AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER Among ARCHSTONE-SMITH TRUST, ARCHSTONE-SMITH OPERATING TRUST, RIVER HOLDING, LP, RIVER ACQUISITION (MD), LP and RIVER TRUST ACQUISITION (MD), LLC Dated as of May 28, 2007
Exhibit 2.1
Execution Copy
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Among
ARCHSTONE-XXXXX TRUST,
ARCHSTONE-XXXXX OPERATING TRUST,
RIVER HOLDING, LP,
RIVER ACQUISITION (MD), LP
and
RIVER TRUST ACQUISITION (MD), LLC
Dated as of May 28, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS | 2 | |||||
Section 1.01
|
Definitions | 2 | ||||
Section 1.02
|
Interpretation and Rules of Construction | 13 | ||||
ARTICLE II THE MERGERS | 13 | |||||
Section 2.01
|
Mergers | 13 | ||||
Section 2.02
|
Articles and Bylaws | 14 | ||||
Section 2.03
|
Effective Times | 14 | ||||
Section 2.04
|
Closing | 15 | ||||
Section 2.05
|
Directors/Trustees and Officers of the Surviving Entity; Trustees of the Operating Trust | 15 | ||||
Section 2.06
|
Other Transactions | 15 | ||||
ARTICLE III EFFECTS OF THE MERGERS | 17 | |||||
Section 3.01
|
Effect on Shares and Other Equity Interests | 17 | ||||
Section 3.02
|
Effect on Units | 19 | ||||
Section 3.03
|
Exchange of Share Certificates, Unit Certificates and Uncertificated Units; Paying Agent | 21 | ||||
Section 3.04
|
Withholding Rights; No Interest on Merger Consideration | 25 | ||||
Section 3.05
|
Dissenters’ Rights | 25 | ||||
Section 3.06
|
Suspension of DRIP | 26 | ||||
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE OPERATING TRUST | 27 | |||||
Section 4.01
|
Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries; Authority | 27 | ||||
Section 4.02
|
Organizational Documents | 28 | ||||
Section 4.03
|
Capitalization | 28 | ||||
Section 4.04
|
Authority Relative to this Agreement, Takeover Laws, Validity and Effect of Agreements | 31 | ||||
Section 4.05
|
No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents | 32 | ||||
Section 4.06
|
Permits; Compliance with Laws | 33 | ||||
Section 4.07
|
SEC Filings; Financial Statements; No Unknown Liabilities | 34 | ||||
Section 4.08
|
Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 35 | ||||
Section 4.09
|
Absence of Litigation | 35 | ||||
Section 4.10
|
Employee Benefit Plan | 35 | ||||
Section 4.11
|
Labor Matters | 37 | ||||
Section 4.12
|
Information Supplied | 38 | ||||
Section 4.13
|
Property | 38 | ||||
Section 4.14
|
Intellectual Property | 40 | ||||
Section 4.15
|
Taxes | 41 | ||||
Section 4.16
|
Environmental Matters | 44 | ||||
Section 4.17
|
Material Contracts | 45 | ||||
Section 4.18
|
Brokers | 47 | ||||
Section 4.19
|
Opinion of Financial Advisor | 47 |
Page | ||||||
Section 4.20
|
Insurance | 47 | ||||
Section 4.21
|
Interested Party Transactions | 47 | ||||
Section 4.22
|
Investment Company Act of 1940 | 48 | ||||
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER PARTIES | 48 | |||||
Section 5.01
|
Corporate Organization | 48 | ||||
Section 5.02
|
Ownership of MergerCo and Operating Trust MergerSub; No Prior Activities | 49 | ||||
Section 5.03
|
Authority Relative to this Agreement | 49 | ||||
Section 5.04
|
No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents | 50 | ||||
Section 5.05
|
Information Supplied | 50 | ||||
Section 5.06
|
Absence of Litigation | 51 | ||||
Section 5.07
|
Required Financing; Guarantees | 51 | ||||
Section 5.08
|
No Ownership of Company Shares | 52 | ||||
Section 5.09
|
Brokers | 52 | ||||
ARTICLE VI CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGERS | 52 | |||||
Section 6.01
|
Conduct of Business by Company Parties Pending the Mergers | 52 | ||||
Section 6.02
|
Other Actions | 58 | ||||
Section 6.03
|
Control of Company Parties’ Business | 58 | ||||
ARTICLE VII ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS | 58 | |||||
Section 7.01
|
Proxy Statement, Information Statement, Other Filings and Form S-4 | 58 | ||||
Section 7.02
|
Shareholders’ Meeting | 60 | ||||
Section 7.03
|
Access to Information; Confidentiality | 62 | ||||
Section 7.04
|
No Solicitation of Transactions | 63 | ||||
Section 7.05
|
Employee Benefits Matters | 65 | ||||
Section 7.06
|
Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance | 67 | ||||
Section 7.07
|
Further Action; Reasonable Efforts | 69 | ||||
Section 7.08
|
Transfer Taxes | 71 | ||||
Section 7.09
|
Public Announcements | 71 | ||||
Section 7.10
|
Cooperation with Financing | 71 | ||||
Section 7.11
|
Resignations | 73 | ||||
Section 7.12
|
Takeover Statutes | 73 | ||||
Section 7.13
|
Delisting and Deregistering of Securities | 73 | ||||
Section 7.14
|
Tax Matters | 73 | ||||
Section 7.15
|
Notices of Certain Events | 73 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS TO THE MERGERS | 74 | |||||
Section 8.01
|
Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party | 74 | ||||
Section 8.02
|
Conditions to the Obligations of the Buyer Parties | 75 | ||||
Section 8.03
|
Conditions to the Obligations of the Company Parties | 76 | ||||
ARTICLE IX TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER | 76 | |||||
Section 9.01
|
Termination | 76 | ||||
Section 9.02
|
Effect of Termination | 79 | ||||
Section 9.03
|
Notice of Termination | 79 | ||||
Section 9.04
|
Fees and Expenses | 79 |
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Page | ||||||
Section 9.05
|
Escrow of Company Expenses | 81 | ||||
Section 9.06
|
Waiver | 82 | ||||
ARTICLE X GENERAL PROVISIONS | 83 | |||||
Section 10.01
|
Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties | 83 | ||||
Section 10.02
|
Notices | 83 | ||||
Section 10.03
|
Severability | 84 | ||||
Section 10.04
|
Amendment | 84 | ||||
Section 10.05
|
Entire Agreement; Assignment | 85 | ||||
Section 10.06
|
Remedies | 85 | ||||
Section 10.07
|
Specific Performance | 85 | ||||
Section 10.08
|
Parties in Interest | 85 | ||||
Section 10.09
|
Governing Law; Forum | 86 | ||||
Section 10.10
|
Headings | 86 | ||||
Section 10.11
|
Counterparts | 86 | ||||
Section 10.12
|
Waiver | 86 | ||||
Section 10.13
|
Waiver of Jury Trial | 86 |
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EXHIBITS
Exhibit A
|
Terms of Series O Preferred Units | |
Exhibit B
|
Terms of Series P Preferred Units | |
Exhibit C
|
Terms of Series Q Preferred Units | |
Exhibit D
|
Knowledge of Parent | |
Exhibit E
|
Knowledge of the Company Parties | |
Exhibit F
|
Form of Articles Supplementary for Surviving Entity Preferred Shares | |
Exhibit G
|
Form of Tax Opinion of Mayer, Brown, Xxxx & Maw LLP |
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of May 28, 2007 (this “Agreement”), is
made and entered into by and among Archstone-Xxxxx Trust, a real estate investment trust formed
under the Laws of the State of Maryland (the “Company”), Archstone-Xxxxx Operating Trust, a
real estate investment trust formed under the Laws of the State of Maryland (the “Operating
Trust” and, together with the Company, the “Company Parties”), River Holding, LP, a
Delaware limited partnership (“Parent”), River Acquisition (MD), LP, a Maryland limited
partnership and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“MergerCo”), and River Trust Acquisition
(MD), LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (“Operating Trust MergerSub” and, together
with Parent and MergerCo, the “Buyer Parties”).
WHEREAS, the parties wish to effect a business combination through a merger of the Company
with and into MergerCo (the “Company Merger”) on the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended (the “Maryland REIT Law”);
WHEREAS, the parties wish to also effect a business combination through a merger of Operating
Trust MergerSub with and into the Operating Trust (the “Operating Trust Merger” and
together with the Company Merger, the “Mergers”) and the Declaration of Trust Amendments on
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the
Maryland REIT Law;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Company (the “Company Board”) has (i) approved
this Agreement, the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
declared that the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
advisable on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, (ii) directed that the
Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby be submitted for consideration at a
meeting of the Company Shareholders, and (iii) recommended the approval of the Company Merger and
the other transactions contemplated hereby by the Company Common Shareholders;
WHEREAS, the Company Board, on behalf of the Company as the sole trustee of the Operating
Trust (the “Sole Trustee”), has (i) approved this Agreement, the Operating Trust Merger,
the Declaration of Trust Amendments and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
declared that the Mergers, the Declaration of Trust Amendments and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are advisable on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein, (ii) directed that the Mergers, the Declaration of Trust Amendments and the other
transactions contemplated hereby be submitted for consideration by the Operating Trust Unitholders,
and (iii) recommended the approval of the Mergers, the Declaration of Trust Amendments and the
other transactions contemplated hereby by the Operating Trust Common Unitholders;
WHEREAS, the general partner of MergerCo has approved this Agreement and the Company Merger
and declared that the Company Merger is advisable and in the best
interests of MergerCo and its
members on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, Parent has approved this Agreement and the Operating Trust Merger and deemed it
advisable and in the best interests of the Operating Trust MergerSub and its members to enter into
this Agreement and to consummate the Operating Trust Merger on the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, the parties intend that for federal and applicable state income tax purposes (i) the
Company Merger will be treated as a taxable sale by the Company of all of the Company’s assets to
MergerCo in exchange for the Company Common Share Merger Consideration, the Company Series I
Preferred Share Merger Consideration, the Company Option Merger Consideration, the RSU/DEU/Phantom
Merger Consideration, the Company Performance Unit Merger Consideration and the Company SAR Merger
Consideration provided for herein to be provided to the holders of equity interests in the Company
and the assumption of all of the Company’s other liabilities (including the Company’s share of the
Operating Trust liabilities, as determined under the applicable federal income tax regulations),
followed by a distribution of such consideration to the holders of equity interests in the Company
in liquidation pursuant to Section 331 and Section 562 of the Code, and that this Agreement shall
constitute a “plan of liquidation” of the Company for federal income tax purposes and (ii) the
Operating Trust Merger shall (x) in the case of each holder of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common
Units that receives the Operating Trust Cash Consideration in the Operating Trust Merger, be
treated as a taxable purchase of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units directly by MergerCo and
(y) in the case of each holder of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units that receives the
Operating Trust Class A Preferred Unit Consideration in the Operating Trust Merger as a result of
the conversion of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units into such Operating Trust Class A
Preferred Unit Consideration, not be treated as a realization or recognition event to such holder;
and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements in connection with the Mergers, and also to prescribe various conditions to such
transactions.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
“Acquisition Proposal” means any proposal or offer for, whether in one transaction or
a series of related transactions, any (a) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business
combination or similar transaction involving the Company, the Operating Trust, any U.S. Subsidiary
or any Foreign Subsidiary that would constitute a “significant subsidiary” (as
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defined in Rule 1-02
of Regulation S-X, but substituting 20% for references to 10% therein), (b) sale or other
disposition, directly or indirectly, by merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination
or any similar transaction, of any assets of the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries, or the Foreign
Subsidiaries representing 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company, the U.S.
Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (c) issue, sale or other disposition
by the Company, any U.S. Subsidiary, or any Foreign Subsidiary of (including by way of merger,
consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction) securities (or
options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into, such securities)
representing 20% or more of the votes associated with the outstanding voting equity securities of
the Company or 20% or more of the Operating Trust Common Units, (d) tender offer or exchange offer
in which any Person or “group” (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) shall acquire
beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), or the right
to acquire beneficial ownership, of 20% or more of the votes associated with the outstanding
Company Common Shares or outstanding Operating Trust Common Units, (e) recapitalization,
restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other similar type of transaction with respect to the
Company or the Operating Trust, or (f) transaction which is similar in form, substance or purpose
to any of the foregoing transactions; provided, however, that the term “Acquisition
Proposal” shall not include (i) the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or (ii) any merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization
or similar transaction solely among the Company and one or more U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign
Subsidiaries or among U.S. Subsidiaries and/or Foreign Subsidiaries.
“Action” means any claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, mediation or
investigation.
“Affiliate” or “affiliate” of a specified person means a person who, directly
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such specified person.
“beneficial owner” has the meaning ascribed to such term under Rule 13d-3(a) of the
Exchange Act.
“Business Day” means any day on which the principal offices of the SEC in Washington,
D.C. are open to accept filings, or, in the case of determining a date when any payment is due, any
day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are not required or authorized to close in the
City of New York.
“Company Articles” means the Articles of Restatement of Archstone-Xxxxx Trust, dated
May 19, 2006, including Annex I thereto.
“Company Bylaws” means the Restated Bylaws of Archstone-Xxxxx Trust adopted on May 31,
2001.
“Company Common Shareholders” means holders of the Company Common Shares.
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“Company Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to the Company, an effect,
event, development or change that, individually or in the aggregate with all other effects, events,
developments or changes, is materially adverse to the assets, business, results of operations or
financial condition of the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries, the Foreign Subsidiaries and the JV
Entities, taken as a whole, other than any effect, event, development or change arising out of or
resulting from (a) changes in conditions in the U.S. or global economy or capital or financial
markets generally, including changes in real estate capitalization rates and interest or exchange
rates, (b) changes in general legal, tax, regulatory, political or business conditions that, in
each case, generally affect the geographic regions or industries in which the Company, the U.S.
Subsidiaries, the Foreign Subsidiaries and the JV Entities conduct their business (unless, and only
to the extent, such effect, event, development or change affects the Company, the U.S.
Subsidiaries, the Foreign Subsidiaries and the JV Entities in a disproportionate manner as compared
to other persons or participants in the industries in which the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries, the
Foreign Subsidiaries and the JV Entities conduct their business and that operate in the geographic
regions affected by such effect, event, development or change), (c) changes in GAAP, (d) the
negotiation, execution, announcement or performance of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with tenants, suppliers,
lenders, investors, venture partners or employees, (e) acts of war, armed hostilities, sabotage or
terrorism, or any escalation or worsening of any such acts of war, armed hostilities, sabotage or
terrorism threatened or underway as of the date of this Agreement (unless, and only to the extent,
such effect, event, development or change affects the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries, the Foreign
Subsidiaries and the JV Entities in a disproportionate manner as compared to other persons or
participants in the industries in which the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries, the Foreign
Subsidiaries and the JV Entities conduct their business and that operate in the geographic regions
affected by such effect, event, development or change), (f) earthquakes, hurricanes or other
natural disasters (unless, and only to the extent, such effect, event, development or change
affects the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries, the Foreign Subsidiaries and the JV Entities, in a
disproportionate manner as compared to other persons or participants in the industries in which the
Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries, the Foreign Subsidiaries and the JV Entities conduct their business
and that operate in the geographic regions affected by such effect, event, development or change),
(g) any suit, claim, Action or proceedings brought, asserted or threatened by or on behalf of any
holder or holders of shares of beneficial interest, capital stock, units or other equity interests
in the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries, the Foreign Subsidiaries or the JV Entities, arising out of
or relating to the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (h)
any action taken or result of a failure to take an action by the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries,
the Foreign Subsidiaries or the JV Entities at the request or with the consent of any of the Buyer
Parties; provided, however, that with respect to references to Company Material
Adverse Effect in the representations set forth in Section 4.05, the exceptions set forth in
clauses (d) and (g) will not apply. The parties agree that the mere fact of a decrease in the
market price of the Company Common Shares shall not, in and of itself, constitute a Company
Material Adverse Effect, but any effect, event, development or change underlying such decrease
shall be considered in determining whether there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect.
“Company Preferred Shareholders” means holders of the Company Series I Preferred
Shares.
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“Company Shareholders” means Company Common Shareholders and Company Preferred
Shareholders.
“Company Shares” means Company Common Shares and Company Series I Preferred Shares.
“Contracts” means any contracts, agreements, licenses, notes, bonds, mortgages,
indentures, commitments or other instruments or obligations.
“control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control
with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or credit arrangement or otherwise.
“Convertible Notes” means the 4.00% Exchangeable Senior Notes Due 2036 issued by the
Operating Trust pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1994, by and between Property
Trust of America (as the Operating Trust was formerly known) and Xxxxxx Guaranty Trust Company of
New York, as supplemented by that certain (a) First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 2,
1994, by and among Property Trust of America, Xxxxxx Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as
resigning trustee, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as successor trustee, (b) Second
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 2, 2004, by and between the Operating Trust and U.S.
Bank Association (as successor in interest to State Street Bank and Trust Company), and (c) Third
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 2006, by and between the Operating Trust and U.S. Bank
Association (as successor in interest to State Street Bank and Trust Company).
“Declaration of Trust Amendments” means the amendments to the Operating Trust Articles
to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement and such other provisions which are not
inconsistent with this Agreement as determined by Parent in its sole discretion.
“Deferred Compensation Plan” means Archstone-Xxxxx Trust Deferred Compensation Plan,
effective as of November 1, 2002, as amended and restated from time to time.
“Disclosure Schedule” means the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent
concurrently with the execution of this Agreement for which the disclosure of any fact or item in
any Section of such disclosure schedule shall, should the existence of such fact or item be
relevant to any other Section, be deemed to be disclosed with respect to that other Section so long
as the relevance of such disclosure to such other Section is reasonably apparent from the nature of
such disclosure.
“Environmental Laws” means any Law relating to (a) releases or threatened releases of
Hazardous Substances, (b) the manufacture, handling, transport, use, treatment, storage or disposal
of Hazardous Substances, or (c) pollution or protection of the environment, health, safety or
natural resources.
-5-
“Foreign Governmental Entity” means any non-United States governmental, regulatory or
administrative authority, agency, instrumentality or commission or any court, tribunal, or judicial
or arbitral body or self-regulated entity.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States.
“Governmental Authority” means any United States national, federal, state, provincial,
municipal or local government, governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency,
instrumentality or commission or any court, tribunal, or judicial or arbitral body or
self-regulated entity.
“Hazardous Substances” means (a) those substances defined in or regulated under the
following United States federal statutes and their state counterparts, as each has been amended
from time to time, and all regulations thereunder: the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe
Drinking Water Act, the Atomic Energy Act, and the Clean Air Act; (b) petroleum and petroleum
products, including crude oil and any fractions thereof; (c) polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos,
asbestos containing materials, toxic molds, urea formaldehyde insulation and radon; and (d) any
other contaminant, substance, material or waste regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
“Hedging Agreement” means any (i) interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, basis
swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity
options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price
or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index
transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor
transactions, collar transactions, currency swaps, cross-currency rate swaps, currency options,
spot contracts or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing
(including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is
governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (ii) any and all transactions of any kind, and
the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any
form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.,
the International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any
such obligations or liabilities under any such agreement.
“Indebtedness” means, without duplication, (a) indebtedness for borrowed money
(excluding any interest thereon), secured or unsecured, (b) reimbursement obligations under any
letters of credit or similar instruments, (c) capitalized lease obligations, (d) obligations under
any Hedging Agreement (valued at the termination value thereof), and (e) guarantees of any
Indebtedness of the foregoing of any other person; provided that, for clarification,
Indebtedness shall not include “trade debt.”
“Intellectual Property” means all United States, foreign and international
intellectual property, including all (a) patents, patent applications and invention registrations
of any type, (b) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, corporate names and
other source identifiers, and registrations and applications for registration thereof,
-6-
(c) copyrightable works, copyrights, and registrations and applications for registration thereof,
and (d) confidential and proprietary information, including trade secrets and know-how.
“knowledge of Parent” means the actual knowledge of those individuals listed on
Exhibit D.
“knowledge of the Company” means the actual knowledge of those individuals listed on
Exhibit E.
“Law” means any national, federal, state, provincial, municipal or local statute, law,
ordinance, regulation, rule, code, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree or other order.
“Liens” means, with respect to any asset (including any security), any mortgage,
claim, lien, pledge, charge, option, right of first refusal or offer, security interest or
encumbrance of any kind in respect to such asset.
“Long Term Incentive Plan” means the Archstone-Xxxxx Trust 2001 Long-Term Incentive
Plan and all amendments.
“MGCL” means the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended.
“Operating Trust Articles” means the Articles of Restatement of Archstone-Xxxxx
Operating Trust dated May 19, 2006, including Annex A thereto.
“Operating Trust Bylaws” means the Bylaws of Archstone-Xxxxx Operating Trust adopted
on October 26, 2001.
“Operating Trust Common Unitholders” means the holders of the Operating Trust Common
Units.
“Operating Trust Unitholders” means the holders of the Operating Trust Common Units,
Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit and Operating Trust Series N Preferred Units.
“Parent Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance, change or effect that
would reasonably be expected to prevent, or materially hinder, Parent, MergerCo, or Operating Trust
MergerSub from performing their material obligations hereunder or consummating the Mergers or any
of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
“Permitted Liens” means (a) Liens for Taxes not yet delinquent and Liens for Taxes
being contested in good faith and for which there are adequate reserves on the financial statements
of the Company (if such reserves are required pursuant to GAAP); (b) inchoate mechanics’ and
materialmen’s Liens for construction in progress; (c) inchoate workmen’s, repairmen’s,
warehousemen’s and carriers’ Liens arising in the ordinary course of business of the Company, any
U.S. Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary; (d) with respect to real property, zoning restrictions,
survey exceptions, utility easements, rights of way and similar Liens that are imposed by any
Governmental Authority or Foreign Governmental Entity having jurisdiction thereon or otherwise are
typical for the applicable property type and locality and that do not
-7-
interfere materially with the current use of such property (assuming its continued use in the
manner in which it is currently used) or, with respect to unimproved or vacant real property,
interfere materially with the intended use of such property; (e) with respect to real property, any
tenant leases, any title exception disclosed in any Company Title Insurance Policy (whether
material or immaterial), Liens and obligations arising under the Material Contracts (including but
not limited to any Lien securing mortgage debt disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule), any other
Lien that does not interfere materially with the current or proposed use of such property (assuming
its use in the manner in which it is currently used or proposed to be used) or materially adversely
affect the value or marketability of such property; (f) Liens imposed or promulgated by law or any
Governmental Authority or Foreign Governmental Entity or included in any Company, U.S. Subsidiary
or Foreign Subsidiary space lease with respect to real property, including easements, rights of
way, rights of use and zoning regulations, provided that they do not materially adversely affect
the currently intended use of any Company Property or Foreign Property; (g) other Liens being
contested in the ordinary course of business in good faith, provided an appropriate reserve has
been established therefore on the Company’s balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2006; and
(h) with respect to any real property, any other easements, leases, rights-of-way, restrictions,
covenants, licenses or other Liens, whether or not of record, or any encroachments or other survey
defects which would be disclosed by a current accurate survey or physical inspection of the Company
Property, Foreign Property or otherwise, to the extent not otherwise included under clauses (a)
through (g), but which, individually and in the aggregate (but without including any other Liens
otherwise included as Permitted Liens pursuant to any other clauses of this definition), do not
interfere materially with the current use of such property (assuming its continued use in the
manner in which it is currently used) or, with respect to unimproved or vacant real property,
interfere materially with the intended use of such property, and will not be removed or otherwise
resolved in connection with obtaining development approvals for such property.
“person” or “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited
partnership, limited liability company, syndicate, person (including a “person” as defined in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), trust, association or entity or government, political
subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a government.
“Representative” of a Person means any officer, trustee, director, Affiliate,
employee, investment banker, financial advisor, financing source, attorney, accountant, consultant,
broker, finder or other agent or representative of such Person.
“Series O Preferred Units” means the Series O Preferred Units of beneficial interest
of the Operating Trust to be issued in connection with the Operating Trust Merger, the rights and
terms of which are described in Exhibit A.
“Series P Preferred Units” means the Series P Preferred Units of beneficial interest
of the Operating Trust to be issued in connection with the Operating Trust Merger, the rights and
terms of which are described in Exhibit B.
“Series Q Preferred Units” means the Series Q Preferred Units of beneficial interest
of the Operating Trust to be issued in connection with the Operating Trust Merger, the rights and
terms of which are described in Exhibit C.
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“Share Certificate” or “Share Certificates” means any certificate evidencing
Company Common Shares or Company Series I Preferred Shares.
“subsidiary” or “subsidiaries” of the Company, Parent or any other person
means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other organization of
which: (a) such party or any other subsidiary of such party is a general partner or managing
member; or (b) voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors, trustees or others
performing similar functions with respect to such organization is held by such party or by any one
or more of such party’s subsidiaries.
“Superior Proposal” means a written Acquisition Proposal made by a Third Party (a)
that relates to more than 50% of the voting power of the capital stock of the Company or all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries
taken as a whole, (b) which the Company Board determines in its good faith judgment (after
consultation with its financial advisor and after taking into account all of the terms and
conditions of the Acquisition Proposal) to be more favorable from a financial point of view to the
Company Shareholders (in their capacities as shareholders) than the Company Merger (including any
alterations to this Agreement agreed to in writing by Parent in response thereto), (c) the material
conditions to the consummation of which are all reasonably capable of being satisfied in the
judgment of the Company Board, and (d) for which financing, to the extent required, is then
committed or, in the judgment of the Company Board, is reasonably likely to be available.
“Tax” or “Taxes” means any and all taxes, charges, fees, levies and other
assessments, including income, gross receipts, excise, property, sales, withholding (including
dividend withholding and withholding required pursuant to Sections 1445 and 1446 of the Code),
social security, occupation, use, service, license, payroll, franchise, transfer and recording
taxes, windfall or other profits, capital stock, employment, worker’s compensation, unemployment or
compensation taxes, fees and charges, including estimated excise, ad valorem, stamp, value added,
capital gains, duty or custom taxes, imposed by the United States or any taxing authority (domestic
or foreign), whether computed on a separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or any other basis,
and similar charges of any kind (together with any and all interest, penalties, additions to tax
and additional amounts imposed with respect thereto) imposed by any government or taxing authority.
