GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated as of October 3, 2006 among NET PERCEPTIONS, INC., SIG ACQUISITION CORP. and THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO, as Grantors, and LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent
dated
as
of October 3, 2006
among
NET
PERCEPTIONS, INC.,
SIG
ACQUISITION CORP.
and
THE
OTHER
PARTIES HERETO,
as
Grantors,
and
LASALLE
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as
Administrative Agent
This
GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated as of October 3, 2006 (this
“Agreement”), is entered into among NET PERCEPTIONS, INC., a Delaware
corporation (“Parent”), SIG ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation
(“Borrower”), and each other Person signatory hereto as a Grantor (together with
Parent, Borrower and any other Person that becomes a party hereto as provided
herein, collectively, the “Grantors”) in favor of LASALLE BANK NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, as the administrative agent for the Lenders, as defined in the
Credit Agreement (as hereafter defined), party to the Credit Agreement
(“Administrative Agent”).
The
Lenders have severally agreed to extend credit to Borrower pursuant to the
Credit Agreement. Each Grantor (other than Borrower) is an Affiliate of
Borrower. Borrower and the other Grantors are engaged in interrelated
businesses, and each Grantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit
from extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement. It is a condition
precedent to each Lender’s obligation to extend credit under the Credit
Agreement that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered this Agreement
to
Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of all the Lenders.
In
consideration of the premises and to induce Administrative Agent and the Lenders
to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to extend credit
thereunder, each Grantor hereby agrees with Administrative Agent, for the
ratable benefit of the Lenders, as follows:
SECTION
1. DEFINITIONS.
1.1 Unless
otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein
shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement, and unless
otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, terms that are defined
in
the UCC are used herein as so defined.
1.2 When
used
herein the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Agreement”
has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Chattel
Paper” means all “chattel paper” as such term is defined in
Section 9-102(a)(11) of the UCC and, in any event, including with respect
to any Grantor, all Electronic Chattel Paper and Tangible Chattel Paper.
“Collateral”
means (a) all of the personal property now owned or at any time hereafter
acquired by any Grantor or in which any Grantor now has or at any time in the
future may acquire any right, title or interest, including all of each Grantor’s
Accounts, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claims described on Schedule
7,
Deposit
Accounts, Documents, Equipment, Fixtures, General Intangibles, Goods,
Instruments, Intellectual Property, Inventory, Investment Property, Leases,
Letter-of-Credit Rights, Money, Supporting Obligations and Identified Claims;
(b) all books and records pertaining to any of the foregoing; (c) all Proceeds
and products of any of the foregoing; and (d) all collateral security and
guaranties given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Where
the
context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when
used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the
relevant part thereof.
“Copyrights”
means (a) all copyrights arising under the laws of the United States, any other
country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered
and whether published or unpublished, including those listed on Schedule
5,
all
registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection
therewith, including all registrations, recordings and applications in the
United States Copyright Office, and (b) the right to obtain all renewals of
any
of the foregoing.
“Copyright
Licenses” means all written agreements naming any Grantor as licensor or
licensee, including those listed on Schedule
5,
granting any right under any Copyright, including the grant of rights to
manufacture, distribute, exploit and sell materials derived from any
Copyright.
“Credit
Agreement” means the Credit Agreement of even date herewith among Borrower, the
Lenders and Administrative Agent, as amended, supplemented, restated or
otherwise modified from time to time.
“Fixtures”
means all of the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by a
Grantor: plant fixtures; business fixtures; other fixtures and storage
facilities, wherever located; and all additions and accessories thereto and
replacements therefor.
“General
Intangibles” means all “general intangibles” as such term is defined in
Section 9-102(a)(42) of the UCC and, in any event, including with respect
to any Grantor, all Payment Intangibles, all contracts, agreements, instruments
and indentures in any form, and portions thereof, to which such Grantor is
a
party or under which such Grantor has any right, title or interest or to which
such Grantor or any property of such Grantor is subject, as the same from time
to time may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, including, without
limitation, (a) all rights of such Grantor to receive moneys due and to become
due to it thereunder or in connection therewith, (b) all rights of such Grantor
to damages arising thereunder, and (c) all rights of such Grantor to perform
and
to exercise all remedies thereunder; provided that the foregoing limitation
shall not affect, limit, restrict or impair the grant by such Grantor of a
security interest pursuant to this Agreement in any Receivable or any money
or
other amounts due or to become due under any such Payment Intangible, contract,
agreement, instrument or indenture.
“Guarantors”
means the collective reference to each Grantor other than Borrower.
“Identified
Claims” means the Commercial Tort Claims described on Schedule
7,
as such
schedule shall be supplemented from time to time.
“Intellectual
Property” means the collective reference to all rights, priorities and
privileges of any Grantor relating to intellectual property, whether arising
under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including
the
Copyrights, the Copyright Licenses, the Patents, the Patent Licenses, the
Trademarks and the Trademark Licenses, and all rights to xxx at law or in equity
for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive
all proceeds and damages therefrom.
2
“Intercompany
Note” means any promissory note evidencing loans made by any Grantor to any
other Grantor.
“Investment
Property” means the collective reference to (a) all “investment property” as
such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(49) of the UCC (other than the equity
interest of any Foreign Subsidiary excluded from the definition of Pledged
Equity), (b) all “financial assets” as such term is defined in Section
8-102(a)(9) of the UCC, and (c) whether or not constituting “investment
property” as so defined, all Pledged Notes and all Pledged Equity.
“Issuer”
means an issuer of any Investment property.
“Issuers”
means the collective reference to each issuer of any Investment
Property.
“Obligations”
means all obligations (monetary (including post-petition interest, allowed
or
not) or otherwise) of any Parent Entity under the Credit Agreement and any
other
Loan Document including Attorney Costs and any reimbursement obligations of
any
Parent Entity in respect of Letters of Credit and surety bonds, in each case
with respect to the foregoing, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether
direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due
or
to become due.
“Paid
in
Full” means (a) the payment in full in cash and performance of all Obligations,
(b) the termination of all Commitments, and (c) either (i) the cancellation
and
return to Administrative Agent of all Letters of Credit or (ii) the cash
collateralization of all Letters of Credit in accordance with the Credit
Agreement.
“Patent
Licenses” means all agreements, whether written or oral, providing for the grant
by or to any Grantor of any right to manufacture, use or sell any invention
covered in whole or in part by a Patent, including any of the foregoing referred
to in Schedule
5.
“Patents”
means (a) all letters patent of the United States, any other country or any
political subdivision thereof, all reissues and extensions thereof, including
any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule
5,
(b) all
applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and
all divisions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, including any
of
the foregoing referred to in Schedule
5,
and (c)
all rights to obtain any reissues or extensions of the foregoing.
“Pledged
Equity” means the equity interests listed on Schedule
1,
together with any other equity interests, certificates, options or rights of
any
nature whatsoever in respect of the equity interests of any Person that may
be
issued or granted to, or held by, any Grantor while this Agreement is in effect;
provided
that the term “Pledged Equity” shall not include (a) more than sixty-five (65%)
of the total combined voting power of all classes of equity interests of any
Foreign Subsidiary entitled to vote, and (b) the equity interests of a Foreign
Subsidiary that is not a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary.
3
“Pledged
Notes” means all promissory notes, if any, listed on Schedule
1,
all
Intercompany Notes at any time issued to any Grantor and all other promissory
notes issued to or held by any Grantor (other than promissory notes issued
in
connection with extensions of trade credit by any Grantor in the ordinary course
of business).
“Proceeds”
means all “proceeds” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(64) of the UCC
and, in any event, shall include all dividends or other income from the
Investment Property, collections thereon or distributions or payments with
respect thereto.
“Receivable”
means any right to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered,
whether or not such right is evidenced by an Instrument or Chattel Paper and
whether or not it has been earned by performance (including any Accounts).
“Secured
Obligations” means, collectively, (a) the Obligations, (b) the Hedging
Obligations owing to Lenders (or Affiliates of existing Lenders) under Hedge
Agreements, and (c) the Bank Product Obligations owing to Lenders (or Affiliates
of existing Lenders) under Bank Product Agreements.
“Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
“Trademark
Licenses” means, collectively, each agreement, whether written or oral,
providing for the grant by or to any Grantor of any right to use any Trademark,
including any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule
5.
