver effected pursuant thereto, each of which notices shall contain the text of the amendment or waiver proposed or effected, as the case may be;

 

(xviii) in the event that any broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act shall underwrite any Transfer Restricted Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or “assist in the distribution” (within the meaning of the Conduct Rules (the “Conduct Rules”) of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”) or any successor thereto, as amended from time to time) thereof, whether as a holder of such Transfer Restricted Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise, assist such broker-dealer in complying with the requirements of such Conduct Rules, including by (A) if such Conduct Rules shall so require, engaging a “qualified independent underwriter” (as defined in such Conduct Rules) to participate in the preparation of the Shelf Registration Statement relating to such Transfer Restricted Securities, to exercise usual standards of due diligence in respect thereto and, if any portion of the offering contemplated by such Shelf Registration Statement is an underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent, to recommend the yield of such Transfer Restricted Securities, (B) indemnifying any such qualified independent underwriter to the extent of the indemnification of underwriters provided in Section 6 hereof (or to such other customary extent as may be requested by such underwriter), and (C) providing such information to such broker-dealer as may be required in order for such broker-dealer to comply with the requirements of the Conduct Rules; and

 

(xix) otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement, an earning statement of the

 

14


Company and its subsidiaries complying with Section 11 (a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158 thereunder).

 

(e) In the event that the Company would be required, pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) above, to notify the Electing Holders, the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof, the Company shall without delay prepare and furnish to each of the Electing Holders, to each placement or sales agent, if any, and to each such underwriter, if any, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, such prospectus shall conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and shall 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 in light of the circumstances then existing. Each Electing Holder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) hereof, such Electing Holder shall forthwith discontinue the disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement applicable to such Registrable Securities until such Electing Holder shall have received copies of such amended or supplemented prospectus, and if so directed by the Company, such Electing Holder shall (i) destroy, or (ii) deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Electing Holder’s possession of the prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

(f) In the event of a Shelf Registration, in addition to the information required to be provided by each Electing Holder in its Notice Questionnaire, the Company may require such Electing Holder to furnish to the Company such additional information regarding such Electing Holder and such Electing Holder’s intended method of distribution of Transfer Restricted Securities as may be required in order to comply with the Securities Act. Each such Electing Holder agrees to notify the Company as promptly as practicable of any inaccuracy or change in information previously furnished by such Electing Holder to the Company or of the occurrence of any event in either case as a result of which any prospectus relating to such Shelf Registration contains or would contain an untrue statement of a material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing Holder’s intended method of disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities or omits to state any material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing Holder’s intended method of disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, and promptly to furnish to the Company any additional information required to correct and update any previously furnished information or required so that such prospectus shall not contain, with respect to such electing Holder or the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, 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 in light of the circumstances then existing.

 

(g) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its “affiliates” (as defined in Rule 144) to, resell any of the Securities that have been reacquired by any of them except in a transaction or a chain of transactions not involving a public offering.

 

15


4. Registration Expenses.

 

The Company agrees to bear and to pay or cause to be paid promptly all expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, including (a) all Commission and any NASD registration, filing and review fees and expenses including fees and disbursements of counsel for the placement or sales agent or underwriters in connection with such registration, filing and review, (b) all fees and expenses in connection with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under the State securities and blue sky laws referred to in Section 3(d)(xii) hereof and determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as any managing underwriters or the Electing Holders may designate, including any fees and disbursements of counsel for the Electing Holders or underwriters in connection with such qualification and determination, (c) all expenses relating to the preparation, printing, production, distribution and reproduction of each registration statement required to be filed hereunder, each prospectus included therein or prepared for distribution pursuant hereto, each amendment or supplement to the foregoing, the expenses of preparing the Securities for delivery and the expenses of printing or producing any underwriting agreements, agreements among underwriters, selling agreements and blue sky or legal investment memoranda and all other documents in connection with the offering, sale or delivery of Securities to be disposed of (including certificates representing the Securities), (d) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses relating to the offering, sale or delivery of Securities and the preparation of documents referred in clause (c) above, (e) fees and expenses of the Trustee under the Indenture, any agent of the Trustee and any counsel for the Trustee of any collateral agent or custodian, (f) internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of the Company’s officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (g) fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any opinions or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance), (h) fees, disbursements and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” engaged pursuant to Section 3(d)(xix) hereof, (i) fees, disbursements and expenses of one counsel for the Electing Holders retained in connection with a Shelf Registration, as selected by the Electing Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities held by Electing Holders (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company), (j) any fees charged by securities rating services for rating the Securities, and (k) fees, expenses and disbursements of any other persons, including special experts, retained by the Company in connection with such registration (collectively, the “Registration Expenses”). To the extent that any Registration Expenses are incurred, assumed or paid by any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or any placement or sales agent therefor or underwriter thereof, the Company shall reimburse such person for the full amount of the Registration Expenses so incurred, assumed or paid promptly after receipt of a request therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of the Transfer Restricted Securities being registered shall pay all agency fees and commissions and underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes attributable to the sale of such Transfer Restricted Securities and the fees and disbursements of any counsel or other advisors or experts retained by such holders (severally or jointly), other than the counsel and experts specifically referred to above.

 

16


5. Representations and Warranties.

 

The Company and the Guarantors represent and warrant to, and agree with, the Purchasers and each of the holders from time to time of Transfer Restricted Securities that:

 

(a) Each registration statement covering Transfer Restricted Securities and each prospectus (including any preliminary or summary prospectus) contained therein or furnished pursuant to Section 3(d) or Section 3(c) hereof and any further amendments or supplements to any such registration statement or prospectus, when it becomes effective or is filed with the Commission, as the case may be, and, in the case of an underwritten offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, at the time of the closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder 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 not misleading; and at all times subsequent to the Effective Time when a prospectus would be required to be delivered under the Securities Act, other than from (i) such time as a notice has been given to holders of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) or Section 3(c)(iii)(F) hereof until (ii) such time as the Company furnishes an amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant to Section 3(e) or Section 3(c)(iv) hereof, each such registration statement, and each prospectus (including any summary prospectus) contained therein or furnished pursuant to Section 3(d) or Section 3(c) hereof, as then amended or supplemented, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder 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 not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities expressly for use therein.

 

(b) Any documents incorporated by reference in any prospectus referred to in Section 5(a) hereof, when they become or became effective or are or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform or conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of such documents will contain or contained an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities expressly for use therein.

 

(c) The compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with all of the provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company, the Guarantors or their

 

17


respective subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company, the Guarantors or their respective subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company, the Guarantors or their respective subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, as amended, or the by-laws of the Company or the Guarantors or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company, the Guarantors or their respective subsidiaries or their properties; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the consummation by the Company and the Guarantors of the transactions contemplated by this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, except the registration under the Securities Act of the Securities, qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under State securities or blue sky laws in connection with the offering and distribution of the Securities.

