-----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, WJBbAgx9G5HIlEpbt3p3OAhnjLFdX44xNCM4zu7IQX9vu5Nit5XFcWdIFNlVlfWQ wtU0xOiBDc9gmPPi81Ghow== 0001193125-10-171845.txt : 20100730 0001193125-10-171845.hdr.sgml : 20100730 20100730121130 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-10-171845 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: POSASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100730 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100730 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20100730 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RAYONIER INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000052827 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798] IRS NUMBER: 132607329 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NC FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: POSASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-167011 FILM NUMBER: 10980275 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 NORTH LAURA ST STREET 2: SUITE 1900 CITY: JACKSONVILLE STATE: FL ZIP: 32202 BUSINESS PHONE: 9043579100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 NORTH LAURA ST STREET 2: SUITE 1900 CITY: JACKSONVILLE STATE: FL ZIP: 32202 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ITT RAYONIER INC /CT/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19940422 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ITT RAYONIER INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001400057 IRS NUMBER: 061159803 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: POSASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-167011-02 FILM NUMBER: 10980278 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 N. LAURA STREET, SUITE 1900 CITY: JACKSONVILLE STATE: FL ZIP: 32202 BUSINESS PHONE: 904-357-9100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 N. LAURA STREET, SUITE 1900 CITY: JACKSONVILLE STATE: FL ZIP: 32202 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001400058 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798] IRS NUMBER: 200392883 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: POSASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-167011-01 FILM NUMBER: 10980277 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 N. LAURA STREET, SUITE 1900 CITY: JACKSONVILLE STATE: FL ZIP: 32202 BUSINESS PHONE: 904-357-9100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 N. LAURA STREET, SUITE 1900 CITY: JACKSONVILLE STATE: FL ZIP: 32202 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Rayonier Operating Co LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001496164 IRS NUMBER: 272793120 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: POSASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-167011-03 FILM NUMBER: 10980276 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 N. LAURA STREET STREET 2: SUITE 1900 CITY: JACKSONVILLE STATE: FL ZIP: 32202 BUSINESS PHONE: (904) 357-9100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 N. LAURA STREET STREET 2: SUITE 1900 CITY: JACKSONVILLE STATE: FL ZIP: 32202 POSASR 1 dposasr.htm POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.1 TO FORM S-3 Post-Effective Amendment No.1 to Form S-3
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2010

Registration No. 333-167011

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

RAYONIER INC.,

RAYONIER OPERATING COMPANY LLC,

RAYONIER TRS HOLDINGS INC.,

and

RAYONIER FOREST RESOURCES, L.P.

(Exact name of Registrants as specified in charter)

 

 

 

 

North Carolina

Delaware

Delaware
Delaware

 

13-2607329

27-2793120

20-0392883
06-1159803

(State of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

50 North Laura Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

(904) 357-9100

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

 

 

Michael R. Herman, Esq.

Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary

50 North Laura Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

(904) 357-9100

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

copy to:

M. Hill Jeffries

Alston & Bird LLP

1201 West Peachtree Street

Atlanta, GA 30309

(404) 881-7000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective, as determined by market conditions and other factors.

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

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

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

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

If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  x

If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Larger accelerated filer  x   Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨   Smaller reporting company  ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

Title of each class of securities

to be registered

   Amount to be registered/proposed  
maximum  offering price per  
unit/proposed maximum offering price(1)  
   Amount of
registration fee(2)

Rayonier Inc.

         

Debt Securities

         

Guarantees(3)

         

Common Shares, no par value

         

Preferred Shares

         

Warrants(4)

         

Rayonier Operating Company LLC

         

Debt Securities

         

Guarantees(3)

         

Warrants(4)

         

Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc.

         

Debt Securities

         

Guarantees(3)

         

Warrants(4)

         

Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P.

         

Debt Securities

         

Guarantees(3)

         

Warrants(4)

     
 

 

(1) Pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II(E), information is not required to be included. An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. The securities registered hereunder include securities as may from time to time be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of other securities registered hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or together as units with other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of other securities or that are issued in units.
(2) In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrants are deferring payment of all of the registration fee, except for $19,983 of fees paid with respect to the unsold portion of securities initially registered pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-107213 filed on July 22, 2003, which unused filing fees may be offset against future filing fees due. Pursuant to Rule 457(p), such unused filing fees were transferred to Registration Statement No. 333-143150 filed on May 22, 2007. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), such unused filing fees may be applied to any filing fees payable pursuant to this registration statement.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 457(n), no separate registration fee will be paid in respect of any such guarantees.
(4) Represents warrants to purchase debt securities, common shares or preferred shares registered hereby.

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

RAYONIER INC.

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

GUARANTEES

COMMON SHARES

PREFERRED SHARES

WARRANTS

 

 

RAYONIER OPERATING COMPANY LLC

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

GUARANTEES

WARRANTS

 

 

RAYONIER TRS HOLDINGS INC.

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

GUARANTEES

WARRANTS

 

 

RAYONIER FOREST RESOURCES, L.P.

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

GUARANTEES

WARRANTS

 

 

By this prospectus, we may offer debt securities, guarantees, common shares, preferred shares and warrants of Rayonier Inc. and debt securities, guarantees and warrants of each of Rayonier Operating Company LLC, Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. and Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P.

This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer the securities. The specific terms of any securities we offer will be included in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer the securities.

Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RYN.”

INVESTING IN ANY OF OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISK. YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER EACH OF THE FACTORS DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 5 OF THIS PROSPECTUS, AS WELL AS THE RISKS CONTAINED OR DESCRIBED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN OR THEREIN BY REFERENCE BEFORE YOU MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN ANY OF OUR SECURITIES.

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus is July 30, 2010.


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Explanatory Note

This Registration Statement is a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-167011) initially field on May 21, 2010 by Rayonier Inc., Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. and Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P. This post-effective amendment is being filed to add Rayonier Operating Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., as a co-registrant with respect to the securities of Rayonier Operating Company LLC indicated herein.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   1

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

   3

THE COMPANY

   5

RISK FACTORS

   5

USE OF PROCEEDS

   6

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

   6

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

   7

Debt Securities May Be Senior or Subordinated

   7

The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of Rayonier

   8

The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of Rayonier Operating Company

   8

The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of TRS Holdings

   8

The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of Forest Resources

   9

We May Issue Many Series of Debt Securities

   9

Amounts That We May Issue

   9

Principal Amount, Stated Maturity and Maturity

   9

Original Issue Discount Debt Securities

   10

Information in the Prospectus Supplement

   10

Redemption and Repayment

   11

Subordination Provisions

   11

Covenants

   12

Events of Default, Remedies and Notice

   14

Amendments and Waivers

   16

Defeasance and Discharge

   17

Book Entry, Delivery and Form

   18

The Trustee

   19

Governing Law

   20

DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES

   20

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

   21

Common Shares

   21

Preferred Shares

   21

Anti-Takeover Provisions

   22

Limitation of Liability of Officers and Directors

   23

Transfer Agent and Registrar

   23

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

   24

Debt Warrants

   24

Stock Warrants

   25

CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

   26

Taxation of Rayonier

   26

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   33

LEGAL MATTERS

   36

EXPERTS

   36

 

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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or any other person to provide you with additional or different information. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document containing the information. We will disclose any material changes in our affairs in an amendment to this prospectus, a prospectus supplement or a future filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

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Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, as used in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “the company” and other similar references are to Rayonier Inc. and all of its subsidiaries (including Rayonier Operating Company LLC, Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. and Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P.) on a consolidated basis. References to “Rayonier” are to Rayonier Inc., references to “Rayonier Operating Company” are to Rayonier Operating Company LLC, references to “TRS Holdings” are to Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. and references to “Forest Resources” are to Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, Rayonier Inc., Rayonier Operating Company LLC, Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. and Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P. may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering and the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Rayonier files annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public via the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy at prescribed rates any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You can also obtain information about Rayonier at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources do not currently file separate reports, proxy statements or other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Exchange Act,” although one or more of these companies may elect or may be required to do so in the future. You are encouraged to visit the SEC’s web site to view any future SEC filings that these companies might make.

As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, exhibits and schedules for more information about us and the securities that we may offer. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available through the SEC’s website or at its public reference room.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file, which means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make (other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed) with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, until we terminate this offering:

 

   

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

 

   

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010.

 

   

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2010.

 

   

Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2010.

 

   

Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 5, 2010.

 

   

Our Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed on February 4, 1994 and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website, www.rayonier.com, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information


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statements and amendments to those reports and statements filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Any other documents available on our website are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Alternatively, you may request a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

Investor Relations Department

Rayonier Inc.

50 North Laura Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

(904) 357-9100

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of those documents. We will disclose any material changes in our affairs in an amendment to this prospectus, a prospectus supplement or a future filing with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The SEC encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. Some of the information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference regarding anticipated financial outcomes (including earnings guidance, if any), business and market conditions, outlook and other similar statements relating to our future financial and operating performance are such “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “estimate”, “believe”, “anticipate” and other similar language.

All of our forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding our business and performance, the economy and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circumstances and results. As with any projection or forecast, they are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in our forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements include, among others:

 

   

the effect of the current economic downturn, which is impacting many areas of our economy, including the housing market, the availability and cost of credit, and demand for our products and real estate;

 

   

the cyclical and competitive nature of the industries in which we operate;

 

   

fluctuations in demand for, or supply of, our forest products and real estate offerings;

 

   

entry of new competitors into our markets;

 

   

changes in global economic conditions and world events, including political changes in particular regions or countries;

 

   

the uncertainties of potential impacts of climate-related initiatives;

 

   

changes in energy and raw material prices, particularly for our Performance Fibers and wood products businesses;

 

   

impacts of the rising costs of fuel, including the cost and availability of transportation for our products, both domestically and internationally, and the cost and availability of third party logging and trucking services;

 

   

unanticipated equipment maintenance and repair requirements at our manufacturing facilities;

 

   

the geographic concentration of a significant portion of our timberland;

 

   

our ability to identify, finance and complete timberland acquisitions;

 

   

changes in environmental laws and regulations, including laws regarding air emissions and water discharges, remediation of contaminated sites, timber harvesting, delineation of wetlands, and endangered species, that may restrict or adversely impact our ability to conduct our business, or increase the cost of doing so;

 

   

adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other catastrophic events such as hurricanes, wind storms and wildfires, which can adversely affect our timberlands and the production, distribution and availability of our products and raw materials such as wood, energy and chemicals;

 

   

interest rate and currency movements;

 

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our capacity to incur additional debt, and any decision we may make to do so;

 

   

changes in tariffs, taxes or treaties relating to the import and export of our products or those of our competitors;

 

   

the ability to complete like-kind exchanges of property;

 

   

changes in key management and personnel;

 

   

our ability to continue to qualify as a REIT and to fund distributions using cash generated through our taxable REIT subsidiary; and

 

   

changes in tax laws that could reduce the benefits associated with REIT status.

In addition, specifically with respect to our Real Estate business, the following important factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements:

 

   

the cyclical nature of the real estate business generally, including fluctuations in demand for both entitled and unentitled property;

 

   

the current downturn in the housing market;

 

   

the lengthy, uncertain and costly process associated with the ownership, entitlement and development of real estate, especially in Florida, which also may be affected by changes in law, policy and political factors beyond our control;

 

   

the potential for legal challenges to entitlements and permits in connection with our properties;

 

   

unexpected delays in the entry into or closing of real estate transactions;

 

   

the existence of competing developers and communities in the markets in which we own property;

 

   

the pace of development and the rate and timing of absorption of existing entitled property in the markets in which we own property;

 

   

changes in the demographics affecting projected population growth and migration to the Southeastern United States;

 

   

changes in environmental laws and regulations, including laws regarding water withdrawal and management and delineation of wetlands, that may restrict or adversely impact our ability to sell or develop property;

 

   

the cost of the development of property generally, including the cost of property taxes, labor and construction materials;

 

   

the timing of construction and availability of public infrastructure; and

 

   

the availability of financing for real estate development and mortgage loans.

The above description of risks and uncertainties is not all-inclusive but is designed to highlight what we believe are important factors to consider. For additional factors that could impact future results, please see “Risk Factors” herein and similar discussions in our other SEC filings, including, without limitation, our annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and subsequent reports we file with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no duty to update our forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our subsequent reports to the SEC.

All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.

 

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THE COMPANY

We are a leading international forest products company primarily engaged in activities associated with timberland management, the sale and entitlement of real estate, and the production and sale of high value specialty cellulose fibers and fluff pulp. We own, lease or manage approximately 2.5 million acres of timberland and real estate located in the United States and New Zealand. We believe that the Company is the seventh largest private timberland owner in the U.S. Included in this property is approximately 0.2 million acres of high value real estate located primarily along the coastal corridor from Savannah, Georgia to Daytona Beach, Florida. In addition, we manufacture lumber in three sawmills in Georgia and engage in the trading of logs.

Rayonier is a real estate investment trust or “REIT”. Under this structure, we are generally not required to pay federal income taxes on our earnings from timber harvest operations and other REIT-qualifying activities contingent upon meeting applicable distribution, income, asset, shareholder and other tests.

We directly or indirectly hold all of our assets and conduct all of our operations through our subsidiary, Rayonier Operating Company LLC. We conduct our U.S. timber operations primarily through Rayonier Operating Company’s wholly owned REIT subsidiary, Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P. We conduct our non-REIT-qualifying operations, which are subject to corporate-level tax, through Rayonier Operating Company’s wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary, Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. These operations include our Performance Fibers, Wood Products and trading businesses, as well as the sale and entitlement of high value real estate, which we refer to as “higher and better use properties,” or “HBU properties.”

Rayonier is a North Carolina corporation with executive offices located at 50 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. Our telephone number is (904) 357-9100. Our website address is www.rayonier.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus unless it is otherwise filed with the SEC.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a significant degree of risk. In deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider those risk factors included in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K as supplemented by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, and those risk factors that may be included in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information presented in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference. Each of these factors could materially adversely affect our operations, financial results and the market price of our securities.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement for our general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness, the financing of capital expenditures, future acquisitions, share repurchases and additions to our working capital.

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated are as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
   Year Ended December 31,
         2010            2009            2008            2007            2006            2005    

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

   5.37    7.79    4.46    4.43    4.78    4.86

We computed the ratios of earnings to fixed charges by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes, plus (1) fixed charges, and (2) amortization of capitalized interest, less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized and interest attributable to operating leases.

No ratios of combined fixed charges and preferred share dividends to earnings are shown because we have no outstanding preferred shares. Therefore, if shown, such ratios would be identical to the ratios of earnings to fixed charges shown above.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of any debt securities and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions will not apply to such debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities.

The debt securities will be issued from time to time in series under a senior debt indenture or a subordinated debt indenture with a trustee. The statements set forth below are brief summaries of certain provisions contained in the indentures, which summaries do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the indentures, forms of which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Terms used herein that are otherwise not defined shall have the meanings given to them in the indentures. Such defined terms are incorporated herein by reference.

In this section references to “the issuer,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer either to Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as the case may be, as the issuer of the applicable series of debt securities and not to any subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise. Also, in this section, references to “holders” mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities should read the section below entitled “Book-Entry, Delivery and Form.”

Debt Securities May Be Senior or Subordinated

Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources may issue senior or subordinated debt securities. Neither the senior debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any property or assets of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings, Forest Resources or any of their respective subsidiaries. Thus, by owning a debt security, you are an unsecured creditor of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as the case may be.

Neither any limited or general partner of Forest Resources, including Rayonier Operating Company, nor any principal, shareholder, officer, director, trustee or employee of any limited or general partner of Forest Resources or of any successor of any limited or general partner of Forest Resources will have any obligation for payment of debt securities or for any of Rayonier’s, Rayonier Operating Company’s, TRS Holdings’ or Forest Resources’ obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the debt securities or the applicable indenture. Similarly, no principal, shareholder, member, officer, director, trustee or employee of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company or TRS Holdings will have any obligation for payment of debt securities or for any of each others’ or Forest Resources’ obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the debt securities or applicable indenture. By accepting the debt securities, you waive and release all liability of this kind. This waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of debt securities and will not apply to the liability of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources solely in its capacity of guarantor of any series of debt securities to the extent of any such guarantee.

Any senior debt securities of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources will be issued under the applicable senior debt indenture, as described below, and will rank equally with all of the issuer’s other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

The subordinated debt securities of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources will be issued under the applicable subordinated debt indenture, as described below, and will be subordinate in right of payment to all of the issuer’s “senior indebtedness,” as defined in the applicable subordinated debt indenture. The prospectus supplement for any series of subordinated debt securities or the information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will indicate the approximate amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter. As of June 30, 2010, $791.2 million aggregate principal amount of Rayonier’s, Rayonier Operating Company’s, TRS Holdings’ and Forest Resources’ total indebtedness constituted senior indebtedness. None of the indentures limit the issuer’s ability to incur additional senior indebtedness, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities.

When we refer to “senior debt securities” in this prospectus, we mean the senior debt securities of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources, unless the context requires otherwise. When we refer to

 

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“subordinated debt securities” in this prospectus, we mean the subordinated debt securities of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources, unless the context requires otherwise. When we refer to “debt securities” in this prospectus, we mean both the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities, unless the context requires otherwise.

The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of Rayonier

The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities of Rayonier will each be governed by a document called an indenture—the senior debt indenture, in the case of the senior debt securities, and the subordinated debt indenture, in the case of the subordinated debt securities. Each indenture will be a contract between Rayonier as the issuer of the debt securities, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources, as the case may be, as the guarantors of the debt securities, if applicable, and the trustee named in the indenture. The forms of indentures governing the debt securities of Rayonier are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination, which are included only in the subordinated debt indenture.

Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources may, under each of Rayonier’s indentures, guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of principal of, and interest on, one or more series or debt securities of Rayonier. See “Description of Guarantees” below for more information. If such debt securities are so guaranteed, the existence and terms of such guarantee will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such debt securities.

The trustee under an indenture has two main roles:

 

   

First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which we describe later under “Events of Default, Remedies and Notice.”

 

   

Second, the trustee performs administrative duties for us, such as sending interest payments and notices.

See “The trustee” below for more information about the trustee.

When we refer to the indenture, the guarantor or the trustee with respect to any debt securities of Rayonier, we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are issued, the guarantor of those debt securities, if applicable, and the trustee under that indenture.

The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of Rayonier Operating Company

The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities of Rayonier Operating Company will each be governed by a senior debt indenture, in the case of the senior debt securities, and a subordinated debt indenture, in the case of the subordinated debt securities. Each indenture will be between Rayonier Operating Company as the issuer of the debt securities, Rayonier, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as the case may be, as the guarantor of the debt securities, if applicable, and the trustee named in the indenture. The forms of indentures governing the debt securities of Rayonier Operating Company are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination, which are included only in the subordinated debt indenture.

Rayonier, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources may, under each indenture, guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of principal of, and interest on, one or more series of debt securities of Rayonier Operating Company. See “Description of Guarantees” below for more information. If such debt securities are so guaranteed, the existence and terms of such guarantee will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such debt securities.

When we refer to the indenture, the guarantor or the trustee with respect to any debt securities of Rayonier Operating Company, we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are issued, the guarantor of those debt securities, if applicable, and the trustee under that indenture.

The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of TRS Holdings

The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities of TRS Holdings will each be governed by a senior debt indenture, in the case of the senior debt securities, and a subordinated debt indenture, in the case of the subordinated debt securities. Each indenture will be between TRS Holdings as the issuer of the debt securities, Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company or Forest Resources, as the case may be, as the guarantor of the debt securities, if applicable, and the trustee named in the indenture. The forms of indentures governing the debt securities of TRS Holdings are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination, which are included only in the subordinated debt indenture.

Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company and Forest Resources may, under each indenture, guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of principal of, and interest on, one or more series or debt securities of TRS Holdings. See “Description of Guarantees” below for more information. If such debt securities are so guaranteed, the existence and terms of such guarantee will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such debt securities.

When we refer to the indenture, the guarantor or the trustee with respect to any debt securities of TRS Holdings, we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are issued, the guarantor of those debt securities, if applicable, and the trustee under that indenture.

 

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The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of Forest Resources

The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities of Forest Resources will each be governed by a senior debt indenture, in the case of the senior debt securities, and a subordinated debt indenture, in the case of the subordinated debt securities. Each indenture will be between Forest Resources as the issuer of the debt securities, Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company or TRS Holdings, as the case may be, as the guarantor of the debt securities, if applicable, and the trustee named in the indenture. The form of indentures governing the debt securities of Forest Resources are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination, which are included only in the subordinated debt indenture.

Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company and TRS Holdings may, under each indenture, guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of principal of, and interest on, one or more series or debt securities of Forest Resources. See “Description of Guarantees” below for more information. If such debt securities are so guaranteed, the existence and terms of such guarantee will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such debt securities.

When we refer to the indenture, guarantor or the trustee with respect to any debt securities of Forest Resources, we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are issued, the guarantor of those debt securities, if applicable, and the trustee under that indenture.

We May Issue Many Series of Debt Securities

We may issue as many distinct series of debt securities under a debt indenture as we wish. When we refer to a series of debt securities, we mean a series issued under the applicable indenture. This section of the prospectus summarizes terms of the securities that apply generally to all series. The provisions of each indenture allow us not only to issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued under that indenture but also to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series. We will describe most of the financial and other specific terms of a series, including any additional terms of any guarantee, if applicable, whether it be a series of the senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, in the prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus. Those terms may vary from the terms described here.

Amounts That We May Issue

None of the indentures will limit the aggregate amount of debt securities that we may issue or the number of series or the aggregate amount of any particular series. In addition, the indentures and the debt securities will not limit Rayonier’s, Rayonier Operating Company’s, TRS Holdings’ or Forest Resources’ ability to incur other indebtedness or to issue other securities, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities. Also, neither Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings nor Forest Resources is subject to financial or similar restrictions by the terms of the debt securities, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities.

Principal Amount, Stated Maturity and Maturity

The principal amount of a debt security means the principal amount payable at its stated maturity, unless that amount is not determinable, in which case the principal amount of a debt security is its face amount. Any debt securities owned by us or any of our affiliates are not deemed to be outstanding for certain determinations under the indenture.

The term “stated maturity” with respect to any debt security means the day on which the principal amount of the debt security is scheduled to become due. The principal may become due sooner, by reason of redemption or acceleration after a default or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the debt security. The day on which the principal actually becomes due, whether at the stated maturity or earlier, is called the “maturity” of the principal.

We also use the terms “stated maturity” and “maturity” to refer to the days when other payments become due. For example, we refer to a regular interest payment date when an installment of interest is scheduled to become due as the “stated maturity” of that installment.

 

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When we refer to the “stated maturity” or the “maturity” of a debt security without specifying a particular payment, we mean the stated maturity or maturity, as the case may be, of the principal.

Original Issue Discount Debt Securities

A fixed rate debt security, a floating rate debt security or an indexed debt security may be an original issue discount debt security. A debt security of this type is issued at a price lower than its principal amount and provides that, upon redemption or acceleration of its maturity, an amount less than its principal amount will be payable. An original issue discount debt security may be a zero coupon debt security. A debt security issued at a discount to its principal may, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be considered an original issue discount debt security, regardless of the amount payable upon redemption or acceleration of maturity. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning an original issue discount debt security may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Information in the Prospectus Supplement

A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of a particular series of debt securities, which will include some or all of the following:

 

   

whether the issuer of the debt securities is Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources;

 

   

the form and title of the debt securities;

 

   

whether they are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if they are subordinated debt securities, any changes in the subordination provisions described in this prospectus applicable to those subordinated debt securities;

 

   

the total principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the date or dates on which the debt securities may be issued;

 

   

the dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the debt securities will be payable;

 

   

any right we may have to defer payments of interest by extending the dates payments are due and whether interest on these deferred amounts will be payable;

 

   

the price at which we originally issue the debt securities, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount, and the original issue date;

 

   

any optional redemption provisions;

 

   

the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities;

 

   

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities;

 

   

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000;

 

   

any changes to or additional Events of Default (as described below in “Events of Defaults, Remedies and Notices”) or covenants;

 

   

the terms, if any, upon which the debt securities may be convertible into or exchanged for stock, other debt securities or other securities; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities or any applicable guarantee.