“Unit Certificate” or “Unit Certificates” means any certificate evidencing the
Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units, Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit or Operating Trust
Series N Preferred Units.
(a) the following terms have the meaning set forth in the Sections set forth below:
Defined Term | Location of Definition | |||
Agreement |
Preamble | |||
Amended Operating Trust Articles |
Section 2.02(a)(ii) | |||
Blue Sky Laws |
Section 4.05(b) | |||
Buyer Parties |
Preamble |
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Defined Term | Location of Definition | |||
Capital Expenditure Schedule |
Section 6.01(i) | |||
Capital Expenditures |
Section 6.01(i) | |||
CERCLA |
Section 4.16(a) | |||
Change in Recommendation |
Section 7.04(a) | |||
Claim |
Section 7.06(a) | |||
Closing |
Section 2.04 | |||
Closing Date |
Section 2.04 | |||
Code |
Section 4.10(b) | |||
Company |
Preamble | |||
Company and Operating Trust Organizational Documents |
Section 4.02 | |||
Company Articles of Merger |
Section 2.03(b) | |||
Company Board |
Recitals | |||
Company Common Share Merger Consideration |
Section 3.01(c) | |||
Company Common Shares |
Section 4.03(a) | |||
Company Dividend Equivalent Units |
Section 3.01(f) | |||
Company Equity Awards |
Section 3.03(b) | |||
Company Expenses |
Section 9.04(d)(i) | |||
Company Financial Advisor |
Section 4.18 | |||
Company Incentive Plans |
Section 3.01(e) | |||
Company Intellectual Property |
Section 4.14 | |||
Company Merger |
Recitals | |||
Company Merger Effective Time |
Section 2.03(b) | |||
Company Option Merger Consideration |
Section 3.01(e) | |||
Company Parties |
Preamble | |||
Company Performance Unit Merger Consideration |
Section 3.01(g) | |||
Company Performance Units |
Section 3.01(g) | |||
Company Phantom Shares |
Section 3.01(f) | |||
Company Projects |
Section 6.01(q) | |||
Company Properties |
Section 4.13(a) | |||
Company Property |
Section 4.13(a) | |||
Company Recommendation |
Section 7.02(a) | |||
Company Restricted Share Units |
Section 3.01(f) | |||
Company SAR Merger Consideration |
Section 3.01(h) | |||
Company SARs |
Section 3.01(h) | |||
Company SEC reports |
Section 4.07(a) | |||
Company Series I Preferred Share |
Section 3.01(c) | |||
Company Series I Preferred Share Merger Consideration |
Section 3.01(c) | |||
Company Series I Preferred Shares |
Section 4.03(a) | |||
Company Share Options |
Section 3.01(e) | |||
Company Shareholder Approval |
Section 4.04(a) | |||
Company Shareholders’ Meetings |
Section 7.02(a) | |||
Company Termination Fee |
Section 9.04(d)(ii) | |||
Confidentiality Agreement |
Section 7.03(b) | |||
Continuing Employees |
Section 7.05(b) | |||
Controlled Group Liability |
Section 4.10(f) | |||
Damages Amount |
Section 9.05(a) |
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Defined Term | Location of Definition | |||
Development Schedule |
Section 6.01(q) | |||
Dissenting Units |
Section 3.06 | |||
DRIP |
Section 3.06 | |||
Election |
Section 3.02(a) | |||
Employee Merger Consideration |
Section 3.03(b) | |||
End Date |
Section 9.01(b) | |||
Environmental Permits |
Section 4.16(a) | |||
ERISA |
Section 4.10(a) | |||
ERISA Affiliate |
Section 4.10(f) | |||
Exchange Act |
Section 4.05(b) | |||
Exchange Fund |
Section 3.03(a) | |||
Expenses |
Section 9.04(a) | |||
Foreign Properties |
Section 4.13(a) | |||
Foreign Property |
Section 4.13(a) | |||
Foreign Subsidiaries |
Section 4.01(b) | |||
Form S-4 |
Section 4.05(b) | |||
Former Equityholder |
Section 3.03(d) | |||
German Act |
Section 4.05(b) | |||
Governmental Order |
Section 9.01(c) | |||
Ground Lease |
Section 4.13(f) | |||
Ground Leases |
Section 4.13(f) | |||
Guarantee |
Section 5.07(c) | |||
Guarantor |
Section 5.07(c) | |||
HSR Act |
Section 4.05(b) | |||
Indemnifiable Expenses |
Section 7.06(a) | |||
Indemnified Parties |
Section 7.06(a) | |||
Information Statement |
Section 4.05(b) | |||
IRS |
Section 4.10(a) | |||
JV Entities |
Section 4.01(c) | |||
Maryland REIT Law |
Recitals | |||
Material Contract |
Section 4.17 | |||
Merger Consideration |
Section 3.03(b) | |||
MergerCo |
Preamble | |||
Mergers |
Recitals | |||
NYSE |
Section 4.05(b) | |||
Operating Trust |
Preamble | |||
Operating Trust Articles of Merger |
Section 2.03(a) | |||
Operating Trust Cash Consideration |
Section 3.02(a) | |||
Operating Trust Class A Preferred Unit Consideration |
Section 3.02(a) | |||
Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units |
Section 4.03(b) | |||
Operating Trust Class A-2 Common Units |
Section 4.03(b) | |||
Operating Trust Class B Common Units |
Section 4.03(b) | |||
Operating Trust Common Units |
Section 4.03(b) | |||
Operating Trust Merger |
Recitals | |||
Operating Trust Merger Effective Time |
Section 2.03(a) | |||
Operating Trust MergerSub |
Preamble |
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Defined Term | Location of Definition | |||
Operating Trust Recommendation |
Section 7.02(b) | |||
Operating Trust Series I Preferred Units |
Section 4.03(b) | |||
Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit |
Section 4.03(b) | |||
Operating Trust Series N Units |
Section 4.03(b) | |||
Operating Trust Series N-1 Preferred Units |
Section 4.03(b) | |||
Operating Trust Series N-2 Preferred Units |
Section 4.03(b) | |||
Operating Trust Shareholders’ Meeting |
Section 7.02(b) | |||
Operating Trust Unitholder Approval |
Section 4.04(a) | |||
Operating Trust Units |
Section 4.03(b) | |||
Organizational Documents |
Section 4.02 | |||
Other Filings |
Section 4.12 | |||
Outside Holder Merger Consideration |
Section 3.03(a) | |||
Parent |
Preamble | |||
Parent Expenses |
Section 9.04(d)(iii) | |||
Paying Agent |
Section 3.03(a) | |||
Permits |
Section 4.06(a) | |||
Plans |
Section 4.10(a) | |||
Post-Signing Returns |
Section 7.14(b) | |||
Proxy Statement |
Section 4.05(b) | |||
Qualifying Income |
Section 9.05(a) | |||
REIT |
Section 2.06 | |||
Requested Transactions |
Section 2.06 | |||
RSU/DEU/Phantom Merger Consideration |
Section 3.01(f) | |||
S-4 Related Documents |
Section 7.010 | |||
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act |
Section 4.07(d) | |||
SDAT |
Section 2.03(b) | |||
SEC |
Section 4.05(b) | |||
Section 16 |
Section 7.05(d) | |||
Securities Act |
Section 4.05(b) | |||
Sole Trustee |
Recitals | |||
Special Committee |
Section 7.04(b) | |||
Subsidiary Organizational Documents |
Section 4.02 | |||
Superior Proposal Notice |
Section 9.01(h)(iv) | |||
Surviving Entity |
Section 2.01(b) | |||
Surviving Entity Charter |
Section 2.02(b) | |||
Surviving Entity Preferred Shares |
Section 3.01(c) | |||
Tax Protection Agreements |
Section 4.15 | |||
Tax Returns |
Section 4.14 | |||
Termination Date |
Section 9.01 | |||
Third Party |
Section 4.14 | |||
Transfer Taxes |
Section 7.08 | |||
U.S. Subsidiaries |
Section 4.01(b) | |||
WARN |
Section 4.11(b) |
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Section 1.02 Interpretation and Rules of Construction.
In this Agreement, except to the extent otherwise provided or that the context otherwise
requires:
(a) when a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule,
such reference is to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless
otherwise indicated;
(b) the table of contents and headings for this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
do not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement;
(c) whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they
are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;
(d) the words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in
this Agreement, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement;
(e) references to any statute, rule or regulation are to the statute, rule or regulation as
amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time (and, in the case of statutes,
include any rules and regulations promulgated under the statute) and to any section of any statute,
rule or regulation include any successor to the section;
(f) all terms defined in this Agreement have the defined meanings when used in any certificate
or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto, unless otherwise defined therein;
(g) the definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the
plural forms of such terms;
(h) references to a person are also to its successors and permitted assigns;
(i) the use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated otherwise; and
(j) all uses of currency or the symbol “$” in this Agreement refer to U.S. dollars unless
otherwise indicated.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGERS
Section 2.01 Mergers.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the Maryland REIT Law and the Maryland Limited Liability Company Act (the “LLC
Act”), at the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, the Operating Trust and the Operating
Trust MergerSub shall consummate the Operating Trust Merger pursuant to which (i) the
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Operating
Trust MergerSub shall be merged with and into the Operating Trust and the separate existence of the
Operating Trust MergerSub shall thereupon cease and (ii) the Operating Trust shall be the surviving
entity in the Operating Trust Merger. The Operating Trust Merger shall have the effects specified
in the Maryland REIT Law and the LLC Act.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the Maryland
REIT Law and the Maryland Revised Uniform Partnership Act (the “MD RUPA”), at the Company Merger
Effective Time, MergerCo and the Company shall consummate the Company Merger pursuant to which (i)
the Company shall be merged with and into MergerCo and the separate existence of the Company shall
thereupon cease and (ii) MergerCo shall be the surviving entity in the Company Merger (the
“Surviving Entity”). The Company Merger shall have the effects specified in the Maryland
REIT Law and the MD RUPA. Accordingly, from and after the Company Merger Effective Time, MergerCo
shall have all the properties, rights, privileges, purposes and powers and debts, duties and
liabilities of the Company.
Section 2.02 Articles and Bylaws.
(a) The Operating Trust Articles shall be amended to give effect to the provisions of this
Agreement and such other provisions which are not inconsistent with this Agreement as determined by
Parent in its sole discretion and, as so amended, such articles of restatement shall be the
declaration of trust of the Operating Trust after the Operating Trust Merger until thereafter
further amended as provided therein or by Law (as amended, the “Amended Operating Trust
Articles”).
(b) The statement of partnership authority of MergerCo, as in effect immediately prior to the
Company Merger Effective Time, shall be the statement of partnership authority of the Surviving
Entity until thereafter amended as provided therein or by Law (the “Surviving Entity
Charter”).
Section 2.03 Effective Times.
(a) At the Closing, the Operating Trust MergerSub and the Operating Trust shall duly execute
and file with the SDAT articles of merger with respect to the Operating Trust Merger in a form that
complies with the Maryland REIT Law (the “Operating Trust Articles of Merger”) in
accordance with the Maryland REIT Law and the LLC Act. The Operating Trust Merger shall become
effective upon such time as the Operating Trust Articles of Merger have been accepted for record by
the SDAT, or such later time which the parties hereto shall have agreed upon and designated in such
filing in accordance with the Maryland REIT Law and the LLC Act as the effective time of the Operating Trust Merger but not to exceed thirty (30) days after the Operating Trust Articles
of Merger are accepted for record by the SDAT and the LLC Act (the “Operating Trust Merger
Effective Time”).
(b) At the Closing, immediately after the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, MergerCo and
the Company shall duly execute and file with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of
the State of Maryland (the “SDAT”) articles of merger with respect to the Company Merger in
a form that complies with the Maryland REIT Law (the “Company
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Articles of Merger”) in accordance with the Maryland REIT Law and the MD RUPA. The Company Merger shall become effective
upon such time as the Company Articles of Merger have been accepted for record by the SDAT, or such
later time which the parties hereto shall have agreed upon and designated in such filing in
accordance with the Maryland REIT Law and the MD RUPA as the effective time of the Company Merger
but not to exceed thirty (30) days after the Articles of Merger are accepted for record by the SDAT
(the “Company Merger Effective Time”).
Section 2.04 Closing. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with Section 9.01,
the closing of the Mergers (the “Closing”) shall occur as promptly as practicable (but in
no event later than the third (3rd) Business Day) after all of the conditions set forth in Article
VIII (other than conditions which by their terms are required to be satisfied or waived at the
Closing) shall have been satisfied or waived by the party entitled to the benefit of the same, or
at such other time and on a date as agreed to by the parties (the “Closing Date”); provided
that the Buyer Parties shall not be required to consummate the Closing during the period beginning
on August 15, 2007 and ending on August 31, 2007. The Closing shall take place at the offices of
Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, 555 Thirteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., or at such other place as
agreed to by the parties hereto.
Section 2.05 Directors/Trustees and Officers of the Surviving Entity; Trustees of the
Operating Trust.
(a) The directors of MergerCo immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time shall be
the directors of the Surviving Entity immediately after the Company Merger Effective Time and the
officers of MergerCo immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time shall be the officers
of the Surviving Entity immediately after the Company Merger Effective Time, each to hold office in
accordance with the Surviving Entity Charter.
(b) The Surviving Entity shall be the sole trustee of the Operating Trust immediately after
the Company Merger Effective Time to hold office in accordance with the Amended Operating Trust
Articles.
Section 2.06 Other Transactions. Parent shall have the option, in its sole discretion and without requiring the further
consent of any of the Company Parties or the board of trustees, shareholders or unitholders of any
Company Parties, upon reasonable notice to the Company, to request that the Company, immediately
prior to the Closing, (a) convert or cause the conversion of one or more subsidiaries that are
organized as corporations into limited liability companies (or other entities) and one or more
subsidiaries that are organized as limited partnerships or limited liability companies into other
entities, on the basis of organizational documents as reasonably requested by Parent, (b) sell or
cause to be sold all of the capital stock, shares of beneficial interests, partnership interests or
limited liability interests owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company in one or more
subsidiaries to any person at a price and on terms all as designated by Parent, and (c) sell or
cause to be sold any of the assets of the Company or one or more subsidiaries to any person at a
price and on terms all as designated by Parent (clauses (a), (b) and (c) being “Requested
Transactions”); provided, however, that (i) none of the Requested Transactions
shall delay or prevent the completion of the Mergers, (ii) the Requested Transactions shall be
implemented as close as possible to the Operating Trust Merger Effective
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Time (but after the Buyer
Parties shall have waived or confirmed that all conditions to the consummation of the Mergers have
been satisfied), (iii) neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company shall be required to
take any action in contravention of any Laws or Organizational Document, (iv) the consummation of
any such Requested Transactions shall be contingent upon the receipt by the Company of a written
notice from Parent confirming that all of the conditions set forth in Sections 8.01 and 8.02 have
been satisfied (or, with respect to Section 8.02, at the option of Parent, waived) and that the
Buyer Parties are prepared to proceed immediately with the Closing (it being understood that in any
event the Requested Transactions will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Closing), (v) the
Requested Transactions (or the inability to complete the Requested Transactions) shall not affect
or modify in any respect the obligations of the Buyer Parties under this Agreement, including
payment of the Company Merger Consideration, (vi) neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the
Company shall be required to take any such action that could adversely affect the classification of
the Company as a “real estate investment trust” (a “REIT”) within the meaning of Section
856 of the Code, (vii) neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company shall be required to
take any such action that would reasonably be expected to result in any Taxes being imposed on, or
any adverse Tax consequences to, any shareholder or other equity interest holder of the Company, or
other adverse consequences to the shareholders or equity holders of the Company as a whole,
incrementally greater than the Taxes or other adverse consequences to such party in connection with
the consummation of this Agreement in the absence of such action taken pursuant to this Section
2.06 unless such holders are indemnified by the Buyer Parties for such incremental Taxes, and
(viii) neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company shall be required to take any such
action that would reasonably be expected to trigger any liability under any Tax Protection
Agreement without the Buyer Parties first agreeing to pay such liability. Parent shall upon
request by the Company or the Operating Trust advance to the Company or the Operating Trust all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs to be incurred by the Company or the Operating Trust or, promptly
upon request by the Company or the Operating Trust, reimburse the Company or the Operating Trust
for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Company or the Operating Trust in connection
with any actions taken by the Company or the Operating Trust in accordance with this Section 2.06
(including reasonable fees and expenses of their Representatives). The Buyer Parties, on a joint and several basis, hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the
Operating Trust, their subsidiaries (including all U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries), and
their Representatives from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs,
expenses, interest, awards, judgments and penalties suffered or incurred by them in connection with
or as a result of taking such actions. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the
representations, warranties or covenants of the Company Parties shall be deemed to apply to, or
deemed breached or violated by, any of the Requested Transactions.
Section 2.07 Tax Characterization. The parties intend that for federal and applicable state
income tax purposes (i) the Company Merger will be treated as a taxable sale by the Company of all
of the Company’s assets to MergerCo in exchange for the Company Common Share Merger Consideration,
the Company Series I Preferred Share Merger Consideration, the Company Option Merger Consideration,
the RSU/DEU/Phantom Merger Consideration, the Company Performance Unit Merger Consideration and the
Company SAR Merger Consideration provided for herein to be provided to the holders of equity
interests in the Company and the assumption of all of the Company’s other liabilities (including
the Company’s
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share of the Operating Trust liabilities, as determined under the applicable federal
income tax regulations), followed by a distribution of such consideration to the holders of equity
interests in the Company in liquidation pursuant to Section 331 and Section 562 of the Code, and
that this Agreement shall constitute a “plan of liquidation” of the Company for federal income tax
purposes and (ii) the Operating Trust Merger shall, (x) in the case of each holder of Operating
Trust Class A-1 Common Units that receives the Operating Trust Cash Consideration in the Operating
Trust Merger, be treated as a taxable purchase of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units directly
by MergerCo and (y) in the case of each holder of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units that
receives the Operating Trust Class A Preferred Unit Consideration in the Operating Trust Merger as
a result of the conversion of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units into such Operating Trust
Class A Preferred Unit Consideration, not be treated as a realization or recognition event to such
holder.
ARTICLE III
EFFECTS OF THE MERGERS
Section 3.01 Effect on Shares and Other Equity Interests. At the Company Merger Effective Time, by virtue
of the Company Merger and without any action on the part of the Company Common Shareholders or
holders of any interests in MergerCo:
(a) Each partnership unit of MergerCo issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Company
Merger Effective Time shall remain as issued and outstanding.
(b) Each Company Common Share that is owned by the Company, any U.S. Subsidiary, any Foreign
Subsidiary or by MergerCo immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time shall
automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no payment shall be made with
respect thereto.
(c) Each Company Common Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Company Merger
Effective Time (other than Company Common Shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 3.01(b))
shall automatically be converted into, and canceled in exchange for, the right to receive an amount
in cash of $60.75 (the “Company Common Share Merger Consideration”).
(d) Each Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Share (“Company Series I Preferred
Share”) of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective
Time (other than the Company Series I Preferred Shares owned by the Company, any U.S. Subsidiary,
or any Foreign Subsidiary, which shall be automatically cancelled and retired and cease to exist)
shall, at the election of Parent (which election shall be made no later than the date of the
Company Shareholders’ Meeting), either (i) automatically be converted into, and shall be cancelled
in exchange for, the right to receive one share of Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Share,
par value $.01 per share (the “Surviving Entity Preferred Shares”), of the Surviving Entity
or (ii) be redeemed at the Closing by the Company for the Liquidation Preference (as defined in
Annex I to the Company Articles) plus all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) accrued and
unpaid thereon to the Redemption Date (as defined in Annex I to the Company Articles) (the
“Company Series I Preferred Share Merger
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Consideration”). Immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, the terms of the Surviving Entity Preferred Shares shall be set forth in the
articles supplementary of MergerCo, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit F.
(e) Immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, each outstanding qualified or
nonqualified option to purchase Company Common Shares (“Company Share Options”) under any
employee or director or trustee share option or compensation plan or arrangement of the Company,
including under the Long Term Incentive Plan of the Company (the “Company Incentive
Plans”), shall, except as otherwise agreed to by Parent and a holder of Company Share Options,
become fully vested and exercisable (whether or not then vested or subject to any performance
condition that has not been satisfied, and regardless of the exercise price thereof). At the
Company Merger Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed to by Parent and a holder of Company
Share Options, each Company Share Option not theretofore exercised shall be canceled in exchange
for the right to receive a single lump sum cash payment, equal to the product of (i) the number of
Company Common Shares subject to such Company Share Option immediately prior to the Company Merger
Effective Time, whether or not vested or exercisable, and (ii) the excess, if any, of the Company
Common Share Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of such Company Share Option
(“Company Option Merger Consideration”). If the exercise price per share of any such
Company Share Option is equal to or greater than the Company Common Share Merger Consideration,
such Company Share Option shall be canceled without any cash payment being made in respect thereof.
(f) All restricted share units (including any deferred restricted share units) (“Company
Restricted Share Units”), dividend equivalent units (including any deferred dividend equivalent
units) (“Company Dividend Equivalent Units”) and phantom common shares (“Company
Phantom Shares”) granted pursuant to the Company Incentive Plans or deferred pursuant to the
Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan automatically shall become fully vested and free of any
forfeiture restrictions immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, and each such
Company Restricted Share Unit, Company Dividend Equivalent Unit and Company Phantom Share shall be
considered an outstanding Company Common Share for all purposes of this Agreement, including the
right to receive the Company Common Share Merger Consideration (collectively, the
“RSU/DEU/Phantom Merger Consideration”), in each case except as otherwise agreed to by
Parent and a holder of Company Restricted Share Units, Company Dividend Equivalent Units, or
Company Phantom Shares.
(g) The conditions for maximum issuance of performance units to be granted under the Special
Long Term Incentive Program adopted pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan (“Company
Performance Units”) shall be deemed to be satisfied immediately prior to the Company Merger
Effective Time and each such Company Performance Unit shall fully vest and be free of any
forfeiture restrictions immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time and shall be
considered an outstanding Company Common Share for all purposes of this Agreement, including the
right to receive the Company Common Share Merger Consideration (the “Company Performance Unit
Merger Consideration”), in each case except as otherwise agreed to by Parent and a holder of
Company Performance Units.
(h) All outstanding share appreciation rights (“Company SARs”) granted pursuant to the
Company Incentive Plan or otherwise that remain unvested shall, except as
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otherwise agreed to by Parent and a holder of Company SARs, automatically become fully vested and exercisable (whether or
not then vested or subject to any performance condition that has not been satisfied, and regardless
of the exercise price thereof) immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time. At the
Company Merger Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed to by Parent and a holder of Company
SARs, each Company SAR not theretofore exercised shall be canceled in exchange for the right to
receive a single lump sum cash payment, equal to the product of (i) the number of Company Common
Shares subject to such Company SAR immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, whether
or not vested or exercisable, and (ii) the excess, if any, of the Company Common Share Merger
Consideration over the exercise price per share of such Company SAR (“Company SAR Merger
Consideration”). If the exercise price per share of any such Company SAR is equal to or
greater than the Company Common Share Merger Consideration, such Company SAR shall be canceled
without any cash payment being made in respect thereof.
Section 3.02 Effect on Units.
(a) Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units. In connection with the Operating Trust
Merger, at the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, each Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Unit issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Operating Trust Merger
Effective Time shall, in accordance with Section 3.03(e)(ii)(A) and Section 3.03(e)(ii)(B), be
converted into either (i) the Operating Trust Cash Consideration or (ii) the Operating Trust Class
A Preferred Unit Consideration. As contemplated in Section 7.01(b), the Operating Trust shall
offer, pursuant to the Operating Trust Merger, to each holder of the Operating Trust Class A-1
Common Units the opportunity to make an unconditional election, to be effective concurrently with
the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time (the “Election”), to receive, in exchange for
each issued and outstanding Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Unit owned by such holder immediately
after the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time either:
(x) cash equal to the Company Common Share Merger Consideration (the “Operating
Trust Cash Consideration”); or
(y)
one (1) Series O Preferred Unit ( the “Operating Trust Class A Preferred Unit
Consideration”).
The Election shall be made pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Form S-4 in accordance with
Section 7.01(b) and shall close immediately following the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time.
Holders of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units may only elect to receive the Operating Trust
Cash Consideration if concurrently with such election such holder agrees, without additional
consideration, to release, with respect to all Class A-1 Common Units owned directly by the Holder,
the Company and its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries, the Buyer Parties, the Guarantors
and their respective former, current or future general or limited partners, stockholders, managers,
members, directors, officers, Affiliates, agents or Representatives of the Buyer Parties or the
Guarantors from any claims under any Tax Protection Agreement with respect to any gain that is
recognized as a result of such holders’ sale of such Class A-1 Common Units pursuant to the
Election and receipt of the Operating Trust Cash Consideration. In no event shall a holder be
required to waive any claim that it has or had under any Tax Protection Agreement with respect to
or as a result of (i) any transaction or event
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occurring prior to the closing of the Operating
Trust Merger, whether or not asserted at the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, (ii) the
receipt of the Operating Trust Class A Preferred Unit Consideration in the Operating Trust Merger,
to the extent that the holder does not exercise the Election with respect to all Class A-1 Common
Units owned by such holder at the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, or (iii) in the case of a
holder who receives the Operating Trust Class A Preferred Unit Consideration in the Operating Trust
Merger, events occurring in connection with or following the consummation of the Operating Trust
Merger that cause such holder to recognize income or gain for federal, state or local income tax
purposes with respect to its Series O Preferred Units following the Operating Trust Merger
Effective Time.
(b) Operating Trust Class A-2 Common Units. In connection with the Operating Trust
Merger, at the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time and without any action on the part of the
Company, as the sole holder of the Operating Trust Class A-2 Common Units, each Operating Trust
Class A-2 Common Unit held by the Company immediately prior to the Operating Trust Merger Effective
Time shall remain outstanding.
