1
Exhibit 2.1
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
between
The Limited, Inc.,
and
Too, Inc.
---------------------------
DATED AS OF AUGUST 23, 1999
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE 1DEFINITIONS............................................................................4
SECTION 1.1. Definitions.......................................................................4
ARTICLE 2CONTRIBUTIONS TO TOO, INC..............................................................8
SECTION 2.1. Contribution of Contributed Subsidiaries..........................................8
SECTION 2.2. Transfers of Certain Assets; Assumption of Certain Liabilities....................8
SECTION 2.3. Agreement Relating To Consents Necessary To Transfer Assets......................10
ARTICLE 3THE DISTRIBUTION......................................................................10
SECTION 3.1. Cooperation Prior to the Distribution............................................10
SECTION 3.2. The Limited Board Action; Conditions Precedent to the Distribution...............11
SECTION 3.3. The Distribution.................................................................12
SECTION 3.4. Subdivision of Too, Inc. Common Stock to Accomplish the Distribution.............12
SECTION 3.5. Fractional Shares................................................................12
ARTICLE 4INDEMNIFICATION.......................................................................13
SECTION 4.1. Too, Inc. Indemnification of The Limited Group...................................13
SECTION 4.2. The Limited Indemnification of Too, Inc. Group...................................13
SECTION 4.3. Insurance; Third Party Obligations; Tax Benefits.................................14
SECTION 4.4. Notice and Payment of Claims.....................................................14
SECTION 4.5. Notice and Defense of Third-Party Claims.........................................15
SECTION 4.6. Contribution.....................................................................16
SECTION 4.7. Non-Exclusivity of Remedies......................................................16
ARTICLE 5EMPLOYEE MATTERS......................................................................16
SECTION 5.1. Employee Matters Generally.......................................................16
SECTION 5.2. Restriction on Solicitation or Employment of Employees...........................17
ARTICLE 6ACCESS TO INFORMATION.................................................................17
SECTION 6.1. Provision of Corporate Records...................................................17
SECTION 6.2. Access to Information............................................................17
SECTION 6.3. Litigation Cooperation...........................................................18
SECTION 6.4. Reimbursement....................................................................18
SECTION 6.5. Retention of Records.............................................................18
SECTION 6.6. Confidentiality..................................................................18
SECTION 6.7. Inapplicability of Article 6 to Tax Matters......................................19
ARTICLE 7CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS..............................................................19
SECTION 7.1. Intercompany Accounts............................................................19
SECTION 7.2. Certain Rights Upon a Third Party Obtaining Above a Specified Ownership
Level of Too, Inc. Common Stock.......................................................19
SECTION 7.3. Further Assurances and Consents..................................................20
ARTICLE 8MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................................20
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SECTION 8.1. Notices..........................................................................20
SECTION 8.2. Amendments; No Waivers...........................................................21
SECTION 8.3. Expenses.........................................................................21
SECTION 8.4. Successor and Assigns............................................................22
SECTION 8.5. Governing Law....................................................................22
SECTION 8.6. Counterparts; Effectiveness......................................................22
SECTION 8.7. Entire Agreement.................................................................22
SECTION 8.8. Tax Separation Agreement; Set-Off; Payment of After-Tax Amounts..................22
SECTION 8.9. Jurisdiction.....................................................................23
SECTION 8.10. Existing Arrangements............................................................23
SECTION 8.11. Termination Prior to the Distribution............................................24
SECTION 8.12. Termination After the Distribution...............................................24
SECTION 8.13. Captions.........................................................................24
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PAGE
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Schedule 2.01 -- Contributed Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.01 -- Employee Matters
Schedule 7.01 -- Intercompany Accounts
iii
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DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT dated as of August 23, 1999 (the "AGREEMENT")
between The Limited, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("THE LIMITED"), and Too,
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("TOO, INC.").
W I T N E S S E T H:
HEREAS, Too, Inc. is presently a wholly owned subsidiary of The
Limited;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of The Limited has determined that it
is in the best interest of The Limited, its shareholders and Too, Inc. that all
shares of Too, Inc. Common Stock owned by The Limited be distributed pro rata to
The Limited's shareholders;
WHEREAS, The Limited and Too, Inc. are concurrently herewith entering
into the Tax Separation Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to set forth herein the principal
corporate transactions to be effected in connection with the Distribution (as
defined below) and certain other matters relating to the relationship and the
respective rights and obligations of the parties following the Distribution.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. Definitions. The following terms, as used herein, have the
following meanings:
"ACTION" means any claim, suit, action, arbitration, inquiry,
investigation or other proceeding by or before any court, governmental or other
regulatory or administrative agency or commission or any other tribunal.
"AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, any Person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such other
Person. For the purposes of this definition, "CONTROL" means the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
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management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "CONTROLLING" and
"CONTROLLED" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"ANCILLARY AGREEMENT" means each of the Tax Separation Agreement, the
Services Agreement, the Store Leases Agreement, the Building Lease Amendment and
the Trademark and Service Xxxx Licensing Agreement.