 

(d) This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Guarantors.

 

6. Indemnification.

 

(a) Indemnification by the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold harmless each of the holders of Transfer Restricted Securities included in an Exchange Registration Statement, each of the Electing Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities included in a Shelf Registration Statement and each person who participates as a placement or sales agent or as an underwriter in any offering or sale of such Transfer Restricted Securities against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such holder, agent or underwriter may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, under which such Transfer Restricted Securities were registered under the Securities Act, or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein or furnished by the Company or any Guarantor to any such holder, Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse such holder, such Electing Holder, such agent and such underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that neither the Company nor the Guarantors shall be liable to any such person in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, or preliminary, final or summary prospectus, or amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such person expressly for use therein.

 

18


(b) Indemnification by the Holders and any Agents and Underwriters. The Company and the Guarantors may require, as a condition to including any Transfer Restricted Securities in any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof and to entering into any underwriting agreement with respect thereto, that the Company and each of the Guarantors shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from the Electing Holder of such Transfer Restricted Securities and from each underwriter named in any such underwriting agreement, severally and not jointly, to (i) indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors, and all other holders of Transfer Restricted Securities, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company, the Guarantors or such other holders of Transfer Restricted Securities may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement, or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein or furnished by the Company or any Guarantor to any such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Electing Holder or underwriter expressly for use therein, and (ii) reimburse the Company and the Guarantors for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company and the Guarantors in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that no such Electing Holder shall be required to undertake liability to any person under this Section 6(b) for any amounts in excess of the dollar amount of the proceeds to be received by such Electing Holder from the sale of such Electing Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to such registration.

 

(c) Notices of Claims, Etc. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above of written notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party pursuant to the indemnification provisions of or contemplated by this Section 6, notify such indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of such action; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under the indemnification provisions of or contemplated by Section 6(a) or 6(b) hereof. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, such indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, such indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent

 

19


to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

(d) Contribution. If for any reason the indemnification provisions contemplated by Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) are unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or by such indemnified party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the holders or any agents or underwriters or all of them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 6(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(d), no holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such holder from the sale of any Transfer Restricted Securities (after deducting any fees, discounts and commissions applicable thereto) exceeds the amount of any damages which such holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, and no underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Transfer Restricted Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or all untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The holders’ and any underwriters’ obligations in this Section 6(d) to contribute shall be several in proportion to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities registered or under-written, as the case may be, by them and not joint.

 

20


(e) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 6 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or any of the Guarantors may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer, director and partner of each holder, agent and underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any holder, agent or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act; and the obligations of the holders and any agents or underwriters contemplated by this Section 6 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective holder, agent or underwriter may otherwise have and shall extent, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company or the Guarantors (including any person who, with his or her consent, is named in any registration statement as about to become a director of the Company or the Guarantors) and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

7. Underwritten Offerings.

 

(a) Selection of Underwriters. If any of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration are to be sold pursuant to an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter or underwriters thereof shall be designated by Electing Holders holding at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be included in such offering, provided that such designated managing underwriter or underwriters is or are reasonably acceptable to the Company.

 

(b) Participation by Holders. Each holder of Transfer Restricted Securities hereby agrees with each other such holder that no such holder may participate in any underwritten offering hereunder unless such holder (i) agrees to sell such holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

8. Rule 144 and Rule 144A.

 

The Company covenants to the holders of Transfer Restricted Securities that to the extent it shall be required to do so under the Exchange Act, the Company shall timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (including the reports under section 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144 adopted by the Commission under the Securities Act) and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder, and shall take such further action as any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to, sell Transfer Restricted Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar or successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission. Upon the request of any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with that holder’s sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A, the Company shall deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

21


9. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company and each of the Guarantors represents, warrants, covenants and agrees that it has not granted, and shall not grant, registration rights with respect to Transfer Restricted Securities or any other securities which would be inconsistent with the terms contained in this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

 

(b) Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that there would be no adequate remedy at law if the Company or any of the Guarantors fails to perform any of its obligations hereunder and that the Purchasers and the holders from time to time of the Transfer Restricted Securities may be irreparably harmed by any such failure, and accordingly agree that the Purchasers and such holders, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall the entitled to compel specific performance of the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, in any court of the United States or any State thereof having jurisdiction.

 

(c) Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand, if delivered personally or by courier, or three days after being deposited in the mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) as follows: If to the Company or the Guarantors, to any of them at One Tampa City Center, Suite 700, Tampa, Florida 33602, Attention: Robert Garcia, Jr., Esq. and if to a holder, to the address of such holder set forth in the security register or other records of the Company, or to such other address as the Company or any such holder may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

 

(d) Parties in Interest. All the terms and provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and the holders from time to time of the Transfer Restricted Securities and the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto and such holders. In the event that any transferee of any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities, in any manner, whether by gift, bequest, purchase, operation of law or otherwise, such transferee shall, without any further writing or action of any kind, be deemed a beneficiary hereof for all purposes and such Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such transferee shall be entitled to receive the benefits of, and be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by all of the applicable terms and provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement. If the Company shall so request, any such successor, assign or transferee shall agree in writing to acquire and hold the Transfer Restricted Securities subject to all of the applicable terms hereof.

 

(e) Survival. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and each other provision set forth in this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement or made

 

22


pursuant hereto shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation (or statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, any director, officer or partner of such holder, any agent or underwriter or any director, officer or partner thereof, or any controlling person of any of the foregoing, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the transfer and registration of Transfer Restricted Securities by such holder and the consummation of an Exchange Offer.

 

(f) Governing Law. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

(g) Headings. The descriptive headings of the several Sections and paragraphs of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement are inserted for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

 

(h) Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and the other writings referred to herein (including the Indenture and the form of Securities) or delivered pursuant hereto which form a part hereof contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by a written instrument duly executed by the Company and the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities at the time outstanding. Each holder of any Transfer Restricted Securities at the time or thereafter outstanding shall be bound by any amendment or waiver effected pursuant to this Section 9(h), whether or not any notice, writing or marking indicating such amendment or waiver appears on such Transfer Restricted Securities or is delivered to such holder.

 

(i) Inspection. For so long as this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall be in effect, this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and a complete list of the names and addresses of all the holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall be made available for inspection and copying on any business day by any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities for proper purposes only (which shall include any purpose related to the rights of the holders of Transfer Restricted Securities under the Securities, the Indenture and this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement) at the offices of the Company at the address thereof set forth in Section 9(c) above and at the office of the Trustee under the Indenture.

