-----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, AROUyuFB6PZ0wGzsjzzFZjYelquxlv87cQCLSvImePiXOzZzK4VBiAX6uOj2qo/v 402EC4MbvbKl8OPQ2SkoAQ== 0001193125-05-006015.txt : 20050113 0001193125-05-006015.hdr.sgml : 20050113 20050113171257 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-006015 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050113 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050113 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FOUR PAWS PRODUCTS LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221324 IRS NUMBER: 112210716 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-16 FILM NUMBER: 05528781 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: KAYTEE PRODUCTS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221325 IRS NUMBER: 390399490 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WI FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-14 FILM NUMBER: 05528779 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PENNINGTON SEED INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221326 IRS NUMBER: 582394553 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-12 FILM NUMBER: 05528777 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ALLGLASS AQUARIUM CO INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221328 IRS NUMBER: 391144104 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WI FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-09 FILM NUMBER: 05528774 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: T F H PUBLICATIONS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221329 IRS NUMBER: 221918893 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-07 FILM NUMBER: 05528772 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WELLMARK INTERNATIONAL CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221330 IRS NUMBER: 943273583 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-06 FILM NUMBER: 05528771 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORCAL POTTERY PRODUCTS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221332 IRS NUMBER: 942371088 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-05 FILM NUMBER: 05528770 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PENNINGTON SEED INC OF NEBRASKA CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221334 IRS NUMBER: 470792215 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NE FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-04 FILM NUMBER: 05528769 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MATTHEWS REDWOOD & NURSERY SUPPLY INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221342 IRS NUMBER: 943534820 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-13 FILM NUMBER: 05528778 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GRO TEC INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221339 IRS NUMBER: 581734869 STATE OF INCORPORATION: GA FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-03 FILM NUMBER: 05528768 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GRANT LABORATORIES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221340 IRS NUMBER: 942499748 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-15 FILM NUMBER: 05528780 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PHAETON CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221343 IRS NUMBER: 592490166 STATE OF INCORPORATION: FL FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-11 FILM NUMBER: 05528776 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SEEDS WEST INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221344 IRS NUMBER: 860811151 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-10 FILM NUMBER: 05528775 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: OCEANIC SYSTEMS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001221346 IRS NUMBER: 751771403 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-08 FILM NUMBER: 05528773 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3697 MT. DIABLO BLVD SUITE 310 CITY: LAFAYTTE STATE: CA ZIP: 94549 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000887733 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WHOLESALE-MISCELLANEOUS NONDURABLE GOODS [5190] IRS NUMBER: 680275553 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031 FILM NUMBER: 05528765 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1340 TREAT BOULEVARD STREET 2: SUITE 600 CITY: WALNUT CREEK STATE: CA ZIP: 94597 BUSINESS PHONE: 9259484000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1340 TREAT BOULEVARD STREET 2: SUITE 600 CITY: WALNUT CREEK STATE: CA ZIP: 94597 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19941019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CGP Acquisition I, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001314388 IRS NUMBER: 651217772 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-01 FILM NUMBER: 05528766 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY STREET 2: 1340 TREAT BLVD., SUITE 600 CITY: WALNUT CREEK STATE: CA ZIP: 94597 BUSINESS PHONE: 925-948-3675 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY STREET 2: 1340 TREAT BLVD., SUITE 600 CITY: WALNUT CREEK STATE: CA ZIP: 94597 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: New England Pottery, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001314389 IRS NUMBER: 571198837 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-122031-02 FILM NUMBER: 05528767 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1000 WASHINGTON STREET CITY: FOXBORO STATE: MA ZIP: 02035 BUSINESS PHONE: 925-948-3675 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY STREET 2: 1340 TREAT BLVD., SUITE 600 CITY: WALNUT CREEK STATE: CA ZIP: 94597 S-3 1 ds3.htm FORM S-3 Form S-3
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2005

Registration No. 333-            


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY*

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware   5199   68-0275553

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1340 Treat Boulevard, Suite 600

Walnut Creek, California 94597

(925) 948-4000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)


Glenn W. Novotny

Chief Executive Officer

Central Garden & Pet Company

1340 Treat Boulevard, Suite 600, Walnut Creek, California 94597

(925) 948-4000

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)


WITH COPIES TO:

John F. Seegal

Brett Cooper

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

The Orrick Building

405 Howard Street

San Francisco, California 94105

(415) 773-5797


Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are to be 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, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

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

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered(1)

   Amount to be
Registered(1)
  

Proposed Maximum

Aggregate Offering
Price(1)(2)

   Amount of
Registration Fee(3)

Debt Securities

              

Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt Securities(4)

              

Common Stock

              

Preferred Stock

              

Warrants

              

Total

   $300,000,000    $300,000,000    $35,310

(1) There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, such indeterminate amount of guarantees of the debt securities to be issued by the additional registrants named herein, such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, and such indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. Subject to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in no event will the aggregate initial offering price of the securities issued under this registration statement exceed $300,000,000, or if any securities are issued in any foreign currency units, the U.S. dollar equivalent of $300,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $300,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The securities registered hereunder also include such indeterminate amounts and numbers of common stock, preferred stock and debt securities as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for preferred stock or debt securities that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of any such securities. No separate consideration will be received for any shares of common stock or preferred stock so issued upon conversion or exchange.
(2) The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per class of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(3) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(4) No separate consideration will be received for the issuance of the guarantees, and, pursuant to Rule 457(n), there is no separate registration fee for the guarantees.

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

 


* Information regarding additional registrants is contained in the Table of Additional Registrants on the following page.


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TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

 

NAME


  STATE OR OTHER
JURISDICTION OF
INCORPORATION OR
ORGANIZATION


  I.R.S. EMPLOYER
IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER


  ADDRESS, INCLUDING
ZIP CODE, AND
TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE


Four Paws Products Ltd.

  New York   11-2210716   *

Grant Laboratories, Inc.

  California   94-2499748   *

Kaytee Products, Incorporated

  Wisconsin   39-0399490   *

Matthews Redwood & Nursery Supply, Inc.

  California   94-3534820   *

Pennington Seed, Inc.

  Delaware   58-2394553   *

Phaeton Corporation

  Florida   59-2490166   *

Seeds West, Inc.

  Arizona   86-0811151   *

All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc.

  Wisconsin   39-1144104   *

Oceanic Systems, Inc.

  Texas   75-1771403   *

T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

  Delaware   22-1918893   *

Wellmark International

  California   94-3273583   *

Norcal Pottery Products, Inc.

  California   94-2371088   *

Pennington Seed, Inc., of Nebraska

  Nebraska   47-0792215   *

Gro Tec, Inc.

  Georgia   58-1734869   *

New England Pottery, LLC

  Delaware   57-1198837   *

CGP Acquisition I, LLC

  Delaware   65-1217772   *

* The name, address, including zip code, and telephone number of the agent for service of process is Glenn W. Novotny, Central Garden & Pet Company, 1340 Treat Boulevard, Suite 600, Walnut Creek, California 94597 (925) 948-4000.


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 13, 2005

 

PROSPECTUS

 

$300,000,000

 

LOGO

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, up to $300,000,000 of any combination of the following securities:

 

•      debt securities

    

•      preferred stock

•      subsidiary guarantees of debt securities

    

•      debt warrants

•      common stock

    

•      equity warrants

 


 

We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement. We urge you to read carefully this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, which will describe the specific terms of the securities offered, before you make your investment decision.

 

Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “CENT.”

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the applicable supplement to this prospectus before investing in any securities that may be offered. See “ Risk Factors” on page 1.

 


 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or the accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 


 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2005


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Central Garden & Pet Company

   1

About This Prospectus

   1

Risk Factors

   1

Forward-Looking Statements

   1

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   3

Use of Proceeds

   3

The Securities We May Offer

   4

Description of Debt Securities

   4

Description of Capital Stock

   53

Description of the Warrants

   56

Plan of Distribution

   57

Validity of the Securities

   58

Experts

   58

Where You Can Find More Information

   59

Certain Documents Incorporated by Reference

   59

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus or the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since then. We are not making an offer to sell the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

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CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

 

Central Garden & Pet Company is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets. We are one of the largest companies in the fragmented, $7.5 billion U.S. pet supplies industry and in the $50 billion U.S. lawn and garden and related supplies industry. Our pet products include pet bird and small animal food, aquarium products, flea, tick, mosquito and other pest control products, edible bones, cages, carriers, pet books, and other dog, cat, reptile and small animal products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Kaytee, All-Glass Aquarium, Oceanic, Kent Marine, Energy Savers Unlimited, Zodiac, Pre-Strike, Altosid, Nylabone, TFH, Four Paws and Interpet. Our lawn and garden products include grass seed, wild bird food, weed and insect control products, decorative outdoor patio products, Christmas products and lighting and ant control products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Pennington, Rebel, Lofts, Norcal Pottery, New England Pottery, GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, Lilly Miller, Matthews Four Seasons, AMDRO and Grant’s.

 

We were incorporated in Delaware in June 1992 and are the successor to a California corporation that was incorporated in 1955. Our executive offices are located at 1340 Treat Boulevard, Suite 600, Walnut Creek, California 94597, and our telephone number is (925) 948-4000. Our website is located at www.centralgardenandpet.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using the SEC’s shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to an aggregate offering price of $300,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may sell. Each time we sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If so, the prospectus supplement should be read as superseding this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, and the additional information described below under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Certain Documents Incorporated By Reference.”

 

In this prospectus we use the terms “Central,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “our company” and similar phrases to refer to Central Garden & Pet Company, a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in the securities to be offered pursuant to this prospectus may involve a high degree of risk. These risks will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the securities to be offered by that prospectus supplement. You should carefully consider the important factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable supplement to this prospectus before investing in any securities that may be offered.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Some statements and disclosures in this prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, are “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, our competitive strengths and weaknesses, our business strategy and the trends we anticipate in the industry and economies in which we operate and other information that is not historical information. When used in this prospectus, the words “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,”

 

1


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“intends,” “believes” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, our examination of historical operating trends, are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them, but we cannot assure you that our expectations, beliefs and projections will be realized.

 

There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus are set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the factors described in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2004. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of our underlying assumptions are incorrect, our actual results may differ significantly from the results that we express in, or imply by, any of our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to revise these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances. Presently known risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following factors:

 

  consolidation trends in the retail industry;

 

  dependence on a few customers for a significant portion of each of our businesses;

 

  uncertainty of our product innovations and marketing successes;

 

  fluctuations in market prices for seeds and grains;

 

  competition in our industries;

 

  risks associated with our acquisition strategy;

 

  adverse weather during the peak gardening season;

 

  seasonality and fluctuations in our operating results and cash flow;

 

  dependence upon our key executive officers;

 

  potential environmental liabilities and product liability claims;

 

  pending litigation;

 

  costs and risks associated with Section 404 compliance; and

 

  potential adverse impact of stock option expensing.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

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

 

Fiscal Year Ended


September 30,
2000


   September 29,
2001


   September 28,
2002


   September 27,
2003


   September 25,
2004


—  

   —      3.81    3.59    4.36

For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of income (loss) before taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change, excluding income and losses associated with equity investees and before fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, the portion of rental expense under operating leases deemed by management to be representative of the interest factor and amortization of deferred financing costs. In the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000 and September 29, 2001, our fixed charges exceeded the sum of our earnings and fixed charges by $10.6 million and $9.0 million, respectively.

 

For the periods indicated above, we had no outstanding shares of preferred stock with required dividend payments. Therefore, the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends are identical to the ratios presented in the table above.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless indicated otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, acquisitions, repayment or refinancing of borrowings, working capital or capital expenditures. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by this prospectus may be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.

 

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THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

 

Overview

 

We may offer from time to time under this prospectus various series of debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated, including additional amounts of our outstanding 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, or 9 1/8% Notes, shares of our common stock and preferred stock, and warrants to purchase any of such securities with a total value of up to $300,000,000, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement to be attached to the front of this prospectus will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities that we offer. The prospectus supplement may also add to or change information contained in this prospectus. If so, the prospectus supplement should be read as superseding this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Certain Documents Incorporated By Reference.” For more details on the terms of the securities, you should also read the exhibits filed with our registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part.

 

This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

General

 

We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more distinct series, including senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities and senior subordinated debt securities, including additional amounts of our outstanding 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, or 9 1/8% Notes. This section summarizes the material terms of our senior and subordinated debt securities (other than our 9 1/8% Notes) that are common to all series of such debt securities and the material terms of our 9 1/8% Notes. Most of the financial and other terms of any series of debt securities that we offer, including our 9 1/8% Notes, will be described in the prospectus supplement to be attached to the front of this prospectus. The senior and subordinated debt securities (other than our 9 1/8% Notes) will be issued under an indenture between us and a bank or trust company which will be identified in a prospectus supplement, as trustee. Any additional 9 1/8% Notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of January 30, 2003 between us, the subsidiary guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The indenture for the 9 1/8% Notes, or 9 1/8% Indenture, is, and the indentures for the senior and subordinated debt securities will be, subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities

 

This section is a summary of the material terms of the indentures for the senior and subordinated debt securities and does not describe every aspect of the debt securities that may be issued under these indentures. We urge you to read the indentures for the senior and subordinated debt securities, because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of these debt securities. Some of the definitions are repeated in this section, but for the rest you will need to read the indentures for the senior and subordinated debt securities. We have filed the forms of the indentures for the senior and subordinated debt securities as exhibits to a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC, of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Certain Documents Incorporated By Reference” for information on how to obtain copies of the indentures. This section does not include a summary of the material terms of the 9 1/8% Indenture or the 9 1/8% Notes. For a summary of the material terms of the 9 1/8% Indenture and the 9 1/8% Notes, see “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013” below.

 

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

 

Because we may issue both senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities, our references in this section to the debt securities are to each of the senior and subordinated debt securities and our references to the indenture are to each of indentures for the senior and subordinated debt securities, unless the context requires otherwise. In this section, we refer to these senior and subordinated debt securities collectively as the “debt securities” and we refer to the indentures for the senior and subordinated debt securities collectively as the “indentures.”

 

The applicable prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities we issue will describe, among other things, the following terms of the offered debt securities:

 

  The title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities.

 

  The aggregate principal amount of the debt securities, the percentage of their principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and the date or dates when the principal of the debt securities will be payable or how those dates will be determined.

 

  The interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, that the debt securities will bear, if any, and how the rate or rates will be determined.

 

  The date or dates from which any interest will accrue or how the date or dates will be determined, the date or dates on which any interest will be payable, any regular record dates for these payments or how these dates will be determined and the basis on which any interest will be calculated, if other than on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

  The place or places of payment, transfer, conversion and exchange of the debt securities and where notices or demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities may be served.

 

  Provisions relating to subsidiary guarantees, if any.

 

  Any optional redemption provisions.

 

  Any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or redeem the debt securities.

 

  Whether the amount of payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method, which could be based on one or more commodities, equity indices or other indices, and how these amounts will be determined.

 

  Any changes or additions to the events of default under the applicable indenture or our covenants, including additions of any restrictive covenants, with respect to the debt securities.

 

  If not the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount that will be payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities or how that portion will be determined.

 

  Any changes or additions to the provisions concerning defeasance and covenant defeasance contained in the indentures that will be applicable to the debt securities.

 

  Any provisions granting special rights to the holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events.

 

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  If other than the trustee, the name of any paying agent, security registrar and transfer agent for the debt securities.

 

  If the debt securities are not to be issued in book-entry form only and held by DTC, as depositary, the form of such debt securities, including whether such debt securities are to be issuable in permanent or temporary global form, as registered securities, bearer securities or both, any restrictions on the offer, sale or delivery of bearer securities and the terms, if any, upon which bearer securities of the series may be exchanged for registered securities of the series and vice versa, if permitted by applicable law and regulations.

 

  If other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies of such debt securities.

 

  The person to whom any interest in a debt security will be payable, if other than the registered holder at the close of business on the regular record date.

 

  The denomination or denominations that the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiples in the case of the registered securities and $5,000 or any integral multiples in the case of the bearer securities.

 

  Whether such debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable.

 

  A discussion of federal income tax, accounting and other special considerations, procedures and limitations with respect to the debt securities.

 

  Whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts to holders in respect of any tax assessment or government charge, and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts.

 

  Any other terms of the debt securities that are consistent with the provisions of the indentures.

 

For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of, any premium on, or any interest on, debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of such debt securities.

 

The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we are authorized to issue from time to time. The indentures also provide that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each for one or more series of debt securities. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the applicable indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “debt securities” means the series of debt securities for which each respective trustee is acting. If there is more than one trustee under the applicable indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee will apply only to the debt securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the applicable indenture, then the debt securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

 

We may issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities that may already have been issued. Without the consent of the holders thereof, we may reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.

 

There is no requirement that we issue debt securities in the future under any indenture, and we may use other indentures or documentation, containing different provisions in connection with future issues of other debt securities.

 

We may issue the debt securities as original issue discount securities, which are debt securities, including any zero-coupon debt securities, that are issued and sold at a discount from their stated principal amount. Original issue discount securities provide that, upon acceleration of their maturity, an amount less than their principal amount will become due and payable. We will describe the U.S. federal income tax consequences and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities in any prospectus supplement relating to them.

 

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Conversion and Exchange

 

If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange, including:

 

  the conversion price or exchange ratio, or the calculation method for such price or ratio;

 

  the conversion or exchange period, or how such period will be determined;

 

  if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at our option or at the option of the holder;

 

  any requirements with respect to the reservation of shares of securities for purposes of conversion;

 

  provisions for adjustment of the conversion price or the exchange ratio; and

 

  provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the debt securities.

 

Such terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of such debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of such other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer

 

The debt securities will be issued:

 

  as registered securities; or

 

  if so provided in the prospectus supplement, as bearer securities (unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement, with interest coupons attached); or

 

  in global form, see “—Legal Ownership of Securities—Global Securities;” or

 

  in denominations that are even multiples of $1,000, in the case of registered securities, and in even multiples of $5,000, in the case of bearer securities, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

You may have your registered securities divided into registered securities of smaller denominations or combined into registered securities of larger denominations, as long as the aggregate principal amount is not changed. This is called an “exchange.”

 

You may exchange or transfer registered securities of a series at the office of the trustee described in the debt securities. The trustee maintains the list of registered holders and acts as our securities registrar for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring debt securities. However, we may appoint another trustee to act as our securities registrar or we may act as our own securities registrar. If we designate additional securities registrars, they will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may cancel the designation of any particular securities registrar. We may also approve a change in the office through which any securities registrar acts. If provided in the prospectus supplement, you may exchange your bearer securities for registered securities of the same series so long as the total principal amount is not changed. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, bearer securities will not be issued in exchange for registered securities.

 

You will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange debt securities, but you may in certain circumstances be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the exchange or transfer. The transfer or exchange will only be made if the transfer agent is satisfied with your proof of ownership and/or transfer documentation.

 

If the debt securities are redeemable and we redeem less than all of the debt securities of a particular series, we may block the transfer or exchange of debt securities for 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption or publish such notice (in the case of bearer securities) and ending on the day of that mailing or

 

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publication in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. At our option, we may mail or publish such notice of redemption through an electronic medium. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of debt securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security being partially redeemed.

 

Paying and Paying Agents

 

If you are a holder of registered securities, we will pay interest to you if you are a direct holder in the list of registered holders at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if you no longer own the security on the interest due date. That particular time and day, usually about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “Regular Record Date” and is stated in the prospectus supplement. Holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between them how to compensate for the fact that we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the one who is the registered holder on the Regular Record Date. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”

 

With respect to registered securities, we will pay interest, principal and any other money due on the debt securities at the place and time described in the debt securities. You must make arrangements to have your payments picked up at or wired from that place. We may also choose to pay interest by mailing checks or making wire transfers.

 

“Street name” and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments.

 

If bearer securities are issued, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, we will maintain an office or agency outside the United States for the payment of all amounts due on the bearer securities. If debt securities are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States, we will maintain an office or agency for such debt securities in any city located outside the United States required by such stock exchange. The initial locations of such offices and agencies will be specified in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, payment of interest on any bearer securities on or before maturity will be made only against surrender of coupons for such interest installments as they mature. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, no payment with respect to any bearer security will be made at any office or agency of our company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments of principal, premium and interest, if any, on bearer securities payable in U.S. dollars may be made, at the office of our paying agent described in a prospectus supplement (but only if) payment of the full amount in U.S. dollars at all offices or agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

 

Regardless of who acts as the paying agent, all money paid by us to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to registered holders will be repaid to us. After that two-year period, you may look only to us for payment and not to the trustee, any other paying agent or anyone else.

 

We may also arrange for additional payment offices, and may cancel or change these offices, including our use of the trustee’s corporate trust office. We may also choose to act as our own paying agent. We must notify you of changes in identities of the paying agents for any particular series of debt securities.

 

Notices

 

With respect to registered securities, Central and the trustee will send notices regarding the debt securities only to registered holders, using their addresses as listed in the list of registered holders. With respect to bearer securities, Central and the trustee will give notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City

 

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of New York or in such other cities that may be specified in a prospectus supplement. At our option, we may send or publish notices through an electronic medium as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Events of Default

 

You will have special rights if an event of default occurs in respect of the debt securities of your series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.

 

The term “event of default” in respect of the debt securities of your series means any of the following:

 

  We do not pay the principal of or any premium on a debt security of such series on its due date.

 

  We do not pay interest on a debt security of such series within 30 days of its due date whether at maturity, upon redemption or upon acceleration.

 

  We do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of such series on its due date.

 

  We remain in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of such series for 60 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach and requiring that we remedy the breach. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of 25% of the principal amount of debt securities of such series.

 

  We file for bankruptcy or certain other events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

 

  Any other event of default in respect of debt securities of such series described in the prospectus supplement occurs.

 

The events of default described above may be added to or modified as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal or interest) if it considers such withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

 

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs. If an event of default has occurred and has not been cured with respect to one or more series of debt securities, the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. Only a portion of the principal is payable if the securities were issued at a discount. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. If an event of default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any holder. There are special notice and timing rules which apply to the acceleration of subordinated debt securities which are designed to protect the interests of holders of senior debt. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be cancelled by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series if (1) we have paid or deposited with the trustee a sum sufficient in cash to pay all principal, interest and additional amounts, if any, which have become due other than by the declaration of acceleration of maturity, (2) all existing events of default, other than the nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities of such series which have become due solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived and (3) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the indentures at the request of the holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability, called an “indemnity.” If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon any event of default will be treated as a waiver of such right, remedy or event of default.

 

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Before you are allowed to bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

 

  You must give the trustee written notice that an event of default has occurred and remains uncured.

 

  The holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action.

 

  The trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity.

 

  The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during the 60-day period.

 

However, notwithstanding the conditions described above, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date.

 

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may waive any past defaults other than (1) the payment of principal, any premium or interest or (2) in respect of a covenant or other provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder.

 

“Street name” and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction or to make a request of the trustee and to make or cancel a declaration of acceleration.

 

Each year, we will furnish to the trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indentures and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

 

Merger or Consolidation

 

Under the terms of the indentures, we are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We are also permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

 

  either we will be the surviving corporation or, if we merge out of existence or sell assets, the entity into which we merge or to which we sell assets must agree to be legally responsible for the debt securities;

 

  immediately after the merger or transfer of assets, no default on the debt securities can exist. A default for this purpose includes any event that would be an event of default if the requirements for giving a default notice or of having the default exist for a specific period of time were disregarded;

 

  we must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee; and

 

  we must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement.

 

Modification or Waiver

 

There are three types of changes we can make to the indentures and the debt securities.

 

Changes Requiring Approval of Each Holder. First, there are changes that cannot be made to your debt securities without the approval of each holder. Following is a list of those types of changes:

 

  changing the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on a debt security;

 

  reducing any amounts due on a debt security or payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default;

 

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  adversely affecting any right of repayment at the holder’s option;

 

  changing the place (except as otherwise described in this prospectus) or currency of payment on a debt security;

 

  impairing your right to sue for payment or to convert or exchange a security;

 

  in the case of subordinated debt securities, modifying the subordination provisions in a manner that is adverse to holders of the subordinated debt securities;

 

  in the case of senior debt securities, modifying the securities to subordinate the securities to other indebtedness;

 

  reducing the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indentures;

 

  reducing the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indentures or to waive certain defaults;

 

  reducing the requirements for quorum or voting with respect to the debt securities;

 

  modifying any other aspect of the provisions of the indentures dealing with modification and waiver except to increase the voting requirements;

 

  change in any of our obligations to pay additional amounts which are required to be paid to holders with respect to taxes imposed on such holders in certain circumstances; and

 

  other provisions specified in the prospectus supplement.

 

Changes Requiring a Majority Vote. The second type of change to the indentures and the outstanding debt securities is the kind that requires a vote in favor by holders of outstanding debt securities owning a majority of the principal amount of the particular series affected. Separate votes will be needed for each series even if they are affected in the same way. Most changes fall into this category, except for clarifying changes and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect. The same vote would be required for us to obtain a waiver of all or part of certain covenants in the applicable indenture, or a waiver of a past default. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or any other aspect of the indentures or the outstanding debt securities listed in the first category described previously under “—Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities—Changes Requiring Approval of Each Holder” unless we obtain your individual consent to the waiver.

 

Changes Not Requiring Approval. The third type of change does not require any vote by holders of outstanding debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications; curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect. Qualifying or maintaining the qualification of the indentures under the Trust Indenture Act does not require any vote by holders of debt securities.