"BUILDING LEASE AMENDMENT" means the Amendment, dated as of the date
hereof, to the Building Lease Agreement dated as of July 1, 1995 between
Distribution Land Corp. and Too, Inc.
"COMMISSION" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"DISTRIBUTION" means a distribution by The Limited on the Distribution
Date of all Too, Inc. Common Stock owned by it to the holders of The Limited
Common Stock as of the Record Date.
"DISTRIBUTION AGENT" means EquiServe, First Chicago Division.
"DISTRIBUTION DATE" means the day as of which the Distribution shall be
effected.
"DISTRIBUTION DOCUMENTS" means all of the agreements and other
documents entered into in connection with the Distribution as contemplated
hereby, including, without limitation, this Agreement and the other Ancillary
Agreements.
"ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any and all federal, state, local and
foreign statutes, laws, judicial decisions, regulations, ordinances, rules,
judgments, orders, decrees, codes, plans, permits, licenses and governmental
restrictions, whether now or hereafter in effect, relating to the environment,
the effect of the environment on human health or to emissions, discharges,
releases, manufacturing, storage, processing, distribution, use, treatment,
disposal, transportation or handling of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or
petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic, radioactive or hazardous
substances or wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"FINALLY DETERMINED" means, with respect to any Action or other matter,
that the outcome or resolution of such Action or matter has been judicially
determined by judgment or order not subject to further appeal or discretionary
review.
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"FORM 10" means the registration statement on Form 10 filed by Too,
Inc. with the Commission on May 4, 1999 to effect the registration of Too, Inc.
Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the Distribution,
as such registration statement may be amended from time to time.
"GROUP" means, as the context requires, the Too, Inc. Group or The
Limited Group.
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04.
"INDEMNIFYING PARTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04.
"INFORMATION STATEMENT" means the information statement to be sent to
each holder of The Limited Common Stock in connection with the Distribution.
"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.
"LIABILITIES" means any and all claims, debts, liabilities and
obligations, absolute or contingent, matured or not matured, liquidated or
unliquidated, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising,
including all costs and expenses relating thereto, and including, without
limitation, those debts, liabilities and obligations arising under this
Agreement, any law, rule, regulation, any action, order, injunction or consent
decree of any governmental agency or entity, or any award of any arbitrator of
any kind, and those arising under any agreement, commitment or undertaking.
"LIMITED TOO COMMON STOCK" means the common stock, par value $1.00 per
share, of Too, Inc. prior to giving effect to the filing of the Restated Too,
Inc. Charter.
"LOSSES" means, with respect to any Person, any and all damage, loss,
liability and expense incurred or suffered by such Person (including, without
limitation, reasonable expenses of investigation and reasonable attorneys' fees
and expenses in connection with any and all Actions or threatened Actions).
"PERSON" means an individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a
governmental or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
"RECORD DATE" means the date determined by The Limited's Board of
Directors (or determined by a committee of such Board of Directors pursuant to
authority delegated to such committee by The Limited's Board of Directors) as
the record date for determining the holders of The Limited Common Stock entitled
to receive the Distribution.
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"RESTATED TOO, INC. CHARTER" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02.
"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"SERVICES AGREEMENT" means the Services Agreement dated as of the date
hereof between The Limited and Too, Inc.
"STORE LEASES AGREEMENT" means the Store Leases Agreement dated as of
the date hereof between The Limited Stores, Inc. and Too, Inc.
"SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, any other entity of
which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to
elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar
functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person.
"TAX" means Tax as such term is defined in the Tax Separation
Agreement.
"TAX SEPARATION AGREEMENT" means the Tax Separation Agreement dated as
of the date hereof between The Limited and Too, Inc.
"THE LIMITED COMMON STOCK" means the common stock, par value $.50 per
share, of The Limited.
"THE LIMITED GROUP" means The Limited and its Subsidiaries (other than
any Subsidiary or member of, or other entity in, the Too, Inc. Group).
"THE LIMITED LIABILITIES" means all (i) Liabilities of The Limited
Group under this Agreement and (ii) except as otherwise specifically provided
herein or in any Ancillary Agreements, other Liabilities, whether arising
before, on or after the Distribution Date, of or relating to The Limited Group
or arising from or in connection with the conduct of the businesses of The
Limited Group (other than the Too, Inc. Business) or the ownership or use of
assets in connection therewith, including without limitation any Liabilities
arising under or relating to Environmental Laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
"THE LIMITED LIABILITIES" shall exclude (x) any Liabilities for Taxes (since
such Liabilities shall be governed by the Tax Separation Agreement) and (y) any
Liabilities specifically retained or assumed by Too, Inc. pursuant to this
Agreement.
"THIRD-PARTY CLAIM" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.05.
"TOO, INC. BUSINESS" means the business of Too, Inc. and its
Subsidiaries as at the date hereof, including the manufacture, packaging,
advertising,
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promotion and sale of apparel, accessories, lifestyle and personal care products
for girls approximately 7 to 14 years of age.