“Trademarks”
means (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business
names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other
source or business identifiers, and all goodwill associated therewith, now
existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations and recordings
thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, whether in the United
States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the
United States, any State thereof or any other country or any political
subdivision thereof, or otherwise, and all common-law rights related thereto,
including any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule
5;
and (b)
the right to obtain all renewals thereof.
“UCC”
means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the Closing Date and from
time
to time in the State of Ohio, provided that, in the event that, by reason of
mandatory provisions of law, the perfection or the effect of perfection or
non-perfection of the security interests in any Collateral or the availability
of any remedy hereunder is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect
on or after the date hereof in any other jurisdiction other than the State
of
Ohio, the term “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such
other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such
perfection or effect of perfection or non-perfection or availability of such
remedy and for the purposes of definitions related to such
provisions.
4
SECTION
2. GUARANTY.
2.1. Guaranty.
(a) Each
of
the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably,
as a primary obligor and not only a surety, guaranties to Administrative Agent,
for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and their respective successors,
indorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt and complete payment and
performance of the Secured Obligations when the respective parts thereof become
due and payable (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise).
(b) Regardless
of the duration of time, regardless of whether Borrower may from time to time
cease to be indebted to the Lenders and irrespective of any act, omission or
course of dealing whatever on the part of Administrative Agent or any Lender,
each Guarantor’s liabilities and other obligations under this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect until all of the Secured Obligations shall
have
been Paid in Full.
(c) No
payment made by any Grantor or any other Person, or received or collected by
Administrative Agent or any Lender or any other Person by virtue of any action
or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or
from
time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Obligations shall be deemed
to
modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor
hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment, remain liable for
the
Secured Obligations up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder
until the Secured Obligations are Paid in Full.
2.2. Right
of Contribution.
Each
Guarantor hereby agrees that, to the extent that a Guarantor shall have paid
more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder, such Guarantor
shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other
Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment.
Each Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and
conditions of Section
2.3.
The
provisions of this Section
2.2
shall in
no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and each Guarantor shall remain liable
to
Administrative Agent and the Lenders for the full amount of
the
Secured Obligations.
2.3. No
Subrogation.
Notwithstanding any payment made by any Guarantor hereunder or any set-off
or
application of funds of any Guarantor by Administrative Agent or any Lender,
no
Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of
Administrative Agent or any Lender against Borrower or any other Guarantor
or
any Collateral or guaranty or right of offset held by Administrative Agent
or
any Lender for the payment of the Secured Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor
seek, or be entitled to seek, any contribution or reimbursement from Borrower
or
any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder,
until all of the Secured Obligations are Paid in Full, no Letter of Credit
shall
be outstanding and the Commitments are terminated. If any amount shall
be
paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when
all
of the Secured Obligations shall not have been Paid in Full, such amount shall
be held by such Guarantor in trust for Administrative Agent and the Lenders,
segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt
by such Guarantor, be turned over to Administrative Agent in the exact form
received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to Administrative
Agent, if required), to be applied against the Secured Obligations, whether
matured or unmatured, in such order as Administrative Agent may
determine.
5
2.4. Limitation
of Guaranty.
Any
term or provision of the Guaranty or any other Loan Document to the contrary
notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Secured Obligations for
which any Guarantor (other than Parent) shall be liable shall not exceed the
maximum amount for which such Guarantor can be liable without rendering this
Guaranty or any other Loan Document, as it relates to such Guarantor, subject
to
avoidance under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent
transfer (including Section 548 of title 11 of the United States Code (“the
Bankruptcy
Code”)
or any
applicable provisions of comparable state Law) (collectively, “Fraudulent
Transfer Laws”),
in
each case after giving effect (a) to all other liabilities of such Guarantor,
contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under such Fraudulent Transfer Laws
(specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of such Guarantor in respect
of intercompany Indebtedness to Borrower to the extent that such Indebtedness
would be discharged in an amount equal to the amount paid by such Guarantor
hereunder) and (b) to the value as assets of such Guarantor (as determined
under
the applicable provisions of such Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to
subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar rights held
by
such Guarantor pursuant to (i) applicable law, (ii) Section 2.2 of this Guaranty
or (iii) any other obligations providing for an equitable allocation among
such
Guarantor and other Subsidiaries or Affiliates of Borrower of obligations
arising under this Guaranty or other guaranties of the obligations by such
parties.
2.5. Amendments
and Modifications with respect to the Secured Obligations.
Each
Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any
reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further
assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Secured
Obligations made by Administrative Agent or any Lender may be rescinded by
Administrative Agent or such Lender and any of the Secured Obligations
continued, and the Secured Obligations, or the liability of any other Person
upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guaranty therefor
or
right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in
part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived,
surrendered or released by Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents executed and
delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or
terminated, in whole or in part, as Administrative Agent (or the Required
Lenders or all the Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time
to
time. Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation
to
protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security
for the Secured Obligations or for the guaranty contained in this Section
2
or any
property subject thereto.
2.6. Rights
of Administrative Agent and the Lenders with Respect to the
Secured Obligations.
Administrative Agent and the Lenders may, from time to time, in their sole
discretion and without notice to any Guarantor, take any or all of the following
actions: (a) retain or obtain a security interest in any property to secure
any
of the Secured Obligations or any obligation hereunder; (b) retain or obtain
the
primary or secondary obligation of any obligor or obligors, in addition to
the
undersigned, with respect to any of the Secured Obligations; (c) extend or
renew any of the Secured Obligations for one or more periods (whether or not
longer than the original period), alter or exchange any of the Secured
Obligations, or release or compromise any obligation of any of the undersigned
hereunder or any obligation of any nature of any other obligor with respect
to
any of the Secured Obligations; (d) release any guaranty or right of offset
or
its security interest in, or surrender, release or permit any substitution
or
exchange for, all or any part of any property securing any of the Secured
Obligations or any obligation hereunder, or extend or renew for one or more
periods (whether or not longer than the original period) or release, compromise,
alter or exchange any obligations of any nature of any obligor with respect
to
any such property; and (e) resort to the undersigned (or any of them) for
payment of any of the Secured Obligations when due, whether or not
Administrative Agent or such Lender shall have resorted to any property securing
any of the Secured Obligations or any obligation hereunder or shall have
proceeded against any other of the undersigned or any other obligor primarily
or
secondarily obligated with respect to any of the Secured
Obligations.
6
2.7. Waivers.
Each
Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or
accrual of any of the Secured Obligations, and notice of or proof of reliance
by
Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the guaranty contained in this
Section
2,
or
acceptance of the guaranty contained in this Section
2.
The
Secured Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have
been
created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in
reliance upon the guaranty contained in this Section
2,
and all
dealings between Borrower and any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, and
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall be
conclusively presumed to have been made or consummated in reliance upon the
guaranty contained in this Section
2.
Each
Guarantor waives (a) diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and
notice of default, dishonor or nonpayment and all other notices whatsoever
to or
upon Borrower or any of the Guarantors with respect to the Secured Obligations,
(b) notice of the existence or creation or non-payment of all or any of the
Secured Obligations, and (c) all diligence in collection or protection of or
realization upon any Secured Obligations or any security for or guaranty of
any
Secured Obligations.
2.8. Payments.
Each
Guarantor hereby guarantees that payments hereunder will be paid to
Administrative Agent without set-off or counterclaim in Dollars at the office
of
Administrative Agent specified in the Credit Agreement.
Whenever
Administrative Agent or any Lender shall credit any payment to the Secured
Obligations or any part thereof, whatever the source or form of payment, the
credit shall be conditional as to each Guarantor unless and until the payment
shall be final and valid as to all the world. Without limiting the generality
of
the foregoing, each Guarantor agrees that if any check or other instrument
so
applied shall be dishonored by the drawer or any party thereto, or if any
proceeds of Collateral or payment so applied shall thereafter be recovered
by
any trustee in bankruptcy or any other Person, each Lender, in each case, may
reverse any entry relating thereto on its books and each Guarantor shall remain
liable therefor, even if such Lender may no longer have in its possession any
instrument evidencing the Secured Obligations to which the payment in question
was applied.
2.9. Lenders
Have No Duty to Make Advances.