(c) Operating Trust Series I Preferred Units. In connection with the Operating Trust
Merger, at the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time and without any action on the part of the
Company, as the sole holder of the Operating Trust Series I Preferred Units, each Operating Trust
Series I Preferred Unit issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Operating Trust Merger
Effective Time shall at the election of Parent (which election shall be made no later than the date
of the Company Shareholders’ Meeting) either (a) remain outstanding and unchanged as one (1)
Operating Trust Series I Preferred Unit without any material adverse change to its terms and rights
or (b) be redeemed at the Closing by the Company for the Liquidation Preference plus all dividends
(whether or not earned or declared) accrued and unpaid thereon to the Redemption Date.
(d) Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit. In connection with the Operating Trust
Merger, at the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time and without any action on the part of the
holder of the Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit, the Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit
shall be converted into the right to receive one (1) Operating Trust Series P Preferred Unit which
shall have the preferences, redemption and other rights, voting powers, restrictions and
limitations set forth on Exhibit B.
(e) Operating Trust Series N Preferred Units. In connection with the Operating Trust
Merger, at the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time and without any action on the part of the
holders of the Operating Trust Series N Preferred Units, (i) each Operating Trust Series N-1
Preferred Unit issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Operating Trust Merger Effective
Time shall be converted into the right to receive one (1) Operating Trust Series Q-1 Preferred Unit
which shall have the preferences, redemption and other rights, voting powers, restrictions and
limitations set forth on Exhibit C, and (ii) each Operating Trust Series N-2 Preferred Unit
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time shall be
converted into the right to receive one (1) Operating Trust Series Q-2 Preferred Unit which shall
have the preferences, redemption and other rights, voting powers, restrictions and limitations set
forth on Exhibit C.
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(f) Operating Trust MergerSub Units. In connection with the Operating Trust Merger,
at the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, all units or shares of beneficial interest of the
Operating Trust MergerSub shall automatically be converted into that number of Operating Trust
Class A-1 Common Units equal to the number of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units electing to
receive the Operating Trust Cash Consideration pursuant to Section 3.02(a).
Section 3.03 Exchange of Share Certificates, Unit Certificates and Uncertificated Units;
Paying Agent.
(a) Paying Agent. Prior to the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, Parent shall
appoint a bank or trust company reasonably satisfactory to the Company to act as Exchange and
Paying Agent (the “Paying Agent”) for the payment or exchange, as applicable, in accordance
with this Article III of (i) the Company Common Share Merger Consideration, (ii) the Company Series
I Preferred Share Merger Consideration, (iii) the Operating Trust Cash Consideration, and (iv) the
Operating Trust Class A Preferred Unit Consideration, (such consideration collectively being
referred to as the “Outside Holder Merger Consideration”). On or immediately after the Operating Trust Merger
Effective Time, Parent shall deposit or cause MergerCo or Operating Trust MergerSub to deposit with
the Paying Agent the Outside Holder Merger Consideration for the benefit of the holders of Company
Common Shares, Company Series I Preferred Shares, Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units, Operating
Trust Series M Preferred Unit, and Operating Trust Series N Preferred Units, as applicable (such
cash and securities so deposited, collectively being referred to as the “Exchange Fund”).
The Parent shall cause the Paying Agent to make, and the Paying Agent shall make, payments of the
Outside Holder Merger Consideration out of the Exchange Fund in accordance with this Agreement
promptly after the Closing Date in accordance with the procedures set forth in 3.03(d). The
Exchange Fund shall not be used for any other purpose than the payment of Outside Holder Merger
Consideration in accordance with this Agreement. Any and all interest earned on cash deposited in
the Exchange Fund shall be paid to the Surviving Entity or the Trust, as the case may be.
(b)
Payment of Company Option Merger Consideration, Company RSU/DEU/Phantom Merger Consideration,
the Company Performance Unit Merger Consideration and the Company SAR Merger Consideration. No
later than five Business Days prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, the Company shall deliver
to Parent a schedule setting forth: (i) the Company Option Merger Consideration to be paid to the
holders of Company Share Options pursuant to Section 3.01(e); (ii) the RSU/DEU/Phantom Merger
Consideration to be paid to the holders of Company Restricted Share Units, Company Dividend
Equivalent Units and Company Phantom Shares, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 3.01(f); (iii)
the Company Performance Unit Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Company Performance
Units pursuant to Section 3.01(g); and (iv) the Company SAR Merger Consideration to be paid to the
holders of Company SARs pursuant to Section 3.01(h) (such consideration collectively being referred
to as the “Employee Merger Consideration” and together with the Outside Holder Merger
Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”). On or immediately after the Company Merger
Effective Time, Parent shall cause to be deposited with the Operating Trust the Employee Merger
Consideration for the benefit of the holders of Company Share Options, Company Restricted Share
Units, Company Dividend Equivalent Units, Company Phantom Shares, Company Performance Units and
Company SARs
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(collectively, the “Company Equity Awards”). The Operating Trust shall
thereafter pay or reimburse the Surviving Entity an amount equal to the Employee Merger
Consideration promptly (but in no event more than five (5) Business Days) following the Closing
Date in accordance with this Article III.
(c) Share Transfer Books; Unit Transfer Books.
(i) At the Company Merger Effective Time, the share transfer books of the Company shall
be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers of the Company
Common Shares. On or after the Company Merger Effective Time, any Share Certificates
presented to the Paying Agent, the Surviving Entity or the transfer agent for any reason
shall be exchanged for the applicable Merger Consideration with respect to the Company
Common Shares or Company Series I Preferred Shares formerly represented thereby.
(ii) At the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, the share/unit transfer books of the
Operating Trust shall continue to be the share/unit transfer books of the Operating Trust in
all respects; provided, that, after the Operating Trust Merger Effective
Time, there shall be no further registration of transfers of the Operating Trust Class A-1
Common Units that were formerly held by the Operating Trust Common Unitholders.
(d) Exchange Procedures for Certificates and Uncertificated Units. Promptly after the
Company Merger Effective Time (but in any event within five (5) Business Days), Parent shall cause
the Paying Agent to mail to each person who immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time
held Company Common Shares, Company Series I Preferred Shares, or Operating Trust Class A-1 Common
Units that were exchanged for the right to receive the applicable Merger Consideration consisting
of cash, Surviving Entity Preferred Shares, or Series O Preferred Units (each, a “Former
Equityholder”), pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.02: (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall
specify that, if applicable, delivery of Share Certificates or Unit Certificates shall be effected,
and risk of loss and title to the Share Certificates and Unit Certificates (if any) shall pass to
the Paying Agent, only upon delivery of the Share Certificates or Unit Certificates to (if any) the
Paying Agent, and which letter shall be in such form and have such other provisions as Parent may
reasonably specify) and (ii) if applicable, instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the
Former Equityholder’s Share Certificates or Unit Certificates in exchange for the applicable Merger
Consideration to which the holder thereof is entitled. Upon (i) if applicable, surrender by a
Former Equityholder of a Share Certificate or Unit Certificate (if any) for cancellation to the
Paying Agent or to such other agent or agents reasonably satisfactory to the Company as may be
appointed by Parent, and (ii) delivery by such Former Equityholder of such letter of transmittal
(together with such Share Certificate or Unit Certificate, if applicable), duly executed and
completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may reasonably
be required by the Paying Agent, such Former Equityholder shall receive in exchange therefore the
applicable Merger Consideration payable in respect of the Company Common Shares, Company Series I
Preferred Shares, or Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units pursuant to the provisions of this
Article III, and the Share Certificate or Unit Certificate (if any) so surrendered shall forthwith
be canceled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of Company Common Shares, Company Series
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I Preferred Shares, or Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units that is not registered in the transfer
records of the Company, payment may be made to a person other than the person in whose name the
Share Certificate or Unit Certificate (if any) so surrendered is registered, if such Share
Certificate or Unit Certificate (if any) shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form
for transfer and the person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other Taxes required
by reason of the payment to a person other than the registered holder of such Share Certificate or
Unit Certificate (if any) or establish to the satisfaction of Parent that such Tax has been paid or
is not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 3.03, each Share Certificate
or Unit Certificate (if any) shall be deemed at any time after the Company Merger Effective Time to
represent only the right to receive, upon such surrender, the applicable Merger Consideration as
contemplated by this Section 3.03.
(e) No Further Ownership Rights.
(i) From and after the Company Merger Effective Time, holders of Company Common Shares,
Company Series I Preferred Shares and Company Equity Awards shall cease to be, and shall
have no rights as, shareholders or equityholder of the Company other than the right to
receive the applicable Merger Consideration provided under this Article III. The applicable
Merger Consideration paid in accordance with the terms of this Article III shall be deemed
to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights and privileges pertaining to the
Company Common Shares, Company Series I Preferred Shares and the Company Equity Awards,
regardless of whether represented by Share Certificates or other similar certificates
exchanged therefore.
(ii) At and immediately following the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, each
person who held, immediately prior to the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time:
(A) Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units, with respect to which an Election
is made by such person to receive, in exchange for such units, the Operating Trust
Class A Preferred Unit Consideration or for which no election is made, shall (1)
hold the Series O Preferred Units and shall have such rights, duties and obligations
set forth in the Amended Operating Trust Articles in respect of such Series O
Preferred Units and (2) cease to be, and shall have no rights as, an Operating Trust
Common Unitholder;
(B) Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units with respect to which an Election is
made by such person to receive, in exchange for such units, the Operating Trust Cash
Consideration, shall cease to be, and shall have no right as, a shareholder or
equityholder of the Operating Trust other than the right to receive the Operating
Trust Cash Consideration pursuant to Section 3.02(a);
(C) Operating Trust Class A-2 Common Units shall continue to hold a number of
such units calculated in accordance with Section 3.02(b), and shall have such
rights, duties and obligations set forth in the Amended Operating Trust Articles in
respect of such units;
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(D) (i) if Parent elects to leave such units outstanding pursuant to Section
3.02(c), the Operating Trust Series I Preferred Unit shall continue to hold such
unit and shall have such rights, duties and obligations set forth in the Amended
Operating Trust Articles in respect of such unit or (ii) if Parent does not elect to
leave such units outstanding pursuant to Section 3.02(c), the Liquidation Preference
plus all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) accrued and unpaid thereon to
the Redemption Date;
(E) the Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit shall hold the Operating Trust
Series P Preferred Unit and shall have such rights, duties and obligations set forth
in the Amended Operating Trust Articles in respect of such unit;
(F) Operating Trust Series N-1 Preferred Units shall hold the Operating Trust
Series Q-1 Preferred Units and shall have such rights, duties and obligations set
forth in the Amended Operating Trust Articles in respect of such units; and
(G) Operating Trust Series N-2 Preferred Units shall hold the Operating Trust
Series Q-2 Preferred Units and shall have such rights, duties and obligations set
forth in the Amended Operating Trust Articles in respect of such units).
The applicable Merger Consideration paid in accordance with the terms of this Article III
shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights and privileges pertaining to
the Operating Trust Common Units, the Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit and Operating Trust
Series N Preferred Units, regardless of whether represented by Unit Certificates or other similar
certificates exchanged therefore.
(f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund which remains
undistributed to the holders of Company Common Shares, Company Series I Preferred Shares, Operating
Trust Class A-1 Common Units, Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit, or Operating Trust Series N
Preferred Units for twelve (12) months after the Company Merger Effective Time shall be delivered
to the Surviving Entity, and any holders of Company Common Shares, Company Series I Preferred
Shares, Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units, Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit, or
Operating Trust Series N Preferred Units prior to the applicable Merger who have not theretofore
complied with this Article III shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Entity for payment of
the applicable Merger Consideration.
(g) No Liability. None of the Buyer Parties, Company Parties or the Paying Agent, or
any employee, officer, director, shareholder, partner, agent or Affiliate thereof, shall be liable
to any person in respect of any Merger Consideration, if the Exchange Fund has been delivered to a
public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. Any amounts
remaining unclaimed by holders of any persons entitled to Merger Consideration immediately prior to
the time at which such amounts would otherwise escheat to, or become property of, any federal,
state or local government or any court, regulatory or administrative agency or commission,
governmental arbitrator or other governmental authority
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or instrumentality, domestic or foreign,
shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Entity or
the Operating Trust, as the case may be, free and clear of any claims or interest of any such
holders or their successors, assigns or personal representatives previously entitled thereto.
(h) Investment of Exchange Fund. The Paying Agent shall invest the cash included in
the Exchange Fund, as directed by Parent, on a daily basis. Any net profit resulting from, or
interest or income produced by, such investments shall be placed in the Exchange Fund. To the
extent that there are losses with respect to such investments, or the Exchange Fund diminishes for
other reasons below the level required to make prompt payments of the Cash Consideration as
contemplated hereby, Parent shall promptly replace or restore the portion of the Exchange Fund lost
through investments or other events so as to ensure that the Exchange Fund is, at all times,
maintained at a level sufficient to make all such payments in full.
(i) Lost Certificates. If any Share Certificate or Unit Certificate shall have been
lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such
Share Certificate or Unit Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent or
the Paying Agent, the posting by such person of a bond or payment of an applicable fee in such
amount as Parent or the Paying Agent reasonably may direct, the Paying Agent will issue in exchange
for such lost, stolen or destroyed Share Certificate or Unit Certificate the applicable Cash
Consideration payable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 3.04 Withholding Rights; No Interest on Merger Consideration. The Surviving Entity, Operating
Trust, Parent or the Paying Agent, as applicable, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the
consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Company Common Shares,
Company Series I Preferred Shares, Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units, Operating Trust Series M
Preferred Unit, Operating Trust Series N Preferred Units, or Company Equity Awards such amounts as
it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any provision of state, local or foreign
Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the Surviving Entity, Parent or the Paying
Agent, as applicable, such withheld amounts (i) shall be remitted by the Surviving Entity or the
Paying Agent, as the case may be, to the applicable Governmental Authority, and (ii) shall be
treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of Company Common
Shares, Company Series I Preferred Shares, Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units, Operating Trust
Series M Preferred Unit, Operating Trust Series N Preferred Units, or Company Equity Awards in
respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the Surviving Entity, Operating Trust,
Parent or the Paying Agent, as applicable. No interest shall be paid or accrue on any Merger
Consideration paid pursuant to Article III.
Section 3.05 Dissenters’ Rights.
(a) No dissenters’ or appraisal rights shall be available with respect to the Company Merger
or the other transactions contemplated hereby except as set forth in Section 3.05(b).
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(b) Notwithstanding any provision of hereof and to the extent available under the Maryland
REIT Law, Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units that are outstanding immediately prior to the
Operating Trust Merger Effective Time and that are held by any unitholder who has properly
exercised and perfected appraisal rights, if any, under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL (the
“Dissenting Units”)) shall not be converted into the right to receive the Operating Trust
Cash Consideration or the Operating Trust Class A Preferred Unit Consideration, but the holders of
Dissenting Units shall instead be entitled to receive such consideration as shall be determined
pursuant to Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL; provided, however, that if any such
unitholder shall have failed to perfect or otherwise shall have withdrawn or lost such rights, if
any, to appraisal and payment under the MGCL, such holder’s Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units shall thereupon be deemed
to have been converted into, as of the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, the right to receive
the Operating Trust Cash Consideration or the Operating Trust Class A Preferred Unit Consideration
in accordance with Section 3.02(a) hereof, without any interest thereon, and such Operating Trust
Class A-1 Common Units shall no longer be Dissenting Units. The Company shall give Parent prompt
notice of any demands for appraisal received by the Company, withdrawals of such demands and any
other instruments served pursuant to the MGCL by a holder of Dissenting Units and received by the
Company. Parent shall participate in all and control all negotiations and proceedings with respect
to demands for appraisal under the Maryland REIT Law and the MGCL. The Company shall not, except
with prior written consent of Parent, make any payment or agree to make any payment with respect to
any demands for appraisal or offer to settle or settle any such demands.
Section 3.06 Suspension of DRIP. The Company shall take all actions necessary to suspend its Dividend
Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (the “DRIP”), effective as soon as practicable after
the date of this Agreement, and ensure that no purchase or other rights under the DRIP enable the
holder of such rights to acquire any interest in the Surviving Entity or any other Company Party or
Buyer Party as a result of such purchase or the exercise of such rights at or after such date.
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE COMPANY AND THE OPERATING TRUST
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE COMPANY AND THE OPERATING TRUST
Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule or as and to the extent set forth in the
Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 filed March 1, 2007 or in any other
SEC Report filed after March 1, 2007 and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement
(other than, in each case, any disclosures set forth in any risk factor section, in any section
relating to forward looking statements and any other disclosures included therein to the extent
that they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), the Company and the Operating
Trust hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Buyer Parties as follows:
Section 4.01 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries; Authority.
(a) Each of the Company and the Operating Trust is a real estate investment trust duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Maryland. Each of
the Company and the Operating Trust is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business it is conducting, or the
ownership, operation or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary,
except where the failure to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing would not, individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the
Company and the Operating Trust has all requisite trust power and authority to own, operate, lease
and encumber its properties and carry on its business as now conducted.
(b) Each of the Company’s subsidiaries organized under a jurisdiction in the U.S. (the
“U.S. Subsidiaries”) and each of the Company’s subsidiaries organized under a jurisdiction
outside of the U.S. (the “Foreign Subsidiaries”), together with the jurisdiction of
organization of each U.S. Subsidiary and Foreign Subsidiary and the outstanding equity of each U.S.
Subsidiary and Foreign Subsidiary owned by the Company and each other U.S. Subsidiary and Foreign
Subsidiary, is set forth in Section 4.01(b) of the Disclosure Schedule. Except as set forth in
Sections 4.01(b) and 4.01(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not own, directly or
indirectly, any shares of stock of, or other equity interest in, or any other securities
convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for stock of or other equity interest in, any
Person. Except as set forth in Section 4.01(b) and 4.01(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, all issued
and outstanding shares or other equity interests of each U.S. Subsidiary and Foreign Subsidiary are
owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all Liens other than Liens specified
in the Organizational Documents or loan documents that are Material Contracts. Each U.S.
Subsidiary (other than the Operating Trust) and Foreign Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the
Company, each JV Entity, is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly
incorporated or organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction
of its incorporation or organization, except where the failure to be so incorporated, organized,
validly existing or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the U.S.
Subsidiaries (other than the Operating Trust) and the Foreign Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of
the Company, each JV Entity, has the requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability
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company or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted, except where the failure to have such power and authority
would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect. Each of the U.S. Subsidiaries (other than the Operating Trust) and the Foreign
Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, each JV Entity, is duly qualified or licensed to
do business, and is in good standing (to the extent applicable), in each jurisdiction where the
character of the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the conduct or nature of its
business makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except for jurisdictions in which the
failure to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Section 4.01(c) of the Disclosure Schedule is a complete and correct list of Persons other
than the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries, in which the Company or any U.S.
Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary has a direct or indirect equity interest (the “JV
Entities”), together with the respective percentage interests in each such Person owned by the
Company and any U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries, which interests are owned directly or
indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all Liens other than Liens specified in the
Organizational Documents or loan documents applicable to such JV Entities. To the knowledge of the
Company, no direct or indirect beneficial owner of any JV Entity or party to any agreement with a
JV Entity has exercised any option to purchase or sell, right of first refusal, right of first
offer or any other contractual right to purchase, sell or dispose of, any equity interest of any JV
Entity owned by the Company, any U.S. Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary.
Section 4.02 Organizational Documents. The Company has previously provided or made available to the Buyer
Parties true and correct copies of (i) the Company Articles, the Company Bylaws, the Operating
Trust Articles and the Operating Trust Bylaws together with all amendments thereto (collectively,
the “Company and Operating Trust Organizational Documents”) and (ii) bylaws, partnership
agreements, operating agreements, and other similar organizational documents of each JV Entity
(together with the certificates or articles of incorporation, declarations of trust, certificates
or articles of partnerships, certificates or articles of formation, of such JV Entities
collectively, the “JV Organizational Documents”). All certificates or articles of incorporation,
declarations of trust, certificates or articles of partnerships, certificates or articles of
formation, bylaws, partnership agreements, operating agreements, and other similar organizational
documents of the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Subsidiary
Organizational Documents,” and together with the Company and Operating Trust Organizational
Documents and, to the knowledge of the Company, the JV Organizational Documents, the
“Organizational Documents”) are in full force and effect and there are no
current dissolution, revocation or forfeiture proceedings regarding the Company or any of the
material U.S. Subsidiaries or material Foreign Subsidiaries.
Section 4.03 Capitalization.
(a) The total number of shares of beneficial interest of all classes which the Company has
authority to issue is 450,000,000 shares, consisting of 449,999,500 common shares of beneficial
interest, par value $0.01 per share (the “Company Common Shares”), of which, as of May 24,
2007, 222,420,421 were issued and outstanding, and 500 Series I Cumulative
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Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “Company Series I Preferred Shares”), of the
Company, of which, as of May 24, 2007, 500 shares were issued and outstanding. As of May 24, 2007,
(i) 9,687,550 Company Common Shares have been reserved and are available for issuance pursuant to
the Incentive Plan, subject to adjustment on the terms set forth in such plans and/or agreements,
and (ii) there were outstanding (A) Company Share Options to purchase 1,990,474 Company Common
Shares, (B) 1,018,259 Company Restricted Share Units, (C) 261,585 Company Dividend Equivalent
Units, (D) 31,350 Company Phantom Shares, (E) 304,904 Company Performance Units, and (F) 1,274
Company SARs.
(b) The total number of shares of beneficial interest of all classes which the Operating Trust
has authority to issue is 450,000,000 shares, par value $0.01 per shares (such shares, the
“Operating Trust Units”). As of the date of this Agreement (i) 100,000,000 of the
Operating Trust Units have been classified as Class A-1 Common Units (the “Operating Trust
Class A-1 Common Units”), (ii) 222,420,421 of the Operating Trust Units have been classified as
Class A-2 Common Units (the “Operating Trust Class A-2 Common Units,” and together with
Operating Trust A-1 Common Units, the “Operating Trust Class A Common Units”), (iii)
10,000,000 of the Operating Trust Units have been classified as Class B Common Units (the
“Operating Trust Class B Common Units,” and together with Operating Trust Class A Common
Units, the “Operating Trust Common Units”), (iv) 500 of the Operating Trust Units have been
classified as Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units (the “Operating Trust Series I
Preferred Units”), (v) one (1) Operating Trust Unit has been classified as Series M Preferred
Unit (the “Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit”), (vi) 300 of the Operating Trust Units
have been classified as Series N-1 Convertible Redeemable Preferred Units (the “Operating Trust
Series N-1 Preferred Units”), and (vii) 700 of the Operating Trust Units have been classified
as Series N-2 Convertible Redeemable Preferred Units (the “Operating Trust Series N-2 Preferred
Units” and together with the Operating Trust Series N-1 Preferred Units, the “Operating
Trust Series N Units”). As of May 24, 2007, there were outstanding 27,219,023 Operating Trust
Class A-1 Common Units, 222,420,421 Operating Trust Class A-2 Common Units, no
Operating Trust Class B Common Xxxxx, 000 Operating Trust Series I Preferred Units, one (1)
Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit, 300 Operating Trust Series N-1 Preferred Units, and 700
Operating Trust Series N-2 Preferred Units. The Company is the sole trustee of the Operating
Trust. All of the Operating Trust Class A-2 Common Units and Operating Trust Series I Preferred
Units are held by the Company.
(c) Except for (i) Company Share Options, Company Restricted Share Units, Company Dividend
Equivalent Units, Company Phantom Shares, Company Performance Units, Company SARs, the Operating
Trust Common Units, the Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit, the Operating Trust Series N Units
and the Convertible Notes, or as set forth in Section 4.03(c)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, there
are no options, warrants, calls, subscription rights, exercisable, convertible or exchangeable
securities or other rights, agreements or commitments (contingent or otherwise) that obligate the
Company to issue, transfer or sell any shares of beneficial interests or other equity interest, or
any investment that is convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any such shares; and
(ii) the Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit, the Operating Trust Series N Preferred Units,
Company and Operating Trust Organizational Documents or as set forth in Section 4.03(c)(ii) of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no options, warrants, calls, subscription rights, exercisable,
convertible or exchangeable securities or other rights, agreements or commitments (contingent or
otherwise) that obligate the
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Operating Trust to issue, transfer or sell any Operating Trust Units.
Section 4.03(c)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, complete and correct list of the
Company Share Options outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, including the number of shares
subject to each Company Share Option, the per share exercise price or purchase price for each
Company Share Option, and whether the Company Share Option is qualified.
(d) Section 4.03(d) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, complete and correct list of
the Company SARs outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, including the number of shares
subject to each Company SAR and the per share exercise price or purchase price for each Company
SAR.
(e) Except as set forth in the Company Articles, the Company Bylaws, the Operating Trust
Articles, the Operating Trust Bylaws or Section 4.03(e) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no
agreements or understandings to which the Company is a party with respect to the voting of any
Company Common Shares or which restrict the transfer of any such shares, nor, to the knowledge of
the Company, are there any third party agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of
any such shares or which restrict the transfer of such shares.
(f) Except as set forth in Section 4.03(f) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is under no
obligation, contingent or otherwise, by reason of any agreement to register the offer and sale or
resale of any of its securities. Except as set forth in Section 4.03(f) of the Disclosure Schedule
or the Organizational Documents, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company or
any of the U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
Company Common Shares or capital stock of any U.S. Subsidiary.
(g) Section 4.03(g) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all holders of the
Operating Trust Units, including the name of the Person holding each such unit, and the number and
type.
(h) Since May 24, 2007 and through the date of this Agreement, other than in connection with
the issuance of Company Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of Company Share Options, redemption
or conversion of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units, issuances of Company Common Shares in
connection with purchases under the DRIP and the Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan, no Company Common
Shares, Company Series I Preferred Shares or Operating Trust Units have been issued or redeemed and
there has been no change in the number of outstanding Company Common Shares, Company Series I
Preferred Shares, Operating Trust Units, Company Share Options, Company Restricted Share Units,
Company Dividend Equivalent Units, Company Phantom Shares, Company Performance Units or Company
SARs. All issued and outstanding shares of beneficial interest or capital stock of or other equity
interests in the Company and its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries are, and all shares
subject to issuance as specified above, upon issuance on the terms and conditions specified in the
instruments pursuant to which they are issuable will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights under any provision of Law (except
as otherwise provided under applicable Law with respect to Foreign Subsidiaries) or the applicable
Organizational Documents.
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(i) The Company does not have a “poison pill” or similar shareholder rights plan.