 

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Redemption and Repayment

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a debt security will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund—that is, we will not deposit money on a regular basis into any separate custodial account to repay the debt securities. In addition, we will not be entitled to redeem a debt security before its stated maturity unless the prospectus supplement specifies a redemption commencement date. You will not be entitled to require us to buy a debt security from you before its stated maturity unless your prospectus supplement specifies one or more repayment dates.

If your applicable prospectus supplement specifies a redemption commencement date or a repayment date, it will also specify one or more redemption prices or repayment prices, which may be expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the debt security. It may also specify one or more redemption periods during which the redemption prices relating to a redemption of debt securities during those periods will apply.

If we redeem less than all the debt securities of any series, we will, at least 60 days before the redemption date set by us or any shorter period that is satisfactory to the trustee, notify the trustee of the redemption date, of the principal amount of debt securities to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the term of the debt securities to be redeemed. The trustee will select from the outstanding securities of the series the particular debt securities to be redeemed not more than 60 days before the redemption date. This procedure will not apply to any redemption of a single debt security.

If your prospectus supplement specifies a redemption commencement date, the debt security will be redeemable at our option at any time on or after that date or at a specified time or times. If we redeem the debt security, we will do so at the specified redemption price, together with interest accrued to the redemption date. If different prices are specified for different redemption periods, the price we pay will be the price that applies to the redemption period during which the debt security is redeemed.

If your prospectus supplement specifies a repayment date, the debt security will be repayable at the holder’s option on the specified repayment date at the specified repayment price, together with interest accrued to the repayment date.

If we exercise an option to redeem any debt security, we will give to the holder written notice of the principal amount of the debt security to be redeemed not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the applicable redemption date. We will give the notice in the manner described below in “Events of Default, Remedies and Notices.”

If a debt security represented by a global debt security is subject to repayment at the holder’s option, the depositary or its nominee, as the holder, will be the only person that can exercise the right to repayment. Any indirect owners who own beneficial interests in the global debt security and wish to exercise a repayment right must give proper and timely instructions to their banks or brokers through which they hold their interests, requesting that they notify the depositary to exercise the repayment right on their behalf. Different firms have different deadlines for accepting instructions from their customers, and you should take care to act promptly enough to ensure that your request is given effect by the depositary before the applicable deadline for exercise. Street name and other indirect owners should contact their banks or brokers for information about how to exercise a repayment right in a timely manner.

We or our affiliates may purchase debt securities from investors who are willing to sell from time to time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Debt securities that we or they purchase may, at our discretion, be held, resold or canceled.

Subordination Provisions

Holders of subordinated debt securities should recognize that contractual provisions in the subordinated debt indenture may prohibit the issuer of the subordinated debt securities from making payments on those securities. Subordinated debt securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner stated in the subordinated debt indenture or in the provisions of the applicable debt securities, to all of the issuer’s senior debt, as defined in the subordinated debt indenture, including all debt securities the issuer has issued and will issue under the senior debt indenture.

 

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The subordinated debt indenture defines “senior debt” as the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all indebtedness of the issuer, other than the subordinated debt securities, whether outstanding on the date of the indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is (a) for money borrowed, (b) evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind or (c) obligations of the issuer as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles or leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which the issuer is a party. For the purpose of this definition, “interest” includes interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the issuer, to the extent that the claim for post-petition interest is allowed in the proceeding. Also for the purpose of this definition, “indebtedness of the issuer” includes indebtedness of others guaranteed by the issuer and amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any indebtedness or obligation of the kinds described in the first sentence of this paragraph. However, “indebtedness of the issuer” for the purpose of this definition does not include any indebtedness or obligation if the instrument creating or evidencing the indebtedness or obligation, or under which the indebtedness or obligation is outstanding, provides that the indebtedness or obligation is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities.

The subordinated debt indenture provides that, unless all principal of and any premium or interest on the senior debt has been paid in full, no payment or other distribution may be made in respect of any subordinated debt securities in the following circumstances:

 

   

in the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding involving the issuer or its assets;

 

   

in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the issuer, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy;

 

   

in the event of any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of the issuer;

 

   

if any subordinated debt securities of issuer have been declared due and payable before their stated maturity; or

 

   

(a) in the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of principal, premium or interest on any senior debt beyond any applicable grace period or if any event of default with respect to any senior debt of the issuer has occurred and is continuing, permitting the holders of that senior debt of the issuer or a trustee to accelerate the maturity of that senior debt, unless the event of default has been cured or waived or ceased to exist and any related acceleration has been rescinded, or (b) if any judicial proceeding is pending with respect to a payment default or an event of default described in (a).

If the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture or any holders of the subordinated debt securities receive any payment or distribution that they know is prohibited under the subordination provisions, then the trustee or the holders will have to repay that money to the holders of the senior debt.

Even if the subordination provisions prevent us from making any payment when due on the subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be in default on our obligations under that series if we do not make the payment when due. This means that the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture and the holders of that series can take action against us, but they will not receive any money until the claims of the holders of senior debt have been fully satisfied.

Covenants

The following covenants apply to Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as applicable, with respect to the debt securities of each series it issues unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation and Sale of Assets

Each of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources is generally permitted to merge or consolidate with another entity. Each of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings and Forest Resources is also permitted to sell its assets substantially as an entirety to another entity. With regard to any series of debt securities, however, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the issuer of the debt securities, whether Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as the case may be, may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

 

   

If the successor entity in the transaction is not the issuer, the successor entity must be a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized under the laws of the United States, any state in the United States or the District of Columbia and must expressly assume the obligations of the issuer under the debt securities of that series and the indenture with respect to that series.

 

   

Immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default under the debt securities of that series has occurred and is continuing. For this purpose, “default under the debt securities of that series” means an event of default with respect to that series or any event that would be an event of default with respect to that series if the requirements for giving us a default notice and for our default having to continue for a specific period of time were disregarded. We describe these matters below under “Events of Default, Remedies and Notice.”

 

   

The issuer or the successor entity, as the case may be, must take such steps as will be necessary to secure the debt securities of that series equally and ratably with or senior to all new indebtedness if, as a result of the transaction, properties or assets of the issuer would become subject to a mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance which would not be permitted by the applicable indenture.

 

   

The issuer and the guarantor, if applicable, have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel, each stating that the transaction complies in all respects with the indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this covenant shall not prohibit a merger or consolidation with, or transfer of all or substantially all assets to, an entity which at the time of such merger, consolidation or transfer is wholly owned.

If the conditions described above are satisfied with respect to the debt securities of any series, Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as the case may be, as issuer of those debt securities, will not need to obtain the approval of the holders of those debt securities in order to merge or consolidate or to sell its assets. Also, these conditions will apply only if the issuer of those debt securities wishes to merge or consolidate with another entity or sell its assets substantially as an entirety to another entity. The issuer of those debt securities will not need to satisfy these conditions if it enters into other types of transactions, including any transaction in which the issuer acquires the stock or assets of another entity, any transaction that involves a change of control of the issuer but in which the issuer does not merge or consolidate and any transaction in which the issuer sells less than substantially all of its assets.

Any limitation applicable to the ability of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as the case may be, in its capacity as guarantor of debt securities of any series of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources to participate in any of the actions described above will be set forth in the supplemental indenture for such series of debt securities.

Reports

So long as any debt securities are outstanding, Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as the issuer of such debt securities, as applicable, will file with the trustee, within 15 days after they are filed with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which Rayonier, such issuer or any guarantor of such debt securities is required to file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act.

 

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Other Covenants

A series of debt securities may contain additional financial and other covenants applicable to us and our subsidiaries. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain a description of any such covenants that are added to the indenture specifically for the benefit of holders of a particular series of debt securities.

Events of Default, Remedies and Notice

Events of Default

Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, each of the following events will be an “Event of Default” under the indenture with respect to a series of debt securities:

 

   

default in any payment of interest on any debt securities of that series when due that continues for 30 days;

 

   

default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any debt securities of that series when due at its stated maturity, upon redemption, upon required repurchase or otherwise;

 

   

default in the payment of any sinking fund payment, if any, on any debt securities of that series when due;

 

   

failure to comply for 60 days (or 180 days in the case of a Reporting Failure as defined below) after notice with the other agreements contained in the indenture, any supplement to the indenture or any board resolution authorizing the issuance of that series; or

 

   

our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

“Reporting Failure” means Rayonier’s failure to file with the trustee, within 15 days after Rayonier is required to file the same with the SEC within the time periods specified in the Exchange Act or in the relevant forms thereunder (after giving effect to any grace period specified under Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act), the annual reports, information, documents or other reports which Rayonier may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

Exercise of Remedies

An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities will not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities that may be outstanding under the indenture. If an Event of Default occurs with respect to a series of debt securities, other than an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above, and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all outstanding debt securities of all series will become immediately due and payable without any declaration of acceleration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders.

A default under the fourth bullet point above will not constitute an Event of Default with respect to a series of debt securities until the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series notify us of the default and such default is not cured within 60 days (or 180 days in the case of a Reporting Failure) after receipt of notice.

 

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The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may rescind any declaration of acceleration by the trustee or the holders with respect to the debt securities of that series, but only if:

 

   

rescinding the declaration of acceleration would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

 

   

all existing Events of Default with respect to that series have been cured or waived, other than the nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the debt securities of that series that have become due solely by the declaration of acceleration.

The trustee will be under no obligation, except as otherwise provided in the indenture, to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any costs, liability or expense that may be incurred in exercising such rights or powers. No holder of debt securities of any series may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the debt securities of that series, unless:

 

   

such holder has previously given the trustee notice that an Event of Default with respect to that series is continuing;

 

   

holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested the trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

   

such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any cost, liability or expense to be incurred in pursuit of the remedy;

 

   

the trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity or security; and

 

   

the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have not given the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. This provision does not, however, affect the right of a holder to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment respecting its own debt securities.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series have the right, subject to certain restrictions, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or of exercising any right or power conferred on the trustee with respect to that series of debt securities. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that:

 

   

conflicts with law;

 

   

is inconsistent with any provision of the indenture;

 

   

the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder; or

 

   

would involve the trustee in personal liability.

Notice of Events of Default

Upon the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, we are required to give written notice to the trustee and indicate what action we propose to take to cure it. In addition, we are required to deliver to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a compliance certificate indicating that we have complied with all covenants contained in the indenture or whether any Default or Event of Default has occurred during the previous year.

If a Default with respect to the debt securities of a particular series occurs and is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee must mail to each holder of debt securities of that series a notice of the Default within 90 days after the Default occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or

 

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interest with respect to the debt securities of any series, the trustee may withhold such notice but only if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the trustee in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the holders of debt securities of that series.

Amendments and Waivers

We may amend the indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities to:

 

   

cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

make any change in respect of any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture that is not applicable to such series;

 

   

provide for the assumption by a successor of our obligations under the indenture;

 

   

secure the debt securities;

 

   

add covenants for the protection of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon us;

 

   

make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder;

 

   

add or appoint a successor or separate trustee;

 

   

comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; or

 

   

establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series to be issued under the indenture.

In addition, we may amend the indenture if the holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of each series that would be affected consent to it. We may not, however, without the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities that would be affected, amend the indenture to:

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any series whose holders must consent to an amendment;

 

   

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any debt securities;

 

   

reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of any debt securities;

 

   

reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities or change the time at which any debt securities may or shall be redeemed;

 

   

make any debt securities payable in other than U.S. dollars;

 

   

impair the right of any holder to receive payment of premium, if any, principal or interest with respect to such holder’s debt securities on or after the applicable due date;

 

   

impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment with respect to such holder’s debt securities;

 

   

make any change to an amendment provision which requires each holder’s consent;

 

   

make any change in the waiver provisions; or

 

   

modify or affect in any adverse manner the terms and conditions of the obligations of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as applicable, in respect of its guarantee, if any, of the due and punctual payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any sinking fund or additional amounts with respect to any guaranteed debt security of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources as the case may be.

 

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The consent of the holders is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to all holders of debt securities of an affected series a notice briefly describing the amendment. The failure to give, or any defect in, such notice, however, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past Default or Event of Default with respect to that series, except one in respect of:

 

   

the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of that series; or

 

   

a provision of the indenture that cannot be amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected.

Neither Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings nor Forest Resources may amend the subordinated debt indenture governing the subordinated debt securities it has issued to alter the subordination of any outstanding subordinated debt securities it has issued without the written consent of each holder of senior debt then outstanding who would be adversely affected. In addition, neither Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings nor Forest Resources may modify the subordination provisions of the subordinated debt indenture governing the subordinated debt securities it has issued in a manner that would adversely affect in any material respect the outstanding subordinated debt securities it has issued of any one or more series, without the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all affected series, voting together as one class.

Defeasance and Discharge

At any time, we may terminate all our obligations under the indenture as they relate to a particular series of debt securities, which we call a “legal defeasance.” If we decide to make a legal defeasance, however, we may not terminate some of our obligations under the indenture, including our obligations:

 

   

relating to the defeasance trust, including the rights of holders to receive payments from the trust;

 

   

to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities of that series;

 

   

to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of that series; or

 

   

to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the debt securities of that series.

At any time we may also effect a “covenant defeasance,” which means we have elected to terminate our obligations under or the operation of:

 

   

some of the covenants applicable to a series of debt securities, including any covenant that is added specifically for such series and is described in a prospectus supplement; and

 

   

any Event of Default that is added specifically for such series and described in a prospectus supplement.

We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our legal defeasance option, payment of the defeased series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect to that series. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the defeased series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default that is added specifically for such series and described in a prospectus supplement.

 

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In order to exercise either defeasance option, we must:

 

   

irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee money or U.S. government obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the series of debt securities to redemption or stated maturity, as the case may be;

 

   

comply with certain other conditions, including that no Default with respect to that series has occurred and is continuing after the deposit in trust; and

 

   

deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that holders of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only, such opinion of counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable federal income tax law.

In the event of any legal defeasance, holders of the debt securities of the defeased series would be entitled to look only to the trust fund for payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on their debt securities through maturity.

Although the amount of money and U.S. government obligations on deposit with the trustee would be intended to be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of a defeased series at the time of their stated maturity, if we exercise our covenant defeasance option for the debt securities of any series and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. We would remain liable for such payments, however.

In addition, we may discharge all our obligations under the indenture with respect to debt securities of a particular series, other than our obligation to register the transfer of and exchange such debt securities, provided that we either:

 

   

deliver all outstanding debt securities of such series to the trustee for cancellation; or

 

   

all such debt securities not so delivered for cancellation have either become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or are called for redemption within one year, and in the case of this bullet point, we have deposited with the trustee in trust an amount of cash sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness of such debt securities, including interest to the stated maturity or applicable redemption date.

Book Entry, Delivery and Form

We may issue debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global certificates deposited with a depositary. We expect that DTC will act as depositary. If we issue debt securities of a series in book-entry form, we will issue one or more global certificates that will be registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with or on behalf of DTC, and we will not issue physical certificates to any holder. A global security may not be transferred unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated security, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one another.

DTC will keep a computerized record of its participants, such as a broker, whose clients have purchased the debt securities. The participants will then keep records of their clients who purchased the debt securities.

Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of beneficial interests in global securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.

DTC advises us that it is:

 

   

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

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a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a member of the United States Federal Reserve System;

 

   

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., NYSE Euronext and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA. The rules that apply to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also records the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through computerized records for participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need to exchange certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations.

We will wire principal, premium, if any, and interest payments due on the global securities to DTC’s nominee. We, the trustee and any paying agent will treat DTC’s nominee as the owner of the global securities for all purposes. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities.

It is DTC’s current practice, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, to credit participants’ accounts on the payment date according to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global securities as shown on DTC’s records. In addition, it is DTC’s current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to participants, whose accounts are credited with debt securities on a record date, by using an omnibus proxy.

Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities, as well as voting by participants, will be governed by the customary practices between the participants and the owners of beneficial interests, as is the case with debt securities held for the account of customers registered in “street name.”

Payments to holders of beneficial interests are the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the trustee or us.

Beneficial interests in global securities will be exchangeable for certificated securities with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:

 

   

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and in any case a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days; or

 

   

we determine not to require all of the debt securities of a series to be represented by a global security and notify the trustee of our decision.

The Trustee

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities will identify the trustee.

The indenture limits the right of the trustee, if it becomes our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in some cases or to realize for its own account on property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in some other transactions. However, if it acquires any conflicting interest after a Default has occurred under the indenture and is continuing, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.

If an Event of Default occurs and is not cured or waived, the trustee is required to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of debt securities unless they have offered to the trustee reasonable security and indemnity against the costs and liabilities that it may incur.

 

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The trustee may be a depositary for funds of, may make loans to and may perform other routine banking services for us and our affiliates in the normal course of business.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES

Rayonier may guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, one or more series of debt securities of Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as applicable, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of such guarantee and the applicable indenture. In case of the failure of Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources punctually to pay any principal, premium or interest on any guaranteed debt security, Rayonier will cause any such payment to be made as it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, and as if such payment were made by Rayonier. The particular terms of the guarantee, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the guaranteed debt securities. Any guarantee by Rayonier will be of payment only and not of collection.

Rayonier Operating Company may guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, one or more series of debt securities of Rayonier, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources, as applicable, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of such guarantee and the applicable indenture. In case of the failure of Rayonier, TRS Holdings or Forest Resources punctually to pay any principal, premium or interest on any guaranteed debt security, Rayonier Operating Company will cause any such payment to be made as it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, and as if such payment were made by Rayonier Operating Company. The particular terms of the guarantee, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the guaranteed debt securities. Any guarantee by Rayonier Operating Company will be of payment only and not of collection.

TRS Holdings may guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, one or more series of debt securities of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company or Forest Resources, as applicable, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of such guarantee and the applicable indenture. In case of the failure of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company or Forest Resources punctually to pay any principal, premium or interest on any guaranteed debt security, TRS Holdings will cause any such payment to be made as it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, and as if such payment were made by TRS Holdings. The particular terms of the guarantee, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the guaranteed debt securities. Any guarantee by TRS Holdings will be of payment only and not of collection.

Forest Resources may guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, one or more series of debt securities of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company or TRS Holdings, as applicable, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of such guarantee and the applicable indenture. In case of the failure of Rayonier, Rayonier Operating Company or TRS Holdings punctually to pay any principal, premium or interest on any guaranteed debt security, Forest Resources will cause any such payment to be made as it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, and as if such payment were made by Forest Resources. The particular terms of the guarantee, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the guaranteed debt securities. Any guarantee by Forest Resources will be of payment only and not of collection.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

In this section, references to “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Rayonier Inc. and not to any subsidiaries.

As of June 30, 2010, our authorized capital stock was 255,000,000 shares. Those shares consisted of: (a) 15,000,000 preferred shares, none of which were outstanding; and (b) 240,000,000 common shares, no par value. As of June 30, 2010, 80,253,894 common shares were issued and outstanding. As of that date, we also had 27,866,847 common shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of options or in connection with other awards outstanding under various employee or director incentive, compensation and option plans, upon exchange of TRS Holdings’ outstanding 3.75% Senior Exchangeable Notes due 2012, upon exchange of TRS Holdings’ outstanding 4.50% Senior Exchangeable Notes due 2015 and upon exercise of warrants we sold contemporaneously with the issuances thereof.

Common Shares

Listing

Our outstanding common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RYN.” Any additional common shares we issue also will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Dividends

Subject to the rights of any series of preferred shares that we may issue, the holders of common shares may receive dividends when and as declared by the board of directors. Dividends may be paid in cash, shares or other form out of legally available funds.

Fully Paid

All outstanding common shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Any additional common shares we issue will also be fully paid and non-assessable.

Voting Rights

Subject to any special voting rights of any series of preferred shares that we may issue in the future, the holders of common shares may vote one vote for each share held in the election of directors and on all other matters voted upon by our shareholders. Holders of common shares may not cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

Other Rights

We will notify common shareholders of any shareholders’ meetings according to applicable law. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our business, either voluntarily or not, common shareholders will share equally in the assets remaining after we pay our creditors and preferred shareholders, if any. The holders of common shares have no preemptive rights. Common shares are not subject to any redemption provisions and are not convertible into any other securities.

Preferred Shares

Our board of directors can, without approval of shareholders, issue one or more series of preferred shares. Subject to the provisions of our articles of incorporation and limitations prescribed by North Carolina law, our board of directors may adopt resolutions to determine the number of shares of each series and the rights, preferences and limitations of each series, including the dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and any liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of preferred shares, the number of shares constituting each series and the terms and conditions of issue. Our articles of incorporation limit the amount any holder of preferred shares is entitled to receive upon an involuntary liquidation of Rayonier to $100 per preferred share.

If we offer preferred shares, the specific designations and rights will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the preferred shares offered. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will incorporate by reference the certificate of amendment of our charter relating to the offered series of preferred shares.

 

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Undesignated preferred shares may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise, and to thereby protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of preferred shares may adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common shares. For example, any preferred shares issued may rank prior to our common shares as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both, may have full or limited voting rights and may be convertible into common shares. As a result, the issuance of preferred shares may discourage bids for our common shares or may otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common shares or any existing preferred shares.

The preferred shares will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Certain provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws may encourage persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with the board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts.

Classified Board of Directors and Limitations on Removal of Directors

Our articles of incorporation provide that the board of directors is divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible. The directors of each class are elected for three-year terms, and the terms of the three classes are staggered so that directors from a single class are elected at each annual meeting of shareholders. Directors can be removed only for cause. A staggered board makes it more difficult for shareholders to change the majority of the directors and instead promotes a continuity of existing management.

Blank Check Preferred Shares

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of blank check preferred shares. The board of directors can set the voting rights, redemption rights, conversion rights and other rights relating to such preferred shares and could issue such shares in either private or public transactions. In some circumstances, the blank check preferred shares could be issued and have the effect of preventing a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt that the board of directors opposes.

Amendment of our Bylaws

Our bylaws may be amended or repealed by our board of directors, including any bylaw adopted, amended or repealed by our shareholders.

North Carolina Shareholder Protection Act

The North Carolina Shareholder Protection Act generally requires the affirmative vote of 95% of a public corporation’s voting shares to approve a “business combination” with any person that a majority of continuing directors determines beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 20% of the voting shares of the corporation (or ever owned more than 20% and is still an “affiliate” of the corporation) unless the fair price provisions and the procedural provisions of the act are satisfied.

“Business combination” is defined by the statute as (i) any merger, consolidation or conversion of a corporation with or into any other entity, (ii) any sale or lease of all or any substantial part of the corporation’s assets to any other entity, or (iii) any payment, sale or lease to the corporation or any subsidiary thereof by any other entity of assets having a value of $5,000,000 or more in exchange for securities of the corporation.

The act contains provisions that allowed a corporation to “opt out” of the applicability of the act’s voting provisions within specified time periods that generally have expired. The act applies to Rayonier since we did not opt out within these time periods.

 

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Special Meetings of Shareholders

Neither our articles of incorporation nor our bylaws give shareholders the right to call a special meeting of shareholders. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders may be called only by our board of directors.

Requirements for Qualification as a REIT

In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must abide by certain provisions in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including rules restricting concentration of ownership. For more information, please see “Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences—Organizational and Ownership Requirements.”

Limitation of Liability of Officers and Directors

Our articles of incorporation limit the liability of our directors to us and our shareholders to the fullest extent permitted by North Carolina law. Specifically, our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of a director’s duty in such capacity, except for liability:

 

   

for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

for unlawful distributions as provided in Section 55-8-33 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act; or

 

   

for any transaction from which the officer or director derived an improper personal benefit.