Without
limiting the obligations of Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the
Credit Agreement, no Lender shall at any time be under any duty to any Guarantor
to grant any financial accommodation to Borrower, irrespective of any duty
or
commitment of any of the Lenders to Borrower, or to follow or direct the
application of the proceeds of any such financial accommodation.
7
2.10. Liabilities
Survive Guarantor’s Dissolution.
Each
Guarantor’s liabilities and other obligations under this Agreement shall survive
any dissolution of such Guarantor.
2.11. Liabilities
Absolute and Unconditional.
Each
Guarantor’s liabilities and other obligations under this Agreement shall be
absolute and unconditional irrespective of any lack of validity or
enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other
agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Loans or Letters of Credit
or
related thereto, the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights that
such Guarantor may have against Borrower or any other Person, or any other
defense available to such Guarantor in respect of this Agreement (other than
the
Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations).
SECTION
3. GRANT
OF SECURITY INTEREST.
3.1. Grant.
Each
Grantor hereby assigns and transfers to Administrative Agent, and hereby grants
to Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and (to the
extent provided herein) their Affiliates, a continuing security interest in
all
of such Grantor’s Collateral, as collateral security for the prompt and complete
payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise) of the Secured Obligations.
SECTION
4. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES.
Each
Grantor hereby represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and each Lender
that:
4.1. Title;
No Other Liens.
Except
for Liens granted to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders,
pursuant to this Agreement and otherwise expressly permitted under the Credit
Agreement, each Grantor owns all of the Collateral of such Grantor free and
clear of any and all Liens or claims of others. No financing statement or other
public notice with respect to all or any part of the Collateral of such Grantor
is on file or of record in any public office, except filings evidencing Liens
expressly permitted under the Credit Agreement or this Agreement.
4.2. Perfected
First Priority Liens.
The
security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) upon completion of
the
filings and other actions specified on Schedule
2
will
constitute valid perfected security interests in all of the Collateral in favor
of Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as collateral
security for the Secured Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms
hereof against all creditors of each Grantor and any Persons purporting
to purchase any Collateral from each Grantor, and (b) are prior to all other
Liens on the Collateral in existence on the Closing Date except for Liens
expressly permitted under the Credit Agreement, for which priority is accorded
under applicable law.
The
filings and other actions specified on Schedule
2
constitute all of the filings and other actions necessary to perfect all
security interests granted hereunder.
4.3. Grantor
Information.
Schedule
3
sets
forth, as of the Closing Date, (a) each Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization,
(b) the location of each Grantor’s chief executive office, (c) each Grantor’s
exact legal name as it appears on its organizational documents, and (d) each
Grantor’s organizational identification number (to the extent a Grantor is
organized in a jurisdiction which assigns such numbers) and federal employer
identification number.
Each
Grantor is in good standing or full force and effect, as the case may be, under
the laws of its state of organization or formation, and is duly qualified to
do
business in each state in which a failure to so qualify would have a Material
Adverse Effect.
8
4.4. Corporate
Authority.
Each
Grantor has full power, authority and legal right to pledge such Grantor’s
Collateral, to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to perform and observe
the provisions hereof. The officers or members acting on each Grantor’s behalf
have been duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement. This Agreement
is valid and binding upon each Grantor in accordance with the terms
hereof.
4.5. No
Conflict.
Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the performance and observance
of the provisions hereof, by a Grantor will conflict with, or constitute a
violation or default under, any provision of any applicable law or of any
contract (including, without limitation, such Grantor’s organizational
documents) or of any other writing binding upon such Grantor in any manner,
except for conflicts or violations that would not have a Material Adverse
Effect.
4.6. Locations.
On the
Closing Date, Schedule
4
sets
forth (a) each place of business of each Grantor (including its chief executive
office), (b) all locations where any Collateral (except for mobile goods and
Inventory or Equipment in transit) owned by a Grantor is kept, and (c) whether
each such location and place of business (including each Grantor’s chief
executive office) is owned or leased (and if leased, specifies the complete
name
and notice address of each lessor).
No
Collateral (with an aggregate market value in excess of Seventy-Five Thousand
Dollars ($75,000) per location at any one time) is located outside the United
States or in the possession of any lessor, bailee, warehouseman or consignee,
except as indicated on Schedule
4.
4.7. Certain
Property.
None of
the Grantors own (a) farm products, (b) health care insurance receivables,
or
(c) vessels or aircraft.
4.8. Investment
Property.
(a) The
Pledged Equity pledged by each Grantor hereunder constitute all of the issued
and outstanding equity interests of each Subsidiary of such Grantor;
provided
that no Grantor shall be required to pledge (i) more than sixty-five percent
(65%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of equity interests
of
any Foreign Subsidiary entitled to vote, and (ii) equity interests of a Foreign
Subsidiary that is not a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary.
(b) All
of
the Pledged Equity has been duly and validly issued and is fully paid and
nonassessable.
(c) Each
Grantor is the legal record and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable
title to, the Pledged Equity of such Grantor.
9
(d) No
material consent, license, permit, approval or authorization, filing or
declaration with any governmental authority, and no consent of any other Person,
is required to be obtained by any Grantor in connection with the pledge of
such
Grantor’s Pledged Equity hereunder, that has not been obtained or made, and is
not in full force and effect.
(e) Each
Grantor has the full power, authority and legal right to pledge the Pledged
Equity of such Grantor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(f) Each
of
the Pledged Notes (if any) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation
of the obligor with respect thereto, enforceable in accordance with its tenor
and free from any defense or offset of any kind. Each Grantor has a valid,
duly
perfected security interest in and lien on all of the property that serves
to
secure the Pledged Notes. Such Grantor’s security interest constitutes the first
and only lien upon such property and, to such Grantor’s knowledge, constitutes
the first and only lien upon such property and, to such Grantor’s knowledge, no
other party claims to have any right, title or interest of any kind in or to
such property other than such Grantor.
(g) Schedule
1
lists
all Investment Property owned by each Grantor. Each Grantor is the record and
beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, the Investment
Property pledged by it hereunder, free of any and all Liens or options in favor
of, or claims of, any other Person, except Liens expressly permitted under
the
Credit Agreement.
(h) Each
Grantor fully anticipates that the Secured Obligations will be repaid without
the necessity of selling the Pledged Equity.
4.9. Receivables.
(a) No
material amount payable to such Grantor under or in connection with any
Receivable is evidenced by any Instrument or Chattel Paper which has not been
delivered to Administrative Agent.
10
(b) No
obligor on any Receivable is a governmental authority.
(c) The
amounts represented by such Grantor to Administrative Agent and the Lenders
from
time to time as owing to such Grantor in respect of the Receivables (to the
extent such representations are required by any of the Loan Documents) will
at
all such times be accurate in all material respects.
4.10. Intellectual
Property.
(a) Schedule
5
lists
all Intellectual Property owned by each Grantor in its own name on the Closing
Date that has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark
Office, the United States Copyright Office, any comparable foreign agency,
or
for which an application for registration is pending at such agencies separately
identifying that owned by such Grantor and that licensed to such
Grantor.
(b) On
the
Closing Date, all material Intellectual Property owned by each Guarantor is
valid, subsisting, unexpired and enforceable and has not been abandoned.
(c) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
5,
none of
the Intellectual Property is the subject of any licensing or franchise agreement
pursuant to which any Grantor is the licensor or franchisor.
(d) Each
Grantor owns and possesses or has a license or other right to use all of such
Grantor’s material Intellectual Property as is necessary for the conduct of the
businesses of such Grantor, without any infringement upon rights of others
which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and no such
Intellectual Property has been adjudged invalid or unenforceable.
(e) Each
Grantor has used, and shall continue to use, for the duration of this Agreement,
proper statutory notice in connection with its use of its Intellectual Property,
except where the failure to do so will not have a Material Adverse
Effect.
4.11. Depositary
and Other Accounts.
All
depositary and other accounts maintained by each Grantor are described on
Schedule
6
hereto,
which description includes, for each such account, the name of the Grantor
maintaining such account, the name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the
financial institution at which such account is maintained, the account number
and the account officer, if any, of such account.
4.12. Consideration;
Insolvency.
Each
Grantor has received consideration that is the reasonably equivalent value
of
the obligations and liabilities that such Grantor has incurred to the Lenders.