"TOO, INC. COMMON STOCK" means the common stock, par value $.01 per
share, of Too, Inc. after giving effect to the filing of the Restated Too, Inc.
Charter.
"TOO, INC. GROUP" means Too, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of and after
the Distribution Date (including all predecessors to such Persons).
"TOO, INC. LIABILITIES" means all (i) Liabilities of the Too, Inc.
Group under this Agreement, (ii) except as otherwise specifically provided
herein or in any Ancillary Agreement, other Liabilities, whether arising before,
on or after the Distribution Date, of or relating to the Too, Inc. Group or
arising from or in connection with the conduct of the Too, Inc. Business or the
ownership or use of assets in connection therewith, including without limitation
any Liabilities arising under or relating to Environmental Laws, and (iii)
Liabilities of the Too, Inc. Group set forth in Schedule 5.01 hereto.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, "TOO, INC. LIABILITIES" shall exclude: (x) any
Liabilities for Taxes (since such Liabilities shall be governed by the Tax
Separation Agreement) and (y) any Liabilities specifically retained or assumed
by The Limited pursuant to this Agreement.
"TRADEMARK AND SERVICE XXXX LICENSING AGREEMENT" means the Trademark
and Service Xxxx Licensing Agreement dated as of the date hereof between The
Limited and Too, Inc.
ARTICLE 2
CONTRIBUTIONS TO TOO, INC.
SECTION 2.1. Contribution of Contributed Subsidiaries. Effective prior
to or as of the Distribution Date, The Limited shall contribute or transfer to
Too, Inc. or to one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of Too, Inc. all the
outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other ownership interests in, each of
the subsidiaries set forth in Schedule 2.01 hereto.
SECTION 2.2. Transfers of Certain Assets; Assumption of Certain
Liabilities. (a) Effective prior to or as of the Distribution Date or as soon as
practicable after the Distribution Date, subject to receipt of any necessary
consents or approvals of third parties or of governmental or regulatory agencies
or authorities and subject to Section 7.03, (i) The Limited shall, or shall
cause the relevant member of The Limited Group to, assign, contribute, convey,
transfer
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and deliver ("TRANSFER") to Too, Inc. or to one or more of Too, Inc.'s wholly
owned Subsidiaries all of the right, title and interest of The Limited or such
member of The Limited Group in and to all assets held by any member of The
Limited Group that relate solely to the Too, Inc. Business (and not to the
businesses of The Limited Group) and Too, Inc. shall assume and take transfer of
all liabilities associated with such assets, and (ii) Too, Inc. shall, or shall
cause the relevant member of the Too, Inc. Group to, Transfer to The Limited or
to one or more members of The Limited Group all of the right, title and interest
of Too, Inc. or such member of the Too, Inc. Group in and to all assets held by
any member of the Too, Inc. Group that relate solely to the businesses of The
Limited Group (and not to the Too, Inc. Business) and The Limited shall assume
and take transfer of all liabilities associated with such assets.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 2.02(a), Too, Inc.
agrees that any rights, claims and refunds that relate to any period ending on
or before the Distribution Date and related to the real estate currently leased
or subleased or previously leased or subleased by any member of The Limited
Group or the Too, Inc. Group are assets relating solely to The Limited Business
and Too, Inc. shall have no rights or claims in respect thereof, and The Limited
or any member of The Limited Group shall have exclusive authority to negotiate
and prosecute such rights, claims and refunds.
(c) Effective as of the time of Transfer of any asset by The Limited
Group to the Too, Inc. Group pursuant to Section 2.02(a), the Too, Inc. Group
shall assume all Tax liabilities attributable to such asset and the businesses
related thereto (to the extent attributable to the Too, Inc. Business) in
respect of all periods prior to such time.
(d) Without limiting the generality of Section 2.02(a), Too, Inc.
shall assume its ratable share of any judgment or settlement ultimately reached
in respect of any claims asserted against Too, Inc. or any member of the Too,
Inc. Group, whether arising prior to or after the Distribution Date, including
without limitation any claims for which The Limited or any member of The Limited
Group may be found jointly and severally liable with Too, Inc. or any member of
the Too, Inc. Group. For purposes hereof, Too, Inc.'s ratable share of any
judgment or settlement shall be deemed to be the portion of any judgment or
settlement for which Too, Inc. and any member of the Too, Inc. Group are
determined to be liable by a court of competent jurisdiction or if no such
apportionment is made, Too, Inc.'s ratable share shall be (unless otherwise
agreed to between Too, Inc. and The Limited) the Too, Inc. Group's proportionate
share of Too, Inc. Group's and The Limited Group's combined sales (as measured
by revenue) of the products or services to which the judgment or settlement
relates during the period to which such judgment or settlement relates.