Section 4.04 Authority Relative to this Agreement, Takeover Laws, Validity and Effect of
Agreements.
(a) Each of the Company Parties has all necessary trust power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including the Mergers. The Company Board: (i) has (A) unanimously
approved this Agreement, the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and declared that the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement are advisable on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, (B) directed
that the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby be submitted for
consideration at the Company Shareholders’ Meeting, and (C) unanimously recommended the approval of
the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby by the Company Common
Shareholders; and (ii) on behalf of the Company in its capacity as the Sole Trustee, (A)
unanimously approved this Agreement, the Operating Trust Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and declared that the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are advisable on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein, (B) directed that this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated
hereby be submitted for approval by the Operating Trust Unitholders entitled to vote thereon, and
(C) unanimously recommended the approval of this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated hereby by the Operating Trust Common Unitholders. Except for the approvals described
in the following sentence, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and the Operating
Trust of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Mergers
and the Declaration of Trust Amendments, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
trust actions on behalf of the Company and the Operating Trust. No other proceedings on the part
of the Company and the Operating Trust are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Mergers and the Declaration of Trust
Amendments, other than —
(w) the affirmative approval of the Company Merger by at least a majority of all the
votes entitled to be cast on the matter by the holders of all outstanding Company Common
Shares (the “Company Shareholder Approval”),
(x) the affirmative approval of the Mergers by at least the majority of all the votes
entitled to be cast on the matters by the holders of all outstanding Operating Trust Common
Units (the “Operating Trust Unitholder Approval”), and
(y) the filing and acceptance for record of appropriate merger documents as required by
the Maryland REIT Law, the LLC Act and the MD RUPA.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the Operating
Trust and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the Buyer Parties,
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Operating Trust,
enforceable against the Company and the Operating Trust in accordance with its terms,
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except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer and similar Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’
rights or by general equity principles.
(b) The Company Parties (and their respective trustees) have taken all action required to be
taken by them in order to exempt this Agreement and the Mergers, and this Agreement and the Mergers
are exempt, from the requirements of any “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition,”
“affiliate transaction,” “business combination” or other takeover Laws of the Maryland REIT Laws.
Section 4.05 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 4.05(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, subject to the receipt
of the Company Shareholder Approval and the Operating Trust Unitholder Approval, the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by any of the Company Parties do not, and the performance of their
respective obligations hereunder will not, (i) conflict with or violate (1) the Company Articles or
the Company Bylaws, (2) the Operating Trust Articles or the Operating Trust Bylaws or (3) the JV
Organizational Documents or the Subsidiary Organizational Documents, (ii) assuming that all
consents, approvals, authorizations, expirations or terminations of applicable waiting periods, and
other actions described in subsection (b) of this Section 4.05 have been obtained and all filings
and obligations described in subsection (b) of this Section 4.05 have been made, conflict with or
violate any Law applicable to the Company, the Operating Trust, or any U.S. Subsidiary, Foreign Subsidiary or JV Entity or by which any
property or asset of the Company, the Operating Trust, or any U.S. Subsidiary, Foreign Subsidiary
or JV Entity is bound, or (iii) require any consent or result in any violation or breach of or
constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give to others any right
of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation or any right to purchase or sell assets or
equity) under, result in the loss of any material right or benefit under, or result in the
triggering of any payments or result in the creation of a Lien or other encumbrance on any property
or asset of the Company, the Operating Trust, or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary or
pursuant to, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Permit or Contract to which the
Company, or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of its
respective properties or assets may be bound, except, with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii), such
triggering of payments, Liens, encumbrances, filings, notices, permits, authorizations, consents,
approvals, violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, (A) prevent or materially delay consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or (B) reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) The execution and delivery by the Company Parties of this Agreement does not, and the
performance of their respective obligations hereunder will not, require any consent, approval,
order, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority,
except: (i) for (A) applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”), state securities or “blue sky” Laws (“Blue Sky Laws”), (B) the pre-merger
notification requirements of the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended
(the “HSR Act”), (C) the German Act Against Restraints of Competition, as amended
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(the “German Act”), (D) the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) of a proxy statement relating to the Company Merger to be sent to the Company
Shareholders (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Proxy Statement”) and
other written communications that may be deemed “soliciting materials” under Rule 14a-12
promulgated under the Exchange Act, (E) the filing with the SEC of an information statement
relating to the Company Merger to be sent to the Operating Trust Unitholders (as amended or
supplemented from time to time, the “Information Statement”) pursuant to Regulation 14C
promulgated under the Exchange Act (which Information Statement is contemplated to be included as
part of the Form S-4), (F) the filing with the SEC of one or more combined registration statements
and proxy statements on Form S-4 (such combined registration statement(s) and proxy statements,
together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Form S-4”), (G) any filings
required under the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), and
(H) the filing of the Articles of Merger with, and the acceptance for record thereof by, the SDAT;
and (ii) where the failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to
make such filings or notifications would not, individually or in the aggregate, (A) prevent or
materially delay consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or (B) reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.06 Permits; Compliance with Laws.
(a) Each of the Company, the Operating Trust, the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign
Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the JV Entities, is in possession of all
franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, consents, certificates, approvals and orders
of any Governmental Authority or Foreign Governmental Entity, as applicable, necessary for it to
own, lease and operate its properties or to carry on its business as it is now being conducted
(collectively, the “Permits”), and all such Permits are valid and in full force and effect,
except where the failure to possess, obtain or maintain the Permits, or the suspension or
cancellation of, any of the Permits would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. No suspension or cancellation of any Permits
is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, and no such suspension or cancellation
will result from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except in each case as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 4.06(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company,
the Operating Trust, any U.S. Subsidiary, or any Foreign Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the
Company, any JV Entity, is in conflict with, or in default, breach or violation of, (i) any Laws
applicable to the Company, the Operating Trust, or any U.S. Subsidiary or JV Entity or any laws
applicable to the Foreign Subsidiaries by which any property or asset of the Company, the Operating
Trust, any U.S. Subsidiary, any JV Entity or any Foreign Subsidiary is bound or (ii) any Permit,
except for any such conflicts, defaults, breaches or violations which would not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 4.07 SEC Filings; Financial Statements; No Unknown Liabilities.
(a) Each of the Company and the Operating Trust has filed all forms, reports and documents
(including all exhibits) required to be filed by it with the SEC since January 1, 2004 (the
“Company SEC Reports”). The Company SEC Reports, each as amended prior to the date hereof,
(i) have been prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, and (ii) did not, when filed as amended prior to the date hereof, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. The Company has made available to Parent copies of all
material correspondence between the SEC, on the one hand, and the Company or any of its U.S.
Subsidiaries on the other hand since January 1, 2004. Except as set forth in Section 4.07(a) of
the Disclosure Schedule, no U.S. Subsidiary other than the Operating Trust is or has been required
to file any form, report or other document with the SEC or any securities exchange or quotation
service.
(b) Each of the consolidated financial statements (including, in each case, any notes thereto)
contained in or incorporated by reference into the Company SEC Reports was
prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
indicated (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), complied in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the SEC and each fairly
presented, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position, results of operations and
cash flows of the Company and its consolidated U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries or
the Operating Trust and its consolidated U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries, as the
case may be, as of the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods indicated therein
except as otherwise noted therein (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal and
recurring year end adjustments).
(c) Except (i) to the extent set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of
December 31, 2006 (including the notes thereto) included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006, (ii) liabilities incurred on behalf of the Company, any U.S.
Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary in connection with this Agreement, and (iii) liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since December 31, 2006,
none of the Company, its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries had any liabilities or
obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) required by GAAP to
be set forth in a consolidated balance sheet of the Company or in the notes thereto, except for any
such liabilities or obligations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Since the enactment of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act”),
the Company has been and is in compliance in all material respects with (i) the applicable
provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii)
the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of the NYSE. Since the
Company became subject to the provisions of Rule 404 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act, it has complied in
all material respects with such provisions.
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Section 4.08 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports filed
prior to the date hereof, since December 31, 2006 through the date hereof, (a) each of the Company,
the Operating Trust, the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries has conducted its business
in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, (b) there has not been an event, occurrence,
effect or circumstance that has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect, (c) there has not been any declaration, setting aside for payment or
payment of any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with respect to
any of the Company Series I Preferred Shares, Company Common Shares or the Operating Trust Units
other than (i) regular quarterly cash dividends at a rate equal to $0.4525 per Company Common
Share, (ii) dividends paid to holders of the Company Series I Preferred Shares in accordance with
the terms of such security, and (iii) distributions paid to holders of Operating Trust Units in
accordance with the terms of the Operating Trust Articles, and (d) there has not been any change in
any method of accounting or accounting practice or any material change in any tax method or
election by the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary.
Section 4.09 Absence of Litigation. Except (i) as listed in Section 4.09 of the Disclosure Schedule or
(ii) as set forth in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement, there is no
Action pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its
U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries or any of its or their respective properties or assets or
any director, officer or employee of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries
or other Person, in each case, for whom the Company or any U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign
Subsidiaries may be liable, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to (x) prevent or materially delay consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or (y) have a Company Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company
and the U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries is subject to any order, judgment, writ,
injunction or decree, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.10 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Section 4.10(a) of the Disclosure Schedule lists all employee benefit plans (as defined in
Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”)
(whether or not subject to ERISA) other than a multiemployer plan (within the meaning of Section
3(37) of ERISA)) and all material bonus, stock option, stock purchase, restricted stock, other
equity or equity-based awards, incentive, deferred compensation, retiree medical or life insurance,
supplemental retirement, employment, retention, termination, change in control, severance or other
benefit plans, programs or arrangements, contracts or agreements, in each case, to which the
Company or any U.S. Subsidiary is a party, with respect to which the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary
has any current or future obligation or which are maintained, contributed to or sponsored by the
Company or any U.S. Subsidiary for the benefit of any current or former employee, officer, director
or independent contractor of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary (all such plans, programs,
arrangements, contracts or agreements, collectively, the “Plans”). The Company has made
available, or will make available prior to the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, to Parent, to
the extent applicable, copies, which are correct and complete in all material respects, of the
following: (i) the Plans (or to the extent no such copy
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exists, an accurate written description thereof), (ii) the annual report (Form 5500) filed with the Internal Revenue Service
(“IRS”) for the last two plan years, (iii) the most recently received IRS determination
letter or opinion letter, if any, relating to a Plan, (iv) the most recently prepared actuarial
report or financial statement, if any, relating to a Plan, (v) the most recent summary plan
description for such Plan and all modifications thereto, and (vi) all material correspondence with
the Department of Labor or the IRS with respect to any Plan. Except as set forth on Section
4.10(a)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, other than statutory plans, the Company sponsors no
employee benefits plans for non-U.S. employees.
(b) Each Plan has been established and operated in accordance with its terms and the
requirements of all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
“Code”), except for such noncompliance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in any material
liability to the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries, no “prohibited transaction”, within the
meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA, has occurred with respect to any Plan
other than to a Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA (and with
respect to such plans to the Company’s knowledge no prohibited transaction has occurred).
Each Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of
the Code) and any award thereunder has been operated since January 1, 2005 in good faith compliance
with Section 409A of the Code, IRS Notice 2005-1, Proposed Regulation Sections 1.409A-1 through
1.409A-6 inclusive. No Action is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened or
anticipated, with respect to any Plan (other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course) that
would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a
favorable determination letter from the IRS, or is entitled to rely on a favorable opinion issued
by the IRS, and each related trust that is intended to be exempt from federal income tax pursuant
to Section 501(a) of the Code has received a determination or opinion letter from the IRS that it
is so exempt, and to the knowledge of the Company no fact or event has occurred since the date of
such determination letter or letters from the IRS that would reasonably be expected to adversely
affect the qualified status of any such Plan or the exempt status of any such trust.
(d) Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate, (i) sponsors or has any obligation with
respect to any employee benefit plan that is subject to the provisions of Section 302 or Title IV
of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, is an employee stock ownership plan within the meaning of
Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code, a voluntary employee beneficiary association, is a multiemployer
plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA or (ii) has incurred or reasonably expects to
incur any material liability pursuant to Title I or Title IV of ERISA (including any Controlled
Group Liability, but excluding liability in the ordinary course for contributions to multiemployer
plans)) or any foreign Law or regulation relating to employee benefit plans, whether contingent or
otherwise. The Company does not have any obligation with respect to any employee benefit plan that
provides for any post-employment or post-retirement health or medical or life insurance benefits
for retired, former or current employees of the Company, except as required by Section 4980B of the
Code or similar state Law.
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(e) Except as set forth in Section 4.10(e) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution
and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated
hereby will (either alone or in conjunction with any other event (whether contingent or otherwise))
result in or cause the vesting, exercisability, acceleration of payment or delivery of, or increase
in the amount or value of, any payment, right or other benefit to any employee, officer, director
or other service provider of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or result in any amount failing to
be deductible by reason of Section 280G of the Code. The Company has provided Parent with
reasonable estimates of the potential excess parachute payments (within the meaning of Section 280G
of the Code) paid or payable by the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, either as a result of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or in conjunction with any other event.
(f) For purposes of this Section 4.10, an entity is an “ERISA Affiliate” of the
Company if it is considered a single employer with the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries
under Section 4001(b) of ERISA or part of the same controlled group as the Company for purposes of
Section 302(d)(8)(C) of ERISA.
(g) For purposes of this Section 4.10, “Controlled Group Liability” means any
and all liabilities (i) under Title IV of ERISA, (ii) under Section 302 of ERISA, (iii) under
Sections 412 and 4971 of the Code, (iv) resulting from a violation of the continuation coverage
requirements of Section 601 et seq. of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code or the group health plan
requirements of Sections 601 et seq. of the Code and Section 601 et seq. of ERISA, and (v) under
corresponding or similar provisions of foreign Laws or regulations.
Section 4.11 Labor Matters.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 4.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor
any U.S. Subsidiary is a party to any collective bargaining agreement, trade union or other labor
union contract applicable to persons employed by the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign
Subsidiary. Except as set forth in Section 4.11 of the Disclosure Schedule or as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect,
(i) neither the Company nor any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary has breached or otherwise
failed to comply with any provision of any such agreement or contract, and there are no grievances
outstanding against the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary under such agreement
or contract, (ii) none of the employees of the Company or its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign
Subsidiary is represented by a union, (iii) to the knowledge of the Company no union organizing
efforts have been conducted within the last three years or are now being conducted, and (iv) there
is no, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there has not been (nor is there pending or
threatened) a strike, slowdown, work stoppage or lockout by or with respect to any employees of the
Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary.
(b) The Company and each of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries is in compliance in
all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the employment of labor, including all
applicable Laws relating to wages, hours, collective bargaining, employment discrimination, civil
rights, safety and health, workers’ compensation, pay equity and the collection and payment of
withholding and/or social security taxes, except where the failure to
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comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Neither the Company nor any of its U.S. Subsidiaries has incurred any liability or obligation
under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”) or any similar state
or local Law within the last six months which remains unsatisfied.
Section 4.12 Information Supplied. The information supplied by the Company Parties for inclusion or incorporation by reference in
the S-4, Proxy Statement or any other document to be filed with the SEC or provided to holders of
the Units in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Other
Filings”) will not, in the case of the S-4 at the time it becomes effective, or in the case of
the Proxy Statement, at the date it is first mailed to the Company Shareholders or at the time of
the Company Shareholders’ Meeting or at the time of any amendment or supplement thereof, or, in the
case of any Other Filing at the date it is first mailed to the Company Shareholders or holders of
interests in any U.S. Subsidiary or at the date it is first filed with the SEC, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
are made, not misleading. No representation is made (or omitted to be made) by the Company Parties
with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied
by Buyer Parties in connection with the preparation of the S-4, the Proxy Statement or the Other
Filings for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein. All documents that the Company is
responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the Election, the Mergers, or the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will comply as to form and substance in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Section 4.13 Property.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 4.13(a)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company, the
Operating Trust, or a U.S. Subsidiary owns fee simple title to, or a valid leasehold interest in,
each of the real properties identified in Section 4.13(a)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule (each
property so owned, a “Company Property” and collectively, the “Company
Properties”), and except as set forth in Section 4.13(a)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, the
Foreign Subsidiaries own title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, each of the real properties
identified in Section 4.13(a)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule (each property so owned, a
“Foreign Property” and collectively, the “Foreign Properties”), each of which are
all of the real estate properties owned or leased by the Company, the Operating Trust, U.S.
Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary, in each case (except as provided below) free and clear of Liens,
except for Permitted Liens and any other limitations of any kind, if any, that would not
individually, or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) The Company Properties are not subject to any rights of way, restrictive covenants
(including deed restrictions or limitations issued pursuant to any Environmental Law),
declarations, agreements, or Laws affecting building use or occupancy, or reservations of an
interest in title except for Permitted Liens.
(c) For each Company Property, policies of (i) title insurance have been issued insuring, as
of the effective date of each such insurance policy, fee simple title interest
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held by the Company or the applicable U.S. Subsidiary with respect to the Company Properties that are not subject to
the Ground Leases and (ii) leasehold insurance have been issued insuring, as of the effective date
of each such insurance policy, the leasehold interest that the Company or
the applicable U.S. Subsidiary holds with respect to each Company Property that is subject to
a Ground Lease. To the knowledge of the Company, such policies are, at the date hereof, in full
force and effect and no material claim has been made against any such policy.
(d) Except as set forth in Section 4.13(d)(i) and Section 4.13(d)(ii) of the Disclosure
Schedule:
(i) to the knowledge of the Company, (A) no material certificate, permit or license
from any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any of the Company Properties or
any agreement, easement or other right that is necessary to permit the lawful use and
operation of the buildings and improvements on any of the Company Properties or that is
necessary to permit the lawful use and operation of all driveways, roads and other means of
egress and ingress to and from any of the Company Properties has not been obtained and is
not in full force and effect, except for any such permits and approvals that are being
sought in connection with the development or redevelopment of any Company Properties, and
except for such failures to obtain and to have in full force and effect, which would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect and (B) neither the Company nor any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary has
received written notice of any violation of any Law affecting any of the Company Properties
issued by any Governmental Authority which have not been cured, contested in good faith or
which violations would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect; and
(ii) to the knowledge of the Company, (A) no material certificate, permit or license
from any Foreign Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over any of the Foreign Properties
or any agreement, easement or other right that is necessary to permit the lawful use and
operation of the buildings and improvements on any of the Foreign Properties or that is
necessary to permit the lawful use and operation of all driveways, roads and other means of
egress and ingress to and from any of the Foreign Properties has not been obtained and is
not in full force and effect, except for any such permits and approvals that are being
sought in connection with the development or redevelopment of any Foreign Properties, and
except for such failures to obtain and to have in full force and effect, which would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect and (B) neither the Company nor any Foreign Subsidiary has received written notice
of any violation of any law affecting any of the Foreign Properties issued by any Foreign
Governmental Entity which have not been cured, contested in good faith or which violations
would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(e) To the knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any U.S. Subsidiary has received
any written notice to the effect that (A) any condemnation or rezoning proceedings are pending or
threatened with respect to any of the Company Properties, except for any such proceedings that have
been initiated in connection with the development or
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redevelopment of any of the Company Properties, or (B) any Laws including any zoning regulation or ordinance (including with respect to
parking), board of fire underwriters rules, building, fire, health or similar Law, code, ordinance,
order or regulation has been violated for any Company Property, which in the case of clauses (A) and (B) above, would, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Section 4.13(f) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a correct and complete list as of
the date of this Agreement of each ground lease pursuant to which any Company Parties or any U.S.
Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary is a lessee (individually, a “Ground Lease” and
collectively, “Ground Leases”). To the knowledge of the Company, each Ground Lease is in
full force and effect and none of the Company Parties, or any U.S. Subsidiary or any Foreign
Subsidiary has received a written notice that it is in default under any Ground Lease which remains
uncured. The Company has made available to Parent copies of each Ground Lease and all material
amendments or other modifications thereto, which copies are correct and complete in all material
respects. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect,
(i) neither the Company nor any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary is and, to the knowledge of
the Company, no other party is in breach or violation of, or default under, any Ground Lease, (ii)
no event has occurred which would result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, any
Ground Lease by the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary, or to the knowledge of
the Company, any other party thereto (in each case, with or without notice or lapse of time or
both), and (iii) each Ground Lease is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms
and is in full force and effect with respect to the Company or the U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign
Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, with respect to the other parties thereto.
(g) Except as set forth in Section 4.13(g) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company
Parties nor any U.S. Subsidiary nor any Foreign Subsidiary has granted any unexpired option
agreements, rights of first offer, rights of first negotiation or rights of first refusal with
respect to the purchase of a Company Property or any portion thereof or any other unexpired rights
in favor of third Persons to purchase or otherwise acquire a Company Property or any portion
thereof or entered into any contract for sale, ground lease or letter of intent to sell or ground
lease any Company Property or any portion thereof.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 4.13(h) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company
Parties nor any U.S. Subsidiary nor any Foreign Subsidiary is a party to any agreement relating to
the management of any of the Company Properties by a party other than the Company Parties or the
U.S. Subsidiaries or the Foreign Subsidiaries.
Section 4.14 Intellectual Property. Except as individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) to the knowledge of the Company, the
conduct of the business of the Company and the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries as
currently conducted does not infringe or otherwise violate the Intellectual Property rights of any
other party other than the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary (“Third
Party”), (b) with respect to Intellectual Property used by, owned by or licensed to the Company
or any U.S. Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary (“Company Intellectual Property”), the
Company or such U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary owns the entire right, title and interest in the
Company Intellectual Property purported to be owned by the
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Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary and has the right to use the other Company Intellectual Property in the
continued operation of its business as currently conducted, (c) to the knowledge of the Company, no
Third Party is infringing or otherwise violating the Company Intellectual Property rights, and (d)
the Company and the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiary have taken reasonable actions to
protect and maintain the Company Intellectual Property (including Company Intellectual Property
that is confidential in nature).
Section 4.15 Taxes. Except as set forth in Section 4.15 of the Disclosure Schedule:
(a) Each of the Company and its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries (i) has timely
filed (or had filed on their behalf) all Tax Returns, as defined below, required to be filed by any
of them (after giving effect to any filing extension granted by a Governmental Authority) and (ii)
has paid (or had paid on their behalf) or will timely pay all material Taxes (whether or not shown
on such Tax Returns) that are required to be paid by it, and such Tax Returns are true, correct and
complete in all material respects. The most recent financial statements contained in the Company
SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof reflect an adequate reserve (excluding any reserve for
deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) for all Taxes
payable by the Company and its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries for all taxable periods
and portions thereof through the date of such financial statements and Taxes payable by the Company
and its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries on the Closing Date will not exceed such reserve
as adjusted through the Closing Date in accordance with the past custom and practice of the Company
and its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries in filing their Tax Returns. True, correct and
complete copies of all filed federal Tax Returns for the Company, the Operating Trust and Ameriton
Properties Incorporated with respect to the taxable years commencing on or after January 2003 have
been delivered or made available to representatives of Parent. Neither the Company nor any of its
U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries has executed or filed with the IRS or any other taxing
authority any agreement, waiver or other document or arrangement extending the period for
assessment or collection of material Taxes (including, but not limited to, any applicable statute
of limitation), and no power of attorney with respect to any material Tax matter is currently in
force with respect to the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries. As
used here, the term “Tax Returns” means all reports, returns, declarations, statements or
other information required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with Taxes.
(b) The Company, (i) for all taxable years commencing with the Company’s taxable year ending
December 31, 1997 through December 31, 2006, has been subject to taxation as a REIT within the
meaning of Section 856 of the Code and has satisfied all requirements to qualify as a REIT, and has
so qualified, for such years, (ii) has operated since December 31, 2006 to the date hereof in a
manner that will permit it to qualify as a REIT for the taxable year that includes the date hereof,
and (iii) intends to continue to operate in such a manner as to permit it to continue to qualify as
a REIT for the taxable year of the Company that will end with the Company Merger (and if the
Company Merger is not consummated prior to January 1, 2008, for the taxable year that will end on December 31, 2007). No challenge to the Company’s
status as a REIT is pending or has been threatened in writing. No subsidiary of the Company is a
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, other than a corporation that qualifies as a
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“qualified REIT subsidiary,” within the meaning of Section 856(i)(2) of the Code, or as a “taxable
REIT subsidiary,” within the meaning of Section 856(1) of the Code.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries holds any
asset the disposition of which would be subject to rules similar to Section 1374 of the Code.
(d) Since January 1, 2003, (i) the Company and its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries
have not incurred any liability for material Taxes under sections 857(b), 857(f), 860(c) or 4981 of
the Code which have not been previously paid and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its U.S.
Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries has incurred any material liability for Taxes that have not
been previously paid other than in the ordinary course of business. Neither the Company nor any of
its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries (other than a “taxable REIT subsidiary” or any U.S.
Subsidiary of a “taxable REIT subsidiary”) has engaged at any time in any “prohibited transactions”
within the meaning of Section 857(b)(6) of the Code. Neither the Company nor any of its U.S.
Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries has engaged in any transaction that would give rise to
“redetermined rents, redetermined deductions and excess interest” described in section 857(b)(7) of
the Code. No event has occurred, and no condition or circumstances exists, which presents a
material risk that any material Tax described in the preceding sentences will be imposed on the
Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries.
(e) All deficiencies asserted or assessments made with respect to the Company or any of its
U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries as a result of any examinations by the IRS or any other
taxing authority of the Tax Returns of or covering or including the Company or any of its U.S.
Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries have been fully paid, and, to the knowledge of the Company,
there are no other audits, examinations or other proceedings relating to any Taxes of the Company
or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries by any taxing authority in progress.
Neither the Company nor any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries has received any
written notice from any taxing authority that it intends to conduct such an audit, examination or
other proceeding in respect to Taxes or make any assessment for Taxes. Neither the Company nor any
of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries is a party to any litigation or pending litigation
or administrative proceeding relating to Taxes (other than litigation dealing with appeals of
property tax valuations).
(f) The Company and its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries have complied, in all
material respects, with all applicable Laws, rules and regulations relating to the payment and
withholding of material Taxes (including withholding of Taxes pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442,
1445, 1446, and 3402 of the Code or similar provisions under any foreign laws) and have duly and
timely withheld and have paid over to the appropriate taxing authorities all material amounts
required to be so withheld and paid over on or prior to the due date thereof under all applicable
Laws.