No Grantor is insolvent, as defined in any applicable state or federal statute,
nor will any Grantor be rendered insolvent by the execution and delivery of
this
Agreement to Administrative Agent or any other documents executed and delivered
to Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection herewith. No Grantor
has
engaged, nor is any Grantor about to engage, in any business or transaction
for
which the assets retained by it are or will be an unreasonably small amount
of
capital, taking into consideration the obligations to the Lenders incurred
hereunder. No Grantor intends to, nor does it believe that it will, incur debts
beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature.
4.13. No
Event of Default.
At the
execution and delivery hereof, no Event of Default will exist.
SECTION
5. COVENANTS.
Each
Grantor covenants and agrees with Administrative Agent and the Lenders that,
from and after the Closing Date until the Secured Obligations shall have been
Paid in Full:
5.1. Delivery
of Instruments, Certificated Securities and Chattel Paper.
If any
amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or
become evidenced by any Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper,
such
Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper shall be immediately
delivered to Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner reasonably
satisfactory to Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to
this
Agreement. In the event that a Default or an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, upon the request of Administrative Agent, any
Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper not theretofore delivered
to
Administrative Agent and at such time being held by any Grantor shall be
immediately delivered to Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner
satisfactory to Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to
this
Agreement.
11
5.2. Maintenance
of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation.
(a) Such
Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a
perfected security interest having at least the priority described in
Section
4.2
and
shall defend (if commercially reasonable) such security interest against the
claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.
(b) Such
Grantor will furnish to Administrative Agent and the Lenders from time to time
statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral
and
such other reports in connection therewith as Administrative Agent may
reasonably request, all in reasonable detail and in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent provided
that
Administrative Agent shall not request such information more than once (with
respect to the same information) during any fiscal year of Borrower unless
an
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(c) At
any
time and from time to time, upon the written request of Administrative Agent,
and at the sole expense of such Grantor, such Grantor will promptly and duly
execute and deliver, and have recorded, such further instruments and documents
and take such further actions as Administrative Agent may reasonably request
for
the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement
and
of the rights and powers herein granted, including (i) filing any financing
or
continuation statements under the UCC (or other similar laws) in effect in
any
jurisdiction with respect to the security interests created hereby, and (ii)
in
the case of Investment Property and any other relevant Collateral, taking any
actions necessary to enable Administrative Agent to obtain “control” (within the
meaning of the applicable UCC) with respect thereto.
5.3. Changes
in Locations and Name.
Such
Grantor shall not do any of the following:
(i) permit
any Collateral to be kept at a location other than those listed on Schedule
4;
(ii) change
its jurisdiction of organization or the location of its chief executive office
from that specified on Schedule
3
or in
any subsequent notice delivered pursuant to this Section
5.3;
or
(iii) change
its legal name, identity or corporate structure;
12
unless
(A) at least thirty (30) days (or fewer days if agreed to in writing by
Administrative Agent) prior to the date of occurrence of such action or event,
Grantor provides written notice thereof to Administrative Agent, and (B) such
Grantor promptly delivers to Administrative Agent (1) all additional financing
statements and other documents reasonably requested by Administrative Agent
or
any Lender to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security
interests provided for herein, and (2) if applicable, a written supplement
to
Schedule 4 showing (y) any additional locations at which Inventory or Equipment
shall be kept or (z) any changes in any location where Inventory or Equipment
shall be kept, in either case, that would require Administrative Agent to take
any action to maintain a perfected security interest in such
Collateral.
5.4. Insurance.
Such
Grantor shall at all times maintain insurance upon the Collateral in accordance
with Section 10.3(b) of the Credit Agreement.
5.5. Notices.
Such
Grantor will, in writing, promptly advise Administrative Agent and the Lenders
promptly, in reasonable detail, of:
(a) the
occurrence and continuation of any Event of Default, or if the Internal Revenue
Service alleges the nonpayment or underpayment of any tax by any Grantor;
and
(b) the
occurrence of any other event which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the aggregate value of the Collateral or on the
Liens
created
hereby.
5.6. Transfers,
Liens and Modifications Regarding Collateral.
No
Grantor shall, without Administrative Agent’s prior written consent, except as
specifically permitted under the Credit Agreement, (a) sell, assign, transfer
or
otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, or create, incur,
or
permit to exist any Lien with respect to any of the Collateral, or any interest
therein, or Proceeds, except for the lien and security interest provided for
by
this Agreement or the Credit Agreement and any security agreement securing
only
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders; or (b) enter into or
assent to any amendment, compromise, extension, release or other modification
of
any kind of, or substitution for, any of the Accounts of such Grantor except
in
the ordinary course of business of such Grantor.
5.7. Investment
Property.
(a) If
such
Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any
certificate,
option
or rights in respect of the equity interests of any Issuer, whether in addition
to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for, any of the
Pledged Equity, or otherwise in respect thereof, such Grantor shall accept
the
same as the agent of Administrative Agent and the Lenders, hold the same in
trust for Administrative Agent and the Lenders and deliver the same forthwith
to
Administrative Agent in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor
to Administrative Agent, if required, together with an undated instrument of
transfer covering such certificate duly executed in blank by such Grantor and
with, if Administrative Agent so requests, signature guarantied, to be held
by
Administrative Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional Collateral
for
the Secured Obligations. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of
an
Event of Default, (i) any sums paid upon or in respect of the Investment
Property upon the liquidation or dissolution of any Issuer shall be paid over
to
Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder as additional Collateral for
the
Secured Obligations, and (ii) in case any distribution of capital shall be
made
on or in respect of the Investment Property or any property shall be distributed
upon or with respect to the Investment Property pursuant to the recapitalization
or reclassification of the capital of any Issuer or pursuant to the
reorganization thereof, the property so distributed shall, unless otherwise
subject to a perfected Lien in favor of Administrative Agent, be delivered
to
Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder
as additional Collateral for the Secured Obligations. Upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default, if any sums of money or property
so paid or distributed in respect of the Investment Property shall be received
by such Grantor, such Grantor shall, until such money or property is paid or
delivered to Administrative Agent, hold such money or property in trust for
the
Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, as additional Collateral
for the Secured Obligations.
13
(b) Without
the prior written consent of Administrative Agent (which consent will not
unreasonably be withheld), such Grantor will not (i) vote to enable, or take
any
other action to permit, any Issuer to issue any equity interests of any nature
or to issue any other securities or interests convertible into or granting
the
right to purchase or exchange for any equity interests of any nature of any
Issuer, except, in each case, as permitted by the Credit Agreement, (ii) sell,
assign, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with
respect to, the Investment Property or Proceeds thereof (except pursuant to
a
transaction expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement), (iii) create, incur
or
permit to exist any Lien or option in favor of, or any claim of any Person
with
respect to, any of the Investment Property or Proceeds thereof, or any interest
therein, except for Liens expressly permitted under the Credit Agreement, or
(iv) enter into any agreement or undertaking restricting the right or ability
of
such Grantor or Administrative Agent to sell, assign or transfer any of the
Investment Property or Proceeds thereof, except, with respect to such Investment
Property, shareholders’ agreements entered into by such Grantor with respect to
Persons in which such Grantor maintains an ownership interest of fifty (50%)
or
less.
(c) In
the
case of each Grantor which is an Issuer, such Issuer agrees that (i) it will
be
bound by the terms of this Agreement relating to the Investment Property issued
by it and will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable
to
it, and (ii) the terms of Sections
7.3(c)
and
7.7
shall
apply to such Grantor with respect to all actions that may be required of it
pursuant to Section
7.3(c)
or
7.7
regarding the Investment Property issued by it.
5.8. Receivables.
(a) Other
than in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practice and
in
amounts which are not material to such Grantor, such Grantor will not (i) grant
any extension of the time of payment of any Receivable, (ii) compromise or
settle any Receivable for less than the full amount thereof, (iii) release,
wholly or partially, any Person liable for the payment of any Receivable, (iv)
allow any credit or discount whatsoever on any Receivable, or (v) amend,
supplement or modify any Receivable in any manner that is likely to adversely
affect the value thereof.
14
(b) Such
Grantor will deliver to Administrative Agent a copy of each material demand,
notice or document received by it that questions or calls into doubt the
validity or enforceability of more than five percent (5%) of the aggregate
amount of the then outstanding Receivables for all Grantors.
5.9. Depositary
and Other Deposit Accounts.