Our articles of incorporation also provide indemnification to our directors and officers to the maximum extent allowed by North Carolina law as it exists now or may hereafter be amended. Our directors and officers generally are entitled to indemnity against all liabilities and expenses in any suit or preceding, including a derivative suit, arising out of their status or activities as directors or officers, unless the actions taken by the individual to be indemnified were at the time taken known or believed by him or her to be clearly in conflict with our best interests.

The inclusion of these provisions in our articles of incorporation may reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and may discourage or deter shareholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their duties, even though such an action, if successful, might have otherwise benefited us and our shareholders. These provisions do not alter the liability of directors under federal securities laws and do not affect the right to sue (nor to recover monetary damages) under federal securities laws for violations thereof.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Our transfer agent and registrar of the common shares is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description of the terms of the warrants sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred shares or common shares. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred shares or common shares offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities.

Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with any offering of such warrants.

Debt Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of debt warrants by the named issuer will describe the terms of such debt warrants, including the following:

 

   

the title of such debt warrants;

 

   

the offering price for such debt warrants, if any;

 

   

the aggregate number of such debt warrants;

 

   

the designation and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of such debt warrants;

 

   

if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities with which such debt warrants are issued and the number of such debt warrants issued with each such debt security;

 

   

if applicable, the date from and after which such debt warrants and any debt securities issued therewith will be separately transferable;

 

   

the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of a debt warrant and the price at which such principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise (which price may be payable in cash, securities or other property);

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such debt warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

   

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the debt warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

   

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise prices are payable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

 

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the anti-dilution or adjustment provisions of such debt warrants, if any;

 

   

the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such debt warrants; and

 

   

any additional terms of such debt warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such debt warrants.

As of June 30, 2010, no debt warrants were outstanding.

Stock Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issue of preferred share warrants or common share warrants by the named issuer will describe the terms of such warrants, including the following:

 

   

the title of such warrants;

 

   

the offering price for such warrants, if any;

 

   

the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

   

the designation and terms of the common shares or preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

   

if applicable, the designation and terms of the offered securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such offered security;

 

   

if applicable, the date from and after which such warrants and any offered securities issued therewith will be separately transferable;

 

   

the number of common shares or preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which such shares may be purchased upon exercise;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

   

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

 

   

the anti-dilution provisions of such warrants, if any;

 

   

the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such warrants; and

 

   

any additional terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

As of June 30, 2010, no preferred share warrants or common share warrants were outstanding.

 

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CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following discussion summarizes certain material United States federal income tax considerations to our taxation and qualification as a REIT. The information in this discussion is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), current, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations thereunder, existing administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and judicial decisions, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that future legislation, Treasury Regulations, administrative interpretations or judicial decisions will not significantly change the current law or adversely affect existing interpretations of current law. In addition, no assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the conclusions or positions described in the discussion set forth below.

Taxation of Rayonier

General

Under federal income tax law, if certain detailed conditions imposed by the Code and related Treasury Regulations are satisfied, an entity that invests principally in real estate and that would otherwise be subject to tax as a corporation may elect to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. These conditions relate, in part, to the nature of the entity’s assets and income. Provided we qualify to be subject to tax as a REIT, we will generally not be subject to federal corporate income tax on taxable income that we distribute to our shareholders each year. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” that ordinarily applies to regular corporations that are subject to taxation once at the corporate level, when income is earned, and again at the shareholder level, when that income is distributed.

We have elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a REIT commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2004. Although no assurance can be given, we believe that we were organized and have operated in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT, and we intend to continue to operate in such a manner. In addition, as described more fully under “Income Tests” below, we have received a private letter ruling from the IRS substantially to the effect that our timberlands, including our timberlands that are subject to certain timber cutting contracts, will be considered qualifying real estate assets or interests in real property for purposes of the REIT asset tests discussed below and that the gains we derive from these timber cutting contracts will be from the sale of real property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests. However, our future qualification and taxation as a REIT will depend on our ability to meet on an ongoing basis (through actual annual operating results, asset base, distribution levels and diversity of share ownership) the various qualification tests imposed under the Code discussed below. Thus, while we intend to operate so that we will continue to qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given that we will so qualify for any particular year. In addition, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions and tax positions described in this discussion. Further, the anticipated income tax treatment described in this prospectus may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time. See “Failure to Qualify as a REIT.”

Provided we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we will generally not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on that portion of our ordinary income or capital gain that we currently distribute to our shareholders. The REIT provisions of the Code generally allow a REIT to deduct dividends paid to its shareholders. This deduction for dividends paid substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and shareholder levels that generally results from investment in a regular corporation. Tax legislation enacted in 2003 generally lowers the rate at which shareholders who are individuals are subject to tax on corporate dividends, from a maximum of 35% (as ordinary income) to a maximum of 15% (the same as long-term capital gains), for the 2003 through 2010 tax years, thereby substantially reducing, though not completely eliminating, the double taxation that has historically applied to corporate dividends. With limited exceptions, however, dividends, other than capital gain dividends, received by shareholders from REITs are subject to tax at rates applicable to ordinary income, which, under current law, will be as high as 35% through 2010.

 

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Nevertheless, our dividends have generally consisted of a portion that constitutes a return of capital, which would not be subject to tax, and, because our timber cutting income generally is long-term capital gain, a substantial portion that qualifies as a capital gain dividend, which would be subject to tax at a maximum rate of 15% under current law in effect through 2010. Even if we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we will be subject to federal tax under certain circumstances, including the following:

 

   

We will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on any undistributed REIT taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains. See, however, “Annual Distribution Requirements” with respect to our ability to elect to treat as having been distributed to shareholders certain of our capital gains upon which we have paid taxes, in which event the taxes that we have paid with respect to such income would be available as a credit or refund to shareholders.

 

   

If in a taxable transaction we dispose of an asset held at the REIT level that we owned at the time of our January 1, 2004 REIT conversion which had a fair market value on the conversion date in excess of its tax basis, referred to as “built-in gain,” we will be subject to tax on the built-in gain at the highest regular corporate rate applicable if the disposition of that asset occurs during the ten-year period following our REIT conversion. In addition, if we acquire an asset from a corporation that is subject to corporate-level tax under subchapter C of the Code in a transaction in which our basis in the asset is determined by reference to the transferor’s basis (a “carryover basis transaction”), we will similarly be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate rate applicable if we recognize gain on a disposition of the asset during the ten-year period following our acquisition of the asset. Income derived from the harvesting and sale of timber pursuant to certain timber cutting contracts (as opposed to gain derived from the sale of timberlands) is not subject to this built-in gains tax. Thus, we will not be subject to the built-in gains tax on the income we derive from the harvesting and sale of timber from timberlands we held at the time of our REIT conversion or from timberlands we acquire in the future in a carryover basis transaction from a corporation subject to tax under subchapter C if sold pursuant to such timber cutting contracts.

 

   

We will be required to pay a 100% tax on any net income from prohibited transactions. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other taxable dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business.

 

   

If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test as discussed below but have otherwise maintained our qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements have been met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (1) the gross income attributable to the greater of the amount by which we fail the 75% or 95% gross income test multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.

 

   

If we should fail to satisfy the asset or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, yet nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to an excise tax. In that case, the amount of the tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.

 

   

We will be required to pay a 4% excise tax on the amount by which our annual distributions to shareholders are less than the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for the year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year, other than capital gain income we elect to retain and pay tax on and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, other than capital gains from such years which we elect to retain and pay tax on.

 

   

A 100% tax may be imposed on some items of income and expense that are directly or constructively paid between a REIT and a TRS if and to the extent that the IRS successfully adjusts the reported amounts of these items.

 

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In addition, we, including our subsidiaries and affiliated entities, may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. Our taxable REIT subsidiary will also be subject to federal corporate income taxes on its taxable income.

Requirements for Qualification

We elected to be treated as a REIT beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004. In order to continue to qualify as a REIT, we must meet the requirements discussed below relating to our organization, sources of income, nature of assets and distributions of income.

Organizational and Ownership Requirements

A REIT is a corporation, trust or association:

 

  (1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

 

  (2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

 

  (3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for the special Code provisions applicable to REITs;

 

  (4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;

 

  (5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

 

  (6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares are owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include specified entities); and

 

  (7) which meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions.

Conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Though our charter does not provide restrictions regarding transfers of our shares, we anticipate that the current diversity of our shareholder base will continue and that we will satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above.

To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we are generally required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must request written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our shares in which the record holders are to disclose the persons required to include in gross income the dividends paid by us. A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this request must be maintained as part of our records. Our failure to comply with these record keeping requirements could subject us to monetary penalties. A shareholder that fails or refuses to comply with the request is required by applicable Treasury Regulations to submit a statement with its tax return disclosing its actual ownership of the shares and other information. If we comply with these requirements and do not know, or exercising reasonable due diligence, would not have known, of our failure to meet condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met such condition.

Disregarded Subsidiaries

If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is disregarded for federal income tax purposes, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests described below. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a

 

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TRS, that is wholly-owned by a REIT, or by other disregarded subsidiaries of the REIT, or by a combination of the two. Certain other entities, including single member limited liability companies, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for federal income tax purposes, so that their income and assets are treated as income and assets of their regarded owners, including for purposes of the REIT gross income and asset tests. As of the date of this prospectus, Rayonier Operating Company and Forest Resources are treated as disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes, but they would be treated as partnerships if anyone other than us or one of our disregarded subsidiaries acquired an equity interest therein. Disregarded subsidiaries and disregarded entities are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”

Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

A REIT, in general, may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly-owned, to treat the subsidiary corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation, unlike a disregarded subsidiary as discussed above, is not ignored for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, such an entity would generally be subject to corporate income tax on its taxable income.

A REIT is not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or as receiving directly any income that a TRS earns. Rather, the shares of a TRS are an asset in the hands of the REIT, and the REIT recognizes as income any dividends that it receives from a TRS. This treatment can affect the gross income and asset test calculations described below.

Partnerships

A REIT that is a partner in a partnership will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and will be deemed to earn its proportionate share of the partnership’s income. The assets and gross income of the partnership retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of the gross income and asset tests described below.

Income Tests

In order to maintain qualification as a REIT, we must annually satisfy two gross income requirements. First, for each taxable year we must derive, directly or indirectly, at least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from “prohibited transactions” and certain hedging income and foreign currency gains) from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property (including “rents from real property” and “gain from the sale or other disposition of real property”) or from certain types of temporary investments. Second, for each taxable year we must derive, directly or indirectly, at least 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from “prohibited transactions” and certain hedging income and foreign currency gains) from real property investments that satisfy the 75% test, dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of shares or securities (or from any combination of the foregoing).

If we should realize any taxable income from the sale or other disposition of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business (including our share of any such gain realized by any partnership in which we are a partner) then such income would be treated as income from a “prohibited transaction” and would not count for purposes of applying the 95% and 75% gross income tests. Such income would, however, be subject to a 100% tax. We attempt to conduct any activities that could give rise to a prohibited transaction through our taxable REIT subsidiary. For example, the manufacture and sale of wood products, certain types of timberland sales and sales of logs are conducted through our taxable REIT subsidiary. Under existing law, whether property is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances with respect to the particular transaction. However, sales of timberlands that satisfy certain safe harbor requirements specified in the Code do not constitute prohibited transactions. We generally intend to conduct our activities so that our sales of timberlands (other than those undertaken by our taxable REIT subsidiary) qualify for this safe harbor.

Rents that we receive will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if several conditions are met. Substantially all of the rental income that we have received in the past and anticipate to receive in the future is derived from hunting leases, beekeeping leases, leases for the use of real property and the rental of rights of way through certain properties. We anticipate that any income we receive from such leases and other property interests will constitute “rents from real property” under the applicable rules. While we do not expect that we will receive a substantial amount of rental income, we will take steps to ensure that any such rental income will qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests or will not otherwise cause us to fail the 75% or 95% gross income test.

 

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In addition, we have received a private letter ruling from the IRS substantially to the effect that our timberlands, including those timberlands that are subject to certain timber cutting contracts, will be considered qualifying real estate assets or interests in real property for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and that our gains derived from these timber cutting contracts will be from the sale of real property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests. In reaching these conclusions, the IRS expressly relied upon a representation from us that our disposal of timber pursuant to these timber cutting contracts will qualify as disposal of timber under Section 631(b) of the Code.

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will generally be available if our failure to meet these tests is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we attach to our tax return a schedule of the sources of our income, and any incorrect information on the schedule is not due to fraud with intent to evade tax. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. As discussed above under “General,” even if these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed with respect to the excess gross income.

Asset Tests

At the close of each calendar quarter, we must satisfy the following tests relating to the nature of our assets:

 

   

First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must consist of:

 

  interests in real property (such as timberlands), including leaseholds and options to acquire real property and leaseholds;

 

  cash or cash items, including certain receivables;

 

  government securities;

 

  interests in mortgages on real property;

 

  shares in other REITs; and

 

  investments in shares or debt instruments during the one-year period following the receipt of new capital raised through equity offerings or offerings of debt with at least a five-year term.

 

   

Second, not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities other than securities satisfying the 75% test.

 

   

Third, of our investments not included in the 75% asset class, the value of our interest in any one issuer’s securities may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

 

   

Fourth, we may not own more than 10% of the voting power or value of any one issuer’s outstanding securities.

 

   

Fifth, no more than 25% of the value of our total assets may consist of the securities of one or more TRSs.

For purposes of the second, third and fourth asset tests, the term “securities” does not include shares in another REIT, equity or debt securities of a qualified REIT subsidiary or a TRS, or equity interests in a partnership. Various securities, such as certain “straight debt” securities, are not treated as securities for purposes of the 10% value test.

As of the date of this prospectus, more than 75% of the fair market value of our assets consist of timberlands owned in fee or held under long-term leases and mortgages on real property, and we expect that, at all times after the date of this prospectus, more than 75% of our assets owned directly and indirectly will consist of fee ownership and leasehold interests in timberland and mortgages on real property. Accordingly, we believe that we have met and will continue to be able to meet the 75% test described above.

 

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The board of directors will determine the value of Rayonier’s assets for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the REIT asset tests. Such a determination is binding upon the IRS so long as our board of directors acts in good faith.

If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT status if (1) we satisfy all of the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (2) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset test requirements arises from changes in the market values of our assets and is not wholly or partly caused by our acquisition of one or more non-qualifying assets. If we do not satisfy the condition described in clause (2) of the preceding sentence, we still can avoid disqualification as a REIT by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which the discrepancy arises.

A relief provision in the Code allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (a) it provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (b) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (c) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (i) $50,000 per failure, and (ii) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 35%), and (d) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within 6 months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.

A second relief provision applies to de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests. Specifically, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (a) the value of the assets causing the violation do not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT’s total assets or $10,000,000 and (b) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within 6 months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.

Annual Distribution Requirements

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to make distributions (other than capital gain dividends) to our shareholders in an amount at least equal to (1) the sum of (a) 90% of our “REIT taxable income” (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain) and (b) 90% of the net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus (2) the sum of certain items of non-cash income. These distributions must be paid (or treated as paid) in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for such year and if paid on or before the first regular dividend payment date after such declaration. To the extent that we do not distribute (or we are not treated as having distributed) all of our capital gain or we distribute (or we are treated as having distributed) at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax on the undistributed income at regular corporate tax rates. If we should fail to distribute during a calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain income for such year (other than capital gain income that we elect to retain and pay tax on as provided for below) and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods (other than capital gains from such years which we elected to retain and pay tax on), we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amounts actually distributed.

We may elect to retain rather than distribute our net long-term capital gains. The effect of this election is that:

 

   

we would be required to pay the tax on such gains at regular corporate tax rates;

 

   

our shareholders, although required to include their proportionate share of the undistributed long-term capital gain in income, would receive a credit or refund for their share of the tax paid by us; and

 

   

the basis of a shareholder’s stock would be increased by the amount of the undistributed long-term capital gains (minus the amount of the tax on capital gains paid by us which was included in income by the shareholder).

It is possible that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the annual distribution requirements described above due to timing or other differences between (1) the actual receipt of

 

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income and actual payment of deductible expenses and (2) the inclusion of such income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our taxable income. If we encounter this situation, we may elect to retain the capital gain and pay the tax on the gain. Nevertheless, in order to pay such tax or otherwise meet the distribution requirements, we may find it necessary to arrange for short or possibly long-term borrowings, issue equity, or sell assets.

Under certain circumstances, we may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to our shareholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends; however, we will be required to pay interest based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

Distribution of C Corporation Earnings and Profits

In order to qualify as a REIT, we cannot have at the end of any taxable year any undistributed tax earnings and profits (“E&P”) that is attributable to a C corporation taxable year (“C corporation E&P”). We believe that we distributed all of our C corporation E&P on or prior to December 31, 2003. The calculation of such E&P, however, is a complex factual and legal determination.

Failure to Qualify as a REIT

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and if the relief provisions do not apply, we will be subject to tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to shareholders in any year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us and, in fact, would not be required to be made. In such event, all distributions to shareholders would be subject to tax as ordinary income (and, through the 2010 tax year, as qualified dividend income to individual U.S. shareholders), to the extent of our current and accumulated E&P. Subject to certain limitations, corporate U.S. shareholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. If having qualified as a REIT, we later fail to so qualify, unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will be disqualified from being eligible to be subject to tax as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which our REIT qualification was lost.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer and sell the debt securities, preferred shares, common shares or warrants in any one or more of the following ways:

 

   

to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers;

 

   

directly to one or more other purchasers;

 

   

through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

through agents on a best-efforts basis; or

 

   

otherwise through a combination of any of the above methods of sale.

Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will name the issuer of the securities and any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will also set forth the terms of the offering, including:

 

   

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale of the securities;

 

   

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

   

any public offering or purchase price and any discounts or commissions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers;

 

   

any commissions allowed or paid to agents;

 

   

any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed;

 

   

the method of distribution of the securities;

 

   

the terms of any agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into with the underwriters, brokers or dealers; and

 

   

any other information we think is important.

If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account. The securities may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

   

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices related to such prevailing market prices;

 

   

at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

Such sales may be effected:

 

   

in transactions on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

 

   

in transactions in the over-the-counter market;

 

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in block transactions in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction, or in crosses, in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the trade;

 

   

through the writing of options; or

 

   

through other types of transactions.

The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters or dealers to purchase the securities offered will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters or dealers will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if any are purchased. Any public offering price and any discount or concession allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers may be changed from time to time.

The securities may be sold directly by us or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth in, the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

Offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus may be solicited, and sales of the securities may be made, by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. The terms of any offer made in this manner will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to the offer.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Institutional investors with which these contracts may be made include, among others:

 

   

commercial and savings banks;

 

   

insurance companies;

 

   

pension funds;

 

   

investment companies; and

 

   

educational and charitable institutions.

In all cases, these purchasers must be approved by us. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of any purchaser under any of these contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that (a) the purchase of the securities must not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction to which that purchaser is subject and (b) if the securities are also being sold to underwriters, we must have sold to these underwriters the securities not subject to delayed delivery. Underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.

Some of the underwriters, dealers or agents used by us in any offering of securities under this prospectus may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services for us, Rayonier Operating Company, TRS Holdings, Forest Resources or other affiliates of ours in the ordinary course of business. Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to be reimbursed by us for certain expenses.

Subject to any restrictions relating to debt securities in bearer form, any securities initially sold outside the United States may be resold in the United States through underwriters, dealers or otherwise.

 

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Any underwriters to which offered securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but those underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time.

The anticipated date of delivery of the securities offered by this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering.

Pursuant to a FINRA requirement, the maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker/dealer may not be greater than 8% of the gross proceeds received by us for the sale of any securities being registered pursuant to SEC Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

To comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the securities may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal and tax matters will be passed upon for us by Alston & Bird LLP, Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedules incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Rayonier Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the effectiveness of Rayonier Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities covered by this Registration Statement, other than underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

     Amount to  be
Paid*

SEC Registration Fee

   $ **

Printing Expenses

     50,000

Legal Fees and Expenses

     75,000

Accountants’ Fees and Expenses

     75,000

Rating Agency Fees

     250,000

Fees and Expenses of Trustee and Counsel

     50,000

Miscellaneous Costs

     10,000
      

Total

   $ 510,000
      

 

* The amounts shown are estimates of expenses payable by us in connection with the filing of this registration statement and one offering of securities hereunder
** Under Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r), the SEC registration fee will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under the registration statement and is therefore not currently determinable.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Rayonier

Sections 55-8-50 through 55-8-58 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act contain specific provisions relating to indemnification of directors and officers of North Carolina corporations. In general, the statutes provide that (1) a corporation must indemnify a director or officer who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in his or her defense of a proceeding or a threatened proceeding to which he or she is a party or a threatened party because of his or her status as such, except to the extent limited or eliminated in the corporation’s articles of incorporation, and (2) a corporation may, but is not required to, indemnify a director or officer if he or she is not wholly successful in such defense, if it is determined that the director or officer meets certain standards of conduct, provided, however, when a director or officer is liable to the corporation or is adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by him or her, the corporation may not indemnify him or her. A director or officer of a corporation who is a party to a proceeding may also apply to the courts for indemnification, unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, and the court may order indemnification in certain circumstances set forth in the statute. A corporation may, in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or by contract or resolution, provide indemnification in addition to that provided by statute, subject to certain conditions.

Rayonier’s articles of incorporation obligate Rayonier, to the maximum extent permitted by North Carolina law, to indemnify its directors and officers against all liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with any suit or proceeding. This right to indemnification includes the right of a director or officer to be paid expenses in advance of the final disposition of any proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking to repay such amount. Rayonier’s articles of incorporation also provide that, to the full extent permitted by law, a director shall not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of any duty as a director.

Reference is made to Article VI and Article VII of Rayonier’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation included or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this registration statement.

Rayonier has in effect insurance policies indemnifying its directors and officers and those of its subsidiaries against civil liabilities of such directors and officers.

 

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In addition, Rayonier has indemnification agreements in effect between it and each of its directors.

Any underwriters, dealers or agents who execute any of the underwriting agreements referred to in Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2 to this registration statement will agree to indemnify Rayonier’s directors and its officers who signed the registration statement against certain liabilities which might arise under the Securities Act with regard to information furnished to Rayonier by or on behalf of any such indemnifying party.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Rayonier pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Rayonier has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Rayonier Operating Company

Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that, subject to the standards and restrictions, if any, as are described in its limited liability company agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

Rayonier Operating Company’s limited liability company agreement obligates Rayonier Operating Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify its members and officers against all liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with any suit or proceeding. This right to indemnification includes the right of a member or officer to be paid expenses in advance of the final disposition of any proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking to repay such amount.

Additionally, the Board of Directors of Rayonier has by resolution determined that all persons serving on behalf of Rayonier Operating Company at the request of Rayonier are entitled to the benefit of Rayonier’s indemnification obligations under Article VI of Rayonier’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. Rayonier also has in effect insurance policies indemnifying the directors and officers of Rayonier Operating Company against civil liabilities of such directors and officers.

Any underwriters, dealers or agents who execute any of the underwriting agreements referred to in Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2 to this registration statement will agree to indemnify Rayonier Operating Company’s members and its officers who signed the registration statement against certain liabilities which might arise under the Securities Act with regard to information furnished to Rayonier Operating Company by or on behalf of any such indemnifying party.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Rayonier Operating Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Rayonier Operating Company has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Rayonier TRS

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, provides for the indemnification of officers, directors and other corporate agents in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons under most circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. Section 102 of the DGCL allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached the duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit.

TRS Holdings’ certificate of incorporation and bylaws obligate TRS Holdings, to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law, to indemnify its directors and officers against all liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with any suit or proceeding. This right to indemnification includes the right of a director or officer to be paid expenses in advance of the final disposition of any proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking to repay such amount. TRS Holdings’ certificate of incorporation also provides that, to the full extent permitted by law, a director shall not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of any duty as a director.