 

(j) Counterparts. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be executed by the parties in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

23


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us one for the Company, the Guarantors and each of the Representatives plus one for each counsel counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of the Purchasers, this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between the Purchasers, the Guarantors and the Company.

 

Very truly yours,

Syniverse Technologies, Inc.

By

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:  Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:    Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Syniverse Holdings, Inc.

By

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:  Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:    Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Syniverse Brience, LLC

By

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:  Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:    Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Syniverse Technologies of Virginia, Inc.

By

 

/s/ Raymond L. Lawless

   

Name:  Raymond L. Lawless

   

Title:    Secretary and Treasurer

 

Accepted as of the date hereof:

LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.

By

 

/s/ Anthony Maniscalco

   

Name:  Anthony Maniscalco

   

Title:    Senior Vice President

 

24


Accepted as of the date hereof:

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

By

 

/s/ Paul Cahalan

   

Name:  Paul Cahalan

   

Title:    Director

By

 

/s/David Crescenzi

   

Name:  David Crescenzi

   

Title:    Vice President

 

25

EX-99.1 5 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact:    Jim Huseby
     +1.813.273.3000

 

Syniverse Technologies Announces

Pricing of Tender Offer for its

12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009

 

Tampa, Fla. – August 23, 2005 – Syniverse Technologies (NYSE: SVR) announced today that it has determined the consideration to be paid in its previously announced cash tender offer for any and all of the outstanding principal amount of its 12 3/4 % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 (the “Notes”).

 

The total consideration, excluding accrued and unpaid interest, for each $1,000 principal amounts of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 19, 2005 (the “Consent Date”) is $1,098.80, which includes a $30.00 consent payment. The total consideration was determined by reference to a fixed spread of 50 basis points plus the bid side yield to maturity of the 1.875% U.S. Treasury Note due January 31, 2006, which yield was calculated as of 2:00 p.m. New York City time on August 22, 2005. Noteholders who validly tender and do not withdraw their Notes will receive accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date to, but not including, the applicable payment date. Syniverse expects to pay for all Notes validly tendered by the Consent Date on August 24, 2005.

 

The tender offer will expire at midnight, New York City time, on September 2, 2005 unless otherwise extended. All terms and conditions to the tender offer and consent solicitation are set forth in Syniverse’s Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated August 8, 2005.

 

Lehman Brothers Inc. is acting as dealer manager and solicitation agent for the tender offer and the consent solicitation. The information agent and tender agent for the tender offer is D.F. King & Company, Inc. Questions regarding the tender offer and consent solicitation may be directed to Lehman Brothers Inc., telephone number 800-438-3242 (toll free) and 212-528-7581 (call collect), and D.F. King & Co., Inc. Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement and related documents may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., telephone number 800-758-5378 (toll free) and 212-267-5550 (call collect).

 

This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase, a solicitation of an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of consents with respect to the Notes nor is this announcement an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell new securities. The tender offer and consent solicitation are made solely by means of the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement.

 

About Syniverse

 

Syniverse is a leading provider of mission-critical technology services to wireless telecommunications companies worldwide. Syniverse solutions simplify technology complexities by integrating disparate carriers’ systems and networks in order to provide seamless global voice and data communications to wireless subscribers. Carriers depend on Syniverse’s integrated suite of services to solve their most complex technology challenges and to facilitate the rapid deployment of next generation wireless services. Syniverse provides services to over 300

 

Syniverse Technologies Ÿ One Tampa City Center, Suite 700, Tampa, FL 33602 Ÿ Tel +1 888.724.3579

Ÿ Outside North America +1 813.209.5944

www.syniverse.com


telecommunications carriers in approximately 40 countries, including the ten largest U.S. wireless carriers and six of the ten largest international wireless carriers. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., U.S.A., Syniverse has offices in major cities throughout North America, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom and a global sales force in the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Italy, China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Slovakia and India. For more information, visit www.syniverse.com

 

Cautions about Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s plans, intentions and expectations. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Given these concerns, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