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SECTION 2.3. Agreement Relating To Consents Necessary To Transfer
Assets. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this
Agreement shall not constitute an agreement to transfer or assign any asset or
any claim or right or any benefit arising thereunder or resulting therefrom if
an attempted assignment thereof, without the necessary consent of a third party,
would constitute a breach or other contravention thereof or in any way adversely
affect the rights of Too, Inc. or The Limited thereunder. Too, Inc. and The
Limited will, subject to Section 7.03, use their reasonable efforts to obtain
the consent of any third party or any governmental or regulatory agency or
authority, if any, required in connection with the transfer or assignment
pursuant to Section 2.02 of any such asset or any claim or right or any benefit
arising thereunder. If such required consent is not obtained, or if an attempted
assignment thereof would be ineffective or would adversely affect the rights of
the transferor thereunder so that the intended transferee would not in fact
receive all such rights, Too, Inc. and The Limited will cooperate in a mutually
agreeable arrangement under which the intended transferee would obtain the
benefits and assume the obligations thereunder in accordance with this
Agreement, including sub-contracting, sub-licensing or sub-leasing to such
transferee, or under which the transferor would enforce for the benefit of the
transferee, with the transferee assuming the transferor's obligations, any and
all rights of the transferor against a third party thereto.
ARTICLE 3
THE DISTRIBUTION
SECTION 3.1. Cooperation Prior to the Distribution. (a) The Limited and
Too, Inc. shall prepare, and Too, Inc. shall file with the Commission, the Form
10, which shall include or incorporate by reference the Information Statement
which shall set forth appropriate disclosure concerning Too, Inc. and the
Distribution. The Limited and Too, Inc. shall use reasonable efforts to cause
the Form 10 to become effective under the Exchange Act as soon as practicable.
After the Form 10 has become effective, The Limited shall mail the Information
Statement to the holders of The Limited Common Stock as of the Record Date.
(b) The Limited and Too, Inc. shall cooperate in preparing, filing
with the Commission and causing to become effective any registration statements
or amendments thereto that are appropriate to reflect the establishment of or
amendments to any employee benefit and other plans contemplated by this
Agreement.
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(c) The Limited and Too, Inc. shall take all such action as may be
necessary or appropriate under the securities or blue sky laws of states or
other political subdivisions of the United States in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) Too, Inc. shall prepare, file and pursue an application to permit
listing of the Too, Inc. Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
SECTION 3.2. The Limited Board Action; Conditions Precedent to the
Distribution. The Limited's Board of Directors shall, in its discretion,
establish (or delegate authority to establish) the Record Date and the
Distribution Date and any appropriate procedures in connection with the
Distribution. In no event shall the Distribution occur unless the following
conditions shall have been waived by The Limited or shall have been satisfied:
(i) the Form 10 shall have become effective under the Exchange
Act;
(ii) the Too, Inc. Common Stock to be delivered in the
Distribution shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject
to official notice of issuance;
(iii) the Board of Directors of The Limited shall be satisfied
that the Distribution will be made out of surplus within the meaning of
Section 170 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware;
(iv) The Limited's Board of Directors shall have approved the
Distribution and shall not have abandoned, deferred or modified the
Distribution at any time prior to the Record Date;
(v) the contributions referred to in Section 2.01 of this
Agreement shall have been effected;
(vi) Too, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as named in the
Information Statement, shall have been elected by The Limited, as sole
stockholder of Too, Inc., and Too, Inc.'s certificate of incorporation
(the "RESTATED TOO, INC. CHARTER") and bylaws, in substantially the
forms attached as Exhibits A and B, respectively, hereto shall be in
effect;
(vii) each of the Ancillary Agreements shall have been duly
executed and delivered by the parties thereto;
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(viii) The Limited shall have received an opinion of Xxxxx Xxxx &
Xxxxxxxx as to the tax-free nature of the Distribution; and
(ix) a credit facility shall have been made available to Too,
Inc. by its lenders on terms and in an amount satisfactory to The
Limited and Too, Inc.
SECTION 3.3. The Distribution. Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement, (i) prior to the Distribution Date, The Limited shall
deliver to the Distribution Agent for the benefit of holders of record of The
Limited Common Stock on the Record Date, a stock certificate or certificates,
endorsed by The Limited in blank, representing all of the then outstanding
shares of Too, Inc. Common Stock owned by The Limited, (ii) the Distribution
shall be effective on the Distribution Date and (iii) The Limited shall instruct
the Distribution Agent to distribute, on or as soon as practicable after the
Distribution Date, to each holder of record of The Limited Common Stock as of
the Record Date one-seventh of one share of Too, Inc. Common Stock for each one
share of The Limited Common Stock so held. Too, Inc. agrees to provide all
certificates for shares of Too, Inc. Common Stock that The Limited shall require
(after giving effect to Section 3.04) in order to effect the Distribution.
SECTION 3.4. Subdivision of Too, Inc. Common Stock to Accomplish the
Distribution. Effective upon the filing of the Restated Too, Inc. Charter with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, each share of Limited Too
Common Stock then issued and outstanding shall, without any action on the part
of the holder thereof, be subdivided and converted into that number of fully
paid and non-assessable shares of Too, Inc. Common Stock issued and outstanding
equal to the number of shares of The Limited Common Stock outstanding on the
Record Date (excluding shares of restricted stock held by The Limited employees
expected to remain The Limited employees after the Distribution) times
one-seventh divided by the number of shares of Limited Too Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to such filing.