Additionally, the Board of Directors of Rayonier has by resolution determined that all persons serving on behalf of TRS Holdings at the request of Rayonier are entitled to the benefit of Rayonier’s indemnification obligations under Article VI of Rayonier’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. Rayonier also has in effect insurance policies indemnifying the directors and officers of TRS Holdings against civil liabilities of such directors and officers.

Any underwriters, dealers or agents who execute any of the underwriting agreements referred to in Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2 to this registration statement will agree to indemnify TRS Holdings’ directors and its officers who signed the registration statement against certain liabilities which might arise under the Securities Act with regard to information furnished to TRS Holdings by or on behalf of any such indemnifying party.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling TRS Holdings pursuant to the foregoing provisions, TRS Holdings has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

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Forest Resources

Under the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Forest Resources, which we refer to in this paragraph as the Partnership, the Partnership will indemnify each general partner of the Partnership and each of its current and former directors, officers, employees and agents, and any person serving at the request of the Partnership in a similar capacity on behalf of another entity, against all expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the indemnitee in connection with the defense and/or settlement of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding related to the Partnership to which the indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made a party to the extent that such person acted in good faith and in a manner her or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Partnership and provided that his or her conduct did not constitute gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. The Partnership also will provide such indemnification in any action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Partnership to procure a judgment in its favor, provided that if the indemnitee is adjudged to have been liable for gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct, such indemnification will be provided only in an amount that the court determines to be proper.

Additionally, the Board of Directors of Rayonier has by resolution determined that all persons serving on behalf of Forest Resources at the request of Rayonier are entitled to the benefit of Rayonier’s indemnification obligations under Article VI of Rayonier’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. Rayonier also has in effect insurance policies indemnifying the directors and officers of Forest Resources against civil liabilities of such directors and officers

Any underwriters, dealers or agents who execute any of the underwriting agreements referred to in Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2 to this registration statement will agree to indemnify Forest Resources’ directors and its officers who signed the registration statement against certain liabilities which might arise under the Securities Act with regard to information furnished to Forest Resources by or on behalf of any such indemnifying party.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Forest Resources pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Forest Resources has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

1.1*      Form of Underwriting Agreement—Debt Securities
1.2*      Form of Underwriting Agreement—Equity Securities
4.1*      Form of Senior Debt Security
4.2*      Form of Subordinated Debt Security
4.3*      Specimen of Common Share Certificate of Rayonier Inc.
4.4*      Form of Preferred Share Certificate for Rayonier Inc.
4.5*      Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of Warrant)
4.6        Form of Senior Indenture—Rayonier Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
4.7        Form of Subordinated Indenture—Rayonier Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
4.8        Form of Senior Indenture—Rayonier Operating Company LLC
4.9        Form of Subordinated Indenture—Rayonier Operating Company LLC
4.10      Form of Senior Indenture—Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
4.11      Form of Subordinated Indenture—Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
4.12      Form of Senior Indenture—Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
4.13      Form of Subordinated Indenture—Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
5.1        Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP as to the validity of the securities being issued
8.1        Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP with respect to certain tax matters
12.1        Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1        Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2        Consent of Alston & Bird LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1)
25.1**    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding Senior Indenture
25.2**    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding Subordinated Indenture

 

* To be filed, if necessary, either as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein or by a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement in connection with a specific offering of securities.
** To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Rule 5b-3 thereunder.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings.

 

  (1) Rule 415 Offering. The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(i), (a)(ii) and (a)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by a Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

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

 

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

 

  (d) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

  (i) Each prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

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  (ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date it is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or the prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

  (e) That, for the purpose of determining liability of a Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

Each undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, such undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer to sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of such undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  (ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of such undersigned Registrant or used or referred to such undersigned Registrant;

 

  (iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about such undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of such undersigned Registrant; and

 

  (iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by such undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

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

 

  (3)

Request for Acceleration of Effective Date or Filing of Registration Statement Becoming Effective Upon Filing. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the

 

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payment by a Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, such Registrant will, unless in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

  (4) Qualification of Trust Indenture Under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for Delayed Offerings. Each undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Jacksonville, State of Florida, on the 30th day of July 2010.

 

RAYONIER INC.
By:  

/s/ Lee M. Thomas

  Name:   Lee M. Thomas
  Title:   Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on July 30, 2010.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    Lee M. Thomas        

Lee M. Thomas

(Principal Executive Officer)

  

Chairman of the Board, President, Chief

Executive Officer and Director

/s/    Hans E. Vanden Noort        

Hans E. Vanden Noort

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

*

C. David Brown, II

   Director

*

John E. Bush

   Director

*

Richard D. Kincaid

   Director

 

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*

V. Larkin Martin

   Director

*

Paul G. Kirk, Jr.

   Director

*

David W. Oskin

   Director

*

Carl S. Sloane

   Director

*

Ronald Townsend

   Director

 

*By:  

/s/    W. Edwin Frazier, III        

  W. Edwin Frazier, III, as Attorney-in-Fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Jacksonville, State of Florida, on the 30th day of July 2010.

 

RAYONIER OPERATING COMPANY LLC
By:  

Rayonier Inc., its sole member

By:  

/s/ Lee M. Thomas

  Name:   Lee M. Thomas
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer of Rayonier Inc.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints W. Edwin Frazier, III and Michael R. Herman, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, or any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and agents or his substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on July 30, 2010.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    Lee M. Thomas        

Lee M. Thomas

(Principal Executive Officer)

   President

/s/    Hans E. Vanden Noort        

Hans E. Vanden Noort

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Jacksonville, State of Florida, on the 30th day of July 2010.

 

RAYONIER TRS HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

/s/ Lee M. Thomas

  Name:   Lee M. Thomas
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on July 30, 2010.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    Lee M. Thomas        

Lee M. Thomas

(Principal Executive Officer)

   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

/s/    Hans E. Vanden Noort        

Hans E. Vanden Noort

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

   Senior Vice President and Controller

*

Paul G. Boynton

   Director

*

Carl E. Kraus

   Director

*

Charles Margiotta

   Director

 

*By:  

/s/    W. Edwin Frazier, III        

  W. Edwin Frazier, III, as Attorney-in-Fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Jacksonville, State of Florida, on the 30th day of July 2010.

 

RAYONIER FOREST RESOURCES, L.P.
By:  

Rayonier Timberlands Management, LLC,

its General Partner

By:  

/s/ Lee M. Thomas

  Name:   Lee M. Thomas
  Title:   President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on July 30, 2010.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    Lee M. Thomas        

Lee M. Thomas

(Principal Executive Officer)

   President

/s/    Hans E. Vanden Noort        

Hans E. Vanden Noort

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

   Senior Vice President and Controller

 

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EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

1.1*      Form of Underwriting Agreement—Debt Securities
1.2*      Form of Underwriting Agreement—Equity Securities
4.1*      Form of Senior Debt Security
4.2*      Form of Subordinated Debt Security
4.3*      Specimen of Common Share Certificate of Rayonier Inc.
4.4*      Form of Preferred Share Certificate for Rayonier Inc.
4.5*      Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of Warrant)
4.6        Form of Senior Indenture—Rayonier Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
4.7        Form of Subordinated Indenture—Rayonier Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
4.8        Form of Senior Indenture—Rayonier Operating Company LLC
4.9        Form of Subordinated Indenture—Rayonier Operating Company LLC
4.10      Form of Senior Indenture—Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
4.11      Form of Subordinated Indenture—Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
4.12      Form of Senior Indenture—Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
4.13      Form of Subordinated Indenture—Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of Registration Statement No. 333-143150)
5.1        Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP as to the validity of the securities being issued
8.1        Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP with respect to certain tax matters
12.1        Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1        Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2        Consent of Alston & Bird LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1)
25.1**    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding Senior Indenture
25.2**    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding Subordinated Indenture

 

* To be filed, if necessary, either as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein or by a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement in connection with a specific offering of securities.
** To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Rule 5b-3 thereunder.

 

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EX-4.8 2 dex48.htm FORM OF SENIOR INDENTURE-RAYONIER OPERATING COMPANY LLC Form of Senior Indenture-Rayonier Operating Company LLC

Exhibit 4.8

[Form of Senior Indenture]

 

 

RAYONIER OPERATING COMPANY LLC,

AS ISSUER,

any Guarantors party hereto,

and

[                                                                  ],

as Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of                     

Debt Securities

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Section

   Indenture Section
310    (a)    7.10
   (b)    7.10
   (c)    N.A.
311    (a)    7.11
   (b)    7.11
   (c)    N.A.
312    (a)    5.1
   (b)    5.2
   (c)    5.2
313    (a)    5.3
   (b)    5.3
   (c)    13.3
   (d)    5.3
314    (a)    4.5
   (b)    N.A.
   (c)(1)    13.5
   (c)(2)    13.5
   (c)(3)    N.A.
   (d)    N.A.
   (e)    13.5
   (f)    N.A.
315    (a)    7.1
   (b)    6.7 & 13.3
   (c)    7.1
   (d)    7.1
   (e)    6.8
316    (a) (last sentence)    1.1
   (a)(1)(A)    6.6
   (a)(1)(B)    6.6
   (a)(2)    9.1(d)
   (b)    6.4
   (c)    5.4
317    (a)(1)    6.2
   (a)(2)    6.2
   (b)    4.4
318    (a)    13.7

N.A. means Not Applicable

NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

 

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          Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.1

   Definitions    1

Section 1.2

   Other Definitions    6

Section 1.3

   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act    6

Section 1.4

   Rules of Construction    6
ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES

Section 2.1

   Forms Generally    7

Section 2.2

   Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication    8

Section 2.3

   Principal Amount; Issuable in Series    8

Section 2.4

   Execution of Debt Securities    10

Section 2.5

   Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities    11

Section 2.6

   Denomination of Debt Securities    12

Section 2.7

   Registration of Transfer and Exchange    12

Section 2.8

   Temporary Debt Securities    14

Section 2.9

   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities    14

Section 2.10

   Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities    15

Section 2.11

   Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders    15

Section 2.12

   Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved    15

Section 2.13

   Securities Denominated in Dollars    16

Section 2.14

   Wire Transfers    16

Section 2.15

   Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security    16

Section 2.16

   Medium Term Securities    19

Section 2.17

   Defaulted Interest    19

Section 2.18

   CUSIP Numbers    19
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.1

   Applicability of Article    20

Section 3.2

   Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities    20

Section 3.3

   Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption    22

Section 3.4

   Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds    23

Section 3.5

   Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund    23

 

ii


ARTICLE IV
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Section 4.1

   Payment of Principal of, and Premium, If Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities    24

Section 4.2

   Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities    25

Section 4.3

   Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee    25

Section 4.4

   Duties of Paying Agents, etc    25

Section 4.5

   SEC Reports    26

Section 4.6

   Compliance Certificate    27

Section 4.7

   Further Instruments and Acts    27

Section 4.8

   Waiver of Certain Covenants    27
ARTICLE V
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.1

   Company to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information    27

Section 5.2

   Communications to Holders    29

Section 5.3

   Reports by Trustee    29

Section 5.4

   Record Dates for Action by Holders    30
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.1

   Events of Default    28

Section 6.2

   Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc    31

Section 6.3

   Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee    32

Section 6.4

   Limitation on Suits by Holders    33

Section 6.5

   Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default    33

Section 6.6

   Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default    34

Section 6.7

   Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances    34

Section 6.8

   Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee    35
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.1

   Certain Duties and Responsibilities    35

 

iii


Section 7.2

   Certain Rights of Trustee    36

Section 7.3

   Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities    37

Section 7.4

   Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities    38

Section 7.5

   Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust    38

Section 7.6

   Compensation and Reimbursement    38

Section 7.7

   Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed    38

Section 7.8

   Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee    39

Section 7.9

   Successor Trustee by Merger    40

Section 7.10

   Eligibility; Disqualification    40

Section 7.11

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company    40

Section 7.12

   Compliance with Tax Laws    41
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.1

   Evidence of Action by Holders    41

Section 8.2

   Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities    41

Section 8.3

   Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities    41

Section 8.4

   Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders    42
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1

   Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders    42

Section 9.2

   Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities    44

Section 9.3

   Effect of Supplemental Indentures    45

Section 9.4

   Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures    45
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 10.1

   Consolidations and Mergers of the Company    46

Section 10.2

   Rights and Duties of Successor Company    46
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 11.1

   Applicability of Article    47

Section 11.2

   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance    47

Section 11.3

   Conditions of Defeasance    48

 

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Section 11.4

   Application of Trust Money    49

Section 11.5

   Repayment to Company    49

Section 11.6

   Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations    49

Section 11.7

   Reinstatement    49
ARTICLE XII
[RESERVED]
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 13.1

   Successors and Assigns of Company Bound by Indenture    50

Section 13.2

   Acts of Members, Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Company Valid    50

Section 13.3

   Required Notices or Demands    50

Section 13.4

   Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York    51

Section 13.5

   Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Company    51

Section 13.6

   Payments Due on Legal Holidays    52

Section 13.7

   Provisions Required by TIA to Control    52

Section 13.8

   Computation of Interest on Debt Securities    52

Section 13.9

   Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar    52

Section 13.10

   No Recourse Against Others    52

Section 13.11

   Severability    52

Section 13.12

   Effect of Headings    52

Section 13.13

   Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts    52
ARTICLE XIV
GUARANTEE

Section 14.1

   Unconditional Guarantee    53

Section 14.2

   Execution and Delivery of Guarantee    54

Section 14.3

   Limitation on Guarantors’ Liability    55

Section 14.4

   Release of Guarantors from Guarantee    55

Section 14.5

   Guarantor Contribution    56

 

Notation of Guarantee    Annex A   

 

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THIS INDENTURE dated as of                      is among Rayonier Operating Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), any Guarantors (as defined herein) party hereto, and [                                                 ], as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY AND ANY GUARANTORS

The Company and any Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Debt Securities”), which Debt Securities may be guaranteed by each of the Guarantors, as in this Indenture provided.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and any Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the Holders thereof, the Company, any Guarantor and the Trustee covenant and agree with each other, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities or any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.1 Definitions.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. The Trustee may request and may conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate to determine whether any Person is an Affiliate of any specified Person.

“Agent” means any Registrar or paying agent.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, or the law of any other jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors.

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


“Capital Stock” of any Person means and includes any and all shares, rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) the equity (which includes, but is not limited to, common stock, preferred stock and Company and joint venture interests) of such Person (excluding any debt securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity).

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the President, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President of the Company, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Debt” of any Person at any date means any obligation created or assumed by such Person for the repayment of borrowed money and any guarantee thereof.

“Debt Security” or “Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debt security or debt securities, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

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

“Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.3 or 2.15, with respect to Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.

“Dollar” or “$” means such currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Floating Rate Security” means a Debt Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 2.3.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.

 

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“Global Security” means with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued hereunder, a Debt Security which is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and any Indentures supplemental hereto, or resolution of the Members and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due and interest rate or method of determining interest.

“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of company or partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (b) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Company and any other Affiliate of the Company who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement hereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantors” shall mean such successor Person.

“Holder,” “Holder of Debt Securities” or other similar terms means, a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Debt Security Register (as defined in Section 2.7(a)).

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed, or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Debt Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental Indenture is entered into with respect thereto.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, 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 shall accrue for the intervening period.

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

 

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“Members” means the Members of the Company named in the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company or any authorized committee of the Members of the Company.

“Officer” means, with respect to a Person, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President (whether unmodified or prefaced by “Senior,” “Assistant” or any other designation), the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, Controller, Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of such Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two officers of the Company, one of whom must be the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Debt Security” means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any series of Debt Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

 

  (a)   Debt Securities of that series theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

  (b)   Debt Securities of that series for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent) for the Holders of such Debt Securities; provided, that, if such Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

 

  (c)   Debt Securities of that series which have been paid pursuant to Section 2.9 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which a Trust Officer actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and

 

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that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or an Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, partnership, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Reporting Failure” means the failure of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable, to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company or a Guarantor is required to file the same with the SEC within the time periods specified in the Exchange Act or in the relevant forms thereunder (after giving effect to any grace period specified under Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act), the annual reports, information, documents or other reports that the Company or the Guarantor is required to file with the commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

“Subsidiary” of any Person means:

 

  (1)   any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of equity interests entitled, without regard to the occurrence of any contingency, to vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or equivalent Persons thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof; or

 

  (2)   in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the partners’ equity interests, considering all partners’ equity interests as a single class, is at such time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof.

 

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“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of this Indenture as originally executed and, to the extent required by law, as amended.

“Trustee” initially means [                                    ] and any other Person or Persons appointed as such from time to time pursuant to Section 7.8, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, includes its or their successors and assigns. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

“Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States of America, obligations on which the payment of principal and interest is fully guaranteed by the United States of America or obligations or guarantees for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, calculated at the time of issuance of a series of Debt Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.

Section 1.2 Other Definitions.

 

Term

  

Defined in Section

“Debt Security Register”

     2.7

“Defaulted Interest”

       2.17

“Event of Default”

     6.1

“Funding Guarantor”

   14.5

“Guarantee”

   14.1

“Place of Payment”

     2.3

“Registrar”

     2.7

“Successor Company”

   10.1

Section 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

All 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 1.4 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

 

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

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

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

(e) all references in this instrument to “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed;

(f) the words “herein,” “hereof’ and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

(g) “including” means “including without limitation;”

(h) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(i) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

ARTICLE II

DEBT SECURITIES

Section 2.1 Forms Generally. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a resolution of the Members or in one or more Indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate (and, if not contained in a supplemental Indenture entered into in accordance with Article IX, as are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture) or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Debt Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.

The definitive Debt Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.

 

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Section 2.2 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debt Securities authenticated by the Trustee shall be in substantially the following form:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                                         ],

As Trustee

 

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

Section 2.3 Principal Amount; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series in fully registered form. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a resolution of the Members and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more Indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series any or all of the following:

(a) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities);

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to this Article II);

(c) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of the series are payable;

(d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, or the method by which such date will be determined, the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable; and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months;

(e) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the corporate trust office of the Trustee, where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of the series shall be payable (“Place of Payment”);

 

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(f) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company or otherwise;

(g) whether Debt Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any Guarantors pursuant to this Indenture;

(h) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

(i) the terms, if any, upon which the Debt Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for capital stock (which may be represented by depositary shares), other Debt Securities or warrants for capital stock or Debt or other securities of any kind of the Company or any other obligor and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein;

(j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(k) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

(l) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Debt Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);

(m) any changes or additions to Article XI, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 11.2(b);

(n) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.2;

(o) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Debt Securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the TIA are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as currently in effect;

 

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(p) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal of, and premium and interest on, such Debt Securities due and payable;

(q) if the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Debt Securities in definitive registered form; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.15(a);

(r) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars;

(s) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article X, including conditioning any merger, conveyance, transfer or lease permitted by Article X upon the satisfaction of any Debt coverage standard by the Company and Successor Company (as defined in Article X);

(t) with regard to Debt Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee; and

(u) any other terms of the Debt Securities of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Members and as set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such Indenture supplemental hereto.

Section 2.4 Execution of Debt Securities. The Debt Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President of the Company and, if the seal of the Company is reproduced thereon, it shall be attested by its Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Such signatures upon the Debt Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities. The seal of the Company, if any, may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities.

Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, signed manually by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Debt Security executed by the Company on behalf of the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Debt Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Debt Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and

 

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delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Debt Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt Security, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of such Debt Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such officer.

Section 2.5 Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver to the Trustee for authentication Debt Securities of any series executed by the Company, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debt Securities to or upon a Company Order. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Members, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, authorizing the terms of issuance of any series of Debt Securities;

(b) an executed supplemental Indenture, if any;

(c) an Officers’ Certificate; and

(d) an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 13.5 which shall also state:

(i) that the form of such Debt Securities has been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Members or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.1 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) that the terms of such Debt Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Members or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.3 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(iii) that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability;

(iv) that the Company has the power to issue such Debt Securities and has duly taken all necessary action with respect to such issuance;

(v) that the issuance of such Debt Securities will not contravene the organizational documents of the Company or result in any material violation of any of the terms or provisions of any law or regulation or of any material indenture, mortgage or other agreement known to such counsel by which the Company is bound;

 

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(vi) that authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of any supplemental Indenture will not violate the terms of this Indenture; and

(vii) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section 2.5 if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors, trustees or Officers (or any combination thereof) shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Debt Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Debt Securities 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 any Registrar, paying agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.6 Denomination of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable only as fully registered Debt Securities in such Dollar denominations as shall be specified or contemplated by Section 2.3. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 2.7 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

(a) The Company shall keep or cause to be kept a register for each series of Debt Securities issued hereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Debt Security Register”), in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of all Debt Securities and the transfer of Debt Securities as in this Article II provided. At all reasonable times the Debt Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. Subject to Section 2.15, upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security at any office or agency to be maintained by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. In no event may Debt Securities be issued as, or exchanged for, bearer securities.

 

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Unless and until otherwise determined by the Company by resolution of the Members, the Debt Security Register shall be kept at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee and, for this purpose, the Trustee shall be designated “Registrar.”

Debt Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the same series of other authorized denominations. Subject to Section 2.15, Debt Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the office or agency to be maintained by the Company as provided in Section 4.2, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Debt Security or Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.

(b) All Debt Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

All Debt Securities issued in exchange for or upon transfer of Debt Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Debt Securities surrendered for such exchange or transfer.

No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debt Securities (except as provided by Section 2.9), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Company’s own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities for a period of 15 days next preceding any mailing of notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities selected, called or being called for redemption.

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security is overdue, and none of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

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Section 2.8 Temporary Debt Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Debt Securities (printed, lithographed, photocopied, typewritten or otherwise produced) of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the Company with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Debt Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Debt Securities.

If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company at a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 2.7 in connection with a transfer. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.

Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Debt Securities represented thereby pursuant to Section 2.7 or this Section 2.8, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount to be exchanged and endorsed.

Section 2.9 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities. If (a) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its corporate trust office or (b) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any paying agent harmless, and neither the Company nor the Trustee receives notice that such Debt Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, then the Company shall execute and, upon a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security, the Company or the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in

 

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relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has matured or is about to mature or which has been called for redemption shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substituted Debt Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish the Company and the Trustee with such security or indemnity as either may require to save it harmless from all risk, however remote, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.9 by virtue of the fact that any Debt Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. All Debt Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.10 Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities. All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent or a Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation by it, or if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) and certification of their destruction delivered to the Company, unless otherwise directed. On request of the Company, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee. If the Company shall acquire any of the Debt Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Debt represented thereby unless and until the same are delivered or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Company may not issue new Debt Securities to replace Debt Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.11 Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, the Holders or any Registrar or paying agent, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all its covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, the Holders and any Registrar and paying agents.

Section 2.12 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

(a) Interest on any Debt Security that is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Debt

 

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Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Debt Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the regular record date. Payment of interest on Debt Securities shall be made at the corporate trust office of the Trustee (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.3), or at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Debt Security Register or, if provided pursuant to Section 2.3 and in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the option of the Holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

(b) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.17, each Debt Security of a particular series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.

Section 2.13 Securities Denominated in Dollars. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.3 for Debt Securities of any series, payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of such series will be made in Dollars.

Section 2.14 Wire Transfers. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Company may make any payment of moneys required to be deposited with the Trustee on account of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities (whether pursuant to optional or mandatory redemption payments, interest payments or otherwise) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Trustee before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such moneys are to be paid to the Holders of the Debt Securities in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 2.15 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.3 that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 2.5, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Company shall specify in an Officers’ Certificate, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 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 IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS

 

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

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.”

or such other legend as may then be required by the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.15 or of Section 2.7 to the contrary, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Debt Securities in registered form, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.7, only by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(c) (i) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver, individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(ii) If an Event of Default occurs and the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Trustee of its decision to require that the Debt Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Debt Securities of such

 

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series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(iii) If specified by the Company pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.3 with respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

(iv) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Company will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Debt Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent. Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Registrar. The Trustee or the Registrar shall deliver such Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.