Each
Grantor shall maintain all of its principal deposit accounts with Administrative
Agent;
provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall be allowed to
maintain deposit accounts (each an “Excepted Account”) with banks other than
Administrative Agent so long as (a) the aggregate balance in all such deposit
accounts shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) at any time,
or (b) such deposit accounts shall be subject to a daily automatic sweep wherein
all deposits are transmitted daily, via wire transfer, to a deposit account
maintained with Administrative Agent.
No
Grantor shall open any depositary or other deposit accounts unless such Grantor
shall have given Administrative Agent at least five (5) days prior written
notice of its intention to open any such new deposit accounts. The Grantors
shall deliver to Administrative Agent a revised version of Schedule
6
showing
any changes thereto within ten (10) days of any such change. Each Grantor hereby
authorizes the financial institutions at which such Grantor maintains a deposit
account to provide Administrative Agent with such information with respect
to
such deposit account as Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably
request, and each Grantor hereby consents to such information being provided
to
Administrative Agent. Concurrently with the creation of any such account, each
Grantor will cause each financial institution at which such Grantor maintains
a
depositary or other deposit account (other than an Excepted Account) to enter
into a bank agency or other similar agreement with Administrative Agent and
such
Grantor, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, in order
to
give Administrative Agent “control” (as defined in the UCC) of such
account.
5.10. Other
Matters.
(a) Prior
to
the Closing Date, each of the Grantors shall cause to be delivered to
Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement with respect to (a) each
bailee with which such Grantor keeps Inventory or other assets as of the Closing
Date with a fair market value in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000),
and
(b) each landlord which leases real property (and the accompanying facilities)
to any of the Grantors as of the Closing Date. The time period for completing
such requirement may be extended or such requirement may be waived at the option
of Administrative Agent. If any Grantor shall cause to be delivered Inventory
or
other property in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) (in the aggregate)
in fair market value to any bailee after the Closing Date, such Grantor shall
cause such bailee to sign a Collateral Access Agreement. Such requirement may
be
waived at the option of Administrative Agent. If any Grantor shall lease any
real property or facilities and the value of property of such Grantor located
at
such leased real property is in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000)
(in
the aggregate) in fair market value after the Closing Date, such Grantor shall
cause the landlord in respect of such leased property or facilities to sign
a
Collateral Access Agreement. Such requirement may be waived at the option of
Administrative Agent.
15
(b) Each
Grantor authorizes Administrative Agent to, at any time and from time to time,
file financing statements, continuation statements, and amendments thereto
that
describe the Collateral as “all assets” or “all personal property” of each
Grantor, or words of similar effect, and that contain any other information
required pursuant to the UCC for the sufficiency of filing office acceptance
of
any financing statement, continuation statement or amendment, and each Grantor
agrees to furnish any such information to Administrative Agent promptly upon
request. Any such financing statement, continuation statement or amendment
may
be filed at any time in any jurisdiction.
(c) Each
Grantor shall, at any time and from time and to time, take such steps as
Administrative Agent may reasonably request for Administrative Agent (i) to
obtain an acknowledgement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Administrative Agent, of any bailee having possession of any of the Collateral,
stating that the bailee holds such Collateral for Administrative Agent,
(ii) to obtain “control” of any letter-of-credit rights, or electronic
chattel paper (as such terms are defined by the UCC with corresponding
provisions thereof defining what constitutes “control” for such items of
Collateral), with any agreements establishing control to be in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, and
(iii) otherwise to insure the continued perfection and priority of
Administrative Agent’s security interest in any of the Collateral and of the
preservation of its rights therein. If any Grantor shall at any time, acquire
a
Commercial Tort Claim in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), such
Grantor shall promptly notify Administrative Agent thereof in writing and
supplement Schedule
7,
therein
providing a reasonable description and summary thereof, and, upon delivery
thereof to Administrative Agent, such Grantor shall be deemed to thereby grant
to Administrative Agent (and such Grantor hereby grants to Administrative Agent)
a security interest and lien in and to such Commercial Tort Claim and all
proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of and governed by this Agreement.
(d) Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any Grantor at any time holds
or
acquires an interest in any Electronic Chattel Paper or any “transferable
record”, as that term is defined in Section 201 of the federal Electronic
Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, or in §16 of the Uniform
Electronic Transactions Act as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction, such
Grantor shall promptly notify Administrative Agent thereof and, at the request
of Administrative Agent, shall take such action as Administrative Agent may
reasonably request to vest in Administrative Agent “control” under Section 9-105
of the UCC of such Electronic Chattel Paper or control under Section 201 of
the
federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or, as the
case may be, §16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, as so in effect in
such jurisdiction, of such transferable record.
5.11. Use
of
Inventory and Equipment.
Until
the exercise by Administrative Agent and the Lenders of their rights under
this
Agreement, each Grantor may (a) retain possession of and use the Inventory
and
Equipment of such Grantor in any lawful manner not inconsistent with this
Agreement or with the terms, conditions, or provisions of any policy of
insurance thereon; (b) sell or lease the Inventory of such Grantor in the
ordinary course of business; and (c) use and consume raw materials or supplies,
the use and consumption of which are necessary in order to carry on such
Grantor’s business.
16
SECTION
6. DEFAULT.
The
occurrence of an Event of Default, as defined in the Credit Agreement, shall
constitute an Event of Default hereunder.
SECTION
7. REMEDIAL
PROVISIONS.
7.1. Certain
Matters Relating to Receivables.
(a) At
any
time and from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance
of an
Event of Default, Administrative Agent shall have the
right
to make test verifications of the Receivables in any manner and through any
medium that it reasonably considers advisable, and each Grantor shall furnish
all such assistance and information as Administrative Agent may reasonably
require in connection with such test verifications. At
any
time and from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance
of an
Event of Default, upon Administrative Agent’s reasonable request and at the
expense of the relevant Grantor, such Grantor shall cause independent public
accountants or others reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent to furnish
to Administrative Agent reports showing reconciliations, agings and test
verifications of, and trial balances for, the Receivables.
(b) The
Administrative Agent hereby authorizes each Grantor to collect such Grantor’s
Receivables, and Administrative Agent may curtail or terminate such authority
at
any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.
If required by Administrative Agent at any time after the occurrence and during
the continuance of an Event of Default, any payments of Receivables, when
collected by any Grantor (i) shall be forthwith (and, in any event, within
two
Business Days) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly
indorsed by such Grantor to Administrative Agent if required, in a collateral
account maintained under the sole dominion and control of Administrative Agent,
subject to withdrawal by Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders
only as provided in Section
7.5,
and
(ii) until so turned over, shall be held by such Grantor in trust for
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such
Grantor. Each such deposit of Proceeds of Receivables shall be accompanied
by a
report identifying in reasonable detail the nature and source of the payments
included in the deposit.
(c) At
any
time and from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance
of an
Event of Default, at Administrative Agent’s request, each Grantor shall deliver
to Administrative Agent all original and other documents evidencing, and
relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Receivables,
including all original orders, invoices
and shipping receipts.
7.2. Communications
with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable.
(a) Administrative
Agent, in its own name or in the name of others, may at any time, after the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, communicate with
obligors under the Receivables to verify with them, to Administrative Agent’s
reasonable satisfaction, the existence, amount and terms of any
Receivables.
17
(b) Upon
the
request of Administrative Agent, at any time after the occurrence and during
the
continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall notify obligors on the
Receivables that the Receivables have been assigned to Administrative Agent,
for
the ratable benefit of the Lenders, and that payments in respect thereof shall
be made directly to Administrative Agent.
(c) Anything
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each Grantor shall remain liable in
respect of each of the Receivables to observe and perform in all material
respects all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by
it
thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise
thereto. Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation
or liability under any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by
reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by Administrative
Agent or any Lender of any payment relating thereto, nor shall Administrative
Agent or any Lender be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations
of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Receivable (or any agreement giving
rise
thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the
sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any
performance by any party thereunder, to present or file any claim, to take
any
action to enforce any performance, or to collect the payment of any amounts
which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time
or
times.
(d) For
the
purpose of enabling Administrative Agent to exercise rights and remedies under
this Agreement, each Grantor hereby grants to Administrative Agent, for the
benefit of Administrative Agent and the Lenders, an irrevocable, nonexclusive
license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to such
Grantor) to use, license or sublicense any Intellectual Property now owned
or
hereafter acquired by such Grantor, and wherever the same may be located, and
including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed
items
may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for
the
compilation or printout thereof.