GRAPHIC 6 g77516img1.jpg GRAPHIC begin 644 g77516img1.jpg M_]C_X``02D9)1@`!`@$`2`!(``#_[08,4&AO=&]S:&]P(#,N,``X0DE-`^T` M`````!``2`````$``0!(`````0`!.$))300-```````$````'CA"24T$&0`` M````!````!XX0DE-`_,```````D```````````$`.$))300*```````!```X M0DE-)Q````````H``0`````````".$))30/U``````!(`"]F9@`!`&QF9@`& M```````!`"]F9@`!`*&9F@`&```````!`#(````!`%H````&```````!`#4` M```!`"T````&```````!.$))30/X``````!P``#_____________________ M________`^@`````_____________________________P/H`````/______ M______________________\#Z`````#_____________________________ M`^@``#A"24T$"```````$`````$```)````"0``````X0DE-!!X```````0` M````.$))300:``````!I````!@``````````````-P```IL````$`&D`;0!G M`#$````!``````````````````````````$``````````````IL````W```` M`````````````````````````````````````````#A"24T$$0```````0$` M.$))3004```````$`````3A"24T$#``````#=`````$```!P````"0```5`` M``O0```#6``8``'_V/_@`!!*1DE&``$"`0!(`$@``/_N``Y!9&]B90!D@``` M``'_VP"$``P("`@)"`P)"0P1"PH+$14/#`P/%1@3$Q43$Q@1#`P,#`P,$0P, M#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P!#0L+#0X-$`X.$!0.#@X4%`X. M#@X4$0P,#`P,$1$,#`P,#`P1#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P, M#/_``!$(``D`<`,!(@`"$0$#$0'_W0`$``?_Q`$_```!!0$!`0$!`0`````` M```#``$"!`4&!P@)"@L!``$%`0$!`0$!``````````$``@,$!08'"`D*"Q`` M`00!`P($`@4'!@@%`PPS`0`"$0,$(1(Q!4%181,B<8$R!A21H;%"(R054L%B M,S1R@M%#!R624_#A\6-S-1:BLH,F1)-49$7"HW0V%])5XF7RLX3#TW7C\T8G ME*2%M)7$U.3TI;7%U>7U5F9VAI:FML;6YO8W1U=G=X>7I[?'U^?W$0`"`@$" M!`0#!`4&!P<&!34!``(1`R$Q$@1!46%Q(A,%,H&1%*&Q0B/!4M'P,R1BX7*" MDD-3%6-S-/$E!A:BLH,')C7"TD235*,79$55-G1EXO*SA,/3=>/S1I2DA;25 MQ-3D]*6UQ=7E]59F=H:6IK;&UN;V)S='5V=WAY>GM\?_V@`,`P$``A$#$0`_ M`/*W`[C\41U>/MEEIG26N;KQ[OHEWMW+8'%?]0?]2H.^@/\`7N4E.3Z=4"+- M28,M.@['_P`DI4UXSFCU;75O+H^AN:!I[]V[=^_[=BT>[OZQ4Z?IM24YWH89 M8X_:8>T"&FMWN)#IVN;N^@X5_2_?4QB8$@?;6CQ/IV1]`/'YOT?4_0_]-;(_ MO_(D./N24\Y8UK7N#"7L!(:Z(D=G;?S5&#X+HV?2^?\`%3=RWXE)3S,'P4JP MSU&>J'>G(W[?I;9]VS=^I4ZG?:'6.I!/IU@.;Z M=++KG^MZGM?^EL9Z:1IZ.'`?:,DMTW.%+-)#=VT'(]^QV_\`T?J?\%_@]9O# M?B4WA\"DIRO1Z1N`^T9&V)7J%AH>( MB8J4E9:7F)F:I*6FIZBIJK2UMK>XN;K$Q<;'R,G*U-76U]C9VN3EYN?HZ>KT M]?;W^/GZ$0`"`0,"!`0#!00$!`8&!6T!`@,1!"$2!3$&`"(305$',F$4<0A" M@2.1%5*A8A8S";$DP=%#$A:.SP]/C\RD:E*2TQ-3D])6EM<75Y?4H1U=F.':&EJ:VQM;F M]F=WAY>GM\?7Y_=(6&AXB)BHN,C8Z/@Y25EI>8F9J;G)V>GY*CI*6FIZBIJJ MNLK:ZOK_V@`,`P$``A$#$0`_`-!?<)OG\V>.Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U M[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO> M_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[ MKWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_ M=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[K MWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_= M>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KW MOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z6W'\"^O/]R?Z/]?] M(U[?IM]/\;?XWX]^Z]U__]#05S__`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`+]U[HVM=\"OFQC>IXN]J[XH?(&G MZ]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?N MO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=+:S?P*^ MA[?W)O>R:=/^D;3KO]=&KTW^NKCZ>_=>Z__1T&=R((]PYU`+!,QDU`_I:MF' MY]^Z]TR^_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[HRG0_P[^47R>H-SY3X_P#1O87: M^,V=&K;CR&T<'+745!422X^"#%)4R-##7Y^KDRE.(,;3&:OJ!*#'"PN1[KW0 M`YS`YO;&7R6W]R8?*[>S^&JYL?E\'G,=68G+XJOIV*5%#DL;7PT]90UD#@J\ M4J*ZD6('OW7NFGW[KW7=OK_A[]U[KUO?NO==>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z]_ MOO\`>O\`8^_=>Z][]U[KNWU_WW^'OW7NNO?NO=>]^Z]T8+L;XN]U=09^+:?: MFV<9UYNJ3:FV-[-MC>.