SECTION 3.5. Fractional Shares. No certificates representing fractional
shares of Too, Inc. Common Stock will be distributed in the Distribution. The
Distribution Agent will be directed to determine the number of whole shares and
fractional shares of Too, Inc. Common Stock allocable to each holder of The
Limited Common Stock as of the Record Date. Upon the determination by the
Distribution Agent of such number of fractional shares, as soon as practicable
after the Distribution Date, the Distribution Agent, acting on behalf of the
holders thereof, shall sell such fractional shares for cash on the open market
and shall disburse to each holder entitled thereto the appropriate portion of
the resulting cash proceeds (calculated by multiplying the average gross selling
price per share times the number of fractional shares allocable to such holder).
The Limited shall
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bear the cost of all commissions incurred in connection with the sale of
fractional shares pursuant to this Section 3.05.
ARTICLE 4
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 4.1. Too, Inc. Indemnification of The Limited Group. (a)
Subject to Section 4.03, on and after the Distribution Date, Too, Inc. shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless The Limited Group and the respective
directors, officers and Affiliates of each Person in The Limited Group (the
"THE LIMITED INDEMNITEES") from and against any and all Losses incurred or
suffered by any of The Limited Indemnitees arising out of, or due to the
failure of any Person in the Too, Inc. Group to pay, perform or otherwise
discharge, any of the Too, Inc. Liabilities.
(b) Subject to Section 4.03, Too, Inc. shall indemnify, defend and
hold harmless each of The Limited Indemnitees and each Person, if any, who
controls any The Limited Indemnitee within the meaning of either Section 15 of
the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and
all Losses caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Form 10 or any amendment thereof or the
Information Statement (as amended or supplemented if Too, Inc. shall have
furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except insofar as such Losses are caused by any such
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon
information furnished to Too, Inc. in writing by The Limited expressly for use
therein.
SECTION 4.2. The Limited Indemnification of Too, Inc. Group. (a)
Subject to Section 4.03, on and after the Distribution Date, The Limited shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Too, Inc. Group and the respective
directors, officers and Affiliates of each Person in the Too, Inc. Group (the
"TOO, INC. INDEMNITEES") from and against any and all Losses incurred or
suffered by any of the Too, Inc. Indemnitees and arising out of, or due to the
failure of any Person in The Limited Group to pay, perform or otherwise
discharge, any of The Limited Liabilities.
(b) Subject to Section 4.03, The Limited shall indemnify, defend and
hold harmless each of the Too, Inc. Indemnitees and each Person, if any, who
controls any Too, Inc. Indemnitee within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
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Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all
Losses caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Form 10 or any amendment thereof or the Information
Statement (as amended or supplemented if Too, Inc. shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Losses
are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement
or omission based upon information furnished to Too, Inc. in writing by The
Limited expressly for use therein.
SECTION 4.3. Insurance; Third Party Obligations; Tax Benefits. Any
indemnification pursuant to Sections 4.01 or 4.02 shall be paid net of the
amount of any insurance or other amounts that would be payable by any third
party to the Indemnified Party (as defined below) in the absence of this
Agreement (irrespective of time of receipt of such insurance or other amounts)
and net of any tax benefit to the Indemnified Party attributable to the relevant
payment or Liability. Such indemnification shall be increased to reflect any tax
liability of the indemnified party so that the indemnified party receives 100%
of the after-tax amount of any payment or liability. It is expressly agreed that
no insurer or any other third party shall be (i) entitled to a benefit it would
not be entitled to receive in the absence of the foregoing indemnification
provisions, (ii) relieved of the responsibility to pay any claims to which it is
obligated or (iii) entitled to any subrogation rights with respect to any
obligation hereunder.
SECTION 4.4. Notice and Payment of Claims. If any The Limited
Indemnitee or Too, Inc. Indemnitee (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") determines that it
is or may be entitled to indemnification by any party (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY")
under Article 4 (other than in connection with any Action subject to Section
4.05), the Indemnified Party shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party a written
notice specifying, to the extent reasonably practicable, the basis for its claim
for indemnification and the amount for which the Indemnified Party reasonably
believes it is entitled to be indemnified. Within 30 days after receipt of such
notice, the Indemnifying Party shall pay the Indemnified Party such amount in
cash or other immediately available funds unless the Indemnifying Party objects
to the claim for indemnification or the amount thereof. If the Indemnifying
Party does not give the Indemnified Party written notice objecting to such
indemnity claim and setting forth the grounds therefor within such 30-day
period, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have acknowledged its
liability for such claim and the Indemnified Party may exercise any and all of
its rights under applicable law to collect such amount. In the event of such a
timely objection by the Indemnifying Party, the amount, if any, that is Finally
Determined to be required to be paid by the Indemnifying Party in respect of
such indemnity claim
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shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party in cash within
15 days after such indemnity claim has been so Finally Determined.
