CREDIT AGREEMENT Dated as of September 12, 2006 between CNET NETWORKS, INC. and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
$60,000,000
Dated
as
of September 12, 2006
between
CNET
NETWORKS, INC.
and
BANK
OF AMERICA, N.A.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Section | Page | ||
Article
I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
|
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1
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1.01
Defined Terms
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1
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1.02
Other Interpretive Provisions
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16
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1.03
Accounting Terms
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16
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1.04
Rounding
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16
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1.05
References to Agreements and Laws
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17
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1.06
Times of Day
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17
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Article
II. THE COMMITMENT AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
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17
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2.01
Loans
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17
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2.02
Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans
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17
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2.03
Prepayments
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18
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2.04
Termination or Reduction of Commitment
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19
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2.05
Repayment of Loans
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19
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2.06
Interest
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19
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2.07
Fees
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20
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2.08
Computation of Interest and Fees
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20
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2.09
Evidence of Debt
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21
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2.10
Payments Generally
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21
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Article
III. TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
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21
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3.01
Taxes
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21
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3.02
Illegality
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23
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3.03
Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rate
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23
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3.04
Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy
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23
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3.05
Funding Losses
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24
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3.06
Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans
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25
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3.07
Requests for Compensation
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25
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3.08
Survival
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25
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Article
IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
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25
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4.01
Conditions of Initial Credit Extension
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25
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i
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
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4.02
Conditions to all Credit Extensions
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27
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Article
V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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28
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5.01
Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws
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28
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5.02
Authorization; No Contravention
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28
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5.03
Governmental Authorization; Other Consents
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28
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5.04
Binding Effect
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28
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5.05
Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect
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28
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5.06
Litigation
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29
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5.07
No Default
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29
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5.08
Ownership of Property; Liens
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29
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5.09
Environmental Compliance
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29
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5.10
Insurance
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30
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5.11
Taxes
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30
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5.12
ERISA Compliance
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30
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5.13
Subsidiaries
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30
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5.14
Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act
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31
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5.15
Collateral Documents
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31
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5.16
Disclosure
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31
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5.17
Compliance with Laws
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31
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5.18
Intellectual Property, Licenses, Etc
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|
31
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|
Article
VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
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32
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6.01
Financial Statements
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32
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6.02
Certificates; Other Information
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33
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6.03
Notices
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34
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6.04
Payment of Obligations
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34
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6.05
Preservation of Existence, Etc
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34
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6.06
Maintenance of Properties
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|
35
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6.07
Maintenance of Insurance
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35
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6.08
Compliance with Laws
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35
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6.09
Books and Records
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35
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|
ii
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
|
|||
6.10
Inspection Rights
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|
35
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6.11
Use of Proceeds
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|
36
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6.12
Additional Guarantors
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36
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6.13
Further Assurances
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|
36
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6.14
Maintenance of Accounts
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36
|
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Article
VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
|
|
36
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7.01
Liens
|
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36
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7.02
Investments
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38
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7.03
Indebtedness
|
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38
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7.04
Fundamental Changes
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39
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7.05
Dispositions
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|
40
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7.06
Restricted Payments
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40
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7.07
Change in Nature of Business
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41
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7.08
Transactions with Affiliates
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41
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7.09
Burdensome Agreements
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41
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7.10
Use of Proceeds
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41
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7.11
Fiscal Year
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42
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7.12
Financial Covenants
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|
42
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7.13
Capital Expenditures
|
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42
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Article
VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
|
|
42
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8.01
Events of Default
|
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42
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8.02
Remedies Upon Event of Default
|
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44
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8.03
Application of Funds
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45
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Article
IX. MISCELLANEOUS
|
|
45
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9.01
Amendments; Etc
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45
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9.02
Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies
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45
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9.03
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies
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|
46
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9.04
Attorney Costs, Expenses and Taxes
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|
46
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9.05
Indemnification by the Borrower
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|
47
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9.06
Payments Set Aside
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47
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iii
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
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9.07
Successors and Assigns
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48
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9.08
Confidentiality
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50
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9.09
Set-off
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50
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9.10
Automatic Debits
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51
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9.11
Interest Rate Limitation
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51
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9.12
Counterparts
|
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51
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9.13
Integration
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51
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9.14
Survival of Representations and Warranties
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51
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9.15
Severability
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|
52
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9.16
Governing Law; Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial
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52
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9.17
USA Patriot Act Notice
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54
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9.18
Time of the Essence
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54
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9.19
Amendment and Restatement
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54
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SIGNATURES
|
|
S-1
|
|
5.06 |
Litigation
|
5.13 |
Subsidiaries
and Other Equity Investments
|
5.18 |
Intellectual
Property Matters
|
7.01 |
Existing
Liens
|
7.03 |
Existing
Indebtedness
|
9.02 |
Lending
Office, Addresses for Notices
|
EXHIBITS
Form
of
A |
Loan
Notice
|
B |
Revolving
Note
|
C |
Term
Note
|
D |
Compliance
Certificate
|
E |
Guaranty
|
F |
Security
Agreement
|
G |
Opinion
Matters
|
iv
This
CREDIT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”)
is
entered into as of September 12, 2006 by and between CNET NETWORKS, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”)
and
BANK
OF
AMERICA, N.A.
(the
“Lender”).
The
Borrower has requested that the Lender provide a revolving credit facility,
and
the Lender is willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth
herein.
In
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the
parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I.
DEFINITIONS
AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined
Terms.
As
used
in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:
“2005
Financial Statements”
means
the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements
of
income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
“Acquisition”
means
any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or
resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or
substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of any business or division
of a
Person, (b) the acquisi-tion of in excess of 50% of the capital stock,
partnership interests, membership interests or equity of any Person, or
otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or
consolidation or any other combination with another Person (other than a Person
that is a Subsidiary), provided
that the
Borrower or the Subsidiary is the surviving Person.
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through
one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common
Control with the Person specified. “Control”
means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability
to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling”
and
“Controlled”
have
meanings correlative thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person
possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote 10% or more of the securities
having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general
partners or the equivalent.
“Agreement”
means
this Credit Agreement.
“Applicable
Rate”
means
the following percentages per annum, based upon the Consolidated Leverage Ratio
as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Lender
pursuant to Section 6.02(b):
Pricing
Level
|
Consolidated
Leverage Ratio
|
Applicable
Rate for Eurodollar Rate Loans
|
Applicable
Rate for Base Rate Loans
|
Non-Use
Fee
|
1
|
≥3.00:1
|
2.25%
|
0%
|
.30%
|
2
|
<3.00:1
but ≥2.00:1
|
2.00%
|
0%
|
.25%
|
3
|
<2.00:1
|
1.50%
|
0%
|
.20%
|
Any
increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business
Day
of the month immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is
delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b);
provided,
however,
that if
a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such
Section, then Pricing Level 1 shall apply as of the first Business Day after
the
date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered
until the first Business Day of the month immediately following the date that
the required Compliance Certificate is delivered. The Applicable Rate in effect
from the Closing Date through the first Business Day of the month immediately
following delivery of the Compliance Certificate with respect to the Borrower’s
fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2006 shall be determined based upon
Pricing Level 3.
“Attorney
Costs”
means
and includes all fees, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other
external counsel and, without duplication, the allocated cost of internal legal
services and all expenses and disbursements of internal counsel.
“Attributable
Indebtedness”
means,
on any date, (a) in respect of any capital lease of any Person, the
capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person
prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any
Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease
payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such
Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were
accounted for as a capital lease.
“Availability
Period”
means
the period from and including the Closing Date to the earlier of (a) the
Revolving Maturity Date and (b) the date of termination of the
Commitment.
“Base
Rate”
means
for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the
Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the rate of interest in effect
for such day as publicly announced from time to time by the Lender as its “prime
rate.” The “prime rate” is a rate set by the Lender based upon various factors
including the Lender’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and
other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which
may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate
announced by the Lender shall take effect at the opening of business on the
day
specified in the public announcement of such change.
2
“Base
Rate Loan”
means
a
Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
“Borrower”
has
the
meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Business
Day”
means
any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks
are
authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state
where
the Lending Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate
Loan, means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted
by
and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.
“Change
of Control”
means,
with respect to any Person, an event or series of events by which:
(a) any
“person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such
person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity
as
trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes
the
“beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act,
except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of
all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire (such right,
an “option
right”),
whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of
time), directly or indirectly, of 30%
or
more of the equity securities of such Person entitled to vote for members of
the
board of directors or equivalent governing body of such Person on a
fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such
person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right);
or
(b) during
any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board
of
directors or other equivalent governing body of such Person cease to be composed
of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing
body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to
that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred
to
in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination
at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or
(iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent
governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and
(ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least
a majority of that board or equivalent governing body (excluding, in the case
of
both clause (ii) and clause (iii), any individual whose initial nomination
for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board or equivalent governing
body occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies
or
consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person
or
group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by
or
on behalf of the board of directors).
“Closing
Date”
means
the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01
are
satisfied or waived by the Lender.
“Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
3
“Collateral”
means
all property and interests in property and proceeds thereof now owned or
hereafter acquired by the Borrower, any Guarantor or other Subsidiary in or
upon
which a Lien now or hereafter exists in favor of the Lender, or the Lender
on
behalf of itself and its Affiliates, whether under this Agreement or under
any
Collateral Documents.
“Collateral
Documents”
means,
collectively, (i) the Security Agreement and all other security agreements,
pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, and other similar agreements
between the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Subsidiary and the Lender,
or
the Lender on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, now or hereafter delivered
to
the Lender or any such Affiliates, pursuant to or in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, and all financing statements (or comparable
documents now or hereafter filed in accordance with the Uniform Commercial
Code
or comparable law) against the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Subsidiary
as debtor in favor of the Lender, or the Lender on behalf of itself and its
Affiliates, as secured party, and (ii) any amendments, supplements,
modifications, renewals, replacements, consolidations, substitutions and
extensions of any of the foregoing.
“Commitment”
means
the obligation of the Lender to make Loans hereunder in an aggregate principal
amount at any one time not to exceed $60,000,000, as such amount may be adjusted
from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
“Compliance
Certificate”
means
a
certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D.
“Consolidated
EBITDA”
means,
for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as determined on a
consolidated basis, the sum (without duplication) of: (i) an amount equal
to Consolidated Net Income for such period, (ii) Consolidated Interest
Charges for such period, (iii) the provision for federal, state, local and
foreign income taxes payable by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such
period, (iv) the amount of depreciation and amortization expense deducted
in determining such Consolidated Net Income and (v) all non-cash
extraordinary, non-recurring, transactional or unusual losses or expenses
deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income less non-cash extraordinary,
non-recurring, transactional or unusual gains added in calculating Consolidated
Net Income. Without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower shall be entitled
to
include charges and expenses, whether cash or non-cash, in respect of legal
fees, accounting expenses, and fees and charges of other professional advisors
arising out of or relating to (w) Borrower’s review of its stock option
practices and related accounting issues, (x) consent solicitations in
respect of the Convertible Indebtedness (including any consent fees payable
in
connection therewith), (y) litigation related to any Disclosed Matters
(including any judgments or settlement payments in connection with such
litigation), and (z) any tax liabilities incurred in connection with the
Disclosed Matters; provided
that,
Borrower may include such amounts only up to a total of $15,000,000 in any
rolling 12-month period.