\ME;?W#3;;WEMU-V;9KZW#9/<%-D*&3+;?ECJ8Z>: M-*GQRQWC!D0-[KW479'QC[W[07(_Z*NMMP=L38?&Y3-9BBZLB@[&R6(PV%GG MI\EE\IC-G3YG(4&*IFIG;[B6-87B`D5C&0Q]U[H#)H9:::6GJ(I()X)'AF@F MC>*6&6-BDD4L<@5XY(W4@J0"#]>??NO=8[?[X_U_I[]U[KK_`'O^GOW7NC`? M'/XR]M?*G=^[-C=-X:ASFX]E]4=F=T9VDR&7Q^$A@V)U+MBKW=O.OCJ\G/3T MLE10X2BDDCAU!Y6&E>??NO=``002#]0;'_7'OW7NNO?NO==V_P![M[]U[KUO M]Y_WWU]^Z]U[_C7OW7NNO?NO==V_WW^^X]^Z]UU[]U[KL#_'W[KW7K?\B_/O MW7NNO?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO= M>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[ MKW7O?NO="=TOT_O[Y`]M=;](=5X>/' MH6R&3J*6AI!45=0HUR2*HO87-@?=>ZL5_F+?RH_G7_*(K^OL7\@HJ;$X#OG9 MTSTV\.IMTYK,;#K\ACLD9\WU=N7.PT6%IZCM8_P!?S_O1/X/'OW7NMA;^4G_PH@^3?\K[8?9W M4.5V\?D[TUNC`44/7?5_9V\,NNV^K-ST=95-5UFW0T.0GI]L[BQV0EBR.+A, M,,TL-/(I0HP?W7NJ1>_>V'[X[K[5[IDV1LCK67M/?FYM^3;!ZUQ#8'86TIMS MY:IRTV"VGAWGJ7QV#H):HI!$9'*H!Z.U\+/Y8'9_RVZ,[[^7.X-_;4 MZ(^'_P`8:O#8WN?O#=&&W/O6MQ^9SSXR.@V_L[KC8U!DMR[JS"/GL<:EYGQN M.I(J^*6:K2-9FB]U[H.NU_C[\*-N=8;MW?T[\\\AVMO[;D^+CQ75NY_B[N[J MNLWE#D,Q#CJF;;VZ&[%WQB4;%4+25LZ5D=*3$@6,O(VE?=>Z*YVKTIW!T5GL M9M;NKJ[?_4NYLSMS%;OQ6W>QMI9W9NLRF')WU]O3H7D;&"I6-1=B![]U[H5\!_+A_F";JDS<.W/A#\L,Q+MNLJ M\?G(J+X_]I2R8ZOQ[5*5]#.G]UPQK:)Z.431*&>+0=0'OW7N@DZR^/W8&_._ MMI_'O+;1[*VWO7,;TH]J;HV]CNJ=[[S['V=315`?=63DZDP6/&^GZCW7NA8[Q^&6^-B;N[L'2&/[8^172_05?38?LKO7$_'WM# M8&W-D9K[>C_B^&[%PNXJ"NKNMLG@LI5-13PYB:G?S1,0-/OW7NB_]2=*=Q=^ M[PBZ^Z,ZJ[&[DWW/0U64BV;U=LK<>_=SMBZ!H5KLH<%M?'93)+C:%JF,35!C M$,1D74PU"_NO=*SJ;XL_)3OG)9G$]*]"=O\`:E;MO)TN&W.-A=?;HW/2[7RM M;--3TE#N?(XG&56.VY/434TBH*V6"YC?_4M;W7NF7N3X^=[?'?/4>U^^NF^S M^FMP9.C?)8C%=F[&W)LJJS6+2=Z7^+8)=P8V@7-XAJB-D6KI#-3.P]+GW[KW M3ECOC%\D&*` M,-;&J`34+VN+^Z]TN]B_!+YL=G;6Q>^.NOB+\E=\;-SL2SX'=.UNDNQ\W@,_ M"\7F27`97'[Z"+KOI#N;M[=E3L/JCJ7LKLW>] M$9Q6[0V!L;Z]TM>X/B M5\HOC[B<5G^\OCMW7U)M[.S-383\-J;=R]6C3)+1XW/9C$4N'KJV)J M=]<,4[2IIN5`]^Z]T7KW[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=+?2/X%>\?_`!Y& MJVI]5_\`2-HM:UO);FWTT\_7W[KW7__2T&]S@KN3<`))(S64!+?4D5TX)/\` MC[]U[IC]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW5K?Q\[%V3MW^4_\]MDY>MR$/8F MY/D=\.-R=61I19*2GH)=IP]OQ[TS>,RJ5B8_"Y>'&YJC@>18A5R0SJ@^4&R]N8+<_:6T:QZJ*H@RO:^&J1A M,]\@=O4U#0T^+IJ:LSU%7X2@)>BF?QFDG]U[KJJ^#?:NT.X_C5@ZFFI-Z]2? M);L'K7#=+]V[+B7.=>]C8W?6Z\=@Z2GIIJDP?W?WKCY)I(V-S[CZYWUF]_=4;2 M[,?([:[%PV8VPE%V!Y1ADQT6,J,;EZ=L*I"RSU3FGJ7ADJ$1J0HS>Z]TF?C; MUSTUW+VAB^N>VMZ;-Z`VMNV03R=T93=E9)MSJRC2.:,UN5VQ/_',EO"!ZR&, M24$$\.2$,K21LVD(?=>Z!FJV3M6'N&?KJ'LS;U5LF+L>39D7<<6,S2[4J-M+ MN0X1.R$Q#THW&NWGQ@&3^W\!K13'2(S+Z??NO=+"F^.N^AVYE.I\TV.P+[<6 M+,[MWE4U4-7M#;FP9**DS2=B5.7H)IZ2LVQ6;;KH*ZA>"1WR*U$$5,))IXD; MW7NAQW+T1\?>Q>D-T=E_&?>6[FW]U/GIZ;L/ISLS*[=J]X;OZT6EJIE[QZWA MPN(P@;;V`>EA3/XB0UE?CC7I-&TE)3U$X]U[HOU)UU@\'U%E]_=AQ[QPV;WA M38D]!T='08V+`[RBI-V9'#[]W-EZW(5"Y!]N[=CV_58Z#[&GD\V6ETR31+3/ M'-[KW31M79FT]P;3JLG_`'\P=#OB'+U]!'L3];,N` MDJHLQ>G_`(5+XIY2JNK,K$+[KW2ER_5&[3U=DMVXWK1,AB-D;SK,3O'L_9>[ M:3>^!Q\>6H\>^#PVYH=OU^=Q6&IS/%*V-R8EIJ?("26)?.\)9/=>Z`7W[KW7 M)`Q=0@+.64(H&HEKC2`MCJ)/X_/OW7NM@#^==M;XFP?S$.Q:?=G9'=>(W>>L M/C$F^$V7T;M>LV:F\/\`0%UO!N6?!U&ZNV=C[IEP\5/!`T0(K0) M%)+[KW4_$8/XG_RN=P]1_-#XP[][F^?..KL!4G9W:NQ=XS?%[K3878F1QOV^ M;V'W1AMDY[=7?6`W#MR.KC,NV\H-LP;@HJN.HIZV:F#*_NO=5F=-=<=G?S._ MY@&U=A?Q/;^WNT?F3\AZVJSN=@QLM/MK;F6[(W/7[EW?G:3"PSO4OC,#3559 M50T4KM]YOKO;>^ M.V?D9UEL2NK)MO;G_N7-G'V]M+=T6-Q65R&>I):A\14Y.>NQ^.=3610/'*5] MU[H4X?B9\->X^B_DAO;*;_ZF^%?=W4F%DW?U9M7)?+GJ?O#K+O@XW[:7-=3[ M?VW@IZCMO:^^)L6*BKQ&4#9G$9*<0T3_`&S2?