(v) Payments in respect of the principal of and interest on any Debt Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be payable to the Depositary or such nominee in its capacity as the registered owner of such Global Security. The Company, any Guarantors and the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name the Debt Securities, including the Global Security, are registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, any Guarantors, the Trustee, any Registrar, the paying agent or any agent of the Company, any Guarantors or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security by the Depositary or its nominee or any of the Depositary’s direct or indirect participants, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants relating to the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security, the payments to the beneficial owners of the Global Security of amounts paid to the Depositary or its nominee, or any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the

 

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Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants. None of the Company, any Guarantors, the Trustee or any such agent will be liable for any delay by the Depositary, its nominee, or any of its direct or indirect participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Debt Securities, and the Company, any Guarantors and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the Depositary or its nominee for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Debt Securities to be issued).

Section 2.16 Medium Term Securities. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for the Company to deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, resolutions of the Members, supplemental Indenture, Opinion of Counsel or written order or any other document otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.1, 2.3, 2.5 or 13.5 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first such Debt Security of such series to be issued; provided, that any subsequent request by the Company to the Trustee to authenticate Debt Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Company that, as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.5 or 13.5 shall be true and correct as if made on such date and that the Opinion of Counsel delivered at or prior to such time of authentication of an original issuance of Debt Securities shall specifically state that it shall relate to all subsequent issuances of Debt Securities of such series that are identical to the Debt Securities issued in the first issuance of Debt Securities of such series.

A Company Order delivered by the Company to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, may provide that Debt Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time upon the telephonic or written order of Persons designated in such written order (any such telephonic instructions to be promptly confirmed in writing by such Person) and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with the Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or resolution of the Members relating to such written order, such terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or such resolution.

Section 2.17 Defaulted Interest. Any interest on any Debt Security of a particular series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in this Indenture (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant record date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debt Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the

 

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Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage pre-paid, to each Holder thereof at its address as it appears in the Debt Security Register, not less than 15 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on such special record date.

(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of such series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debt Securities of such series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Section 2.18 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Debt Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Debt Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.1 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 3.2 Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities. In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities of any series in accordance with their terms, by resolution of the Members or a supplemental Indenture, the Company shall fix a date for redemption and shall give notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to

 

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the Holders of Debt Securities of such series so to be redeemed as a whole or in part, in the manner provided in Section 13.3. The notice if given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Debt Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security of such series.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify (i) the date fixed for redemption, (ii) the redemption price at which Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such redemption price), (iii) the Place or Places of Payment that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities, (iv) that any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, (v) that the redemption is for a sinking fund payment (if applicable), (vi) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, if the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, (vii) that on and after said date any interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue, (viii) that in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities original issue discount accrued after the date fixed for redemption will cease to accrue, (ix) the terms of the Debt Securities of that series pursuant to which the Debt Securities of that series are being redeemed and (x) 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 Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the certificate numbers of any Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed that are not in global form. In case any Debt Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of that series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof, will be issued.

At least five days before the giving of any notice of redemption, unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period, the Company shall give written notice to the Trustee of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed and the series and terms of the Debt Securities pursuant to which such redemption will occur. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein, and such notice may be revoked at any time prior to the giving of a notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.2. If fewer than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Company and given in writing to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than three days after the date of notice to the Trustee.

By 11 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Debt Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 2.3) sufficient to pay the redemption price of such Debt Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date, together with any interest accrued to the Redemption Date.

If less than all the Debt Securities of like tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed (other than pursuant to mandatory sinking fund redemptions), the Trustee shall select, on a pro

 

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rata basis, by lot or by such other method as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debt Securities of that series or portions thereof (in multiples of $1,000) to be redeemed. In any case where more than one Debt Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Debt Security of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof on such Redemption Date, the principal, premium, if any, and interest shall bear interest until paid from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of unlike tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Company. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Debt Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Debt Securities called for redemption.

Section 3.3 Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.2, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of the series with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the Place or Places of Payment stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Debt Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to said date) any interest on the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of any series so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and any original issue discount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at the Place or Places of Payment in said notice specified, the said Debt Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption.

Any Debt Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Place of Payment with, if the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Debt Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Debt Security or Debt Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Debt Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

 

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Section 3.4 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Members or a supplemental Indenture is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Members or a supplemental Indenture is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of a series in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Debt Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture; provided, that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 3.5 Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, any resolution or supplemental Indenture, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Debt Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.4 (which Debt Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Company intends to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Such certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series. Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Company shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Company to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Debt Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Debt Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities as provided in Section 3.4 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.

Any sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash which shall equal or exceed $100,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request) with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date on which such payment is made (or, if such payment is made before a sinking fund payment date, on the sinking fund payment date following the date of such payment) to the redemption of such Debt Securities at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for operation of the sinking fund together with any accrued interest to the

 

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date fixed for redemption. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment received by the Trustee for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.5. Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of that series at its Stated Maturity.

The Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in the last paragraph of Section 3.2 and the Company shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.2 except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Debt Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.3.

The Trustee shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of such Debt Securities by operation of the sinking fund for such series during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Debt Securities or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) with respect to such Debt Securities, except that if the notice of redemption of any such Debt Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Article III. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into such sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of such Debt Securities; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date for such Debt Securities on which such moneys may be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.5.

ARTICLE IV

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Section 4.1 Payment of Principal of, and Premium, If Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities. The Company, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, each of the Debt Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein or in the Debt Securities. Each installment of interest on any Debt Securities not in global form may at the Company’s option be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable to the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 2.7(a) to the address of such Person as it appears on the Debt Security Register.

 

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Principal of and premium and interest on Debt Securities of any series shall be considered paid on the date due if, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on such date the Trustee or any paying agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest then due.

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any, at the rate specified therefor in the Debt Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.2 Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities. The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and it shall also maintain (in or outside such Place of Payment) an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debt Securities of such series 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 shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the office of the Trustee where its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies to be maintained for such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency.

Section 4.3 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.8, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder with respect to each series of Debt Securities.

Section 4.4 Duties of Paying Agents, etc.

(a) The Company shall cause each paying agent, if any, other than the Trustee, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.4,

(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series;

 

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(ii) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable; and

(iii) that it will at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held by it as such agent.

(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by the Company to take such action or the failure by any other obligor on such Debt Securities to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such Debt Securities when the same shall be due and payable.

(c) Anything in this Section 4.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it or any paying agent, as required by this Section 4.4, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such paying agent.

(d) Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Securities of such series, deposit with any such paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless any such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

(e) Anything in this Section 4.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.4 is subject to the provisions of Section 11.5.

Section 4.5 SEC Reports.

The Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company or any Guarantor is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports that the Company or such Guarantor is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s and any Guarantor’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

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Section 4.6 Compliance Certificate. The Company shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, on or before January 31 in each year, a brief certificate from the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture (such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under the Indenture).

Section 4.7 Further Instruments and Acts. The Company will, upon request of the Trustee, execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may reasonably be necessary or proper to carry out more effectually the purposes of this Indenture.

Section 4.8 Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company and the Guarantors may, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.3, if, before or after the time for such compliance, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected, waive such compliance in such instance with such covenant, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE V

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series:

(a) not more than 10 days after each record date with respect to the payment of interest, if any, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such record date, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and contents as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.

The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.1 or (ii) received by it in the capacity of paying agent or Registrar (if so acting) hereunder.

The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

 

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Section 5.2 Communications to Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Debt Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

Section 5.3 Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after each January 31, beginning with the first January 31 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event on or before April 1 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such January 31 that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).

Reports pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall be transmitted by mail:

(a) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear in the Debt Security Register; and

(b) except in the cases of reports under Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA, to each Holder of a Debt Security of any series whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 5.1.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Debt Securities of any series are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Debt Securities of any series become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 5.4 Record Dates for Action by Holders. If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Debt Securities of any series any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the Company may, at its option, by resolution of the Members, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Debt Securities entitled to take such action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Company’s discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Debt Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Debt Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Debt Securities of such series Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Debt Securities of such series Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.1 Events of Default. “Event of Default” with respect to the Debt Securities of any series means each one of the following events which shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

 

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(b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise; or

(c) default in the payment of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable; or

(d) failure on the part of the Company or, if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee by a Guarantor, any of the Guarantors, duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company, or if applicable, any of the Guarantors, in the Debt Securities of that series, in any resolution of the Members authorizing the issuance of that series of Debt Securities, in this Indenture with respect to such series or in any supplemental Indenture with respect to such series (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), continuing for a period of 60 days (or 180 days in the case of a Reporting Failure) after the date on which written notice specifying such failure and requiring the Company, or if applicable, the Guarantors, to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder shall have been given to the Company and if applicable, the Guarantors, by the Trustee or to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding; or

(e) the Company or, if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee by a Guarantor, any of the Guarantors, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law,

(i) commences a voluntary case,

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

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

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

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

(i) is for relief against the Company or, if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee by a Guarantor, any of the Guarantors, as debtor in an involuntary case,

 

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(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or, if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee by a Guarantor, any of the Guarantors, or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, or if applicable, any of the Guarantors, or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or, if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee by a Guarantor, any of the Guarantors,

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

(g) if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee by a Guarantor, the Guarantee of any of the Guarantors ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Debt Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any of the Guarantors denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

(h) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series;

(i) provided, however, that the occurrence of any of the events described in the foregoing clause (d) shall not constitute an Event of Default if such occurrence is the result of changes in generally accepted accounting principles as recognized by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants at the date as of which this Indenture is executed and a certificate to such effect is delivered to the Trustee by the Company’s independent public accountants.

(j) If an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), or (h) with respect to Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding occurs with respect to the Company or any Guarantor and is continuing, unless the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company and the Guarantor (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of that series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) occurs with respect to the Company, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities shall have become due and payable, the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities then Outstanding hereunder shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

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The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction already rendered and if all existing Events of Default with respect to that series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Upon any such rescission, the parties hereto shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the parties hereto shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 6.2 Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid or enforce the performance of any provision of the Debt Securities of the affected series or this Indenture, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against any of the Guarantors or the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series (and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of any of the Guarantors or the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable).

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any of the Guarantors or the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series under any Bankruptcy Law, or in case a Custodian shall have been appointed for its property, or in case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to any of the Guarantors or the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series, its creditors or its property, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of Debt Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.2, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith) and of the Holders thereof allowed in any such judicial proceedings relative to any of the Guarantors or the Company, or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, its creditors or its property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of such Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of such Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to such Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.

 

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All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any such Debt Securities, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment (except for any amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.6) shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of all the Debt Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 6.3 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys or other property collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.2 with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be applied, in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or other property, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities of such series in respect of which moneys or other property have been collected, and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all money due the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.6;

SECOND: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall not have become due, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

THIRD: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series; and, in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest, without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any Debt Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and interest; and

 

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FOURTH: The remainder, if any, shall be paid to the Guarantors or the Company, as applicable, its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.3. At least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

Section 6.4 Limitation on Suits by Holders. No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that same series and of the continuance thereof and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity or security as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity or security shall have failed to institute any such action or proceedings and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Debt Security with every other Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any Holders, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all such Holders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 6.4, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security, and to institute 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 6.5 Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default. All powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder

 

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to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid, shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.4, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.6 Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or of exercising any right, trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture, and that subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel shall determine that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, or if the Trustee shall by a responsible officer or officers determine that the action so directed would involve it in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders of Debt Securities of such series not taking part in such direction; and provided, further, however, that nothing in this Indenture contained shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by such Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of that series waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences for that series, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities and a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.2 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected thereby. In case of any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, and the Guarantors, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of that series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.7 Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, or if later, within 30 days after the Trustee obtains actual knowledge of the Event of Default, with respect to a series of Debt Securities give to the Holders thereof, in the manner provided in Section 13.3, notice of all Events of Default with respect to such series known to the Trustee, unless such Events of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities of such series or in the making of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.

 

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Section 6.8 Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit in the manner and to the extent provided in the TIA, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 6.8 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 25 percent in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Security on or after the due date for such payment expressed in such Debt Security.

ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the effect of the first paragraph of this Section 7.1;

(b) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such series shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions

 

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expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture; but the Trustee shall examine the evidence furnished to it pursuant to Sections 4.5 and 4.6 to determine whether or not such evidence conforms to the requirement of this Indenture;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable for an error of judgment made in good faith by a responsible officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iv) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Debt Securities of any series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of such series.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 7.2 Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1:

(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Members may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

 

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(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default which may have occurred, 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, approval or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Debt Securities of a series affected by such matter; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is not, in the opinion of the Trustee, reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding, and the reasonable expense of every such investigation shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand;

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder; and

(h) if any property other than cash shall at any time be subject to a Lien in favor of the Holders, the Trustee, if and to the extent authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by the supplemental instrument subjecting such property to such Lien, shall be entitled to make advances for the purpose of preserving such property or of discharging tax Liens or other prior Liens or encumbrances thereon.

Section 7.3 Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Debt Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Debt Securities and perform its obligations hereunder, and that the statements made by it or to be made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Debt Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

 

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Section 7.4 Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee or any paying agent or Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and subject to the provisions of the TIA relating to conflicts of interest and preferential claims may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Registrar.

Section 7.5 Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.5, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time to the Company upon a Company Order.

Section 7.6 Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company covenants and agrees to pay in Dollars to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Company will pay or reimburse in Dollars the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents, attorneys and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), including without limitation, Section 6.2, except any such expense, disbursement or advances as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Company also covenants to indemnify in Dollars the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.6 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional Debt hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. The Company and the Holders agree that such additional Debt shall be secured by a Lien prior to that of the Debt Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee, as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, particular Debt Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.7 Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable

 

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that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 7.8 Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Company may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Debt Securities. The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more or all series of Debt Securities at any time by giving notice to the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series and only such series by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

 

  (a)   the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

  (b)   the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

 

  (c)   a Custodian takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

  (d)   the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 7.8.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of Debt Securities of each applicable series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.6.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee gives notice of resignation or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

 

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Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.6 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

In the case of the appointment hereunder of a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Company, any retiring Trustee and each successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an Indenture supplemental hereto (i) which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of any retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as to which any such retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in such retiring Trustee and (ii) that shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental Indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such separate, retiring or successor Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.

Section 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors to the Trustee by merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. No obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such obligor shall serve as Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA this Indenture or any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated therein.

 

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Section 7.12 Compliance with Tax Laws. The Trustee hereby agrees to comply with all U.S. Federal income tax information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it with respect to payments of premium (if any) and interest on the Debt Securities, whether acting as Trustee, Registrar, paying agent or otherwise with respect to the Debt Securities.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.1 Evidence of Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any or all series may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.2, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Debt Securities evidenced by a Global Security, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

Section 8.2 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 13.9, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities of any series shall be proved by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.2 as it shall deem necessary.

Section 8.3 Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Debt Security shall be registered upon the books of the Company as the absolute owner of such Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes, and none of the Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and all such payments so made to any such Holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.

None of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

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Section 8.4 Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.1, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action and subject to the following paragraph, any Holder of a Debt Security which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debt Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its corporate trust office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Debt Security and of any Debt Security issued upon transfer thereof or in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or such other Debt Securities. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Debt Securities entitled to give their consent or take any other action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders of Debt Securities at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of Debt Securities after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series specified in this Indenture shall have been received within such 120-day period.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1 Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders. The Company and any Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of the Members, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time, without the consent of Holders, enter into an Indenture or Indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession pursuant to Article X of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the Successor Company (as defined in Section 10.1) of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company in this Indenture and in the Debt Securities;

 

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(b) to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or the Guarantors, to add to the covenants of the Company or the Guarantors such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) as the Members shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Debt Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental Indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any or all series of Debt Securities to waive such Default;

(c) to cure any ambiguity or omission or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in any Debt Securities of any series that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series; to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of Debt Securities of any series;

(d) to permit the qualification of this Indenture or any Indenture supplemental hereto under the TIA as then in effect, except that nothing herein contained shall permit or authorize the inclusion in any Indenture supplemental hereto of the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA;

(e) to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities of any series in uncertificated form;

(f) to reflect the release of any Guarantor in accordance with Article XIV;

(g) to add Guarantors with respect to any or all of the Debt Securities or to secure any or all of the Debt Securities or the Guarantee;

(h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder;

(i) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Debt Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.1 shall neither apply to any Debt Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental Indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holder of any such Debt Security with respect to such provision or shall become effective only when there is no such Debt Security Outstanding;

 

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(j) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; and

(k) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 2.3.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental Indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.1 may be executed by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.

Section 9.2 Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities. Without notice to any Holder but with the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.1) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such supplemental Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for any such series of Debt Securities), the Company and the Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of the Members, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an Indenture or Indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, that no such supplemental Indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Debt Security so affected, shall: reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment; reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Debt Security; reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security; reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security or change the time at which any Debt Security may or shall be redeemed in accordance with Article III; make any Debt Security payable in currency other than the Dollar; impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of premium, if any, principal of and interest on such Holder’s Debt Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities; release any security that may have been granted in respect of the Debt Securities, other than in accordance with this Indenture; make any change in Section 6.6 or this Section 9.2; or, except as provided in Section 11.2(b) or Section 14.4, release the Guarantors other than as provided in this Indenture or modify the Guarantee in any manner adverse to the Holders.

 

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A supplemental Indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities of any other series.

Upon the request of the Company and the Guarantors, accompanied by a copy of resolutions of the Members authorizing the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental Indenture unless such supplemental Indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental Indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental Indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

After an amendment under this Section 9.2 requiring the consent of the Holders of any series of Debt Securities becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Holders of that series of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to any such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.2 with respect to other Holders.

Section 9.3 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company, the Guarantors and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental Indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.1and 7.2, may receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such supplemental Indenture complies with the provisions of this Article IX.

Section 9.4 Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures. Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental Indenture. New Debt Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Members, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental Indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Debt Security of such series shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

 

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ARTICLE X

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 10.1 Consolidations and Mergers of the Company. The Company shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to any Person, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, unless: (a) either (i) the Company shall be the surviving Person in the case of a merger or (ii) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person if other than the Company (the “Successor Company”), shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company shall expressly assume, by an Indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Debt Securities according to their tenor; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default would occur or be continuing; (c) if the Company is not the continuing Person, then each Guarantor, unless it has become the Successor Company, shall confirm that its Guarantee shall continue to apply to the obligations under the Debt Securities and this Indenture; and (d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or disposition and such supplemental Indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

Section 10.2 Rights and Duties of Successor Company. In case of any consolidation, amalgamation or merger where the Company is not the continuing Person, or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 10.1, the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the respective party to this Indenture, and the predecessor entity shall be released from all liabilities and obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities, except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all the Debt Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by or on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of the Successor Company, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Debt Securities which the Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all such Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

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In case of any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale or disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Debt Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF

INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 11.1 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article XI relating to discharge or defeasance of Debt Securities shall be applicable to each series of Debt Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.3 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 11.2 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance.

(a) If at any time the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Debt Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9 and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company as provided in Section 11.5) or all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash sufficient to pay at final maturity or upon redemption all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and if in either case the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities herein expressly provided for) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

(b) Subject to Sections 11.2(c), 11.3 and 11.7, the Company at any time may terminate, with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series, all its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (“legal defeasance option”) or the operation of (x) any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.3, (y) Sections 6.1(d), (g) and (h) and (z) as they relate to the Guarantors only, Sections 6.1(e) and (f) (“covenant defeasance option”). If the Company exercises either its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series that are entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee, the Guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of Debt Securities. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

 

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If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.1(d), (g) and (h) and, with respect to the Guarantors only, Sections 6.1(e) and (f).

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.7, 2.9, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 7.6, 11.5, 11.6 and 11.7 shall survive until the Debt Securities of the defeased series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.6, 11.5 and 11.6 shall survive.

Section 11.3 Conditions of Defeasance. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series only if:

(a) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(b) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(c) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) with respect to the Company occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(d) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and after giving effect thereto;

(e) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Company;

(f) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(g) in the event of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Company has received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or 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

 

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Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such 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 defeasance had not occurred;

(h) in the event of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of Debt Securities of such series 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; and

(i) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series as contemplated by this Article XI have been complied with.

Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article III.

Section 11.4 Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article XI. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through any paying agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of the defeased series.

Section 11.5 Repayment to Company. The Trustee and any paying agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and any paying agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors.

Section 11.6 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Holders against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 11.7 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any paying agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or government authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities of the defeased series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or any paying agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI.

 

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ARTICLE XII

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 13.1 Successors and Assigns of Company Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 13.2 Acts of Members, Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Company Valid. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any member, board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like member, board, committee or officer of any Successor Company.

Section 13.3 Required Notices or Demands. Any notice or communication by the Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Company or any Guarantor:

Rayonier Operating Company LLC

50 North Laura Street

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

Telephone No.: (904) 357-9100

If to the Trustee:

[                                         ]

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 shall 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; on the first Business Day on or after being sent, if telecopied and the sender receives confirmation of successful transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

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Any notice required or permitted to a Holder by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to be properly mailed by being deposited postage prepaid in a post office letter box in the United States addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as shown on the Debt Security Register. Any report pursuant to Section 313 of the TIA shall be transmitted in compliance with subsection (c) therein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice to Holders of Floating Rate Securities regarding the determination of a periodic rate of interest, if such notice is required pursuant to Section 2.3, shall be sufficiently given if given in the manner specified pursuant to Section 2.3.

In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

In the event it shall be impracticable to give notice by publication, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it or any defect in any notice by publication as to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, it is conclusively presumed duly given.

Section 13.4 Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York. THIS INDENTURE, EACH DEBT SECURITY AND THE GUARANTEE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE NEW YORK CONTRACTS, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE.

Section 13.5 Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Company. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) 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, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

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Section 13.6 Payments Due on Legal Holidays. In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of a series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any Debt Security or the making of any sinking fund payment shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of such series, then payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, or the making of such sinking fund payment need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. If a record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.

Section 13.7 Provisions Required by TIA to Control. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the TIA, such required provision shall control.

Section 13.8 Computation of Interest on Debt Securities. Interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 2.3.

Section 13.9 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and any paying agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

Section 13.10 No Recourse Against Others. The Company and its directors, officers, employees, incorporators and capital stockholders, as such, shall have no liability for any obligations of the Guarantors or the Company under the Debt Securities, this Indenture or the Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Debt Security, each Holder shall be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Debt Securities.

Section 13.11 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or the Debt Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.12 Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein and in the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 13.13 Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

GUARANTEE

Section 14.1 Unconditional Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XIV to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XIV shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Debt Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.3, as entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of each of the Guarantors.

(b) For value received, each of the Guarantors hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Company, when and as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of the Debt Securities and this Indenture, subject to (i) the limitations set forth in Section 14.3.

(c) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, for whatever reason, each of the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. The Guarantee hereunder is intended to be a general, unsecured, senior obligation of each of the Guarantors and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all Debt of each Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee (including the Guarantee of any other Guarantor) or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Debt Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any other Guarantor, or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of any of the Guarantors. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.4, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company or any other Guarantor.

(d) The obligations of each of the Guarantors under this Article XIV shall be as aforesaid full, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (A) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of the Company or any of the Guarantors contained in the Debt Securities or this Indenture, (B) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of the Company, any of the Guarantors or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any

 

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present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (C) the assertion or exercise by the Company, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee of any rights or remedies under the Debt Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (D) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for the Debt Securities, including all or any part of the rights of the Company or any of the Guarantors under this Indenture, (E) the extension of the time for payment by the Company or any of the Guarantors of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of the Debt Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by the Company or any of the Guarantors of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (F) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of the Company or any of the Guarantors set forth in this Indenture, (G) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar proceeding affecting, the Company or any of the Guarantors or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (H) the release or discharge of the Company or any of the Guarantors from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (I) the unenforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture or (J) any other circumstances (other than payment in full or discharge of all amounts guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.

(e) Each of the Guarantors hereby (A) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or any of the Guarantors, and all demands whatsoever, (B) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee without notice to it and (C) covenants that the Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Guarantee. Each of the Guarantors further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to the Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or any of the Guarantors, the Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.

(f) Each of the Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, provided, however, that such Guarantor, shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Debt Securities and the Guarantee shall have been paid in full or discharged.