“Consolidated
Funded Indebtedness”
means,
as of any date of determination, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the sum of (a) the outstanding
principal amount of all obligations, whether current or long-term, for borrowed
money (including Obligations hereunder) and all obligations evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments, (b) all
purchase money Indebtedness, (c) all obligations in respect of the deferred
purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in
the
ordinary course of business), (d) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of
capital leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations, (e) without duplication,
all Guarantees with respect to outstanding Indebtedness of the types specified
in clauses (a) through (d) above of Persons other than the Borrower or
any Subsidiary, and (f) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in
clauses (a) through (e) above of any partnership or joint venture
(other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability
company) in which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is a general partner or joint
venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to the
Borrower or such Subsidiary.
4
“Consolidated
Interest Charges”
means,
for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as determined on a
consolidated basis, the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt
discount, fees, charges and related expenses of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in connection with borrowed money (in-cluding capitalized interest)
or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to
the
extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, and (b) the portion of
rent expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to such period
under capital leases that is treated as interest in accordance with
GAAP.
“Consolidated
Leverage Ratio”
means,
as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded
Indebtedness as of such date to (b) TTM EBITDA for the period of the four
fiscal quarters most recently ended for which the Borrower has delivered
financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or
(b).
“Consolidated
Net Income”
means,
for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as determined on a
consolidated basis, the net income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
that
period. To the extent deducted in determining such net income, such
determination may exclude non-cash compensation expense or other non-cash
charges or expenses arising from the granting of options or other forms of
equity compensation or any repricing thereof.
“Contractual
Obligation”
means,
as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of
any
agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party
or by
which it or any of its property is bound.
“Control”
has
the
meaning specified in the definition of “Affiliate.”
“Convertible
Indebtedness”
means
the Borrower’s 0.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024, in an aggregate
principal amount of $125,000,000, issued under the Indenture dated as of April
27, 2004 between the Borrower and Xxxxx Fargo Bank, National
Association.
“Credit
Extension”
means
a
borrowing of a Loan.
“Debtor
Relief Laws”
means
the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation,
conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors,
moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar
debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from
time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors
generally.
“Default”
means
any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the
giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of
Default.
5
“Default
Rate”
means
an interest rate equal to (a) the Base Rate plus
(b) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus
(c) 2% per annum; provided,
however,
that
with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest
rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise
applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum, in each case to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable Laws.
“Disclosed
Matters”
means
any matters set forth in the Disclosure Letter.
“Disclosure
Letter”
means
the Disclosure Letter, dated as of the date hereof, executed by the Borrower
and
addressed to the Lender.
“Disposition”
or
“Dispose”
means
the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale
and
leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale,
assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes
or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated
therewith.
“Dollar”
and
“$”
mean
lawful money of the United States.
“Domestic
Subsidiary”
means
any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision
of
the United States.
“Eligible
Assignee”
has
the
meaning specified in Section 9.07(f).
“Environmental
Laws”
means
any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations,
ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants,
franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to
pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials
into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes,
air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.
“ERISA”
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
“ERISA
Affiliate”
means
any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with
the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the
Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions
relating to Section 412 of the Code).
“ERISA
Event”
means
(a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a
withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject
to
Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial
employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of
operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under
Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by
the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification
that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice
of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination
under
Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the
PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or
condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension
Plan
or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under Title
IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under
Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate.
6
“Eurodollar
Rate”
means,
for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per
annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“BBA
LIBOR”),
as
published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing
quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by the Lender from time to time) at
approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on
the
first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest
Period. If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the
“Eurodollar Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum
determined by the Lender to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for
delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the
approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being made, continued or
converted by the Lender and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period
would
be offered by the Lender’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank
eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time)
two
Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.
“Eurodollar
Rate Loan”
means
a
Loan that bears interest based on the Eurodollar Rate.
“Event
of Default”
has
the
meaning specified in Section 8.01.
“Exchange
Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
“Excluded
Subsidiary”
shall
mean any non-Domestic Subsidiary or any Domestic Subsidiary that meets both
of
the following requirements: (a) such Subsidiary has aggregate consolidated
assets, based on the book value of such assets, as determined on the last day
of
the most recently completed fiscal quarter of the Borrower, or, if later, at
the
time of formation or Acquisition of such Subsidiary, of less than
five
percent (5%) of the book value
of the
consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; and (b) such
Subsidiary has aggregate consolidated revenues for the most recently completed
four fiscal quarters of such Subsidiary, of less than five
percent (5%) of
the
consolidated revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, for the most
recently completed fiscal quarter of the Borrower.
“Existing
Credit Agreement”
means
that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2004, by and between
the Borrower and the Lender.
“Federal
Funds Rate” means,
for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates
on
overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System
arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day;
provided
that
(a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day
shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day
as so
published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is
so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for
such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole
multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to the Lender on such day on such transactions
as determined by the Lender.
7
“Fee
Letter”
means
the letter agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Borrower and
the
Lender.
“FRB”
means
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United
States.
“GAAP”
means
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in
the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements
of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be
approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United
States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of
determination, consistently applied.
“Governmental
Authority”
means
any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof,
any
agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, administrative
tribunal, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative,
judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or
pertaining to government.
“Guarantors”
means,
collectively, INET Centric Finance Inc. and any Domestic Subsidiary (other
than
an Excluded Subsidiary) hereafter acceding to the Guaranty in accordance with
Section 6.12.
“Guaranty”
means
the Guaranty made by the Guarantors in favor of the Lender, substantially in
the
form of Exhibit E.
“Guarantee”
means,
as to any Person, any (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such
Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any
Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the
“primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including
any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay
(or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness
or
other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or
services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness
or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other
obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other
financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow
of
the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness
or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in
any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation
of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss
in
respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of
such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person,
whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person.
The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated
or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof,
in
respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable,
the
maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by
the
guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a
corresponding meaning.
8
“Indebtedness”
means,
as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the
following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance
with GAAP:
(a) all
obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar
instruments;
(b) all
direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit
(including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties,
surety bonds and similar instruments;
(c) net
obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;
(d) all
obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or
services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of
business);
(e) indebtedness
(excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or
being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional
sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness
shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse (but in no
case
exceeding the value of such property in the case of any non-recourse
indebtedness);
(f) capital
leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations; and
(g) all
Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.
For
all
purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness
of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself
a
corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general
partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made
non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap
Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof
as
of such date. The amount of any capital lease or Synthetic Lease Obligation
as
of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Indebtedness in
respect thereof as of such date.
“Indemnified
Liabilities”
has
the
meaning specified in
Section 9.05.
“Indemnitees”
has
the
meaning specified in Section 9.05.
“Insignificant
Foreign Subsidiary”
shall
mean any non-Domestic Subsidiary that meets both of the following requirements:
(a) such Subsidiary has aggregate consolidated assets, based on the book
value of such assets, as determined on the last day of the most recently
completed fiscal quarter of the Borrower, or, if later, at the time of formation
or Acquisition of such Subsidiary, of less than
two
percent (2%) of the book value
of the
consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; and (b) such
Subsidiary has aggregate consolidated revenues for the most recently completed
four fiscal quarters of such Subsidiary, of less than two
percent
(2%) of
the
consolidated revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, for the most
recently completed fiscal quarter of the Borrower.
9
“Interest
Payment Date”
means
the last Business Day of each calendar month and the Revolving Maturity Date,
in
the case of Revolving Loans, or the applicable Term Loan Maturity Date, in
the
case of any Term Loans.
“Interest
Period”
means,
as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such
Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar
Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter,
as
selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice; provided
that:
(i) any
Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day
shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business
Day
falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end
on
the next preceding Business Day;
(ii) any
Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or
on
a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month
at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the
calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;
(iii) no
Interest Period for any Term Loan shall extend beyond the applicable Term Loan
Maturity Date and no Interest Period for any Revolving Loan shall extend beyond
the Revolving Maturity Date; and
(iv) the
Borrower may select Interest Periods with respect to Term Loans which commence
before and end after a principal payment date only to the extent that the Base
Rate Loans to be outstanding on such principal payment date and the Eurodollar
Rate Loans with Interest Periods ending on or before such principal payment
date
at least equal in principal amount to the required principal payment on
such principal
payment date.
“Investment”
means,
as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such
Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of
capital stock or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or
capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or
other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in,
another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such
other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction
or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a
business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment
shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent
increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
“IP
Rights”
has
the
meaning specified in Section 5.18.
10
“IRS”
means
the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“Laws”
means,
collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes,
treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative
or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or
administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the
enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable
administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations
and
permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case
whether or not having the force of law.
“L/C
Agreements”
means
(i) that certain Application and Agreement for Standby Letter of Credit,
dated March 31, 2005, between the Borrower and the Lender, and (ii) any
other or additional application and agreement entered into by the Borrower
and
the Lender providing for the issuance or amendment of any letters of
credit.
“Lender”
has
the
meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Lending
Office”
means
the office or offices of the Lender described as such on Schedule 9.02,
or such
other office or offices as the Lender may from time to time notify the
Borrower.
“Lien”
means
any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement,
encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or
other
security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any
financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the
foregoing).
“Loan”
an
extension of credit by the Lender to the Borrower under Section 2.01
and
includes a Revolving Loan or a Term Loan.
“Loan
Documents”
means
this Agreement, any Note, the Fee Letter, the Guaranty, the L/C Agreements
and
the Collateral Documents.
“Loan
Notice”
means
a
notice of (a) a borrowing of a Loan, (b) a conversion of a Loan from
one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan as
the same Type, pursuant to Section 2.02(a),
which,
if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
“Loan
Parties”
means,
collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor and
each
other Subsidiary party to any Loan Document.
“Material
Adverse Effect”
means
(a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the
operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), condition
(financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Loan
Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party;
or (c) a material adverse effect upon (i) the legality, validity,
binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document
to
which it is a party or (ii) the perfection or priority of any Lien granted
under any of the Collateral Documents; provided
that no
Disclosed Matter shall be considered to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
11
“Multiemployer
Plan”
means
any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to
make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been
obligated to make contributions.
“Note”
means
a
Revolving Note or a Term Note.
“Obligations”
means
all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties
of,
any Loan Party owing to the Lender or any Affiliate thereof under any Loan
Document, including all monetary amounts owing to the Lender and arising under
any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, whether direct or
indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent,
due
or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest
and
fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any
Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such
Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest
and
fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.
“Organization
Documents”
means,
(a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of
incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents
with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited
liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization
and
operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint
venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture
or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement,
instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with
its
formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the
jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any
certificate or articles of formation or organization of such
entity.
“Outstanding
Amount”
means
with respect to Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount
thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments
of
Loans occurring on such date.
“Participant”
has
the
meaning specified in Section 9.07(c).
“PBGC”
means
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
“Pension
Plan”
means
any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to
Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate or to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has
an
obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan
described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any
time during the immediately preceding five plan years.