 

Further Details Concerning Voting. When taking a vote, we will use the following rules to decide how much principal amount to attribute to a debt security:

 

  for original issue discount securities, we will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if the maturity of the debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default; and

 

  for debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that debt security described in the prospectus supplement.

 

Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust for you money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “—Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities—Defeasance—Full Defeasance.”

 

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We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indentures.

 

We are not required to set a record date. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of a particular series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding securities of that series on the record date and must be taken within 180 days following the record date or another period that we may specify. We may shorten or lengthen this period from time to time.

 

“Street name” and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indentures or the debt securities or request a waiver.

 

Satisfaction and Discharge

 

The indentures will cease to be of further effect, and we will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the indentures with respect to a particular series of debt securities, when

 

(1) either:

 

  all debt securities of that series have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or

 

  all debt securities of that series not previously delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity or on a redemption date within one year; we deposit with the trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on the debt securities of that series that had not been previously delivered for cancellation, for the principal and interest to the date of the deposit (for debt securities that have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be (for debt securities that have not become due and payable); and

 

(2) the following conditions have been satisfied:

 

  we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the indentures in respect of that series; and

 

  we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and opinion of counsel, each stating that all these conditions have been complied with.

 

Defeasance

 

The following discussion of full defeasance and covenant defeasance will be applicable to your series of debt securities only if we choose to have them apply to that series. If we choose to do so, we will state that in the applicable prospectus supplement and describe any changes to these provisions.

 

Full Defeasance. If there is a change in federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities, called “full defeasance,” if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:

 

  We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other registered holders of the debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates including, possibly, their earliest redemption date.

 

  Under current federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would likely be treated as though you surrendered your debt securities in exchange for your share of the cash and notes or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize income, gain or loss on the debt securities you surrendered. In order for us to effect a full defeasance we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that you will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance and that you will not be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves.

 

  We must comply with any additional provisions set forth in the prospectus supplement.

 

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If we accomplish a full defeasance as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment on the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever become bankrupt or insolvent. You would also be released from any applicable subordination provisions on the subordinated debt securities described below under “—Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities—Subordination.”

 

Covenant Defeasance. Under current federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from the restrictive covenants in the debt securities, if any. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the debt securities, and you would be released from any applicable subordination provisions on the subordinated debt securities described later under “—Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities—Subordination.” In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

 

  We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other registered holders of the debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.

 

  We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that under current federal income tax law we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves.

 

  We must comply with any additional provisions set forth in the prospectus supplement.

 

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, the following provisions of the indentures and the debt securities would no longer apply unless otherwise specified:

 

  our promises regarding conduct of our business and other matters and any other covenants applicable to the series of debt securities that will be described in the prospectus supplement; and

 

  the definition of an event of default as a breach of such covenants that may be specified in the prospectus supplement.

 

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if one of the remaining events of default occurs (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, of course, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

 

In order to exercise either full defeasance or covenant defeasance, we must comply with certain conditions, and no event or condition can exist that would prevent us from making payments of principal, premium, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of such series on the date the irrevocable deposit is made or at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the deposit date.

 

Ranking

 

Unless provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities are not secured by any of our property or assets. Accordingly, your ownership of debt securities means you are one of our unsecured creditors. The senior debt securities are not subordinated to any of our other debt obligations and, therefore, they rank equally with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will rank junior to our Senior Indebtedness (as such term is defined in the subordinated indenture) and equally with all our other unsecured and subordinated debt. See “—Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities—Subordination.”

 

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Subordination

 

Unless the prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following provisions will apply to the subordinated debt securities:

 

The payment of principal, any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Indebtedness. This means that in certain circumstances where we may not be making payments on all of our debt obligations as they become due, the holders of all of our Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts that are due or will become due on the Senior Indebtedness before you and the other holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution (other than in the form of subordinated securities) on the subordinated debt securities. These circumstances may include the following:

 

  We make a payment or distribute assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up or reorganization of our company, or as part of an assignment or marshalling of our assets for the benefit of our creditors.

 

  We file for bankruptcy or certain other events in bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings occur.

 

  The maturity of the subordinated debt securities is accelerated. For example, the entire principal amount of a series of subordinated debt securities may be declared to be due and payable and immediately payable or may be automatically accelerated due to an event of default as described under “—Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities—Events of Default.”

 

In addition, in general, we will not be permitted to make payments of principal, any premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities if we default in our obligation to make payments on our Senior Indebtedness and do not cure such default. We are also prohibited from making payments on subordinated debt securities if an event of default (other than a payment default) that permits the holders of Senior Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of the Senior Indebtedness occurs and Central and the trustee have received a notice of such event of default. However, unless the Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated because of that event of default, this payment blockage notice cannot last more than 179 days.

 

These subordination provisions mean that if we are insolvent, a holder of Senior Indebtedness is likely to ultimately receive out of our assets more than a holder of the same amount of our subordinated debt securities, and a creditor of our company that is owed a specific amount but who owns neither our Senior Indebtedness nor our subordinated debt securities may ultimately receive less than a holder of the same amount of Senior Indebtedness and more than a holder of subordinated debt securities.

 

The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness we are permitted to have, and we may in the future incur additional Senior Indebtedness.

 

If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with a series of subordinated securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference will set forth the approximate amount of Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.

 

Guarantees

 

A series of debt securities may be guaranteed by some of our subsidiaries, if those guarantees are provided for in the supplemental indenture relating to that series of debt securities. If guarantees are issued in connection with any debt securities, the terms of those guarantees and the names of our subsidiaries which are providing the guarantees will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The Trustee

 

The initial trustee under each indenture will be identified in a prospectus supplement. The trustee will also be the initial paying agent and registrar for the debt securities.

 

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The indentures provide that, except during the continuance of an event of default under the indentures, the trustee under the indentures will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indentures. Under the indentures, the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the debt securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or exercising any remedy available to the trustee under the indentures, subject to certain exceptions. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee under the indentures will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the indentures and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

The indentures and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, incorporated by reference in the indentures contain limitations on the rights of the trustee under such indentures, should it become a creditor of our company, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee under the indentures is permitted to engage in other transactions. However, if the trustee under the indentures acquires any prohibited conflicting interest, it must eliminate the conflict or resign.

 

The trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities under the indentures, each such trustee shall be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other such trustee and any action described herein to be taken by the “trustee” may then be taken by each such trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of debt securities for which it is trustee.

 

In the event that an entity is the trustee under both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture, and a conflict of interest arises as a result, the trustee must resign as trustee under (1) either of the indentures or, if this does not eliminate the conflict of interest, (2) both the indentures.

 

9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013

 

On January 30, 2003, we issued $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, or 9 1/8% Notes, under an indenture dated January 30, 2003, among ourselves, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee. We may issue additional 9 1/8% Notes from time to time under the indenture for the 9 1/8% Notes, or the 9 1/8% Indenture.

 

This section is a summary of the material terms of the 9 1/8% Indenture, and does not describe every aspect of the 9 1/8% Indenture or the 9 1/8% Notes. We urge you to read the 9 1/8% Indenture, because it, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of the 9 1/8% Notes. Because this is a summary, it does not include all of the information that is included in the 9 1/8% Indenture, including the definitions of some of the terms used below. For example, in this section we use capitalized words to signify defined terms that have been given special meaning in the 9 1/8% Indenture. We describe the meaning for only the more important terms. Wherever we refer to particular sections or defined terms, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference therein. We have filed the 9 1/8% Indenture as an exhibit to a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC, of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Certain Documents Incorporated By Reference” for information on how to obtain a copies of the 9 1/8% Indenture. This section does not include a summary of the material terms of the other debt securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. For a summary of the material terms of the indentures for the other senior and subordinated debt securities we may offer, see “—Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities” above.

 

The form and terms of the 9 1/8% Notes offered by this prospectus and the 9 1/8% Notes outstanding as of the date of this prospectus will be identical. The discussion below refers to such additional 9 1/8% Notes that we may issue from time to time pursuant to this prospectus. In this section, references to “Central,” “we,” “us” or “our” and similar phrases refer solely to Central Garden & Pet Company and not its subsidiaries.

 

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The 9 1/8% Notes

 

The 9 1/8% Notes:

 

  will be our general unsecured obligations;

 

  will be subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future Senior Debt;

 

  will be pari passu in right of payment with any of our future senior subordinated indebtedness; and

 

  will be unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors.

 

The Guarantees

 

Subject to certain exceptions described below, the 9 1/8% Notes will be guaranteed by substantially all of our Subsidiaries.

 

Each guarantee of the 9 1/8% Notes:

 

  will be a general unsecured obligation of the Guarantor;

 

  will be subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Debt of the Guarantor; and

 

  will be pari passu in right of payment with any future senior subordinated indebtedness of the Guarantor.

 

As of September 25, 2004, Central and the Guarantors had total Senior Debt of approximately $154.0 million, and had approximately $61.9 million of additional availability under the Credit Facilities. As indicated above and as discussed in detail below under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Subordination,” payments on the 9 1/8% Notes and under the guarantees of the 9 1/8% Notes will be subordinated to the payment of Senior Debt. The 9 1/8% Indenture permits us and our Subsidiaries to incur additional Senior Debt.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, substantially all of our Subsidiaries are “Restricted Subsidiaries” and will guarantee the 9 1/8% Notes. However, under the circumstances described below under the subheading “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Certain Permitted Investments,” we will be permitted to designate certain of our Subsidiaries as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries.” Our Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to many of the restrictive covenants in the 9 1/8% Indenture and will not guarantee the 9 1/8% Notes. In addition, the 9 1/8% Indenture permits us to designate Restricted Subsidiaries (including Guarantors) as “Permitted Investments” to the extent permitted under clauses (8) and (9) of the definition of such term, in which case such Restricted Subsidiaries will not be required to be (or required to remain, as the case may be) Guarantors.

 

Principal, Maturity and Interest

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we have $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9 1/8% Notes outstanding. We can issue an unlimited amount of additional 9 1/8% Notes under the 9 1/8% Indenture, subject to the covenant described below under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.” All 9 1/8% Notes issued under the 9 1/8% Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the 9 1/8% Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. We will issue 9 1/8% Notes in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The 9 1/8% Notes will mature on February 1, 2013.

 

Interest on the 9 1/8% Notes will accrue at the rate of 9 1/8% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1. We will make each interest payment to the Holders that are Holders of record on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15.

 

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Interest on the 9 1/8% Notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes

 

If a Holder of $1.0 million or more of 9 1/8% Notes has given wire transfer instructions to us, we will pay all principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on that Holder’s 9 1/8% Notes in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on the 9 1/8% Notes will be made at the office or agency of the paying agent and registrar unless we elect to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their address set forth in the register of Holders.

 

Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes

 

The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar. We may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the 9 1/8% Notes, and Central or any of its Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.

 

Transfer and Exchange

 

A Holder may transfer or exchange 9 1/8% Notes in accordance with the 9 1/8% Indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a transfer of 9 1/8% Notes. Holders will be required to pay all taxes due on transfer. We are not required to transfer or exchange any 9 1/8% Note selected for redemption. Also, we are not required to transfer or exchange any 9 1/8% Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of 9 1/8% Notes to be redeemed.

 

Subsidiary Guarantees

 

The Subsidiary Guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the Guarantors. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of that Guarantor. The obligations of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Subsidiary Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.

 

A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person, other than Central or another Guarantor, unless:

 

(1) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(2) either:

 

(a) the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under the 9 1/8% Indenture, its Subsidiary Guarantee and the registration rights agreement pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the trustee; or

 

(b) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture.

 

The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:

 

(1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) our Subsidiary, if the sale or other disposition complies with the “Asset Sale” provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture;

 

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(2) in connection with any sale or other disposition of Capital Stock of a Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) our Subsidiary, if the Guarantor is no longer our Subsidiary as a result of such sale or disposition and if the sale or disposition does not violate the “Asset Sale” or “Restricted Payments” provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture; or

 

(3) if we designate any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture or if we designate a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as a Permitted Investment made pursuant to clause (8) or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture.

 

See “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales” and “—Certain Covenants—Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Certain Permitted Investments.”

 

Subordination

 

The payment of principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the 9 1/8% Notes will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt, including Senior Debt incurred after the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture.

 

In the event of any distribution to our creditors:

 

(1) in a liquidation or dissolution of our company;

 

(2) in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to us or our property;

 

(3) in an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

 

(4) in any marshaling of our assets and liabilities;

 

the holders of Senior Debt will be entitled to receive payment in full of all Obligations due in respect of Senior Debt (including interest after the commencement of any bankruptcy proceeding at the rate specified in the applicable Senior Debt) before the Holders of 9 1/8% Notes will be entitled to receive any payment with respect to the 9 1/8% Notes (except that Holders of 9 1/8% Notes may receive and retain Permitted Junior Securities and payments made from the trust described under “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance”).

 

We also may not make any payment in respect of the 9 1/8% Notes (except in Permitted Junior Securities or from the trust described under “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance”) if:

 

(1) a payment default on Designated Senior Debt occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable grace period; or

 

(2) any other default occurs and is continuing on any series of Designated Senior Debt that permits holders of that series of Designated Senior Debt to accelerate its maturity and the trustee and Central receive a notice of such default (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) from the holders of any Designated Senior Debt (or their representative).

 

Payments on the 9 1/8% Notes may and will be resumed:

 

(1) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived; and

 

(2) in the case of a nonpayment default, upon the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived or 179 days after the date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received, unless the maturity of any Designated Senior Debt has been accelerated.

 

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No new Payment Blockage Notice may be delivered unless and until:

 

(1) 360 days have elapsed since the delivery of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice; and

 

(2) all scheduled payments of principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the 9 1/8% Notes that have come due have been paid in full in cash.

 

No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the trustee will be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.

 

If the trustee or any Holder of the 9 1/8% Notes receives a payment in respect of the 9 1/8% Notes (except in Permitted Junior Securities or from the trust described under “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance”) when:

 

(1) the payment is prohibited by these subordination provisions; and

 

(2) the trustee or the Holder has actual knowledge that the payment is prohibited

 

the trustee or the Holder, as the case may be, will hold the payment in trust for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt. Upon the proper written request of the holders of Senior Debt, the trustee or the Holder, as the case may be, will deliver the amounts in trust to the holders of Senior Debt or their proper representative.

 

We must promptly notify holders of Senior Debt if payment of the 9 1/8% Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default.

 

As a result of the subordination provisions described above, in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of Central, Holders of 9 1/8% Notes may recover less ratably than our creditors who are holders of Senior Debt.

 

The obligations of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be subordinated to the Senior Debt of that Guarantor on the same terms described above.

 

Optional Redemption

 

At any time prior to February 1, 2006, we may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 33% of the aggregate principal amount of 9 1/8% Notes issued under the 9 1/8% Indenture at a redemption price of 109.125% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings; provided that:

 

(1) at least 67% of the aggregate principal amount of 9 1/8% Notes issued under the 9 1/8% Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding 9 1/8% Notes held by us and our Subsidiaries); and

 

(2) the redemption occurs within 60 days of the date of the closing of such Public Equity Offering.

 

Except pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the 9 1/8% Notes will not be redeemable at our option prior to February 1, 2008.

 

After February 1, 2008, we may redeem all or a part of the 9 1/8% Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the 9 1/8% Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 1 of the years indicated below:

 

Year


   Percentage

 

2008

   104.563 %

2009

   103.042 %

2010

   101.521 %

2011 and thereafter

   100.000 %

 

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Mandatory Redemption

 

We will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the 9 1/8% Notes.

 

Repurchase at the Option of Holders

 

Change of Control

 

If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of 9 1/8% Notes will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that Holder’s 9 1/8% Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer on the terms set forth in the 9 1/8% Indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, we will offer a Change of Control Payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of 9 1/8% Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the 9 1/8% Notes repurchased, to the date of purchase. Within ten days following any Change of Control, we will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase 9 1/8% Notes on the Change of Control Payment Date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by the 9 1/8% Indenture and described in such notice. We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the 9 1/8% Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture by virtue of such conflict.

 

On the Change of Control Payment Date, we will, to the extent lawful:

 

(1) accept for payment all 9 1/8% Notes or portions of 9 1/8% Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all 9 1/8% Notes or portions of 9 1/8% Notes properly tendered; and

 

(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the 9 1/8% Notes properly accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of 9 1/8% Notes or portions of 9 1/8% Notes being purchased by us.

 

The paying agent will promptly mail to each Holder of 9 1/8% Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such 9 1/8% Notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new 9 1/8% Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the 9 1/8% Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new 9 1/8% Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.

 

If a Change of Control Offer is made, there can be no assurance that we will have available funds sufficient to pay the purchase price for all of the 9 1/8% Notes that might be tendered by Holders seeking to accept the Change of Control Offer. Our failure to make or consummate the Change of Control Offer or pay the applicable Change of Control purchase price when due would result in an Event of Default and would give the trustee and the Holders the rights described under “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Events of Default and Remedies.”

 

Our Credit Facilities provide that certain change of control events with respect to us would constitute a default thereunder and prohibit us from consummating a Change of Control Offer. Any future credit agreements or other agreements relating to Senior Debt to which we become a party may contain similar provisions. If a Change of Control occurs, we could seek a waiver of any resulting default and, if required, the consent of our

 

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lenders to the purchase of 9 1/8% Notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contains such prohibition. If we are not successful in obtaining a waiver of any change of control default and the consent of the lenders or in refinancing such borrowings, such Senior Debt will be in default, and we will remain prohibited from purchasing 9 1/8% Notes. In such case, our failure to purchase tendered 9 1/8% Notes would constitute an Event of Default under the 9 1/8% Indenture, which would, in turn, also constitute a default under the Credit Facilities. In such circumstances, the subordination provisions in the 9 1/8% Indenture would likely restrict payments to the Holders.

 

Prior to mailing the notice referred to above, but in any event within 90 days following a Change of Control, we will either repay all outstanding Senior Debt or obtain the requisite waivers and consents, if any, under all agreements governing outstanding Senior Debt to permit the repurchase of 9 1/8% Notes required by this covenant. We will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

The provisions described above that require us to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture are applicable, unless a notice of redemption pursuant to the provisions described above under “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Optional Redemption” has been given prior to the obligation to make the Change of Control Offer. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the 9 1/8% Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders of the 9 1/8% Notes to require that we repurchase or redeem the 9 1/8% Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

 

We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the 9 1/8% Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by us and purchases all 9 1/8% Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer.

 

The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of us and our Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a Holder of 9 1/8% Notes to require us to repurchase its 9 1/8% Notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the assets of us and our Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.

 

Asset Sales

 

We will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

 

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

 

(2) the fair market value (including the fair market value of any non-cash assets transferred or liabilities assumed) is determined by our Board of Directors and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an officers’ certificate delivered to the trustee; and

 

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

 

(a) any liabilities, as shown on our most recent consolidated balance sheet, of us or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the 9 1/8% Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and are (i) subject to a customary novation agreement that releases us or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability with respect to any such liabilities other than accounts payable or (ii) satisfied in full within 60 days of the Asset Sale;

 

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(b) any securities, 9 1/8% Notes or other obligations received by us or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee in respect of which cash is received by us or such Restricted Subsidiary within 60 days of the Asset Sale, to the extent of the cash received;

 

(c) in the case of the sale of all of the Equity Interests in any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, or the merger of a Restricted Subsidiary with a Person as a result of which Central and our Restricted Subsidiaries do not own any of the Equity Interests in the surviving entity of such merger, any liabilities of the Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the 9 1/8% Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) for which the Restricted Subsidiary or surviving entity remains liable after the Asset Sale;

 

(d) cash held in escrow as security for any purchase price settlement, for damages in respect of a breach of representations and warranties or covenants or for payment of other contingent obligations in connection with the Asset Sale; and

 

(e) up to $25 million of non-cash consideration received from any person other than an Affiliate of us outstanding (not converted to cash) at any time.

 

Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, Central and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be permitted to consummate an Asset Sale without complying with such paragraph if:

 

(1) Central or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or other property sold, issued or otherwise disposed of, as evidenced by a resolution of our Board of Directors set forth in an officers’ certificate delivered to the trustee, and

 

(2) at least 75% of the consideration for such Asset Sale constitutes cash or assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and are used or useful in a Permitted Business;

 

provided that any cash received by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any Asset Sale permitted to be consummated under this paragraph shall constitute Net Proceeds (to the extent not excluded from the definition of “Net Proceeds”) subject to the provisions of the three succeeding paragraphs.

 

Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, Central or the Restricted Subsidiary may apply those Net Proceeds at its option to any one or more of the following:

 

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

 

(2) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or a majority of the Voting Stock of, another Permitted Business;

 

(3) to make capital expenditures; or

 

(4) to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and are used or useful in a Permitted Business.

 

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, Central or any Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by the 9 1/8% Indenture.

 

Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” Within 30 days after the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10.0 million, we will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of 9 1/8% Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the 9 1/8% Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the 9 1/8% Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of 9 1/8% Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any

 

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Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, we may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the 9 1/8% Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of 9 1/8% Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the trustee will select the 9 1/8% Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based upon the aggregate principal amount of each that was properly tendered. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

 

Our Credit Facilities require the consent of the lenders to most asset sales and prohibit the retirement of the 9 1/8% Notes and other indebtedness that ranks junior to such Senior Debt. Any future credit agreements or other agreements relating to Senior Debt to which we become a party may contain similar provisions or may require prepayment of such Senior Debt with all or a portion of the proceeds of such asset sales. In such case, it is likely that we would apply the net proceeds to retire Senior Debt or, to the extent permitted under such agreements, acquire assets for use in a Permitted Business.

 

We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of 9 1/8% Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture by virtue of such conflict.

 

Selection and Notice

 

If less than all of the 9 1/8% Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the trustee will select 9 1/8% Notes for redemption as follows:

 

(1) if the 9 1/8% Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the 9 1/8% Notes are listed; or

 

(2) if the 9 1/8% Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate.

 

In the event of a redemption pursuant to the provisions described above under “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Optional Redemption,” notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of 9 1/8% Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the 9 1/8% Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the 9 1/8% Indenture. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.

 

If any 9 1/8% Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that 9 1/8% Note will state the portion of the principal amount of that 9 1/8% Note that is to be redeemed. A new 9 1/8% Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original 9 1/8% Note will be issued in the name of the Holder of 9 1/8% Notes upon cancellation of the original 9 1/8% Note. No 9 1/8% Notes can be redeemed in part if less than $1,000 would remain outstanding.

 

Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on 9 1/8% Notes or portions of them called for redemption.

 

Certain Covenants

 

Restricted Payments

 

We will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of Central’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection

 

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with any merger or consolidation involving us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of Central’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us or to us or a Restricted Subsidiary of ours);

 

(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving us) any Equity Interests of Central;

 

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is subordinated to the 9 1/8% Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees (excluding intercompany Indebtedness between or among us and our Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest (including any amount comparable to Liquidated Damages) or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(2) we would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described below under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” and

 

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (6), (7) and (8) of the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(a) 50% of our Consolidated Net Income for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the first day of our second fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2003 to the end of our most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus

 

(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by us since the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture as a contribution to our common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of Central (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of Central that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of ours), plus

 

(c) in the event we issue Equity Interests of Central in consideration for an acquisition by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries of a Person that becomes a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of ours as a result of such acquisition or of assets that are acquired by us or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of ours, an amount equal to 75% of the Equity Market Value of the Equity Interests of Central so issued as of the closing of the acquisition; plus

 

(d) in the event any return of capital is realized in respect of any Restricted Investment that was made after the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture, the lesser of (i) the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less any direct, out-of-pocket cost of disposition, if any) and (ii) the initial amount of such Restricted Investment less any amounts previously realized under clause (i) with respect to such Restricted Investment; plus

 

(e) to the extent that any Subsidiary that was designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary, the lesser of (i) the amount of

 

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the Investment in the Subsidiary treated as a Restricted Payment at and since the time that the Subsidiary was designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, as determined by the last paragraph of this covenant and (ii) the fair market value of the Investment in the Subsidiary as of the date that it is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary; plus

 

(f) $10.0 million.

 

So long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the preceding provisions will not prohibit:

 

(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend, if at the date of declaration the dividend payment would have complied with the provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture;

 

(2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of Central or any Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of Central in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of ours) of, Equity Interests of Central (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition will be excluded from clause (3)(b) of the preceding paragraph;

 

(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of Central or any Guarantor in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds received from, the substantially concurrent sale of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(4) the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary of ours to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis and the redemption, purchase, cancellation or other retirement of Equity Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of Central or any Restricted Subsidiary of ours held by any member of our (or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries’) management pursuant to any management equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, stockholders agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $1.0 million in any twelve-month period and $10.0 million in the aggregate;

 

(6) the repurchase of Equity Interests of Central or any Restricted Subsidiary of ours deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the purchase price thereof; and

 

(7) Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million.

 

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by us or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant will be determined by our Board of Directors whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the trustee. The Board of Directors’ determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the fair market value exceeds $5.0 million. Not later than three business days after the date of making any Restricted Payment, we will deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by this “Restricted Payments” covenant were computed, together with a copy of any fairness opinion or appraisal required by the 9 1/8% Indenture.