SECTION 4.5. Notice and Defense of Third-Party Claims. Promptly
following the earlier of (i) receipt of notice of the commencement by a third
party of any Action against or otherwise involving any Indemnified Party or (ii)
receipt of information from a third party alleging the existence of a claim
against an Indemnified Party, in either case, with respect to which
indemnification may be sought pursuant to this Agreement (a "THIRD-PARTY
CLAIM"), the Indemnified Party shall give the Indemnifying Party written notice
thereof. The failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice as provided in this
Section 4.05 shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under
this Agreement, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced
by such failure to give notice. Within 15 days after receipt of such notice, the
Indemnifying Party may (i) by giving written notice thereof to the Indemnified
Party, acknowledge liability for such indemnification claim and at its option
elect to assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim at its sole cost and
expense or (ii) object to the claim for indemnification set forth in the notice
delivered by the Indemnified Party pursuant to the first sentence of this
Section 4.05; provided that if the Indemnifying Party does not within such
15-day period give the Indemnified Party written notice objecting to such
indemnification claim and setting forth the grounds therefor, the Indemnifying
Party shall be deemed to have acknowledged its liability for such
indemnification claim. If the Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the
defense of a Third-Party Claim, (x) the defense shall be conducted by counsel
retained by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party, provided that the Indemnified Party shall have the right to
participate in such proceedings and to be represented by counsel of its own
choosing at the Indemnified Party's sole cost and expense; and (y) the
Indemnifying Party may settle or compromise the Third Party Claim without the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Party so long as such settlement
includes an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all claims that
are the subject of such Third Party Claim, provided that the Indemnifying Party
may not agree to any such settlement pursuant to which any remedy or relief,
other than monetary damages for which the Indemnifying Party shall be
responsible hereunder, shall be applied to or against the Indemnified Party,
without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld. If the Indemnifying Party does not assume the
defense of a Third-Party Claim for which it has acknowledged liability for
indemnification hereunder, the Indemnified Party may require the Indemnifying
Party to reimburse it on a current basis for its reasonable expenses of
investigation, reasonable attorney's fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in defending against such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party
shall be bound by the result obtained with respect thereto by the Indemnified
Party; provided that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any
settlement effected without its consent, which consent shall not be
17
unreasonably withheld. The Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party
in cash the amount, if any, for which the Indemnified Party is entitled to be
indemnified hereunder within 15 days after such Third Party Claim has been
Finally Determined, in the case of an indemnity claim as to which the
Indemnifying Party has acknowledged liability or, in the case of any indemnity
claim as to which the Indemnifying Party has not acknowledged liability, within
15 days after such Indemnifying Party's objection to liability hereunder has
been Finally Determined.
SECTION 4.6. Contribution. If for any reason the indemnification
provided for in Section 4.01 or 4.02 is unavailable to any Indemnified Party, or
insufficient to hold it harmless, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute
to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such
Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect all relevant equitable
considerations.
SECTION 4.7. Non-Exclusivity of Remedies. The remedies provided for in
this Article 4 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies
which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Party at law or in equity.
ARTICLE 5
EMPLOYEE MATTERS
SECTION 5.1. Employee Matters Generally. With respect to employee
matters and employee benefits arrangements, the parties hereto agree as set
forth in Schedule 5.01.
SECTION 5.2. Restriction on Solicitation or Employment of Employees.
For a period of three years following the Distribution Date, each of The Limited
Group and the Too, Inc. Group agrees that (without the prior written consent of
the other) it will not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or otherwise attempt
to induce or influence any associate of the other Group to leave employment with
his or her then-current employer or (ii) employ any exempt or salaried associate
of the other Group other than any such associates who were assigned solely to a
single store location; provided that any and all (x) non exempt labor and (y)
their related or associated supervisory exempt associates assigned to Too,
Inc.'s distribution center services shall be made available to Too, Inc. upon
Too, Inc.'s request and upon completion of its own distribution facilities
located in Columbus, Ohio or the surrounding area.
18
ARTICLE 6
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
SECTION 6.1. Provision of Corporate Records. Immediately prior to or as
soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, each Group shall provide to
the other Group all documents, contracts, books, records and data (including but
not limited to minute books, stock registers, stock certificates and documents
of title) in its possession relating to such other Group or such other Group's
business and affairs; provided that if any such documents, contracts, books,
records or data relate to both Groups or the business and operations of both
Groups, each such Group shall provide to the other Group true and complete
copies of such documents, contracts, books, records or data.
SECTION 6.2. Access to Information. From and after the Distribution
Date, each Group shall, for a reasonable period of time, afford promptly to the
other Group and its accountants, counsel and other designated representatives
reasonable access during normal business hours to all documents, contracts,
books, records, computer data and other data in such Group's possession relating
to such other Group or the business and affairs of such other Group (other than
data and information subject to an attorney/client or other privilege), insofar
as such access is reasonably required by such other Group, including, without
limitation, for audit, accounting, litigation, regulatory compliance and
disclosure and reporting purposes.