12
“Permitted
Acquisition”
means
any Acquisition that conforms to the following requirements: (a) the
assets, Person, division or line of business to be acquired is in a
substantially similar or related line of business as the Borrower, (b) if
the cash consideration for such Acquisition is greater than $10,000,000, the
Lender shall have received, no less than five Business Days prior to the
consummation of such Acquisition, reasonably adequate financial information
regarding the assets, Person or business to be acquired, including the most
recent audited financial statements, if available, but in any case the most
recently prepared balance sheet, statement of income and statement of cash
flows
for the assets, Person or business to be acquired and pro forma projected
financial statements showing the effect of the Acquisition of the assets, Person
or business on the Borrower, including a balance sheet for the Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries as of the time of the Acquisition and one-year projected statements
of income and cash flows for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (c) all
transactions related to such Acquisition shall be consummated in accordance
with
applicable Laws, (d) such Acquisition shall be non-hostile in nature and
not involve any transaction subject to Section 13(d) or 14(d) of
the Exchange Act, (e) the prior, effective written consent or approval to
such Acquisition of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of
the
acquiree is obtained, (f) immediately after giving effect to such
Acquisition: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) 80% of the capital stock of any
acquired or newly formed corporation, partnership, limited liability company
or
other business entity is owned directly by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary
of the Borrower, and all actions required to be taken, if any, with respect
to
such acquired or newly formed Subsidiary under Section 6.12
shall
have been taken, (iii) such Acquisition shall be Consolidated EBITDA
accretive, if such Acquisition involves consideration of $10,000,000 or more,
and (iv) if the Acquisition involves consideration of $10,000,000 or more,
the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis after giving effect
to
such Acquisition, with the covenants contained in Section 7.11
recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of
the
Borrower as if such Acquisition had occurred on the first day of each relevant
period for testing such compliance, and the Borrower shall have delivered to
the
Lender a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to such effect,
together with all relevant financial computations evidencing such compliance,
and (g) the Lender shall have consented in writing to the consummation of
such Acquisition, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld if all of
the
foregoing conditions are met; provided,
however,
that no
such consent shall be required if Loan proceeds of less than $20,000,000 would
be used for such Acquisition.
“Permitted
Liens”
has
the
meaning specified in Section 7.01.
“Person”
means
any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint
venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other
entity.
“Plan”
means
any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA) established by the Borrower or, with respect to any such plan that is
subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA
Affiliate.
“Reportable
Event”
means
any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of
ERISA,
other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been
waived.
“Responsible
Officer”
means
the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer
or
assistant treasurer of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that
is
signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed
to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other
action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be
conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.
13
“Restricted
Payment”
means
any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other
property) with respect to any capital stock or other equity interest of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary (but in no event including the Convertible
Indebtedness), or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property),
including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase,
redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such
capital stock or other equity interest or of any option, warrant or other right
to acquire any such capital stock or other equity interest.
“Revolving
Loan”
has
the
meaning specified in Section 2.01.
“Revolving
Maturity Date”
means
October 14, 2007.
“Revolving
Note”
means
a
promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of the Lender evidencing Revolving
Loans made by the Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
“SEC”
means
the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding
to any of its principal functions.
“Security
Agreement”
means
a
security agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit F.
“Seller
Debt”
has
the
meaning specified in Section 7.03(f).
“Subsidiary”
of
a
Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability
company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities
or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors
or
other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power
only
by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned,
or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise
specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall
refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
“Swap
Contract”
means
(a) any and all rate swap transactions, 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 swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions,
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 (b) 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., any International Foreign Exchange Master
Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together
with any related schedules, a “Master
Agreement”),
including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master
Agreement.
14
“Swap
Termination Value”
means,
in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the
effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap
Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have
been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith,
such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date
referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the xxxx-to-market
value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more
mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized
dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include the Lender or any Affiliate
of
the Lender).
“Synthetic
Lease Obligation”
means
the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic,
off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use
or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance
sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such
Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without
regard to accounting treatment).
“Term
Loan”
has
the
meaning specified in Section 2.01.
“Term
Loan Maturity Date”
has
the
meaning specified in Section 2.05.
“Term
Note”
means
a
promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of the Lender evidencing Term
Loans made by the Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
“Threshold
Amount”
means
$10,000,000.
“Total
Outstandings”
means
the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans.
“TTM
EBITDA”
means,
at any time, Consolidated EBITDA, as calculated as on the last day of the most
recently completed fiscal quarter of the Borrower on a trailing twelve month
basis.
“Type”
means,
with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate
Loan.
“Unfunded
Pension Liability”
means
the excess of a Pension Plan’s
benefit
liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of
that Pension Plan’s
assets,
determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension
Plan
pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the applicable plan
year.
“United
States”
and
“U.S.”
mean
the United States of America.
“Unrestricted
Liquidity”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 7.12(c).
15
With
reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise
specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The
meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural
forms of the defined terms.
(b)
(i) The
words
“herein,”
“hereto,”
“hereof”
and
“hereunder”
and
words of similar import when used in any Loan Document shall refer to such
Loan
Document as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.
(ii) Article,
Section, Exhibit and Schedule references are to the Loan Document in
which such reference appears.
(iii) The
term
“including”
is
by
way of example and not limitation.
(iv) The
term
“documents”
includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices,
reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether
in
physical or electronic form.
(c) In
the
computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date,
the word “from”
means
“from
and including;”
the
words “to”
and
“until”
each
mean “to
but
excluding;”
and
the word “through”
means
“to
and
including.”
(d) Section headings
herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference
only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other
Loan
Document.
1.03 Accounting
Terms. (a) All
accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be
construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios
and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this
Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent
basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with
that
used in preparing the 2005 Financial Statements, except
as
otherwise specifically prescribed herein.
(b) If
at any
time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio
or
requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the
Lender shall so request, the Lender and the Borrower shall negotiate in good
faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof
in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Lender),
provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall
continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein
and
(ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Lender financial statements and
other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested
hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio
or
requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in
GAAP.
1.04 Rounding.
Any
financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this
Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the
other
component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places
by
which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to
the
nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
16
1.05 References
to Agreements and Laws. Unless
otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to Organization
Documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual
instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements,
extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent
that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other
modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document; and (b) references
to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating,
amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.
1.06 Times
of Day. Unless
otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references
to Pacific time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
ARTICLE
II.
THE
COMMITMENT
AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01 Loans.
(i) Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Lender agrees to make loans
(each such loan, a “Revolving
Loan”)
to the
Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period,
in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of
the
Commitment; provided,
however,
that
after giving effect to any borrowing, the Total Outstandings shall not exceed
the Commitment. (ii) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,
the Lender agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “Term
Loan”)
to the
Borrower from time to time (but in any event no later than six months prior
to
the Revolving Maturity Date), on any Business Day during the Availability
Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount
of the Commitment; provided,
however,
that
after giving effect to any borrowing, the Total Outstandings shall not exceed
the Commitment. (iii) Within the limits of the Commitment, and subject to
the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this
Section 2.01,
prepay
under Section 2.03,
and
reborrow under this Section 2.01.
A Loan
may be a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan, as further provided herein.
2.02 Borrowings,
Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
(a) Each
borrowing, each conversion of a Loan from one Type to the other, and each
continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be made upon the Borrower’s
irrevocable notice to the Lender, which may be given by telephone. Each such
notice must be received by the Lender not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three
Business Days prior to the requested date of any borrowing of, conversion to
or
continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or of any conversion of a Eurodollar
Rate
Loan to a Base Rate Loan, and (ii) on the requested date of any borrowing
of a Base Rate Loan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
but subject to the provisions of Section 9.02(d),
any
such telephonic notice may be given by an individual who has been authorized
in
writing to do so by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Each such telephonic
notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Lender of a written Loan
Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower. Each borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of a Eurodollar
Rate
Loan shall be in a principal amount of $250,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000
in excess thereof. Each borrowing of or conversion to a Base Rate Loan shall
be
in a principal amount of
17
$100,000
or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice (whether
telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting
a borrowing, a conversion of a Loan from one Type to the other, or a
continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, (ii) the requested date of the
borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a
Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of the Loan to be borrowed,
converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loan to be borrowed or to which an
existing Loan is to be converted, and (iv) whether a Revolving Loan or Term
Loan is requested, (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period
with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a
Loan
Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion
or continuation, then the applicable Loan shall be made as, or converted to,
a
Base Rate Loan. Any such automatic conversion to a Base Rate Loan shall be
effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect
to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loan. If the Borrower requests a borrowing
of,
conversion to, or continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan in any such Loan
Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have
specified an Interest Period of one month.
(b) Upon
satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02
(and, if
a borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01),
the
Lender shall make the proceeds of each Loan available to the Borrower either
by
(i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Lender with
the amount of such proceeds or (ii) wire transfer of such proceeds, in each
case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable
to)
the Lender by the Borrower.
(c) Except
as
otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted
only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan. During
the existence of a Default, no Loan may be requested as, converted to or
continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent of the
Lender.
(d) The
Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower of the interest rate applicable to
any
Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan upon determination of such interest
rate. The determination of the Eurodollar Rate by the Lender shall be conclusive
in the absence of manifest error. At any time that a Base Rate Loan is
outstanding, the Lender shall notify the Borrower of any change in the Lender’s
prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public
announcement of such change.
(e) After
giving effect to all borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to
the
other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be
more
than ten Interest Periods in effect.
2.03 Prepayments.
(a) The
Borrower may, upon notice to the Lender, at any time or from time to time
voluntarily prepay any Loan in whole or in part without premium or penalty;
provided
that
(i) such notice must be received by the Lender not later than 12:00 p.m.
(A) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of a Eurodollar
Rate Loan, and (B) on the date of
18
prepayment
of a Base Rate Loan; (ii) any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be
in a principal amount of $250,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess
thereof; and (iii) any prepayment of a Base Rate Loan shall be in a
principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof
or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding.
Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment, the
Type(s) of Loan(s) to be prepaid and whether such prepayment is of Revolving
Loans or Term Loans (or a combination thereof). Partial prepayments of the
Term
Loans shall be applied to the installments of principal thereof in the inverse
order of maturity. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall
make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall
be
due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar
Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with
any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.
(b) If
for
any reason the Total Outstandings at any time exceed the Commitment then in
effect, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Loans in an aggregate amount
equal
to such excess.
2.04 Termination
or Reduction of Commitment.
The
Borrower may, upon notice to the Lender, terminate the Commitment, or from
time
to time permanently reduce the Commitment; provided
that
(i) any such notice shall be received by the Lender not later than 10:00
a.m., five Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction,
(ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $250,000
or any whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof, and (iii) the Borrower
shall not terminate or reduce the Commitment if, after giving effect thereto
and
to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Outstandings would exceed
the
Commitment. All non-use fees accrued until the effective date of any termination
of the Commitment shall be paid on the effective date of such
termination.
2.05 Repayment
of Loans.
(a) The
Borrower shall repay to the Lender on the Revolving Maturity Date the aggregate
principal amount of Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.
(b) The
Borrower shall repay to the Lender the principal amount of each Term Loan in
four substantially equal consecutive quarterly installments on the last Business
Day of each three month period measured from the date the Term Loan is made,
as
elected in writing by the Borrower, and commencing on the first such date to
occur after the date such Term Loan is made, to and including the date one
year
after the date such Term Loan is made, with the last such installment shall
be
in the amount necessary to repay in full the unpaid principal amount of the
Term
Loan; provided,
however,
that
each Term Loan shall be repaid in full no later than the date six months after
the Revolving Maturity Date and may not amortize beyond that date, unless the
Lender has consented thereto in writing. The final due date of each Term Loan
shall be herein referred to as the “Term
Loan Maturity Date”
for
such Term Loan.