(g) To the knowledge of the Company, no claim has been made in writing by a taxing authority
in a jurisdiction where the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries does
not file Tax Returns that the Company or any such subsidiary is or may be subject to taxation by
that jurisdiction.
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(h) Neither the Company nor any other Person on behalf of the Company or any U.S.
Subsidiary has requested any extension of time within which to file any material Tax Return, which
material Tax Return has not yet been filed.
(i) Neither the Company nor any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries is a party to
any Tax sharing or similar agreement or arrangement other than any agreement or arrangement solely
between either the Company and any of its U.S. Subsidiaries and/or Foreign Subsidiaries or between
or among any two or more U.S. Subsidiaries and/or Foreign Subsidiaries, pursuant to which it will
have any obligation to make any payments after the Closing.
(j) Neither the Company nor any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries has requested
a private letter ruling from the IRS or comparable rulings from other taxing authorities.
(k) Neither the Company nor any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries (i) is or has
been at any time on or after January 1, 1997, a member of an affiliated group (other than a group
the common parent of which is the Company or a directly or indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Company) filing a consolidated federal income tax return and (ii) has any liability for the
Taxes of another person other than the Company and such U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries
under Treasury regulation 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a
transferee or successor or by contract.
(l) There are no Liens for Taxes (other than Taxes not yet due and payable for which adequate
reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP) upon any of the assets of the Company or any of
its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries.
(m) To the knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof, the Company is a
“domestically-controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h)(4)(B) of
the Code.
(n) There are no Tax Protection Agreements currently in force and no person has raised in
writing, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened to raise, a material claim against the
Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries for any breach of any Tax
Protection Agreement.
(o) Neither the Company nor any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries is a party to
any understanding or arrangement described in Section 6662(d)(2)(C)(ii) or Treasury Regulations
Section 1.6011-4(b) or is a material advisor as defined in Section 6111(b) of the Code.
(p) Neither the Company nor any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries has entered
into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or
similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax law).
(q) Since January 1, 2003, neither the Company nor any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign
Subsidiaries has (i) agreed to or is required to make any adjustments pursuant to Section 481(a) of
the Code or any similar provision of Law or has any application
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pending with any Governmental Authority requesting permission for any changes in accounting
methods.
(r) Neither the Company nor any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries has
constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning
of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment
under Section 355 of the Code (i) in the two years prior to the date of this Agreement or (ii) in a
distribution which could otherwise constitute part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions”
(within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(s) The aggregate federal income tax basis (as determined immediately prior to the
consummation of any transactions contemplated pursuant to this Agreement and assuming that no
Requested Transactions are consummated) of the assets that will be transferred to MergerCo in the
Merger exceeds the amount of the Company’s liabilities that MergerCo is assuming from the Company
and taking the assets subject to, as determined for federal income tax purposes.
As used herein, “Tax Protection Agreements” shall mean any written or oral agreement
to which the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries is a party pursuant
to which: (a) any liability to holders of Operating Trust Common Units relating to Taxes may arise,
whether or not as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) in connection with the deferral of income Taxes of an Operating Trust Common Unitholder, the
Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries have agreed to (i) maintain a
minimum level of debt or continue a particular debt, (ii) retain or not dispose of assets for a
period of time that has not since expired, (iii) make or refrain from making Tax elections, (iv)
only dispose of assets in a particular manner, and/or (v) and/or permit holders of Operating Trust
Common Units to guarantee (or have guaranteed) debt of the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries
and Foreign Subsidiaries; and/or (c) holders of Operating Trust Common Units have guaranteed debt
of the Operating Trust.
Section 4.16 Environmental Matters.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule or as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect:
(i) to the knowledge of the Company, each of the Company and the U.S. Subsidiaries and
Foreign Subsidiaries (X) is in compliance with all, and has not violated any, Environmental
Laws, (Y) holds all Permits, approvals, identification numbers, licenses and other
authorizations required under any Environmental Law to own or operate its assets as
currently owned and operated and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted
(“Environmental Permits”), and (Z) is in compliance with all of, and has not
violated any of, its respective Environmental Permits;
(ii) neither the Company nor any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary has received any
written notice that it has released, and the Company has not
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received written notice that any other person has received such a notice that it has released, Hazardous Substances on
any real property currently owned, leased or operated by the Company or the U.S.
Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no Hazardous
Substances or other conditions are present at any such property that could reasonably be
expected to result in liability of or adversely affecting the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary
or Foreign Subsidiary under any Environmental Law; and
(iii) neither the Company nor any U.S. Subsidiary nor any Foreign Subsidiary has
received any written notice alleging that the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign
Subsidiary is or may be in violation of, or liable under, or a potentially responsible party
pursuant to, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 (“CERCLA”) or any other Environmental Law and, to the knowledge of the Company,
there is no basis for any such notice.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Section 4.16 sets forth the
Company’s sole and exclusive representations and warranties with respect to Hazardous Substances,
Environmental Laws or other environmental matters.
Section 4.17 Material Contracts. Section 4.17 of the Disclosure Schedule lists each of the following Contracts (and all
amendments, modifications and supplements thereto and all side letters to which the Company or any
U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary or is a party affecting the obligations of any party
thereunder) to which the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary is a party or by
which any of their respective properties or assets are bound (each such contract and agreement
required to be scheduled, being a “Material Contract”) (notwithstanding anything below,
“Material Contract” shall not include any contract that (1) is terminable upon 90 days’
notice without a penalty or premium, (2) will be fully performed and satisfied as of or prior to
Closing), or (3) is by and among only the Company and any U.S. Subsidiary and/or Foreign Subsidiary
or among U.S. Subsidiaries and/or Foreign Subsidiaries:
(a) all agreements that call for aggregate payments by, or other consideration from, the
Company or any U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries under such contract of more than
$25,000,000 over the remaining term of such contract
(b) all agreements that call for annual aggregate payments by, or other consideration from,
the Company or any U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries under such contract of more than
$5,000,000 over the remaining term of such contract;
(c) any agreement that contains any non-compete or exclusivity provisions with respect to any
line of business in which the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary is currently
engaged or geographic area with respect to the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign
Subsidiary, or that purports to restrict in any material respect the right of the Company or any
Affiliate to conduct any line of business in which the Company or any Affiliate is currently engaged or to compete with any Person or operate in any geographic area
or location in which the Company or any Affiliate may conduct business;
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(d) any partnership, limited liability company agreement, joint venture or other similar
agreement entered into by the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary with any Third
Party;
(e) any agreements for the pending purchase or sale, option to purchase or sell, right of
first refusal, right of first offer or any other contractual right to purchase, sell, dispose of,
or master lease, by merger, purchase or sale of assets or stock or otherwise, any real property
including any Company Property or any asset that if purchased by the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary
would be a Company Property;
(f) any contract or agreement pursuant to which the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign
Subsidiary agrees to indemnify or hold harmless any director or executive officer of the Company or
any U.S. Subsidiary (other than the Organizational Documents);
(g) any Contract pursuant to which the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary
has potential liability in respect of any purchase price adjustment, earn-out or contingent
purchase price that, in each case, could reasonably be expected to result in future payments of
more than $10,000,000; or any Contract relating to the settlement or proposed settlement of any
Action, which involves the issuance of equity securities or the payment of an amount in excess of
$10,000,000;
(h) any loan agreement, letter of credit, indenture, note, bond, debenture, mortgage or any
other document, agreement or instrument evidencing a capitalized leased obligation or other
Indebtedness of, for the benefit of, or payable to the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary (other than
among the Company and any U.S. Subsidiaries and/or Foreign Subsidiaries) in excess of $10,000,000;
(i) any Contract (other than any Organizational Document and any Indebtedness among the
Company and U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries) to provide any funds to or make any
investment in (whether in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) any U.S.
Subsidiary, Foreign Subsidiary, JV Entity or other Person in excess of $10,000,000; and
(j) any “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K
under the Securities Act).
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i)
neither the Company nor any U.S. Subsidiary nor any Foreign Subsidiary is and, to the knowledge of
the Company, no other party is in breach or violation of, or default under, any Material Contract,
(ii) none of the Company or its U.S. Subsidiaries or its Foreign Subsidiaries have received any
claim of default under any such agreement, and (iii) no event has occurred which would result in a
breach or violation of, or a default under, any Material Contract (in each case, with or without
notice or lapse of time or both). Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect, each Material Contract is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance
with its terms and is in full force and effect with respect to the Company or its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company,
with respect to the other parties thereto. The Company has made available to Parent copies of all
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Material Contracts (including any amendments or other modifications thereto), which copies are
correct and complete in all material respects.
Section 4.18 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker or other Person, other than Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Inc.,
the Company’s financial advisor (the “Company Financial Advisor”), is entitled to any
brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary
or Foreign Subsidiary. The Company has made available to Parent a correct and complete copy of all
agreements between the Company and the Company Financial Advisor, under which the Company Financial
Advisor would be entitled to any payment in connection with the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.19 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company Financial Advisor has delivered to the Company the written opinion of the Company
Financial Advisor (or oral opinion to be confirmed in writing) to the effect that, as of the date
hereof, the Company Common Share Merger Consideration to be received by holders of Company Common
Shares is fair from a financial point of view to such holders. The Company has made available to
Parent a complete and correct copy of such opinion (or, if not delivered in writing to the Company
prior to the date hereof, the Company will promptly make such opinion available to Parent upon
receipt).
Section 4.20 Insurance. Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list that is correct and complete in all
material respects of the insurance coverages, other than the Company Title Insurance Policies and
property level insurance held by, or for the benefit of, any Foreign Subsidiary, held by, or for
the benefit of, the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries, including the
underwriter and the amount of such coverages. With respect to each such insurance policy, except
as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) the
Company and each of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries have paid, or caused to be paid,
all premiums due under the policy and have not received written notice that they are in default
with respect to any obligations under the policy, and (b) to the knowledge of the Company, as of
the date hereof no insurer on the policy has been declared insolvent or placed in receivership,
conservatorship or liquidation. Neither the Company nor any U.S. Subsidiary nor any Foreign
Subsidiaries has received any written notice of cancellation or termination with respect to any
existing insurance policy set forth in Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule that is held by, or
for the benefit of, any of the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries,
other than as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.21 Interested Party Transactions. Except as set forth in the Company SEC Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date of this
Agreement, there are no events that would be required to be reported by the Company or the
Operating Trust pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, and no material
Contracts, agreements or loans between the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary, on
the one hand, and (a) any officer or director of the Company, (b) any record or beneficial owner of
five percent (5%) or more of the voting securities or partnership interests of the Company or the
Operating Trust, or (c) any associate (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) or
affiliate of any such officer, director or record or beneficial owner, on the other hand. Since
the enactment of
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the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, neither the Company nor any of the U.S.
Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries has made any loans to any such executive officers or trustees
of the Company.
Section 4.22 Investment Company Act of 1940. None of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary is, or at the Company Merger
Effective Time will be, required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER PARTIES
The Buyer Parties hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Company Parties as
follows:
Section 5.01 Corporate Organization.
(a) Parent is a limited partnership duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under
the Laws of the State of Delaware. The certificate of formation of Parent is in effect and no
dissolution, revocation or forfeiture proceedings regarding Parent as applicable, have been
commenced. Parent is in good standing under the Laws of any other jurisdiction in which the
character of the properties owned, leased or operated by it therein or in which the transaction of
its business makes such qualification or licensing necessary except where the failure to be so
qualified, licensed or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Parent has all requisite limited partnership
power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as now
conducted and proposed by it to be conducted.
(b) MergerCo is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the Laws of the State of Maryland. The statement of partnership authority of MergerCo is in
effect and no dissolution, revocation or forfeiture proceedings regarding MergerCo have been
commenced. MergerCo is in good standing under the Laws of any other jurisdiction in which the
character of the properties owned, leased or operated by it therein or in which the transaction of
its business makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so
qualified, licensed or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. MergerCo has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as now conducted and proposed by it to be conducted. All the issued and
outstanding partnership interests MergerCo are owned beneficially by Parent.
(c) Operating Trust MergerSub is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Maryland. The certificate of formation of
Operating Trust MergerSub is in effect and no dissolution, revocation or forfeiture proceedings
regarding Operating Trust MergerSub have been commenced. Operating Trust MergerSub is in good
standing under the Laws of any other jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned,
leased or operated by it therein or in which the transaction of its business makes such
qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified,
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licensed or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent
Material Adverse Effect. Operating Trust MergerSub has all requisite corporate power and authority
to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as now conducted and
proposed by it to be conducted. All the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests
of Operating Trust MergerSub are owned beneficially by Parent.
Section 5.02 Ownership of MergerCo and Operating Trust MergerSub; No Prior Activities. MergerCo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Each of MergerCo and Operating Trust
MergerSub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and neither MergerCo nor Operating Trust MergerSub has conducted any activities other
than in connection with its organization, the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
Section 5.03 Authority Relative to this Agreement.
(a) Each of Parent, MergerCo and Operating Trust MergerSub has all necessary limited liability
company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations
hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No other proceedings
on the part of Parent, MergerCo or Operating Trust MergerSub or any of their respective
subsidiaries, are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, except as contemplated by the immediately succeeding sentence. Immediately
following execution of this Agreement by the parties hereto, Parent shall execute and deliver to
MergerCo a written consent approving this Agreement and the Merger in its capacity as the direct or
indirect owner of general partner of MergerCo. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by each of Parent, MergerCo and Operating Trust MergerSub and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by each of Parent, MergerCo and Operating Trust MergerSub
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Parent, MergerCo and Operating Trust
MergerSub, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent
transfer and similar Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or by
general equity principles.
(b) Parent has duly and validly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
approved the consummation of the Mergers (to the extent that it is a party thereto), and taken all limited partnership actions required to be taken by Parent for the
consummation of the Mergers (to the extent that it is a party thereto).
(c) MergerCo has duly and validly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
approved the consummation of the Company Merger, and MergerCo has taken all partnership actions
required to be taken for the consummation of the Company Merger (to the extent that it is a party
thereto) except for execution of the Articles of Merger and filing thereof with the SDAT, subject
to the third sentence of Section 5.03(a), and filing with the State of Maryland of articles
supplementary as contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.01(d).
(d) Operating Trust MergerSub has duly and validly authorized the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and approved the consummation of the Operating Trust Merger, and Operating Trust
MergerSub has taken all limited liability company actions required to be
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taken for the consummation of the Operating Trust Merger (to the extent that it is a party thereto).
Section 5.04 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent, MergerCo and Operating Trust
MergerSub does not, and the performance of Parent, MergerCo and Operating Trust MergerSub’s
obligations hereunder will not, (i) conflict with or violate the limited liability company
agreement of any of Parent, MergerCo, or Operating Trust MergerSub, (ii) assuming that all
consents, approvals, authorizations and other actions described in subsection (b) have been
obtained and all filings and obligations described in subsection (b) have been made, conflict with
or violate any Law applicable to Parent, MergerCo, or Operating Trust MergerSub, or by which any of
its properties or assets is bound, or (iii) result in any breach of, or constitute a default (or an
event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give to others
any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of
a Lien or other encumbrance on any of its properties or assets pursuant to, any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or
obligation to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets is bound,
except, with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii), for any such conflicts, violations, breaches,
defaults or other occurrences that would not (A) prevent or materially delay consummation of the
Mergers and the other transactions contemplated hereby or (B) reasonably be expected to have a
Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent, MergerCo, or Operating Trust
MergerSub does not, and the performance of Parent, MergerCo or Operating Trust MergerSub
obligations hereunder and thereunder will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or
permit of, or filing with, or notification to, any Governmental Authority, except (i) for (A)
applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, Blue Sky Laws and state
takeover Laws, (B) the German Act, (C) the filing with the SEC of the Proxy Statement, (D) the
filing of the Articles of Merger with, and the acceptance for record thereof by, the State of
Maryland, and (E) the filing of the Operating Trust Articles of Merger with, and the acceptance for
record thereof by, the State of Maryland, and (ii) where the failure to obtain such consents,
approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not (A) prevent or materially delay consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated hereby or (B) reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.05 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied by Parent, MergerCo, or Operating Trust MergerSub or any
affiliate of Parent for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the S-4, the S-4 Related
Documents, the Proxy Statement or the Other Filings will, in the case of the S-4 at the time it
becomes effective, and in the case of the Proxy Statement, at the date it is first mailed to the
Company Shareholders or at the time of the Company’s Shareholders’ Meeting or at the time of any
amendment or supplement thereof, or, in the case of any Other Filing, at the date it is first
mailed to the Company Shareholders or holders of interests in any U.S. Subsidiary or, at the date
it is first filed with the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. No
representation is made by Parent with respect to statements made
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or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by the Company Parties in connection with the preparation of
the S-4, Proxy Statement or the Other Filings for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.
All Other Filings that are filed by the Buyer Parties will comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
Section 5.06 Absence of Litigation. As of the date hereof, there is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened
in writing against Parent or any of its subsidiaries or any of its or their respective properties
or assets except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, (a) prevent or materially delay
consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (b) have a
Parent Material Adverse Effect. None of Parent and its subsidiaries is subject to any order,
judgment, writ, injunction or decree, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.07 Required Financing; Guarantees.
(a) Parent will have sufficient funds at the Closing to (i) pay the aggregate Merger
Consideration payable hereunder and (ii) pay any and all fees and expenses in connection with the
Mergers or the financing thereof.
(b) Parent has provided to the Company a true, complete and correct copy of (i) an executed
commitment letter from Tishman Speyer Real Estate Venture VII, L.P. to provide Parent with equity
financing in an aggregate amount of up to $250,000,000 and from Xxxxxx Brothers Holdings Inc., Real
Estate Private Equity Inc. and Banc of America Strategic Ventures, Inc. to provide Parent with
equity financing in an aggregate amount of up to $4,850,000,000 (collectively, the “Equity
Funding Letter”), and (ii) an executed commitment letter (the “Debt Commitment Letter”
and together with the Equity Funding Letter, the “Financing Commitments”) from Xxxxxx
Commercial Paper Inc. and Banc of America Strategic Ventures, Inc. and its affiliates (the
“Lenders”) pursuant to which, and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, the Lenders
have committed to provide Parent with financing in an aggregate amount of $17,100,000,000 (the “Debt Financing” and together with the financing referred to in clause
(i) being collectively referred to as the “Financing”). The Financing Commitments are
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Parent and, to the knowledge of the Parent, each of the
other parties thereto. None of the Financing Commitments has been amended or modified prior to the
date of this Agreement, and as of the date hereof the respective commitments contained in the
Financing Commitments have not been withdrawn or rescinded in any respect. As of the date hereof,
the Financing Commitments are in full force and effect. Except for the payment of customary fees,
there are no conditions precedent or other contingencies related to the funding of the full amount
of the Financing, other than as set forth in or contemplated by the Financing Commitments. As of
the date hereof, no event has occurred which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would
constitute a default or breach on the part of the Parent, and to the knowledge of the Parent, any
other parties thereto, under the Financing Commitments. As of the date hereof, and assuming the
condition set forth in Section 8.02(a) hereof is satisfied, the Parent reasonably believes that it
will be able to satisfy the material conditions to the Financing contemplated by the Financing
Commitments and that the Financing will be made available to Parent on the Closing Date. Parent
will provide to the Company any amendments to the Equity
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Funding Letter and the Debt Commitment Letter, or any notices given in connection therewith, as promptly as possible (but in any event
within twenty-four (24) hours).
(c) Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Parent has delivered to the Company
guarantees (the “Guarantees”) executed by Xxxxxx Brothers Holdings Inc. and Tishman Speyer
Real Estate Venture VII, L.P. (the “Guarantors”).
Section 5.08 No Ownership of Company Shares. Neither Parent nor any of its subsidiaries, including MergerCo and Operating Trust MergerSub,
own any Company Common Shares or other securities of the Company or any Subsidiaries.
Section 5.09 Brokers. Prior to the Closing, the Company Parties will not be responsible for any brokerage, finder’s
or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based
upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent, MergerCo, or Operating Trust MergerSub or any of
their subsidiaries.
ARTICLE VI
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGERS
Section 6.01 Conduct of Business by Company Parties Pending the Mergers. The Company Parties agree that, between the date of this Agreement and the Company Merger
Effective Time, except as required or expressly permitted by this Agreement or as set forth in
Section 6.01 (and any subsection thereto) of the Disclosure Schedule or with the prior written
consent of Parent the businesses of the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries, and the Foreign
Subsidiaries shall be conducted in, and the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries shall not take any action, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice; and the Company Parties shall and shall cause the U.S. Subsidiaries
and the Foreign Subsidiaries to use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct their operations in
compliance with applicable Laws and to maintain and preserve substantially intact the business
organization of the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries, to retain the
services of their current officers and key employees, to preserve their assets and properties in
good repair and condition and to preserve the goodwill and current relationships of the Company,
the U.S. Subsidiaries, and the Foreign Subsidiaries with lessees and other persons with which the
Company, any U.S. Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary has significant business relations. Except
as otherwise required or expressly permitted by this Agreement, as requested by any of the Buyer
Parties, or as set forth in Section 6.01 (and any subsection thereto) of the Disclosure Schedule,
neither the Company, any U.S. Subsidiary, nor any Foreign Subsidiary shall do, and with respect to
JV Entities in which the Company, a U.S. Subsidiary or a Foreign Subsidiary is not the managing
member or general partner, none of the Company, any U.S. Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary shall
consent or withhold consent, as the case may be (provided such JV Entity shall only be required to
consent or withhold consent, as the case may be, to the extent it has an express contractual
consent right with respect to the matters set forth below) to such JV Entity doing, between the
date of this Agreement and the Company Merger Effective Time, any of the following without the
prior written consent of Parent; provided, however, that consent of Parent shall be
deemed to have been given if Parent does not object within four (4) days from the date on which a
written request for such consent is provided by the
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Company to Parent and, following a second written request by the Company at any time after such four (4) day period, Parent does not object
within one (1) business day from the date on which such second request is provided by the Company
to Parent (provided that solely for the purposes of this Section 6.01, an e-mail sent to each of
the persons set forth in Section 10.02 or their designees shall be considered a written request):
(a) except as set forth in Section 6.01(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, amend or otherwise
change any provision of the Company Articles, Company Bylaws, Operating Trust Articles, Operating
Trust Bylaws or any other Subsidiary Organizational Documents;
(b) (i) authorize for issuance, issue or sell, pledge, dispose of or subject to any Lien or
agree or commit to any of the foregoing in respect of, any shares of beneficial interest or any
class of capital stock or other equity interest of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign
Subsidiary or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire
any shares of such beneficial interest, such capital stock, or any other equity interest, of the
Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary, other than the (A) issuance of Company Common
Shares upon exercise of Company Share Options or Company SARs or vesting of Company Restricted
Share Units or Company Dividend Equivalent Units that are outstanding as of the date of this
Agreement, (B) issuance of Company Common Shares upon conversion or exchange of the Convertible
Notes, (C) issuance of additional Company Dividend Equivalent Units in accordance with the Company
Incentive Plans with respect to Company Restricted Share Units and Company Dividend Equivalent
Units that are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, (D) issuance of Company Common Shares
upon redemption of, or in exchange for, Operating Trust Common Units pursuant to the Operating
Trust Articles, (E) issuance of Company Common Shares upon redemption of, or in exchange for, the
Operating Trust Series M Preferred Unit, and (F) issuance of Operating Trust Common Units upon conversion or exchange of Operating Trust Series N Preferred Units; (ii) repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any of its own securities or equity equivalents other than (A) in the ordinary
course of business in connection with (1) the cashless exercise of Company Share Options or Company
SARs, or (2) the vesting of, or lapse of restrictions on, Company Restricted Share Units or Company
Dividend Equivalent Units, in each case, in order to satisfy withholding or exercise price
obligations, (B) the redemption of Series M Preferred Unit in accordance with the Operating Trust
Articles, (C) the redemption, exchange or conversion of Series N Preferred Units in accordance with
the Operating Trust Articles, (D) the redemption of Company Series I Preferred Shares in accordance
with the Company Articles and the corresponding redemption of Operating Trust Series I Preferred
Units in accordance with the Company Articles, (E) the redemption of Operating Trust Common Units
pursuant to the Operating Trust Articles, (F) the redemption or repurchase of the Convertible
Notes, or (G) the redemption or the repurchase by a wholly owned U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign
Subsidiary of the Company of its own securities or equity equivalents; (iii) reclassify, combine,
split, or subdivide any capital stock or other equity interest of the Company or any U.S.
Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary; or (iv) authorize, declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend
or other distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to any of the
capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary, except for (A)
dividends by any direct or indirect wholly owned U.S. Subsidiary only to the Company or any other
U.S. Subsidiary, (B) its quarterly dividend on Company Common Shares, Company Restricted Share
Units and Company Dividend Equivalent Units of $0.4525 per share or unit, as the case may be,
payable on May 31, 2007, (C) the distribution on
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Operating Trust Common Units of $0.4525 per Operating Trust Common Unit payable on May 31, 2007, (D) unit distribution on the Operating Trust
Series M Preferred Unit declared and paid in accordance with the terms thereof, (E) distribution on
Operating Trust Series N Preferred Units declared and paid in accordance with the terms thereof,
(F) dividends on the Company Series I Preferred Shares declared and paid in accordance with the
terms thereof, and (G) dividends and distributions on the Company Common Shares and the Operating
Trust Common Units that are necessary for the Company to maintain its status as a REIT under the
Code and avoid the imposition of corporate level tax or excise Tax under Section 4981 of the Code;
provided, however, that the declaration and payment of any such dividend or
distribution shall reduce the Company Common Share Merger Consideration, the Operating Trust Cash
Consideration, as applicable, on a dollar for dollar basis;
(c) except as set forth in Section 6.01(c) of the Disclosure Schedule and permitted by Section
6.01(c)(ii), acquire (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of equity interests or assets, or any
other business combination) any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture
or other business organization (or division thereof) or any property (other than real property) or
asset or (ii) acquire, or enter into any option, commitment or agreement to acquire, any real
property or commence any development activity on any Company Property (other than any exchange of
real property in accordance with Section 6.01(c) of the Disclosure Schedule pursuant to Section
1031 of the Code
(d) incur Indebtedness or issue any debt securities or assume, guarantee or endorse, or
otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for, the obligations of any person for
Indebtedness, except for: (i) Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred under the Company’s
revolving credit facilities or other existing similar lines of credit in the ordinary course of
business; (ii) refinancings of mortgage Indebtedness secured by one or more Company Properties as such loans become due and payable in accordance with their terms on terms and in
such amounts reasonably acceptable to Parent and prepayable by the Company without penalty or
premium; (iii) Indebtedness for borrowed money with a maturity of not more than eighteen months in
a principal amount not in excess of $500,000,000 in the aggregate for the Company and the U.S.