 

Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock

 

We will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect

 

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to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and we will not issue Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that we may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and our Restricted Subsidiaries that are Guarantors or Foreign Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness or issue preferred stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for our most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the preferred stock or Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

 

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

 

(1) the incurrence by us and any of our Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness and letters of credit under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed the greater of (x) $225.0 million less the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by us or any of our Subsidiaries since the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture to repay any term Indebtedness under a Credit Facility or to repay any revolving credit Indebtedness under a Credit Facility and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder pursuant to the covenant described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Repurchase at the Option of the Holders—Asset Sales” or (y) the amount of the Borrowing Base as of the date of such incurrence;

 

(2) the incurrence by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness;

 

(3) the incurrence by us and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the 9 1/8% Notes and the related Subsidiary Guarantees to be issued on the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture and the exchange 9 1/8% Notes and the related Subsidiary Guarantees to be issued pursuant to the registration rights agreement;

 

(4) the incurrence by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by the 9 1/8% Indenture to be incurred under the first paragraph of this covenant or clauses (2), (3), (4) or (9) of this paragraph;

 

(5) the incurrence by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among us and any of our Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

 

(a) if we or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the 9 1/8% Notes, in the case of us, or the Subsidiary Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and

 

(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than us or a Restricted Subsidiary of ours and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either Central or a Restricted Subsidiary of Central; will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by us or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (5);

 

(6) the incurrence by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations with respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of the 9 1/8% Indenture to be outstanding;

 

(7) the guarantee by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of Central or a Restricted Subsidiary of ours that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant;

 

(8) the accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will

 

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not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in our Fixed Charges as accrued; and

 

(9) the incurrence by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (9), not to exceed $50.0 million.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (9) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, we will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this covenant. Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which 9 1/8% Notes are first issued and authenticated under the 9 1/8% Indenture will be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt.

 

No Layering of Debt

 

We will not incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any of our Senior Debt and senior in any respect in right of payment to the 9 1/8% Notes. No Guarantor will incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Senior Debt of such Guarantor and senior in any respect in right of payment to such Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, no Indebtedness of Central or any Guarantor shall be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of Central or such Guarantor solely by virtue of being unsecured.

 

Liens

 

We will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness for money borrowed on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens, unless all payments due under the 9 1/8% Indenture and the 9 1/8% Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the Indebtedness so secured.

 

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

 

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

 

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

 

(2) make loans or advances to us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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

 

(1) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and the Credit Facilities as in effect on the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, modifications,

 

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restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture;

 

(2) the 9 1/8% Indenture, the 9 1/8% Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

(3) applicable law;

 

(4) any instrument or agreement of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such instrument or agreement was entered into or amended or modified to add or increase such encumbrance or restriction in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to us or any Restricted Subsidiary, or the properties or assets of us or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than the Restricted Subsidiary, or the property or assets of the Restricted Subsidiary, so acquired; provided that, in the case of instruments or agreements governing Acquired Debt, such Acquired Debt would be permitted by the terms of the 9 1/8% Indenture to be incurred upon consummation of the acquisition;

 

(5) any instrument or agreement of a Restricted Subsidiary that has been designated as a Permitted Investment made under clause (8) or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to us or any Restricted Subsidiary, or the properties or assets of us or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than the Restricted Subsidiary, or the property or assets of the Restricted Subsidiary, so designated;

 

(6) non-assignment and sub-letting provisions in leases, licenses and other agreements that are customary for such agreements and are entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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

 

(8) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary or assets of us or a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary or transfers of such assets pending such sale or other disposition;

 

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

 

(10) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of the covenant described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Liens” that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

 

(11) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements that have been approved by our Board of Directors; and

 

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

 

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

 

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

 

(1) either: (a) we are the surviving corporation; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than us) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

 

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(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than us) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all of our obligations under the 9 1/8% Notes, the 9 1/8% Indenture and the registration rights agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;

 

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

 

(4) we or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than us), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.”

 

In addition, we may not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of our properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. This “Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” covenant will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among us and any of our Restricted Subsidiaries that are Guarantors, or to a merger between us and any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor.

 

Transactions with Affiliates

 

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

 

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

 

(2) we deliver to the trustee:

 

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

 

(b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $15.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to us of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.

 

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

 

(1) any employment or consulting agreement entered into by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of us or such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2) transactions between or among us and/or our Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(3) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is an Affiliate of us solely because we own, directly or through a Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

 

(4) payment of reasonable fees and compensation to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, directors and officers of us or of any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(5) sales of our Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to our Affiliates; and

 

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(6) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Restricted Payments” other than Restricted Payments that are permitted by reason of clause (4) of the second paragraph of such covenant.

 

Business Activities

 

We will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business activities other than in a Permitted Business.

 

Additional Subsidiary Guarantees

 

If, after the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture, Central or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

 

(1) acquires or creates a Domestic Subsidiary that at any time has total assets of more than $1,000,000 as reflected on such Domestic Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet as of the date of determination or Consolidated Cash Flow for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of determination of more than $500,000;

 

(2) has a Foreign Subsidiary that guarantees any Indebtedness of Central or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (except Foreign Subsidiaries) other than the 9 1/8% Notes; or

 

(3) has a Domestic Subsidiary, including any Domestic Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors on the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture due to the fact that such Domestic Subsidiary does not meet either of the thresholds set forth in clause (1) above, that at any time exceeds either of the thresholds set forth in clause (1) above,

 

then that Foreign Subsidiary or Domestic Subsidiary will become a Guarantor and execute a Subsidiary Guarantee and deliver an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the trustee regarding the authorization and enforceability of such Subsidiary Guarantee within 30 days of the date on which it was acquired, created or otherwise becomes subject to this covenant; provided that any Restricted Subsidiary designated as a Permitted Investment made under clause (8) or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture will not be required to become a Guarantor unless it guarantees other Indebtedness of Central or a Restricted Subsidiary of ours (other than a Foreign Subsidiary guaranteeing the Indebtedness of another Foreign Subsidiary).

 

Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Certain Permitted Investments

 

Our Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary or to be a Permitted Investment made under clause (8) or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments,” if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary to be designated will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Restricted Payments” or, if applicable, the amount available for Permitted Investments under clause (8) or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments,” as determined by us. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as a Permitted Investment under clause (8) and/or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments,” the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary to be designated will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available under clause (8) and/or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments.” Such designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted by clause (8) or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” at that time. Any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as a Permitted Investment made under clause (8) or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” will be evidenced to the trustee by filing with the trustee a certified copy of the board resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation was permitted by this covenant. Upon a Restricted

 

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Subsidiary’s designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a Permitted Investment in accordance with this covenant, it will cease to be a Guarantor and its Subsidiary Guarantee will be released. Our Board of Directors may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the redesignation would not cause a Default. Upon any such redesignation or other designation as a Restricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary (unless designated as a Permitted Investment made under clause (8) or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”) will become a Guarantor and execute a Subsidiary Guarantee as and to the extent required under “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.” Fair market value for purposes of this covenant will be determined by our Board of Directors as specified in the last paragraph of the covenant described under “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Restricted Payments.”

 

Payments for Consent

 

We will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of 9 1/8% Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture or the 9 1/8% Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the 9 1/8% Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

Reports

 

Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any 9 1/8% Notes are outstanding, we will furnish to the Holders of 9 1/8% Notes, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations (together with any extensions granted by the Commission):

 

(1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if we were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by our certified independent accountants; and

 

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

 

If we have designated any of our Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of our Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

In addition, following the consummation of the exchange offer contemplated by the registration rights agreement, whether or not required by the Commission, we will file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission for public availability (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations (together with any extensions granted by the Commission) and make such information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon request. In addition, Central and the Guarantors have agreed that, for so long as any 9 1/8% Notes (other than Exchange Notes) remain outstanding, they will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

Events of Default and Remedies

 

Each of the following is an Event of Default:

 

(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the 9 1/8% Notes, whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture;

 

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(2) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the 9 1/8% Notes, whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture;

 

(3) failure by Central or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described under the captions “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control,” “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales,” or “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets;”

 

(4) failure by Central or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described under the captions “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments” or “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” and such failure continues for 30 days;

 

(5) failure by Central or any of its Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice by the trustee or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding 9 1/8% Notes to comply with any of the other agreements in the 9 1/8% Indenture;

 

(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture, if that default:

 

(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or

 

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

 

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more;

 

(7) failure by Central or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $15.0 million (to the extent not insured), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed by court order or by agreement of the parties for a period of 60 days;

 

(8) except as permitted by the 9 1/8% Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; and

 

(9) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in the 9 1/8% Indenture with respect to us, any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary.

 

In the case of an Event of Default arising from an event of bankruptcy or insolvency described in clause (9) above, all outstanding 9 1/8% Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding 9 1/8% Notes may declare all the 9 1/8% Notes to be due and payable immediately.

 

Holders of the 9 1/8% Notes may not enforce the 9 1/8% Indenture or the 9 1/8% Notes except as provided in the 9 1/8% Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding 9 1/8% Notes may direct the trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The trustee may withhold from Holders of the 9 1/8% Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if it determines that withholding 9 1/8% Notes is in their interest, except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal (including redemption or purchase price) or interest or Liquidated Damages.

 

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The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the 9 1/8% Notes then outstanding by notice to the trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the 9 1/8% Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the 9 1/8% Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or Liquidated Damages on, or the principal (including redemption or purchase price) of, the 9 1/8% Notes.

 

In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of us with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that we would have had to pay if we then had elected to redeem the 9 1/8% Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture, an equivalent premium will also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the 9 1/8% Notes. If an Event of Default occurs prior to February 1, 2008, by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of us with the intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the 9 1/8% Notes prior to February 1, 2008, then the premium specified in the 9 1/8% Indenture will also become immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the 9 1/8% Notes.

 

At any time after a declaration of acceleration under the 9 1/8% Indenture, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 9 1/8% Notes, by written notice to us and the trustee, may rescind such declaration and its consequences if: (i) we have paid or deposited with the trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all overdue interest on all 9 1/8% Notes, (B) all unpaid principal of (and premium, if any, on) any outstanding 9 1/8% Notes that has become due, other than by such declaration of acceleration, and interest thereon at the rate borne by the 9 1/8% Notes, (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest and overdue principal at the rate borne by the 9 1/8% Notes, and (D) all sums paid or advanced by the trustee under the 9 1/8% Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the trustee, its agents and counsel; and (ii) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of amounts of principal of (or premium, if any, on), or interest on, the 9 1/8% Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived. No such rescission will affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

We are required to deliver to the trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the 9 1/8% Indenture. Upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, we are required to deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

 

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of us or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of us or the Guarantors under the 9 1/8% Notes, the 9 1/8% Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of 9 1/8% Notes by accepting a 9 1/8% Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the 9 1/8% Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

 

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

 

We may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding 9 1/8% Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors discharged with respect to their Subsidiary Guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”) except for:

 

(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding 9 1/8% Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on such 9 1/8% Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;

 

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(2) our obligations with respect to the 9 1/8% Notes concerning issuing temporary 9 1/8% Notes, registration of 9 1/8% Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen 9 1/8% Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

 

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

 

(4) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture.

 

In addition, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of us and the Guarantors released with respect to certain covenants (including our obligation to make Change of Control Offers and Asset Sale Offers) that are described in the 9 1/8% Indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to the 9 1/8% Notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Events of Default and Remedies” will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the 9 1/8% Notes.

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

 

(1) we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the 9 1/8% Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the outstanding 9 1/8% Notes on the stated maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and we must specify whether the 9 1/8% Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

 

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding 9 1/8% Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding 9 1/8% Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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

 

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than the 9 1/8% Indenture) to which we or any of our Subsidiaries is a party or by which we or any of our Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(6) we must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by us with the intent of preferring the Holders of 9 1/8% Notes over the other creditors of us with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding our creditors or others; and

 

(7) we must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

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Amendment, Supplement and Waiver

 

Except as provided in the next three succeeding paragraphs, the 9 1/8% Indenture and the 9 1/8% Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the 9 1/8% Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, 9 1/8% Notes), and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the 9 1/8% Indenture or the 9 1/8% Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding 9 1/8% Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, 9 1/8% Notes).

 

Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not (with respect to any 9 1/8% Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

 

(1) reduce the principal amount of 9 1/8% Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any 9 1/8% Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the 9 1/8% Notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Repurchase at the Option of Holders”);

 

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any 9 1/8% Note;

 

(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal (including redemption or purchase price) of, or interest or premium, or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the 9 1/8% Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the 9 1/8% Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the 9 1/8% Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(5) make any 9 1/8% Note payable in money other than that stated in the 9 1/8% Notes;

 

(6) make any change in the provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of 9 1/8% Notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the 9 1/8% Notes;

 

(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any 9 1/8% Note (other than a payment required by one of the covenants described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Repurchase at the Option of Holders”);

 

(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the 9 1/8% Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of the 9 1/8% Indenture; or

 

(9) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

 

In addition, any amendment to, or waiver of, the provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture relating to subordination that adversely affects the rights of the Holders of the 9 1/8% Notes will require the consent of the Holders of at least 75% in aggregate principal amount of 9 1/8% Notes then outstanding.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any Holder of 9 1/8% Notes, Central, the Guarantors and the trustee may amend or supplement the 9 1/8% Indenture or the 9 1/8% Notes:

 

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

 

(2) to provide for uncertificated 9 1/8% Notes in addition to or in place of certificated 9 1/8% Notes;

 

(3) to provide for the assumption of our obligations to Holders of 9 1/8% Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

(4) to provide for additional Subsidiary Guarantees or to limit or eliminate our ability to obtain the release of a Guarantor or a Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

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(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of 9 1/8% Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the 9 1/8% Indenture of any such Holder; or

 

(6) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the 9 1/8% Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Satisfaction and Discharge

 

The 9 1/8% Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all 9 1/8% Notes issued thereunder, when:

 

(1) either:

 

(a) all 9 1/8% Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed 9 1/8% Notes that have been replaced or paid and 9 1/8% Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us, have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or

 

(b) all 9 1/8% Notes that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and Central or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the 9 1/8% Notes not delivered to the trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

 

(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which we or any Guarantor is a party or by which we or any Guarantor is bound;

 

(3) Central or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the 9 1/8% Indenture; and

 

(4) we have delivered irrevocable instructions to the trustee under the 9 1/8% Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the 9 1/8% Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

 

In addition, we must deliver an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

 

Concerning the Trustee

 

If the trustee becomes a creditor of Central or any Guarantor, the 9 1/8% Indenture limits its right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding 9 1/8% Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The 9 1/8% Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man 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 9 1/8% Indenture at the request of any Holder of 9 1/8% Notes, unless such Holder has offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

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Certain Definitions

 

Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the 9 1/8% Indenture. Reference is made to the 9 1/8% Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

 

“Asset Sale” means:

 

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights, other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; provided that the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of us and our Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” and/or the provisions described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale covenant; and

 

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests by any of our Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of our Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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

 

(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a fair market value of less than $2.0 million;

 

(2) a transfer of assets between or among us and our Restricted Subsidiaries,

 

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

 

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

 

(5) the sale or other disposition, without the sale or other disposition of other types of assets as part of the same transaction, of cash or Cash Equivalents or Government Securities; and

 

(6) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.”

 

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all

 

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securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

“Board of Directors” means:

 

(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation;

 

(2) with respect to a partnership or limited liability company, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership or managing member of the limited liability company; and

 

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

 

“Borrowing Base” means, as of any date, an amount equal to:

 

(1) 85% of the face amount of all accounts receivable owned by us and our Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding such date that were not more than 90 days past due; plus

 

(2) 50% of the book value of all inventory owned by us and our Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding such date.

 

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

 

“Capital Stock” means:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“Cash Equivalents” means:

 

(1) United States dollars;

 

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

 

(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;

 

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

 

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

 

(6) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.

 

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

 

(1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than a Permitted Holder;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(1) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(5) if applicable to such calculation, “other charges and unusual items” for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2002 or any fiscal quarter or quarters thereof, set forth in note (3) under the caption “Selected Historical Financial Data,” in our Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-103835), as amended, to the extent that such “other charges and unusual items” were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income;

 

minus non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than any items that represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period or the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business, in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits, depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses, and net adjustment to Consolidated Cash Flow of a Restricted

 

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Subsidiary of Central will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow of Central only to the extent that a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to us by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.

 

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

 

(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

 

(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders; and

 

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

 

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

 

(1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture; or

 

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

 

“Convertible Subordinated Notes” means the 6% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2003 of Central that were redeemed on February 14, 2003.

 

“Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2003, as amended to date, by and among Central and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as administrative agent for the financial institutions listed therein as Lenders, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments, and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case, as amended, restated, modified, refunded, replaced, or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

 

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

 

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

 

“Designated Senior Debt” means:

 

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

 

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(2) after payment in full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement, or upon the consent of the lenders thereunder, any other Senior Debt permitted under the 9 1/8% Indenture the outstanding principal amount of which is or may be $15.0 million or more and that has been designated by us as “Designated Senior Debt.”

 

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the 9 1/8% Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require us to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that we may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.”

 

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

 

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

 

“Equity Market Value” means with respect to Equity Interests of Central:

 

(1) if the Equity Interests are registered under the Exchange Act and listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market, the closing price of the Equity Interests on the date of determination (or if the date of determination is not a business day, the first business day after the date of determination) on the principal national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Equity Interests are traded; or

 

(2) if clause (1) is not applicable because such Equity Interests are not so registered and listed or if there is no trading in the Equity Interests on the applicable day, the fair market value as determined by our Board of Directors which shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an officers’ certificate delivered to the trustee and shall be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the fair market value exceeds $5.0 million.

 

“Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of us and our Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities) in existence on the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25.0 million, until such amounts are repaid.

 

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

 

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

 

(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and including any related financing transactions, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period will be calculated on a pro forma basis in accordance with clause (2) below, but without giving effect to clause (3) of the proviso set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income;

 

(2) any pro forma calculation under clause (1) shall be set forth in an officers’ certificate of Central delivered to the trustee, which calculation may include (a) any adjustments that would satisfy the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and (b) any other operating expense reductions we reasonably expects to result from the acquisition transaction, if such expected reductions are (i) set forth in reasonable detail in a plan approved by or resolutions of the Board of Directors, and (ii) limited to operating expenses specified in such plan or resolutions (and, if any such reductions are set forth as a range, the lowest amount of such range) that would otherwise have resulted in the payment of cash within twelve months after the date of consummation of such transaction, net of any operating expenses (other than extraordinary items, non-recurring or temporary charges and other similar one-time expenses associated with such transaction) reasonably expected to be incurred to implement such plan or to obtain goods or services (including without limitation personnel, occupancy and transportation expenses) in replacement of goods and services that are being curtailed or eliminated to effect such expected reductions and that are to be paid in cash during such twelve-month period.

 

(3) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded; and

 

(4) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date.

 

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

 

(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus

 

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

 

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

 

(4) the product of (a) all dividends paid or accrued during such period, whether or not in cash, on any Disqualified Stock of such Person or any preferred stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Central or to us or a Restricted Subsidiary of ours, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined marginal federal, state and local income tax rate of such Person (taking into account the deductibility of state and local taxes for federal income tax purposes), expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“Guarantors” means each of:

 

(1) Four Paws Products Ltd., Grant Laboratories, Inc., Kaytee Products, Incorporated, Matthews Redwood & Nursery Supply, Inc., Pennington Seed, Inc., Phaeton Corporation (dba Unicorn Labs), Seeds West, Inc., All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc., Oceanic Systems, Inc., T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Wellmark International, Norcal Pottery Products, Inc., Pennington Seed Inc. of Nebraska, Gro Tec, Inc., New England Pottery, LLC and CGP Acquisition I, LLC; and

 

(2) any other Subsidiary that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture;

 

which Subsidiary Guarantee has not been released, and their respective successors and assigns.

 

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

 

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

 

(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates.

 

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

 

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

 

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

 

(3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;

 

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;

 

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

 

(6) representing any Hedging Obligations,

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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(3) the lesser of the Indebtedness and the fair market value of the collateral asset, in the case of any Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person; and

 

(4) the lesser of the primary Indebtedness and any stated limit on recourse under the Guarantee, in the case of Indebtedness of others secured by a Guarantee of the specified Person.

 

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to directors, officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If we or any Subsidiary of ours sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of ours such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of ours, we will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of our Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.” The acquisition by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by us or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments,” if the acquired Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such acquisition and such third Person does not become a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such acquisition.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in any asset.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service and any successor thereto.

 

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

 

(1) any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(2) any extraordinary gain (but not loss other than any loss incurred in connection with the redemption of the Convertible Subordinated Notes), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but not any such loss);

 

(3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles; and

 

(4) any non-cash impairment loss determined in accordance with GAAP related to the carrying value of goodwill of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in our consolidated financial statements.

 

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of (a) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and financial advisory and investment banking or finders’ fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation, severance or separation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, and costs of environmental investigation and remediation associated with the properties or assets conducted

 

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in connection with the Asset Sale, (b) taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, (c) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other than Senior Debt secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale, and amounts required to be expended from any reserve established in accordance with GAAP in connection with such Asset Sale, including for pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale, and (d) amounts required to be paid to any Person (other than us or any Restricted Subsidiary) owning a beneficial interest in the assets that are subject to the Asset Sale.

 

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

 

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

 

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

 

(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Equity Interests in an Unrestricted Subsidiary).

 

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

 

“Permitted Business” means any business in which Central and its Restricted Subsidiaries were engaged on the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture, any other business in the garden products industry or the pet products industry, and any business determined in good faith by our Board of Directors to be reasonably related or complementary thereto.

 

“Permitted Holder” means (i) William E. Brown, (ii) the spouse or lineal descendants of William E. Brown or (iii) any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity, the controlling equity interests in which are held by or for the benefit of William E. Brown and/or his spouse or lineal descendants.

 

“Permitted Investments” means:

 

(1) any Investment in us or in a Restricted Subsidiary of ours that (except for Foreign Subsidiaries) is a Guarantor;

 

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

 

(3) any Investment by us or any Subsidiary of ours in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

 

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of ours; or

 

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

 

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales”;

 

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

 

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(6) any Investments received in compromise of obligations or liabilities, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of the obligor or the Person subject to the liability so compromised or upon foreclosure on any secured Investment;

 

(7) Hedging Obligations;

 

(8) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (8) since the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture not to exceed in original amount at any time outstanding 10% of the book value of our tangible assets as of the end of our most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of any such Investment;

 

(9) only in the event that amounts available for Permitted Investments under the preceding clause (8) have been fully utilized and in addition to any amounts utilized under such clause, other Investments having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (9) since the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture not to exceed in original amount at any time outstanding 10% of the book value of our tangible assets as of the end of our most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Investment if:

 

(a) after giving pro forma effect to such Investment as if it were made at the beginning of our most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for such period would have been at least 3.0 to 1, excluding from such calculation (i) in the case of an Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary or other entity, the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to such Investment for such period, and (ii) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary that is being designated as a Permitted Investment pursuant to this clause (9) in accordance with the covenant entitled “Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Certain Permitted Investments,” the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to such Restricted Subsidiary for such period, in each case as reasonably determined by our Board of Directors;

 

(b) the rating of the 9 1/8% Notes by each of Moody’s and S&P at the time such Investment is made is equal to or higher than the respective rating of the 9 1/8% Notes by each such rating agency on the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture;

 

(c) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

 

(d) in respect of each Investment made or deemed made pursuant to this clause (9) in excess of $2.0 million, we shall provide notice to the trustee of such Investment by filing with the trustee a certified copy of the board resolution giving effect to such Investment and an officers’ certificate certifying that such Investment complied with the preceding conditions; and

 

(10) any Guarantee permitted to be incurred under the covenant described under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” or any payment pursuant to any such Guarantee.

 

“Permitted Junior Securities” means:

 

(1) Equity Interests in us or any Guarantor or any successor to either of the foregoing; or

 

(2) debt securities that are subordinated to all Senior Debt and any debt securities issued in exchange for Senior Debt to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the 9 1/8% Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees are subordinated to Senior Debt under the 9 1/8% Indenture.

 

“Permitted Liens” means:

 

(1) Liens on assets of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries securing Senior Debt that was permitted by the terms of the 9 1/8% Indenture to be incurred;

 

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(2) Liens in favor of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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

 

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

 

(5) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and surety or performance bonds issued in the ordinary course of business;

 

(6) Liens existing on the date of the 9 1/8% Indenture;

 

(7) Liens on Equity Interests in Unrestricted Subsidiaries that secure Non-Recourse Debt; and

 

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

 

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

 

(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith, including consent fees);

 

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

 

(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the 9 1/8% Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of the 9 1/8% Notes, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the 9 1/8% Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of 9 1/8% Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and

 

(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by us, by the Restricted Subsidiary that is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded or by any intermediate Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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

 

“Public Equity Offering” means an offer and sale of our Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act (other than a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of ours).

 

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

 

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

 

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“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group and any successor thereto.

 

“Senior Debt” means:

 

(1) all Indebtedness of us or any Guarantor outstanding under the Credit Facilities and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto;

 

(2) any other Indebtedness of us or any Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of the 9 1/8% Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated to any Senior Debt or on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the 9 1/8% Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(2) any intercompany Indebtedness of us or any of our Subsidiaries to us or any of our Affiliates;

 

(3) any trade payables;

 

(4) the portion of any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of the 9 1/8% Indenture; or

 

(5) Indebtedness which, when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of Title 11, United States Code, is without recourse to us or any Guarantor.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(3) is a Person with respect to which neither we nor any of our Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results;

 

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(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

(5) has at least one director on its Board of Directors that is not a director or executive officer of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries and has at least one executive officer that is not a director or executive officer of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Any designation of a Subsidiary of us as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the trustee by filing with the trustee a certified copy of the board resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by the covenant described above under the “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.” If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the 9 1/8% Indenture and (i) will be deemed to be redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of us as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under the covenant described under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” we will be in default of such covenant. Our Board of Directors may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of ours of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described under the caption “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation. Upon any such designation as a Restricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary (unless it is a Restricted Subsidiary designated as a Permitted Investment made under clause (8) or (9) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 9 1/8% Indenture) will become a Guarantor and execute a Subsidiary Guarantee as and to the extent required under “—9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013—Certain Covenants—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.”