2.06 Interest.
(a) Subject
to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each Eurodollar Rate
Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each
Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such
Interest Period plus
the
Applicable Rate; and (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the
outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at
a
rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus
the
Applicable Rate.
19
(b) If
any
amount payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due
(without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity,
by
acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a
fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate
to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws. Furthermore, while any Event
of
Default exists, if requested by the Lender in writing, the Borrower shall pay
interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at
a
fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate
to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws. Accrued and unpaid interest
on
past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and
payable upon demand.
(c) Interest
on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date
applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest
hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before
and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding
under any Debtor Relief Law.
2.07 Fees.
(a) Non-Use
Fee.
The
Borrower shall pay to the Lender a non-use fee equal to the Applicable Rate
times
the
actual daily amount by which the Commitment exceeds the Total Outstandings.
The
non-use fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including
at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV
is not
met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business
Day
of each quarter, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing
Date, and on the Revolving Maturity Date. The non-use fee shall be calculated
quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during
any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the
Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such
Applicable Rate was in effect.
(b) Other
Fees.
The
Borrower shall pay to the Lender additional fees in the amounts and at the
times
specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and
shall
not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
2.08 Computation
of Interest and Fees. All
computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined
by
the Lender’s “prime rate” shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366
days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of
fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days
elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid
than
if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each
Loan
for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any
portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid,
provided
that any
Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to
Section 2.10(a),
bear
interest for one day.
20
2.09 Evidence
of Debt.
The
Credit Extensions made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts
or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The
accounts or records maintained by the Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest
error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lender to the Borrower
and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error
in
doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of
the
Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations.
Upon
the request of the Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the
Lender
Notes, which shall evidence the Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or
records. The Lender may attach schedules to the Notes and endorse thereon
the
date, Type, amount and maturity of each Loan and payments with respect
thereto.
2.10 Payments
Generally.
(a) All
payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction
for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be
made
to the Lender at the applicable Lending Office in Dollars and in immediately
available funds not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. All
payments received by the Lender after 1:00 p.m. shall be deemed received
on the
next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue
to accrue.
(b) If
any
payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business
Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such
extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the
case
may be.
(c) Nothing
herein shall be deemed to obligate the Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan
in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by the
Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any
particular place or manner.
ARTICLE
III.
TAXES,
YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes.
(a) Any
and
all payments by the Borrower to or for the account of the Lender under any
Loan
Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and
all
present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments,
fees,
withholdings or similar charges, and all liabilities with respect thereto,
excluding
taxes
imposed on or measured by its overall net income, and franchise taxes imposed
on
it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political
subdivision thereof) under the Laws of which the Lender is organized or
maintains a lending office (all such non-excluded taxes, duties, levies,
imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, and
liabilities being hereinafter referred to as “Taxes”).
If
the Borrower shall be required by any Laws to deduct any Taxes from or in
respect of any sum payable under any Loan Document to the Lender, (i) the
sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required
deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under
this Section), the Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have
received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make
such deductions, (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to
the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable
Laws, and (iv) within 30 days after the date of such payment, the Borrower
shall furnish to the Lender the original or a certified copy of a receipt
evidencing payment thereof.
21
(b) In
addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or future stamp, court
or documentary taxes and any other excise or property taxes or charges or
similar levies which arise from any payment made under any Loan Document or
from
the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or
otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document (hereinafter referred to as
“Other
Taxes”).
(c) If
the
Borrower shall be required to deduct or pay any Taxes or Other Taxes from or
in
respect of any sum payable under any Loan Document to the Lender, the Borrower
shall also pay to the Lender, at the time interest is paid, such additional
amount that the Lender specifies is necessary to preserve the after-tax yield
(after factoring in all taxes, including taxes imposed on or measured by net
income) that the Lender would have received if such Taxes or Other Taxes had
not
been imposed.
(d) The
Borrower agrees to indemnify the Lender for (i) the full amount of Taxes
and Other Taxes (including any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted by
any
jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Lender,
(ii) amounts payable under Section 3.01(c) and
(iii) any liability (including additions to tax, penalties, interest and
expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, in each case whether or
not
such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by
the
relevant Governmental Authority. Payment under this subsection (d) shall be
made within 30 days after the date the Lender makes a demand
therefor.
22
3.02 Illegality.
If
the
Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental
Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for the Lender or its Lending
Office
to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans, or to determine or charge
interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, then, on notice thereof by
the
Lender to the Borrower, any obligation of the Lender to make or continue
Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans
shall be suspended until the Lender notifies the Borrower that the circumstances
giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice,
the Borrower shall, upon demand from the Lender, prepay or, if applicable,
convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, either on the last
day of
the Interest Period therefor, if the Lender may lawfully continue to maintain
such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if the Lender may
not
lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans. Upon any such
prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on
the
amount so prepaid or converted. The Lender agrees to designate a different
Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and
will
not, in the good faith judgment of the Lender, otherwise be materially
disadvantageous to the Lender.
3.03 Inability
to Determine Eurodollar Rate. If
the
Lender determines that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not
exist
for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with
respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan, or that the Eurodollar Rate for
any
requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan
does
not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lender of funding such
Loan,
the Lender will promptly so notify the Borrower. Thereafter, the obligation
of
the Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until
the Lender revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower
may
revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation
of
a Eurodollar Rate Loan or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted
such
request into a request for a borrowing of a Base Rate Loan in the amount
specified therein.
3.04 Increased
Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy.
(a) If
the
Lender determines that as a result of the introduction of or any change in
or in
the interpretation of any Law, or the Lender’s compliance therewith, there shall
be any increase in the cost to the Lender of agreeing to make or making,
funding
or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans, or a reduction in the amount received
or
receivable by the Lender in connection with any of the foregoing (excluding
for
purposes of this subsection (a) any such increased costs or reduction in
amount resulting from (i) Taxes or Other Taxes (as to which Section 3.01
shall
govern) and (ii) reserve requirements (except any reserve requirement
contemplated by Section 3.06),
then
from time to time upon demand of the Lender, the Borrower shall pay to the
Lender such additional amounts as will compensate the Lender for such increased
cost or reduction.
(b) If
the
Lender determines that the introduction of any Law regarding capital adequacy
or
any change therein or in the interpretation thereof, or compliance by the Lender
(or its Lending Office) therewith, has the effect of reducing the rate of return
on the capital of the Lender or any corporation controlling the Lender as a
consequence of the Lender’s obligations hereunder (taking into consideration its
policies with respect to capital adequacy and the Lender’s desired return on
capital), then from time to time upon demand of the Lender, the Borrower shall
pay to the Lender such additional amounts as will compensate the Lender for
such
reduction.
23
(c) If
the
Lender requests compensation under this Section 3.04,
then
the Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office
for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and
obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if,
in
the judgment of the Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would
eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to this Section 3.04
in the
future, and (ii) would not subject the Lender to any unreimbursed cost or
expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to the Lender. The Borrower
hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Lender
in
connection with any such designation or assignment.
(d) Failure
or delay on the part of the Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the
foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04
shall
not constitute a waiver of the Lender’s right to demand such compensation,
provided
that the
Borrower shall not be required to compensate the Lender pursuant to the
foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04
for any
increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 120 days prior to
the
date that the Lender notifies the Borrower of the Lender’s intention to claim
reimbursement under this Section 3.04
(except
that, if the Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is
retroactive, then the 120 day period referred to above shall be extended to
include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
3.05 Funding
Losses. Upon
demand of the Lender from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate
the Lender for and hold the Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense
incurred by it as a result of:
(a) any
continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base
Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such
Loan
(whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or
otherwise); or
(b) any
failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of the Lender
to
make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base
Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower,
and
any
loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained
by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits
from
which such funds were obtained.
The
Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by the Lender
in connection with the foregoing.
For
purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lender under
this
Section 3.05,
the
Lender
shall be
deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan at the Eurodollar Rate for
such
Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar
market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not
such
Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.
24
3.06 Reserves
on Eurodollar Rate Loans.
The
Borrower shall pay to the Lender, as long as the Lender shall be required
to
maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or
including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency
liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each
Eurodollar Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated
to
such Loan by the Lender (as determined by the Lender in good faith, which
determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each
date
on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided
the
Borrower shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice of such additional
interest from the Lender. If the Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior
to
the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due
and
payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.
3.07 Requests
for Compensation. A
certificate of the Lender
claiming
compensation under this Article III
and
setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder
shall
be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount,
the
Lender
may use
any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.
3.08 Survival.
All
of
the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III
shall
survive termination of the Commitment and repayment of all other Obligations
hereunder.
ARTICLE
IV.
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01 Conditions
of Initial Credit Extension. The
obligation of the Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is
subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) The
Lender’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or
facsimiles (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each
properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, each
dated
the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials,
a
recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance satisfactory
to the Lender and its legal counsel:
(i) executed
counterparts of this Agreement and the Guaranty, sufficient in number for
distribution to the Lender and the Borrower;
(ii) if
requested by the Lender, a Revolving Note executed by the Borrower;
(iii) such
certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or
other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Lender
may
require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible
Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a
party;
(iv) such
documents and certifications as the Lender may reasonably require to evidence
that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that each
Loan
Party is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in
business
in
California, Delaware and each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or
operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
25
(v) a
favorable opinion of legal counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Lender,
as to the matters set forth in Exhibit G
and such
other matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Lender
may reasonably request;
(vi) a
certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party either
(A) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party
and
the validity against such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a
party, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and
effect, or (B) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so
required;
(vii) a
certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying
(A) that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and
(b) have
been
satisfied, and (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since the
date of the 2005 Financial Statements that has had or could be reasonably
expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect;
and
(C) a calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the last day of
the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended prior to the Closing
Date;
(viii) the
Collateral Documents, including control agreements with respect to the bank
and
investment accounts of the Loan Parties, executed by each Loan Party and other
Persons required to be a party thereto, in appropriate form for recording or
filing, where necessary, together with:
(A) acknowledgment
copies of all UCC-l financing statements filed, registered or recorded to
perfect the security interests of the Lender, or the Lender for its benefit
and
the benefit of its Affiliates, or other evidence satisfactory to the Lender
that
there has been filed, registered or recorded (or arrangements made with a
reputable filing service to file, register or record) all financing statements
and other filings, registrations and recordings necessary and advisable to
perfect the Liens of the Lender, or the Lender for its benefit and the benefit
of its Affiliates, in accordance with applicable law;
(B) written
advice relating to such Lien and judgment searches as the Lender shall have
requested, and such termination statements or other documents as may be
necessary to confirm that the Collateral is subject to no other Liens in favor
of any Persons (other than Permitted Liens);
(x) evidence
that all other actions necessary or, in the opinion of the Lender, desirable
to
perfect and protect the first priority Lien created by the Collateral Documents,
and to enhance the Lender’s ability to preserve and protect its interests in and
access to the Collateral, have been taken;
26
(xi) evidence
that the Lender has been named as loss payee under all policies of casualty
insurance under a Form 438BFU or other standard lender’s loss payable
endorsement, and as additional insured under all policies of liability
insurance, required in accordance with Section 6.07
and the
Collateral Documents, together with a certificate of insurance as to all
insurance coverage on the properties of the Loan Parties;
(xii) evidence
that all amounts owing under the Existing Credit Agreement have been, or
concurrently with the Closing Date are, paid (other than the principal amount
of
the Loans thereunder which shall be deemed to be Loans hereunder, as provided
in
Section 9.19);
and
(xiii) such
other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the Lender
reasonably may require.