<>_=>Z$3_A.O+A(/FEWW+GJ MQ(J2/^79\Z'7'-'CG;<&CIC(O78>*:O*RTKG#+55/DI62?33%&(@:;W[KW1+ M/Y6_\O+=W\SWYD;2^+.UM\X/K'&Y#";KWYOWL/.P?Q*'9_7FR:1*[<.4QV!2 MKH9]QYR5JBGI:.B6:%'GJ%>:6&GCFFC]U[HU?97QP^-FRLANW$]7?&G:6Z-M MX'/5Z8C>/"HF6`5W^N?C'\E^I<_M_(XCXM9_Y']8]V8GY`=> M;FDAAJ*OIW+;9FH=Z8'?6Q)69LCA\I1U44],/)'5K)J@3W7NB,_%#XN=N=_Y M_)[FVET%OCN3J[K=J2O[6RF&W!!USLO:N-JB4HVWIV]F\1E=J[#HZN6P\E6` MTB\)8D,/=>ZLRZ2^,'QG[7[LZXZHWYT-TGMS:>Z^P]D=?9W/=7_S+>FZGL#" MKO367QC[@CJH,5%3P'(-$81+'J,B>Z]T5;^8_\`R_=I M_P`O3^95O[X2;S[AFKNK]F[WZP6L[G7:M57Y7"]6=G8':.\_[SY'9N*FEJLK MG]G;3W4QJJ&C=OO*JC98#:1/?NO='TWY\%?B#B=_TNU_A_U[U[\[NL:.EQV4 MPW92?S`.L^O>T^V:"*@PT>XX)^B:?;G]X>ILW)G,F]+0XRI&0K`L0F)EUE$] MU[JJOYO_`!FW5T'WAB-ES_%GY`?%:EW;M_;==MKK;Y"5ZYSQ\QB\=1"IJJEL9A\ M;**N(02RF.5??NO=!5TI\-/A9W9V!@^GN_MD8OX6XW>-#D,7B/D]M3YC]8=M M[*Z\W2E+45.%R/9O7FYX]NS9':.9R-`M`[8W*1UE.:^*54D53?W7NJ0>\.M* M7IKN/M'J>AWYLSM*@ZXW[NK9=!V5UUDOXQL/?]!MS-5F*HMY;/R95&K=N;DI M:5*RC=E5S!,NH!KCW[KW06>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=> MZ][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWO MW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NIE!D*_%5U%E,76U>-R>-JJ>NQV1Q]3-1U]!74DJ3 MTE;15=.\=12U=-/&KQR(RNC@%2"![]U[JWCL'^?)_-`[<^/M1\8NVOD,G:?4 ME?M^;;.5QG8>P=A[NSN8QW/D)WYM6FDDS^< M'R_5U=L7XD]#_$?KKI/:>5V)U_LWIK!)09&MVO79./*4D.]LU#!0T^; MJL/.L@HQ#2TT-.L\NE"9&8^Z]U5U?_??[[GW[KW5UWP\K-S?%G(;4[)^)W\X MOI?X^YS=^U\7F>S]J;FQ_?\`M.FI*J/Q)7[&W?M/$=6=A;+[,%(T\JI'-JI: MJ%01H+!5]U[HP?\`-5[K^$/R\ZP^*O5OQ*ZNH?D%_,5PM;EIODU\E_C+\=:K MI3K[N:.MHS%38;`].;7QZY+>N=6MEHE7,OB<;)&,?,R0_P"Y%HH/=>ZNP^;& MZ?A]D/A]_+'^L>N99,75;KS$.2IJ1JZ;,5M$\$R.*9_=>ZK8_EL_SENLO=M;NW+%DL;A-A=28S$?<8+K7`;2VC] MYB(VJ50U9W%+5S5#3Q2-)[KW1.OY=W\P^/M+^;;U=\U?YG/S"[2P&S.NMTY; MN7)YN)M[;D&;W/MSRS=>]7X';FU#40;?VFF;R,+R4ZTWV(P]!-1Z1YU(]U[J MP3XG_P`XWXE[2_F&?S9/YO\`VMEZ?%]^;MV#O'9OP%Z/FV-GLQ5[AR69H:3: M^R<_N',X]$VYMV7$[7V-@:3,RU$LTNP:G;V?WU6X'N*<;A3:^^)L%@HZC+5LTL&_ M[PZYW_`)*GG&X, MU/)\9*W-]0=IST\%'3^#)Y*FDR8JY:F\DJ5#W]U[HI'QY^>WQ\^3'\P#X_[1 M_FE_('H/+?RXOY?>Q]^YSH?K;JKH;>NV>B]\YNCP&W\;M3K_`&KLB@V?!V-E M(JW/+39`R[N1DR$.`>FJM*5KH_NO=52?+;YP]M?S*OEQN7=O>'?]9U=U'O'? M&>IMA8K=LN\*[J#H3J^.LKZG9&TL9U_U]B<]44>"P.,@I:5UQN*J9YZDM4RB M21Y9#[KW5S7=GSA^$_RT^.G86Y?YGGR#ZI[M^7G3O3$76WPM[0_E_P"!^3'6 MW:FR>"HN]:#L+9'5_QX_NG0[KR=)-%44N";+14KY`AV84T;>Z]TZ=2 M?/GX"9#^4-T1\.>DL_\`'CXY=\4^7R.4^9^"^3U!\P=I8?Y(YNDI\R,=N2/N M?X<58W#NG%UE1D"R8/=$A/=>ZJ!]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW0@:4_N]>[7_ M`-'^JVD6U_Z4--KZ/TZ>;_6_Y]^Z]U__T]!W=+*^YMPNC!T?-Y1E<`J&5JV< MA@IY%P?I[]U[IA]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO=>]^Z]U[W[KW2QHM^;DH-CYSKJGJJ0; M4W%GL-N;*44F+QLU5+FMOTN1HL560Y66E;*4OVU)EZE/'',L;"9KJ22??NO= M([_?#_#W[KW1K?BO\U?D1\-=[8O?'1N\,;CZK$Y:#/TNVMZ[/VCV=L$;BI#! M]AN<;"[#PNY=J0;NQ:TZK1YB&DBRM$A=8*B-9)`WNO=!3WCW;V1\C>UMZ]U] MNYY=S]C=@Y7^-;ISB8[&XF.OK_MX*1'CQN(I*+&T<45+31HL<,2(`HX]^Z]T MQU_9&[W:]?M>HH-A8F MLIFQ&"AR.1P_5N-R6(Z[Q&2SE-C(!V]M3 M;VW=L8"G%)A-N;9VIM/%83;6W<'BJ8:8::BI((EN6(+,Q/NO=(2FR204LE+) MC,;6!HZU8YZF.I6J@DK4HXQ41S4M72M))1BC_927R0H99"4)86]U[H2-J]U; MTV/UYO;K?:7\&P6,[)IUQ6_-R=/LZMRU=)51TFVZ?,XBG MK1'20TT[U,8,DKH%0>Z]T$GOW7NNP2I!'U!!'YY'(X/'OW7NEAO[L'>O:6[< MOOOL3Y:/(X M'-IC:X1UE#++#]QCZ^&.HIY(ID5_?NO=!9MG=^Z-D[JPN^-EY_+[/W?MK,4F MX-M[DVQD:O!YK;^;Q]4M9C\GA^5^ M_OD3V+N3MOY`;?V%VGV5N^F7^\^]*C;-/LC-Y_-AJ7S;NS@ZUDV?BLSNS("G M8UM=54LLU=+-)-4&2=O(/=>Z2.Y.[(,QLK.;#P74'3>QL3N#.T6\8%QKU$E#AL9O#>NX]V9W$86*2JD,D5)+`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