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Legal Ownership of Securities

 

Holders of Securities

 

Book-Entry Holders. We will issue debt securities in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. If securities are issued in book-entry form, this means the securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as

 

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depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

 

We will only recognize the person in whose name a security is registered as the holder of that security. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities and all payments on the securities will be made to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

 

As a result, investors in securities issued in book-entry form will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the securities.

 

Street Name Holders. In the future, we may terminate a global security or issue securities initially in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

 

For securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities and all payments on those securities will be made to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.

 

Legal Holders. We, and any third parties employed by us or acting on your behalf, such as trustees, depositories and transfer agents, are obligated only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

 

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the legal holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that legal holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose (for example, to amend an indenture or to relieve ourselves of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of the indenture), we would seek the approval only from the legal holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the legal holders contact the indirect holders is up to the legal holders.

 

When we refer to you, we mean those who invest in the securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the legal holders or only indirect holders of those securities. When we refer to your securities, we mean the securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.

 

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders. If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

 

  how it handles securities payments and notices;

 

  whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

  how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;

 

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  whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a legal holder, if that is permitted in the future;

 

  how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

 

  if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

 

Global Securities

 

A global security represents one or any other number of individual securities. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms. We may, however, issue a global security that represents multiple securities that have different terms and are issued at different times. We call this kind of global security a master global security.

 

Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution that we select or its nominee. The financial institution that is selected for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as the DTC, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

 

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise or as otherwise described in the prospectus supplement. We describe those situations below under “—Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

 

Special Considerations for Global Securities. As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize this type of investor as a holder of securities and instead will deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

 

If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

 

  An investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name and cannot obtain physical certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below.

 

  An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe under “—Legal Ownership of Securities—Holders of Securities” above.

 

  An investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form.

 

  An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective.

 

  The depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security. Neither we nor any third parties employed by us or acting on your behalf, such as trustees and transfer agents, have any responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. Central and the trustee do not supervise the depositary in any way.

 

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  The DTC requires that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well.

 

  Financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the security. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

 

Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated. In a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated and interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-global form representing the securities it represented. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above under “—Legal Ownership of Securities—Holders of Securities.”

 

The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:

 

  if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within a specified time period;

 

  if we elect to terminate that global security; or

 

  if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and it has not been cured or waived.

 

The prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply to a particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those securities.

 

Governing Law

 

The 9 1/8% Indenture, the 9 1/8% Notes and the guarantees of the 9 1/8% Notes are, and the indentures for the senior and subordinated debt securities and the senior and subordinated debt securities will be, governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized capital stock consists of 80,000,000 shares of common stock, 3,000,000 shares of Class B stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. At December 31, 2004, there were 19,036,470 shares of common stock, 1,654,462 shares of Class B stock, and 100 shares of Series B preferred stock issued and outstanding. As of December 31, 2004, there were 168 holders of record of our common stock, seven holders of record of our Class B stock and two holders of our Series B preferred stock. No other shares of preferred stock or options to purchase preferred stock are currently outstanding.

 

The following description of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by the description of our capital stock contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Reference is made to such exhibit for a detailed description of the provisions thereof summarized below.

 

Common Stock and Class B Stock

 

Voting, Dividend and Other Rights. The voting powers, preferences and relative rights of the common stock and the Class B stock are identical in all respects, except that (i) the holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share and the holders of Class B stock are entitled to the lesser of ten votes per share or 49% of the total votes cast, (ii) stock dividends on common stock may be paid only in shares of common stock and stock dividends on Class B stock may be paid only in shares of Class B stock and (iii) shares of Class B stock have certain conversion rights and are subject to certain restrictions on ownership and transfer described below under “Conversion Rights and Restrictions on Transfer of Class B Stock.” Except as described above, issuances of additional shares of Class B stock and modifications of the terms of the Class B stock require the approval of a majority of the holders of the common stock and Class B stock, voting as separate classes. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation cannot be modified, revised or amended without the affirmative vote of the majority of outstanding shares of common stock and Class B stock, voting separately as a class. Except as described above or as required by law, holders of common stock and Class B stock vote together on all matters presented to the stockholders for their vote or approval, including the election of directors. The stockholders are not entitled to vote cumulatively for the election of directors.

 

Each share of common stock and Class B stock is entitled to receive dividends if, as and when declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. The common stock and Class B stock share equally, on a share-for-share basis, in any cash dividends declared by our board of directors.

 

Stockholders have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for additional shares. Subject to any rights of holders of any preferred stock, all holders of common stock and Class B stock, regardless of class, are entitled to share equally on a share-for-share basis in any assets available for distribution to stockholders on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company. No common stock or Class B stock is subject to redemption or a sinking fund.

 

Conversion Rights and Restrictions on Transfer of Class B Stock. The common stock has no conversion rights. However, at the option of the holder, each share of Class B stock is convertible at any time and from time to time into one share of common stock. If at any time the holders of a majority of outstanding shares of Class B stock vote to convert the outstanding shares of Class B stock to common stock, then all outstanding shares of Class B stock shall be deemed automatically converted into shares of common stock.

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any holder of shares of Class B stock desiring to transfer such shares to a person other than a Permitted Transferee (as defined below) must present such shares to us for conversion into an equal number of shares of common stock upon such transfer. Thereafter, such shares of common stock may be freely transferred to persons other than Permitted Transferees, subject to applicable securities law.

 

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Shares of Class B stock may not be transferred except generally to family members, certain trusts, heirs and devisees (collectively, “Permitted Transferees”). Upon any sale or transfer of ownership or voting rights to a transferee other than a Permitted Transferee or to the extent an entity no longer remains a Permitted Transferee, such shares of Class B stock will automatically convert into equal number of shares of common stock. Accordingly, no trading market is expected to develop in the Class B stock and the Class B stock will not be listed or traded on any exchange or in any market.

 

Effects of Disproportionate Voting Rights. The disproportionate voting rights of the common stock and Class B stock could have an adverse effect on the market price of the common stock. Such disproportionate voting rights may make us a less attractive target for a takeover than it otherwise might be, or render more difficult or discourage a merger proposal, a tender offer or a proxy contest, even if such actions were favored by our stockholders other than the holders of the Class B stock. Accordingly, such disproportionate voting rights may deprive holders of common stock of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices, since takeover bids frequently involve purchases of stock directly from shareholders at such a premium price.

 

The common stock issued by this prospectus will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “CENT.” The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Mellon Investor Services, 235 Montgomery Street, 23rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. Their phone number is (800) 356-2017.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we may issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. We currently have 100 shares of our Series B preferred stock outstanding. No other shares of preferred stock or options to purchase preferred stock are currently outstanding.

 

The Series B preferred stock is entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors, subject to the prior rights of holders of all classes of stock at the time outstanding having prior rights as to dividends. The Series B preferred stock is convertible into approximately 86,406 shares of our common stock anytime after February 26, 2005. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to a liquidation preference equal to the greater of (i) $30,000 per share plus all declared but unpaid dividends on the Series B preferred stock or (ii) such amount per share as would have been payable with respect to such shares of Series B preferred stock had each share of the then outstanding Series B preferred stock been converted to common stock immediately prior to such event whether or not the Series B preferred stock is then so convertible. Except as otherwise required by law, the holders of Series B preferred stock shall not be entitled to vote. The Series B preferred stock is redeemable at the option of the holder starting on February 26, 2005 for a period extending until February 26, 2009 at a price equal to $30,000 per share. The Series B preferred stock is not redeemable at our option.

 

Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue up to the maximum authorized number of shares of preferred stock in one or more series. The board of directors also has the authority to designate the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of each such series, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series. The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of each series will be fixed by the certificate of designation relating to that series. Any or all of the rights of the preferred stock may be greater than the rights of the common stock.

 

The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company without further action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights may also adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock. In certain circumstances, an issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common stock.

 

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Whenever preferred stock is to be sold pursuant to this prospectus, we will file a prospectus supplement relating to that sale which will specify:

 

  the number of shares in the series of preferred stock;

 

  the designation for the series of preferred stock by number, letter or title that shall distinguish the series from any other series of preferred stock;

 

  the dividend rate, if any, and whether dividends on that series of preferred stock will be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative;

 

  the voting rights of that series of preferred stock, if any;

 

  any conversion provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock;

 

  any redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock;

 

  the liquidation preference per share of that series of preferred stock, if any; and

 

  the terms of any other preferences or rights, if any, applicable to that series of preferred stock.

 

Certain Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock

 

We have shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, facilitate corporate acquisitions or payable as a dividend on the capital stock.

 

The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, thereby protecting the continuity of our management. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.

 

Delaware Law and Certain Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

Provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make the acquisition of our company and the removal of incumbent officers and directors more difficult. These provisions are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of our company to negotiate with us first. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure our company outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals because, among other things, negotiation of such proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

 

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware general corporation law. In general, the statute prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date that the person became an interested stockholder unless, subject to certain exceptions, the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior, did own 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company without further action by the stockholders.

 

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Our bylaws provide that stockholder action can be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by written consent. Our bylaws also provide that special meetings of stockholders can be called by the board of directors, the chairman of the board, if any, the president or at the request of stockholders holding not less than 10% of the total voting power. The business permitted to be conducted at any special meeting of stockholders is limited to the purposes stated in the notice of such meeting. Our bylaws set forth an advance notice procedure with regard to the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the board of directors, of candidates for election as directors and with regard to business to be brought before a meeting of stockholders.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS

 

We may issue warrants, including warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any securities and may be attached to or separate from the securities. The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a warrant agent as detailed in the prospectus supplement relating to warrants being offered. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. A copy of the warrant agreement will be filed with the SEC in connection with any offering of warrants.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

  the title of the warrants;

 

  the aggregate number of the warrants;

 

  the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

  the currencies in which the price or prices of the warrants may be payable;

 

  the designation, amount, and terms of the offered securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

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

 

  if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the offered securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;

 

  the price or prices at which and currency or currencies in which the offered securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

 

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

 

  the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

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

 

  a discussion of any federal income tax considerations; and

 

  any other material terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities:

 

  through underwriters or dealers;

 

  through agents; or

 

  directly to purchasers.

 

We will describe in a prospectus supplement, the particular terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

 

  the names of any underwriters;

 

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

 

  any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

  any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;

 

  any securities exchanges on which the securities of the series may be listed; and

 

  any other information we think is important.

 

If we use underwriters in the sale, such underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.

 

The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

 

We may sell offered securities through agents designated by us. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to that agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless indicated in the prospectus supplement, the agents have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment.

 

We also may sell offered securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.

 

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the offered securities by them may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters or agents, and describe their compensation, in a prospectus supplement.

 

Certain of any such underwriters and agents, including their associates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services for us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. One or more of our affiliates may from time to time act as an agent or underwriter in connection with the sale of the securities to the extent permitted by applicable law. The participation of any such affiliate in the offer and sale of the securities will comply with Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. regarding the offer and sale of securities of an affiliate.

 

We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the

 

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underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.

 

We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts. These contracts will provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The conditions to these contracts and the commissions payable for solicitation of such contracts will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters or agents, as the case may be, involved in the offering of such securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of such securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in such securities for their own account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of such securities or any such other securities, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may bid for, and purchase, such securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of such securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allotted to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing such securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transaction or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters or agents, as the case may be, are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

 

Other than the common stock, the securities issued hereunder may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom such securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any such securities.

 

VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES

 

The validity of the securities issued hereunder will be passed upon for us by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, San Francisco, California.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Central’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 25, 2004 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to a change in accounting principle), and 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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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can also inspect, read, and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the public reference facilities the SEC maintains at:

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission

Public Reference Room

450 Fifth Street, N.W.

Room 1024

Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

You can also obtain copies of these materials from the public reference facilities of the SEC at prescribed rates. You can obtain information on the operation of the public reference facilities by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings are also available over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. In addition, our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market and similar information concerning us can be inspected and copied at the offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 9513 Key West Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850.

 

You may also obtain information about us at our Internet website at http://www.centralgardenandpet.com. However, the information on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

CERTAIN DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

In this document, we “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to that information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede this information. Notwithstanding this statement, however, you may rely on information that has been filed at the time you made your investment decision. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

 

  Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2004;

 

  Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed October 28, 2004, November 11, 2004, and December 15, 2004; and

 

  The description of our capital stock in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-20242) filed March 31, 1993, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, attached as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form S-4/A (File No. 333-46437), filed March 18, 1998.

 

We also incorporate by reference all future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 on or (1) after the date of the filing of the registration statement containing this prospectus and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement and (2) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of any offering made hereby.

 

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

 

Central Garden &Pet Company

1340 Treat Blvd.

Walnut Creek, CA 94597

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: 1-925-948-4000

 

You should rely only on the information provided in this document or incorporated in this document by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this document, including any information incorporated herein by reference, is accurate as of any date other than that on the front of the document. Any statement incorporated herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

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PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the offerings described in this registration statement. All of the amounts shown are estimates except the registration fee.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 35,310  

Rating agency fees

     150,000 *

Legal fees and expenses

     125,000 *

Accounting fees and expenses

     40,000 *

Financial printers fees and expenses

     30,000 *

Trustee fees and expenses

     20,000 *

Transfer agent fees and expenses

     5,000 *

Miscellaneous expenses

     44,690 *
    


Total

   $ 450,000 *
    



* Estimated

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation—a “derivative action”), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation’s bylaws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.

 

Under the terms of our Bylaws and subject to the applicable provisions of Delaware law, we have indemnified each of our directors and officers and, subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors, any other person, against expenses incurred or paid in connection with any claim made against such director or officer or any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding in which such director or officer may be involved by reason of being or having been a director or officer of us, or of serving or having served at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action taken or not taken by such director or officer in such capacity, and against the amount or amounts paid by such director or officer in settlement of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding or any judgment or order entered therein.

 

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a provision in the certificate of incorporation of each corporation organized thereunder, such as the Company, eliminating or limiting, with certain exceptions, the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation eliminates the liability of directors to the extent permitted by the DGCL.

 

We carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that covers certain liabilities and expenses of our directors and officers.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Exhibit


1.1    Form of Equity Underwriting Agreement.*
1.2    Form of Debt Underwriting Agreement.*
4.1    Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-98544).
4.1.1    Certificate of Amendment of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-46437).
4.2    Copy of Registrant’s Bylaws (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement No. 33-48070).
4.3    Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-48070).
4.4    Form of Certificate of Designation for the preferred stock (together with preferred stock certificate).*
4.5    Form of Senior Indenture.
4.6    Form of Subordinated Indenture.
4.7    Indenture, dated January 30, 2003, between Central Garden & Pet Company, as issuer, the subsidiary guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, relating to the 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-103835).
4.8    Form of Senior Note.*
4.9    Form of Subordinated Note.*
4.10    Form of 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013 (included in Exhibit 4.7).
4.11    Form of Warrant Agreement (together with form of Warrant Certificate).*
5.1    Opinion of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.*
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 12 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 25, 2004).
23.1    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2    Consent of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).*
24.1    Powers of Attorney (included on pages II-4 through II-19).
25.1    Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of the Senior Trustee to act as Trustee under the Senior Indenture.*
25.2    Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of the Subordinated Trustee to act as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.*
25.3    Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of the Trustee to act as Trustee under the Indenture relating to the 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013.

* To be filed by amendment or Form 8-K.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

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

 

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

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange 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.

 

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

 

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

 

(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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

 

(6) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(7) 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 (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn E. Novotny

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    WILLIAM E. BROWN        


William E. Brown

  

Chairman of the Board

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    JOHN B. BALOUSEK        


John B. Balousek

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    DAVID N. CHICHESTER        


David N. Chichester

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    ALFRED A. PIERGALLINI        


Alfred A. Piergallini

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    BROOKS M. PENNINGTON, III


Brooks M. Pennington, III

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    BRUCE A. WESTPHAL        


Bruce A. Westphal

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

FOUR PAWS PRODUCTS LTD.

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn W. Novotny

Chairman of the Board

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    ALLEN J. SIMON        


Allen J. Simon

  

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    JOHN A. NEGOVETICH        


John A. Negovetich

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

GRANT LABORATORIES, INC.

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn W. Novotny

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    NEIL PINCUS        


Neil Pincus

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

KAYTEE PRODUCTS, INCORPORATED

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn W. Novotny

Chairman of the Board

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    RICHARD W. BEST, JR.        


Richard W. Best, Jr.

  

President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STACY GEDMAN        


Stacy Gedman

  

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    JAMES HEIM        


James Heim

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

MATTHEWS REDWOOD & NURSERY
SUPPLY, INC.

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn W. Novotny

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    NEIL PINCUS        


Neil Pincus

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    PAUL BOLT        


Paul Bolt

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

PENNINGTON SEED, INC.

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn W. Novotny

Chairman of the Board

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    BROOKS M. PENNINGTON III        


Brooks M. Pennington III

  

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    WILLIAM E. BROWN        


William E. Brown

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    W. DAN PENNINGTON        


W. Dan Pennington

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

PHAETON CORPORATION

By:

 

/S/    W. DAN PENNINGTON        


W. Dan Pennington

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    W. DAN PENNINGTON        


W. Dan Pennington

  

President, Chief Executive Officer

and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GRADY GILL        


Grady Gill

  

Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

SEEDS WEST, INC.

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn W. Novotny

President

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GRADY GILL        


Grady Gill

  

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    RONALD STAPP        


Ronald Stapp

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

ALL-GLASS AQUARIUM CO., INC.

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn E. Novotny

Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    JOHN A. NEGOVETICH        


John A. Negovetich

  

Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GERALD R. RITZOW        


Gerald R. Ritzow

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    JAMES HEIM        


James Heim

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

II-12


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

OCEANIC SYSTEMS, INC.

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn E. Novotny

Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    JOHN A. NEGOVETICH        


John A. Negovetich

  

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GERALD R. RITZOW        


Gerald R. Ritzow

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

II-13


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

T.F.H. PUBLICATIONS, INC.

By:

 

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


   

Stuart W. Booth

Senior Vice President and Secretary

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    GLEN S. AXELROD        


Glen S. Axelrod

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    PHILIP C. MCCARTHY        


Philip C. McCarthy

  

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

II-14


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

WELLMARK INTERNATIONAL

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn W. Novotny

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Vice President-Finance and Director (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    MICHAEL A. REED        


Michael A. Reed

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    KAY M. SCHWICHTENBERG        


Kay M. Schwichtenberg

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

II-15


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

NORCAL POTTERY PRODUCTS, INC.

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn W. Novotny

Chairman of the Board

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    ARTHUR L. SIMON        


Arthur L. Simon

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    NEIL PINCUS        


Neil Pincus

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

II-16


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

PENNINGTON SEED, INC. OF NEBRASKA

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn W. Novotny

President

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GRADY GILL        


Grady Gill

  

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    W. DAN PENNINGTON        


W. Dan Pennington

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

II-17


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

GRO TEC, INC.

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn W. Novotny

President

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GRADY GILL        


Grady Gill

  

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    W. DAN PENNINGTON        


W. Dan Pennington

  

Director

  January 13, 2005

 

II-18


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

NEW ENGLAND POTTERY, LLC

By:

  Central Garden & Pet Company, as its sole member and manager

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn E. Novotny

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    WILLIAM E. BROWN        


William E. Brown

  

Chairman of the Board of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of the sole member (Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the sole member (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    JOHN B. BALOUSEK        


John B. Balousek

  

Director of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

/S/    DAVID N. CHICHESTER        


David N. Chichester

  

Director of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

/S/    ALFRED A. PIERGALLINI        


Alfred A. Piergallini

  

Director of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

/S/    BROOKS M. PENNINGTON, III        


Brooks M. Pennington, III

  

Director of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

/S/    BRUCE A. WESTPHAL        


Bruce A. Westphal

  

Director of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

 

II-19


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Walnut Creek, State of California, on January 13, 2005.

 

CGP ACQUISITION I, LLC

By:

  Central Garden & Pet Company, as its sole member and manager

By:

 

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


   

Glenn E. Novotny

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, William E. Brown, Glenn W. Novotny and Stuart W. Booth, and each of them, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (a “462 Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to any such 462 Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/S/    WILLIAM E. BROWN        


William E. Brown

  

Chairman of the Board of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

/S/    GLENN W. NOVOTNY        


Glenn W. Novotny

  

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of the sole member
(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    STUART W. BOOTH        


Stuart W. Booth

  

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the sole member
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2005

/S/    JOHN B. BALOUSEK        


John B. Balousek

  

Director of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

/S/    DAVID N. CHICHESTER        


David N. Chichester

  

Director of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

/S/    ALFRED A. PIERGALLINI        


Alfred A. Piergallini

  

Director of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

/S/    BROOKS M. PENNINGTON, III        


Brooks M. Pennington, III

  

Director of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

/S/    BRUCE A. WESTPHAL        


Bruce A. Westphal

  

Director of the sole member

  January 13, 2005

 

II-20


Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Exhibit


1.1    Form of Equity Underwriting Agreement.*
1.2    Form of Debt Underwriting Agreement.*
4.1    Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-98544).
4.1.1    Certificate of Amendment of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-46437).
4.2    Copy of Registrant’s Bylaws (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement No. 33-48070).
4.3    Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-48070).
4.4    Form of Certificate of Designation for the preferred stock (together with preferred stock certificate).*
4.5    Form of Senior Indenture.
4.6    Form of Subordinated Indenture.
4.7    Indenture, dated January 30, 2003, between Central Garden & Pet Company, as issuer, the subsidiary guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, relating to the 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-103835).
4.8    Form of Senior Note.*
4.9    Form of Subordinated Note.*
4.10    Form of 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013 (included in Exhibit 4.7).
4.11    Form of Warrant Agreement (together with form of Warrant Certificate).*
5.1    Opinion of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.*
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 12 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 25, 2004).
23.1    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2    Consent of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).*
24.1    Powers of Attorney (included on pages II-4 through II-19).
25.1    Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of the Senior Trustee to act as Trustee under the Senior Indenture.*
25.2    Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of the Subordinated Trustee to act as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.*
25.3    Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of the Trustee to act as Trustee under the Indenture relating to the 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013.