(b) Any
fees
required to be paid on or before the Closing Date shall have been
paid.
(c) The
Borrower shall have paid all Attorney Costs of the Lender to the extent invoiced
prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of Attorney Costs
as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of Attorney Costs incurred or to
be
incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate
shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower
and the Lender).
(d) The
Closing Date shall have occurred on or before September 19,
2006.
4.02 Conditions
to all Credit Extensions. The
obligation of the Lender to make any Credit Extension is subject to the
following conditions precedent:
(a) The
representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party
contained in Article V
or any
other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any
time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct
on
and as of the date of such Credit Extension, other than as set forth in the
Disclosure Letter, except to the extent that such representations and warranties
specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and
correct as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this
Section 4.02,
the
representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of
Section 5.05
shall be
deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses
(a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01.
(b) No
Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit
Extension.
(c) The
Lender shall have received a Loan Notice in accordance with the requirements
hereof.
Each
Loan
Notice (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of a Loan to
the
other Type or a continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan) submitted by the
Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions
specified in Sections 4.02(a) and
(b) have
been
satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.
27
ARTICLE
V.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
The
Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender that:
5.01 Existence,
Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws. Each
Loan
Party (a) is a duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good
standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or
organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite
governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own
its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform
its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) is
duly qualified and is licensed and in good standing under the Laws of each
jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the
conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, and (d) is
in compliance with all Laws; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i),
(c) or (d), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.02 Authorization;
No Contravention. The
execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document
to
which such Person is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the
terms of any of such Person's Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or
result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under,
(i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or
(ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or
any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or
(c) violate any Law.
5.03 Governmental
Authorization; Other Consents. No
approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice
to,
or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary
or
required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or
enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document.
5.04 Binding
Effect. This
Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder,
will
have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto.
This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered
will
constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party,
enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with
its
terms.
5.05 Financial
Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a) Except
as
set forth in the Disclosure Letter, the 2005 Financial Statements (i) were
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period
covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly
present the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of
the
date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby
in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby,
except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material
indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes,
material commitments and Indebtedness.
28
(b) Except
as
set forth in the Disclosure Letter, the unaudited consolidated financial
statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries dated June 30, 2006 and the
related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity
and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared
in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered
thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly
present the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of
the
date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby,
subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes
and to normal year-end audit adjustments.
(c) Since
December 31, 2005, there has been no event or circumstance, either
individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.06 Litigation.
Except
as
specifically disclosed on Schedule 5.06,
and
except with respect to any Disclosed Matters, there are no
actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge
of
the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated,
at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by
or
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their
properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated
hereby, or (b) either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.07 No
Default. Except
for any Disclosed Matters, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default
under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation that could, either
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any
other
Loan Document.
5.08 Ownership
of Property; Liens. Each
of
the Borrower and each Subsidiary has good record and marketable title in fee
simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or
used
in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as
could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect. The property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
is
subject to no Liens, other than Permitted Liens.
5.09 Environmental
Compliance. The
Borrower and its Subsidiaries conduct in the ordinary course of business a
review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging
potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law
on
their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof
the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and claims
could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect.
29
5.10 Insurance.
The
properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially
sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in
such
amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily
carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties
in localities where the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary
operates.
5.11 Taxes.
Except
for any Disclosed Matters, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all
Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be
filed,
and have paid all Federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees
and
other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties,
income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and
for
which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There
is no
proposed tax assessment against the Borrower or any Subsidiary that would,
if
made, have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.12 ERISA
Compliance.
(a) Each
Plan
is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of
ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state Laws. The Borrower and each ERISA
Affiliate have made all required contributions to each Plan subject to
Section 412 of the Code, and no application for a funding waiver or an
extension of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code
has been made with respect to any Plan.
(b) There
are
no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened claims, actions
or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan
that could be reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To
the
best knowledge of the Borrower, there has been no prohibited transaction or
violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that
has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
(c) (i) No
ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) no
Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (iii) neither the Borrower
nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any
liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than
premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA);
(iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or
reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which,
with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such
liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a
Multiemployer Plan; and (v) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate
has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Sections 4069 or
4212(c) of ERISA.
5.13 Subsidiaries.
As
of the
Closing Date, the Borrower
has no Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Part (a) of
Schedule 5.13
and has
no equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those
specifically disclosed in Part(b) of Schedule 5.13.
30
(a) The
Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its
important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock
(within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit
for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.
(b) None
of
the Borrower, any Person Controlling the Borrower, or any Subsidiary is or
is
required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
5.15 Collateral
Documents. The
provisions of each of the Collateral Documents are effective to create in favor
of the Lender, or the Lender for its benefit and the benefit of its Affiliates,
a legal, valid and enforceable first priority security interest in all right,
title and interest of the Loan Parties party thereto in the Collateral described
therein subject only to Permitted Liens; and all representations and warranties
of the Loan Parties party thereto contained in the Collateral Documents are
true
and correct.
5.16 Disclosure.
To
the
extent not reflected in filings made with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Borrower has disclosed to the Lender all agreements, instruments
and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries
is
subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Except with respect to Disclosed Matters, no report, financial statement,
certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by
or
on behalf of any Loan Party to the Lender in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder
(as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any
material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary
to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they
were made, not misleading; provided
that,
with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only
that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed
to be reasonable at the time.
5.17 Compliance
with Laws. Each
of
the Borrower and each Subsidiary is in compliance in all material respects
with
the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees
applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which
(a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or
(b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
5.18 Intellectual
Property, Licenses, Etc. The
Borrower and its Subsidiaries own, or possess the right to use, all of the
trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights,
franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights (collectively,
“IP
Rights”)
that
are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses,
without conflict with the rights of any other Person. To the best knowledge
of
the Borrower, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method,
substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be
employed, by the Borrower or any Subsidiary infringes upon any rights held
by
any other Person. Except
as
specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.18,
no
claim
or
litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the best knowledge
of the Borrower, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate,
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
31
ARTICLE
VI.
AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
So
long
as the Commitment shall be in effect, or any Loan or other Obligation hereunder
shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, the Borrower shall, and shall (except in
the
case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01,
6.02,
6.03
and
6.11)
cause
each Subsidiary to:
6.01 Financial
Statements. Deliver
to the Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Lender:
(a) as
soon
as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal
year
of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated
statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such
fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for
the
previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with
GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent
certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably
acceptable to the Lender, which report and opinion shall be prepared in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject
to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification
or exception as to the scope of such audit; provided
that so
long as the Borrower has not completed the restatement of its financial
statements described in the Disclosure Letter, the financial statements
delivered pursuant to this Section (i) may not be audited or accompanied by
a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant,
(ii) may not be prepared in accordance with GAAP, and (iii) may not
accurately or fairly represent stock compensation expense and other liabilities,
including tax liabilities, relating to stock options;
(b) as
soon
as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the
first
three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal
quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations,
shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion
of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in
comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the
previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year,
all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower
as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations,
shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in
accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and
the
absence of footnotes; provided
that so
long as the Borrower has not completed the restatement of its financial
statements described in the Disclosure Letter, the financial statements
delivered pursuant to this Section (i) may not be certified by a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower, (ii) may not be prepared in accordance
with GAAP, and (iii) may not accurately or fairly represent stock
compensation expense and other liabilities, including tax liabilities, relating
to stock options; and
32
(c) as
soon
as available, but in any event within 20 days after the end of each calendar
month, a monthly statement of Unrestricted Liquidity of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of the preceding calendar month, certified by a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
As
to any
information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(d),
the
Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under
clause (a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation
of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials
described in subsections (a) and (b) above at the times specified
therein.
6.02 Certificates;
Other Information. Deliver
to the Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Lender:
(a) concurrently
with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a),
a
certificate of its independent certified public accountants certifying such
financial statements, provided
that
this requirement shall be deemed waived by the Lender until such time as the
Borrower files its complete audited 2005 Financial Statements with the
SEC;
(b) concurrently
with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and
(b),
a duly
completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower;
(c) promptly
after any request by the Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports,
management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or
the audit committee of the board of directors) of the Borrower by independent
accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them;
(d) promptly
after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial
statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the
Borrower, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and
registration statements which the Borrower may file with the SEC under
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and not otherwise required to
be delivered to the Lender pursuant hereto; and
(e) promptly,
such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate
affairs of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of
the
Loan Documents, as the Lender may from time to time reasonably
request.
Documents
required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or
(b) or
Section 6.02(d) (to
the
extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the
SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to
have been delivered on the date on which the Borrower posts such documents,
or
provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website
address listed on Schedule 9.02;
provided
that:
(i) if the Lender so requests, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of
such documents to the Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper
copies is given by the Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify (which may
be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Lender of the posting of any such
documents. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the
Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies of the Compliance
Certificates required by Section 6.02(b) to
the
Lender.
33
(a) of
the
occurrence of any Default;
(b) of
any
matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default
under, a Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) any
dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the
Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the
commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding
affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable
Environmental Laws;
(c) of
the
occurrence of any ERISA Event; and
(d) of
any
material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by
the
Borrower or any Subsidiary, except arising from or relating to the Disclosed
Matters or as otherwise disclosed in any of Borrower’s financial statements
delivered pursuant hereto.
Each
notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence
referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes
to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall
describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any
other Loan Document that have been breached.
6.04 Payment
of Obligations. Pay
and
discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and
liabilities, including (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and
governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless
the
same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently
conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained
by
the Borrower or such Subsidiary; (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid,
would by law become a Lien upon its property; and (c) all Indebtedness, as
and when due and payable, but subject to any subordination provisions contained
in any instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness.
6.05 Preservation
of Existence, Etc. (a) Preserve,
renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good
standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a
transaction permitted by Section 7.04
or
7.05;
(b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits,
licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its
business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all
of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the
non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
34
6.06 Maintenance
of Properties. (a) Maintain,
preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary
in
the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary
wear
and tear excepted; and (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals
and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) use the standard of
care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its
facilities.
6.07 Maintenance
of Insurance. Maintain
with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of
the
Borrower, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss
or
damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same
or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily
carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons and providing for
such
insurance companies’ stated willingness to endeavor to provide not less than 30
days’ prior notice to the Lender of termination, lapse or cancellation of such
insurance. All such insurance shall name the Lender as loss payee/mortgagee
and
as additional insured, for its benefit and the benefit of its Affiliates, as
their interests may appear. Unless an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, at Borrower’s request, casualty insurance proceeds paid to Lender
shall be made available to Borrower to pay the costs of rebuilding, replacing
or
repairing the assets suffering the casualty. The Borrower shall furnish the
Lender, at reasonable intervals (but not less than once per calendar year)
a
certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (and, if requested by
the
Lender, any insurance broker of the Borrower) setting forth the nature and
extent of all insurance maintained by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in
accordance with this Section or any Collateral Documents (and which, in the
case of a certificate of a broker, were placed through such broker)
6.08 Compliance
with Laws. Comply
in
all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs,
injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except
in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, write,
injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.09 Books
and Records. (a) Maintain
proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries
in
conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial
transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower
or
such Subsidiary, as the case may be; and (b) maintain such books of record
and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any
Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower or
such
Subsidiary, as the case may be.