Section 14.2 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1, each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation relating to such

 

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Guarantee, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, shall be endorsed on each Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an officer of such Guarantor, or in the case of a Guarantor that is a limited partnership, an officer of the general partner of each Guarantor. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Debt Security a notation relating to the Guarantee. If any officer of any Guarantor, or in the case of a Guarantor that is a limited partnership, any officer of the general partner of the Guarantor, whose signature is on this Indenture or a Debt Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Debt Security or at any time thereafter, the Guarantee of such Debt Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Debt Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

The Trustee hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.

Section 14.3 Limitation on Guarantors’ Liability. Each Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor under the Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under the Guarantee, not result in the obligations of such Guarantor under the Guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law.

Section 14.4 Release of Guarantors from Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee of any Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 11.2(b) and in this Section 14.4. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, the Guarantee incurred by a Guarantor pursuant to this Article XIV shall be unconditionally released and discharged (i) automatically upon (A) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company’s direct or indirect limited partnership or other equity interests in such Guarantor (provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (B) the merger of such Guarantor into the Company or any other Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of such Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) following delivery of a written notice of such release or discharge by the Company to the Trustee, upon the release or discharge of all guarantees by such Guarantor of any Debt of the Company other than obligations arising under this Indenture and any Debt Securities issued hereunder, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantees.

 

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(b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of a Guarantor from the Guarantee upon receipt of a written request of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Any Guarantor not so released shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee as provided in this Indenture, subject to the limitations of Section 14.3.

Section 14.5 Guarantor Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Guarantors, the Guarantors hereby agree, inter se, that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under the Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor (if any) in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Company’s obligations with respect to the Debt Securities or any other Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guarantee.

[Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

RAYONIER OPERATING COMPANY LLC
By:    
   
   
[NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)]
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
[                                         ], as Trustee
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

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ANNEX A

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

Each of the Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Company.

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Debt Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article XIV of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.

 

[NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)]
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

A-1

EX-4.9 3 dex49.htm FORM OF SUBORDINATED INDENTURE-RAYONIER OPERATING COMPANY LLC Form of Subordinated Indenture-Rayonier Operating Company LLC

Exhibit 4.9

[Form of Subordinated Indenture]

 

 

RAYONIER OPERATING COMPANY LLC

AS ISSUER,

any Guarantors party hereto,

and

[                                                             ],

as Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of                     

Debt Securities

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Section

  Indenture Section
310  

(a)

  7.10
 

(b)

  7.10
 

(c)

  N.A.
311  

(a)

  7.11
 

(b)

  7.11
 

(c)

  N.A.
312  

(a)

  5.1
 

(b)

  5.2
 

(c)

  5.2
313  

(a)

  5.3
 

(b)

  5.3
 

(c)

  13.3
 

(d)

  5.3
314  

(a)

  4.5
 

(b)

  N.A.
 

(c)(1)

  13.5
 

(c)(2)

  13.5
 

(c)(3)

  N.A.
 

(d)

  N.A.
 

(e)

  13.5
 

(f)

  N.A.
315  

(a)

  7.1
 

(b)

  6.7 & 13.3
 

(c)

  7.1
 

(d)

  7.1
 

(e)

  6.8
316  

(a) (last sentence)

  1.1
 

(a)(1)(A)

  6.6
 

(a)(1)(B)

  6.6
 

(a)(2)

  9.1(d)
 

(b)

  6.4
 

(c)

  5.4
317  

(a)(1)

  6.2
 

(a)(2)

  6.2
 

(b)

  4.4
318  

(a)

  13.7

N.A. means Not Applicable

NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.1    Definitions    1
Section 1.2    Other Definitions    7
Section 1.3    Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act    7
Section 1.4    Rules of Construction    7
ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES
Section 2.1    Forms Generally    8
Section 2.2    Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication    8
Section 2.3    Principal Amount; Issuable in Series    8
Section 2.4    Execution of Debt Securities    11
Section 2.5    Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities    11
Section 2.6    Denomination of Debt Securities    13
Section 2.7    Registration of Transfer and Exchange    13
Section 2.8    Temporary Debt Securities    14
Section 2.9    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities    15
Section 2.10    Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities    16
Section 2.11    Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders    16
Section 2.12    Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved    16
Section 2.13    Securities Denominated in Dollars    16
Section 2.14    Wire Transfers    17
Section 2.15    Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security    17
Section 2.16    Medium Term Securities    19
Section 2.17    Defaulted Interest    20
Section 2.18    CUSIP Numbers    21
ARTICLE III   
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES   
Section 3.1    Applicability of Article    21
Section 3.2    Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities    21
Section 3.3    Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption    23
Section 3.4    Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds    23
Section 3.5    Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund    24

 

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ARTICLE IV
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE Company
Section 4.1    Payment of Principal of, and Premium, If Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities    25
Section 4.2    Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities    25
Section 4.3    Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee    26
Section 4.4    Duties of Paying Agents, etc    26
Section 4.5    SEC Reports    27
Section 4.6    Compliance Certificate    27
Section 4.7    Further Instruments and Acts    27
Section 4.8    Waiver of Certain Covenants    27
ARTICLE V
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE
Section 5.1    Company to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information    28
Section 5.2    Communications to Holders    28
Section 5.3    Reports by Trustee    28
Section 5.4    Record Dates for Action by Holders    29
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 6.1    Events of Default    29
Section 6.2    Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc    31
Section 6.3    Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee    33
Section 6.4    Limitation on Suits by Holders    33
Section 6.5    Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default    34
Section 6.6    Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default    34
Section 6.7    Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances    35
Section 6.8    Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee    35
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.1    Certain Duties and Responsibilities    36

 

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Section 7.2    Certain Rights of Trustee    37
Section 7.3    Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities    38
Section 7.4    Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities    38
Section 7.5    Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust    38
Section 7.6    Compensation and Reimbursement    38
Section 7.7    Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed    39
Section 7.8    Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee    39
Section 7.9    Successor Trustee by Merger    40
Section 7.10    Eligibility; Disqualification    41
Section 7.11    Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company    41
Section 7.12    Compliance with Tax Laws    41
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
Section 8.1    Evidence of Action by Holders    41
Section 8.2    Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities    42
Section 8.3    Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities    42
Section 8.4    Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders    42
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1    Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders    43
Section 9.2    Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities    45
Section 9.3    Effect of Supplemental Indentures    46
Section 9.4    Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures    46
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
Section 10.1    Consolidations and Mergers of the Company    47
Section 10.2    Rights and Duties of Successor Company    47
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF
INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
Section 11.1    Applicability of Article    48
Section 11.2    Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance    48

 

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Section 11.3    Conditions of Defeasance    49
Section 11.4    Application of Trust Money    50
Section 11.5    Repayment to Company    50
Section 11.6    Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations    50
Section 11.7    Reinstatement    50
ARTICLE XII
SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEE
Section 12.1    Applicability of Article; Agreement to Subordinate    51
Section 12.2    Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy    51
Section 12.3    Default on Senior Indebtedness    51
Section 12.4    Acceleration of Payment of Debt Securities    52
Section 12.5    When Distribution Must Be Paid Over    53
Section 12.6    Subrogation    53
Section 12.7    Relative Rights    53
Section 12.8    Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company    53
Section 12.9    Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent    53
Section 12.10    Distribution or Notice to Representative    54
Section 12.11    Article XII Not to Prevent Defaults or Limit Right to Accelerate    54
Section 12.12    Trust Moneys Not Subordinated    54
Section 12.13    Trustee Entitled to Rely    54
Section 12.14    Trustee to Effectuate Subordination    54
Section 12.15    Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness    55
Section 12.16    Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions    55
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 13.1    Successors and Assigns of Company Bound by Indenture    55
Section 13.2    Acts of Members, Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Company Valid    55
Section 13.3    Required Notices or Demands    55
Section 13.4    Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York    56
Section 13.5    Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Company    56
Section 13.6    Payments Due on Legal Holidays    57
Section 13.7    Provisions Required by TIA to Control    57
Section 13.8    Computation of Interest on Debt Securities    57
Section 13.9    Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar    57
Section 13.10    No Recourse Against Others    57
Section 13.11    Severability    58
Section 13.12    Effect of Headings    58
Section 13.13    Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts    58

 

v


ARTICLE XIV
GUARANTEE
Section 14.1    Unconditional Guarantee    58
Section 14.2    Execution and Delivery of Guarantee    60
Section 14.3    Limitation on Guarantors’ Liability    60
Section 14.4    Release of Guarantors from Guarantee    60
Section 14.5    Guarantor Contribution    61

 

Notation of Guarantee    Annex A

 

vi


THIS INDENTURE dated as of                      is among Rayonier Operating Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), any Guarantors (as defined herein) party hereto, and [                                         ], as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY AND ANY GUARANTORS

The Company and any Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Debt Securities”), which Debt Securities may be guaranteed by each of the Guarantors and may be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness, as in this Indenture provided.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and any Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the Holders thereof, the Company, any Guarantor and the Trustee covenant and agree with each other, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities or any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.1 Definitions.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. The Trustee may request and may conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate to determine whether any Person is an Affiliate of any specified Person.

“Agent” means any Registrar or paying agent.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, or the law of any other jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors.


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

“Capital Stock” of any Person means and includes any and all shares, rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) the equity (which includes, but is not limited to, common stock, preferred stock and Company and joint venture interests) of such Person (excluding any debt securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity).

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the President, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Debt” of any Person at any date means any obligation created or assumed by such Person for the repayment of borrowed money and any guarantee thereof.

“Debt Security” or “Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debt security or debt securities, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

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

“Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.3 or 2.15, with respect to Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.

“Designated Senior Indebtedness” means (i) any Senior Indebtedness which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination, the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $100 million and (ii) any other Senior Indebtedness designated, as provided in Section 2.3, in respect of any series of Debt Securities.

“Dollar” or “$” means such currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

 

2


“Floating Rate Security” means a Debt Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 2.3.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.

“Global Security” means with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued hereunder, a Debt Security which is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and any Indentures supplemental hereto, or resolution of the Members and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due and interest rate or method of determining interest.

“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of company or partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (b) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Company and any other Affiliate of the Company who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement hereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantors” shall mean such successor Person.

“Holder,” “Holder of Debt Securities” or other similar terms means, a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Debt Security Register (as defined in Section 2.7(a)).

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed, or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Debt Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental Indenture is entered into with respect thereto.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, 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 shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

3


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

“Members” means the Members of the Company named in the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company or any authorized committee of the Members of the Company.

“Officer” means, with respect to a Person, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether unmodified or prefaced by “Senior,” “Assistant” or any other designation), the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, Controller, Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of such Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two officers of the Company, one of whom must be the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Debt Security” means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any series of Debt Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

 

  (a)   Debt Securities of that series theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

  (b)   Debt Securities of that series for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent) for the Holders of such Debt Securities; provided, that, if such Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

 

  (c)   Debt Securities of that series which have been paid pursuant to Section 2.9 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by the

 

4


Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which a Trust Officer actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or an Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Reporting Failure” means the failure of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable, to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company or a Guarantor is required to file the same with the SEC within the time periods specified in the Exchange Act or in the relevant forms thereunder (after giving effect to any grace period specified under Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act), the annual reports, information, documents or other reports that the Company or the Guarantor is required to file with the commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

“Representative” means the trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Senior Indebtedness,” unless otherwise provided with respect to the Debt Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.3, means (1) all Debt of the Guarantors or the Company, whether currently outstanding or hereafter issued, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt, it is provided that such Debt is subordinate or not superior in right of payment to the Debt Securities, in the case of the Company, or the Guarantee, in the case of the Guarantors, or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Debt Securities, in the case of the Company, or the Guarantee, in the case of the Guarantors, and (2) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals, or extensions of any such Debt or securities, notes

 

5


or other evidence of Debt issued in exchange for such Debt; provided that in no event shall “Senior Indebtedness” include (a) Debt evidenced by the Debt Securities or any Guarantee, (b) Debt of any of the Guarantors or the Company owed or owing to any Subsidiary of the Company, (c) Debt of any of the Guarantors owed or owing to the Company, (d) Debt to trade creditors, (e) any liability for taxes owed or owing by the Guarantors or the Company or (f) Debt of any Guarantor in the event there is no series of Debt Securities Outstanding that is entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

“Subsidiary” of any Person means:

 

  (1)   any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of equity interests entitled, without regard to the occurrence of any contingency, to vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or equivalent Persons thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof; or

 

  (2)   in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the partners’ equity interests, considering all partners’ equity interests as a single class, is at such time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of this Indenture as originally executed and, to the extent required by law, as amended.

“Trustee” initially means [                                        ] and any other Person or Persons appointed as such from time to time pursuant to Section 7.8, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, includes its or their successors and assigns. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

“Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States of America, obligations on which the payment of principal and interest is fully guaranteed by the United States of America or obligations or guarantees for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

 

6


“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, calculated at the time of issuance of a series of Debt Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.

Section 1.2 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in Section

“Debt Security Register”

   2.7

“Defaulted Interest”

   2.17

“Event of Default”

   6.1

“Funding Guarantor”

   14.5

“Guarantee”

   14.1

“Place of Payment”

   2.3

“Registrar”

   2.7

“Subordinated Debt Securities”

   12.1

“Successor Company”

   10.1

Section 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

All 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 1.4 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

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

(e) all references in this instrument to “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed;

(f) the words “herein,” “hereof’ and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

(g) “including” means “including without limitation;”

(h) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

 

7


(i) if the applicable series of Debt Securities are subordinated pursuant to Article XII, unsecured Debt shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Debt merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Debt; and

(j) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

ARTICLE II

DEBT SECURITIES

Section 2.1 Forms Generally. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a resolution of the Members or in one or more Indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate (and, if not contained in a supplemental Indenture entered into in accordance with Article IX, as are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture) or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Debt Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.

The definitive Debt Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.

Section 2.2 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debt Securities authenticated by the Trustee shall be in substantially the following form:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                                         ],
As Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

Section 2.3 Principal Amount; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

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The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series in fully registered form. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a resolution of the Members and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more Indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series any or all of the following:

(a) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities);

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to this Article II);

(c) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of the series are payable;

(d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, or the method by which such date will be determined, the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable; and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months;

(e) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the corporate trust office of the Trustee, where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of the series shall be payable (“Place of Payment”);

(f) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company or otherwise;

(g) whether Debt Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any Guarantors pursuant to this Indenture;

(h) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

(i) the terms, if any, upon which the Debt Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for capital stock (which may be represented by depositary shares), other Debt Securities or warrants for capital stock or Debt or other securities of any kind of the Company or any other obligor and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein;

 

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(j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(k) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

(l) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Debt Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);

(m) any changes or additions to Article XI, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 11.2(b);

(n) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.2;

(o) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Debt Securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the TIA are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as currently in effect;

(p) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal of, and premium and interest on, such Debt Securities due and payable;

(q) if the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Debt Securities in definitive registered form; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.15(a);

(r) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars;

(s) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article X, including conditioning any merger, conveyance, transfer or lease permitted by Article X upon the satisfaction of any Debt coverage standard by the Company and Successor Company (as defined in Article X);

(t) the subordination, if any, of the Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Article XII and any changes or additions to Article XII or designation of any Designated Senior Indebtedness;

 

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(u) with regard to Debt Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee; and

(v) any other terms of the Debt Securities of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Members and as set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such Indenture supplemental hereto.

Section 2.4 Execution of Debt Securities. The Debt Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President of the Company and, if the seal of the Company is reproduced thereon, it shall be attested by its Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Such signatures upon the Debt Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities. The seal of the Company, if any, may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities.

Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, signed manually by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Debt Security executed by the Company on behalf of the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Debt Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Debt Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Debt Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt Security, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of such Debt Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such officer.

Section 2.5 Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver to the Trustee for authentication Debt Securities of any series executed by the Company, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debt Securities to or upon a Company Order. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Members, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, authorizing the terms of issuance of any series of Debt Securities;

 

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(b) an executed supplemental Indenture, if any;

(c) an Officers’ Certificate; and

(d) an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 13.5 which shall also state:

(i) that the form of such Debt Securities has been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Members or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.1 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) that the terms of such Debt Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Members or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.3 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(iii) that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability;

(iv) that the Company has the power to issue such Debt Securities and has duly taken all necessary action with respect to such issuance;

(v) that the issuance of such Debt Securities will not contravene the organizational documents of the Company or result in any material violation of any of the terms or provisions of any law or regulation or of any material indenture, mortgage or other agreement known to such counsel by which the Company is bound;

(vi) that authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of any supplemental Indenture will not violate the terms of this Indenture; and

(vii) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section 2.5 if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors, trustees or Officers (or any combination thereof) shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

 

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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Debt Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Debt Securities 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 any Registrar, paying agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.6 Denomination of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable only as fully registered Debt Securities in such Dollar denominations as shall be specified or contemplated by Section 2.3. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 2.7 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

(a) The Company shall keep or cause to be kept a register for each series of Debt Securities issued hereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Debt Security Register”), in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of all Debt Securities and the transfer of Debt Securities as in this Article II provided. At all reasonable times the Debt Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. Subject to Section 2.15, upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security at any office or agency to be maintained by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. In no event may Debt Securities be issued as, or exchanged for, bearer securities.

Unless and until otherwise determined by the Company by resolution of the Members, the Debt Security Register shall be kept at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee and, for this purpose, the Trustee shall be designated “Registrar.”

Debt Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the same series of other authorized denominations. Subject to Section 2.15, Debt Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the office or agency to be maintained by the Company as provided in Section 4.2, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Debt Security or Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.

(b) All Debt Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

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All Debt Securities issued in exchange for or upon transfer of Debt Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Debt Securities surrendered for such exchange or transfer.

No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debt Securities (except as provided by Section 2.9), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Company’s own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities for a period of 15 days next preceding any mailing of notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities selected, called or being called for redemption.

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security is overdue, and none of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 2.8 Temporary Debt Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Debt Securities (printed, lithographed, photocopied, typewritten or otherwise produced) of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the Company with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Debt Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Debt Securities.

If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation

 

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of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company at a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 2.7 in connection with a transfer. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.

Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Debt Securities represented thereby pursuant to Section 2.7 or this Section 2.8, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount to be exchanged and endorsed.

Section 2.9 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities. If (a) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its corporate trust office or (b) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any paying agent harmless, and neither the Company nor the Trustee receives notice that such Debt Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, then the Company shall execute and, upon a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security, the Company or the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has matured or is about to mature or which has been called for redemption shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substituted Debt Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish the Company and the Trustee with such security or indemnity as either may require to save it harmless from all risk, however remote, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.9 by virtue of the fact that any Debt Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. All Debt Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated,

 

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destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.10 Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities. All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent or a Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation by it, or if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) and certification of their destruction delivered to the Company, unless otherwise directed. On request of the Company, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee. If the Company shall acquire any of the Debt Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Debt represented thereby unless and until the same are delivered or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Company may not issue new Debt Securities to replace Debt Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.11 Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, the Holders or any Registrar or paying agent, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all its covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, the Holders and any Registrar and paying agents.

Section 2.12 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

(a) Interest on any Debt Security that is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Debt Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the regular record date. Payment of interest on Debt Securities shall be made at the corporate trust office of the Trustee (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.3), or at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Debt Security Register or, if provided pursuant to Section 2.3 and in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the option of the Holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

(b) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.17, each Debt Security of a particular series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.

Section 2.13 Securities Denominated in Dollars. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.3 for Debt Securities of any series, payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of such series will be made in Dollars.

 

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Section 2.14 Wire Transfers. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Company may make any payment of moneys required to be deposited with the Trustee on account of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities (whether pursuant to optional or mandatory redemption payments, interest payments or otherwise) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Trustee before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such moneys are to be paid to the Holders of the Debt Securities in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 2.15 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.3 that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 2.5, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Company shall specify in an Officers’ Certificate, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 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 IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.”

or such other legend as may then be required by the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.15 or of Section 2.7 to the contrary, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Debt Securities in registered form, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part

 

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and in the manner provided in Section 2.7, only by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(c) (i) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver, individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(ii) If an Event of Default occurs and the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Trustee of its decision to require that the Debt Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(iii) If specified by the Company pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.3 with respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

 

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(iv) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Company will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Debt Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent. Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Registrar. The Trustee or the Registrar shall deliver such Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.

(v) Payments in respect of the principal of and interest on any Debt Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be payable to the Depositary or such nominee in its capacity as the registered owner of such Global Security. The Company, any Guarantors and the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name the Debt Securities, including the Global Security, are registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, any Guarantors, the Trustee, any Registrar, the paying agent or any agent of the Company, any Guarantors or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security by the Depositary or its nominee or any of the Depositary’s direct or indirect participants, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants relating to the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security, the payments to the beneficial owners of the Global Security of amounts paid to the Depositary or its nominee, or any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants. None of the Company, any Guarantors, the Trustee or any such agent will be liable for any delay by the Depositary, its nominee, or any of its direct or indirect participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Debt Securities, and the Company, any Guarantors and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the Depositary or its nominee for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Debt Securities to be issued).

Section 2.16 Medium Term Securities. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for the Company to deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, resolutions of the Members, supplemental Indenture, Opinion of Counsel or written order or any other document otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.1, 2.3, 2.5 or 13.5 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first such Debt Security of such series to be issued; provided, that any subsequent request by the Company to the Trustee to authenticate Debt Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Company that, as of the date of such request, the statements

 

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made in the Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.5 or 13.5 shall be true and correct as if made on such date and that the Opinion of Counsel delivered at or prior to such time of authentication of an original issuance of Debt Securities shall specifically state that it shall relate to all subsequent issuances of Debt Securities of such series that are identical to the Debt Securities issued in the first issuance of Debt Securities of such series.

A Company Order delivered by the Company to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, may provide that Debt Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time upon the telephonic or written order of Persons designated in such written order (any such telephonic instructions to be promptly confirmed in writing by such Person) and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with the Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or resolution of the Members relating to such written order, such terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or such resolution.

Section 2.17 Defaulted Interest. Any interest on any Debt Security of a particular series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in this Indenture (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant record date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debt Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage pre-paid, to each Holder thereof at its address as it appears in the Debt Security Register, not less than 15 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on such special record date.

 

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(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of such series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debt Securities of such series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Section 2.18 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Debt Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Debt Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.1 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 3.2 Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities. In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities of any series in accordance with their terms, by resolution of the Members or a supplemental Indenture, the Company shall fix a date for redemption and shall give notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series so to be redeemed as a whole or in part, in the manner provided in Section 13.3. The notice if given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Debt Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security of such series.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify (i) the date fixed for redemption, (ii) the redemption price at which Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such redemption price), (iii) the Place or Places of Payment that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities, (iv) that any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, (v) that the redemption is for a sinking fund payment (if applicable), (vi) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, if the Company defaults in making such redemption payment or if the Debt Securities of that series are subordinated pursuant to the terms of Article XII, the paying agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, (vii) that on and after said date any interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue, (viii) that in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities original issue discount accrued after the date fixed for

 

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redemption will cease to accrue, (ix) the terms of the Debt Securities of that series pursuant to which the Debt Securities of that series are being redeemed and (x) 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 Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the certificate numbers of any Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed that are not in global form. In case any Debt Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of that series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof, will be issued.

At least five days before the giving of any notice of redemption, unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period, the Company shall give written notice to the Trustee of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed and the series and terms of the Debt Securities pursuant to which such redemption will occur. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein, and such notice may be revoked at any time prior to the giving of a notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.2. If fewer than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Company and given in writing to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than three days after the date of notice to the Trustee.

By 11 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Debt Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 2.3) sufficient to pay the redemption price of such Debt Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date, together with any interest accrued to the Redemption Date.

If less than all the Debt Securities of like tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed (other than pursuant to mandatory sinking fund redemptions), the Trustee shall select, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debt Securities of that series or portions thereof (in multiples of $1,000) to be redeemed. In any case where more than one Debt Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Debt Security of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof on such Redemption Date, the principal, premium, if any, and interest shall bear interest until paid from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of unlike tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Company. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Debt Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Debt Securities called for redemption.