* To be filed by amendment or Form 8-K.
EX-4.5 2 dex45.htm FORM OF SENIOR INDENTURE Form of Senior Indenture

EXHIBIT 4.5

 

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY,

 

as Issuer

 

and

 

[TRUSTEE],

 

as Trustee

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of             , 200  

 

Providing for the Issuance

 

of

 

Senior Debt Securities


CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture dated as of                      , 200  

 

TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION


   INDENTURE SECTION

Section 310 (a) (1)

   607

                    (a) (2)

   607

                    (b)

   608

Section 312 (c)

   701

Section 314 (a)

   703

                    (a) (4)

   1005

                    (c) (1)

   102

                    (c) (2)

   102

                    (e)

   102

Section 315 (b)

   601

Section 316 (a) (last sentence)

   101 (“Outstanding”)

                    (a) (1) (A)

   502, 512

                    (a) (1) (B)

   513

                    (b)

   508

Section 317 (a) (1)

   503

                    (a) (2)

   504

Section 318 (a)

   111

                    (c)

   111

 

NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

ARTICLE I

   DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION    1
     Section 101.         Definitions    1
     Section 102.         Compliance Certificates and Opinions    10
     Section 103.         Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee    11
     Section 104.         Acts of Holders    11
     Section 105.         Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company    13
     Section 106.         Notice to Holders; Waiver    13
     Section 107.         Effect of Headings and Table of Contents    14
     Section 108.         Successors and Assigns    14
     Section 109.         Separability Clause    14
     Section 110.         Benefits of Indenture    15
     Section 111.         Governing Law    15
     Section 112.         Legal Holidays    15
     Section 113.         Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act    15
     Section 114.         No Recourse against Others    15
     Section 115.         Waiver of Trial by Jury    16

ARTICLE II

   SECURITIES FORMS    16
     Section 201.         Forms of Securities    16
     Section 202.         Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication    16
     Section 203.         Securities Issuable in Global Form    17
     Section 204.         Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities    18

ARTICLE III

   THE SECURITIES    18
     Section 301.         Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series    18
     Section 302.         Denominations    22
     Section 303.         Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating    22
     Section 304.         Temporary Securities    25
     Section 305.         Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange    27
     Section 306.         Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities    30
     Section 307.         Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset    31
     Section 308.         Optional Extension of Maturity    34
     Section 309.         Persons Deemed Owners    35
     Section 310.         Cancellation    36
     Section 311.         Computation of Interest    36
     Section 312.         Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities    36
     Section 313.         Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent    40
     Section 314.         CUSIP Numbers    40

ARTICLE IV

   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE    40
     Section 401.         Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture    40
     Section 402.         Application of Trust Funds    42

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page

ARTICLE V

   REMEDIES    42
     Section 501.         Events of Default    42
     Section 502.         Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment    44
     Section 503.         Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee    45
     Section 504.         Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    45
     Section 505.         Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons    46
     Section 506.         Application of Money Collected    46
     Section 507.         Limitation on Suits    47
     Section 508.         Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and Additional Amounts, if Any    47
     Section 509.         Restoration of Rights and Remedies    48
     Section 510.         Rights and Remedies Cumulative    48
     Section 511.         Delay or Omission Not Waiver    48
     Section 512.         Control by Holders of Securities    48
     Section 513.         Undertaking for Costs    48
     Section 514.         Waiver of Past Defaults    49
     Section 515.         Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws    49

ARTICLE VI

   THE TRUSTEE    49
     Section 601.         Notice of Defaults    49
     Section 602.         Certain Rights of Trustee    50
     Section 603.         Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities    52
     Section 604.         May Hold Securities    52
     Section 605.         Money Held in Trust    52
     Section 606.         Compensation and Reimbursement    52
     Section 607.         Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility    53
     Section 608.         Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor    53
     Section 609.         Acceptance of Appointment by Successor    55
     Section 610.         Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business    56
     Section 611.         Appointment of Authenticating Agent    56
     Section 612.         Conflicting Interests    58
     Section 613.         Appointment of Co-Trustee    58
     Section 614.         Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company    59

ARTICLE VII

   HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY    60
     Section 701.         Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders    60
     Section 702.         Reports by Trustee    60
     Section 703.         Reports by Company    61
     Section 704.         Calculation of Original Issue Discount    61

ARTICLE VIII

   CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER    62
     Section 801.         Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms    62
     Section 802.         Successor Person Substituted    62

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page

     Section 803.         Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel    63

ARTICLE IX

   SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES    63
     Section 901.         Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders    63
     Section 902.         Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders    64
     Section 903.         Execution of Supplemental Indentures    66
     Section 904.         Effect of Supplemental Indentures    66
     Section 905.         Conformity with Trust Indenture Act    66
     Section 906.         Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures    66

ARTICLE X

   COVENANTS    67
     Section 1001.         Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest    67
     Section 1002.         Maintenance of Office or Agency    67
     Section 1003.         Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust    69
     Section 1004.         Corporate Existence    70
     Section 1005.         Additional Amounts    70
     Section 1006.         Statement as to Compliance    71
     Section 1007.         Waiver of Certain Covenants    71
     Section 1008.         Statement by Officers as to Default    71

ARTICLE XI

   REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES    72
     Section 1101.         Applicability of Article    72
     Section 1102.         Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee    72
     Section 1103.         Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed    72
     Section 1104.         Notice of Redemption    72
     Section 1105.         Deposit of Redemption Price    74
     Section 1106.         Securities Payable on Redemption Date    74
     Section 1107.         Securities Redeemed in Part    75

ARTICLE XII

   SINKING FUNDS    75
     Section 1201.         Applicability of Article    75
     Section 1202.         Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities    76
     Section 1203.         Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund    76

ARTICLE XIII

   REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS    76
     Section 1301.         Applicability of Article    76
     Section 1302.         Repayment of Securities    77
     Section 1303.         Exercise of Option    77
     Section 1304.         When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable    77
     Section 1305.         Securities Repaid in Part    78

ARTICLE XIV

   DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE    79
     Section 1401.         Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    79
     Section 1402.         Defeasance and Discharge    79
     Section 1403.         Covenant Defeasance    80
     Section 1404.         Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    80

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page

     Section 1405.         Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    82
     Section 1406.         Reinstatement    83

ARTICLE XV

   MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES    83
     Section 1501.         Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called    83
     Section 1502.         Call, Notice and Place of Meetings    83
     Section 1503.         Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings    84
     Section 1505.         Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings    85
     Section 1506.         Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings    86

EXHIBIT A – FORMS OF CERTIFICATES

   A-1

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of                     , 200     between CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal office at 3697 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, California 94549, and [TRUSTEE], a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”).

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

WHEREAS, the Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes senior debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) evidencing its unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, which may or may not be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more series, unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such times and to have such other provisions as provided in this Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, this Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and

 

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities and coupons, or of a series thereof, as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

Section 101. Definitions.

 

(a) For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires or unless such definition is changed or amended in a supplement or amendment to this Indenture:

 

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

 

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the TIA, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper”, as used in TIA Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the TIA;


(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the date of such computation; and

 

(4) 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.

 

(b) Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, Article Five and Article Six are defined in those Articles.

 

(c) Other terms are defined as follows:

 

“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

 

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required by a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and which are owing to such Holders.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person appointed by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 to authenticate Securities.

 

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

 

“Bearer Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is payable to bearer or that is otherwise not a Registered Security.

 

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company as the case may be, or the executive committee or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.

 

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“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking societe anonyme or its successor.

 

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA, then the body performing such duties at such time.

 

“Common Depositary” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

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

 

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

 

“Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Section 312(d).

 

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (1) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such Currency and by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community for the settlement of transactions, (2) the euro for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or (3) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the euro for the purposes for which such currency unit was established.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at [Address], New York, New York [Zip Code].

 

“Corporation” includes corporations, associations, limited liability companies, companies and business trusts.

 

“Coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

 

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“Currency” means any currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or currency units, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries or by any reorganized confederation or association of such governments.

 

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

 

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307(a).

 

“Depository Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary Trust Company (the “Depository”) or its nominee, an institution that has an account therewith.

 

“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

 

“Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” has the meaning specified in Section 312(g).

 

“Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 312(f).

 

“Election Date” has the meaning specified in Section 312(h).

 

“Euroclear” means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels Office, or its successor as operator of the Euroclear System.

 

“European Communities” means the European Union, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

 

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

 

“Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

“Exchange Rate Agent” means, with respect to Securities of or within any series unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, a New York Clearing House bank designated pursuant to Section 301 or Section 313.

 

“Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate setting forth (1) the applicable Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation and (2) the Dollar or Foreign Currency amounts of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having the lowest denomination principal amount determined in accordance with Section 302 in the relevant Currency), payable with respect to a Security of any series on the basis of such Market Exchange Rate signed by the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, any Vice President or any Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Controller of the Company.

 

“Foreign Currency” means any Currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

 

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“Government Obligations” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, securities which are:

 

(1) direct obligations of the government which issued the Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, or

 

(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government which issued the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by such government,

 

which, in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of such government payable in such Currency and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

“Holder” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon, shall mean the bearer thereof.

 

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

 

“Indexed Security” means a Security as to which all or certain interest payments and/or the principal amount payable at Maturity are determined by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, Currencies, intangibles, goods, articles or commodities or by such other objective price, economic or other measures as are specified in Section 301 hereof.

 

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“Interest”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, shall mean interest payable after Maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1005 or otherwise, includes such Additional Amounts.

 

“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

 

“Market Exchange Rate” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, (1) for any conversion involving a currency unit on the one hand and Dollars or any Foreign Currency on the other, the exchange rate between the relevant currency unit and Dollars or such Foreign Currency calculated by the method specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of the relevant series, (2) for any conversion of Dollars into any Foreign Currency, the noon (New York City time) buying rate for such Foreign Currency for cable transfers quoted in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (3) for any conversion of one Foreign Currency into Dollars or another Foreign Currency, the spot rate at noon local time in the relevant market at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Dollars or Foreign Currency into which conversion is being made could be purchased with the Foreign Currency from which conversion is being made from major banks located in either New York City, London or any other principal market for Dollars or such purchased Foreign Currency, in each case determined by the Exchange Rate Agent. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, in the event of the unavailability of any of the exchange rates provided for in the foregoing clauses (1), (2) and (3), the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in New York City, London or another principal market for the Currency in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in any Currency by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such Currency shall be that upon which a non-resident issuer of securities designated in such Currency would purchase such Currency in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

 

“Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment, notice of exchange or conversion or otherwise.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and by the Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Treasurer, the Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company.

 

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“Original Issue Discount Security” means any 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 502.

 

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

 

(1) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(2) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder 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 Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, provided that, if such 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;

 

(3) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 1402 and 1403, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

 

(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

 

provided, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company as set forth in an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) or clause (iii) of this definition, respectively) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that

 

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may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the 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 making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. 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 Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

 

“Paying Agent” means any Person (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities or coupons on behalf of the Company.

 

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

 

“Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

 

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

 

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

 

“Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Registered Security” means any Security that is registered in the Security Register.

 

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

 

“Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

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“Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Responsible Officer” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

“Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

 

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

 

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

 

“Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, as such date may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 308.

 

“Subsidiary” means any corporation of which at the time of determination the Company, directly and/or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, owns more than 50% of the shares of Voting Stock.

 

“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

 

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

“United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

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“United States Person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all of its decisions.

 

“Valuation Date” has the meaning specified in Section 312(c).

 

“Vice President” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.

 

“Voting Stock” means stock of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of a corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

 

Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

 

(a) Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, 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, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

(b) Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 1006) shall include:

 

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

 

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(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

 

(a) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion as to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to such matters in one or several documents.

 

(b) Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

(c) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

Section 104. Acts of Holders.

 

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed (which may be electronically signed) by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fifteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are

 

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herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

 

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems reasonably sufficient.

 

(c) The principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

(d) The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be

 

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Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than 180 days after the record date.

 

(f) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent, or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

Section 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

 

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

 

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be via facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or at any other address previously furnished in writing by the Trustee to the Holders or the Company, or

 

(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of the Company’s principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

 

Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

 

(a) Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or by email, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his physical address or email address as such address appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

 

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(b) In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impracticable to mail notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be sufficient giving of such notice for every purpose hereunder.

 

(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Bearer Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities if published at least twice in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Securities on a Business Day, the first such publication to be not earlier than the earliest date, and not later than the latest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of the first such publication.

 

(d) If by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither the failure to give notice by publication to any Holder of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Bearer Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

 

(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

 

(f) Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

Section 107. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

 

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

Section 108. Successors and Assigns.

 

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

Section 109. Separability Clause.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security, or coupon 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.

 

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Section 110. Benefits of Indenture.

 

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, or coupons, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

Section 111. Governing Law.

 

This Indenture, the Securities, and coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

Section 112. Legal Holidays.

 

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security or coupon other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section), payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, 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 Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

 

Section 113. Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act.

 

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision (an “incorporated provision”) required by or deemed to be included in this Indenture by operation of the TIA, such imposed duties or incorporated provisions shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

 

Section 114. No Recourse against Others.

 

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting any of the Securities waives and releases all such liability.

 

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Section 115. Waiver of Trial by Jury.

 

The Company, the Trustee, and Holders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive the right to trial by jury in connection with any claim arising out of or relating to the Securities and under this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE II

 

SECURITIES FORMS

 

Section 201. Forms of Securities.

 

(a) The Registered Securities, if any, of each series, the Bearer Securities, if any, of each series and related coupons shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company, as the case may be, may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

 

(b) Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities shall have interest coupons attached.

 

(c) The definitive Securities and coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.

 

Section 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

 

Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

 

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

 

[TRUSTEE]
as Trustee
By  

 


    Authorized Signatory

 

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Dated:                    

 

Section 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form.

 

(a) If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of Subsection 301(b) and the provisions of Section 302, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement, delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

 

(b) The provisions of Section 303(h) shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 309 and except as provided in Subsection (c) of this Section, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security (1) in the case of a permanent global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent global Security in registered form, or (2) in the case of a permanent global Security in bearer form, Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

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Section 204. Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities.

 

Any Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend (which would be in addition to any other legends required in the case of a restricted Security) in substantially the following form:

 

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TRUST COMPANY TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

ARTICLE III

 

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

 

(a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

(b) The Securities shall rank equally and pari passu and may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (15) below), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of the series and set forth in such Securities of the series when issued from time to time):

 

(1) the title of the Securities of the series, including CUSIP Numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

 

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1305) and whether any series may be reopened for additional Securities of that series; in the event that such series of Securities may be reopened from time to time for issuances

 

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of additional Securities of such series, the terms thereof shall indicate whether any such additional Securities shall have the same terms as the prior Securities of such series or whether the Company may establish additional or different terms with respect to such additional Securities;

 

(3) the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the principal (and premium, if any,) of the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

(5) the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable, where any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of the series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

 

(6) the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;

 

(7) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

(8) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination or denominations in which any Registered Securities of the series shall be issuable and, if other than denominations of $5,000, the denomination or denominations in which any Bearer Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(9) if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;

 

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(10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

(11) if other than Dollars, the Currency or Currencies in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be made or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

 

(12) whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(13) whether the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which (including the Election Date), and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities are to be so payable, in each case in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

 

(14) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

 

(15) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants or other provisions (including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to any of the provisions of Section 1007) of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants or other provisions are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants or other provisions set forth herein;

 

(16) whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities or both, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities, whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 305, whether Registered Securities of the series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities of the series (if permitted by applicable laws and

 

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regulations), whether Bearer Securities of the series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series, and the circumstances under which and the place or places where any such exchanges may be made and if Securities of the series are to be issuable in global form, the identity of any initial depository therefor;

 

(17) the date as of which any Bearer Securities of the series and any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

 

(18) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 304;

 

(19) the applicability, if any, of Sections 1402 and 1403 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen;

 

(20) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

(21) whether, under what circumstances and the Currency in which, the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 1005 on the Securities of the series to any Holder who is not a United States person (including any modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

 

(22) the designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any;

 

(23) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities of the series will be so convertible or exchangeable (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, the conversion agent, if any, adjustments of the applicable conversion price or rate and any requirements with respect to the reservation of shares or Securities for purposes of conversion);

 

(24) if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered; and

 

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(25) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the TIA).

 

(c) All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 303) and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. Not all Securities of any one series need to be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities (which additional terms shall only be applicable to unissued or additional Securities of such series).

 

(d) If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary [or any Vice President] of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

 

Section 302. Denominations.

 

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such provision with respect to Securities of any series, the principal, premium and interest and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination) shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities of such series, other than Bearer Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination), shall be issuable in a denomination of $5,000.

 

Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

 

(a) The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman, its President or Chief Executive Officer, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon or a facsimile or copy thereof and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries or Vice Presidents. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and coupons may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

 

(b) Securities or coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or coupons.

 

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(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any coupon appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, that, in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States; and provided further that, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security shall have furnished a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture or such other certificate as may be specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the earlier of the date on which such Bearer Security is delivered and the date on which any temporary Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer Security in accordance with the terms of such temporary Security and this Indenture. If any Security shall be represented by a permanent global Bearer Security, then, for purposes of this Section and Section 304, the notation of a beneficial owner’s interest therein upon original issuance of such Security or upon exchange of a portion of a temporary global Security shall be deemed to be delivery in connection with its original issuance of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Bearer Security. Except as permitted by Section 306, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all appurtenant coupons for interest then matured have been detached and cancelled. If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon,

 

(1) an Opinion of Counsel stating,

 

(i) that the form or forms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(ii) that the terms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(iii) that such Securities, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights,

 

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to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities and any coupons;

 

(2) an Officers’ Certificate stating, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(3) an executed supplemental indenture (if any).

 

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of this Section 303, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order, Opinion of Counsel or Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Subsection (c) of this Section at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

 

(e) The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee will not be required to authenticate Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency if the Trustee reasonably believes that it would be unable to perform its duties with respect to such Securities.

 

(f) Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

 

(g) No Security or coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security or Security to which such coupon appertains a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 310 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

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Section 304. Temporary Securities.

 

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

 

(b) Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with Subsection 304(c) or as otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any non-matured coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations; provided, that, no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided further that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 303. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

(c) (1) Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, this Section 304(c) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities issued in global form.

 

(2) If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form, any such temporary global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the London office of a depositary or common depositary (the “Common Depositary”), for the benefit of Euroclear and Clearstream, for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

 

(3) Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary global Security and upon receipt

 

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of the Company Order described in Section 303, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global Security to be exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, permanent global bearer form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depositary, such temporary global Security is accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Clearstream as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301; and provided further that definitive Bearer Securities shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section 303.

 

(4) Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear and Clearstream, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not take delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear or Clearstream. Definitive Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a temporary global Security shall be delivered only outside the United States.

 

(5) Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear and Clearstream on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear and Clearstream to the Trustee of a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301), for credit without further interest thereon on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of such

 

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temporary global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this clause (5) of Subsection 304(c) shall satisfy the certification requirements of clauses (3) and (4) of this Subsection 304(c) and of Subsection 303(c) of this Indenture and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in this clause (5) of Subsection 304(c), no payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, owing with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary global Security will be made unless and until such interest in such temporary global Security shall have been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by Euroclear and Clearstream and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times.

 

(b) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency in a Place of Payment for the register and transfer of Securities that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, subject to the terms and conditions of this Article Three, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, and tenor.

 

(c) At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the

 

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Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities may not be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.

 

(d) If (but only if) expressly permitted in or pursuant the applicable Board Resolution and (subject to Section 303) set forth in the applicable Officers’ Certificate, or in any indenture supplemental hereto, delivered as contemplated by Section 301, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured coupon or coupons in default, any such permitted exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in a permitted exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (1) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (2) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(e) Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this Subsection 305(f). If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee

 

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definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged which, unless the Securities of the series are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, that, no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption; and provided further that no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a permanent global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (1) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (2) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(g) All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(h) Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

(i) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

 

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(j) The Company shall not be required (1) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before, and ending at the close of business on (i) if such Securities are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (ii) if such Securities are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if such Securities are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (2) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the unredeemed portion thereof, or (3) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption, or (4) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

 

(k) Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States Federal or state securities law.

 

(l) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depository Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

Section 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

 

(a) If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

 

(b) If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (1) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or coupon, and (2) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon

 

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appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Subsections 306(a) and 306(b), in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, pay such Security or coupon; provided, that, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto.

 

(d) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

(e) Every new Security of any series, together with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any, or the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

 

(f) The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.

 

Section 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.

 

(a) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest, if any, on any Registered 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 that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, that, each installment of interest, if any, on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (1) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 309, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (2) transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee.

 

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(b) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, payment of interest, if any, may be made, in the case of a Bearer Security, by transfer to an account located outside the United States maintained by the payee.

 

(c) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to each of Euroclear and Clearstream with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its account by the Common Depositary, for the purpose of permitting each of Euroclear and Clearstream to credit the interest, if any, received by it in respect of such permanent global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

 

(d) In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(e) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular 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 (1) or (2) of this Subsection:

 

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) 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 Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) 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 on or 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

 

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Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2) of this Subsection. In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such proposed date of payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities 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.

 

(f) The provisions of this Subsection 307(f) may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an “Optional Reset Date”). The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security. Not later than 40 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the “Reset Notice”) indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so (1) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (2) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each such period a “Subsequent Interest Period”), including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.

 

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest

 

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rate, if applicable) for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or such spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to Subsection 307(h), will bear such higher interest rate (or such spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable).

 

(h) The Holder of any such Security may have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.

 

(i) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

Section 308. Optional Extension of Maturity.

 

(a) The provisions of this Section 308 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each an “Extension Period”) up to but not beyond the date (the “Final Maturity”) set forth on the face of such Security. The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the “Original Stated Maturity”). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of such Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the “Extension Notice”) indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Stated Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), if any, applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee’s transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in Subsection 308(b), such Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.

 

(c) If the Company extends the Stated Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Stated Maturity thereof, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may by written notice to the Trustee revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.

 

Section 309. Persons Deemed Owners.

 

(a) Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company, or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(b) Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security or coupon be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company, or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(c) None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security 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 Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company, or the

 

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Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depositary, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.

 

Section 310. Cancellation.

 

(a) All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in its customary manner, unless by a Company Order the Company directs that cancelled Securities be returned to the Company.

 

Section 311. Computation of Interest.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

Section 312. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, with respect to Registered Securities of any series not permitting the election provided for in Subsection (b) of this Section or the Holders of which have not made the election provided for in Subsection (b) of this Section, and with respect to Bearer Securities of any series, except as provided in Subsection (d) of this Section, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Registered or Bearer Security of such series will be made in the Currency in which such Registered Security or Bearer Security, as the case may be, is payable. The provisions of this Section 312 may be modified or superseded with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301.

 

(b) It may be provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to Registered Securities of any series that Holders shall have the option, subject to Subsection (d) and (e) of this Section, to receive payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such

 

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Registered Securities in any of the Currencies which may be designated for such election by delivering to the Trustee a written election with signature guarantees and in the applicable form established pursuant to Section 301, not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the applicable payment date. If a Holder so elects to receive such payments in any such Currency, such election will remain in effect for such Holder or any transferee of such Holder until changed by such Holder or such transferee by written notice to the Trustee (but any such change must be made not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date and no such change of election may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Registered Security of such series with respect to which an Event of Default has occurred or with respect to which the Company has deposited funds pursuant to Article Four or Fourteen or with respect to which a notice of redemption has been given by the Company or a notice of option to elect repayment has been sent by such Holder or such transferee). Any Holder of any such Registered Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Trustee of such series of Registered Securities not later than the close of business on the applicable Election Date will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant Currency as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section. The Trustee shall notify the Exchange Rate Agent as soon as practicable after the Election Date of the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities for which Holders have made such written election.

 

(c) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the election referred to in Subsection (b) of this Section has been provided for pursuant to Section 301, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, not later than the fourth Business Day after the Election Date for each payment date for Registered Securities of any series, the Exchange Rate Agent will deliver to the Company a written notice specifying the Currency in which Registered Securities of such series are payable, the respective aggregate amounts of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Registered Securities to be paid on such payment date, specifying the amounts in such Currency so payable in respect of the Registered Securities as to which the Holders of Registered Securities of such Series shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section. If the election referred to in Subsection (b) of this Section has been provided for pursuant to Section 301 and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, on the second Business Day preceding such payment date the Company will deliver to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency payments to be made on such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar or Foreign Currency amount receivable by Holders of Registered Securities who have elected payment in a Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Market Exchange Rate in effect on the second Business Day (the “Valuation Date”) immediately preceding each payment date, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(d) If a Conversion Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Currency in which any of the Securities are denominated or payable other than pursuant to an election provided for pursuant to Subsection (b) of this Section, then with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any on the applicable Securities denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency occurring after the last date on which such Foreign

 

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Currency was used (the “Conversion Date”), the Dollar shall be the currency of payment for use on each such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustee and by such Trustee or any Paying Agent to the Holders of such Securities with respect to such payment date shall be, in the case of a Foreign Currency other than a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, in each case as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent in the manner provided in Subsection (f) or (g) of this Section.

 

(e) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the Holder of a Registered Security denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section, and a Conversion Event occurs with respect to such elected Currency, such Holder shall receive payment in the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election; and if a Conversion Event occurs with respect to the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election, such Holder shall receive payment in Dollars as provided in Subsection (d) of this Section.

 

(f) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and shall be obtained for each subsequent payment date by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Conversion Date.

 

(g) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and subject to the provisions of Subsection (h) of this Section shall be the sum of each amount obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for such Component Currency on the Valuation Date with respect to each payment.

 

(h) For purposes of this Section 312, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

A “Component Currency” shall mean any currency which, on the Conversion Date, was a component currency of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro.

 

A “Specified Amount” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units of such Component Currency or fractions thereof which were represented in the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro, on the Conversion Date. If after the Conversion Date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after the Conversion Date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single Currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single Currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single Currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single Currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after the Conversion Date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be

 

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replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, having an aggregate Dollar Equivalent value at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such replacement equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency at the Market Exchange Rate immediately before such division, and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies. If, after the Conversion Date of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro, a Conversion Event (other than any event referred to above in this definition of “Specified Amount”) occurs with respect to any Component Currency of such currency unit and is continuing on the applicable Valuation Date, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall, for purposes of calculating the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, be converted into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate in effect on the Conversion Date of such Component Currency.

 

“Election Date” shall mean the Regular Record Date for the applicable series of Registered Securities or at least 16 days prior to Maturity, as the case may be, or such other prior date for any series of Registered Securities as specified pursuant to clause 13 of Section 301 by which the written election referred to in Subsection 312(b) may be made.

 

(i) All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, the Market Exchange Rate and changes in the Specified Amounts as specified above shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of such Securities denominated or payable in the relevant Currency. The Exchange Rate Agent shall promptly give written notice to the Company and the Trustee of any such decision or determination.

 

(j) In the event that the Company determines in good faith that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to a Foreign Currency, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided for in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event the Company so determines that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to the euro or any other currency unit in which Securities are denominated or payable, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date and the Specified Amount of each Component Currency on the Conversion Date. In the event the Company determines in good faith that any subsequent change in any Component Currency as set forth in the definition of Specified Amount above has occurred, the Company will similarly give written notice to the Trustee and the Exchange Rate Agent.

 

(k) The Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities shall be fully justified and protected in conclusively relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine the accuracy or validity of such information independent of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent.

 

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Section 313. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (1) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (2) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company will cause the Exchange Rate Agent to make the necessary foreign exchange determinations at the time and in the manner specified pursuant to Section 301 for the purpose of determining the applicable rate of exchange and, if applicable, for the purpose of converting the issued Foreign Currency into the applicable payment Currency for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, pursuant to Section 312.

 

(b) No resignation of the Exchange Rate Agent and no appointment of a successor Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to this Section shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Exchange Rate Agent as evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Company and the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities accepting such appointment executed by the successor Exchange Rate Agent.

 

(c) If the Exchange Rate Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Exchange Rate Agent for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Exchange Rate Agent or Exchange Rate Agents with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Exchange Rate Agent may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, at any time there shall only be one Exchange Rate Agent with respect to the Securities of any particular series that are originally issued by the Company on the same date and that are initially denominated and/or payable in the same Currency).

 

Section 314. CUSIP Numbers.