7.3. Investment
Property.
(a) Unless
an
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and Administrative Agent
shall have given notice to the relevant Grantor of Administrative Agent’s intent
to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section
7.3(b),
each
Grantor shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends and distributions
paid
in respect of the Pledged Equity and all payments made in respect of the Pledged
Notes, to the extent permitted in the Credit Agreement, and to exercise all
voting and other rights with respect to the Investment Property; provided that
no vote shall be cast or other right exercised or action taken which could
impair the Collateral or which would be inconsistent with or result in any
violation of any provision of the Credit Agreement, this Agreement or any other
Loan Document.
(b) If
an
Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, (i) Administrative Agent shall
have the right to receive any and all cash dividends and distributions, payments
or other Proceeds paid in respect of the Investment Property and make
application thereof to the Secured Obligations in such order as Administrative
Agent may determine, and (ii) any or all of the Investment Property shall be
registered, at the option of Administrative Agent, in the name of Administrative
Agent or its nominee, and Administrative Agent or its nominee may thereafter
exercise (A) all voting and other rights pertaining to such Investment Property
at any meeting of holders of the equity interests of the relevant Issuer or
Issuers or otherwise, and (B) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and
subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such
Investment Property as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including the
right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Investment Property
upon
the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental
change in the corporate or other structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise
by any Grantor or Administrative Agent of any right, privilege or option
pertaining to such Investment Property, and in connection therewith, the right
to deposit and deliver any and all of the Investment Property with any
committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency
upon
such terms and conditions as Administrative Agent may determine), all without
liability except to account for property actually received by it; provided
that
Administrative Agent shall have no duty to any Grantor to exercise any such
right, privilege or option, and shall not be responsible for any failure to
do
so or delay in so doing.
18
(c) Each
Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer of any Investment Property
pledged by such Grantor hereunder to (i) comply with any instruction received
by
it from Administrative Agent in writing that (A) states that an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, and (B) is otherwise in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from such
Grantor, and each Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected
in so
complying, and (ii) unless otherwise expressly permitted hereby, pay any
dividends, distributions or other payments with respect to the Investment
Property directly to Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders.
7.4. Proceeds
to be Turned Over to Administrative Agent.
Except
as otherwise provided under the Credit Agreement and in addition to the rights
of Administrative Agent and the Lenders specified in Section
7.1
with
respect to payments of Receivables, if an Event of Default shall occur and
be
continuing, all Proceeds received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks
and
other cash equivalent items shall be held by such Grantor in trust for
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such
Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such
Grantor, be turned over to Administrative Agent in the exact form received
by
such Grantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to Administrative Agent, if
required). All Proceeds received by Administrative Agent hereunder shall be
held
by Administrative Agent in a collateral account maintained under its sole
dominion and control. All Proceeds, while held by Administrative Agent in any
collateral account (or by such Grantor in trust for Administrative Agent and
the
Lenders) established pursuant hereto, shall continue to be held as collateral
security for the Secured Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof
until applied as provided in Section
7.5.
7.5. Application
of Proceeds.
At such
intervals as may be agreed upon by Borrower and Administrative Agent, or, if
an
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time at
Administrative Agent’s election, Administrative Agent may apply all or any part
of the Proceeds from the sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part
of
the Collateral in payment of the Secured Obligations in such order as
Administrative Agent shall determine in its discretion. Any part of such funds
that Administrative Agent elects not so to apply and deems not required as
collateral security for the Secured Obligations shall be paid over from time
to
time by Administrative Agent to the applicable Grantor or to whomsoever may
be
lawfully entitled to receive the same. Any balance of such Proceeds remaining
after the Secured Obligations shall have been Paid in Full shall be paid over
to
the applicable Grantor or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive
the
same. In the absence of a specific determination by Administrative Agent, the
Proceeds from the sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of the
Collateral in payment of the Secured Obligations shall be applied in the
following order:
19
FIRST,
to
the payment of all fees, costs, expenses and indemnities of Administrative
Agent
(in its capacity as such), including Attorney Costs, and any other Obligations
owing to Administrative Agent in respect of sums advanced by Administrative
Agent to preserve the Collateral or to preserve its security interest for the
benefit of the Lenders in the Collateral, until paid in full;
SECOND,
to the payment of all fees, costs, expenses and indemnities of the Lenders,
pro-rata, until paid in full;
THIRD,
to
the payment of all of the Obligations (other than Bank Product Obligations
and
Hedging Obligations) consisting of accrued and unpaid interest and Letter of
Credit fees owing to any Lender, pro-rata, until paid in full;
FOURTH,
to the payment, pro rata, of all Obligations consisting of principal and
unreimbursed Letter of Credit obligations owing to any Lender, for the cash
collateralization (by Administrative Agent) of outstanding Letters of Credit,
and to the payment of Bank Products Obligations and Hedging Obligations owing
to
any existing Lender or its Affiliates, until paid in full;
FIFTH,
to
the payment of all other Secured Obligations owing to each Lender, pro-rata,
until paid in full; and
SIXTH,
to
the payment of any remaining Proceeds, if any, to whomever may be lawfully
entitled to receive such amounts.
7.6. Code
and Other Remedies.
If an
Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, Administrative Agent, on behalf
of the Lenders, may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies
granted to them in this Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement
securing, evidencing or relating to the Secured Obligations, all rights and
remedies of a secured party under the UCC or any other applicable law. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Administrative Agent, without demand
of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice
of
any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon any
Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses,
advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances
forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or
any
part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give options to
purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof
(or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public
or
private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of
Administrative Agent or any Lender or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions
as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or
on
credit or for future delivery with assumption of any credit risk. The
Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have the right upon any such public
sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale
or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free
of
any right or equity of redemption in any Grantor, which right or equity is
hereby waived and released. In connection with any such public or private sales,
each Grantor further agrees, at Administrative Agent’s request, to assemble the
Collateral and make it available to Administrative Agent at places which
Administrative Agent shall reasonably
select, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere. Administrative Agent
shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this
Section
7.6,
after
deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection
therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral
or
in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of Administrative Agent
and
the Lenders hereunder, including Attorney Costs to the payment in whole or
in
part of the Secured Obligations, in such order as Administrative Agent may
elect, and only after such application and after the payment by Administrative
Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, need Administrative
Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Grantor. To the extent permitted
by applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages
and demands it may acquire against Administrative Agent or any Lender arising
out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed
sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice
shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least ten (10) days before
such sale or other disposition.
20
7.7. Marketability
and Private Sales
(a) Each
Grantor recognizes that Administrative Agent may be unable to effect a public
sale of any or all the Pledged Equity, by reason of certain prohibitions
contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or
otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof
to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obliged to agree, among other
things, to acquire such securities for their own account for investment and
not
with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges
and
agrees that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less
favorable than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such
circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been
made in a commercially reasonable manner. Administrative Agent shall be under
no
obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Equity for the period of time
necessary to permit the Issuer thereof to register such securities or other
interests for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state
securities laws, even if such Issuer would agree to do so.
(b) Each
Grantor agrees to use its best efforts to do or cause to be done all such other
acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of
the
Pledged Equity pursuant to this Section
7.7
valid
and binding and in compliance with applicable law.
21
7.8. Waiver;
Deficiency.
Each
Grantor waives and agrees not to assert any rights or privileges that it may
acquire under Section 9-626 of the UCC. Each Grantor shall remain liable for
any
deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral
are insufficient to pay the Obligations in full and the Attorney Costs of any
attorneys employed by Administrative Agent or any Lender to collect such
deficiency.
SECTION
8. THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
8.1. Administrative
Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact.