Subsidiaries taken as a whole and prepayable by the Company without penalty or premium; (iv)
Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred in order for the Company Parties to pay any dividend,
dividend equivalent or distribution permitted to be paid by Section 6.01(b) and prepayable by the
Company without penalty or premium, (v) Indebtedness in the principal amount outstanding on the
date hereof encumbering those properties to be acquired as contemplated by Section 6.01(c) of the
Disclosure Schedules, provided that the assumption of any such Indebtedness shall permit and
acknowledge the Mergers without triggering any payments or result in the loss of any benefit; and
(vi) inter-company Indebtedness among any of the Company, the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign
Subsidiaries;
(e) except as set forth on Section 6.01(e) of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) other than (A)
energy swaps, energy options, forward energy contracts and other energy hedging agreements, (B) in
connection with change orders related to any construction, development, redevelopment or capital
expenditure projects which do not materially increase the cost of such projects, or (C) with the
prior written consent of Parent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or
delayed, modify, amend or terminate any Material Contract or enter into any new Contract that, if
entered into prior to the date of this Agreement, would have been
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required to be listed in Section 4.17 of the Disclosure Schedule as a Material Contract or; (ii) enter into any Contract that would
limit or otherwise restrict the Company or any of the U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries or
any of their successors, or that would, after the Company Merger Effective Time, limit or otherwise
restrict Parent or any of its subsidiaries or any of their successors, from engaging or competing
in any line of business or in any geographic area in any material respect; or (iii) other than
energy swaps, energy options, forward energy contracts and other energy hedging agreements in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as may otherwise be required by the
terms of any Indebtedness of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary, enter into
or amend the terms of any Hedging Agreement;
(f) except as set forth in Section 6.01(f) of the Disclosure Schedule or as required by Law,
any existing agreement, arrangement or compensation plan or any of the Company Incentive Plans, (i)
increase the compensation or benefits payable to its trustees, directors, officers or employees,
except for (A) increases in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in
salaries, wages, bonuses, incentives or benefits of employees of the Company, any U.S. Subsidiary,
or any Foreign Subsidiary, and (B) increases in salaries, wages, bonuses, incentives or benefits of
employees of the Company, any U.S. Subsidiary, or any Foreign Subsidiary not to exceed (x) $500,000
of salary, wage and incentive or benefit increases for all such employees in the aggregate, and (y)
$500,000 of bonuses for all such employees in the aggregate; provided that in each case such
increase shall not result in result in any amount failing to be deductible by reason of Section
280G of the Code; (ii) grant to any director, officer, employee or independent contractor of the
Company or of any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary any new employment, retention, bonus,
severance, change of control or termination pay awards or equity-based cash awards (including cash
bonuses or dividend equivalent rights), except for any such grant in an amount that, when taken
together with all such grants and any bonus made as permitted by clause (y) above, and any
increase, alteration or amendment permitted by clause (iii) below, does not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate; provided
that in each case such grant shall not result in any amount failing to be deductible by reason of
Section 280G of the Code; (iii) grant any increase in, or otherwise alter or amend, any right to
receive any severance, change of control, retention or termination pay or benefits, except for any
such increase, alteration or amendment resulting in additional compensation in an amount that, when
taken together with any bonus made as permitted by clause (y) above and any grant made as permitted
by clause (ii) above, does not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate; provided that in each case such
increase, alteration or amendment shall not result in any amount failing to be deductible by reason
of Section 280G of the Code; (iv) establish, adopt, enter into or amend any collective bargaining
(or similar), bonus, profit-sharing, thrift, compensation, stock option, restricted stock, stock
unit, dividend equivalent, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, employment, loan, retention,
consulting, indemnification, termination, severance or other similar plan, agreement, trust, fund,
policy or arrangement (including any Plan) with any director, officer, employee or independent
contractor; (v) remove any restrictions in any Plans or awards made thereunder; (vi) except as set
forth in Sections 3.01(e)-(h) of this Agreement, take any action to accelerate the vesting or
payment of any compensation or benefit under any Plan or awards made thereunder; or (vii) take any
action with respect to salary, compensation, benefits or other terms and conditions of employment
that would be reasonably be expected to result in the holder of a change in control or similar
agreement having “good reason” to terminate employment and collect severance payments and benefits
pursuant to such agreement; provided, however, that nothing shall prohibit the
Company from hiring new employees in the ordinary
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course of business so long as the Company does not take any of the actions prohibited by this Section 6.01(f) in so doing;
(g) except as set forth on Section 6.01(g) of the Disclosure Schedule, repurchase, repay or
pre-pay any Indebtedness, except repayments of revolving credit facilities or other similar lines
of credit in the ordinary course of business, or repayments of Indebtedness in accordance with
their terms, as such loans become due and payable;
(h) except as required by the SEC or changes in GAAP which become effective after the date of
this Agreement, in which case the Company shall notify the Parent, or with the prior written
consent of Parent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed change any
of its financial accounting principles or policies;
(i) except as set forth on Section 6.01(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, (A) make any loans,
advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Persons (other than (1) to any
U.S. Subsidiary, Foreign Subsidiary, or any Person listed on Schedule 6.01, (2) to any JV Entity if
required by the governing documents of such JV Entity, and (3) as required by any Material Contract
in effect on the date hereof which has been provided or made available to Parent); or (B)
authorize, or enter into any commitment for, any new material capital expenditure (such authorized
or committed new material capital expenditures being referred to hereinafter as the “Capital
Expenditures”) other than (i) the Capital Expenditures listed or identified in Schedule 6.01(i)
(the “Capital Expenditure Schedule”), (ii) any other individual Capital Expenditure not
exceeding $1,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate, and (iii) Capital Expenditures
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice necessary to maintain the
physical and structural integrity of the Company Properties or Foreign Properties and as reasonably
determined by the Company to be necessary to keep the Company Properties or Foreign Properties in working order, to comply with Laws, and to repair and/or
prevent damage to any of the Company Properties or Foreign Properties as is necessary in the event
of an emergency situation;
(j) except as set forth on Schedule 6.01(j) of the Disclosure Schedule, waive, release,
assign, settle or compromise (i) any Action other than (A) as would not restrict in any material
respect the Company, any U.S. Subsidiary, or any Foreign Subsidiary from conducting its business as
currently conducted (except as required by law) and does not involve payments not reflected or
reserved in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in excess of $500,000 with respect to
any individual Action and $5,000,000 in the aggregate, or (B) in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, or (ii) any Action that is brought by any current, former or
purported holder or purported class of holders of any securities of the Company in its capacity as
such;
(k) except as set forth on Section 6.01(k) of the Disclosure Schedule, make, rescind or revoke
any material Tax election or change a material method of Tax accounting, amend any material Tax
Return, or settle or compromise any material federal, state, local or foreign income Tax liability,
audit, claim or assessment, or enter into any material closing agreement related to Taxes, or
knowingly surrender any right to claim any material Tax refund unless in each case such action is
required by Law or necessary (i) to preserve the status of the Company as a REIT under the Code (or
to preserve the status of any U.S. Subsidiary set forth on
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Section 4.15(b) of the Disclosure Schedule as a REIT) or (ii) to qualify or preserve the status of any U.S. Subsidiary as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes or as a qualified REIT subsidiary or a taxable REIT
subsidiary under the applicable provisions of Section 856 of the Code, as the case may be.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, nothing in this provision shall preclude Company from designating
dividends paid by it as “capital gain dividends” within the meaning of Section 857 of the Code;
(l) except as set forth on Section 6.01(l) of the Disclosure Schedule, enter into, amend or
modify any Tax Protection Agreement, or take any action that would, or could reasonably be expected
to, violate any Tax Protection Agreement or otherwise give rise to any liability of the Company or
any U.S. Subsidiary with respect thereto;
(m) amend any term of any outstanding security or equity interest of the Company or any U.S.
Subsidiary;
(n) except as set forth on Section 6.01(n) of the Disclosure Schedule, sell or otherwise
dispose of, or subject to any encumbrance, any Company Properties, Foreign Properties or other
material assets other than (i) pending sales of Company Properties or Foreign Properties pursuant
to definitive agreements executed prior to the date hereof and identified in Section 6.01(n) of the
Disclosure Schedule and (ii) leases (other than ground leases) made in the ordinary course of
business;
(o) except as set forth on Section 6.01(o) of the Disclosure Schedule, adopt a plan of
complete or partial liquidation or dissolution or adopt resolutions providing for or authorizing
such liquidation or dissolution;
(p) except as set forth on Section 6.01(p) of the Disclosure Schedule, fail to use
commercially reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect the existing insurance
policies or to replace such insurance policies with reasonably comparable insurance policies
covering the Company, Company Properties, Foreign Properties, U.S. Subsidiaries, Foreign
Subsidiaries and their respective properties, assets and businesses;
(q) other than in connection with any development or redevelopment projects listed or
identified in Section 6.01(q) of the Disclosure Schedule (the “Development Schedule” and,
together with the projects listed on the Capital Expenditure Schedule, the “Company
Projects”), initiate or consent to any material zoning reclassification of any owned or
material leased Company Properties or any material change to any approved site plan, special use
permit, planned unit development approval or other land use entitlement affecting any owned or
material leased Company Properties;
(r) take any action that would cause any of the representation or warranties of the Company
contained herein to become inaccurate in any material respect or any of the material covenants of
the Company to be breached in any material respect or result in the failure to be satisfied of any
of the conditions set forth in Section 8.02; or
(s) announce an intention, enter into any agreement or otherwise make a commitment, to do any
of the foregoing.
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In connection with the continued operation of the Company and its U.S. Subsidiaries and
Foreign Subsidiaries, the Company will confer in good faith on a regular and frequent basis with
one or more representatives of Parent designated to the Company regarding operational matters and
the general status of ongoing operations and will notify Parent promptly of any event or occurrence
that has had or may reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the Company or its
subsidiaries. The Company acknowledges that Parent does not and will not waive any rights it may
have under this Agreement as a result of such consultation.
Section 6.02 Other Actions. Each party agrees that, between the date of this Agreement and the Company
Merger Effective Time, except as contemplated by this Agreement, such party shall not, directly or
indirectly, without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto, take or cause to be
taken any action that would reasonably be expected to materially delay consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or enter into any agreement or otherwise make a
commitment, to take any such action.
Section 6.03 Control of Company Parties’ Business. The parties acknowledge and agree that (a)
nothing contained in this Agreement shall give any of the Buyer Parties, directly or indirectly,
the right to control or direct the operations of the Company Parties or any of their subsidiaries
prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, (b) prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, each of
the Company Parties shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
complete control and supervision over its and its subsidiaries’ respective operations, and (c)
notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no consent of the Buyer
Parties will be required with respect to any matter set forth in the Agreement to the extent the
requirement of such consent would violate the HSR Act or German Act, if applicable.
Section 6.04 Redemption Rights. The Company Parties agree that, in the event a that a
holder of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units exercises its Redemption Right (as defined in
Section 6.6.A of the Operating Trust Articles), the Company will, if so directed by Parent,
exercise its right to elect to assume directly and satisfy such Redemption Right by paying to such
holder of Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units the Cash Amount or the Shares Amount (as defined
in the Operating Trust Articles), in each case as directed by Parent; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to take any action in contravention of (i) any securities Law or (ii)
any historic, preexisting contractual obligation in effect as of the date hereof or as set forth on
Section 6.04 of the Disclosure Schedule.
ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Section 7.01
Proxy Statement, Information Statement, Other Filings and Form S-4.
(a) As promptly as
reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Company Parties shall prepare and,
once reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Company Parties, file with the SEC the preliminary Proxy Statement and each of the Company
Parties and Buyer Parties shall, or shall cause their respective Affiliates to, prepare and, after
consultation with each other, file with the SEC all Other Filings that are required to be filed by
such party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the Company Parties
and Buyer Parties shall furnish
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all information concerning itself and its affiliates that is
required to be included in the Proxy Statement and the Information Statement or, to the extent
applicable, the Other Filings, or that is customarily included in proxy statements and information
statements prepared in connection with transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement.
Each of the Company Parties and Buyer Parties shall use its commercially reasonable efforts, after
consultation with the other, to respond as promptly as practicable to any comments of the SEC with
respect to the Proxy Statement or the Other Filings, and the Company shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause (i) the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with, and cleared by,
the SEC, (ii) the Information Statement to be filed with the SEC and (iii) the definitive Proxy
Statement and the Information Statement to be mailed to the Company Shareholders and the Operating
Trust Unitholders, respectively, as promptly as reasonably practicable following clearance from the
SEC of the definitive Proxy Statement. The Company shall promptly notify Parent upon the receipt
of any comments from the SEC or its staff or any request from the SEC or its staff for amendments
or supplements to the Proxy Statement or the Other Filings and shall promptly provide Parent with
copies of all correspondence between the Company and its Representatives, on the one hand, and the
SEC and its staff, on the other hand, relating to the Proxy Statement or the Other Filings. If at
any time prior to the Company Shareholders’ Meeting, any information relating to the Company
Parties or the Buyer Parties or any of their respective affiliates, officers or directors, should
be discovered by the Company or Parent which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to
the Proxy Statement, the Information Statement or the Other Filings, so that the Proxy Statement,
the Information Statement or the Other Filings shall not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading,
the party which discovers such information shall promptly notify the other parties, and an
appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be filed with the SEC and, to
the extent required by applicable Law, disseminated to the shareholders of the Company.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated above, prior to filing or mailing the Proxy
Statement, the Information Statement or filing the Other Filings (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) or responding to any comments of the SEC with respect thereto, the Company shall provide
Parent a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such document or response and will include
in such documents or responses all comments reasonably proposed by Parent, and to the extent
practicable, the Company will provide Parent with the opportunity to participate in any substantive
calls between the Company, or any of its Representatives, and the SEC concerning the Proxy
Statement.
(b) As promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Company Parties
shall prepare and, once reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Company Parties, file with the SEC
the Form S-4 in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the Series O Preferred
Units to be issued in connection with the Operating Trust Merger in accordance with Section
3.02(a), which Form S-4 shall include one or more prospectuses (such offers and proxy statements,
together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “S-4 Related Documents”). The Form
S-4 shall also contain the information required for the Information Statement. The S-4 Related Documents
shall set forth the procedures, reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Operating Trust, for
holders of the Operating Trust Class A-1 Common Units to make an Election, including the deadline
for making an Election and the procedures (if any) for revoking an Election. The Company Parties
and the Buyer Parties shall cause the Form S-4 and S-4 Related Documents to comply as to form in
all material respects
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with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The Company shall promptly notify Parent upon the
receipt of any comments from the SEC or its staff or any request from the SEC or its staff for
amendments or supplements to the S-4 or S-4 Related Documents and shall promptly provide Parent
with copies of all correspondence between the Company and its Representatives, on the one hand, and
the SEC and its staff, on the other hand, relating to the S-4 or S-4 Related Documents. If at any
time prior to the completion of the Election, any information relating to the Company Parties or
the Buyer Parties or any of their respective affiliates, officers or directors, should be
discovered by the Company or Parent which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the
S-4 or S-4 Related Documents, so that the S-4 or S-4 Related Documents shall not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
are made, not misleading, the party which discovers such information shall promptly notify the
other parties, and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be
filed with the SEC and, to the extent required by applicable Law, disseminated to the Operating
Trust Unitholders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated above, prior to filing the S-4
or S-4 Related Documents (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or responding to any comments of
the SEC with respect thereto, the Company shall provide Parent a reasonable opportunity to review
and comment on such document or response and will include in such documents or responses all
comments reasonably proposed by Parent, and to the extent practicable, the Company will provide
Parent with the opportunity to participate in any substantive calls between the Company, or any of
its Representatives, and the SEC concerning the S-4. Each of the Company Parties shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts, and the Buyer Parties shall cooperate with the Buyer Parties, to
have the Form S-4 declared effective by the SEC as promptly as practicable (including clearing the
S-4 Related Documents with the SEC) and kept effective as long as is necessary to complete the
Operating Trust Merger and the Election. The Company Parties shall promptly notify Parent, if
applicable, of (i) the time when the Form S-4 has become effective, (ii) the filing of any
supplement or amendment thereto, (iii) the issuance of any stop order, and (iv) the suspension of
the qualification and registration of the Series O Preferred Unit. The Company Parties also shall
use commercially reasonable efforts (including by provision of customary representations and
certifications) to cause Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP or other counsel reasonably satisfactory to Parent to
have delivered an opinion, which opinion shall be filed as an exhibit to the Form S-4, as to
federal income tax matters as are required to be addressed in the Form S-4. Parent shall use
commercially reasonable efforts (including by provision of customary representations and
certifications) to cause Wachtell, Lipton, Xxxxx & Xxxx or other counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the Company Parties to have delivered an opinion, which opinion shall be filed with the SEC as an
exhibit to the Form S-4, as to federal income tax matters as are required to be addressed in the
Form S-4. Such opinions shall contain customary exceptions, assumptions and qualifications and be
based upon customary representations. The Operating
Trust shall mail the S-4 Related Documents to the Operating Trust Unitholders, as applicable, as
promptly as practicable after the Form S-4 shall have become effective.
Section 7.02 Shareholders’ Meeting.
(a) The Company shall, in accordance with applicable Law and the Company Articles and Company
Bylaws, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its
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shareholders (including any
adjournments or postponements thereof), (the “Company Shareholders’ Meeting”) as promptly
as practicable after the date that the Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC, for the purpose of
obtaining the Company Shareholder Approval. Except to the extent that the Company Board or a
Special Committee shall have withdrawn, qualified or modified its approval or recommendation of the
Company Merger in compliance with Section 7.04(d), the Company Board or a Special Committee shall
recommend to the Company Common Shareholders that they approve this Agreement, the Company Merger
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall include such recommendations in
the Proxy Statement (the “Company Recommendation”). Unless this Agreement shall have been
terminated in accordance with Section 9.01, the Company shall hold the Company Shareholders’
Meeting regardless of whether the Company Board or a Special Committee has withdrawn, qualified or
modified the Company Recommendation. Subject to Section 7.04(d), the Company will use reasonable
best efforts to solicit or cause to be solicited from the Company Common Shareholders proxies in
favor of the approval of this Agreement and the Company Merger and will take all other action
necessary or advisable to secure the vote or consent of the Company Shareholders required by the
rules of the NYSE or applicable Law to obtain such approvals.
(b) If deemed necessary by the parties hereto in accordance with applicable Law and the
Operating Trust Articles and Operating Trust Bylaws, the Operating Trust shall, in accordance
therewith, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of the holders of its unitholders,
such meeting to be held on the same date as the Company Shareholders’ Meeting (including any
adjournments or postponements thereof) (the “Operating Trust Shareholders’ Meeting”) as
promptly as practicable after the date that the Form S-4 is declared effective by the SEC, for the
purpose of obtaining the Operating Trust Unitholder Approval and the Operating Trust Articles
Amendment Approval. If the Operating Trust Shareholders’ Meeting is deemed necessary, except to
the extent that the Company Board or a Special Committee shall have withdrawn, qualified or
modified its approval or recommendation of the Company Merger in compliance with Section 7.04(d),
the Company Board or a Special Committee, on behalf of the Company as the Sole Trustee, shall
recommend to Operating Trust Common Unitholders that they approve this Agreement, the Mergers and
the Declaration of Trust Amendments and shall include such recommendations in the Form S-4 (the
“Operating Trust Recommendation”). If the Operating Trust Shareholders’ Meeting is deemed
necessary, unless this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with Section 9.01, (i)
the Operating Trust shall hold the Operating Trust Shareholders’ Meeting regardless of
whether the Company Board or a Special Committee has withdrawn, qualified or modified the
Operating Trust Recommendation and (ii) the Company shall cause each Operating Trust Class A-2
Common Unit owned by the Company to be voted in favor of this Agreement, the Mergers and the
Declaration of Trust Amendments. If the Operating Trust Shareholders’ Meeting is deemed necessary,
subject to Section 7.04(d), the Company Parties will use reasonable best efforts to solicit or
cause to be solicited from the Operating Trust Common Unitholders proxies in favor of the approval
of the Operating Trust Merger and the Declaration of Trust Amendments and will take all other
action necessary or advisable to secure the vote or consent of the Operating Trust Common
Unitholders required by applicable Law to obtain such approvals.
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Section 7.03 Access to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) Subject to applicable Law, from the date hereof until the Company Merger Effective Time,
the Company shall, and shall cause the U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries and the
Representatives of the Company and the U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries to, afford Parent
and its Representatives, following notice from Parent to the Company in accordance with this
Section 7.03, reasonable access during normal business hours to the officers, employees, agents,
properties, offices, plants and other facilities, books and records of the Company and each U.S.
Subsidiary and Foreign Subsidiary, and all other financial, operating and other data and
information as Parent may reasonably request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Parent nor
any of its Representatives shall (i) contact or have any discussions with any of the Company’s
employees, agents, or representatives, unless in each case Parent informs the Company in advance
and provides the Company a reasonable opportunity to observe such discussions, (ii) contact or have
any discussions with any of the landlords/sublandlords, tenants/subtenants, or licensees or
franchisees of the Company or its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries, unless in each case
Parent informs the Company in advance and provides the Company a reasonable opportunity to observe
such discussions, provided, that clauses (i) and (ii) shall not be applicable to contacts
or discussions not related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall not be
applicable to contacts and discussions with the Company’s executive officers or its financial
advisors or (iii) damage any property or any portion thereof except to the extent such damage
caused by Parent or its Representatives is fully restored to its condition prior to such damage by
Parent at its sole cost and expense. Without limiting the provisions of this Section 7.03(a) and
subject to any rights of tenants under Company Contracts, Parent and its Representatives shall have
the right to conduct appraisal and environmental and engineering inspections of each of the Company
Properties; provided, however, that neither the Buyer Parties nor their
Representatives shall have the right to take and analyze any samples of any environmental media
(including soil, groundwater, surface water, air or sediment) or any building material or to
perform any invasive testing procedure on any building. Parent shall schedule and coordinate all
inspections with the Company and shall give the Company at least three (3) Business Days prior
written notice thereof, setting forth the inspection or materials that Parent or its
representatives intend to conduct. The Company shall be entitled to have representatives present at
all times during any such inspection. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor any
of the U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries shall be required to provide access to or to
disclose information where such access or disclosure would jeopardize the attorney-client privilege
of the Company or the U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries or contravene any Law or binding
agreement entered into prior to the date of this
Agreement (provided that the Company and the U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign
Subsidiaries shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain consent from the applicable Third
Party or enter into a customary joint defense agreement to enable the disclosure of such
information). No investigation conducted under this Section 7.03, however, shall affect or be
deemed to modify any representation or warranty made in this Agreement.
(b) Prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, all information obtained by Parent pursuant to
this Section 7.03 shall be kept confidential in accordance with the confidentiality agreement dated
May 9, 2007 between Tishman Speyer Development Corp. and the Company (the “Confidentiality
Agreement”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent and its Representatives may furnish
Evaluation Material (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement)
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to any Person in connection with
such Person’s potential investment in or provision of financing to Parent or its affiliates or
evaluation of the acquisition of assets of the Company, U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary in
connection with or following the Closing, in each case, so long as any such Person has entered into
a confidentiality agreement with the Company substantially similar to the Confidentiality Agreement
or has agreed in writing to be bound by the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement to the same
extent as if an original party signatory thereto.
Section 7.04 No Solicitation of Transactions.
(a) Except as permitted by, and subject to, Sections 7.04(c), (d) and (e), until the earlier
of the Company Merger Effective Time or the date this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article
IX, none of the Company, its U.S. Subsidiaries or its Foreign Subsidiaries nor any of their
respective Representatives will (i) initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate
(including by way of furnishing non-public information, provided, that the public
disclosure in accordance with its obligations as a public reporting company under the Exchange Act
or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, in each case, with respect to
the Company’s ordinary course operations will not, in and of itself, constitute initiating,
soliciting, encouraging or knowingly facilitating under this proviso (i)) any inquiries or the
making of any proposal or other action that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to,
any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) enter into discussions or negotiate with any Person in furtherance
of such inquiries or to obtain an Acquisition Proposal or release any Person from or fail to
enforce any standstill agreement or similar obligation to the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or
Foreign Subsidiary other than the automatic termination of standstill obligations pursuant to the
terms of agreements as in effect as of the date hereof, by virtue of the execution and announcement
of this Agreement, or otherwise, (iii) withdraw, modify or amend the Company Recommendation or the
Operating Trust Recommendation, if applicable, in any manner adverse to any Buyer Party, or fail to
make the Company Recommendation or the Operating Trust Recommendation (any event described in this
clause (iii), a “Change in Recommendation”), (iv) approve, endorse or recommend any
Acquisition Proposal, or (v) enter into any agreement in principle, arrangement, understanding,
contract or agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal.
(b) Except as permitted by, and subject to, Sections 7.04(c), (d) and (e), the Company shall
take, and shall cause the U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries to take, all
actions reasonably necessary to cause their respective Representatives to immediately cease
any discussions, negotiations or communications with any Person with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7.04 shall preclude the Company,
its U.S. Subsidiaries and its Foreign Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives from
contacting any such Person solely for the purpose of complying with the provisions of the last
sentence of this Section 7.04(b). The Company shall promptly request each Person that has
heretofore executed a confidentiality agreement in connection with its consideration of an
Acquisition Proposal, if any, to return or destroy all confidential information heretofore
furnished to such person by or on behalf of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign
Subsidiary.