 

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall indicate the “CUSIP” numbers of the Securities in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that, any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the 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 of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, this Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities

 

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specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1005), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when

 

(1) either

 

(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (A) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 305, (B) Securities and coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, (C) coupons appertaining to Securities called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 1106, and (D) Securities and coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(ii) all Securities of such series and, in the case of subclauses (A) or (B) below, any coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

 

(A) have become due and payable, or

 

(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

(C) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of subclauses (A), (B) or (C) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and such coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

 

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(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 611 if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (1) of Subsection 401(a), the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and Subsection 1003(d) and the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1005, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any rights of Holders to require the Company to repay such Securities as contemplated by Section 1301 and with respect to any rights of Holders to convert or exchange such Securities into other Securities, shall survive such satisfaction and discharge. These obligations shall continue to be governed and construed in accordance with Section 111.

 

Section 402. Application of Trust Funds.

 

Subject to the provisions of Subsection 1003(d), all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

ARTICLE V

 

REMEDIES

 

Section 501. Events of Default.

 

(a) “Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events as such events may be otherwise amended in accordance with Section 301 (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

 

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon, or any Additional Amount payable in respect of, any Security of that series or of any coupon appertaining thereto, when such interest or coupon becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

 

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or

 

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(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series; or

 

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

 

(5) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i) commences a voluntary case or proceedings,

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(v) issues a public announcement admitting its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or

 

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

 

(i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,

 

(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

(iii) orders the winding-up or liquidation of the Company,

 

(iv) and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

 

(7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

 

(b) The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code, as amended from time to time, or any similar foreign, Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

 

(a) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a) with respect to the Company) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) plus accrued and unpaid interest of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interests or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a) with respect to the Company occurs, the amounts described above with respect to the Outstanding Securities of all series shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. Upon payment of such principal and interest, all of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of such Series and this Indenture, other than obligations under Section 606, shall terminate.

 

(b) At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient in cash to pay all principal, interest and Additional Amounts which have become due other than by such declaration of acceleration, interest or any such overdue amounts, and amounts owing the Trustee;

 

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 514; and

 

(3) such rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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Section 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

 

(a) The Company covenants that if:

 

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts on any Security of any series and any related coupon when such interest or Additional Amounts becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

 

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of any series at its Maturity,

 

then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series and coupons, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

(b) If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

 

(c) If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

(a) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company, such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the 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 on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and premium, if any, or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be provided for in the terms thereof and premium, if any, and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to

 

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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 the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

(2) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 606.

 

(b) Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

 

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons.

 

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

Section 506. Application of Money Collected.

 

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606;

 

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

 

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THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

 

Section 507. Limitation on Suits.

 

No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupon shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

 

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

 

(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

 

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

 

Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and Additional Amounts, if Any.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or coupon shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, on such Security or payment of such coupon on the respective due dates expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

 

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in Subsection 306(f), no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or coupons, as the case may be.

 

Section 512. Control by Holders of Securities.

 

With respect to any series, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that

 

(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

 

(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

 

(c) the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not consenting.

 

Section 513. Undertaking for Costs.

 

All parties to this Indenture agree that 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

 

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it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant, provided that this Section 513 shall not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 508 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities.

 

Section 514. Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

(a) The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any related coupons waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

 

(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on any Security of such series or any related coupons, or

 

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

 

(b) Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

 

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

 

ARTICLE VI

 

THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 601. Notice of Defaults.

 

Within five days after the earlier of receipt from the Company of notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default hereunder or the date such occurrence hereunder actually becomes known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit to all Holders of Securities of such series, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c),

 

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notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the 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 trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities and coupons of such series; and provided further that in the case of any Default or breach of the character specified in clause (4) of Subsection 501(a) with respect to the Securities and coupons of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof unless otherwise specified in accordance with Section 301.

 

Section 602. Certain Rights of Trustee.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d):

 

(1) The Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

 

(2) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon 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.

 

(3) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

(4) The Trustee shall not be liable for any 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.

 

(5) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, determined as provided in Sections 101 and 104.

 

(6) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon a Board Resolution, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate.

 

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(7) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its choosing 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, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(8) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(9) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney but in the case of any certificate or opinion specifically required by the Indenture to be delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the Indenture requirements.

 

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

 

(11) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture other than any liabilities arising out of the negligence of the Trustee.

 

(12) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(13) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(b) The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the

 

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exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

Section 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

 

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

 

Section 604. May Hold Securities.

 

The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

 

Section 605. Money Held in Trust.

 

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

 

Section 606. Compensation and Reimbursement.

 

(a) The Company agrees:

 

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as shall be agreed upon in writing from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

 

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct; and

 

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(3) to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its own part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

 

(b) As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to the 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 (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on particular Securities or any coupons.

 

(c) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Subsection 501(a) occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Section 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

Section 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

 

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609.

 

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.

 

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

 

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(d) If at any time:

 

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

(e) If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of a notice of resignation or the delivery of an Act of removal, the Trustee resigning or being removed or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of Securities for at least six months, may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time, except as provided in Section 613, there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

 

(g) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor

 

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Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

Section 609. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

 

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

 

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which

 

(1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates,

 

(2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and

 

(3) 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 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; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer

 

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and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

 

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in Subsection (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

 

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

Section 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

 

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities or coupons shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities or coupons so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities or coupons. In case any Securities or coupons shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities or coupons, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

 

Section 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

 

(a) At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company and, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 301, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a

 

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combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

 

(b) Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

 

(c) An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

 

(d) The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section.

 

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(e) If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

 

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

 

[                                                                     ]

as Trustee

By

 

 


    as Authenticating Agent

By

 

 


    Authorized Signatory

 

Section 612. Conflicting Interests.

 

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. [Disclosure of any Subordinated Indenture entered into between the Company and the Trustee.]

 

Section 613. Appointment of Co-Trustee.

 

(a) For the purpose of meeting any legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which the Company may at the time be located in connection with the enforcement of any right or the taking of any action on behalf of the Holders of any Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments necessary to appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or separate trustee or separate trustees, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. Each co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a trustee under Section 607. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Holders and the Company of the appointment of a co-trustee or separate trustee under this section.

 

(b) Every separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

 

(1) all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co-trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed the Trustee shall be incompetent or

 

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unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Trustee;

 

(2) no trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder;

 

(3) the Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee;

 

(4) any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions of this Article Six. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Indenture, specifically including every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection or rights (including the rights to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification hereunder) to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee; and

 

(5) any separate trustee or co-trustee may at any time constitute the Trustee its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this Indenture on its behalf and in its name for the purposes of enforcing any rights or taking any other action on behalf of the Holders of any Securities issued hereunder.

 

Section 614. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company.

 

Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five Business Days after the date any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

 

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ARTICLE VII

 

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

 

Section 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

 

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

 

(a) semiannually, not later than 15 days after each Regular Record Date for Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered Securities as of such Regular Record Date, or if there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semiannually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificates indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, 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 content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

 

provided, that, so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.

 

(c) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

 

(d) The rights of the Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(e) Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

 

Section 702. Reports by Trustee.

 

Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such May 15 if required by TIA Section 313(a).

 

A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of the listing or de-listing of the Securities on any stock exchange.

 

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Section 703. Reports by Company.

 

The Company will:

 

(a) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

 

(b) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

 

(c) transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Subsection (a) and (b) of this Section 703 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

 

(d) 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 compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

Section 704. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

 

Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year

 

(a) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods), if any, accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and

 

(b) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

 

Section 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

 

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

 

(a) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the corporation (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and on all the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(c) the Company and the successor Person have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

Section 802. Successor Person Substituted.

 

(a) Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the successor Person to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein; and in the event of any such conveyance or transfer (except by a lease), the Company shall be discharged from all its obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and coupons and may be dissolved and liquidated.

 

(b) Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor entity, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations prescribed in this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities of any series so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities of such series theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

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(c) In case of any such merger in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or any such consolidation, sale, lease, assignment, transfer or conveyance, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

 

Section 803. Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

 

Any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer or lease permitted under Section 801 is also subject to the condition that the Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer, assignment or lease, and the assumption by any successor Person and any such supplemental indenture, comply with the provisions of this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

 

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, the Company when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

 

(a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or

 

(b) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

 

(c) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided, that, in respect of any such additional Events of Default 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 that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or

 

(d) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer

 

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Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

 

(e) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

 

(f) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of such indenture supplement, if applicable; or

 

(g) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any related coupons as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including the provisions and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company); or

 

(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the 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; or

 

(i) to close this indenture with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities, to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

 

(j) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

 

(k) to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

 

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

 

(a) With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, with each series voting separately, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture which affects such

 

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series of Securities or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, that, no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected thereby:

 

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, subject to the provisions of Section 308; or reduce the principal amount thereof (or premium, if any) or the rate of interest (or change the manner of calculation of interest), thereon, or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1005 (except as contemplated by Section 801(a) and permitted by Section 901(a)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the Currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest or Additional Amount thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 301 herein, or

 

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or voting, or

 

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 514 or Section 1007, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture that affect such series cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

 

(4) cause the Securities to be expressly subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company.

 

(b) It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

(c) A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of 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 Securities of any other series.

 

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(d) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders at the close of Business on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

 

Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

 

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon (subject to the provisions of Article Six hereof), an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Section 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

 

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

 

Section 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

Section 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

 

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall, if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

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ARTICLE X

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest.

 

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before Maturity, other than Additional Amounts, if any, payable as provided in Section 1005 in respect of principal of (or premium, if any, on) such a Security, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security or wire transfer to an account in the United States maintained by the Payee.

 

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

(a) If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain:

 

(1) in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and where Bearer Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment in the circumstances described in the clause (2) of this Subsection (and not otherwise),

 

(2) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series which is located outside the United States, an office or agency where Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, that, if the Securities of that series are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for the

 

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Securities of that series in Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of that series are listed on such exchange, and

 

(3) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series located outside the United States an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that 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 each such office or agency.

 

(b) 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 Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment at the offices specified in the Security, in London, England, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

(c) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, no payment of principal, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, that, if the Securities of a series are payable in Dollars, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Bearer Security shall be made at the office of the Company’s Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principal, premium or interest, as the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States maintained for such purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture, is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

 

(d) The Company may from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, that, no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent in such city and as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

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(e) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series

 

(1) are denominated in a Currency other than Dollars,

 

(2) may be payable in a Currency other than Dollars, or

 

(3) so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture,

 

the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent.

 

Section 1003. Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust.

 

(a) If the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of them shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of such series so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

(b) Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the Currency described in Subsection 1003(a)) sufficient to pay the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

(c) The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

 

(d) Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such principal,

 

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premium or interest on any Security, without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, that, the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series, or mailed to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 1004. Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article Eight, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and material rights and franchises (charter and statutory); provided, that, neither the Company shall be required to preserve any such right or franchise if it shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer necessary or desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company; and provided further, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit a sale, transfer or conveyance of a Subsidiary or any of its assets in compliance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

Section 1005. Additional Amounts.

 

(a) If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of a Security of such series or any coupon appertaining thereto Additional Amounts as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series or payment of any related coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

(b) Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal, premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series or any related coupons who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in

 

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the Securities of the series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series or related coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above-mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (1) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest with respect to any Securities of a series or related coupons until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (2) to make all payments of principal of (or premium, if any) and interest with respect to the Securities of a series or related coupons without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

 

Section 1006. Statement as to Compliance.

 

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, if the Company is in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which he or she may have knowledge. For purposes of this Section 1006, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

 

Section 1007. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

 

With respect to the Securities of any series, the Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition specified pursuant to Section 301 as being subject to this Section 1007, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series affected by such term, provision or condition, by Act of such Holders, waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 1008. Statement by Officers as to Default.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within [ten] days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

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ARTICLE XI

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 1101. Applicability of Article.

 

Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

 

Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

 

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

 

Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.

 

If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

Section 1104. Notice of Redemption.

 

(a) Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein

 

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provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

 

(b) Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. All notices of redemption shall state:

 

(1) the Redemption Date,

 

(2) the Redemption Price and the amount of accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106,

 

(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,

 

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

 

(5) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

(6) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, together in the case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

 

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

 

(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all coupons maturing subsequent to the Redemption Date or the amount of any such missing coupon or coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee for such series and any Paying Agent is furnished,

 

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and any Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on this Redemption Date pursuant to Section 305 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made, and

 

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(10) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any.

 

(c) Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

 

(a) Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities of any series so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall if the same were interest-bearing cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, that, installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided further that installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 301, on) the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

 

(b) If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they

 

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may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, that, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

 

(c) If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

 

Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.

 

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series, 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 Security so surrendered. However, if less than all the Securities of any series with differing issue dates, interest rates and stated maturities are to be redeemed, the Company in its sole discretion shall select the particular Securities to be redeemed and shall notify the Trustee in writing thereof at least 45 days prior to the relevant redemption date.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

SINKING FUNDS

 

Section 1201. Applicability of Article.

 

(a) The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

 

(b) The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series 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 such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

 

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Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

 

Except as otherwise specifically contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (a) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto and (b) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

 

Section 1301. Applicability of Article.

 

Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

 

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Section 1302. Repayment of Securities.

 

Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at the Repayment Price thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or before the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of them is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

 

Section 1303. Exercise of Option.

 

Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less than the entire Repayment Price of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the portion of the Repayment Price of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. Any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

 

Section 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.

 

(a) If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be repaid, except to the extent provided below, shall

 

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be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Repayment Date, the Repayment Price of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, that, coupons whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of such coupons; and provided further that installments of interest on Registered Securities, whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 301, on) the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

 

(b) If any Bearer Security surrendered for repayment shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Repayment Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the amount payable therefor as provided in Section 1302 an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made as provided in the preceding sentence, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, that, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

 

(c) If any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, the Repayment Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

 

Section 1305. Securities Repaid in Part.

 

Upon surrender of any Registered Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

 

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 1401. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

If pursuant to Section 301 provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 1402 (if applicable) or Section 1403 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

 

Section 1402. Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall each be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 1402, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(a) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due,

 

(b) the obligations of the Company with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1005 with respect to the rights, if any, of the holders of such Securities to require the Company to repay such Securities as contemplated by Article Thirteen and with respect to the rights, if any, of holders to convert or exchange such Securities into other Securities,

 

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(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and

 

(d) this Article Fourteen. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 1402 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

Section 1403. Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall each be released from its obligations under any other covenant specified pursuant to Section 301, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to not be “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with [any restrictive covenants that may be inserted], or such other covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under clauses (4) or (7) of Subsection 501(a) or otherwise except as specified in accordance with Section 301, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected thereby.

 

Section 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any coupons appertaining thereto:

 

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount (in such Currency in which such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any

 

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coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or nationally recognized independent investment banking firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

(b) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

 

(c) No Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

 

(d) In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (2) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto 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.

 

(e) In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto 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.

 

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that either (1) as a result of a deposit pursuant to subsection (a) above and the related exercise of the Company’s option under Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be), registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the trustee for such trust funds or (2) all necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

 

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(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

 

Section 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of Subsection 1003(d), all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(b) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 301, if, after a deposit referred to in Subsection 1404(a) has been made, (1) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Subsection 312(b) or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Subsection 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (2) a Conversion Event occurs as contemplated in Subsection 312(d) or 312(e) or by the terms of any Security in respect of which the deposit pursuant to Subsection 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

 

(c) The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

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(d) Anything in this Article Fourteen to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

 

Section 1406. Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 1405 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and such Securities and any related coupons shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 1402 or 1403, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1405; provided, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any such Security or any related coupon following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities and any related coupons to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

Section 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

 

If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

 

Section 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

 

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or in London as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

 

(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action

 

-83-


proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section.

 

Section 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

 

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

Section 1504. Quorum; Action.

 

(a) The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Subsection 1502(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

 

(b) Subject to the foregoing, at the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum the Persons entitled to vote 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities at the time shall constitute a quorum for the taking of any action set forth in the notice of the original meeting.

 

(c) Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal

 

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amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, that except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

 

(d) Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

 

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

 

(1) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

 

(2) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

 

Section 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Company may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 or by having the signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

 

-85-


(b) The Company shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(b), in which case the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

 

(c) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, that, no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

 

(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

 

Section 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

 

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Subsection 1502(a) and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the former to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

-86-


This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed [and attested], all as of the day and year first above written.

 

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

By:

 

 


Name:

   

Title:

   

[TRUSTEE],

as Trustee

By:

 

 


Name:

   

Title:

   

 

-87-


EXHIBIT A

 

FORMS OF CERTIFICATES

 

A-1


EXHIBIT A-1

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY PERSON ENTITLED

TO RECEIVE BEARER SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST

PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

 

CERTIFICATE

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

 

This is to certify that, as of the date hereof, and except as set forth below, the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account (i) are owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all of its decisions (“United States person(s)”), (ii) are owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such United States financial institution hereby agrees, on its own behalf or through its agent, that you may advise Central Garden & Pet Company or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) are owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, in addition, if the owner is a United States or foreign financial institution described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)), this is to further certify that such financial institution has not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

 

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

We undertake to advise you promptly by tested telex on or prior to the date on which you intend to submit your certification relating to the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account in accordance with your Operating Procedures if any applicable statement herein is not correct on such date, and in the absence of any such notification it may be assumed that this certification applies as of such date.

 

This certificate excepts and does not relate to [U.S.$]                      of such interest in the above-captioned Securities in respect of which we are not able to certify and as to which we understand an exchange for an interest in a Permanent Global Security or an exchange for and delivery of definitive Securities (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) cannot be made until we do so certify.

 

A-1-1


We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Dated:                     

 

[To be dated no earlier than the

15th day prior to (i) the Exchange

Date or (ii) the relevant Interest

Payment Date occurring prior to

the Exchange Date, as applicable]

[Name of Person Making Certification]

 

 


(Authorized Signatory)

Name:

Title:

 

A-1-2


EXHIBIT A-2

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND

CLEARSTREAM BANKING SOCIETE ANONYME IN CONNECTION WITH THE

EXCHANGE OF A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN

INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

 

CERTIFICATE

 

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

 

This is to certify that, based solely on written certifications that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of the principal amount set forth below (our “Member Organizations”) substantially in the form attached hereto, as of the date hereof, [U.S.$]                      principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) is owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source or a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all of its decisions (“United States person(s)”), (ii) is owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such financial institution has agreed, on its own behalf or through its agent, that we may advise Central Garden & Pet Company or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, to the further effect, that financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) have certified that they have not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

 

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

We further certify that (i) we are not making available herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) any portion of the temporary global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in the above-referenced certificates of Member Organizations and (ii) as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.

 

A-2-1


We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Dated:                     

 

[To be dated no earlier than

the Exchange Date or the

relevant Interest Payment

Date occurring prior to the

Exchange Date, as applicable]

 

[Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels Office,] as Operator of the Euroclear System

[Clearstream Banking societe anonyme]

By:

 

 


 

A-2-2

EX-4.6 3 dex46.htm FORM OF SUBORDINATED INDENTURE Form of Subordinated Indenture

EXHIBIT 4.6

 

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY,

 

as Issuer

 

and

 

[TRUSTEE],

 

as Trustee

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of             , 200    

 

Providing for the Issuance

 

of

 

Subordinated Debt Securities


CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture dated as of                  , 200    

 

TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION


   INDENTURE SECTION

Section 310 (a) (1)

   607

                    (a) (2)

   607

                    (b)

   608

Section 312 (c)

   701

Section 314 (a)

   703

                    (a) (4)

   1005

                    (c) (1)

   102

                    (c) (2)

   102

                    (e)

   102

Section 315 (b)

   601

Section 316 (a) (last sentence)

   101 (“Outstanding”)

                    (a) (1) (A)

   502, 512

                    (a) (1) (B)

   513

                    (b)

   508

Section 317 (a) (1)

   503

                    (a) (2)

   504

Section 318 (a)

   111

                    (c)

   111

 

NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

ARTICLE ONE

   DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION    1
     Section 101.         Definitions    1
     Section 102.         Compliance Certificates and Opinions    11
     Section 103.         Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.    11
     Section 104.         Acts of Holders    12
     Section 105.         Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company    14
     Section 106.         Notice to Holders; Waiver    14
     Section 107.         Effect of Headings and Table of Contents    15
     Section 108.         Successors and Assigns    15
     Section 109.         Separability Clause    15
     Section 110.         Benefits of Indenture    15
     Section 111.         Governing Law    16
     Section 113.         Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act    16
     Section 114.         No Recourse against Others    16
     Section 115.         Waiver of Trial by Jury    16

ARTICLE TWO

   SECURITIES FORMS    17
     Section 201.         Forms of Securities    17
     Section 202.         Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication    17
     Section 203.         Securities Issuable in Global Form    17
     Section 204.         Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities    18

ARTICLE THREE

   THE SECURITIES    19
     Section 301.         Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series    19
     Section 302.         Denominations    23
     Section 303.         Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating    23
     Section 305.         Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange    28
     Section 306.         Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities    31
     Section 307.         Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset    32
     Section 308.         Optional Extension of Maturity    35

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

                    Page

     Section 309.         Persons Deemed Owners    36
     Section 310.         Cancellation    37
     Section 311.         Computation of Interest    37
     Section 312.         Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities    37
     Section 313.         Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent    40
     Section 314.         CUSIP Numbers    41

ARTICLE FOUR

   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE    41
     Section 401.         Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture    41
     Section 402.         Application of Trust Funds    43

ARTICLE FIVE

   REMEDIES    43
     Section 501.         Events of Default    43
     Section 502.         Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment    44
     Section 503.         Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee    45
     Section 504.         Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    46
     Section 505.         Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons    47
     Section 506.         Application of Money Collected    47
     Section 507.         Limitation on Suits    48
     Section 508.         Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and Additional Amounts, if Any    48
     Section 509.         Restoration of Rights and Remedies    48
     Section 510.         Rights and Remedies Cumulative    49
     Section 511.         Delay or Omission Not Waiver    49
     Section 512.         Control by Holders of Securities    49
     Section 513.         Undertaking for Costs    49
     Section 514.         Waiver of Past Defaults    50
     Section 515.         Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws    50

ARTICLE SIX

   THE TRUSTEE    50
     Section 601.         Notice of Defaults    50

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

                    Page

     Section 602.         Certain Rights of Trustee    51
     Section 603.         Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities    53
     Section 604.         May Hold Securities    53
     Section 605.         Money Held in Trust    53
     Section 606.         Compensation and Reimbursement    53
     Section 607.         Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility    54
     Section 608.         Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor    54
     Section 609.         Acceptance of Appointment by Successor    56
     Section 610.         Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business    57
     Section 611.         Appointment of Authenticating Agent    57
     Section 612.         Conflicting Interests    59
     Section 613.         Appointment of Co-Trustee    59
     Section 614.         Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company    60

ARTICLE SEVEN

   HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY    60
     Section 701.         Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders    60
     Section 702.         Reports by Trustee    61
     Section 703.         Reports by Company    62
     Section 704.         Calculation of Original Issue Discount    62

ARTICLE EIGHT

   CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER    63
     Section 801.         Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms    63
     Section 802.         Successor Person Substituted    63
     Section 803.         Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel    64

ARTICLE NINE

   SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES    64
     Section 901.         Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders    64
     Section 902.         Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders    65
     Section 903.         Execution of Supplemental Indentures    67
     Section 904.         Effect of Supplemental Indentures    67
     Section 905.         Conformity with Trust Indenture Act    67
     Section 906.         Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures    67

 

-iii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

                    Page

     Section 907.         Effect on Senior Indebtedness    68

ARTICLE TEN

   COVENANTS    68
     Section 1001.         Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest    68
     Section 1002.         Maintenance of Office or Agency    68
     Section 1003.         Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust    70
     Section 1004.         Corporate Existence    71
     Section 1005.         Additional Amounts    71
     Section 1006.         Statement as to Compliance    72
     Section 1007.         Waiver of Certain Covenants    72
     Section 1008.         Statement by Officers as to Default    73

ARTICLE ELEVEN

   REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES    73
     Section 1101.         Applicability of Article    73
     Section 1102.         Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee    73
     Section 1103.         Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed    73
     Section 1104.         Notice of Redemption    74
     Section 1105.         Deposit of Redemption Price    75
     Section 1106.         Securities Payable on Redemption Date    75
     Section 1107.         Securities Redeemed in Part    76

ARTICLE TWELVE

   SINKING FUNDS    76
     Section 1201.         Applicability of Article    76
     Section 1202.         Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities    77
     Section 1203.         Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund    77

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

   REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS    78
     Section 1301.         Applicability of Article    78
     Section 1302.         Repayment of Securities    78
     Section 1303.         Exercise of Option    78
     Section 1304.         When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable    79
     Section 1305.         Securities Repaid in Part    79

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

   DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE    80

 

-iv-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

                    Page

     Section 1401.         Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    80
     Section 1402.         Defeasance and Discharge    80
     Section 1403.         Covenant Defeasance    81
     Section 1404.         Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    81
     Section 1405.         Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    83
     Section 1406.         Reinstatement    84

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

   MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES    84
     Section 1501.         Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called    84
     Section 1502.         Call, Notice and Place of Meetings    84
     Section 1503.         Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings    85
     Section 1504.         Quorum; Action    85
     Section 1505.         Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings    86
     Section 1506.         Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings    87

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

   SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES    88
     Section 1601.         Agreement to Subordinate    88
     Section 1602.         Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities    88
     Section 1603.         No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances    90
     Section 1604.         Payments on Securities Permitted    91
     Section 1605.         Authorization of Holders to Trustee to Effect Subordination    91
     Section 1606.         Notices to Trustee    91
     Section 1607.         Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness    92
     Section 1608.         Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness    92
     Section 1609.         Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent    93

EXHIBIT A – FORMS OF CERTIFICATES

    

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of             , 200    , between CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal office at 3697 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, California 94549, and [TRUSTEE], a                     , as Trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”).