6.10 Inspection
Rights. Permit
representatives and independent contractors of the Lender (i) to visit and
inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating
records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its
affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent
public accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours
and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to
the
Borrower, and (ii) permit the Lender or any of its agents or
representatives to conduct periodic audits of the Collateral at such frequencies
as the Lender shall deem appropriate; provided,
however,
that
when an Event of Default exists the Lender (or any of its representatives or
independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at any time during normal
business hours and without advance notice. One inspection and audit per year,
plus any additional inspections or audits conducted during an Event of Default,
shall be at Borrower’s expense.
35
6.11 Use
of Proceeds. Use
the
proceeds of the Credit Extensions for (a) the redemption of any Convertible
Indebtedness, and (b) general corporate purposes not in contravention of
any Law or of any Loan Document.
6.12 Additional
Guarantors. Notify
the Lender at the time that any Person becomes a Domestic Subsidiary, and
promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days), cause such Person (other
than an Excluded Subsidiary) to (a) become a Guarantor by executing and
delivering to the Lender a counterpart of the Guaranty or such other document
as
the Lender shall deem appropriate for such purpose, and (b) deliver to the
Lender documents of the types referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv) of
Section 4.01(a) and
favorable opinions of counsel to such Person (which shall cover, among other
things, the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of the
documentation referred to in clause (a)), all in form, content and scope
reasonably satisfactory to the Lender. Unless an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, the Lender agrees, at Borrower’s request and expense, to
release any Subsidiary from the Guaranty if such Subsidiary should become an
Excluded Subsidiary, as certified by the Borrower to the Lender in
writing.
6.13 Further
Assurances.
Execute,
acknowledge, deliver, file, notarize and register at its own expense all such
further agreements, instruments, certificates, documents and assurances and
perform such acts as the Lender shall deem necessary or appropriate (i) to
effectuate the purposes of the Loan Documents, (ii) to subject to the Liens
created by any of the Collateral Documents any of the properties, rights or
interests covered by any of the Collateral Documents, and (iii) to perfect
and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Collateral
Documents and the Liens intended to be created thereby, and promptly provide
the
Lender with evidence of the foregoing satisfactory in form and substance to
the
Lender.
6.14 Maintenance
of Accounts. Maintain
its primary operating accounts with Lender.
ARTICLE
VII.
NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
So
long
as the Commitment shall be in effect, or any Loan or other Obligation hereunder
shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, the Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit
any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:
7.01 Liens.
Create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets
or
revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following
(“Permitted
Liens”):
(a) Liens
pursuant to any Loan Document;
36
(b) Liens
existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.01
and any
renewals or extensions thereof, provided that the property covered thereby
is
not increased and any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or
benefited thereby is permitted by Section 7.03(b);
(c) Liens
for
taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto
are
maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with
GAAP;
(d) carriers’,
warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens
arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period
of
more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto
are
maintained on the books of the applicable Person;
(e) pledges
or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’
compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation,
other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;
(f) deposits
to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than
Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related
to
judgments or litigation), performance bonds and other obligations of a like
nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(g) easements,
rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real
property which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which
do
not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject
thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of
the
applicable Person;
(h) Liens
securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default
under Section 8.01(h) or
securing appeal or other surety bonds related to such judgments;
and
(i) Liens
securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(e);
provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other
than the property financed by such Indebtedness and (ii) the Indebtedness
secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is
lower, of the property being acquired on the date of acquisition;
(j) other
Liens on non-cash property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not exceeding
$5,000,000 at any time; and
(k) Liens
securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(g);
provided,
that,
notwithstanding any of Sections 7.01(a) through
7.01(k),
in no
event shall the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower create, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any Lien (other than non-consensual Permitted Liens) upon
(i) any Intellectual Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or
(ii) any Accounts of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in favor of any
Person other than the Lender and its Affiliates. “Intellectual Property” and
“Accounts” shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Security
Agreement.
37
7.02 Investments.
Make
any
Investments, except:
(a) Investments
held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of cash equivalents
or
readily marketable, investment grade debt securities;
(b) advances
to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower and Subsidiaries in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding, for travel,
entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes, excluding
advances pursuant to indemnification arrangements with officers and
directors;
(c) Investments
of the Borrower in any Subsidiary and Investments of any Subsidiary in the
Borrower or in another Subsidiary;
(d) Investments
consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or
notes
receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of
business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction
thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably
necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;
(e) Guarantees
permitted by Section 7.03;
(f) Investments
by the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred in order to consummate Permitted
Acquisitions (i) not exceeding $50,000,000 during the term hereof,
(including any extended term hereof as a result of the making of any Term Loans
hereunder) as determined exclusive of the equity portions of the consideration
for any such Permitted Acquisitions, or (ii) if disclosed in writing to the
Lender prior to the Closing Date;
(g) other
Investments not exceeding $5,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year of
the
Borrower.
7.03 Indebtedness.
Create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness
under the Loan Documents;
(b) Indebtedness
outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.03
and any
refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided
that
(i) the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such
refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a
reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses
reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal
to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, except that increases in
letters of credit related to the Borrower’s insurance programs in the aggregate
not to exceed $2,000,000 will be permitted, and (ii) any refinancings,
refundings, renewals or extensions of the Convertible Indebtedness shall be
on
terms and conditions consented to in writing by the Lender or described in
the
Consent Solicitation Statement dated September 13, 2006 (the “Consent
Solicitation Statement”),
and,
without limiting the foregoing, the maturity date thereof shall be no earlier
than the date one year after the later to occur of (i) the Revolving
Maturity Date and (ii) the latest Term Loan Maturity Date;
38
(c) Guarantees
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted
hereunder of the Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary;
(d) obligations
(contingent or otherwise) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing or arising
under any Swap Contract, provided
that
(i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the
ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks
associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property
held
or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities
issued by such Person, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market
view;” and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision
exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on
outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;
(e) Indebtedness
in respect of capital leases, Synthetic Lease Obligations and purchase money
obligations for fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in
Section 7.01(i);
provided,
however,
that
the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness at any one time outstanding shall
not exceed $3,000,000;
(f) Indebtedness
incurred in connection with Permitted Acquisitions owing to the seller(s) in
such Permitted Acquisition in an aggregate principal amount (excluding
Indebtedness incurred in connection with the Permitted Acquisitions described
in
Section 7.02(f)(ii))
not to
exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding (“Seller
Debt”);
(g) Indebtedness
incurred by non-Domestic Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount at any one time
outstanding not exceeding $2,000,000;
(h) unsecured
Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any
time outstanding; and
(i) Indebtedness
in respect of Investments permitted under Section 7.02.
7.04 Fundamental
Changes.
Merge,
dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of
(whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially
all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor
of
any Person, except that, so long as no Default exists or would result
therefrom:
(a) any
Subsidiary may merge with (i) the Borrower, provided
that the
Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or
more other Subsidiaries, provided
that
when any wholly-owned Subsidiary is merging with another Subsidiary, the
wholly-owned Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving Person;
(b) the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may make any Investment permitted by
Section 7.02;
and
39
(c) any
Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary
liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary; provided
that if
the transferor in such a transaction is a wholly-owned Subsidiary, then the
transferee must either be the Borrower or a wholly-owned
Subsidiary.
7.05 Dispositions.
Make
any
Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition,
except:
(a) Dispositions
of obsolete or worn out property or property no longer used in the business,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of
business;
(b) Dispositions
of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Dispositions
of equipment or real property to the extent that (i) such property is
exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property
or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are reasonably promptly applied to
the purchase price of such replacement property;
(d) Dispositions
of property by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or to a wholly-owned Subsidiary;
provided
that if
the transferor of such property is a Guarantor, the transferee thereof must
either be the Borrower or a Guarantor;
(e) Dispositions
permitted by Section 7.04;
(f) non-exclusive
licenses of IP Rights in the ordinary course of business and substantially
consistent with past practice;
(g) Dispositions
by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not otherwise permitted under this
Section 7.05;
provided
that
(i) at the time of such Disposition, no Default shall exist or would result
from such Disposition and (ii) the aggregate book value, net of any
goodwill, of all property Disposed of in reliance on this clause (g) in any
fiscal year shall not exceed $3,000,000; and
(h) any
Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith
that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower,
and any Dispositions of property by the liquidating or dissolving Subsidiaries
in connection with such liquidation or dissolution are made to the Borrower
or a
wholly-owned Subsidiary, provided that after giving effect thereto the Borrower
is in compliance with Section 6.12;
provided,
however,
that
any Disposition pursuant to clauses (a) through (h) shall be for fair
market value.
7.06 Restricted
Payments.
Declare
or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation
(contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:
(a) each
Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower and to wholly-owned
Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly-owned
Subsidiary, to the Borrower and any Subsidiary and to each other owner of
capital stock or other equity interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis
based on their relative ownership interests);
40
(b) the
Borrower and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other
distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common equity
interests of such Person;
(c) the
Borrower and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of
its common stock or other common equity interests or warrants or options to
acquire any such shares with the proceeds received from the substantially
concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock or other common equity
interests; and
(d) the
Borrower may repurchase shares of its common stock or other common equity
interests or warrants or options to acquire any such shares from employees
or
former employees of the Borrower in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000
per annum; provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would
result therefrom.
7.07 Change
in Nature of Business. Engage
in
any material line of business substantially different from those lines of
business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof
or
any business substantially related or incidental thereto.
7.08 Transactions
with Affiliates. Enter
into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Borrower, whether
or
not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms
substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as would be
obtainable by the Borrower or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s
length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, provided that the
foregoing restriction shall not apply to transactions between or among the
Borrower and any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or between and among any
wholly-owned Subsidiaries.
7.09 Burdensome
Agreements. Enter
into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan
Document) that (a) limits the ability (i) of any Subsidiary to make
Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any Guarantor or to otherwise transfer
property to the Borrower or any Guarantor, (ii) of any Subsidiary to
Guarantee the Indebtedness of the Borrower or (iii) of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of
such
Person; provided,
however,
that
this clause (iii) shall not prohibit any negative pledge incurred or
provided in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(e) solely
to
the extent any such negative pledge relates to the property financed by or
the
subject of such Indebtedness; or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure
an obligation of such Person if a Lien is granted to secure another obligation
of such Person.
7.10 Use
of Proceeds. Use
the
proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether
immediately, incidentally or ultimately, (a) to purchase or carry margin
stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to
others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund
indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, in each case in violation
of,
or for a purpose which violates, or would be inconsistent with, Regulation
U of
the FRB, or (ii) to enter into or consummate any Acquisition that is not a
Permitted Acquisition.
41
7.11 Fiscal
Year.