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(c) If, after the date of this Agreement and prior to obtaining the Company Shareholder
Approval, the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary receives a written Acquisition
Proposal which has not been initiated, solicited, encouraged or facilitated in violation of this
Section 7.04, and which the Company Board or a special committee thereof (a “Special
Committee”) has determined in good faith following consultation with its legal and financial
advisors that such Acquisition Proposal is reasonably likely to lead to a Superior Proposal, the
Company, its U.S. Subsidiaries and its Foreign Subsidiaries or any of their respective
Representatives thereafter may (i) furnish, make available or provide access to non-public
information with respect to the Company and the U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries to the
Person who made such Acquisition Proposal and such Person’s Representatives (provided that
the Company (A) has previously or concurrently furnished, made available or provided access to such
non-public information to Parent and (B) shall furnish, make available or provide access to such
non-public information pursuant to a confidentiality agreement with such Person which is at least
as favorable to the Company as the Confidentiality Agreement), (ii) participate in negotiations
regarding such Acquisition Proposal, and (iii) disclose to the Company Shareholders any information
required to be disclosed under applicable Law; provided, however, that in the case
of this clause (iii) such disclosure shall be deemed to be a Change in Recommendation if not
accompanied by an express public re-affirmation of the Company Recommendation and the Operating
Trust Recommendation. From and after the date of this Agreement, in the event the Company or any
of its Representatives receives from a Person or group of related Persons (i) an Acquisition
Proposal, (ii) any request for information relating to the Company or any U.S. Subsidiaries or
Foreign Subsidiaries (other than requests for information unrelated to an Acquisition Proposal) or
(iii) any inquiry or request for discussions or negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal,
the Company shall promptly notify Parent of (but in no event more than twenty-four hours following)
such receipt. Such notification shall include, to the extent then known, the identity of the
parties and a copy of such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry or request or, if not made in writing, a
written description thereof. The Company shall keep Parent apprised as to the status and any
material developments, discussions and negotiations concerning the same on a current basis (and in
any event no later than twenty-four hours after the occurrence of such developments, discussions or
negotiations). Neither the Company nor any U.S. Subsidiary of Foreign Subsidiary shall, after the
date of this Agreement, enter into any confidentiality agreement that would prohibit it from
providing such information to Parent.
(d) At any time prior to obtaining the Company Shareholder Approval, upon receipt by the
Company of an Acquisition Proposal that constitutes a Superior Proposal, the
Company Board or a Special Committee may after consultation with its legal and financial
advisors recommend that the Company Shareholders approve such Superior Proposal, which
recommendation shall be deemed to be a Change in Recommendation, and may authorize the Company to
terminate this Agreement and enter into an agreement relating to, or for the implementation of,
such Superior Proposal provided the Company has first complied with Section 9.01(h).
(e) Nothing in this Section 7.04 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall prevent the Company
Board or a Special Committee from (i) at any time prior to obtaining the Company Shareholder
Approval and other than in response to an Acquisition Proposal, effecting a Change in
Recommendation if the Company Board or a Special Committee determines in good faith,
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after
consultation with its outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be reasonably
likely to be inconsistent with its duties to the Company Shareholders under applicable Law or (ii)
taking and disclosing to the Company Shareholders a position contemplated by Rule 14d-9 or Rule
14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or from making
any required disclosure to the Company Shareholders under applicable Law, including Rule 14d-9
promulgated under the Exchange Act or Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A; provided,
however, that such disclosure shall be deemed to be a Change in Recommendation if not
accompanied by an express public re-affirmation of the Company Recommendation and the Operating
Trust Recommendation; provided, further, that none of the Company, the Company
Board or a Special Committee shall be permitted to recommend that the Company Shareholders tender
any securities in connection with any tender or exchange offer (or otherwise approve, endorse or
recommend any Acquisition Proposal) or withdraw or modify the Company Recommendation or the
Operating Trust Recommendation, unless in each case such tender or exchange offer constitutes a
Superior Proposal and in connection therewith, effects a Change in Recommendation.
(f) The Company shall not take any action to exempt any Person from the restrictions contained
in Article II of the Company Articles or otherwise cause any of such restrictions not to apply
unless such actions are taken in connection with a termination of this Agreement in accordance with
Section 9.01(g).
Section 7.05 Employee Benefits Matters.
(a) From and after the Company Merger Effective Time, Parent shall or shall cause the
Surviving Entity to honor in accordance with their terms all severance, change-of-control and
similar obligations of the Company and the U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries, and Parent
shall pay on the Closing Date to any applicable officer or employee of the Company or any U.S.
Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary any amounts that such officers or employees are entitled to
receive on the Closing Date under such agreements. From and after the Company Merger Effective
Time, Parent shall or shall cause the Surviving Entity to honor in accordance with their terms any
other employment related contracts, agreements arrangements and commitments of the Company and the
U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries, including the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan,
in effect immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time that are applicable to any current
or former employees or directors of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or any of their
predecessors.
(b) For a period of not less than twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, with respect to
each employee of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary (other than any such employees who are covered
by collective bargaining or similar agreements) who remains an employee of the Surviving Entity or
its successors or assigns or any of their subsidiaries (collectively, the “Continuing
Employees”), Parent shall or shall cause the Surviving Entity to provide the Continuing
Employees with (i) (A) base salary in an amount at least equal to the base salary that was provided
to such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time and (B) cash
incentive compensation opportunities (excluding any payments related to equity or equity-based
awards) in an attainable amount at least equal to the attainable amount such Continuing Employee
was eligible to receive immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, and (ii) employee
benefits (excluding the cash value of any
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equity-based award or benefits), that are no less
favorable in the aggregate than those provided to such Continuing Employees immediately prior to
the Company Merger Effective Time; provided, however, that neither Parent nor the
Surviving Entity nor any of their subsidiaries shall have any obligation to issue, or adopt any
plans or arrangements providing for the issuance of, shares of capital stock, warrants, options,
stock appreciation rights or other rights in respect of any shares of capital stock of any entity
or any securities convertible or exchangeable into such shares pursuant to the immediately
foregoing sentence; and provided, further, that no plans or arrangements of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries providing for such issuance shall be taken into account in determining whether
employee benefits are no less favorable in the aggregate.
(c) Each Continuing Employee will be credited with his or her years of service with the
Company and the U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries (and any predecessor entities thereof)
before the Closing Date under any new parallel employee benefit plan of Parent or its subsidiaries
in which the Continuing Employee become entitled to participate to the same extent as such employee
was entitled, before the Closing Date, to credit for such service under the respective Plan (except
to the extent such credit would result in the duplication of benefits and except with respect to
benefit accrual under a defined benefit plan). In addition, with respect to any such health
benefit plan in which the Continuing Employee become entitled to participate during the calendar
year that includes the Closing Date, each Continuing Employee shall be given credit for amounts
paid by the employee under the respective Plan for purposes of applying deductibles, co-payments
and out-of-pocket maximums as though such amounts had been paid in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the parallel plan, program or arrangement of Parent or the Surviving Entity.
(d) Prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, the Company Board, or an appropriate committee
of non-employee directors thereof, shall adopt a resolution consistent with the interpretive
guidance of the SEC so that the disposition by any officer or director of the Company who is a
covered person of the Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder (“Section 16”) of Company Common Shares or options to acquire
Company Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement and the Mergers shall be an exempt transaction for
purposes of Section 16.
(e) Prior to the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time, the Company Board shall take such
actions as are necessary to terminate the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan and all other share
or investment-based non-qualified deferred compensation account-based
arrangements (collectively: “Non-Qualified Account Plans”), in a manner that is compliant with
Section 409A of the Code. Such action shall be contingent upon, and effective as of, the Company
Merger Effective Time. Payment of amounts deferred under the Non-Qualified Account Plans shall be
made in cash to the participants in the Non-Qualified Account Plans in a single lump-sum payment by
the Surviving Corporation on the first Business Day following January 1, 2008; provided, however,
that payments under the Non-Qualified Account Plans will be made immediately following the Company
Merger Effective Time if the parties hereto mutually agree that the making of such payments will
not cause participants in the Non-Qualified Account Plans to incur any adverse tax consequences
under Section 409A of the Code; provided, further, however, that any payment to any individual who
is considered a “specified employee” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)
and shall be delayed to the date
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six months following such participant’s separation from service in
the event, and to the extent, prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, the Company Board
determines that such delay is necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the
Code.
(f) The Company’s Amended and Restated Equity Plan for Outside Trustees and the Long Term
Incentive Plan shall be terminated as of the Company Merger Effective Time and no provision other
than the payments set forth in Article III hereof shall be made for the continuation of any awards
thereunder following the Company Merger Effective Time.
(g) This Section 7.05 shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each of the
parties to this Agreement, and nothing in this Section 7.05, express or implied, is intended to
confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of
this Section 7.05.
(h) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall (i) constitute or be deemed to be an amendment
to any Plan or any other compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries; (ii) prevent the amendment or termination of any Plan or interfere with the
right or obligation of the Parent or its Affiliates to make such changes as are necessary to
conform with applicable Law (including Section 409A of the Code); or (iii) limit the right of the
Parent or any of its Affiliates to terminate the employment of any employee at any time.
Section 7.06 Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance.
(a) Without limiting any additional rights that any director, officer, trustee, employee,
agent, or fiduciary may have under any employment or indemnification agreement or under any of the
Organizational Documents, Company Articles, the Company Bylaws, the Operating Trust Articles, the
Operating Trust Bylaws or this Agreement or, if applicable, similar agreements of any of the U.S.
Subsidiaries or the Foreign Subsidiaries, from and after the Company Merger Effective Time, the
Surviving Entity shall: (i) indemnify and hold harmless each person who is at the date hereof or
during the period from the date hereof through the Company Merger Effective Time serving as a
trustee, director or officer of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or the Foreign Subsidiaries
(collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by
applicable Law, as now or hereafter in effect, in connection with any Claim and any judgments,
fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other
charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such judgments, fines, penalties or
amounts paid in settlement) resulting therefrom; and (ii) promptly pay on behalf of each of the
Indemnified Parties, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable Law, as now or
hereafter in effect, any Indemnifiable Expenses incurred in defending, serving as a witness with
respect to or otherwise participating in any Claim in advance of the final disposition of such
Claim, including payment on behalf of or advancement to the Indemnified Party of any Indemnifiable
Expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with enforcing any rights with respect to
such indemnification and/or advancement, including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, in
each case without the requirement of any bond or other security, but subject to Parent’s or the
Surviving Entity’s, as applicable, receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified
Party, if required by applicable Law, to repay such Indemnifiable Expenses if it is ultimately
determined under applicable Laws that such
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Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified);
provided, however, that neither Parent nor the Surviving Entity shall be liable for
any settlement effected without Parent’s or the Surviving Entity’s written consent and shall not be
obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (selected by a plurality of the
applicable Indemnified Parties) for all Indemnified Parties in any jurisdiction with respect to any
single Claim except to the extent that two or more of such Indemnified Parties shall have
conflicting interests in the outcome of such action. The indemnification and advancement
obligations of Parent and the Surviving Entity pursuant to this Section 7.06(a) shall extend to
acts or omissions occurring at or before the Company Merger Effective Time and any Claim relating
thereto (including with respect to any acts or omissions occurring in connection with the approval
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
consideration and approval thereof and the process undertaken in connection therewith and any Claim
relating thereto). All rights to indemnification and advancement conferred hereunder shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Company or the U.S.
Subsidiaries or the Foreign Subsidiaries after the date hereof and shall inure to the benefit of
such person’s heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. For purposes of this
Section 7.06(a): (x) the term “Claim” means any threatened, asserted, pending or completed
Action, whether instituted by any party hereto, any Governmental Authority or any other party, that
any Indemnified Party in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such Action,
whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other, including any arbitration or other
alternative dispute resolution mechanism, arising out of or pertaining to matters that relate to
such Indemnified Party’s duties or service as a director or officer of the Company or any of the
U.S. Subsidiaries or the Foreign Subsidiaries, at or prior to the Company Merger Effective Time at
the request of the Company or any of the U.S. Subsidiaries or the Foreign Subsidiaries; and (y)
term “Indemnifiable Expenses” means reasonable attorneys’ fees and all other reasonable
costs, expenses and obligations (including experts’ fees, travel expenses, court costs, retainers,
transcript fees, duplicating, printing and binding costs, as well as telecommunications, postage
and courier charges) paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness
in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to investigate, defend, be a witness in
or participate in, any Claim for which indemnification is authorized pursuant to this Section
7.06(a), including any Action relating to a claim for indemnification or advancement brought by an
Indemnified Party. Neither Parent nor the Surviving Entity shall settle, compromise or consent to
the entry of any judgment in any
Claim in respect of which indemnification has been or could be sought by such Indemnified
Party hereunder unless (i) such settlement, compromise or judgment includes an unconditional
release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such Claim, (ii) such
Indemnified Party otherwise consents thereto, or (iii) Parent or the Surviving Entity acknowledges
that such Claim is subject to this Section 7.06.
(b) For a period of six (6) years from the Company Merger Effective Time, the charter and
bylaws or other organizational documents of the Surviving Entity and the U.S. Subsidiaries and the
Foreign Subsidiaries shall contain provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification
than are set forth in the Company Articles, Company Bylaws, Operating Trust Articles, Operating
Trust Bylaws or the applicable organizational documents of the Subsidiaries, which provisions shall
not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six years from the Company Merger
Effective Time in any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder of individuals who,
at or prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, were
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directors, officers, trustees, employees,
agents, or fiduciaries (including fiduciaries under or with respect to any employee benefit plan
(within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA)) of the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or
the Foreign Subsidiaries, unless such modification shall be required by Law and then only to the
minimum extent required by Law.
(c) Parent or the Surviving Entity shall maintain for a period of at least six (6) years,
policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and employed lawyer liability insurance
with respect to claims arising from facts or events that occurred on or before the Company Merger
Effective Time, including in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Such
policies shall provide for at least $50,000,000 of coverage for directors’ and officers’ liability
and $5,000,000 for employed lawyer liability and shall contain other terms and conditions which
are, in the aggregate, not less advantageous to the insured persons than the policies maintained by
the Company, the Operating Trust, the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries as of the date
hereof. There shall be no gaps or lapses of coverage with respect to matters occurring before the
Company Merger Effective Time; provided, that the aggregate premium payable for such insurance
shall not exceed the amount set forth on Schedule 7.06(c) (such amount the “Maximum Premium”). If
the Company is unable to obtain the insurance described in the first sentence of this Section
7.06(c) for an amount less than or equal to the Maximum Premium, Parent or the Surviving Company
shall obtain as much comparable insurance as possible for an amount equal to the Maximum Premium.
Notwithstanding the preceding, Parent and the Surviving Entity may meet their obligations pursuant
to this Section 7.06(c) by purchasing a “tail policy” providing coverage in the amounts specified
above and on other terms and conditions which are, in the aggregate, not less advantageous to the
insured persons than the policies maintained by the Company, the Operating Trust, the U.S.
Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries as of the date hereof such. If Parent or the Surviving
Entity purchase a tail policy pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, Parent shall, and
shall cause the Surviving Entity or its successors or assigns to, maintain such policy in full
force and effect, and continue to honor all obligations thereunder.
(d) If the Surviving Entity or any of its respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates
with or merges with or into any other person and shall not be the continuing or Surviving Entity,
partnership or other entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) liquidates, dissolves or
winds-up, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets
to any person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the
successors and assigns of the Surviving Entity assumes the obligations set forth in this Section
7.06.
(e) Parent shall cause the Surviving Entity to perform all of the obligations of the Surviving
Entity under this Section 7.06 and the parties acknowledge and agree that Parent guarantees the
payment and performance of the Surviving Entity’s obligations pursuant to this Section 7.06.
Section 7.07 Further Action; Reasonable Efforts.
(a) Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 7.01, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement, each of the parties hereto shall (i) make promptly its respective
filings and thereafter make any other required submissions, under any applicable antitrust or
competition laws, and any other Law with respect to this Agreement and
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the Mergers, if required,
and (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate
action, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable
Laws to consummate and make effective the Mergers, and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including using its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all Permits, consents,
approvals, authorizations, qualifications and orders of Governmental Authorities with the Company
and the U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries as are necessary for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to fulfill the conditions to the Company Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) The parties hereto agree to cooperate and assist one another in connection with all
actions to be taken pursuant to this Section 7.07, including the preparation and making of the
filings referred to in this Agreement and, if requested, amending or furnishing additional
information thereunder, including, subject to applicable Law and the Confidentiality Agreement,
upon request, providing copies of all related documents to the non-filing party and their advisors
prior to filing, and, to the extent practicable, none of the parties will file any such document or
have any communication with any Governmental Authority without prior consultation with the other
party. Each party shall keep the other apprised of the content and status of any communications
with, and communications from, any Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. To the extent practicable and permitted by a Governmental
Authority, each party hereto shall permit representatives of the other party to participate in
meetings and calls with such Governmental Authority. None of the parties shall consent to any
voluntary extension of any statutory deadline or waiting period or to any voluntary delay of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at the behest of any Governmental
Authority without the consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld
or delayed.
(c) Each of the parties hereto agrees to cooperate and use its reasonable best efforts to
defend through litigation on the merits any Action, including administrative or judicial Action,
asserted by any party in order to avoid the entry of, or to have vacated, lifted, reversed,
terminated or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary,
preliminary or permanent) that in whole or in part restricts, delays, prevents or prohibits
consummation of the Company Merger, including by vigorously pursuing all available avenues of
administrative and judicial appeal.
(d) Each of the Buyer Parties, on the one hand, and the Company Parties, on the other hand,
shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any Third Party consents (i)
necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii)
disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule or (iii) required to prevent a Company Material Adverse Effect
from occurring prior to the Company Merger Effective Time. In the event that any Company Party
shall fail to obtain any Third Party consent described above, the Company Parties shall use their
commercially reasonable efforts, and shall take such actions as are reasonably requested by Parent,
to minimize any adverse effect upon the Company Parties and the Buyer Parties and their respective
businesses resulting, or which could reasonably be expected to result, after the Company Merger
Effective Time, from the failure to obtain such consent. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement, in connection with obtaining any approval or consent from any Person (other than
a Governmental Authority) with
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respect to any transaction contemplated by this Agreement, (i)
unless required by the applicable agreement, without the prior written consent of Parent, neither
the Company nor any of the U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries shall pay or commit to pay to
such Person whose approval or consent is being solicited any cash or other consideration, make any
commitment or incur any liability or other obligation due to such Person and (ii) none of the Buyer
Parties or their respective affiliates shall be required to pay or commit to pay such Person whose
approval or consent is being solicited any cash or other consideration, make any commitment or
incur any liability or other obligation.
Section 7.08 Transfer Taxes. Parent and the Company shall cooperate in the preparation, execution and
filing of all returns, questionnaires, applications or other documents regarding any real property
transfer or gains, sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer or stamp taxes, any transfer,
recording, registration and other fees and any similar taxes that become payable in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (together with any related interests, penalties or
additions to Tax, “Transfer Taxes”), and shall cooperate in attempting to minimize the
amount of Transfer Taxes. From and after the Company Merger Effective Time, the Surviving Entity
shall pay or cause to be paid, without deduction or withholding from any consideration or amounts
payable to holders of the Company Common Shares, Company Share Options, Company Restricted Share
Units and, all Transfer Taxes.
Section 7.09 Public Announcements. The parties hereto agree that no public release or announcement
concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Mergers) shall be issued
by a party without the prior consent of the other parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld), except as such release or announcement may be required by Law or the rules or
regulations of any securities exchange, in which case the party required to make the release or
announcement shall use its reasonable best efforts to allow the other parties reasonable time to
comment on such
release or announcement in advance of such issuance. The parties have agreed upon the form of
a joint press release announcing the Mergers and the execution of this Agreement.
Section 7.10 Cooperation with Financing.
(a) Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to arrange the Debt Financing on the terms
and conditions described in the Debt Commitment Letter, including using reasonable best efforts to
(i) negotiate definitive agreements with respect thereto on terms and conditions contained therein
and (ii) to satisfy all conditions applicable to the Buyer Parties in such definitive agreements
that are within their control. In the event any portion of the Debt Financing becomes unavailable
on the terms and conditions contemplated in the Debt Commitment Letter, Parent shall use its
reasonable best efforts to arrange to obtain any such portion from alternative sources on
comparable or more favorable terms to Parent (as determined in the reasonable judgment of Parent)
as promptly as practicable following the occurrence of such event. Parent shall give the Company
prompt notice of any material breach by any party of the Debt Commitment Letter or any termination
of the Debt Commitment Letter. Parent shall keep the Company informed on a reasonably current
basis in reasonable detail of the status of its efforts to arrange the Debt Financing and shall not
permit any material amendment or modification to be made to, or any waiver of any material
provision or remedy under, the Debt Commitment Letter if such amendment would or would be
reasonably expected to materially and
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adversely affect or delay in any material respect Parent’s
ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, without first obtaining the
Company’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). For the avoidance of
doubt, if the Debt Financing (or any alternative financing) has not been obtained, the Buyer
Parties shall continue to be obligated to consummate the Mergers on the terms contemplated by this
Agreement and subject only to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections
8.01 and 8.02 of this Agreement and to Parent’s rights under Section 9.01, regardless of whether
the Buyer Parties have complied with all of their other obligations under this Agreement (including
their obligations under this Section 7.10).
(b) The Company agrees to provide, and shall cause the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign
Subsidiaries and its and their Representatives to provide, all reasonable cooperation in connection
with the arrangement of the Financing as may be reasonably requested by Parent (provided
that such requested cooperation does not unreasonably interfere with the ongoing operations of the
Company and the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries), including (i) participation in
meetings, drafting sessions and due diligence sessions, (ii) furnishing Parent and its financing
sources with financial and other pertinent information regarding the Company and the U.S.
Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries as may be reasonably requested by Parent, (iii) assisting
Parent and its financing sources in the preparation of (A) an offering document for any Financing
to be raised to complete the Mergers and (B) materials for rating agency presentations, (iv)
reasonably cooperating with the marketing efforts of Parent and its financing sources for any
Financing to be raised by Parent to complete the Mergers, (v) forming new direct or indirect
subsidiaries and transferring assets thereto prior to or after the Operating Trust Merger Effective
Time (any such transfer to be a Requested Transaction and be subject to the terms and conditions of
Section 2.06 hereof), (vi) using reasonable best efforts to obtain accountants’ comfort letters,
legal opinions, appraisals, surveys, title insurance, estoppels and certificates from
tenants, lenders and ground lessors and other documentation and items relating to the
Financing as reasonably requested by Parent, (vii) providing and executing documents as may be
reasonably requested by Parent, and (viii) cooperating in connection with the repayment or
defeasance of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of the U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign
Subsidiaries, including delivering such payoff, defeasance or similar notices under any existing
mortgage or mezzanine loans of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary as
reasonably requested by Parent. Parent shall, promptly upon request by the Company, reimburse the
Company for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Company, its U.S. Subsidiaries and
its Foreign Subsidiaries and their Representatives in connection with such cooperation. The Buyer
Parties shall, on a joint and several basis, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its U.S.
Subsidiaries and its Foreign Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives from and against any
and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses, interest, awards, judgments and
penalties suffered or incurred by them in connection with the arrangement of the Financing and any
information utilized in connection therewith (other than historical information relating to the
Company or its U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries). Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary, the condition set forth in Section 8.02(b), as it applies to the Company’s obligations
under this Section 7.10(b), shall be deemed satisfied unless the Financing (or any alternative
financing) has not been obtained primarily as a result of the Company’s or the U.S. Subsidiaries’
or Foreign Subsidiaries willful and material breach of its obligations under this Section 7.10(b).
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(c) All non-public or otherwise confidential information regarding the Company obtained
by Parent or its Representatives pursuant to paragraph (b) above shall be kept confidential in
accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.
Section 7.11 Resignations. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain and deliver to Parent at the
Closing evidence reasonably satisfactory to Parent of the resignation effective as of the Company
Merger Effective Time, of those trustees or directors of the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary
designated by Parent to the Company in writing at least five calendar days prior to the Closing.
Section 7.12 Takeover Statutes. If any takeover statute is or becomes applicable to this Agreement, the Mergers or the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each of the parties and their respective boards
of directors (or managing members or general partners, as applicable) shall (a) take all necessary
action to ensure that such transactions contemplated hereby may be consummated as promptly as
practicable upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and (b)
otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of such takeover statute.
Section 7.13 Delisting and Deregistering of Securities. Parent and the Company shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company
Common Shares to be de-listed from the NYSE and de-registered under the Exchange Act promptly
following the Company Merger Effective Time.
Section 7.14 Tax Matters. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Company Merger Effective Time, the
Company and the U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries shall:
(a) continue to operate in such a manner as to permit the Company to continue to qualify as a
REIT throughout the period from the date hereof to the Company Merger Effective Time;
(b) prepare and timely file all Tax Returns required to be filed by them (taking into account
all applicable extensions of time to file such Tax Returns) on or before the Closing Date
(“Post-Signing Returns”) in a manner consistent with past practice, except as otherwise
required by applicable Laws;
(c) fully and timely pay all Taxes due and payable in respect of such Post-Signing Returns
that are so filed; and
(d) properly reserve (and reflect such reserve in their books and records and financial
statements), for all Taxes payable by them for which no Post-Signing Return is due prior to the
Company Merger Effective Time in a manner consistent with past practice.
Section 7.15 Notices of Certain Events.
(a) The Company Parties shall notify Parent promptly of (i) any written communication and, to
the knowledge of the Company, any other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of
such Person (or another Person) is or may be required in
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connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (and the response thereto from the Company, any of the U.S.
Subsidiaries or any of the Foreign Subsidiaries or their Representatives), (ii) any communication
from any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(and the response thereto from the Company, any of the U.S. Subsidiaries or any of the Foreign
Subsidiaries or their Representatives), (iii) any material Actions threatened or commenced against
or otherwise affecting the Company or any of the U.S. Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries that are
related to the transactions contemplated by the Agreement or (iv) any effect, event, development or
change between the date of this Agreement and the Company Merger Effective Time which causes or is
reasonably likely to cause the conditions set forth in Section 8.02(a) or 8.02(b) not to be
satisfied.