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

WHEREAS, the Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes subordinated debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) evidencing its unsecured and subordinated indebtedness, which may or may not be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more series, unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such times and to have such other provisions as provided in this Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, this Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and

 

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities and coupons, or of a series thereof, as follows:

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

Section 101. Definitions.

 

(a) For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires or unless such definition is changed or amended in a supplement or amendment to this Indenture:

 

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

 

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the TIA, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper”, as used in TIA Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the TIA;


(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the date of such computation; and

 

(4) 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.

 

(b) Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, Article Five and Article Six, are defined in those Articles.

 

(c) Other terms are defined as follows:

 

“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

 

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required by a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and which are owing to such Holders.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person appointed by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 to authenticate Securities.

 

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

 

“Bearer Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is payable to bearer or that is otherwise not a Registered Security.

 

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company, or the executive committee or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.

 

2


“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking societe anonyme or its successor.

 

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA, then the body performing such duties at such time.

 

“Common Depositary” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

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

 

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

 

“Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Subsection 312(d).

 

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (1) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such Currency and by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community for the settlement of transactions, (2) the euro for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or (3) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the euro for the purposes for which such currency unit was established.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.

 

“Corporation” includes corporations, associations, limited liability companies, companies and business trusts.

 

“Coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

 

3


“Currency” means any currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or currency units, including, without limitation, the euro issued by the government of one or more countries or by any reorganized confederation or association of such governments.

 

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

 

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307(a).

 

“Depository Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary Trust Company (the “Depository”) or its nominee, an institution that has an account therewith.

 

“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

 

“Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” has the meaning specified in Section 312(g).

 

“Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 312(f).

 

“Election Date” has the meaning specified in Subsection 312(h).

 

“Euroclear” means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels Office, or its successor as operator of the Euroclear System.

 

“European Communities” means the European Union, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

 

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

 

“Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

“Exchange Rate Agent” means, with respect to Securities of or within any series, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, a New York Clearing House bank designated pursuant to Section 301 or Section 313.

 

“Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate setting forth (1) the applicable Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation and (2) the Dollar or Foreign Currency amounts of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having the lowest denomination principal amount determined in accordance with Section 302 in the relevant Currency), payable with respect to a Security of any series on the basis of such Market Exchange Rate signed by the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, any Vice President or any Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Controller of the Company.

 

4


“Foreign Currency” means any Currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

 

“Government Obligations” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, securities which are:

 

(1) direct obligations of the government which issued the Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, or

 

(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government which issued the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by such government,

 

which, in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of such government payable in such Currency and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

“Holder” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon, shall mean the bearer thereof.

 

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

 

“Indexed Security” means a Security as to which all or certain interest payments and/or the principal amount payable at Maturity are determined by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, Currencies, intangibles, goods, articles or commodities or by such other objective price, economic or other measures as are specified in Section 301 hereof.

 

5


“Interest”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, shall mean interest payable after Maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1005 or otherwise, includes such Additional Amounts.

 

“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

 

“Market Exchange Rate” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, (1) for any conversion involving a currency unit on the one hand and Dollars or any Foreign Currency on the other, the exchange rate between the relevant currency unit and Dollars or such Foreign Currency calculated by the method specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of the relevant series, (2) for any conversion of Dollars into any Foreign Currency, the noon (New York City time) buying rate for such Foreign Currency for cable transfers quoted in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (3) for any conversion of one Foreign Currency into Dollars or another Foreign Currency, the spot rate at noon local time in the relevant market at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Dollars or Foreign Currency into which conversion is being made could be purchased with the Foreign Currency from which conversion is being made from major banks located in either New York City, London or any other principal market for Dollars or such purchased Foreign Currency, in each case determined by the Exchange Rate Agent. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, in the event of the unavailability of any of the exchange rates provided for in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of this definition, the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in New York City, London or another principal market for the Currency in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in any Currency by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such Currency shall be that upon which a non-resident issuer of securities designated in such Currency would purchase such Currency in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

 

“Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment, notice of exchange or conversion or otherwise.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and by the Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Treasurer, the Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.

 

6


“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company.

 

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any 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 502.

 

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

 

(1) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(2) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder 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 Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, provided that, if such 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;

 

(3) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 1402 and 1403, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

 

(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

 

provided that, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company as set forth in an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an

 

7


Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) or clause (iii) of this definition, respectively) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the 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 making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. 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 Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

 

“Paying Agent” means any Person (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities or coupons on behalf of the Company.

 

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

 

“Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

 

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

 

“Redeemable Capital Stock” means, with respect to any series of Securities, any class or series of capital stock that, either by its terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable or by contract or otherwise, is, or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would be, or required to be redeemed prior to the Maturity of such series of Securities or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof at any time prior to the Maturity of such series of Securities, or is convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at any time prior to such Maturity.

 

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

 

8


“Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Registered Security” means any Security that is registered in the Security Register.

 

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

 

“Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Responsible Officer” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

“Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

 

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

 

“Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the Securities, and (b) renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Senior Indebtedness” shall not include (1) indebtedness evidenced by the Securities outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created; (2) indebtedness of the Company that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or the Securities; (3) indebtedness of the Company that by operation of law is subordinate to any general unsecured obligations of the Company; (4) indebtedness of the Company to the extent incurred in violation of any covenant of this Indenture; (5) any liability for federal, state or local taxes or other taxes, owed or owing by the Company; (6) indebtedness for goods, materials or services purchased in the ordinary

 

9


course of business or indebtedness consisting of trade account payables or other current liabilities (other than the current portion of long-term indebtedness which would constitute Senior Indebtedness but for the operation of this clause (6)); (7) amounts owed by the Company for compensation to employees or for services rendered to the Company, (8) indebtedness of the Company to any Subsidiary or any other Affiliate of the Company or any such Affiliate’s Subsidiaries; (9) Redeemable Capital Stock of the Company; (10) amounts owing under leases and (11) indebtedness which when incurred and without any respect to any election under Section 111(b) of Title 11 of the United States Code is without recourse to the Company.

 

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

 

“Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, as such date may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 308.

 

“Subsidiary” means any corporation of which at the time of determination the Company, directly and/or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, owns more than 50% of the shares of Voting Stock.

 

“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

 

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

“United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

“United States Person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all of its decisions.

 

“Valuation Date” has the meaning specified in Subsection 312(c).

 

10


“Vice President” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.

 

“Voting Stock” means stock of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of a corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

 

Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

 

(a) Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, 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, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

(b) Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 1006) shall include:

 

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

 

(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

 

(a) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion as to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to such matters in one or several documents.

 

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(b) Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

(c) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

Section 104. Acts of Holders.

 

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed (which may be electronically signed) by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fifteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

 

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual

 

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capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems reasonably sufficient.

 

(c) The principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

(d) The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than 180 days after the record date.

 

(f) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent, or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

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Section 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

 

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

 

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing ( which may be via facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or at any other address previously furnished in writing by the Trustee to the Holders or the Company, or

 

(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of the Company’s principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

 

Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

 

(a) Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or by email, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his physical address or email address as such address appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

 

(b) In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to mail notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be sufficient giving of such notice for every purpose hereunder.

 

(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Bearer Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities if published at least twice in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Securities on a Business Day, the first such publication to be not earlier than the earliest date, and not later than the latest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of the first such publication.

 

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(d) If by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither the failure to give notice by publication to any Holder of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Bearer Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

 

(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

 

(f) Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

Section 107. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

 

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

Section 108. Successors and Assigns.

 

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

Section 109. Separability Clause.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security, or coupon 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 110. Benefits of Indenture.

 

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, or coupons, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

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Section 111. Governing Law.

 

This Indenture, the Securities, and coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

Section 112. Legal Holidays.

 

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security or coupon other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section), payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, 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 Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

 

Section 113. Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act.

 

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision (an “incorporated provision”) required by or deemed to be included in this Indenture by operation of the TIA, such imposed duties or incorporated provisions shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

 

Section 114. No Recourse against Others.

 

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities, or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting any of the Securities waives and releases all such liability.

 

Section 115. Waiver of Trial by Jury.

 

The Company, the Trustee, and Holders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive the right to trial by jury in connection with any claim arising out of or relating to the Securities and under this Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE TWO

 

SECURITIES FORMS

 

Section 201. Forms of Securities.

 

(a) The Registered Securities, if any, of each series, the Bearer Securities, if any, of each series and related coupons shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company, as the case may be, may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

 

(b) Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities shall have interest coupons attached.

 

(c) The definitive Securities and coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.

 

Section 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

 

Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

 

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

 

[TRUSTEE]

as Trustee

By:

 

 


   

Authorized Signatory

 

Dated:

 

Section 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form.

 

(a) If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of Subsection 301(b) and the provisions of Section 302, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of

 

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such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement, delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

 

(b) The provisions of Subsection 303(h) shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 309 and except as provided in Subsection (c) of this Section, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security (1) in the case of a permanent global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent global Security in registered form, or (2) in the case of a permanent global Security in bearer form, Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

Section 204. Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities.

 

Any Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend (which would be in addition to any other legends required in the case of a restricted Security) in substantially the following form:

 

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

 

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UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TRUST COMPANY TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

 

(a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

(b) The Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness as provided in Article Sixteen. The Securities shall rank equally and pari passu and may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (15) of this Subsection), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of the series and set forth in such Securities of the series when issued from time to time):

 

(1) the title of the Securities of the series, including CUSIP Numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

 

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1305) and whether any series may be reopened for additional Securities of that series; in the event that such series of Securities may be reopened from time to time for issuances of additional Securities of such series, the terms thereof shall indicate whether any such additional Securities shall have the same terms as the prior Securities of such series or whether the Company may establish additional or different terms with respect to such additional Securities;

 

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(3) the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the principal (and premium, if any,) of the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

(5) the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable, where any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of the series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

 

(6) the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;

 

(7) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

(8) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination or denominations in which any Registered Securities of the series shall be issuable and, if other than denominations of $5,000, the denomination or denominations in which any Bearer Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(9) if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;

 

(10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

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(11) if other than Dollars, the Currency or Currencies in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be made or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

 

(12) whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(13) whether the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which (including the Election Date), and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities are to be so payable, in each case in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

 

(14) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

 

(15) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants or other provisions (including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to any of the provisions of Section 1007) of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants or other provisions are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants or other provisions set forth herein;

 

(16) whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities or both, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities, whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 305, whether Registered Securities of the series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities of the series (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations), whether Bearer Securities of the series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series, and the circumstances under which and the place or places where any such exchanges may be made and if Securities of the series are to be issuable in global form, the identity of any initial depository therefor;

 

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(17) the date as of which any Bearer Securities of the series and any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

 

(18) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 304;

 

(19) the applicability, if any, of Sections 1402 and 1403 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen;

 

(20) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

(21) whether, under what circumstances and the Currency in which, the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 1005 on the Securities of the series to any Holder who is not a United States person (including any modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

 

(22) the designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any;

 

(23) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities of the series will be so convertible or exchangeable (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, the conversion agent, if any, adjustments of the applicable conversion price or rate and any requirements with respect to the reservation of shares or Securities for purposes of conversion);

 

(24) if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered; and

 

(25) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the TIA).

 

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(c) All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 303) and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. Not all Securities of any one series need to be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities (which additional terms shall only be applicable to unissued or additional Securities of such series).

 

(d) If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary [or any Vice President] of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

 

Section 302. Denominations.

 

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such provision with respect to Securities of any series, the principal, premium and interest and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination) shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities of such series, other than Bearer Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination), shall be issuable in a denomination of $5,000.

 

Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

 

(a) The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman, its President or Chief Executive Officer, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon or a facsimile or copy thereof and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries or Vice Presidents. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and coupons may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

 

(b) Securities or coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or coupons.

 

(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any coupon appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication, together with a

 

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Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, that, in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States; and provided further that, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security shall have furnished a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture or such other certificate as may be specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the earlier of the date on which such Bearer Security is delivered and the date on which any temporary Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer Security in accordance with the terms of such temporary Security and this Indenture. If any Security shall be represented by a permanent global Bearer Security, then, for purposes of this Section and Section 304, the notation of a beneficial owner’s interest therein upon original issuance of such Security or upon exchange of a portion of a temporary global Security shall be deemed to be delivery in connection with its original issuance of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Bearer Security. Except as permitted by Section 306, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all appurtenant coupons for interest then matured have been detached and cancelled. If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon,

 

(1) an Opinion of Counsel stating,

 

(i) that the form or forms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(ii) that the terms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(iii) that such Securities, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities and any coupons;

 

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(2) an Officers’ Certificate stating, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(3) an executed supplemental indenture (if any).

 

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of this Section 303, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order, Opinion of Counsel or Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Subsection (c) of this Section at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

 

(e) The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee will not be required to authenticate Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency if the Trustee reasonably believes that it would be unable to perform its duties with respect to such Securities.

 

(f) Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

 

(g) No Security or coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security or Security to which such coupon appertains a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 310 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

Section 304. Temporary Securities.

 

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities

 

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in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

 

(b) Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with Subsection 304(c) or as otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any non-matured coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations; provided, that, no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided further that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 303. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

(c) (1) Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, this Subsection 304(c) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities issued in global form.

 

(2) If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form, any such temporary global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the London office of a depositary or common depositary (the “Common Depositary”), for the benefit of Euroclear and Clearstream, for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

 

(3) Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary global Security and upon receipt of the Company Order described in Section 303, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global Security to be exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, permanent global bearer form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any

 

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combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depositary, such temporary global Security is accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Clearstream as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301; and provided further that definitive Bearer Securities shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section 303.

 

(4) Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear and Clearstream, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not take delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear or Clearstream. Definitive Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a temporary global Security shall be delivered only outside the United States.

 

(5) Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear and Clearstream on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear and Clearstream to the Trustee of a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301), for credit without further interest thereon on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this clause (5) of Subsection 304(c) shall

 

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satisfy the certification requirements of clauses (3) and (4) of this Subsection 304(c) and of Subsection 303(c) of this Indenture and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in this clause (5) of Subsection 304(c), no payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, owing with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary global Security will be made unless and until such interest in such temporary global Security shall have been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by Euroclear and Clearstream and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times.

 

(b) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency in a Place of Payment for the register and transfer of Securities that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, subject to the terms and conditions of this Article Three, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, and tenor.

 

(c) At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities may not be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.

 

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(d) If (but only if) expressly permitted in or pursuant to the applicable Board Resolution and (subject to Section 303) set forth in the applicable Officers’ Certificate, or in any indenture supplemental hereto, delivered as contemplated by Section 301, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured coupon or coupons in default, any such permitted exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in a permitted exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(e) Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this Subsection 305(f). If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary or such other depositary as shall be

 

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specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged which, unless the Securities of the series are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, that, no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption; and provided further that no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a permanent global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (1) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (2) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(g) All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(h) Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

(i) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

 

(j) The Company shall not be required (1) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before, and ending at the close of business on (i) if such Securities are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (ii) if such Securities are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day

 

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of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if such Securities are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (2) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the unredeemed portion thereof, or (3) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption, or (4) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

 

(k) Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States Federal or state securities law.

 

(l) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depository Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

Section 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

 

(a) If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

 

(b) If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (1) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or coupon, and (2) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Subsections 306(a) and (b), in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, pay such Security or coupon; provided, that, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto.

 

(d) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

(e) Every new Security of any series, together with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any, or the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

 

(f) The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.

 

Section 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.

 

(a) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest, if any, on any Registered 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 that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, that, each installment of interest, if any, on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (1) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 309, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (2) transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee.

 

(b) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, payment of interest, if any, may be made, in the case of a Bearer Security, by transfer to an account located outside the United States maintained by the payee.

 

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(c) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to each of Euroclear and Clearstream with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its account by the Common Depositary, for the purpose of permitting each of Euroclear and Clearstream to credit the interest, if any, received by it in respect of such permanent global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

 

(d) In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(e) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular 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 (1) or (2) of this Subsection:

 

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) 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 Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) 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 on or 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 given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest

 

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and the Special Record Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2) of this Subsection. In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such proposed date of payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities 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.

 

(f) The provisions of this Subsection 307(f) may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an “Optional Reset Date”). The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security. Not later than 40 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the “Reset Notice”) indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so (1) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (2) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each such period a “Subsequent Interest Period”), including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.

 

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or such spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or

 

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spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to Subsection 307(h), will bear such higher interest rate (or such spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable).

 

(h) The Holder of any such Security may have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.

 

(i) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

Section 308. Optional Extension of Maturity.

 

(a) The provisions of this Section 308 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each an “Extension Period”) up to but not beyond the date (the “Final Maturity”) set forth on the face of such Security. The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the “Original Stated Maturity”). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of such Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the “Extension Notice”) indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Stated Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), if any, applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee’s transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in Subsection (b) of this Section, such Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such higher interest rate, if applicable) for the

 

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Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.

 

(c) If the Company extends the Stated Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Stated Maturity thereof, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may by written notice to the Trustee revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.

 

Section 309. Persons Deemed Owners.

 

(a) Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(b) Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security or coupon be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company, or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(c) None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security 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 Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company, or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depositary, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.

 

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Section 310. Cancellation.

 

(a) All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in its customary manner unless by a Company Order the Company directs that cancelled Securities be returned to the Company.

 

Section 311. Computation of Interest.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

Section 312. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, with respect to Registered Securities of any series not permitting the election provided for in Subsection (b) of this Section or the Holders of which have not made the election provided for in Subsection (b) of this Section, and with respect to Bearer Securities of any series, except as provided in Subsection (d) of this Section, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Registered or Bearer Security of such series will be made in the Currency in which such Registered Security or Bearer Security, as the case may be, is payable. The provisions of this Section 312 may be modified or superseded with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301.

 

(b) It may be provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to Registered Securities of any series that Holders shall have the option, subject to Subsection (d) and (e) of this Section, to receive payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Registered Securities in any of the Currencies which may be designated for such election by delivering to the Trustee a written election with signature guarantees and in the applicable form established pursuant to Section 301, not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the applicable payment date. If a Holder so elects to receive such payments in any such Currency, such election will remain in effect for such Holder or any transferee of such Holder until changed by such Holder or such transferee by written notice to

 

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the Trustee (but any such change must be made not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date and no such change of election may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Registered Security of such series with respect to which an Event of Default has occurred or with respect to which the Company has deposited funds pursuant to Article Four or Fourteen or with respect to which a notice of redemption has been given by the Company or a notice of option to elect repayment has been sent by such Holder or such transferee). Any Holder of any such Registered Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Trustee of such series of Registered Securities not later than the close of business on the applicable Election Date will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant Currency as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section. The Trustee shall notify the Exchange Rate Agent as soon as practicable after the Election Date of the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities for which Holders have made such written election.

 

(c) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the election referred to in Subsection (b) of this Section has been provided for pursuant to Section 301, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, not later than the fourth Business Day after the Election Date for each payment date for Registered Securities of any series, the Exchange Rate Agent will deliver to the Company a written notice specifying the Currency in which Registered Securities of such series are payable, the respective aggregate amounts of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Registered Securities to be paid on such payment date, specifying the amounts in such Currency so payable in respect of the Registered Securities as to which the Holders of Registered Securities of such Series shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section. If the election referred to in Subsection (b) of this Section has been provided for pursuant to Section 301 and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, on the second Business Day preceding such payment date the Company will deliver to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency payments to be made on such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar or Foreign Currency amount receivable by Holders of Registered Securities who have elected payment in a Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Market Exchange Rate in effect on the second Business Day (the “Valuation Date”) immediately preceding each payment date, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(d) If a Conversion Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Currency in which any of the Securities are denominated or payable other than pursuant to an election provided for pursuant to Subsection (b) of this Section, then with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the applicable Securities denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency occurring after the last date on which such Foreign Currency was used (the “Conversion Date”), the Dollar shall be the currency of payment for use on each such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustee and by such Trustee or any Paying Agent to the Holders of such Securities with respect to such payment date shall be, in the case of a Foreign Currency other than a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, in each case as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent in the manner provided in Subsection (f) or (g) of this Section.

 

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(e) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the Holder of a Registered Security denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section, and a Conversion Event occurs with respect to such elected Currency, such Holder shall receive payment in the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election; and if a Conversion Event occurs with respect to the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election, such Holder shall receive payment in Dollars as provided in Subsection (d) of this Section.

 

(f) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and shall be obtained for each subsequent payment date by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Conversion Date.

 

(g) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and subject to the provisions of Subsection (h) of this Section shall be the sum of each amount obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for such Component Currency on the Valuation Date with respect to each payment.

 

(h) For purposes of this Section 312, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

A “Component Currency” shall mean any currency which, on the Conversion Date, was a component currency of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro.

 

A “Specified Amount” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units of such Component Currency or fractions thereof which were represented in the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro, on the Conversion Date. If after the Conversion Date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after the Conversion Date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single Currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single Currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single Currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single Currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after the Conversion Date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, having an aggregate Dollar Equivalent value at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such replacement equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency at the Market Exchange Rate immediately before such division, and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies. If, after the Conversion Date of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro, a Conversion Event

 

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(other than any event referred to above in this definition of “Specified Amount”) occurs with respect to any Component Currency of such currency unit and is continuing on the applicable Valuation Date, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall, for purposes of calculating the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, be converted into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate in effect on the Conversion Date of such Component Currency.

 

“Election Date” shall mean the Regular Record Date for the applicable series of Registered Securities or at least 16 days prior to Maturity, as the case may be, or such other prior date for any series of Registered Securities as specified pursuant to clause 13 of Section 301 by which the written election referred to in Subsection 312(b) may be made.

 

(i) All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, the Market Exchange Rate and changes in the Specified Amounts as specified above shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of such Securities denominated or payable in the relevant Currency. The Exchange Rate Agent shall promptly give written notice to the Company and the Trustee of any such decision or determination.

 

(j) In the event that the Company determines in good faith that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to a Foreign Currency, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided for in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event the Company so determines that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to the euro or any other currency unit in which Securities are denominated or payable, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date and the Specified Amount of each Component Currency on the Conversion Date. In the event the Company determines in good faith that any subsequent change in any Component Currency as set forth in the definition of Specified Amount above has occurred, the Company will similarly give written notice to the Trustee and the Exchange Rate Agent.

 

(k) The Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities shall be fully justified and protected in conclusively relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine the accuracy or validity of such information independent of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent.

 

Section 313. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (1) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (2) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company will cause the Exchange Rate Agent to make the necessary foreign exchange determinations at the time and in the manner specified pursuant to

 

40


Section 301 for the purpose of determining the applicable rate of exchange and, if applicable, for the purpose of converting the issued Foreign Currency into the applicable payment Currency for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, pursuant to Section 312.

 

(b) No resignation of the Exchange Rate Agent and no appointment of a successor Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to this Section shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Exchange Rate Agent as evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Company and the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities accepting such appointment executed by the successor Exchange Rate Agent.

 

(c) If the Exchange Rate Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Exchange Rate Agent for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Exchange Rate Agent or Exchange Rate Agents with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Exchange Rate Agent may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, at any time there shall only be one Exchange Rate Agent with respect to the Securities of any particular series that are originally issued by the Company on the same date and that are initially denominated and/or payable in the same Currency).

 

Section 314. CUSIP Numbers.

 

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall indicate the “CUSIP” numbers of the Securities in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that, any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the 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 of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, this Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1005), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when

 

(1) either

 

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(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (A) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 305, (B) Securities and coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, (C) coupons appertaining to Securities called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 1106, and (D) Securities and coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(ii) all Securities of such series and, in the case of subclause (A) or (B) of this clause (ii), any coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

 

(A) have become due and payable, or

 

(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

(C) redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of subclauses (A), (B) or (C) of this clause (ii), has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and such coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

 

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 06, the

 

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obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 11 if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (1) of Subsection 401(a), the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and Subsection 1003(d) and the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 05, 306, 1002 and 1005, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any rights of Holders to require the Company to repay such Securities as contemplated by Section 301 and with respect to any rights of Holders to convert or exchange such Securities into other Securities, shall survive such satisfaction and discharge. These obligations shall continue to be governed and construed in accordance with Section 111.

 

Section 402. Application of Trust Funds.

 

Subject to the provisions of Subsection 1003(d), all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

REMEDIES

 

Section 501. Events of Default.

 

(a) “Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events as such events may be otherwise amended in accordance with Section 301 (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

 

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon, or any Additional Amount payable in respect of, any Security of that series or of any coupon appertaining thereto, when such interest or coupon becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

 

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or

 

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series; or

 

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or

 

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breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

 

(5) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i) commences a voluntary case or proceedings,

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(v) issues a public announcement admitting its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or

 

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

 

(i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,

 

(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

(iii) orders the winding-up or liquidation of the Company.

 

(iv) and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

 

(7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

 

(b) The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code, as amended from time to time, or any similar foreign, Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

 

(a) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a) with respect to the Company) with respect to Securities of any

 

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series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) plus accrued and unpaid interest of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interests or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a) with respect to the Company occurs, the amounts described above with respect to the Outstanding Securities of all series shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. Upon payment of such principal and interest, all of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of such Series and this Indenture, other than obligations under Section 606, shall terminate.

 

(b) At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient in cash to pay all principal, interest and Additional Amounts which have become due other than by such declaration of acceleration, interest or any such overdue amounts, and amounts owing the Trustee;

 

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 514; and

 

(3) such rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

 

(a) The Company covenants that if:

 

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts on any Security of any series and any related coupon when such interest or Additional Amounts becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

 

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of any series at its Maturity,

 

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then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series and coupons, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

(b) If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

 

(c) If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

(a) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company, or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company, or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the 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 on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any, or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be provided for in the terms thereof) and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities 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 the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

(2) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial

 

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proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 606.