The
Borrower shall not, and shall not suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, make
any
significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as
required by GAAP, or change the fiscal year of the Borrower or of any
Subsidiary, except to change the fiscal year of a Subsidiary acquired in
connection with a Permitted Acquisition to conform its fiscal year to the
Borrower’s.
7.12 Financial
Covenants.
(a) Minimum
TTM EBITDA.
As
calculated on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the
Borrower shall not permit TTM EBITDA, as measured as of the last day of each
fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be less than $50,000,000 for each fiscal
quarter ending on or prior to September 30, 2006, or less than $70,000,000
thereafter.
(b) Minimum
Unrestricted Liquidity. The
Borrower shall not permit at any time, in respect of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, the ratio of (i) the sum of (A) cash-on-hand,
(B) cash equivalents, (C) readily marketable, investment grade debt
securities, and (D) net accounts receivable, in each case not subject to a
Lien (other than Liens in favor of the Lender pursuant to the Loan Documents)
or
any other restrictions (such sum, the “Unrestricted
Liquidity”),
to
(ii) the sum of (A) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness and (B) all
direct or contingent obligations arising under letters of credit (except to
the
extent secured by cash or other readily marketable securities), to be less
than
1.10:1.
7.13 Capital
Expenditures. Make
or
become legally obligated to make any expenditure in respect of the purchase
or
other acquisition of any fixed or capital asset (excluding normal replacements
and maintenance which are properly charged to current operations), except for
capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business not exceeding, in the
aggregate for the Borrower and it Subsidiaries (i) during the period from
the date hereof through the end of the Borrower’s third fiscal quarter in 2007,
$45,000,000, and (ii) during the Borrower’s fourth fiscal quarter in 2007
and first fiscal quarter in 2008, $25,000,000 (in the event that the term hereof
is extended as a result of making any Term Loans hereunder).
ARTICLE
VIII.
EVENTS
OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01 Events
of Default. Any
of
the following shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Non-Payment.
The
Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to
be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within three
Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan, or any
non-use or other fee due hereunder, or (iii) (A) if demand has been
previously made, within five days after the same becomes due, or (B) if no
demand has been previously made, within five days after demand, any other amount
payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
(b) Specific
Covenants.
The
Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained
in any of Section 6.01,
6.02,
6.03,
6.05,
6.10,
6.11,
6.12,
or
6.14
or
Article VII;
or
42
(c) Other
Defaults.
Any
Loan Party fails to perform
or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection
(a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be
performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days;
or
(d) Representations
and Warranties.
Any
representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed
made
by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any other
Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith
shall be materially incorrect or misleading when made or deemed made;
or
(e) Cross-Default.
(i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment when
due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand,
or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness or Guarantee (other than
Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts and any
inter-company debt) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn
committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors
under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold
Amount, or (B) except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter and except for
failures that are waived in connection with the solicitation of consents
described in the Consent Solicitation Statement, fails to observe or perform
any
other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or Guarantee
or
contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating
thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event
is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the
beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf
of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the
giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become
due
or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or
otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such
Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to
become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or
(ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as
defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default
under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the
Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination
Event (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or
any
Subsidiary is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap
Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such Subsidiary as a result thereof
is
greater than the Threshold Amount; or
(f) Insolvency
Proceedings, Etc.
Any Loan
Party or any of its Subsidiaries, other than Insignificant Foreign Subsidiaries,
institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor
Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies
for
or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator,
liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material
part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator,
liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the
application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged
or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief
Law
relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property
is
instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or
unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such
proceeding; or
43
(g) Inability
to Pay Debts; Attachment.
(i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary, other than Insignificant Foreign
Subsidiaries, becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails
generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant
of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all
or
any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released,
vacated or fully bonded within 30 days after its issue or levy; or
(h) Judgments.
There
is entered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary, other than Insignificant
Foreign Subsidiaries, (i) a final judgment or order for the payment of
money in an aggregate amount exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent
not
covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not
dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments
that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement
proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or
(B) there is a period of 10 consecutive days during which a stay of
enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is
not
in effect; or
(i) ERISA.
(i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer
Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability
of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer
Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount,
or
(ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the
expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect
to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a
Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount;
or
(j) Invalidity
of Loan Documents; Collateral.
Any
Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason
other than as expressly permitted hereunder or satisfaction in full of all
the
Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party contests
in any manner the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document; or any Loan
Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan
Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document; or
any
Collateral Document shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms
thereof) cease to create a valid security interest in the Collateral purported
to be covered thereby or such security interest shall for any reason cease
to be
a perfected and first priority security interest, subject only to Permitted
Liens; or
(k) Change
of Control.
There
occurs any Change of Control with respect to the Borrower; or
(l) Material
Adverse Effect.
There
occurs a Material Adverse Effect.
8.02 Remedies
Upon Event of Default.
If
any
Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Lender may take any or all of
the
following actions:
(a) declare
the Commitment to be terminated, whereupon the Commitment shall be
terminated;
44
(b) declare
the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued
and
unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any
other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment,
demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived by the Borrower; and
(c) exercise
all rights and remedies available to it under the Loan Documents or applicable
law;
provided,
however,
that
upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with
respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the
Commitment shall automatically terminate, and the unpaid principal amount of
all
outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall
automatically become due and payable, in each case without further act of the
Lender.
8.03 Application
of Funds. After
the
exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02
(or
after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable as set
forth in the proviso to Section 8.02),
any
amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Lender
in
such order as it elects in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE
IX.
MISCELLANEOUS
9.01 Amendments;
Etc. No
amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan
Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Lender
and
the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and each such
waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the
specific purpose for which given.
9.02 Notices
and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies.
(a) General.
Unless
otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including by facsimile
transmission). All such written notices shall be mailed, faxed or delivered
to
the address, facsimile number or (subject to subsection (c) below)
electronic mail address specified for notices to the applicable party on
Schedule 9.02;
or to
such other address, facsimile number or electronic mail address as shall be
designated by such party in a notice to the other party. All notices and other
communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall
be
made to the telephone number specified for notices to the applicable party
on
Schedule 9.02,
or to
such other telephone number as shall be designated by such party in a notice
to
the other party. All such notices and other communications shall be deemed
to be
given or made upon the earlier to occur of (i) actual receipt by the
relevant party hereto and (ii) (A) if delivered by hand or by courier,
when signed for by or on behalf of the relevant party hereto; (B) if
delivered by mail, four Business Days after deposit in the mails, postage
prepaid; (C) if delivered by facsimile, when sent and receipt has been
confirmed by telephone; and (D) if delivered by electronic mail (which form
of delivery is subject to the provisions of subsection (c) below), when
delivered; provided,
however,
that
notices and other communications to the Lender pursuant to Article II
shall
not be effective until actually received by the Lender. In no event shall a
voicemail message be effective as a notice, communication or confirmation
hereunder.
45
(b) Effectiveness
of Facsimile Documents and Signatures.
Loan
Documents may be transmitted and/or signed by facsimile. The effectiveness
of
any such documents and signatures shall, subject to applicable Law, have the
same force and effect as manually-signed originals and shall be binding on
all
Loan Parties and the Lender. The Lender may also require that any such documents
and signatures be confirmed by a manually-signed original thereof; provided,
however,
that
the failure to request or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness
of
any facsimile document or signature.
(c) Limited
Use of Electronic Mail. Electronic
mail and Internet and intranet websites may be used only to distribute routine
communications, such as financial statements and other information as provided
in Section 6.02,
and to
distribute Loan Documents for execution by the parties thereto, and may not
be
used for any other purpose.
(d) Reliance
by Lender. The
Lender shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic
Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if
(i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were
incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice
specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the
recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify
the Lender, its Affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees,
agents and attorneys-in-fact from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities
resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given
by
or on behalf of the Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other communications
with the Lender may be recorded by the Lender, and the Borrower hereby consents
to such recording.
9.03 No
Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.
No
failure by the Lender to exercise, and no delay by the Lender in exercising,
any
right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof;
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or
privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies,
powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
9.04 Attorney
Costs, Expenses and Taxes.
The
Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Lender for all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation, negotiation
and execution of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendment,
waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof and thereof
(whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are
consummated), and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
and
thereby, including all Attorney Costs, and (b) to pay or reimburse the
Lender for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement,
attempted enforcement, or preservation of any rights or remedies under this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including all such costs and expenses
incurred in any arbitration proceeding and during any “workout” or restructuring
in respect of the Obligations and during any legal proceeding, including any
proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law), including all Attorney Costs. The
foregoing costs and expenses shall include all search, filing, recording, title
insurance and appraisal charges and fees and taxes related thereto, and other
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lender and the cost of independent public
accountants and other outside experts retained by the Lender. All amounts due
under this Section 9.04
shall be
payable within ten Business Days after demand therefor. The agreements in this
Section shall survive the termination of the Commitment and repayment,
satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
46
9.05 Indemnification
by the Borrower. Whether
or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Borrower shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Lender, its Affiliates, and their respective
directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact
(collectively the “Indemnitees”)
from
and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements
(including Attorney Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any
time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in
any
way relating to or arising out of or in connection with (a) the execution,
delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Loan Document or
any
other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the
transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby, (b) the Commitment or any Loan or the use or proposed
use of the proceeds therefrom, or (c) any actual or prospective claim,
litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing,
whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation
of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim,
investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any
Indemnitee is a party thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the
“Indemnified
Liabilities”); provided
that
such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent
that
such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements have resulted from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. No Indemnitee
shall have any liability for any indirect or consequential damages relating
to
this Agreement or any other Loan Document or arising out of its activities
in
connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Closing Date).
All
amounts due under this Section 9.05
shall be
payable within ten Business Days after demand therefor. The agreements in this
Section shall survive the termination of the Commitment and the repayment,
satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
9.06 Payments
Set Aside. To
the
extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Lender,
or the Lender exercises its right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds
of such set-off or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to
be
fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any
settlement entered into by the Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a
trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under
any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then, to the extent of such recovery, the
obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived
and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made
or
such set-off had not occurred.
47
9.07 Successors
and Assigns.
(a) The
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby,
except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights
or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Lender and
the
Lender may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations
hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of
participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this
Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest
subject to the restrictions of subsection (e) of this Section (and any
other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and
void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed
to
confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective
successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided
in
subsection (c) of this Section and, to the extent expressly
contemplated hereby, the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy
or
claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) The
Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees, with the
Borrower’s prior written consent if such Eligible Assignee is a foreign Person
(such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and not to be required
if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), all or a portion of
its
rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of
the
Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) pursuant to documentation
acceptable to the Lender and the assignee. In the event of any partial
assignment, the Lender, the Borrower and such assignee shall enter into such
amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as shall be necessary
to effect such assignment (including customary agency and majority voting
provisions) and, in connection therewith, the Lender shall remain the agent
bank. From and after the effective date specified in the applicable
documentation, such Eligible Assignee shall be a party to this Agreement and,
to
the extent of the interest assigned by the Lender, have the rights and
obligations of the Lender under this Agreement, and the Lender shall, to the
extent of the interest so assigned, be released from its obligations under
this
Agreement (and, in the case of an assignment of all of the Lender’s rights and
obligations under this Agreement, shall cease to be a party hereto but shall
continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01,
3.04,
3.05,
9.04
and
9.05
with
respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of
such
assignment). Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and
deliver new or replacement Notes to the Lender and the assignee, and shall
execute and deliver any other documents reasonably necessary or appropriate
to
give effect to such assignment and to provide for the administration of this
Agreement after giving effect thereto.