 

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Section 3.3 Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.2, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of the series with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the Place or Places of Payment stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Debt Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to said date) any interest on the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of any series so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and any original issue discount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at the Place or Places of Payment in said notice specified, the said Debt Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption.

Any Debt Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Place of Payment with, if the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Debt Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Debt Security or Debt Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Debt Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

Section 3.4 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Members or a supplemental Indenture is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Members or a supplemental Indenture is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of a series in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Debt Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture; provided, that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

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Section 3.5 Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, any resolution or supplemental Indenture, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Debt Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.4 (which Debt Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Company intends to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Such certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series. Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Company shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Company to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Debt Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Debt Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities as provided in Section 3.4 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.

Any sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash which shall equal or exceed $100,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request) with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date on which such payment is made (or, if such payment is made before a sinking fund payment date, on the sinking fund payment date following the date of such payment) to the redemption of such Debt Securities at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for operation of the sinking fund together with any accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment received by the Trustee for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.5. Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of that series at its Stated Maturity.

The Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in the last paragraph of Section 3.2 and the Company shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.2 except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Debt Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.3.

 

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The Trustee shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of such Debt Securities by operation of the sinking fund for such series during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Debt Securities or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) with respect to such Debt Securities, except that if the notice of redemption of any such Debt Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Article III. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into such sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of such Debt Securities; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date for such Debt Securities on which such moneys may be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.5.

ARTICLE IV

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE Company

Section 4.1 Payment of Principal of, and Premium, If Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities. The Company, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, each of the Debt Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein or in the Debt Securities. Each installment of interest on any Debt Securities not in global form may at the Company’s option be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable to the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 2.7(a) to the address of such Person as it appears on the Debt Security Register.

Principal of and premium and interest on Debt Securities of any series shall be considered paid on the date due if, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on such date the Trustee or any paying agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest then due and, in the case of Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to the terms of Article XII, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any, at the rate specified therefor in the Debt Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.2 Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities. The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and it shall also maintain (in or outside such Place of Payment) an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give

 

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prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the office of the Trustee where its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies to be maintained for such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency.

Section 4.3 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.8, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder with respect to each series of Debt Securities.

Section 4.4 Duties of Paying Agents, etc.

(a) The Company shall cause each paying agent, if any, other than the Trustee, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.4,

(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series;

(ii) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable; and

(iii) that it will at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held by it as such agent.

(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by the Company to take such action or the failure by any other obligor on such Debt Securities to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such Debt Securities when the same shall be due and payable.

 

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(c) Anything in this Section 4.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it or any paying agent, as required by this Section 4.4, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such paying agent.

(d) Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Securities of such series, deposit with any such paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless any such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

(e) Anything in this Section 4.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.4 is subject to the provisions of Section 11.5.

Section 4.5 SEC Reports.

The Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company or any Guarantor is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports that the Company or such Guarantor is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s and any Guarantor’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

Section 4.6 Compliance Certificate. The Company shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, on or before January 31 in each year, a brief certificate from the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture (such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under the Indenture).

Section 4.7 Further Instruments and Acts. The Company will, upon request of the Trustee, execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may reasonably be necessary or proper to carry out more effectually the purposes of this Indenture.

Section 4.8 Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company and the Guarantors may, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.3, if, before or after the time for such compliance, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected, waive such compliance in such instance with such covenant, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant except to the extent so

 

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expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE V

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series:

(a) not more than 10 days after each record date with respect to the payment of interest, if any, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such record date, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and contents as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.

The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.1 or (ii) received by it in the capacity of paying agent or Registrar (if so acting) hereunder.

The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

Section 5.2 Communications to Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Debt Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

Section 5.3 Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after each January 31, beginning with the first January 31 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event on or before April 1 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such January 31 that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).

Reports pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall be transmitted by mail:

(a) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear in the Debt Security Register; and

 

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(b) except in the cases of reports under Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA, to each Holder of a Debt Security of any series whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 5.1.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Debt Securities of any series are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Debt Securities of any series become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 5.4 Record Dates for Action by Holders. If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Debt Securities of any series any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the Company may, at its option, by resolution of the Members, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Debt Securities entitled to take such action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Company’s discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Debt Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Debt Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Debt Securities of such series Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Debt Securities of such series Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.1 Events of Default. “Event of Default” with respect to the Debt Securities of any series means each one of the following events which shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article XII, if applicable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article XII, if applicable; or

(c) default in the payment of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable; or

(d) failure on the part of the Company or, if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee by a Guarantor, any of the Guarantors, duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company, or if applicable, any of the Guarantors, in the Debt Securities of that series, in any

 

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resolution of the Members authorizing the issuance of that series of Debt Securities, in this Indenture with respect to such series or in any supplemental Indenture with respect to such series (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), continuing for a period of 60 days (or 180 days in the case of a Reporting Failure) after the date on which written notice specifying such failure and requiring the Company, or if applicable, the Guarantors, to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder shall have been given to the Company and if applicable, the Guarantors, by the Trustee or to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding; or

(e) the Company or, if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee by a Guarantor, any of the Guarantors, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law,

(i) commences a voluntary case,

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

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

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

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

(i) is for relief against the Company or, if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee by a Guarantor, any of the Guarantors, as debtor in an involuntary case,

(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or, if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee by a Guarantor, any of the Guarantors, or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, or if applicable, any of the Guarantors, or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or, if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee by a Guarantor, any of the Guarantors,

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

(g) if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee by a Guarantor, the Guarantee of any of the Guarantors ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Debt Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any of the Guarantors denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

 

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(h) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series;

(i) provided, however, that the occurrence of any of the events described in the foregoing clause (d) shall not constitute an Event of Default if such occurrence is the result of changes in generally accepted accounting principles as recognized by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants at the date as of which this Indenture is executed and a certificate to such effect is delivered to the Trustee by the Company’s independent public accountants.

(j) If an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), or (h) with respect to Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding occurs with respect to the Company or any Guarantor and is continuing, unless the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company and the Guarantor (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of that series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) occurs with respect to the Company, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities shall have become due and payable, the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities then Outstanding hereunder shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction already rendered and if all existing Events of Default with respect to that series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Upon any such rescission, the parties hereto shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the parties hereto shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 6.2 Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid or enforce the performance of any provision of the Debt Securities of the affected series or this Indenture, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against any of the Guarantors or the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series (and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of any of the Guarantors or the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable).

 

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In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any of the Guarantors or the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series under any Bankruptcy Law, or in case a Custodian shall have been appointed for its property, or in case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to any of the Guarantors or the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series, its creditors or its property, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of Debt Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.2, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith) and of the Holders thereof allowed in any such judicial proceedings relative to any of the Guarantors or the Company, or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, its creditors or its property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of such Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of such Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to such Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any such Debt Securities, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment (except for any amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.6) shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of all the Debt Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

 

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Section 6.3 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys or other property collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.2 with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be applied, after giving effect to the provisions of Article XII, if applicable, in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or other property, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities of such series in respect of which moneys or other property have been collected, and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all money due the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.6;

SECOND: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall not have become due, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

THIRD: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series; and, in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest, without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any Debt Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and interest; and

FOURTH: The remainder, if any, shall be paid to the Guarantors or the Company, as applicable, its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.3. At least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

Section 6.4 Limitation on Suits by Holders. No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that same series and of the continuance

 

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thereof and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity or security as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity or security shall have failed to institute any such action or proceedings and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Debt Security with every other Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any Holders, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all such Holders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 6.4, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security, and to institute 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 6.5 Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default. All powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid, shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.4, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.6 Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or of exercising any right, trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture, and that subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel shall determine that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, or if the Trustee shall by a responsible officer or officers determine that the action so directed would involve it in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders of Debt Securities of such series not taking

 

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part in such direction; and provided, further, however, that nothing in this Indenture contained shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by such Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of that series waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences for that series, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities and a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.2 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected thereby. In case of any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, and the Guarantors, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of that series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.7 Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, or if later, within 30 days after the Trustee obtains actual knowledge of the Event of Default, with respect to a series of Debt Securities give to the Holders thereof, in the manner provided in Section 13.3, notice of all Events of Default with respect to such series known to the Trustee, unless such Events of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities of such series or in the making of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.

Section 6.8 Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit in the manner and to the extent provided in the TIA, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 6.8 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 25 percent in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Security on or after the due date for such payment expressed in such Debt Security.

 

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ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the effect of the first paragraph of this Section 7.1;

(b) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such series shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture; but the Trustee shall examine the evidence furnished to it pursuant to Sections 4.5 and 4.6 to determine whether or not such evidence conforms to the requirement of this Indenture;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable for an error of judgment made in good faith by a responsible officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iv) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Debt Securities of any series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount

 

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of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of such series.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 7.2 Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1:

(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Members may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default which may have occurred, 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, approval or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then

 

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Outstanding Debt Securities of a series affected by such matter; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is not, in the opinion of the Trustee, reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding, and the reasonable expense of every such investigation shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand;

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder; and

(h) if any property other than cash shall at any time be subject to a Lien in favor of the Holders, the Trustee, if and to the extent authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by the supplemental instrument subjecting such property to such Lien, shall be entitled to make advances for the purpose of preserving such property or of discharging tax Liens or other prior Liens or encumbrances thereon.

Section 7.3 Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Debt Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Debt Securities and perform its obligations hereunder, and that the statements made by it or to be made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Debt Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

Section 7.4 Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee or any paying agent or Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and subject to the provisions of the TIA relating to conflicts of interest and preferential claims may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Registrar.

Section 7.5 Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.5, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time to the Company upon a Company Order.

Section 7.6 Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company covenants and agrees to pay in Dollars to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which shall not be limited by any

 

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provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Company will pay or reimburse in Dollars the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents, attorneys and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), including without limitation, Section 6.2, except any such expense, disbursement or advances as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Company also covenants to indemnify in Dollars the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.6 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional Debt hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. The Company and the Holders agree that such additional Debt shall be secured by a Lien prior to that of the Debt Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee, as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, particular Debt Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.7 Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 7.8 Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Company may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Debt Securities. The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more or all series of Debt Securities at any time by giving notice to the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series and only such series by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(c) a Custodian takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

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(d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 7.8.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of Debt Securities of each applicable series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.6.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee gives notice of resignation or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.6 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

In the case of the appointment hereunder of a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Company, any retiring Trustee and each successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an Indenture supplemental hereto (i) which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of any retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as to which any such retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in such retiring Trustee and (ii) that shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental Indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such separate, retiring or successor Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.

Section 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

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In case at the time such successor or successors to the Trustee by merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. No obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such obligor shall serve as Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA this Indenture or any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated therein.

Section 7.12 Compliance with Tax Laws. The Trustee hereby agrees to comply with all U.S. Federal income tax information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it with respect to payments of premium (if any) and interest on the Debt Securities, whether acting as Trustee, Registrar, paying agent or otherwise with respect to the Debt Securities.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.1 Evidence of Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any or all series may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.2, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such

 

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record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Debt Securities evidenced by a Global Security, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

Section 8.2 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 13.9, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities of any series shall be proved by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.2 as it shall deem necessary.

Section 8.3 Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Debt Security shall be registered upon the books of the Company as the absolute owner of such Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes, and none of the Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and all such payments so made to any such Holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.

None of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 8.4 Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.1, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action and subject to the following paragraph, any Holder of a Debt Security which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debt Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its corporate trust office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Debt Security and of any Debt Security issued upon transfer thereof or in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or such other Debt Securities. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series.

 

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The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Debt Securities entitled to give their consent or take any other action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders of Debt Securities at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of Debt Securities after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series specified in this Indenture shall have been received within such 120-day period.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1 Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders. The Company and any Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of the Members, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time, without the consent of Holders, enter into an Indenture or Indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession pursuant to Article X of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the Successor Company (as defined in Section 10.1) of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company in this Indenture and in the Debt Securities;

(b) to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or the Guarantors, to add to the covenants of the Company or the Guarantors such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) as the Members shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Debt Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental Indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any or all series of Debt Securities to waive such Default;

(c) to cure any ambiguity or omission or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in any Debt Securities of any series that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein, in any supplemental

 

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Indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series; to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of Debt Securities of any series;

(d) to permit the qualification of this Indenture or any Indenture supplemental hereto under the TIA as then in effect, except that nothing herein contained shall permit or authorize the inclusion in any Indenture supplemental hereto of the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA;

(e) to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on, Debt Securities; provided, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series in any material respect or permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities of any series in uncertificated form;

(f) to reflect the release of any Guarantor in accordance with Article XIV;

(g) in the case of any Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to Article XII, to make any change in Article XII that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness (or Representatives therefor) under Article XII;

(h) to add Guarantors with respect to any or all of the Debt Securities or to secure any or all of the Debt Securities or the Guarantee;

(i) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder;

(j) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Debt Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.1 shall neither apply to any Debt Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental Indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holder of any such Debt Security with respect to such provision or shall become effective only when there is no such Debt Security Outstanding;

(k) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; and

(l) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 2.3.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental Indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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Any supplemental Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.1 may be executed by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.

In the case of Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to Article XII, an amendment under this Section 9.1 may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article XII of any holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or Representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.

Section 9.2 Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities. Without notice to any Holder but with the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.1) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such supplemental Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for any such series of Debt Securities), the Company and the Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of the Members, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an Indenture or Indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, that no such supplemental Indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Debt Security so affected, shall: reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment; reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Debt Security; reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security; reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security or change the time at which any Debt Security may or shall be redeemed in accordance with Article III; make any Debt Security payable in currency other than the Dollar; impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of premium, if any, principal of and interest on such Holder’s Debt Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities; in the case of any Debt Security subordinated pursuant to Article XII, make any change in Article XII that adversely affects the rights of any Holder under Article XII; release any security that may have been granted in respect of the Debt Securities, other than in accordance with this Indenture; make any change in Section 6.6 or this Section 9.2; or, except as provided in Section 11.2(b) or Section 14.4, release the Guarantors other than as provided in this Indenture or modify the Guarantee in any manner adverse to the Holders.

A supplemental Indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities of any other series.

 

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Upon the request of the Company and the Guarantors, accompanied by a copy of resolutions of the Members authorizing the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental Indenture unless such supplemental Indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental Indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental Indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

In the case of any Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to Article XII, an amendment under this Section 9.2 may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article XII of any holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or Representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.

After an amendment under this Section 9.2 requiring the consent of the Holders of any series of Debt Securities becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Holders of that series of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to any such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.2 with respect to other Holders.

Section 9.3 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company, the Guarantors and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental Indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.1and 7.2, may receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such supplemental Indenture complies with the provisions of this Article IX.

Section 9.4 Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures. Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental Indenture. New Debt Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Members, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental Indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Debt Security of such series shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

 

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ARTICLE X

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 10.1 Consolidations and Mergers of the Company. The Company shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to any Person, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, unless: (a) either (i) the Company shall be the surviving Person in the case of a merger or (ii) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person if other than the Company (the “Successor Company”), shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company shall expressly assume, by an Indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Debt Securities according to their tenor; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default would occur or be continuing; (c) if the Company is not the continuing Person, then each Guarantor, unless it has become the Successor Company, shall confirm that its Guarantee shall continue to apply to the obligations under the Debt Securities and this Indenture; and (d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or disposition and such supplemental Indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

Section 10.2 Rights and Duties of Successor Company. In case of any consolidation, amalgamation or merger where the Company is not the continuing Person, or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 10.1, the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the respective party to this Indenture, and the predecessor entity shall be released from all liabilities and obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities, except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all the Debt Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by or behalf of the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of the Successor Company, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Debt Securities which the Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all such Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

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In case of any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale or disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Debt Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF

INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 11.1 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article XI relating to discharge or defeasance of Debt Securities shall be applicable to each series of Debt Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.3 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 11.2 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance.

(a) If at any time the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Debt Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9 and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company as provided in Section 11.5) or all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash sufficient to pay at final maturity or upon redemption all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and if in either case the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities herein expressly provided for) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

(b) Subject to Sections 11.2(c), 11.3 and 11.7, the Company at any time may terminate, with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series, all its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (“legal defeasance option”) or the operation of (x) any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.3, (y) Sections 6.1(d), (g) and (h) and (z) as they relate to the Guarantors only, Sections 6.1(e) and (f) (“covenant defeasance option”). If the Company exercises either its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series that are entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee, the Guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of Debt Securities. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

 

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If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.1(d), (g) and (h) and, with respect to the Guarantors only, Sections 6.1(e) and (f).

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.7, 2.9, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 7.6, 11.5, 11.6 and 11.7 shall survive until the Debt Securities of the defeased series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.6, 11.5 and 11.6 shall survive.

Section 11.3 Conditions of Defeasance. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series only if:

(a) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(b) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(c) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) with respect to the Company occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(d) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and after giving effect thereto;

(e) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Company and, if the Debt Securities of such series are subordinated pursuant to Article XII, is not prohibited by Article XII;

(f) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(g) in the event of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Company has received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the

 

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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 Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such 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 defeasance had not occurred;

(h) in the event of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of Debt Securities of such series 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; and

(i) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series as contemplated by this Article XI have been complied with.

Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article III.

Section 11.4 Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article XI. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through any paying agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of the defeased series. In the event the Debt Securities of the defeased series are subordinated pursuant to Article XII, money and securities so held in trust are not subject to Article XII.

Section 11.5 Repayment to Company. The Trustee and any paying agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and any paying agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors.

Section 11.6 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Holders against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 11.7 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any paying agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or government authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities of the defeased series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or any paying agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI.

 

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ARTICLE XII

SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEE

Section 12.1 Applicability of Article; Agreement to Subordinate. The provisions of this Article XII shall only be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series (Debt Securities of such series referred to in this Article XII as “Subordinated Debt Securities”) designated, pursuant to Section 2.3, as subordinated to Senior Indebtedness and any related Guarantee of such Subordinated Debt Securities. Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security agrees that the Debt evidenced by such Subordinated Debt Security and any related Guarantee of such Subordinated Debt Security is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article XII, to the prior payment of all Senior Indebtedness and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of Senior Indebtedness. All provisions of this Article XII shall be subject to Section 12.12.

Section 12.2 Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, to creditors, upon a liquidation or a dissolution of the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, or their respective property:

(a) holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness of such Person (including interest (if any), accruing on or after the commencement of a proceeding in bankruptcy, whether or not allowed as a claim against the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, in such bankruptcy proceeding) before Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and any related Guarantee shall be entitled to receive any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities from the Company, or any payment in respect of the Guarantee from the Guarantors; and

(b) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor, as the case may be, is paid in full, any distribution to which Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and any related Guarantee would be entitled but for this Article XII shall be made to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, as their interests may appear, except that such Holders may receive capital stock and any debt securities that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, to at least the same extent as the Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company or the related Guarantee of any Guarantor, respectively.

Section 12.3 Default on Senior Indebtedness. The Company and the Guarantors may not pay the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities or any related Guarantee or make any deposit pursuant to Article XI and may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire (except, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities that provide for a mandatory sinking fund pursuant to Section 3.5, by the delivery of Subordinated Debt Securities

 

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by the Company to the Trustee pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 3.5) any Subordinated Debt Securities (collectively, “pay the Subordinated Debt Securities”) if any principal, premium or interest in respect of Senior Indebtedness of such Person is not paid within any applicable grace period (including at maturity) or any other default on Senior Indebtedness of such Person occurs and the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash; provided, however, that the Company and the Guarantors may make payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities or any related Guarantee without regard to the foregoing if the Company and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of each issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness. During the continuance of any other default with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Company and the Guarantors may not make payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities or any related Guarantee for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Company and the Trustee (and if such Designated Senior Indebtedness is Debt of a Guarantor, the Guarantor) of written notice of such default from the Representative of any Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period (a “Blockage Notice”) and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated by written notice to the Trustee and the Company (and if such Designated Senior Indebtedness is Debt of a Guarantor, the Guarantor) from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, by repayment in full in cash of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in Section 12.2 and the first sentence of this Section 12.3), unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company and the Guarantors may resume payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities and related Guarantees after such Payment Blockage Period. Not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to any number of issues of Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.3 for the Subordinated Debt Securities of a series; provided, however, that in no event may the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360 consecutive day period. For purposes of this Section 12.3, no default or event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

Section 12.4 Acceleration of Payment of Debt Securities. If payment of the Subordinated Debt Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness (or their Representatives) of the acceleration.

 

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Section 12.5 When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a distribution is made to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities or a related Guarantee that because of this Article XII should not have been made to them, the Holders who receive such distribution shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

Section 12.6 Subrogation. After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and until the Subordinated Debt Securities are paid in full, Holders thereof shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article XII to holders of Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities is not, as between the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, and such Holders, a payment by the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, on Senior Indebtedness.

Section 12.7 Relative Rights. This Article XII defines the relative rights of Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and holders of Senior Indebtedness. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

(a) impair, as between the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, and Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities, the obligation of the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities in accordance with their terms; or

(b) prevent the Trustee or any Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities from exercising its available remedies upon an Event of Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions otherwise payable to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities.

Section 12.8 Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company. No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination of the Debt evidenced by the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee in respect thereof shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or the Guarantors or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

Section 12.9 Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent. Notwithstanding Sections 12.2 and 12.3, the Trustee or any paying agent may continue to make payments on Subordinated Debt Securities and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a responsible officer of the Trustee receives notice satisfactory to it that payments may not be made under this Article XII. The Company, the Registrar, any paying agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness may give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice on behalf of the Holders of the Senior Indebtedness of that issue.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Indebtedness with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and any paying agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XII with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness; and nothing in Article VII shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article XII shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.6.

 

53


Section 12.10 Distribution or Notice to Representative. Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).

Section 12.11 Article XII Not to Prevent Defaults or Limit Right to Accelerate. The failure to make a payment pursuant to the Subordinated Debt Securities, whether directly or pursuant to the Guarantee, by reason of any provision in this Article XII shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article XII shall have any effect on the right of the Holders or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of either the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Debt Securities, as the case may be.

Section 12.12 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article XI by the Trustee for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Debt Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article XII, and none of the Holders thereof shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company, the Guarantors or any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or the Guarantors or any other creditor of the Company or the Guarantors.

Section 12.13 Trustee Entitled to Rely. Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 12.2 are pending, upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to such Holders or upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior Indebtedness for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other Debt of the Company or the Guarantors, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XII. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XII, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.1 and 7.2 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article XII.

Section 12.14 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and the holders of Senior Indebtedness as provided in this Article XII and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

54


Section 12.15 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities or the Company or the Guarantors or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XII or otherwise.

Section 12.16 Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions. Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 13.1 Successors and Assigns of Company Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 13.2 Acts of Members, Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Company Valid. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any member, board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like member, board, committee or officer of any Successor Company.

Section 13.3 Required Notices or Demands. Any notice or communication by the Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Company or any Guarantor:

Rayonier Operating Company LLC

50 North Laura Street

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

Telephone No.: (904) 357-9100

 

55


If to the Trustee:

[                    ]

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 shall 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; on the first Business Day on or after being sent, if telecopied and the sender receives confirmation of successful transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice required or permitted to a Holder by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to be properly mailed by being deposited postage prepaid in a post office letter box in the United States addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as shown on the Debt Security Register. Any report pursuant to Section 313 of the TIA shall be transmitted in compliance with subsection (c) therein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice to Holders of Floating Rate Securities regarding the determination of a periodic rate of interest, if such notice is required pursuant to Section 2.3, shall be sufficiently given if given in the manner specified pursuant to Section 2.3.

In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

In the event it shall be impracticable to give notice by publication, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it or any defect in any notice by publication as to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, it is conclusively presumed duly given.

Section 13.4 Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York. THIS INDENTURE, EACH DEBT SECURITY AND THE GUARANTEE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE NEW YORK CONTRACTS, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE.