(a) Each
Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Administrative Agent and
any
officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and
lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place
and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or in its own name,
for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and
all
appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments that
may
be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives
Administrative Agent the power and right, on behalf of and at the expense of
such Grantor, without notice to or assent by such Grantor, to do any or all
of
the following:
(i) in
the
name of such Grantor or its own name, or otherwise, take possession of and
indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments
for the payment of moneys due under any Receivable or with respect to any other
Collateral and file any claim or take any other action or proceeding in any
court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by Administrative Agent
for the purpose of collecting any and all such moneys due under any Receivable
or with respect to any other Collateral whenever payable;
(ii) in
the
case of any Intellectual Property, execute and deliver, and have recorded,
any
and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as Administrative Agent
may request to evidence Administrative Agent’s security interest in such
Intellectual Property and the goodwill and General Intangibles of such Grantor
relating thereto or represented thereby;
(iii) discharge
Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, and effect
any
repairs or insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all
or
any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof;
(iv) execute,
in connection with any sale provided for in Section
7.6 or 7.7,
any
indorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with
respect to the Collateral; and
(v) (A)
direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make
payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to
Administrative Agent or as Administrative Agent shall direct; (B) ask or demand
for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims
and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising
out
of any Collateral; (C) sign and indorse any invoices, freight or express bills,
bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors,
assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with
any
of the Collateral; (D) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings
at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the
Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect
of
any Collateral; (E) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against such
Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (F) settle, compromise or adjust any
such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such
discharges or releases as Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; (G) assign
any Copyright, Patent or Trademark, throughout the world for such term or terms,
on such conditions, and in such manner, as Administrative Agent shall in its
sole discretion determine; (H) vote any right or interest with respect to any
Investment Property; (I) order good standing certificates and conduct lien
searches in respect of such jurisdictions or offices as Administrative Agent
may
deem appropriate; and (J) generally sell, transfer, pledge and make any
agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully
and completely as though Administrative Agent were the absolute owner thereof
for all purposes, and do, at Administrative Agent’s option and such Grantor’s
expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which
Administrative Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the
Collateral and Administrative Agent’s security interests therein and to effect
the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor
might
do.
22
Anything
in this Section
8.1(a)
to the
contrary notwithstanding, Administrative Agent agrees that it will not exercise
any rights under the power of attorney provided for in this Section
8.1(a)
unless
an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(b) If
any
Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein,
Administrative Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may
perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such
agreement.
(c) Each
Grantor hereby ratifies all that such attorneys shall lawfully do or cause
to be
done by virtue hereof. All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in
this
Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement
is terminated and the security interests created hereby are
released.
8.2. Duty
of Administrative Agent.
Administrative Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and
physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession shall be to deal
with
it in the same manner as Administrative Agent deals with similar property for
its own account. Neither Administrative Agent or any Lender nor any of their
respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for any
failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any
delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose
of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or any other Person or to
take
any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.
The powers conferred on Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are
solely to protect the interests of Administrative Agent and the
Lenders
in the
Collateral, and shall not impose any duty upon Administrative Agent or any
Lender to exercise any such powers. Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall
be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the
exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors,
employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure
to act hereunder.
23
8.3. Authority
of Administrative Agent.
Each
Grantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of Administrative
Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by Administrative
Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by Administrative Agent of any option,
voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein
or
resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between Administrative
Agent and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other
agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them,
but,
as between Administrative Agent and the Grantors, Administrative Agent shall
be
conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Lenders with full and valid
authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Grantor shall be under any
obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such
authority.
SECTION
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
9.1. Amendments
in Writing.
None of
the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented
or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section
15.1
of the
Credit Agreement provided,
however,
that
annexes to this Agreement may be supplemented through Joinder Agreements, in
substantially the form of Annex
I,
duly
executed by Administrative Agent and each Grantor directly affected
thereby.
9.2. Notices.
All
notices, requests and demands to or upon Administrative Agent or any Grantor
hereunder shall be addressed to Borrower and effected in the manner provided
for
in Section
15.3
of the
Credit Agreement. Each Grantor hereby appoints Borrower as its agent to receive
notices hereunder provided,
however,
that
any such notice, request or demand to or upon any Grantor shall be addressed
to
Borrower’s notice address set forth in Section
15.3
of the
Credit Agreement.
9.3. Indemnification
by Grantors.
THE
GRANTORS, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, HEREBY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, EXONERATE AND HOLD
EACH LENDER PARTY FREE
AND
HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES, INCURRED BY
THE
LENDER PARTIES OR ANY OF THEM AS A RESULT OF, OR ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATING
TO
(A) ANY TENDER OFFER, MERGER, PURCHASE OF EQUITY INTERESTS, PURCHASE OF ASSETS
(INCLUDING THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS) OR OTHER SIMILAR TRANSACTION FINANCED
OR
PROPOSED TO BE FINANCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, WITH THE
PROCEEDS OF ANY OF THE LOANS, (B) THE USE, HANDLING, RELEASE, EMISSION,
DISCHARGE, TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE, TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL OF ANY HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE AT ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY ANY GRANTOR, (C) ANY VIOLATION
OF
ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS WITH RESPECT TO CONDITIONS AT ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR
LEASED BY ANY GRANTOR OR THE OPERATIONS CONDUCTED THEREON, (D) THE
INVESTIGATION, CLEANUP OR REMEDIATION OF OFFSITE LOCATIONS AT WHICH ANY LOAN
PARTY OR THEIR RESPECTIVE PREDECESSORS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY DISPOSED OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, AND (E) THE EXECUTION,
DELIVERY, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT BY ANY OF THE LENDER PARTIES, EXCEPT FOR ANY SUCH INDEMNIFIED
LIABILITIES ARISING ON ACCOUNT OF THE APPLICABLE LENDER PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE
OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT AS DETERMINED BY A FINAL, NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT BY A
COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. IF AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FOREGOING
UNDERTAKING MAY BE UNENFORCEABLE FOR ANY REASON, EACH GRANTOR HEREBY AGREES
TO
MAKE THE MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION TO THE PAYMENT AND SATISFACTION OF EACH OF THE
INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES THAT IS PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ALL
OBLIGATIONS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION
9.3
SHALL
SURVIVE REPAYMENT OF ALL (AND SHALL BE) OBLIGATIONS (AND TERMINATION OF ALL
COMMITMENTS UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT), ANY FORECLOSURE UNDER, OR ANY
MODIFICATION, RELEASE OR DISCHARGE OF, ANY OR ALL OF THE COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS
AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.
24
9.4. Enforcement
Expenses.
(a) Each
Grantor agrees, on a joint and several basis, to pay or reimburse on demand
each
Lender and Administrative Agent for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred in collecting against any Guarantor
under the guaranty contained in Section
2,
or
otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents.
(b) Each
Grantor agrees to pay, and to save Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless
from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay
in
paying, any and all (i) stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable
or determined to be payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
(ii)
claims
of
any kind that, if unpaid, could become a Lien on any of its property; each
in
accordance with Section
10.4
of the
Credit Agreement.
(c) The
agreements in this Section
9.4
shall
survive repayment of all (and shall be) Obligations (and termination of all
commitments under the Credit Agreement), any foreclosure under, or any
modification, release or discharge of, any or all of the Collateral Documents
and termination of this Agreement.
9.5. Captions.
Section
captions used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect
the construction of this Agreement.
9.6. Nature
of Remedies.
All
obligations of each Grantor and rights of Administrative Agent and the Lenders
expressed herein or in any other Loan Document shall be in addition to and
not
in limitation of those provided by applicable law. No failure to exercise and
no
delay in exercising, on the part of Administrative Agent or any Lender, 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.
25
9.7. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the
different parties hereto on separate counterparts and each such counterpart
shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same Agreement. Receipt by facsimile
of any executed signature page to this Agreement or any other Loan Document
shall constitute effective delivery of such signature page.
9.8. Severability.
The
illegality or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement, or any
instrument or agreement required hereunder, shall not in any way affect or
impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this
Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.
9.9. Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, embodies the entire agreement
and understanding among the parties hereto and supersedes all prior or
contemporaneous
agreements and understandings of such Persons, verbal or written, relating
to
the subject matter hereof and thereof and any prior arrangements made with
respect to the payment by any Grantor of (or any indemnification for) any fees,
costs or expenses payable to or incurred (or to be incurred) by or on behalf
of
Administrative Agent or the Lenders.
9.10. Successors;
Assigns.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon Grantors, the Lenders and Administrative
Agent and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the
benefit of Grantors, Lenders and Administrative Agent and the successors and
assigns of the Lenders and Administrative Agent. No other Person shall be a
direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause
of
action or
claim
in connection
with, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. No Grantor may
assign
or
transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the
prior
written consent of Administrative Agent.