(c) The
Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower,
sell
participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or
any
of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”)
in all
or a portion of the Lender's rights and/or obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans); provided
that
(i) the Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged,
(ii) the Lender shall remain solely responsible to the Borrower for the
performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower shall continue to
deal solely and directly with the Lender in connection with the Lender's rights
and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant
to
which the Lender sells such a participation shall provide that the Lender shall
retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided
that
such agreement or instrument may provide that the Lender will not, without
the
consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification
that would (i) postpone any date upon which any payment of money is
scheduled to be made to such Participant, or (ii) reduce the principal,
interest, fees or other amounts payable to such Participant (provided,
however,
that
the Lender may, without the consent of the Participant, (A) amend any
financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the
effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan
or
to reduce any fee payable hereunder and (B) waive the right to be paid
interest at the Default Rate, or (iii) release any Guarantor from the
Guaranty or release all or a material part of the Collateral. Subject to
subsection (d) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant
shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01,
3.04,
3.05 and
3.06
to the
same extent as if it were the Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment
pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law,
each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.09 as
though
it were the Lender.
48
(d) A
Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under
Section 3.01,
3.04
or
3.06 than
the
Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation
sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such
Participant is made with the Borrower's prior written consent. A Participant
that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of
Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall not be entitled to the benefits of
Section 3.01
unless
the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and
such
Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to provide to the Lender
such tax forms prescribed by the IRS as are necessary or desirable to establish
an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. withholding tax. Further, if a
Participant is not a United States Person, such sale shall be made with the
Borrower’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld
or delayed and not to be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing).
(e) The
Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any
portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under the Notes, if any)
to secure obligations of the Lender, including any pledge or assignment to
secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided
that no
such pledge or assignment shall release the Lender from any of its obligations
hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for the Lender as a party
hereto.
(f) As
used
herein, the following terms have the following meanings:
“Eligible
Assignee”
means
(a) an Affiliate of the Lender; (b) an Approved Fund; and (c) any
other Person (other than a natural person) approved by the Borrower (such
approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided
that no
such approval shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing.
49
“Fund”
means
any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making,
purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar
extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.
“Approved
Fund”
means
any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) the Lender or (b) an
Affiliate of the Lender.
9.08 Confidentiality.
The
Lender agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined
below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its
Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants,
legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom
such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such
Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to
the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent
required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal
process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the
exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any
action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document
or
the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an
agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section,
to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or
Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or
(ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap
or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations,
(g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such
Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a
breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Lender on a
nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. For purposes of
this Section, “Information”
means
all information received from any Loan Party relating to any Loan Party or
any
of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is
available to the Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any
Loan Party, provided
that, in
the case of information received from a Loan Party after the date hereof, such
information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.
Any
Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided
in
this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do
so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the
confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own
confidential information.
9.09 Set-off.
In
addition to any rights and remedies of the Lender provided by law, upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Lender is
authorized at any time and from time to time, without prior notice to the
Borrower or any other Loan Party, any such notice being waived by the Borrower
(on its own behalf and on behalf of each Loan Party) to the fullest extent
permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special,
time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by, and other
indebtedness at any time owing by, the Lender to or for the credit or the
account of the respective Loan Parties against any and all Obligations owing
to
the Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document, now or hereafter
existing, irrespective of whether or not the Lender shall have made demand
under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may
be
contingent or unmatured or denominated in a currency different from that of
the
applicable deposit or indebtedness. The Lender agrees promptly to notify the
Borrower after any such set-off and application; provided,
however,
that
the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off
and application.
50
9.10 Automatic
Debits. With
respect to any principal, interest, fee, or any other cost or expense (including
Attorney Costs) due and payable to the Lender under the Loan Documents, the
Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Lender to debit any deposit account
of the Borrower with the Lender in an amount such that the aggregate amount
debited from all such deposit accounts does not exceed such principal, interest,
fee or other cost or expense. If there are insufficient funds in such deposit
accounts to cover the amount then due, such debits will be reversed (in whole
or
in part, in Lender’s sole discretion) and such amount not debited shall be
deemed to be unpaid. No such debit under this Section shall be deemed a
set-off.
9.11 Interest
Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid
or
agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate
of
non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum
Rate”).
If
the Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate,
the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if
it
exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether
the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Lender exceeds the
Maximum Rate, the Lender may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law,
(a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or
premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the
effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal
or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated
term
of the Obligations hereunder.
9.12 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same
instrument.
9.13 Integration.
This
Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, comprises the complete
and
integrated agreement of the parties on the subject matter hereof and thereof
and
supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on such subject matter.
In the
event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those
of any
other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control;
provided
that the
inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of the Lender in any
other
Loan Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement. Each Loan
Document was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties
thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party,
but
rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof.
9.14 Survival
of Representations and Warranties. All
representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document
or
other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith
or
therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such
representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Lender,
regardless of any investigation made by the Lender or on its behalf and
notwithstanding that the Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default
at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and
effect
as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid
or
unsatisfied.
51
9.15 Severability.
If
any
provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal,
invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of
the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall
not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in
good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close
as
possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The
invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate
or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
9.16 Governing
Law; Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) This
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of
the
State of California.
(b) The
following provisions of this Section concern the resolution of any
controversies or claims between the parties, whether arising in contract, tort
or by statute, including controversies or claims that arise out of or relate
to:
(i) this Agreement (including any renewals, extensions or modifications);
or (ii) any other Loan Document (collectively a “Claim”)
and
are a material inducement for the parties entering into this Agreement. For
the
purposes of this Section 9.16
only,
the term “parties” shall include any parent corporation, Subsidiary or other
Affiliate of the Lender involved in the servicing, management or administration
of any obligation described or evidenced by this Agreement.
(c) At
the
request of any party to this Agreement, any Claim shall be resolved by binding
arbitration in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9, U.S. Code)
(the “Act”).
The
Act will apply even though this Agreement provides that it is governed by the
law of the State of California.
(d) Arbitration
proceedings will be determined in accordance with the Act, the applicable rules
and procedures for the arbitration of disputes of JAMS or any successor thereof
(“JAMS”),
and
the terms of this Section. In the event of any inconsistency, the terms of
this
Section shall control.
(e) The
arbitration shall be administered by JAMS and conducted, unless otherwise
required by law, in any U.S. state where real or tangible personal property
collateral for the Obligations is located. All Claims shall be determined by
one
arbitrator; provided,
however,
that if
Claims exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), upon the request of any party,
the Claims shall be decided by three arbitrators. All arbitration hearings
shall
commence within ninety (90) days of the demand for arbitration and close within
ninety (90) days of commencement and the award of the arbitrator(s) shall be
issued within thirty (30) days of the close of the hearing. However, the
arbitrator(s), upon a showing of good cause, may extend the commencement of
the
hearing for up to an additional sixty (60) days. The arbitrator(s) shall provide
a concise written statement of reasons for the award. The arbitration award
may
be submitted to any court having jurisdiction to be confirmed and
enforced.
52
(f) The
arbitrator(s) will have the authority to decide whether any Claim is barred
by
the statute of limitations and, if so, to dismiss the arbitration on that basis.
For purposes of the application of the statute of limitations, the service
on
JAMS under applicable JAMS rules of a notice of Claim is the equivalent of
the
filing of a lawsuit. Any dispute concerning this arbitration provision or
whether a Claim is arbitrable shall be determined by the arbitrator(s), except
as provided in subsection
(i).
The
arbitrator(s) shall have the power to award legal fees pursuant to the terms
of
this Agreement.
(g) To
the
extent any Claims are not arbitrated, to the extent permitted by law the Claims
shall be resolved in court by a judge without a jury, except any Claims which
are brought in California state court shall be determined by judicial reference
as described below.
(h) Any
Claim
which is not arbitrated and which is brought in California state court will
be
resolved by a general reference to a referee (or a panel of referees) as
provided in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638. The referee (or
presiding referee of the panel) shall be a retired Judge or Justice. The referee
(or panel of referees) shall be selected by mutual written agreement of the
parties. If the parties do not agree, the referee shall be selected by the
Presiding Judge of the Court (or his or her representative) as provided in
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638 and the following related
sections. The referee shall determine all issues in accordance with existing
California law and the California rules of evidence and civil procedure. The
referee shall be empowered to enter equitable as well as legal relief, provide
all temporary or provisional remedies, enter equitable orders that will be
binding on the parties and rule on any motion which would be authorized in
a
trial, including without limitation motions for summary judgment or summary
adjudication. The award that results from the decision of the referee(s) will
be
entered as a judgment in the court that appointed the referee, in accordance
with the provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure
Sections 644(a) and 645. The parties reserve the right to seek
appellate review of any judgment or order, including but not limited to, orders
pertaining to class certification, to the same extent permitted in a court
of
law.
(i) This
Section does not limit the right of any party to: (i) exercise
self-help remedies, such as but not limited to, setoff; (ii) initiate
judicial or non-judicial foreclosure against any real or personal property
collateral; (iii) exercise any judicial or power of sale rights, or
(iv) act in a court of law to obtain an interim remedy, such as but not
limited to, injunctive relief, writ of possession or appointment of a receiver,
or additional or supplementary remedies.
(j) The
filing of a court action is not intended to constitute a waiver of the right
of
any party, including the suing party, thereafter to require submittal of the
Claim to arbitration or judicial reference.
53
By
agreeing to binding arbitration or judicial reference, the parties irrevocably
and voluntarily waive any right they may have to a trial by jury as permitted
by
law in respect of any Claim. Furthermore, without intending in any way to limit
the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.16,
to the
extent any Claim is not arbitrated or submitted to judicial reference, the
parties irrevocably and voluntarily waive any right they may have to a trial
by
jury to the extent permitted by law in respect of such Claim. This waiver of
jury trial shall remain in effect even if the Class Action Waiver is limited,
voided or found unenforceable. WHETHER
THE CLAIM IS DECIDED BY ARBITRATION, BY JUDICIAL REFERENCE, OR BY TRIAL BY
A
JUDGE, THE PARTIES AGREE AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE EFFECT OF THIS AGREEMENT IS
THAT THEY ARE GIVING UP THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED
BY
LAW.
9.17 USA
Patriot Act Notice. The
Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the
USA
Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001))
(the “Act”),
it is
required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower,
which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other
information that will allow the Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance
with the Act.
9.18 Time
of the Essence. Time
is
of the essence of the Loan Documents.
9.19 Amendment
and Restatement. This
Agreement is intended to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement,
without novation, with the Commitment set forth herein. The Loans outstanding
thereunder shall be deemed to be Loans borrowed hereunder, effective as of
the
Closing Date. The Borrower hereby ratifies, affirms and acknowledges all of
its
Obligations in respect of the Existing Credit Agreement, the Loans outstanding
thereunder, and the related documents and agreements delivered by it
thereunder.
[remainder
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54
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date
first above written.
CNET
NETWORKS, INC.
By:
__________________________________
Name:________________________________
Title:_________________________________
BANK
OF AMERICA, N.A.
By:
__________________________________
Name:________________________________
Title:_________________________________
Signature
Page 2 to
Credit
Agreement