WMLUN(Z]R-+US@,#MG!XJIVY49O(UL MF-J\+MV"&M0UNNH#/9DU<>Z]TJJOYB='9ZLES^Z?Y?WQIEW/)3Y`D[/S?<6R M]F564K*U*F+)9#9D'8&6NE-`AC^VHZZAA.MF`4:57W7NDU\NOG]\@OFCMWH# M8?:U?M[&=8_%OKF/JSHCK39V.R%#M?8>U?'C(*SP5&=R^XMS9?+Y6EP=!%4U M5=D*AFCH8518U6Q]U[H6Z[^9_P!F=I;$Z]ZZ^773_27S!QG5>!7:>P=_]K[< MRF&[YVYL^FH,1CL5M+_35L+,;;W+NK`X6FPT8I(]QQYR6G\DGCD76;>Z]TAZ M?YI=9[5@RPZU^"WQ8P>2R^W0NBJX1E]U[H@A-R38_=>Z][]U[K MWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_= M>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KW MOW7NO$W]^Z]U[_??ZWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[H3NI>Z>V^AMTR;XZ6['WEU;O&7# M93;S[HV+GLAMO.G"9J)(,FIZM*2OBC59%5AJ`'OW7ND;N+HK\A/454MBQMJ8VO[]U[IDO_`+S[]U[K MJ_OW7NAIV'M#K+<>VL?3;DW_`$VU=\;I[:V7L_&39"EKY-M[*V#4P5@WIV'O M">CIIIYJ&DK#4F9VAB<)A=OY&CJ)_#FLI39K*5\PK(J:FIJ/$66:::H2)?= M>Z76Q]F=.9;9^RI-W]CS;>WAO+NK';6S$<&*J:R@ZVZBQU!C#N'L/-:63^+U M>6R6Y/\`(*&#]T1X*IULOW$)]^Z]UTW6_4LU+L3[3O"C7(;DV[VQN7=<63V= ME**BV,NS/[V'KW:]154U=D),SO#M"';$#10PQI18YLS11S53$5#0>Z]TDZ1V[-D;)P--CJG"]G8[=#&BV`^2KKHG=(D@*N?=>Z0M7C\9]K55F-RIGCI:T4ZTV0ID MH,A44]1+6?955-30U60C=5IJ4-4@R`022HJF0'5[]U[IC]^Z]U[W[KW7O?NO M=>]^Z]U[W[KW0A^*7^[W]BW^CSR_G_-?Z3_Z^2VO7_L/Q;\^_=>Z_]30T['P MYV_V!O?!FMILE_"-U9['#(49M)DZF!:RF,@$G@J54.FH7TGGW[KW2+M_ MK'W[KW77OW7NO>_=>Z[M_K?[?W[KW77^Q]^Z]UW[]U[KUO\`'_??\2/?NO== M>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NO>_=>Z][]U[KWOW7NN['\`D?UM_OOZ>_=>Z]I/\`0_[; MZ_ZW]??NO=>M_OO][_QX]^Z]U[20+D$?[`_\B]^Z]UZQ_P!O]/\`'_D?OW7N MO6M_O('UYM_O7OW7NO6X/^'%OS_QKW[KW77OW7NO?\:]^Z]U[_8^_=>Z[_V/ M^^_WKW[KW7K?XC_??GW[KW77OW7NN[?X^_=>ZZ]^Z]U[_??\B]^Z]U[W[KW7 M=O\`6_VX_P!Z^OOW7NNO]]_OOZ^_=>Z][]U[KW^Q_/\`OC[]U[KWOW7NO>_= M>Z][]U[KWOW7NN[#^O\`OO\`>_?NO==>_=>Z[M[]U[KH^_=>Z]_Q'OW7NO>_ M=>Z]_7_#_?<>_=>Z[X_K?_D?_%/?NO=>_P`?^1_X^_=>ZZ_P]^Z]UV18_P"^ M/^]?GW[KW7N+_7_8_P"Q^O\`MO?NO=>M_C_KG^G_`!7W[KW77^^_WU_S[]U[ MKNP_K_3_`(W_`+;W[KW7K?[W^#_K_P#%/?NO==>_=>Z[_P!C^?\`?$>_=>ZZ M]^Z]U[_??[X>_=>Z[X_WWY_K[]U[KUO]]?\`XK[]U[KKW[KW79M_ON?^*>_= M>Z]_K>_=>ZZ]^Z]UW_OO^1^_=>ZZ]^Z]U[W[KW7O]]_C[]U[KO\`V/\`L?\` M8_[?W[KW7OI^3_L+?\5_K[]U[KH_[[_#_#W[KW7?^V_UO]@/];W[KW7OI_QK M_#W[KW7OS]3^/\?I_P`4]^Z]UXG_`'P_V_OW7NO?['W[KW75_?NO=>]^Z]U[ MW[KW7?\`R+_C=_Z>_=>Z]^/]]_OK>_=>ZZ]^Z]T)5D_N]]/^::W_`!^O_2A] M?]M_L??NO=?_U=7_`..GR._F@["ZWFVU\8]A[DR75N2W3NO(8>J7XY["[&R5 M'FLAEIGW!3X[=FX]A;@SU'44^760/!%5`03ZP%5B1[]U[H8\[\K_`.=_6RY& M3.]?;[CDKL='%5"I^)'6-"L.,B%19J6/_19`E!3,LSZGB"!@!Z]T&F0 M^8'\UH5M1-/UOC1DZW'2TEL;\-^C7R46/D^X622A@Q74CU=$H+R?O0JA4W.H M$<>Z]TT[L^4_\UVHQ6=_O7L7+1XF5J)MS?=_$SJB"!?MJ^FGIAG]'52/$CUR M1!Q4V$K65]5['W7NI6#^4W\U&HR--6T>Q,+]YAZ=C''N'XG_`!\I*>=:ZHHI MZ4S4.YNK8*3-5<4L$(H0Z3S0`A8`H<@^Z]TE*'Y1?S*8,5'-B]D[:_NV,M0U M4:4/Q0^/57MDY<9C(-CU6).JY\0TW\1^3G\Q:7. M--E=F;37/U%0^A:WXJ_'6+(I5Q!Y*DT<$_5:2T]2T4X$_B56>,('NJH![KW4 M9/DQ\]ZA:;'U>SNE$DHL)'0P3;F^+/P]IZR3&),\:2#([HZL2HKJXU+$_<>2 M2K+B^NXO[]U[KC6_('^8(DVSQ4[8ZS/VE3"-F^#XX?%*3'O619%:L?P]J3K9 ML=65#5Z@2DZV<7C>ZDK[]U[IMD^0WSGP>TAMM-K=)S823"24)J\;\:OAWN'< M*X@54E9++/N?&]9Y/=49\A=6J):H2&*\9;QC3[]U[J)2_*_YR2XNJHL=L_J* M/&215\-6V/\`AO\`$E2!+)0?Q%VR$?2IJHI?+'3:W$JLA*6MJ%_=>ZX;.^6_ MS4V[/DQMS9/0];5U=0C5S5_PS^'6XJB&IB(U6_BO2M35[KW4;$_,'Y+4KYRGQ_7GQ3@KZ3(8\KTY;'91ZJ$1O4!-4\3-$^I3;W[KW4V?Y=_* MSR44M3L;XUO-0(RQ:_AA\.D:9XUI4JGJX8NE8TKYYC"AF\JN-3$V!8W]U[IY MJ?F[\L*RJR]0W5_Q:AKJS$U&.RDE-\%_A[2+#15.;RN1%0V/BZ43&TE3#DZ^ M:.