SECTION 6.3. Litigation Cooperation. Each Group shall use reasonable
efforts to make available to the other Group and its accountants, counsel, and
other designated representatives, upon written request, its directors, officers,
employees and representatives as witnesses, and shall otherwise cooperate with
the other Group, to the extent reasonably required in connection with any legal,
administrative or other proceedings arising out of either Group's business and
operations prior to the Distribution Date in which the requesting party may from
time to time be involved.
SECTION 6.4. Reimbursement. Each Group providing information or
witnesses to the other Group, or otherwise incurring any expense in connection
with cooperating, under Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 shall be entitled to receive
from the recipient thereof, upon the presentation of invoices therefor, payment
for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses as may be reasonably incurred in
providing such information, witnesses or cooperation.
SECTION 6.5. Retention of Records. Except as otherwise required by law
or agreed to in writing, each party shall, and shall cause the members of its
respective Group to, retain all information relating to the other Group's
business
19
and operations in accordance with the past practice of such party.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party may destroy or otherwise dispose of any
such information at any time, provided that, prior to such destruction or
disposal, (i) such party shall provide not less than 90 days' prior written
notice to the other party, specifying the information proposed to be destroyed
or disposed of, and (ii) if the recipient of such notice shall request in
writing prior to the scheduled date for such destruction or disposal that any of
the information proposed to be destroyed or disposed of be delivered to such
requesting party, the party proposing the destruction or disposal shall promptly
arrange for the delivery of such of the information as was requested at the
expense of the requesting party.
SECTION 6.6. Confidentiality. Each party shall hold and shall cause its
directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants and advisors
("REPRESENTATIVES") to hold in strict confidence all information (other than any
such information relating solely to the business or affairs of such party)
concerning the other party unless (i) such party is compelled to disclose such
information by judicial or administrative process or, in the opinion of its
counsel, by other requirements of law or (ii) such information can be shown to
have been (A) in the public domain through no fault of such party or (B)
lawfully acquired after the Distribution Date on a non-confidential basis from
other sources. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such party may disclose such
information to its Representatives so long as such Persons are informed by such
party of the confidential nature of such information and are directed by such
party to treat such information confidentially. If such party or any of its
Representatives becomes legally compelled to disclose any documents or
information subject to this Section, such party will promptly notify the other
party so that the other party may seek a protective order or other remedy or
waive such party's compliance with this Section. If no such protective order or
other remedy is obtained or waiver granted, such party will furnish only that
portion of the information which it is advised by counsel is legally required
and will exercise its reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurance that
confidential treatment will be accorded such information. Such party agrees to
be responsible for any breach of this Section by it and its Representatives.
SECTION 6.7. Inapplicability of Article 6 to Tax Matters.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article 6, Article 6 shall not apply
with respect to information, records and other matters relating to Taxes, all of
which shall be governed by the Tax Separation Agreement.
ARTICLE 7
CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS
20
SECTION 7.1. Intercompany Accounts. All intercompany receivable,
payable and loan balances in existence as of the Distribution Date between The
Limited Group and Too, Inc. Group will be eliminated.
SECTION 7.2. Certain Rights Upon a Third Party Obtaining Above a
Specified Ownership Level of Too, Inc. Common Stock. No Person or group
(within the meaning of Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act) of Persons shall
become the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act) of more than 35% of the Too, Inc. Common Stock unless (i) The Limited shall
have received prior written notice that such Person or group proposes to acquire
beneficial ownership of more than 35% of the Too, Inc. Common Stock and (ii)
prior to such acquisition such Person or group provides to The Limited (unless
waived by The Limited in writing) a guarantee, in form and substance acceptable
to The Limited, of the obligations of Too, Inc. and the Too, Inc. Group under
this Distribution Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement.
SECTION 7.3. Further Assurances and Consents. In addition to the
actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the
parties hereto shall use its reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things, reasonably necessary,
proper or advisable under applicable laws, regulations and agreements or
otherwise to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including but not limited to using its reasonable efforts to obtain
any consents and approvals and to make any filings and applications necessary or
desirable in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; provided that no party hereto shall be obligated to pay any
consideration therefor (except for filing fees and other similar charges) to any
third party from whom such consents or approvals are requested or to take any
action or omit to take any action if the taking of or the omission to take such
action would be unreasonably burdensome to the party, its Group or its Group's
business.
ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.1. Notices. All notices and other communications to any party
hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy or similar writing) and shall
be deemed given when received addressed as follows:
If to The Limited, to:
The Limited, Inc.
00
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
With a copy to:
Xxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
If to Too, Inc., to:
Too, Inc.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
With a copy to:
Xxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Any party may, by written notice so delivered to the other parties,
change the address to which delivery of any notice shall thereafter be made.