Section 13.5 Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Company. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

56


Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) 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, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 13.6 Payments Due on Legal Holidays. In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of a series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any Debt Security or the making of any sinking fund payment shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of such series, then payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, or the making of such sinking fund payment need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. If a record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.

Section 13.7 Provisions Required by TIA to Control. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the TIA, such required provision shall control.

Section 13.8 Computation of Interest on Debt Securities. Interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 2.3.

Section 13.9 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and any paying agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

Section 13.10 No Recourse Against Others. The Company and its directors, officers, employees, incorporators and capital stockholders, as such, shall have no liability for any obligations of the Guarantors or the Company under the Debt Securities, this Indenture or the Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Debt Security, each Holder shall be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Debt Securities.

 

57


Section 13.11 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or the Debt Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.12 Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein and in the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 13.13 Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

ARTICLE XIV

GUARANTEE

Section 14.1 Unconditional Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XIV to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XIV shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Debt Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.3, as entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of each of the Guarantors.

(b) For value received, each of the Guarantors hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Company, when and as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of the Debt Securities and this Indenture, subject to (i) the limitations set forth in Section 14.3 and (ii) in the case of the Guarantee of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to the subordination provisions contained in Article XII.

(c) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, for whatever reason, each of the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately , subject, in the case of the Guarantee of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to the subordination provisions contained in Article XII. The Guarantee hereunder (other than the Guarantee of Subordinated Debt Securities) is intended to be a general, unsecured, senior obligation of each of the Guarantors and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all Debt of each Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee (including the Guarantee of any other Guarantor) or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Debt Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any other Guarantor, or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of any of the Guarantors. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment

 

58


of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.4, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company or any other Guarantor.

(d) The obligations of each of the Guarantors under this Article XIV shall be as aforesaid full, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (A) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of the Company or any of the Guarantors contained in the Debt Securities or this Indenture, (B) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of the Company, any of the Guarantors or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (C) the assertion or exercise by the Company, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee of any rights or remedies under the Debt Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (D) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for the Debt Securities, including all or any part of the rights of the Company or any of the Guarantors under this Indenture, (E) the extension of the time for payment by the Company or any of the Guarantors of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of the Debt Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by the Company or any of the Guarantors of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (F) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of the Company or any of the Guarantors set forth in this Indenture, (G) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar proceeding affecting, the Company or any of the Guarantors or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (H) the release or discharge of the Company or any of the Guarantors from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (I) the unenforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture or (J) any other circumstances (other than payment in full or discharge of all amounts guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.

(e) Each of the Guarantors hereby (A) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or any of the Guarantors, and all demands whatsoever, (B) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee without notice to it and (C) covenants that the Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Guarantee. Each of the Guarantors further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to the Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever,

 

59


including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or any of the Guarantors, the Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.

(f) Each of the Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, provided, however, that such Guarantor, shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Debt Securities and the Guarantee shall have been paid in full or discharged.

Section 14.2 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1, each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation relating to such Guarantee, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, shall be endorsed on each Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an officer of such Guarantor, or in the case of a Guarantor that is a limited partnership, an officer of the general partner of each Guarantor. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Debt Security a notation relating to the Guarantee. If any officer of any Guarantor, or in the case of a Guarantor that is a limited partnership, any officer of the general partner of the Guarantor, whose signature is on this Indenture or a Debt Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Debt Security or at any time thereafter, the Guarantee of such Debt Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Debt Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

The Trustee hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.

Section 14.3 Limitation on Guarantors’ Liability. Each Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor under the Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under the Guarantee, not result in the obligations of such Guarantor under the Guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law.

Section 14.4 Release of Guarantors from Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee of any Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section

 

60


11.2(b) and in this Section 14.4. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, the Guarantee incurred by a Guarantor pursuant to this Article XIV shall be unconditionally released and discharged (i) automatically upon (A) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company’s direct or indirect limited partnership or other equity interests in such Guarantor (provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (B) the merger of such Guarantor into the Company or any other Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of such Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) following delivery of a written notice of such release or discharge by the Company to the Trustee, upon the release or discharge of all guarantees by such Guarantor of any Debt of the Company other than obligations arising under this Indenture and any Debt Securities issued hereunder, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantees.

(b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of a Guarantor from the Guarantee upon receipt of a written request of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Any Guarantor not so released shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee as provided in this Indenture, subject to the limitations of Section 14.3.

Section 14.5 Guarantor Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Guarantors, the Guarantors hereby agree, inter se, that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under the Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor (if any) in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Company’s obligations with respect to the Debt Securities or any other Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guarantee.

[Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

61


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

RAYONIER OPERATING COMPANY LLC

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)]

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

[                                         ], as Trustee

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

62


ANNEX A

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

Each of the Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Company.

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Debt Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article XIV of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.

 

[NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)]

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

A-1

EX-5.1 4 dex51.htm OPINION OF ALSTON & BIRD LLP AS TO THE VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES BEING ISSUED Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP as to the validity of the securities being issued

Exhibit 5.1

ALSTON &BIRD LLP

Bank of America Plaza

101 South Tryon Street, Suite 4000

Charlotte, NC 28280-4000

704-444-1000

Fax: 704-444-1111

www.alston.com

July 30, 2010

Rayonier Inc.

Rayonier Operating Company LLC

Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc.

Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P.

50 North Laura Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

 

  Re: Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-167011) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Rayonier Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the “Company”), Rayonier Operating Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ROC”), Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“TRS”), and Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“RFR,” and together with ROC, TRS and the Company, the “Rayonier Entities”), in connection with the filing of the above-referenced Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(5) of the Commission’s Regulation S-K.

The Registration Statement relates to the proposed issuance and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of the following securities (the “Registered Securities”):

 

  (i) shares of the Company’s common stock, no par value (the “Common Shares”);

 

  (ii) shares of the Company’s preferred stock (the “Preferred Shares”) (including shares convertible into or exchangeable for other securities), with such preferences and other terms as determined in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as amended, each as may be further amended and/or restated;

 

  (iii) senior debt securities of the Company (the “Company Senior Debt Securities”);

 

  (iv) subordinated debt securities of the Company (the “Company Subordinated Debt Securities,” and together with the Company Senior Debt Securities, the “Company Debt Securities”);

 

  (v) senior debt securities of ROC (the “ROC Senior Debt Securities”);

 

  (vi) subordinated debt securities of ROC (the “ROC Subordinated Debt Securities,” and together with the ROC Senior Debt Securities, the “ROC Debt Securities”);

 

 

Atlanta · Charlotte · Dallas · Los Angeles · New York · Research Triangle · Silicon Valley · Ventura County · Washington, D.C.


July 30, 2010

Page 2

 

  (vii) senior debt securities of TRS (the “TRS Senior Debt Securities”);

 

  (viii) subordinated debt securities of TRS (the “TRS Subordinated Debt Securities,” and together with the TRS Senior Debt Securities, the “TRS Debt Securities”);

 

  (ix) senior debt securities of RFR (the “RFR Senior Debt Securities”);

 

  (x) subordinated debt securities of RFR (the “RFR Subordinated Debt Securities,” and together with the RFR Senior Debt Securities, the “RFR Debt Securities”);

 

  (xi) guarantees by the Company of payments of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, one or more series of the ROC Debt Securities, the TRS Debt Securities or the RFR Debt Securities (the “Company Guarantees”);

 

  (xii) guarantees by ROC of payments of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, one or more series of the Company Debt Securities, the TRS Debt Securities or the RFR Debt Securities (the “ROC Guarantees”);

 

  (xiii) guarantees by TRS of payments of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, one or more series of the Company Debt Securities, the ROC Debt Securities or the RFR Debt Securities (the “TRS Guarantees”);

 

  (xiv) guarantees by RFR of payments of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, one or more series of the Company Debt Securities, the ROC Debt Securities or the TRS Debt Securities (the “RFR Guarantees”); and

 

  (xv) warrants of the Company, ROC, TRS and RFR to purchase any of the securities described in clauses
(i) - (xv) above (collectively, the “Warrants”);

The Registered Securities will be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market conditions at the time of sale and to be set forth in supplements to the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, as it may be amended from time to time.

Each series of Company Debt Securities is to be issued pursuant to an indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, relating to the Company Debt Securities between the Company and a trustee to be appointed by the Company; each series of ROC Debt Securities is to be issued pursuant to an indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, relating to the ROC Debt Securities between ROC and a trustee to be appointed by ROC; each series of TRS Debt Securities is to be issued pursuant to an indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, relating to the TRS Debt Securities between TRS and a trustee to be appointed by TRS; each series of RFR Debt Securities is to be issued pursuant to an indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, relating to the RFR Debt Securities between RFR and a trustee to be appointed by RFR; each Warrant is to be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement; and each such indenture or warrant agreement is to be substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference. The Company Debt Securities, the ROC Debt Securities, the TRS Debt Securities and the RFR Debt Securities are together “Debt Securities,” and the Company Guarantees, the ROC Guarantees, the TRS Guarantees and the RFR Guarantees are together “Guarantees.”

In the capacity described above, we have considered such matters of law and of fact, including the examination of originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records and documents of the Rayonier Entities, including, without limitation, the organizational documents of the Rayonier Entities, resolutions adopted by the boards of directors or other governing bodies or controlling entities of the Rayonier Entities, the forms of indentures filed as Exhibits 4.4 – 4.11 to the Registration Statement, certificates of officers and representatives (who, in our judgment, are likely to know the facts


July 30, 2010

Page 3

 

upon which the opinion or confirmation will be based) of the Rayonier Entities, certificates of public officials and such other documents as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth. We also have made such further legal and factual examinations and investigations as we deemed necessary for purposes of expressing the opinion set forth herein.

As to certain factual matters relevant to this opinion letter, we have relied conclusively upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records, agreements, documents and instruments, including certificates or comparable documents of officers of the Rayonier Entities and of public officials, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth. Except to the extent expressly set forth herein, we have made no independent investigations with regard to matters of fact, and, accordingly, we do not express any opinion as to matters that might have been disclosed by independent verification.

We have assumed with your permission that (i) all Registered Securities will be issued and sold in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement and in accordance with the applicable authorization and approval by the boards of directors (which term, as used elsewhere in this opinion letter, includes duly authorized committees of such boards of directors) or other governing bodies or controlling entities of the Rayonier Entities; (ii) at the time of any offering or sale of any Common Shares or Preferred Shares, the Company will have such number of Common Shares or Preferred Shares authorized and available for issuance; (iii) Registered Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Registered Securities being offered will have been duly authorized, established (if appropriate) and reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise (if appropriate); (iv) the terms of any Debt Securities and any Guarantees and of the offering and sale thereof will be in conformity with the applicable indenture and will not result in a default under or a breach of any agreement or instrument binding on the Company, ROC, TRS or RFR, as applicable, or a violation of any applicable law or order, restriction or condition imposed by any court or governmental agency or body; and (v) to the extent applicable, a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Registered Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company, ROC, TRS, or RFR, as applicable, and the other parties thereto. Further, to the extent that the obligations of the Company, ROC, TRS or RFR under any indenture or warrant agreement may depend upon such matters, we have assumed with your permission that at the time of execution thereof: (vi) the applicable trustee or warrant agent will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; (vii) the trustee or warrant agent will have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the indenture or warrant agreement, as applicable; (viii) the indenture or warrant agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, ROC, TRS or RFR, as applicable, and by the trustee or warrant agent, as applicable, and will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the trustee or warrant agent, as applicable, enforceable against the trustee or warrant agent, as applicable, in accordance with its terms; and (ix) the trustee or warrant agent will be in compliance, with respect to acting as a trustee or warrant agent under the indenture or warrant agreement, as applicable, with all applicable laws and regulations. Finally, we have assumed with your permission (x) the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence of all signatories; (xi) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies; and (xii) the proper issuance and accuracy of certificates of public officials and officers and agents of the Company, ROC, TRS or RFR, as applicable.

Our opinion set forth below is limited to the laws of the State of North Carolina (excluding local laws of the State of North Carolina, i.e., the statutes and ordinances, the administrative decisions and the rules and regulations of counties, towns, municipalities and special political subdivisions of, or authorities or quasi-governmental bodies constituted under the laws of, the State of North Carolina and judicial decisions to the extent they deal with any of the foregoing), the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, applicable provisions of the Constitution of the State of Delaware and reported judicial decisions interpreting such General Corporation Law, Limited Liability Company Act, Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, and Constitution of the State of Delaware, and the laws of the State of New York as they relate to the enforceability of documents, agreements and instruments referred to herein.


July 30, 2010

Page 4

 

This opinion letter is provided for use solely in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement and may not be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purpose without our express written consent. No opinion may be implied or inferred beyond the opinion expressly stated in the numbered paragraphs below. Our opinion expressed herein is as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any changes in applicable law or any other matters that may come to our attention after the date hereof that may affect our opinion expressed herein.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, it is our opinion that:

1. When (a) appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize and approve the issuance and terms of the offering of Common Shares and related matters and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (b) if such Common Shares are in certificated form, certificates representing the Common Shares have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any Registered Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Registered Securities or the instrument governing such Registered Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, and (c) the Company has received the consideration approved by the Board of Directors of the Company therefor as provided in the applicable agreement (not less than the stated value of the Common Shares as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company), then, upon the happening of such events, such Common Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

2. When (a) appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to designate the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the Preferred Shares to be offered and to authorize and approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the Preferred Shares and related matters and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, including the adoption of an amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company relating to such Preferred Shares (“Amendment”) and filing of such Amendment relating thereto with the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina, (b) such Amendment has been executed by duly authorized officers of the Company and so filed by the Company, all in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, (c) if such Preferred Shares are in certificated form, certificates representing the Preferred Shares have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any Registered Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Registered Securities or the instrument governing such Registered Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, and (d) the Company has received the consideration approved by the Board of Directors of the Company therefor as provided in the applicable agreement (not less than the stated value of the Preferred Shares as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company), then, upon the happening of such events, such Preferred Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

3. When (a) appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form and terms of any series of Company Debt Securities and Company Guarantees and to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the Company Debt Securities and Company Guarantees and related matters in accordance with any applicable indenture and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having


July 30, 2010

Page 5

 

jurisdiction over the Company, (b) if such Company Debt Securities and Company Guarantees are in certificated form, certificates representing the Company Debt Securities and Company Guarantees have been duly executed and registered by the Company and, with regard to the Company Debt Securities, authenticated by the applicable trustee in accordance with the applicable indenture, and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any Registered Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Registered Securities or the instrument governing such Registered Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, and (c) the Company has received the consideration approved by the Board of Directors for the Company Debt Securities as provided in the applicable indenture and other applicable agreements, then, upon the happening of such events, such Company Debt Securities and Company Guarantees will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and to the limitation that the enforceability thereof (including by means of specific performance) may be subject to certain equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which proceedings may be brought, including traditional equitable defenses such as waiver, laches and estoppel; good faith and fair dealing; reasonableness; materiality of the breach; impracticability or impossibility of performance; and the effect of obstruction or failure to perform or otherwise act in accordance with an agreement by any person other than the obligor thereunder (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law )(the “Bankruptcy and Equity Exception”).

4. When (a) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by ROC to authorize the form and terms of any series of ROC Debt Securities and ROC Guarantees and to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the ROC Debt Securities and ROC Guarantees and related matters in accordance with any applicable indenture and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon ROC and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over ROC, (b) if such ROC Debt Securities and ROC Guarantees are in certificated form, certificates representing the ROC Debt Securities and ROC Guarantees have been duly executed and registered by ROC and, with regard to the ROC Debt Securities, authenticated by the applicable trustee in accordance with the applicable indenture, and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the members of ROC or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any Registered Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Registered Securities or the instrument governing such Registered Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the members of ROC, and (c) ROC has received the consideration approved by the members of ROC for the ROC Debt Securities as provided in the applicable indenture and other applicable agreements, then, upon the happening of such events, such ROC Debt Securities and ROC Guarantees will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of ROC, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

5. When (a) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by TRS to authorize the form and terms of any series of the TRS Debt Securities and TRS Guarantees and to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the TRS Debt Securities and TRS Guarantees and related matters in accordance with any applicable indenture and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon TRS and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over TRS, (b) if such TRS Debt Securities and TRS Guarantees are in certificated form, certificates representing the TRS Debt Securities and TRS Guarantees have been duly executed and registered by TRS and, with regard to the TRS Debt Securities, authenticated by the applicable trustee in accordance with the applicable indenture, and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors of TRS or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any Registered Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Registered Securities or the instrument governing such Registered Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board of Directors of TRS, and (c) TRS has received the consideration approved by the Board of Directors of TRS for the TRS Debt Securities as provided in the applicable indenture and other applicable agreements, then, upon the happening of such events, such TRS Debt Securities and TRS Guarantees will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of TRS, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.


July 30, 2010

Page 6

 

6. When (a) appropriate partnership action has been taken by RFR to authorize the form and terms of any series of the RFR Debt Securities and RFR Guarantees and to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the RFR Debt Securities and RFR Guarantees and related matters in accordance with any applicable indenture and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon RFR and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over RFR, (b) if such RFR Debt Securities and RFR Guarantees are in certificated form, certificates representing the RFR Debt Securities and RFR Guarantees have been duly executed and registered by RFR and, with regard to the RFR Debt Securities, authenticated by the applicable trustee in accordance with the applicable indenture, and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Managing General Partner of RFR or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any Registered Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Registered Securities or the instrument governing such Registered Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Managing General Partner of RFR, and (c) RFR has received the consideration approved by the Managing General Partner of RFR for the RFR Debt Securities as provided in the applicable indenture and other applicable agreements, then, upon the happening of such events, such RFR Debt Securities and RFR Guarantees will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of RFR, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

7. When (a) appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company, ROC, TRS and/or RFR, as applicable, to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the Warrants, including the authorization of the warrant agreement and the underlying securities, and related matters so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, ROC, TRS and/or RFR, as applicable, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, ROC, TRS and/or RFR, as applicable, (b) the warrant agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company, ROC, TRS and/or RFR, as applicable, and the warrant agent, and (c) certificates or other instruments or documents, if any, representing the Warrants have been duly executed, registered and delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors, the members or the Managing General Partner, as applicable, of the Company, ROC, TRS and/or RFR, as applicable, and (d) the Company, ROC, TRS and/or RFR, as applicable, has received the consideration approved by its Board of Directors, members or Managing General Partner, as applicable, therefor as provided in the applicable agreement, then, upon the happening of such events, such Warrants will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, ROC, TRS and/or RFR, as applicable, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

The opinions expressed above relating to the binding obligations and/or enforceability of the Company Debt Securities, the ROC Debt Securities, the TRS Debt Securities, the RFR Debt Securities and the Warrants are also subject to the following:

 

  (i) The possible unenforceability of provisions requiring indemnification for violations of the securities laws;

 

  (ii) The possible unenforceability of provisions that waivers or consents by a party may not be given effect unless in writing or in compliance with particular requirements or that a person’s course of dealing, course of performance or the like or failure or delay in taking action may not constitute a waiver of related rights or provisions or that one or more waivers may not under certain circumstances constitute a waiver of other matters of the same kind;


July 30, 2010

Page 7

 

  (iii) The effect of course of dealing, course of performance or the like that would modify the terms of an agreement or the respective rights or obligations of the parties under an agreement;

 

  (iv) The possible unenforceability of provisions that determinations by a party or a party’s designee are conclusive or deemed conclusive in the absence of commercial reasonableness or good faith;

 

  (v) The possible unenforceability of provisions permitting modifications or amendments of an agreement only in writing; and

 

  (vi) The possible unenforceability of provisions that the provisions of an agreement are severable.

We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus constituting a part thereof. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

ALSTON & BIRD LLP
By:  

/s/ Gary C. Ivey

  Gary C. Ivey, A Partner
EX-8.1 5 dex81.htm OPINION OF ALSTON & BIRD LLP WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN TAX MATTERS Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP with respect to certain tax matters

Exhibit 8.1

ALSTON &BIRD LLP

The Atlantic Building

950 F Street, NW

Washington, DC 20004-1404

202-756-3300

Fax:202-756-3333

www.alston.com

July 30, 2010

Rayonier Inc.

Rayonier Operating Company LLC

Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc.

Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P.

50 North Laura Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

 

  Re: Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-167011) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Rayonier Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the “Company”), Rayonier Operating Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, in connection with the filing of the above-referenced Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). This opinion is rendered pursuant to Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(8) of Regulation S-K.

You have requested our opinion concerning the accuracy of the tax discussion in the prospectus contained under the caption “Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the Registration Statement

We have examined the Registration Statement and such other documents as we have considered necessary or appropriate for purposes of issuing our opinions. We also have received a certificate containing representations from an officer of the Company (the “Officer’s Certificate”). In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have relied upon those representations and the information presented in the Registration Statement and other documents without undertaking any independent verification of the accuracy or completeness of those matters.

In our review, we have assumed that each representation and all other information that we reviewed is true and correct in all material respects and will remain true and correct, that all obligations imposed by any documents on the parties have been or will be performed, that the Registration Statement and the other information fairly describes the

 

 

Atlanta · Charlotte · Dallas · Los Angeles · New York · Research Triangle · Silicon Valley · Ventura County · Washington, D.C.


Rayonier Inc.

July 30, 2010

Page 2

past and expected future actions of the parties, that the Company and its subsidiaries have been and will be operated in a fashion consistent with the expectations described in the Registration Statement and the Officer’s Certificate and that we will be asked to redeliver this opinion prior to the issuance of any securities pursuant to the Registration Statement based on the facts, conditions and circumstances existing on the date of such redelivery. We have not made an independent investigation of the accuracy or completeness of those matters and have assumed that the information made available to us accurately and completely describes all material facts relevant to our opinion.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject, in all respects, to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in this opinion letter, it is our opinion that the statements in the Registration Statement under the caption “Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences,” to the extent that they constitute matters of law, summaries of legal matters, documents or proceedings, or legal conclusions, are correct in all material respects.

Our opinion is given as of the date hereof and is based on our interpretation of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable Treasury Regulations, judicial authority and administrative rulings and practice, all as in effect as of the date hereof. There can be no assurance that future legislative, judicial or administrative changes or interpretations, either prospective or retroactive in application, will not adversely affect the accuracy or applicability of the conclusions set forth herein. We do not undertake to advise you as to any such future changes or interpretations unless we are specifically retained to do so. Our opinion will not be binding upon the Internal Revenue Service or the courts, and neither will be precluded from adopting a contrary position.

We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus constituting a part thereof. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
Alston & Bird LLP
By:  

/s/ James E. Croker, Jr.

  James E. Croker, Jr., Partner
EX-12.1 6 dex121.htm COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Exhibit 12.1

Rayonier, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(Unaudited, thousands of dollars)

 

     Six  Months
Ended
June 30,
   For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2010    2009    2008    2007    2006    2005  

Earnings:

                 

Income from continuing operations

   $ 95,511    $ 312,541    $ 148,583    $ 173,559    $ 171,134    $ 202,477   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     13,554      46,336      29,436      23,350      19,085      (20,139
                                           

Pre-tax income from continuing operations

     109,065      358,877      178,019      196,909      190,219      182,338   
                                           

Add:

                 

Interest expensed and capitalized

     24,763      52,495      50,729      57,480      49,925      46,961   

Interest factor attributable to rentals

     177      354      761      496      636      722   
                                           

Fixed charges

     24,940      52,849      51,490      57,976      50,561      47,683   
                                           

Amortization of capitalized interest

     21      41      45      1,871      2,004      1,876   

Subtract:

                 

Capitalized interest

     27      54      —        32      1,020      —     
                                           

Earnings as adjusted

   $ 133,999    $ 411,713    $ 229,554    $ 256,724    $ 241,764    $ 231,897   
                                           

Fixed Charges:

   $ 24,940    $ 52,849    $ 51,490    $ 57,976    $ 50,561    $ 47,683   
                                           

Ratio of earnings as adjusted to total fixed charges

     5.37      7.79      4.46      4.43      4.78      4.86   
                                           
EX-23.1 7 dex231.htm CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-167011 of our reports dated February 24, 2010, relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule of Rayonier Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2009, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Jacksonville, Florida

July 28, 2010

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-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----