&H$"R(D:0AM$:J/=>Z[3YO_)[QR/#U/\/TQLC:Y:0?!OX=24.MI)GNLT_3 MDM5"ODF-D294&E0%``'OW7NE?A?G3\NHLA6UU#T_\+IWGEQLV2HZKX*_#`43 M)256`UU&L8Z_`Q-(\\'K$*PO&78*R@@#W7NG"H^=GS-8R30= M(_`FFE]!9:+X/_"6:?Z1HEH:GJ^K;])!_3^D$_U/OW7NIFW?YA?S;H:KR8WX M^_!6NFCM]VL_P(^&,R56BGJ*6K-4E/U9"(Q4S2":41^()-&I30I=6]U[KC7_ M`#Z^8%8\T\OQU_E^TR"RZ?K]!I_ MYB7R^@R/EI_C#\`YY2]0\5/#\&OBH],B3HTDT2>#9JN8HJ8LGJ=F1+\Z@&'N MO=*M_P"8S\Y6I:>*H^,/P),5/3Z'>?X(?$Z.2IH6>8Q)4NNQHV:&.60E9%T. M2H!<@6]^Z]TA:SY_?+N.2HD3XT_!A)*J4NPH/A;\9*D4[F)$(BB;:E0D*:U+ MV*E0['\64>Z]TNZ7^97\T(*K[B/X??`"60K3KXI_@U\1CILUO?NO=)1?GS\JZFHJYZ;XH_`BAEJI6D=$^)O1ACIY"H63P0 M5B54<*M("Q3255B0H"V4>Z]TH\9_,B^9&)J"R_#SX%96(-(8X:KX4=%U5"%9 M9D"Q/1T-/K5'DU"[DZE6Y/(/NO=8:7^8M\RH,=)05/Q#^"5<6GGEJ:_(?#+H MB*OEFE5`XDFIJ.BBIU2$*%2-(U4"X&HEC[KW34/Y@/RXCBF-+\1_@RFJ-4UT M7Q,Z;J)XB9%*211"2H+2#20+HPTLUQ^1[KW2LI_YEGS1C@\<7PO^![*`@61_ MA/T[),)E93%*K20LS3K(H(%BK'@J0;>_=>Z1N8_F3_*')Y)YZSX4_!NDRY70 M7HOAILK'.`&=B5HH)XZ$$DMR(>1Q^!;W7NNZ'^9!\P**<3Q?#[X=U$2Q3Q?: MS?"CKVJHR:B*2GCEXQYD:6E=Q)"0]A(JDAA<'W7NG^N_F@_+:KQ9HJSX-_!9 M*!(TCK)A\'=E4;U'^4P2P255;&898I$J(U"F-X@URI#`V]^Z]TTC^87\M,FR MR-\./A#$4ABCC%5\3.N<5:%%M$8XZNNH_*-/]NS%OJ2??NO=3Z7^83\RZ)VC MI?B!\)Y&$T-1=?B/U37H$B1T:GCD\M1&\$QF5I%!+%D!!%C?W7NEPO\`,R^< MDD-2D7PC^!J1RTSI.R?"OJ966C8U-U#/,6AC422`.+-8?J](M[KW2(E^?WS" MJZLU`^'OP9IZDN7=(OBSU13@_O2.ZFGERFE4,K,"`HMR!8``>Z]T]8?^9%\R M\,:B&/X4_`_)3RRR/YLC\.^K\C+"&-TBIW6M$0@CL1'PUP3R??NO=/_=>Z6='_,^ M^:M+H\'PF^$\L<44HE+`R,#RP'`M[]U[IOW)_, MV^9&7IJ:+,_"KX34<"2S&D:/X/=?8H"=XM,QBE2FA\KB*UU8L%'-A[]U[I,P M_P`Q3Y>1&)X_B)\.7165D0_#7KB2(@$66WVAU(?SS]/?NO=+/'_S0/FG2PPT ME#\)_A')-!*)/NE^"?6]562CU$1RS&@D22'U?0#Z`<^_=>ZP[@_F:?-ZOI43 M/?#?X9141K#+`)_@GU9CXDK#3(@6*9<-`Y=:0+9"Q]-C;F_OW7NDA0_S#_F$ M%OC/B7\/E4Z&7[7X9]72!1$P=A'?&RG3(.'^NI>/?NO=+NA_FB_-NGBBI,?\ M*O@_YX0$:IC^!'4]77327),D\TN'J-4Q4@&P46`X_K[KW6>O_F;?/ZKHJU*K MX?\`Q"AH)3`:[3\".GZ:`:(F6G$LO]V%,/[1.GU#4.>??NO=!]+_`#$/F55U M\SP?%/X?TN3+JU0U%\*NGXJDLJI820R8*1%NBK<:!ZS5W\SC^8/78VJA M?XB?$2DQDD>FI>E^`'2M/3JA("EYGV>R1@-8@D@7]^Z]T@7_`)B/S;\T4TWQ M=^(C&)S((Y?@]T2L4BI52RRI)'_=)0\3U!D#C\^I?QQ[KW2NQ/\`,Y^=]%&8 M,=\0OAC/(T\LZ3CX!=&UE0B3OY(X(7&T9%%)`#IB4`A5L+GW[KW4W*?S,_YB M53"BY'XI_$R&G,??NO=!I2_P`P M;YM./]QOQK^)B`WT_8?"'X_``D_V?'LIK$'Z>_=>Z$.F_FB?/`)'!C?B'\(( MWB1(FEH?Y>'QSFJ)9$0*TL\O]Q)V>H<6+GCUXY]^Z]UCK_P"9?_,5K<)/3R_&+XET MN"D#>62G_EW_`!EIJ%-327)J&ZN\*Z9"WU-KW]^Z]T@\7_,8^;F(F%9+\*19"$A'64)O(%TO8W*$CW[KW2]H_YHOS_GM_`OBC\* MJ2Y!3^#_`,N'XO\`'^IT7ZOG%OZ>_=>Z2F]_YDGSTR9%*QZB-=N+GGW[KW76&_F=?-##QO!3_%GX(9 M%Y6UQS5?\NGXE9":%2SOXX'CZNTJ@5P+$$A57_8^Z]T[5G\T/YWUE'-$?BW\ M'J6B9J;S&F_EM?$:"(.M7`U,6F;J,E6-D%N9"`/K;W[KW2#R?\Q7YI5/C M:O\`C[\+($#DQ+-_+Y^'$2:_M*%"%%1U"23]G'3_`)OHT'^U<^Z]T^;?_F=? M,_%0BEQWQB^"U=-&TQDJI_YXM[KW3 MSD?YG_SQJ(:G[WXS_!^&F:G5:Q9/Y:OPRBA^V"U`7S-+TL-$>EI.21^>>#[] MU[H.4_F._+5JS)2TWQX^"J9&K-5%,:7^7I\+_NZ6OEE#S5$%..H'\>0C=&`! M1M(9AI_I[KW2Z3^:9\RXX#%+\5_@+*"Y?\SGYOXU_!*EE+DT7W/\MKX9TR!S#"I\8?I3Q7 M\"IPW]FQ^A]^Z]UFVM_,*^7,D\^1I.@?Y=M?%24S"2ASOP'_`)?&)C<2^E)* M:EJNI<165M3%8E5A\C`FY!]^Z]TJJC^:=\S*FAK8(OBK\`:3&/2U45?]K_+3 M^&*TGV30R)6>>JDZ:D2.#P%M;ZU"KS<#GW[KW0;Q?S`/D@\7EQ/Q\_ENTRVC MTC&?!KX!2S#65`M"W6E34,=3\\'3S>P!M[KW2WP_\S'Y9XJ.IC/Q?_EOY45- M8U;"V6_EX_!.H:DAF2,14%"\?5Z]U4SN*BRV2RV3S= M:NU*2?+Y.MR$U%@0K#!%%'#"@"(``![ M]U[I.344T"JSO2,&-@( -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----