SECTION 8.2. Amendments; No Waivers. (a) Any provision of this
Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is
in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by The Limited and Too,
Inc., or in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be
effective.
(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or
partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein
provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies
provided by law.
22
SECTION 8.3. Expenses. Except as specifically provided otherwise in
this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of the Distribution
Documents and the consummation of the Distribution and the other transactions
contemplated hereby (including the fees and expenses of all counsel, accountants
and financial and other advisors of both Groups in connection therewith, and all
expenses in connection with preparation, filing and printing of the Form 10 and
the Information Statement) shall be paid by The Limited; provided that Too, Inc.
shall be responsible for and pay the fees, expenses and other amounts payable to
the lenders under Too, Inc.'s credit facilities and all other fees and expenses
incurred in connection therewith (including the fees and expenses of Too, Inc.'s
counsel in connection with the preparation and negotiation of all documentation
relating to such credit facilities).
SECTION 8.4. Successor and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns; provided that neither party may assign,
delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this
Agreement without the consent of the other parties hereto.
SECTION 8.5. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the law of the State of Delaware, without regard
to the conflicts of laws rules thereof.
SECTION 8.6. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed
in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received
a counterpart hereof signed by the other parties hereto.
SECTION 8.7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other
Distribution Documents constitute the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, understandings and negotiations, both written and oral, between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. No
representation, inducement, promise, understanding, condition or warranty not
set forth herein or in the other Distribution Documents has been made or relied
upon by any party hereto. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof is
intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or
remedies hereunder. To the extent that the provisions of this Agreement are
inconsistent with the provisions of any other Distribution Document, the
provisions of such other Distribution Document shall prevail.
23
SECTION 8.8. Tax Separation Agreement; Set-Off; Payment of After-Tax
Amounts. (a) Except as otherwise provided herein and not inconsistent with the
Tax Separation Agreement, this Agreement shall not govern any Tax, and any and
all claims, losses, damages, demands, costs, expenses or liabilities relating to
Taxes shall be exclusively governed by the Tax Separation Agreement.
(b) If, at the time Too, Inc. is required to make any payment to The
Limited under this Agreement, and The Limited owes Too, Inc. any amount under
this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, then such amounts shall be offset and
the excess shall be paid by the party liable for such excess. Similarly, if at
the time The Limited is required to make any payment to Too, Inc. under this
Agreement, and Too, Inc. owes The Limited any amount under this Agreement or any
Ancillary Agreement, then such amounts shall be offset and the excess shall be
paid by the party liable for such excess.
(c) If any amount paid by The Limited, Too, Inc. or their respective
Post-Distribution Affiliates pursuant to Section 4.01 or 4.02 of this Agreement
results in any increased Tax liability or reduction of any Tax Asset of any
member of the Too, Inc. Group, Too, Inc. or its Post-Distribution Affiliates, or
The Limited Group, The Limited or its Post-Distribution Affiliates,
respectively, then The Limited or Too, Inc., as the case may be, shall indemnify
the other party and hold it harmless from any interest or penalty attributable
to such increased Tax liability or the reduction of such Tax asset and shall pay
to the other party, in addition to amounts otherwise owed, 100 percent of the
After-Tax Amount. All capitalized terms used in this Section 8.08(c) and not
otherwise defined in this Agreement are used as defined in the Tax Separation
Agreement. This Section 8.08(c) shall be subject to the dispute resolution
provisions contained in Section 16 of the Tax Separation Agreement.
SECTION 8.9. Jurisdiction. Any suit, action or proceeding seeking to
enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection
with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be brought in
the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or any
other New York State court sitting in New York County, and each of the parties
hereby consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate
appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which
it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action
or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding
which is brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient form.
Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party
anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such
court. Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that service of process
on such party as provided in Section 8.01 shall be deemed effective service of
process on such party.
24
SECTION 8.10. Existing Arrangements. Except as otherwise contemplated
hereby, all prior agreements and arrangements, including those relating to
goods, rights or services provided or licensed, between the Too, Inc. Group and
The Limited Group shall be terminated effective as of the Distribution Date, if
not theretofore terminated. No such agreements or arrangements shall be in
effect after the Distribution Date unless embodied in the Distribution
Documents.
SECTION 8.11. Termination Prior to the Distribution. The Limited Board
of Directors may at any time prior to the Distribution abandon the Distribution
and, by notice to Too, Inc., terminate this Agreement (whether or not The
Limited Board of Directors has theretofore approved this Agreement and/or the
Distribution).
SECTION 8.12. Termination After the Distribution. Except upon the
mutual consent of both parties hereto, this Agreement shall not be terminable
until the third anniversary of the Distribution Date, and thereafter shall be
terminable upon six months' prior written notice by either party to the other
party.
SECTION 8.13. Captions. The captions herein are included for
convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or
interpretation hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Distribution
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the
date first above written.
THE LIMITED, INC.
By: /s/ V. Xxx Xxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxx Xxxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
TOO, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: X. Xxxxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President - Chief Financial
Officer