(b) The Buyer Parties shall notify the Company promptly of (i) any written communication and,
to the knowledge of Parent, any other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of
such Person (or another Person) is or may be required in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (and the response thereto from Parent, any of its subsidiaries or
their Representatives), (ii) any communication from any Governmental Authority in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (and the response thereto from Parent, any of its
subsidiaries or their Representatives), (iii) any material Actions threatened or commenced against
or otherwise affecting Parent or any of its subsidiaries that are related to the transactions
contemplated by the Agreement or (iv) any effect, event, development or change between the date of
this Agreement and the Company Merger Effective Time which causes or is reasonably likely to cause
the conditions set forth in Section 8.03(a) or 8.03(b) not to be satisfied.
(c) The delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 7.15 shall not limit or otherwise
affect the remedies available hereunder to the party receiving such notice.
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGERS
Section 8.01 Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party. The obligations of the Company and Buyer Parties to consummate the Mergers are subject to the
satisfaction or waiver in writing (where permissible) of the following conditions:
(a) The Company Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained.
(b) The Operating Trust Unitholder Approval shall have been obtained.
(c) The Form S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the
subject of any stop order suspending its effectiveness issued by the SEC, and no proceedings
seeking such stop order shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened
by the SEC.
(d) Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of the
Mergers under the HSR Act and the German Act shall have expired or been terminated, and any
approval required thereunder shall have been obtained.
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(e) No Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any
injunction, order, decree or ruling (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is then in
effect and has the effect of making consummation of the Mergers illegal or prohibiting consummation
of the Mergers
Section 8.02 Conditions to the Obligations of the Buyer Parties. The obligations of the Buyer Parties to consummate the Mergers are subject to the satisfaction
or waiver in writing of the following additional conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Company Parties contained in this Agreement that
(i) are not made as of a specific date shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement
and as of the Closing, as though made on and as of such date, and (ii) are made as of a specific
date shall be true and correct as of such date, in each case except where the failure of such
representations or warranties to be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to
“materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” set forth in such
representations and warranties (other than the representation in clause (b) of Section 4.08)) does
not have and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect. In addition, the representations and warranties set forth in Sections
4.03 and 4.04 and shall be true and correct in all material respects and the representations and
warranties set forth in clause (b) of Section 4.08 shall be true and correct in all respects as of
the date hereof and as of the Closing, as though made on and as of such date (in each case except
to the extent expressly made as of a specific date, in which case as of such specific date).
(b) The Company Parties shall have performed, in all material respects, all obligations and
complied with, in all material respects, all agreements and covenants required to be performed or
complied with them under this Agreement on or prior to the Company Merger Effective Time.
(c) The Company shall have delivered to Parent a certificate, dated the date of the Company
Merger Effective Time, signed by an officer of the Company and certifying as to the satisfaction of
the conditions specified in Sections 8.02(a) and 8.02(b).
(d) Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have been an event, occurrence, effect
or circumstance that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, occurrences, effects
or circumstances, has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(e) Parent and the Company shall have received a tax opinion of Mayer, Brown, Xxxx & Maw LLP,
or other counsel to the Company satisfactory to the Parent, dated as of the date of the Closing
Date, prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G
(such opinion shall be based upon customary assumptions and customary representations made by the
Company and its U.S. Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit G, and such opinion and representations shall be subject to such changes or
modifications from the language set forth on such exhibits as may be deemed necessary or
appropriate by Mayer, Brown, Xxxx & Maw LLP (or such counsel rendering the opinion) and as shall be
reasonably satisfactory to Parent) opining that the
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Company has been organized and has operated in
conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code for all taxable periods
commencing with the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 1997 through and including the
taxable year of the Company ending on the Closing Date (determined without taking into account, or
giving effect to, the Mergers or any Requested Transactions undertaken pursuant to Section 2.06 of
this Agreement and assuming for such purposes that the Company shall satisfy the applicable
distribution requirements under the Code for the taxable year including the Closing Date).
Section 8.03 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company Parties. The obligations of the Company Parties to consummate the Mergers are subject to the
satisfaction or waiver in writing (where permissible) of the following additional conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Buyer Parties in this Agreement that (i) are not
made as of a specific date shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Closing, as though made on and as of such date, and (ii) are made as of a specific date shall be
true and correct as of such date, in each case except where the failure of such representations or
warranties to be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to
“materiality” or “Parent Material Adverse Effect” set forth in such representations
and warranties) does not have and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Buyer Parties shall have performed, in all material respects, all obligations and
complied with, in all material respects, all agreements and covenants required to be performed or
complied with by them under this Agreement on or prior to the Company Merger Effective Time.
(c) The Buyer Parties shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, dated the date of the
Company Merger Effective Time, signed by an officer of each of the Buyer Parties and certifying as
to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Sections 8.03(a) and 8.03(b).
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Mergers may be abandoned at any time prior to the
Operating Trust Merger Effective Time (or, in the case of Section 9.01(g)(i), prior to the Company
Shareholders’ Meeting) by action taken or authorized by the board of directors, board of trustees,
board of managers or members or similar governing body of the terminating party or parties
performing similar functions, notwithstanding any requisite approval of the Mergers by the Company
Common Shareholders or the Operating Trust Common Unitholders, and whether before or after either
of the Company Shareholder Approval or the Operating Trust Unitholder Approval has been obtained,
as follows (the date of any such termination, the “Termination Date”):
(a) by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;
(b) by either Parent or the Company if the Operating Trust Merger Effective Time shall not
have occurred on or before December 31, 2007 (the “End Date”); provided,
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however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.01(b) shall not be
available to a party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement materially
contributed to the failure of the Company Merger Effective Time to occur on or before such date;
(c) by either Parent or the Company if any Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any injunction, order, decree or ruling or taken any other action
(including the failure to have taken an action) which, in either such case, has become final and
non-appealable and has the effect of making consummation of the Mergers illegal or otherwise
preventing or prohibiting consummation of the Mergers (“Governmental Order”);
provided, however, that the right to terminate under of this Section 9.01(c) shall
not be available to any party unless such party shall have used its reasonable best efforts to
oppose any such Governmental Order or to have such Governmental Order vacated or made inapplicable
to such Mergers;
(d) by either the Company or Parent if the Company Shareholder Approval is not obtained at the
Company Shareholders’ Meeting upon a vote taken thereon;
(e) by Parent if each of it and MergerCo is not in material breach of its obligations under
this Agreement, and if (i) any of the representations and warranties of the Company Parties herein
are or become untrue or inaccurate such that the condition set forth in Section 8.02(a) would be
incapable of being satisfied by the End Date, or (ii) there has been a breach on the part of any of
the Company Parties of any of its covenants or agreements herein such that the condition set forth
in Section 8.02(b) would be incapable of being satisfied by the End Date;
(f) by the Company if each of the Company Parties is not in material breach of its obligations
under this Agreement, and if (i) any of the representations and warranties of Parent, MergerCo or
Operating Trust MergerSub herein are or become untrue or inaccurate such that the condition set
forth in Section 8.03(a) would be incapable of being satisfied by the End Date, or (ii) there has
been a breach on the part of Parent, MergerCo or Operating Trust MergerSub or any of their
respective covenants or agreements herein such that the conditions set forth in Section 8.03(b)
would be incapable of being satisfied by the End Date;
(g) by Parent:
(i) prior to the Company Shareholders’ Meeting if there has been a Change in
Recommendation;
(ii) if (A) the Company Board or a Special Committee shall have approved, endorsed or
recommended any Acquisition Proposal, (B) the Company enters into a contract or agreement
relating to an Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement entered into in
compliance with Section 7.04(c)), (C) a tender offer or exchange offer for any Company
Common Shares that constitutes an Acquisition Proposal (other than by any of the Buyer
Parties or any of their Affiliates) is commenced prior to obtaining the Company Shareholder
Approval and the Company Board or a Special Committee fails to recommend against acceptance
of such tender offer or exchange offer by the Company Shareholders (including, for these
purposes, by taking no
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position with respect to the acceptance of such tender offer or
exchange offer by the Company Shareholders, which shall constitute a failure to recommend
against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer) within ten Business Days after
commencement of such tender offer or exchange offer, (D) the Company, the Company Board or a
Special Committee publicly announces its intention to do any of the foregoing, or (E) the
Company has breached its obligations under Section 7.02 or Section 7.04 in any material
respect; or
(h) by the Company if the Company Board or a Special Committee approves, and authorizes the
Company to enter into, a definitive agreement providing for the implementation of a Superior
Proposal, but only so long as:
(i) the Company Shareholder Approval has not yet been obtained;
(ii) the Company is not then and has not been in breach of any of its obligations under
Section 7.02 or Section 7.04 in any material respect;
(iii) the Company Board or a Special Committee has determined in good faith, after
consultation with its financial advisor, that such agreement constitutes a Superior
Proposal;
(iv) the Company has notified Parent in writing that it intends to enter into such
agreement, attaching the most current version of such agreement (including any amendments,
supplements or modifications) to such notice (a “Superior Proposal Notice”);
(v) during the three Business Day period following Parent’s receipt of a Superior
Proposal Notice, (A) the Company shall have offered to negotiate with (and, if accepted,
negotiated in good faith with), and shall have caused its respective financial and legal
advisors to offer to negotiate with (and, if accepted, negotiate in good faith with), Parent
in making adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would enable the
Company to proceed with the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and (B) the Company Board or a Special Committee shall have determined in good
faith, after the end of such three Business Day period, after considering the results of such negotiations and the revised proposals made by Parent,
if any, that the Superior Proposal giving rise to such notice continues to be a Superior
Proposal; provided further that any amendment, supplement or modification to any Acquisition
Proposal shall be deemed a new Acquisition Proposal and the Company may not terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.01(h) unless the Company has complied with the
requirements of this Section 9.01(h) with respect to such new Acquisition Proposal including
sending a Superior Proposal Notice with respect to such new Acquisition Proposal and
offering to negotiate for three Business Days from such new Superior Proposal Notice; and
(vi) the Company pays to Parent the Company Termination Fee in accordance with Section
9.04(b)(iv) simultaneously with such termination (any purported
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termination pursuant to this
Section 9.01(h) shall be void and of no force or effect unless the Company shall have made
such payment).
Section 9.02 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.01, this Agreement
shall forthwith become void, and there shall be no liability under this Agreement on the part of
any party hereto (or any Representatives thereof) except that the indemnification and reimbursement
obligations of the Buyer Parties contained in Sections 2.06, and 7.10(b), the Guarantees referred
to in Section 5.07(c) and the provisions of Section 7.03(b), Section 7.10(c), this Section 9.02,
Section 9.04 and Article X shall survive any such termination; provided, however,
that, subject to Sections 9.04(g), 10.06 and 10.07, nothing herein shall relieve any party hereto
from liability for any willful or knowing breach of any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement prior to such termination.
Section 9.03 Notice of Termination. A termination party shall provide written notice of termination to the other parties
specifying with reasonable particularity the basis of such termination. If more than one provision
in Section 9.01 is available to a terminating party in connection with a termination, a terminating
party may rely on any and all available provisions in Section 9.01 for any such termination.
Section 9.04 Fees and Expenses.
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in Sections 2.06, 7.08 and 7.10(b) and this Section 9.04,
all expenses (including fees and expenses payable to Representatives) incurred by any party to this
Agreement or its Affiliates on its behalf in connection with this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (“Expenses”) shall be paid by the party incurring such
expenses, whether or not the Mergers are consummated.
(b) The Company agrees that if this Agreement shall be terminated:
(i) by Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 9.01(d), Section 9.01(b) or Section
9.01(e) and at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Company
Shareholders’ Meeting, (A) an Acquisition Proposal shall have been made to any of the
Company Parties or publicly announced prior to such Termination Date or, with respect to
termination pursuant to Section 9.01(e), prior to the occurrence of the event or
circumstance giving rise to such termination right, and (B) concurrently with such
termination or within twelve (12) months following the Termination Date, the Company enters
into a definitive agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal, or an Acquisition Proposal
is consummated (in each case whether or not such Acquisition Proposal was the same
Acquisition Proposal referred to in the foregoing clause (A)), then the Company shall pay to
Parent, if and when the consummation of such Acquisition Proposal occurs, as applicable, the
Company Termination Fee less any Parent Expenses previously paid pursuant to Section
9.04(b)(ii) in immediately available funds to an account directed by Parent (and for
purposes of this Section 9.04(b)(i), “at least 50%” shall be substituted for “20%” in the
definition of Acquisition Proposal);
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(ii) by Parent pursuant to Section 9.01(e), then the Company shall pay, within three
(3) Business Days of the Termination Date, to Parent the Parent Expenses in immediately
available funds to an account directed by Parent;
(iii) by Parent pursuant to Section 9.01(g) (but with respect to termination pursuant
to Section 9.01(g)(i), only if Parent terminates prior to the Company Shareholders’
Meeting), then the Company shall pay, within three (3) Business Days of the Termination
Date, to Parent the Company Termination Fee in immediately available funds to an account
directed by Parent; or
(iv) by the Company pursuant to Section 9.01(h), then the Company shall pay to Parent
the Company Termination Fee in immediately available funds to an account directed by Parent
before or concurrently with such termination and shall be a condition to the effectiveness
of such termination.
(c) Parent agrees that if this Agreement shall be terminated by the Company pursuant to
Section 9.01(f), then Parent shall pay to the Company the Company Expenses within three (3)
Business Days of the Termination Date in immediately available funds to an account directed by the
Company.
(d) For the purposes of this Agreement:
(i) “Company Expenses” shall mean all reasonable, actual and documented
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred prior to the termination of this Agreement by or
on behalf of the Company Parties, the U.S. Subsidiaries and the Foreign Subsidiaries (or
their Affiliates) in connection with the entering into of this Agreement and the carrying
out of any and all acts contemplated hereunder, including reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel, investment banking firms, lenders or financial advisors, accountants, and consultants,
up to an aggregate maximum amount of $10,000,000;
(ii) “Company Termination Fee” shall mean an amount equal to $235,000,000; and
(iii) “Parent Expenses” shall mean all reasonable, actual and documented
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred prior to the termination of this Agreement by or
on behalf of the Buyer Parties (or their Affiliates) in connection with the entering into
this Agreement and the carrying out of any and all acts contemplated hereunder, including
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, investment banking firms, lenders or financial
advisors, accountants, and consultants, up to an aggregate maximum amount of $10,000,000.
(e) Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 9.04
are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In the event that the
Company shall fail to pay the Company Termination Fee or the Parent Expenses when due or Parent
shall fail to pay the Company Expenses when due, the Company or Parent, as the case may be, shall
reimburse the other party for all reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred or accrued by
such other party (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) in connection with the
collection under and enforcement of this Section 9.04. If payable, none of
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the Company Termination
Fee, the Parent Expenses, or the Company Expenses shall be payable more than once pursuant to this
Agreement.
(f) Each of Parent and the Company acknowledges that the agreements set forth in this Section
9.04 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that without
these agreements, the other party would not enter into this Agreement. Accordingly, if the Company
or Parent, as the case may be, fails to timely pay any amount due pursuant to this Section 9.04,
and, in order to obtain the payment, Parent or the Company, as the case may be, commences a suit
which results in a judgment against the other party for the payment set forth in this Section 9.04,
such paying party shall pay the other party its reasonable and documented costs and expenses
(including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees) in connection with such suit, together with
interest on such amount at the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal in effect on the
date such payment was required to be made through the date of payment.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event of a termination
of this Agreement in connection with which a Company Termination Fee is payable to Parent or, in
the case of Section 9.04(b)(ii), the Parent Expenses are payable to Parent, payment of such Company
Termination Fee or Parent Expenses, as the case may be, by the Company pursuant to this Section
9.04 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Parent and its subsidiaries and Affiliates against
the Company, its subsidiaries and any of their respective former, current, or future general or
limited partners, stockholders, managers, members, directors, officers, Affiliates or agents for
the loss suffered as a result of the failure of the Merger to be consummated, and upon payment of
such amounts, none of the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their respective former, current, or
future general or limited partners, stockholders, managers, members, directors, officers,
Affiliates or agents shall have any further liability or obligation relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (except that the Company shall also be obligated with respect to Section 9.04(f)).
Section 9.05 Escrow of Company Expenses.
(a) To the extent that the Company Parties recover the Company Expenses pursuant to Section
9.04(c) and/or money damages pursuant to and subject to Section 10.06 and the Guarantees
(collectively, the “Damages Amount”), Parent shall instruct the escrow agent to pay to the
Operating Trust from the Damages Amount deposited into escrow in accordance with the next sentence,
an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Damages Amount and (ii) the sum of (A) the maximum amount
that can be paid to the Operating Trust without causing the Company to fail to meet the
requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and 856(c)(3) of the Code determined as if the payment of such
amount did not constitute income described in Sections 856(c)(2)(A)-(H) or 856(c)(3)(A)-(I) of the
Code (“Qualifying Income”), as determined by the Company’s independent certified public
accountants, plus (B) in the event the Company receives either (A) a letter from the Company’s
counsel indicating that the Company has received a ruling from the IRS described in Section 9.05(b)
or (2) an opinion from the Company’s outside counsel as described in Section 9.05(b), an amount
equal to the Damages Amount less the amount payable under clause (A) above. To secure Parent’s
obligation to pay these amounts, Parent shall deposit into escrow an amount in cash equal to the
Damages Amount with an escrow agent selected by Parent and on such terms (subject to Section
9.05(b)) as shall be mutually agreed upon by the
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Operating Trust, Parent and the escrow agent.
Subject to the terms of Section 10.06 and the Guarantees, the payment or deposit into escrow of the
Damages Amount pursuant to this Section 9.05 shall be made at the time Parent is obligated to pay
the Operating Trust such amount pursuant to Section 10.06 and the Guarantees by wire transfer or
bank check.
(b) The escrow agreement shall provide that the Damages Amount in escrow or any portion
thereof shall not be released to the Operating Trust unless the escrow agent receives any one or
combination of the following: (i) a letter from the Company’s independent certified public
accountants indicating the maximum amount that can be paid by the escrow agent to the Operating
Trust without causing the Company to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of
the Code determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute Qualifying Income or a
subsequent letter from the Company’s accountants revising that amount, in which case the escrow
agent shall release such amount to the Company, or (ii) a letter from the Company’s counsel
indicating that the Company received a ruling from the IRS holding that the Damages Amount would
either constitute Qualifying Income or would be excluded from gross income within the meaning of
Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code (or alternatively, the Company’s outside counsel has
rendered a legal opinion to the effect that the receipt by the Operating Trust of the Damages
Amount would constitute Qualifying Income, would be excluded from gross income within the meaning
of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code or would not otherwise disqualify Company as a REIT), in
which case the escrow agent shall release the remainder of the Damages Amount to the Operating
Trust. Parent agrees to amend this Section 9.05 at the reasonable request of the Company in order
to (x) maximize the portion of the Damages Amount that may be distributed to the Operating Trust
hereunder without causing the Company to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and
(3) of the Code, (y) improve the Company’s chances of securing a favorable ruling described in this
Section 9.05(b), or (z) assist Parent in obtaining a favorable legal opinion from its outside
counsel as described in this Section 9.05(b). The escrow agreement shall also provide that any
portion of the Damages Amount held in escrow for five years shall be released by the escrow agent
to Parent. Any costs and expenses of the escrow agent shall be borne solely by the Company.
Section 9.06 Waiver. At any time prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, the Company, on the one hand, and
Parent, on the other hand, may (a) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other
act of the other party, (b) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the other
party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, and (c) waive compliance with
any agreement of the other party or any condition to its own obligations contained herein. Any
such extension or waiver shall be valid if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the
Company (on behalf of the Company Parties) or Parent (on behalf of the Buyer Parties), as
applicable. The failure of any party to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise
shall not constitute a waiver of those rights.
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ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 10.01 Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties in this Agreement and in any certificate delivered pursuant
hereto shall terminate at the Company Merger Effective Time.
Section 10.02 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in
person, by prepaid overnight courier (providing proof of delivery), by facsimile or by registered
or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the
following addresses or facsimile numbers (or at such other address for a party as shall be
specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 10.02):
if to any Buyer Party:
c/x Xxxxxx Brothers Holdings Inc.
8th Floor
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
8th Floor
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
and
c/o Tishman Speyer
00 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
00 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
with copies to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Xxxxx & Xxxx
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
and
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Weil, Gotshal & Xxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: W. Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: W. Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
if to any Company Party:
Archstone-Xxxxx Trust
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
with a copy to:
Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx XX
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: J. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx XX
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: J. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Section 10.03 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being
enforced by any rule of law or public policy or the application of this Agreement to any person or
circumstance is invalid or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all
other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and
effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. To such end, the
provisions of this Agreement are agreed to be severable. Upon such determination that any term or
other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties
as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
Section 10.04 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto by action taken by their respective
board of directors (or similar governing body or entity) at any time prior to the Company Merger
Effective Time; provided, however, that, after approval of the Company Merger by
the shareholders of the Company, no amendment may be made without further shareholder approval
which, by Law or in accordance with the rules of the NYSE,
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requires further approval by such
shareholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the
parties hereto.
Section 10.05 Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement and the Disclosure Schedule,
constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties, or any
of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall not be assigned (whether
pursuant to a merger, by operation of law or otherwise), except any of the Buyer Parties may assign
this Agreement to any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent; provided,
however, that no such assignment shall relieve the assigning party of its obligations
hereunder if the assignee does not perform its obligations.
Section 10.06 Remedies. Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.07 or elsewhere in this Agreement, any and all
remedies expressly conferred upon a party to this Agreement shall be cumulative with, and not
exclusive of, any other remedy contained in this Agreement, at law or in equity and the exercise by
a party to this Agreement of any one remedy shall not preclude the exercise by it of any other
remedy. Each of the Company Parties agrees that to the extent it has incurred losses or damages in
connection with this Agreement the maximum aggregate liability of the Buyer Parties and the
Guarantors, for such losses or damages (including any amounts payable pursuant to Section 9.04) shall be limited to an amount equal to $1,500,000,000, and in no event shall
the Company Parties seek to recover any money damages in excess of such amount from the Buyer
Parties or the Guarantors. In no event shall the Company Parties seek to recover any damages in
connection with, relating to or arising out of this Agreement from any person, including the Buyer
Parties or the Guarantors or any former, current or future general or limited partners, employees,
stockholders, managers, members, directors, officers, Affiliates, agents or Representatives of the
Buyer Parties or the Guarantors, except as specifically provided herein or in the Guarantees.
Section 10.07 Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of
this Agreement were not performed by any Company Party in accordance with the terms hereof and
that, prior to the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.01, the Buyer Parties shall
be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement by the Company
Parties and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the
United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which
they are entitled at law or in equity. The parties acknowledge that none of the Company Parties
shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to
enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement and that the Company Parties’ sole
and exclusive remedy with respect to any such breach shall be the remedy set forth in the
Guarantees, subject to the limitations of Section 10.06; provided, however, the
Company Parties shall be entitled to seek specific performance to prevent any breach by the Buyer
Parties of Sections 7.03(b) and 7.10(c).
Section 10.08 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and
nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person
any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, other
than the provisions of Article III and Section 7.06
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(which are intended to be for the benefit of
the persons covered thereby or the persons entitled to payment thereunder and may be enforced by
such persons).
Section 10.09 Governing Law; Forum. This Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated hereby and all disputes,
claims or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the negotiation, validity
or performance of this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to
any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Maryland or any other
jurisdiction) that would cause the application of Laws of any jurisdictions other than those of the
State of Maryland.
Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to submit to the
sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of State of Maryland (the “Maryland Courts”) for any
litigation arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the negotiation, validity or
performance of this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby (and agrees not to commence
any litigation relating thereto except in such courts), waives any objection to the laying of venue
of any such litigation in the Maryland Courts and agrees not to plead or claim in any Maryland
Court that such litigation brought therein has been brought in any inconvenient forum. Each of the
parties hereto agrees, (a) to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process
in the State of Maryland, to appoint and maintain an agent in the State of Maryland as such party’s
agent for acceptance of legal process, and (b) that service of process may also be made on such
party by prepaid certified mail to the address for notice in Section 10.02 with a proof of mailing
receipt validated by the United States Postal Service constituting evidence of valid service.
Service made pursuant to (a) or (b) above shall have the same legal force and effect as if served
upon such party personally within the State of Maryland.
Section 10.10 Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 10.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission) in two or
more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when
executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same agreement.
Section 10.12 Waiver. Except as provided in this Agreement, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including
any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party
taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
contained in this Agreement. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision hereunder
shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach of the same or any
other provision hereunder.
Section 10.13 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law any
right it may have to a trial by jury with respect to any litigation directly or indirectly arising
out of, under or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Each of the parties hereto (a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of
any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that
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such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce that foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it and the
other parties hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual
waivers and certifications in this Section 10.13.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Buyer Parties and Company Parties have caused this Agreement to
be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized.
RIVER HOLDING, LP, | ||||
By: | Tishman Speyer Real Estate Venture VII, L.L.C., its general partner | |||
By: | Tishman Speyer U.S. Value-Added Associates VII, L.L.C., its general partner | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Vice President and Secretary | |||
RIVER ACQUISITION (MD), LP | ||||
By: | River General Partner, LLC, its general partner | |||
By: | River Holding, LP, its sole member | |||
By: | Tishman Speyer Real Estate Venture VII, L.L.C., its general partner | |||
By: | Tishman Speyer U.S. Value-Added Associates VII, L.L.C., its general partner | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Vice President and Secretary | |||
RIVER TRUST ACQUISITION (MD), LLC | ||||
By: | River Acquisition (MD), LP | |||
By: | River General Partner, LLC, its general partner | |||
By: | River Holding, LP, its sole member | |||
By: | Tishman Speyer Real Estate Venture VII, L.L.C., its general partner | |||
By: | Tishman Speyer U.S. Value-Added Associates VII, L.L.C., its general partner | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Vice President and Secretary | |||
SIGNATURE PAGES TO THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
ARCHSTONE-XXXXX TRUST |
||||
By | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx. | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
ARCHSTONE-XXXXX OPERATING TRUST |
||||
By | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx. | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
SIGNATURE PAGES TO THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER