No Solicitation by the Company (a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.4, from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the First Effective Time and the Termination Date, the Company agrees that it shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors and officers not to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its other Representatives not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate any inquiry regarding, or the making or submission of any proposal, offer or indication of intent that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, or result in, a Company Alternative Proposal, (ii) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations with any Person regarding a Company Alternative Proposal or any inquiry, proposal or offer that would reasonably be expected to lead to, or result in, a Company Alternative Proposal (except to notify such Person that the provisions of this Section 5.4 prohibit any such discussions or negotiations), (iii) furnish any nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with or for the purpose of facilitating a Company Alternative Proposal or any inquiry, proposal or offer that would reasonably be expected to lead to, or result in, a Company Alternative Proposal; (iv) recommend or enter into any other letter of intent, memorandum of understandings, agreement in principle, option agreement, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other similar agreement with respect to a Company Alternative Proposal (except for confidentiality agreements permitted under Section 5.4(b)); or (v) approve, authorize or agree to do any of the foregoing or otherwise knowingly facilitate any effort or attempt to make a Company Alternative Proposal.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.4 to the contrary, at any time prior to, but not after, obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, if the Company receives a bona fide, unsolicited Company Alternative Proposal that did not result from the Company’s violation of this Section 5.4, the Company and its Representatives may contact the third party making such Company Alternative Proposal to clarify the terms and conditions thereof. If (i) such Company Alternative Proposal constitutes a Company Superior Proposal or (ii) the Company Board determines in good faith after consultation with outside legal and financial advisors that such Company Alternative Proposal could reasonably be expected to lead to a Company Superior Proposal, the Company may take the following actions: (A) furnish nonpublic information to the third party making such Company Alternative Proposal (including its Representatives and prospective equity and debt financing sources) in response to a request therefor, if, and only if, prior to so furnishing such information, the third party has executed a confidentiality agreement with the Company having confidentiality and use provisions that, in each case, are not less restrictive in the aggregate to such third party than the provisions in the Confidentiality Agreement are to Parent (it being understood that such confidentiality agreement need not contain any “standstill” or similar provisions or otherwise prohibit the making or amendment of any Company Alternative Proposal), provided, however, that if the third party making such Company Alternative Proposal is a known competitor of the Company, the Company shall not provide any commercially sensitive non-public information to such third party in connection with any actions permitted by this Section 5.4(b) other than in accordance with customary “clean room” or other similar procedures designed to limit the disclosure of competitively sensitive information, and (B) engage in discussions or negotiations with the third party (including its Representatives) with respect to the Company Alternative Proposal. The Company shall promptly (and in any event within 48 hours) notify Parent in writing if: (i) any inquiries, proposals or offers with respect to a Company Alternative Proposal are received by the Company or any of its Representatives or (ii) any information is requested from the Company or any of its Representatives that, to the Knowledge of the Company, has been or is reasonably likely to have been made in connection with any Company Alternative Proposal, which notice shall identify the material terms and conditions thereof (including the name of the applicable third party and, if applicable, complete copies of any written requests, proposals or offers and any other material documents, including proposed agreements). It is understood and agreed that any contacts, disclosures, discussions or negotiations permitted under this Section 5.4(b), including any public announcement that the Company or the Company Board has made any determination contemplated under this Section 5.4(b) to take or engage in any such actions, shall not constitute a Company Change of Recommendation or otherwise constitute a basis for Parent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(ii). The Company shall keep Parent reasonably informed on a reasonably current basis of any material developments regarding any Company Alternative Proposals or any material change to the terms of any such Company Alternative Proposal and any material change to the status of any such discussions or negotiations with respect thereto.
(c) Except as set forth in this Section 5.4, the Company Board, including any committee thereof, shall not (i) withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or propose publicly to withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, the Company Recommendation, (ii) fail to include the Company Recommendation in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus that is mailed by the Company to the stockholders of the Company; (iii) if any Company Alternative Proposal that is structured as a tender offer or exchange offer for the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock is commenced pursuant to Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act (other than by Parent or an Affiliate of Parent), fail to recommend, within ten Business Days after such commencement, against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by its stockholders; (iv) approve, adopt, recommend or declare advisable any Company Alternative Proposal or publicly propose to approve, adopt or recommend, or declare advisable any Company Alternative Proposal; or (v) approve, adopt or recommend, or declare advisable or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other agreement (other than a confidentiality agreement referred to in and entered into compliance with Section 5.4(b)) with respect to any Company Alternative Proposal (any such action set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) through (v), a “Company Change of Recommendation”). Anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement notwithstanding, prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, the Company Board may, in response to a Company Superior Proposal, (x) make a Company Change of Recommendation and/or (y) cause the Company to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(ii); provided, that the Company Board shall not be entitled to make such a Company Change of Recommendation or cause any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(ii) (A) unless the Company shall have given Parent at least five Business Days’ written notice (a “Company Superior Proposal Notice”) advising Parent of its intention to make such a Company Change of Recommendation or terminate this Agreement, which Company Superior Proposal Notice shall include a description of the terms and conditions of the Company Superior Proposal that is the basis for the proposed action of the Company Board, the identity of the Person making the Company Superior Proposal and a copy of any proposed definitive agreement for such Company Superior Proposal, if any, and the Company shall have negotiated in good faith with Parent (to the extent Parent wishes to negotiate) to enable Parent to make such amendments to the terms of this Agreement as would permit the Company Board not to effect a Company Change of Recommendation or terminate this Agreement in connection with such Company Superior Proposal, and (B) unless, at the end of the five-Business Day period following the delivery of such Company Superior Proposal Notice (the “Company Superior Proposal Notice Period”), after taking into account any firm commitments made by Parent in writing to amend the terms of this Agreement and any other proposals or information offered by Parent during the Company Superior Proposal Notice Period, the Company Board concludes that the Company Superior Proposal giving rise to the Company Superior Proposal Notice continues to constitute a Company Superior Proposal if such amendments were to be given effect; provided, that any material modifications to the terms of the Company Superior Proposal (including any change in the amount or form of consideration) shall commence a new notice period pursuant clause (A) of three Business Days.
(d) Anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement notwithstanding, prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, but not after, the Company Board may, in response to a Company Intervening Event, make a Company Change of Recommendation if the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel, that the failure of the Company Board to take such action would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided, that the Company Board shall not be entitled to make such a Company Change of Recommendation unless (i) the Company shall have given Parent at least five Business Days’ written notice (a “Company Intervening Event Notice”) advising Parent of its intention to make such a Company Change of Recommendation, which Company Intervening Event Notice shall include a description of the applicable Company Intervening Event and (ii) unless, at the end of the five-Business Day period following the delivery of such Company Intervening Event Notice (the “Company Intervening Event Notice Period”), after taking into account any firm commitments made by Parent in writing to amend the terms of this Agreement and any other proposals or information offered by Parent during the Company Intervening Event Notice Period, the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel, that the failure of the Company Board to make such Company Change of Recommendation would continue to be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law if such amendments were to be given effect.
(e) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company or the Company Board or any committee thereof from (i) complying with its disclosure obligations under applicable Law or rules and policies of the NYSE, including taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14d-9 or Rule 14e-2(a) or Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A under the Exchange Act (or any similar communication to stockholders) or from issuing a “stop, look and listen” statement pending disclosure of its position thereunder or (ii) making any disclosure to its stockholders if the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel, that the failure of the Company Board to make such disclosure would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to the Company’s stockholders under applicable Law.
Public Disclosure Parent and Company will consult with each other and agree before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statement with respect to the Merger, this Agreement or an Acquisition Proposal and will not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such agreement, except as may be required by law or any listing agreement with a national securities exchange, in which case reasonable efforts to consult with the other party will be made prior to any such release or public statement. The parties have agreed to the text of the joint press release announcing the signing of this Agreement.
Public Disclosures The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, disclose any Investor’s name or identity as an investor in the Company in any press release or other public announcement or in any document or material filed with any governmental entity (other than tax filings in the ordinary course), without the prior written consent of such Investor, unless such disclosure is required by applicable law or governmental regulations or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, in which case prior to making such disclosure the Company shall give written notice to such Investor describing in reasonable detail the proposed content of such disclosure and shall permit such Investor to review and comment upon the form and substance of such disclosure.
No Public Disclosure The Company shall not disclose any holder of Investor Units’ name or identity as an investor in the Company in any press release or other public announcement or in any document or material filed with any governmental entity, without the prior written consent of such Person, unless such disclosure is required by applicable law or governmental regulations or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, in which case prior to making such disclosure the Company shall give written notice to such Person describing in reasonable detail the proposed content of such disclosure and shall permit such Person to review and comment upon the form and substance of such disclosure.
Release by the Company (a) The Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases and forever discharges each Seller and each of their Representatives (collectively, the “Seller Releasees”) from any and all claims, counterclaims, setoffs, demands, Actions, orders, obligations, contracts, agreements, debts, damages, expenses, losses and liabilities whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, both at law and in equity (collectively, “Company Claims”), which the Company now has, has ever had, or may hereafter have against the Seller Releasees arising contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing or on account of or arising out of any matter, cause, or event occurring contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing, whether or not relating to Company Claims pending on, or asserted after, the Closing (collectively, the “Company Released Claims”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this Release will operate to release any obligation of Sellers set forth in (i) the Purchase Agreement or any agreement or instrument being executed and delivered pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or (ii) the Employment Agreement or the Separation Agreement.
(b) The Company represents and warrants to each Seller Releasee that the Company has not transferred, assigned, or otherwise disposed of any part of or interest in any Company Released Claim.
(c) The Company hereby irrevocably covenants not to, directly or indirectly, assert any claim or demand, or commence, institute, or voluntarily aid in any way, or cause to be commenced or instituted, any Action of any kind against any Seller Releasee based upon any Company Released Claim.
(d) Without in any way limiting any rights and remedies otherwise available to any Seller Releasee, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Seller Releasee from and against and shall pay to each Seller Releasee the amount of, or reimburse each Seller Releasee for, all loss, liability, claim, damage (including incidental and consequential damages), or expense (including reasonable costs of investigation and defense and reasonable attorneys’ and reasonable accountants’ fees), whether or not involving third-party claims, arising directly or indirectly from or in connection with (a) the assertion by or on behalf of the Company of any Company Released Claim, and (b) the assertion by any third party of any claim or demand against any Seller Releasee which claim or demand arises directly or indirectly from, or in connection with, any assertion by or on behalf of the Company against such third party of any Company Released Claim.
Notice by the Company The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section at least 2 Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within 2 Business Days prior to such date. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively 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 or representative on behalf of such holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder or holders. 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 such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XV, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such 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 XV, 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.
Cooperation by the Company If any Shareholder shall transfer any Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, the Company shall cooperate, to the extent commercially reasonable, with such Shareholder and shall provide to such Shareholder such information as such Shareholder shall reasonably request.
Waiver by the Company The Company irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Eligible Subsidiary or any other Person.
Reliance by the Company Such Stockholder understands and acknowledges that the Company is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon such Stockholder’s execution and delivery of this Agreement.
Confidentiality; Public Disclosure (a) Each of the Agents and the Lenders agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement that is designated by such Loan Party as confidential; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (i) to any Agent, any other Lender or any affiliate of any thereof, (ii) to any Participant or Assignee (each, a “Transferee”) or prospective Transferee that agrees to comply with the provisions of this Section or substantially equivalent provisions, (iii) any of its employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors, (iv) any financial institution that is a direct or indirect contractual counterparty in swap agreements or such contractual counterparty’s professional advisor (so long as such contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section), (v) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it, (vi) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (vii) in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding, (viii) that has been publicly disclosed other than in breach of this Section, (ix) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender or (x) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document.
(b) None of the Loan Parties shall issue any press release or other public disclosure (other than any filing required to be made with the SEC) using the name of any of the Lenders or any affiliate of a Lender in connection with this transaction without both (i) providing any such Lender with at least two (2) Business Days’ prior notice and (ii) obtaining the Lender’s or such Lender’s affiliate’s prior written consent. Nothing in the immediately preceding sentence shall prevent any disclosure of the name of any Lender or of any affiliate of such Lender to the extent (and only to the extent) required by any Requirement of Law, provided that, the person or entity making such disclosure shall nonetheless consult with the affected Lender or the relevant affiliate of such Lender prior to issuing such press release or other public disclosure.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Lenders and their Affiliates shall have the right to (i) list and exhibit the Borrower’s name and logo, as provided by the Borrower from time to time, and describe the transaction that is the subject of this Agreement in their marketing materials and (ii) post such information, including, without limitation, a customary “tombstone,” on their web site.