 

(b) Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

 

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons.

 

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

Section 506. Application of Money Collected.

 

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606;

 

Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

 

Third: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

 

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Section 507. Limitation on Suits.

 

No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupon shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

 

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

 

(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

 

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

 

Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and Additional Amounts, if Any.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or coupon shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, on such Security or payment of such coupon on the respective due dates expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

 

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

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Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in the last paragraph of Subsection 306(f), no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or coupons, as the case may be.

 

Section 512. Control by Holders of Securities.

 

With respect to any series, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that

 

(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

 

(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

 

(c) the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not consenting.

 

Section 513. Undertaking for Costs.

 

All parties to this Indenture agree that in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant, provided that this Section 513 shall not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 508 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities.

 

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Section 514. Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

(a) The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any related coupons waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

 

(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on any Security of such series or any related coupons, or

 

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

 

(b) Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

 

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

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 601. Notice of Defaults.

 

Within five days after the earlier of receipt from the Company of notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default hereunder or the date such occurrence hereunder actually becomes known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit to all Holders of Securities of such series, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the

 

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executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities and coupons of such series; and provided further that in the case of any Default or breach of the character specified in clause (4) of Subsection 501(a) with respect to the Securities and coupons of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof unless otherwise specified in accordance with Section 301.

 

Section 602. Certain Rights of Trustee.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d):

 

(1) The Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

 

(2) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon 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.

 

(3) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

(4) The Trustee shall not be liable for any 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.

 

(5) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, determined as provided in Sections 101 and 104.

 

(6) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon a Board Resolution, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate.

 

(7) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its choosing 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, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

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(8) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(9) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney but in the case of any certificate or opinion specifically required by the Indenture to be delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the Indenture requirements.

 

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

 

(11) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture other than any liabilities arising out of the negligence of the Trustee.

 

(12) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(13) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(b) The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

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Section 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

 

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

 

Section 604. May Hold Securities.

 

The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

 

Section 605. Money Held in Trust.

 

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

 

Section 606. Compensation and Reimbursement.

 

(a) The Company agrees:

 

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as shall be agreed upon in writing from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

 

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct; and

 

(3) to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its own part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs

 

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and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

 

(b) As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to the 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 (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on particular Securities or any coupons.

 

(c) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Subsection 501(a) occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Section 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

Section 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

 

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609.

 

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.

 

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

 

(d) If at any time:

 

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

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(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

(e) If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of a notice of resignation or the delivery of an Act of removal, the Trustee resigning or being removed or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of Securities for at least six months, may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time, except as provided in Section 613, there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

 

(g) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

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Section 609. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

 

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

 

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which

 

(1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates,

 

(2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and

 

(3) 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 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; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

 

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(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in Subsection (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

 

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

Section 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

 

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities or coupons shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities or coupons so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities or coupons. In case any Securities or coupons shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities or coupons, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

 

Section 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

 

(a) At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company and, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 301, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of

 

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such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

 

(b) Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

 

(c) An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

 

(d) The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section.

 

(e) If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

 

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

 

[                                                                                      ]


as Trustee

By

 

 


    as Authenticating Agent

By

 

 


    Authorized Signatory

 

Section 612. Conflicting Interests.

 

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Sub-section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. [Disclosure of any Senior Indenture entered into between the Company and the Trustee.]

 

Section 613. Appointment of Co-Trustee.

 

(a) For the purpose of meeting any legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which the Company may at the time be located in connection with the enforcement of any right or the taking of any action on behalf of the Holders of any Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments necessary to appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or separate trustee or separate trustees, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. Each co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a trustee under Section 607. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Holders and the Company of the appointment of a co-trustee or separate trustee under this section.

 

(b) Every separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

 

(1) all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co-trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed the Trustee shall be incompetent or

 

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unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Trustee;

(2) no trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder;

 

(3) the Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee;

 

(4) any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions of this Article Six. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Indenture, specifically including every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection or rights (including the rights to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification hereunder) to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee; and

 

(5) any separate trustee or co-trustee may at any time constitute the Trustee its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this Indenture on its behalf and in its name for the purposes of enforcing any rights or taking any other action on behalf of the Holders of any Securities issued hereunder.

 

Section 614. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company.

 

Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five Business Days after the date any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

 

Section 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

 

(a) The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

 

(1) semiannually, not later than 15 days after each Regular Record Date for Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered Securities as of such Regular Record Date, or if there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semiannually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificates indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

 

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(2) 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 content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

 

provided, that, so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.

 

(b) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

 

(c) The rights of the Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(d) Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

 

Section 702. Reports by Trustee.

 

Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such May 15 if required by TIA Section 313(a).

 

A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of the listing or de-listing of the Securities on any stock exchange.

 

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Section 703. Reports by Company.

 

(a) The Company will:

 

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

 

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

 

(3) transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) of this Subsection as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

 

(b) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to Subsection (a) of this Section 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 compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

Section 704. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

 

Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year

 

(a) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods), if any, accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and

 

(b) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE EIGHT

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

 

Section 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

 

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

 

(a) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the corporation (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and on all the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(c) the Company and the successor Person have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

Section 802. Successor Person Substituted.

 

(a) Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the successor Person to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein; and in the event of any such conveyance or transfer (except by a lease), the Company shall be discharged from all its obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and coupons and may be dissolved and liquidated.

 

(b) Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor entity, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations prescribed in this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities of any series so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities of such series theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

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(c) In case of any such merger in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or any such consolidation, sale, lease, assignment, transfer or conveyance, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

 

Section 803. Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

 

Any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer or lease permitted under Section 801 is also subject to the condition that the Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer, assignment or lease, and the assumption by any successor Person and any such supplemental indenture, comply with the provisions of this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

 

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, the Company when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

 

(a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or

 

(b) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

 

(c) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided, that, in respect of any such additional Events of Default 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 that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or

 

(d) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer

 

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Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

 

(e) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

 

(f) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of such indenture supplement, if applicable; or

 

(g) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any related coupons as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including the provisions and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company); or

 

(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the 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; or

 

(i) to close this indenture with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities, to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

 

(j) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

 

(k) to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

 

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

 

(a) With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, with each series voting separately, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, and the Company when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture which affects such

 

65


series of Securities or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, that, no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected thereby:

 

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, subject to the provisions of Section 308; or reduce the principal amount thereof (or premium, if any) or the rate of interest (or change the manner of calculation of interest) thereon, or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1005 (except as contemplated by Sub-section 801(a) and permitted by Sub-section 901(a)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the Currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest or Additional Amount thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 301 herein, or

 

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or voting, or

 

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 514 or Section 1007, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture that affect such series cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

 

(4) modify any of the provisions of this Indenture relating to the subordination of the Securities or the definitions related thereto as they affect subordination in a manner adverse to the Holders, or

 

(5) cause the Securities to be expressly subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company.

 

(b) It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

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(c) A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of 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 Securities of any other series.

 

(d) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders at the close of Business on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

 

Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

 

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon (subject to the provisions of Article Six hereof), an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Section 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

 

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

 

Section 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

Section 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

 

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall, if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

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Section 907. Effect on Senior Indebtedness.

 

No supplemental indenture shall adversely affect the rights of any holder of Senior Indebtedness under Article Sixteen without the consent of such holder.

 

ARTICLE TEN

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest.

 

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before Maturity, other than Additional Amounts, if any, payable as provided in Section 1005 in respect of principal of (or premium, if any, on) such a Security, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security or wire transfer to an account in the United States maintained by the Payee.

 

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

(a) If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain:

 

(1) in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and where Bearer Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment in the circumstances described in the clause(2) of this Subsection (and not otherwise),

 

(2) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series which is located outside the United States, an office or agency

 

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where Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, that, if the Securities of that series are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for the Securities of that series in Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of that series are listed on such exchange, and

 

(3) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series located outside the United States an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that 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 each such office or agency.

 

(b) 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 Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment at the offices specified in the Security, in London, England, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

(c) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, no payment of principal, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, that, if the Securities of a series are payable in Dollars, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Bearer Security shall be made at the office of the Company’s Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principal, premium or interest, as the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States maintained for such purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture, is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

 

(d) The Company may from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, that, no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301 with

 

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respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent in such city and as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

(e) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series

 

(1) are denominated in a Currency other than Dollars or

 

(2) may be payable in a Currency other than Dollars, or

 

(3) so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture,

 

then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent.

 

Section 1003. Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust.

 

(a) If the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of them shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of such series so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

(b) Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the Currency described in Subsection 1003(a)) sufficient to pay the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

(c) The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

 

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(d) Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such principal, premium or interest on any Security, without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, that, the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series, or mailed to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 1004. Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article Eight, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and material rights and franchises (charter and statutory); provided, that, neither the Company shall be required to preserve any such right or franchise if it shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer necessary or desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company; and provided further, that the foregoing shall not prohibit a sale, transfer or conveyance of a Subsidiary or any of its assets in compliance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

Section 1005. Additional Amounts.

 

(a) If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of a Security of such series or any coupon appertaining thereto Additional Amounts as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series or payment of any related coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

(b) Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal, premium

 

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or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series or any related coupons who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of the series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series or related coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above-mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (1) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest with respect to any Securities of a series or related coupons until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (2) to make all payments of principal of (or premium, if any) and interest with respect to the Securities of a series or related coupons without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

 

Section 1006. Statement as to Compliance.

 

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, if the Company is in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which he or she may have knowledge. For purposes of this Section 1006, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

 

Section 1007. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

 

(a) With respect to the Securities of any series, the Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition specified pursuant to Section 301 as being subject to this Section 1007, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series affected by such term, provision or condition, by Act of such Holders, waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

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Section 1008. Statement by Officers as to Default.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within 10 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 1101. Applicability of Article.

 

Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

 

Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

 

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

 

Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.

 

(a) If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

 

(b) The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

(c) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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Section 1104. Notice of Redemption.

 

(a) Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

 

(b) Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. All notices of redemption shall state:

 

(1) the Redemption Date,

 

(2) the Redemption Price and the amount of accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106,

 

(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,

 

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

 

(5) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

(6) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, together in the case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

 

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

 

(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all coupons maturing subsequent to the Redemption Date or the amount of any such missing coupon or coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee for such series and any Paying Agent is furnished,

 

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(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and any Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on this Redemption Date pursuant to Section 305 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made, and

 

(10) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any.

 

(c) Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

 

(a) Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities of any series so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall if the same were interest-bearing cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, that, installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided further that installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to

 

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Section 301, on) the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

 

(b) If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, that, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

 

(c) If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

 

Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.

 

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series, 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 Security so surrendered. However, if less than all the Securities of any series with differing issue dates, interest rates and stated maturities are to be redeemed, the Company in its sole discretion shall select the particular Securities to be redeemed and shall notify the Trustee in writing thereof at least 45 days prior to the relevant redemption date.

 

ARTICLE TWELVE

 

SINKING FUNDS

 

Section 1201. Applicability of Article.

 

(a) The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

 

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(b) The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series 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 such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

 

Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

 

Except as otherwise specifically contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (a) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto and (b) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

 

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ARTICLE THIRTEEN

 

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

 

Section 1301. Applicability of Article.

 

Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

 

Section 1302. Repayment of Securities.

 

Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at the Repayment Price thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or before the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of them is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

 

Section 1303. Exercise of Option.

 

Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less than the entire Repayment Price of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the portion of the Repayment Price of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. Any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

 

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Section 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.

 

(a) If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be repaid, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Repayment Date, the Repayment Price of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, that, coupons whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of such coupons; and provided further that installments of interest on Registered Securities, whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 301, on) the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

 

(b) If any Bearer Security surrendered for repayment shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Repayment Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the amount payable therefor as provided in Section 1302 an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made as provided in the preceding sentence, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, that, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

 

(c) If any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, the Repayment Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

 

Section 1305. Securities Repaid in Part.

 

Upon surrender of any Registered Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

 

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ARTICLE FOURTEEN

 

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 1401. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

If pursuant to Section 301 provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 1402 (if applicable) or Section 1403 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

 

Section 1402. Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall each be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 1402, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(a) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due,

 

(b) the obligations of the Company with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1005 with respect to the rights, if any, of the holders of such Securities to require the Company to repay such Securities as contemplated by Article Thirteen and with respect to the rights, if any, of holders to convert or exchange such Securities into other Securities,

 

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(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and

 

(d) subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 1402 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

Section 1403. Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall each be released from its obligations under any other covenant specified pursuant to Section 301, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to not be “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any applicable covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under clauses (4) or (7) of Subsection 501(a) or otherwise except as specified in accordance with Section 301, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected thereby.

 

Section 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any coupons appertaining thereto:

 

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount (in such Currency in which such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in

 

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accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or nationally recognized independent investment banking firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

(b) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

 

(c) No Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

 

(d) In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (2) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto 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.

 

(e) In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto 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.

 

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of a deposit pursuant to Subsection (a) of this Section and the related exercise of the Company’s option under Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be), registration is not required under the

 

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Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the trustee for such trust funds or (ii) all necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

 

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

 

Section 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of Subsection 1003(d), all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(b) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 301, if, after a deposit referred to in Subsection 1404(a) has been made, (1) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Subsection 312(b) or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Subsection 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (2) a Conversion Event occurs as contemplated in Subsection 312(d) or 312(e) or by the terms of any Security in respect of which the deposit pursuant to Subsection 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

 

(c) The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

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(d) Anything in this Article Fourteen to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

 

Section 1406. Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 1405 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations, under this Indenture and such Securities and any related coupons shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 1402 or 1403, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1405; provided, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any such Security or any related coupon following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities and any related coupons to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

 

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

Section 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

 

If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

 

Section 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

 

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or in London as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

 

(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action

 

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proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section.

 

Section 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

 

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

Section 1504. Quorum; Action.

 

(a) The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Subsection 1502(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

 

(b) Subject to Subsection (a) of this section, at the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum the Persons entitled to vote 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities at the time shall constitute a quorum for the taking of any action set forth in the notice of the original meeting.

 

(c) Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal

 

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amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, that except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

 

(d) Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

 

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

 

(1) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

 

(2) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

 

Section 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Company may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 or by having the signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

 

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(b) The Company shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by Holders of Securities as provided in Subsection 1502(b), in which case the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

 

(c) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, that, no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

 

(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

 

Section 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

 

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Subsection 1502(a) and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the former to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

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ARTICLE SIXTEEN

 

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 1601. Agreement to Subordinate.

 

Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Securities is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness.

 

Section 1602. Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities.

 

(a) Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company or otherwise (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred in this Indenture upon the Senior Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law):

 

(1) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on indebtedness evidenced by the Securities;

 

(2) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Sixteen shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and

 

(3) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property

 

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or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be paid over, upon written notice to the Trustee, to the holder of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instrument evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, for application to payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

(b) Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities shall be paid in full and no such payments or distributions to the Holders of the Securities of cash, property or securities otherwise distributable to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Sixteen are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or in the Securities prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Sixteen of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 601, shall be entitled to rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.

 

(c) The Trustee, however, shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be liable to any such holder if it shall pay over or distribute to or on behalf of Holders of Securities or the Company moneys or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Sixteen.

 

(d) If the Trustee or any Holder of Securities does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to above prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim in such proceeding, then the holder of any Senior Indebtedness is hereby authorized, and has the right, to file an appropriate claim or claims for or on behalf of such Holder of Securities.

 

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Section 1603. No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances.

 

(a) Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301,

 

(1) Upon the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness by lapse of time, acceleration (unless waived, rescinded or annulled) or otherwise, or upon any payment default (with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, in accordance with the terms of the instrument governing such Senior Indebtedness, and without any waiver or forgiveness) with respect to any Senior Indebtedness, all amounts payable thereon shall first be paid in full, or such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment is made, directly or indirectly by set off or otherwise, on account of principal of, or interest on, the Securities of such series or to acquire any of the Securities of such series or on account of the redemption provisions of the Securities of such series.

 

(2) Upon a default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness (other than under circumstances when the terms of clause (1) of this Section are applicable), as such default is defined therein or in the instrument under which it is outstanding, permitting the holders to accelerate the maturity thereof, upon written notice thereof given to the Company and the Trustee by or on behalf of holders of such Senior Indebtedness (“Default Notice”), then, unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or shall have ceased to exist, no direct or indirect payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal of, or interest on, the Securities of such series and the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto or to acquire any of such Securities or on account of the redemption provisions of the Securities of such series and the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto; provided, that this clause (2) shall not prevent the making of any payment (which is not otherwise prohibited by clause (1) of this Section) for more than 179 days after the Default Notice shall have been given unless the Senior Indebtedness in respect of which such event of default exists has been declared due and payable in its entirety, in which case no such payment may be made until such acceleration has been rescinded or annulled or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full.

 

(3) If, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, any payment on account of principal of, or interest on, the Securities of such series or of any coupon appertaining thereto shall be received by the Trustee, by and Holder or by any Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, money for any such payment is segregated and held in trust), then, unless and until such payment is no longer prohibited by this Section, such payment (subject to the provisions of Section 1603) shall be held in trust for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness and, upon notice to the Trustee or such Paying Agent from the representative of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and pursuant to the directions of such representative, shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative(s), ratably according to the aggregate amount remaining unpaid on account of the principal of and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, or application to the

 

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payment or prepayment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness. Promptly after becoming aware thereof, the Company shall give written notice to the Trustee of any event prohibiting payments on account of principal of, or interest on, the Securities of any series and any coupons appertaining thereto and, in such event, shall provide to the Trustee, in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the names and addresses of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and their representative(s), if any, the amount of the Senior Indebtedness held by each such holder, any information necessary to calculate the daily or other increase in Senior Indebtedness held by such holders and any other information which the Trustee may reasonably request to comply with this Article. Subject to the provisions of Section 1602 hereof, in the event that the Trustee or the Paying Agent reasonably determines that additional evidence is required with respect to any person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, may request that such person furnish evidence to its reasonable as to the extent such person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and as to other facts pertinent to the rights of such persons under this Article and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, may defer any payment to such person pending judicial determination as to the right of such person to receive such payment.

 

Section 1604. Payments on Securities Permitted.

 

(a) Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall,

 

(1) affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, at any time except as provided in Sections 1602 and 1603, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities, or

 

(2) prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities, unless the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any event prohibiting the making of such payment more than two Business Days prior to the date fixed for such payment.

 

Section 1605. Authorization of Holders to Trustee to Effect Subordination.

 

Each Holder of Securities by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article Sixteen and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

Section 1606. Notices to Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article Sixteen or any other provisions of this Indenture, neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any event which would

 

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prohibit the making of any payment of moneys to or by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, unless and until the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have received (in the case of the Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office) written notice thereof from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee; provided, that if at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security) the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys the notice provided for in this Section 1606, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary, which may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such a notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further 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 Sixteen, 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 any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Sixteen 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.

 

Section 1607. Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness.

 

(a) The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Sixteen in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in Section 613 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

 

(b) Nothing in this Article Sixteen shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 606.

 

Section 1608. Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness.

 

Any renewal or extension of the time of payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee. No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such release is in accordance with the provisions of any applicable document, shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article Sixteen or of the Securities relating to the subordination thereof.

 

92


Section 1609. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.

 

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.

 

93


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
By  

 


Name:    
Title:    
[TRUSTEE],
            as Trustee
By  

 


Name:    
Title:    

 

94


EXHIBIT A

 

FORMS OF CERTIFICATES

 

A-1


EXHIBIT A-1

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY PERSON ENTITLED

TO RECEIVE BEARER SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST

PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

 

CERTIFICATE

 

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

 

This is to certify that, as of the date hereof, and except as set forth below, the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account (i) are owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all of its decisions (“United States person(s)”), (ii) are owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such United States financial institution hereby agrees, on its own behalf or through its agent, that you may advise Central Garden & Pet Company or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) are owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, in addition, if the owner is a United States or foreign financial institution described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)), this is to further certify that such financial institution has not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

 

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

We undertake to advise you promptly by tested telex on or prior to the date on which you intend to submit your certification relating to the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account in accordance with your Operating Procedures if any applicable statement herein is not correct on such date, and in the absence of any such notification it may be assumed that this certification applies as of such date. This certificate excepts and does not relate to [U. S. $]                     of such interest in the above-captioned Securities in respect of which we are not able to certify and as to which we understand an exchange for an interest in a Permanent Global Security or an exchange for and delivery of definitive Securities (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) cannot be made until we do so certify.

 

A-1-1


We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Dated:                                                                               

[To be dated no earlier than the 15th day prior to (i) the Exchange Date or (ii) the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable] [Name of Person Making Certification]

 


(Authorized Signatory)

Name:

Title:

 

A-1-2


EXHIBIT A-2

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND

CLEARSTREAM BANKING SOCIETE ANONYME IN CONNECTION

WITH THE EXCHANGE OF A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL

SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

 

CERTIFICATE

 

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

 

This is to certify that, based solely on written certifications that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of the principal amount set forth below (our “Member Organizations”) substantially in the form attached hereto, as of the date hereof, [U.S.$]                      principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) is owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source or a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all of its decisions (“United States person(s)”), (ii) is owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such financial institution has agreed, on its own behalf or through its agent, that we may advise Central Garden & Pet Company or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, to the further effect, that financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) have certified that they have not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

 

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

We further certify that (i) we are not making available herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) any portion of the temporary global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in the above-referenced certificates of Member Organizations and (ii) as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.

 

A-2-1


We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Dated:                                                                               

[To be dated no earlier than the Exchange Date or the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

 

[Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New

York, Brussels Office,] as Operator of

the Euroclear System

[Clearstream Banking societe anonyme]

By

 

 


 

A-2-2

EX-23.1 4 dex231.htm CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Central Garden & Pet Company on Form S-3 of our report dated December 6, 2004 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to a change in accounting principle) appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Central Garden & Pet Company for the year ended September 25, 2004 and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

January 13, 2005

San Francisco, California

EX-25.3 5 dex253.htm STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION ON FORM T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1

EXHIBIT 25.3

 


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 


 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

Not Applicable                                                            94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or

organization if not a U.S. national bank)

 

                                                         (I.R.S. Employer

                                                         Identification No.)

 

420 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA

                                                           94163

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

                                                         (Zip code)

 

Wells Fargo & Company

Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-172

Sixth and Marquette, 17th Floor

Minneapolis, MN 55479

(agent for services)

 


 

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

            DELAWARE                                                            68-0275553

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

                                                         (I.R.S. Employer

                                                         Identification No.)

 

3697 Mount Diablo Blvd, Suite 310

Lafayette, CA

                                                           94549

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

                                                         (Zip code)

 


 

8 1/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2013

(Title of the indenture securities)

 



Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Comptroller of the Currency,

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C. 20230

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C. 20429

 

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA 94120

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None with respect to the trustee.

 

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15. Foreign Trustee.   Not applicable.
Item 16. List of Exhibits.   List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility. Wells Fargo Bank incorporates by reference into this Form T-1 exhibits attached hereto.

 

Exhibit 1.    A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect. *
Exhibit 2.    A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated November 28, 2001. *
Exhibit 3.    A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers. A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence (with Fiduciary Powers) for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated November 28, 2001. *
Exhibit 4.    Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect. *
Exhibit 5.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 6.    The consents of United States institutional trustees required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
Exhibit 7.    Attached is a copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
Exhibit 8.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 9.    Not applicable.

 


* Incorporated by reference to exhibit number 25 filed with registration statement number 333-87398.


SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Los Angeles and State of California on the day of 12th day of January, 2005.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   

/s/ Maddy Hall


Name:

  Maddy Hall

Title:

  Trust Officer


Exhibit 6

 

January 12, 2005

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request thereof.

 

Very truly yours,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

/s/ Maddy Hall


Maddy Hall

Trust Officer


Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business September 30, 2004, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

          Dollar Amounts
In Millions


ASSETS

           

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

           

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

        $ 13,183

Interest-bearing balances

          2,782

Securities:

           

Held-to-maturity securities

          0

Available-for-sale securities

          30,191

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

           

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

          5,017

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

          961

Loans and lease financing receivables:

           

Loans and leases held for sale

          33,062

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

   240,775       

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

   2,467       

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

          238,308

Trading Assets

          5,989

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

          3,273

Other real estate owned

          122

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

          299

Customers’ liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding

          112

Intangible assets

           

Goodwill

          8,558

Other intangible assets

          8,485

Other assets

          12,631
         

Total assets

        $ 362,973
         

LIABILITIES

           

Deposits:

           

In domestic offices

        $ 261,252

Noninterest-bearing

   79,485       

Interest-bearing

   181,767       

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

          18,543

Noninterest-bearing

   3       

Interest-bearing

   18,540       

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

           

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

          11,909

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

          3,155

Trading liabilities

          4,285

Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

          15,091

Bank’s liability on acceptances executed and outstanding

          112

Subordinated notes and debentures

          4,531

Other liabilities

          10,005
         

Total liabilities

        $ 328,883

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries

          53

EQUITY CAPITAL

           

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

          0

Common stock

          520

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

          24,512

Retained earnings

          8,305

Accumulated other comprehensive income

          700

Other equity capital components

          0
         

Total equity capital

          34,037
         

Total liabilities, minority interest, and equity capital

        $ 362,973
         

 

I, James E. Hanson, Vice President of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

James E. Hanson

Vice President

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

Dave Hoyt

         

Howard Atkins

   Directors     

Pat Callahan

         
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-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----