9.11. Set-off.
Each
Grantor agrees that Administrative Agent and each Lender have all rights of
set-off and bankers’ lien provided by applicable law, and in addition thereto,
each Grantor agrees that at any time any Event of Default exists, Administrative
Agent and each Lender may apply to the payment of any Secured Obligations,
whether or not then due, any and all balances, credits, deposits, accounts
or
moneys of such Grantor then or thereafter with Administrative Agent or such
Lender.
9.12. Acknowledgements.
Each
Grantor hereby acknowledges that:
(a) it
has
been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;
(b) neither
Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or
duty
to any Grantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of
the
other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Grantors, on the one
hand, and Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, in connection
herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and
26
(c) no
joint
venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists
by
virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the
Grantors and the Lenders.
9.13. Additional
Grantors.
Each
Parent Entity or Company that is required to become a party to this Agreement
pursuant to Section
10.9
of the
Credit Agreement shall become a Grantor for all purposes of this Agreement
upon
execution and delivery by such Parent Entity or Company of a joinder agreement
in the form of Annex
I.
9.14. Releases.
(a) At
such
time as the Secured Obligations shall have been irrevocably Paid in Full, the
Commitments terminated, and the Credit Agreement terminated and not replaced
by
any other credit facility with Administrative Agent, the Grantors shall have
the
right to terminate this Agreement. Upon
written request of Pledgor and at the expense of the Grantors, Administrative
Agent shall execute and deliver to Pledgor all deeds, assignments, and other
instruments as may be necessary or proper to release Lender’s security interest
in and assignment of the Collateral and to re-vest in Pledgor full title to
the
Collateral, subject to any disposition thereof that may have been made by
Administrative Agent.
(b) If
any of
the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any
Grantor in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement, then Administrative
Agent, at the request and sole expense of such Grantor, shall execute and
deliver to such Grantor all releases or other documents reasonably necessary
or
desirable for the release of the Liens created hereby on such Collateral. At
the
request and sole expense of Borrower (so long as no Default or Event of Default
shall exist), a Guarantor shall be released from its obligations hereunder
in
the event that all the equity interests of such Guarantor shall be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted by the Credit
Agreement; provided that Borrower shall have delivered to Administrative Agent,
with reasonable notice prior to the date of the proposed release, a written
request for release identifying the relevant Guarantor and the terms of the
sale
or other disposition in reasonable detail, including the price thereof and
any
expenses in connection therewith, together with a certification by Borrower
stating that such transaction is in compliance with the Credit Agreement and
the
other Loan Documents.
9.15. Obligations
and Liens Absolute and Unconditional.
Each
Grantor understands and agrees that the obligations of each Grantor under this
Agreement shall be construed
as a continuing, absolute and unconditional without regard to (a) the validity
or enforceability of any Loan Document, any of the Secured Obligations or any
other collateral security therefor or guaranty or right of offset with respect
thereto at any time or from time to time held by Administrative Agent or any
Lender, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of
payment or performance) that may at any time be available
to or be asserted by any Grantor or any other Person against Administrative
Agent or any Lender, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without
notice to or knowledge of any Grantor) that constitutes, or might be construed
to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of any Grantor for the Secured
Obligations, in bankruptcy or in any other instance. When making any demand
hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any
Grantor, Administrative Agent or any Lender may, but shall be under no
obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and
remedies as it may have against any other Grantor or any other Person or against
any collateral security or guaranty for the Secured Obligations or any right
of
offset with respect thereto, and any failure by Administrative Agent or any
Lender to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or
to
collect any payments from any other Grantor or any other Person or to realize
upon any such collateral security or guaranty or to exercise any such right
of
offset, or any release of any other Grantor or any other Person or any such
collateral security, guaranty or right of offset, shall not relieve any Grantor
of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the
rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law,
of Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Grantor. For the purposes
hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal
proceedings.
27
9.16. Reinstatement.
This
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective
should any petition be filed by or against Grantor or any Issuer for liquidation
or reorganization, should Grantor or any Issuer become insolvent or make an
assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be
appointed for all or any significant part of Grantor’s or and Issuer’s assets,
and shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if
at
any time payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, or any part
thereof, is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or
must
otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of the Secured Obligations,
whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent conveyance”, or otherwise, all
as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that
any
payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned,
the
Secured Obligations shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount
paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.
9.17.
Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be a contract made under and governed by the internal laws
of the State of Ohio applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely
within such state, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
9.18. Forum
Selection; Consent to Jurisdiction.
Any
litigation based hereon, or arising out of, under, or in connection with this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, may be brought and maintained in the
courts of the State of New York or the State of Ohio, or in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York or in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; provided that nothing in
this
Agreement shall be deemed or operate to preclude Administrative Agent from
bringing suit or taking other legal action in any other jurisdiction. Borrower
and each Grantor hereby expressly and irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction
of
the courts of the State of New York and the State of Ohio and of the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York and in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for the purpose of
any
such litigation as set forth above. Borrower and each Grantor further
irrevocably consent to the service of process by registered mail, postage
prepaid, or by personal service within or without the State of New York or
the
State of Ohio. Borrower and each Grantor hereby expressly and irrevocably waive,
to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which they may now or
hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such litigation brought in any
such
court referred to above and any claim that any such litigation has been brought
in an inconvenient forum.
[signature
page[s] follow[s]]
28
9.19 Waiver
of Jury Trial.
BORROWER, EACH GRANTOR AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT
TO A
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER
THIS AGREEMENT AND
ANY
AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE
FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND
AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND
NOT
BEFORE A JURY.
Each
of
the undersigned has caused this Guaranty and Collateral Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
NET
PERCEPTIONS, INC.
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WILMINGTON ACQUISITION, LLC
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LASALLE
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Signature
Page to
ANNEX
I
FORM
OF
JOINDER TO GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
This
JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”)
dated
as of [______] is executed by the undersigned for the benefit of LaSalle Bank
National Association, as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative
Agent”)
in
connection with that certain Guaranty and Collateral Agreement dated as of
October 3, 2006 among the Grantors party thereto and Administrative Agent (as
amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Guaranty
and Collateral Agreement”).
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are being used herein as defined
in the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement.
Each
Person signatory hereto is required to execute this Agreement pursuant to
Section
9.13
of the
Guaranty and Collateral Agreement.
In
consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each signatory hereby
agrees as follows:
1. Each
such
Person assumes all the obligations of a Grantor and a Guarantor under the
Guaranty and Collateral Agreement and agrees that such person or entity is
a
Grantor and a Guarantor and bound as a Grantor and a Guarantor under the terms
of the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement, as if it had been an original
signatory to such agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, such Person hereby
assigns, pledges and grants to Administrative Agent a security interest in
all
of its right, title and interest in and to the Collateral owned thereby to
secure the Obligations.
2. Schedules
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement are hereby
amended to add the information relating to each such Person set out on Schedules
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively, hereof. Each such Person hereby makes
to
Administrative Agent the representations and warranties set forth in the
Guaranty and Collateral Agreement applicable to such Person and the applicable
Collateral and confirms that such representations and warranties are true and
correct after giving effect to such amendment to such Schedules.
3. In
furtherance of its obligations under Section
5.2
of the
Guaranty and Collateral Agreement, each such Person agrees to deliver to
Administrative Agent appropriately complete UCC financing statements naming
such
person or entity as debtor and Administrative Agent as secured party, and
describing its Collateral and such other documentation as Administrative Agent
(or its successors or assigns) may require to evidence, protect and perfect
the
Liens created by the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement, as modified hereby.
Each
such Person acknowledges the authorizations given to Administrative Agent under
the Section
5.10(b)
of the
Guaranty and Collateral Agreement and otherwise.
4. Each
such
Person’s address for notices under the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement shall
be the address of Borrower set forth in the Credit Agreement and each such
Person hereby appoints Borrower as its agent to receive notices hereunder.
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5. This
Agreement shall be deemed to be part of, and a modification to, the Guaranty
and
Collateral Agreement and shall be governed by all the terms and provisions
of
the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement, with respect to the modifications
intended to be made to such agreement, which terms are incorporated herein
by
reference, are ratified and confirmed and shall continue in full force and
effect as valid and binding agreements of each such person or entity enforceable
against such person or entity. Each such Person hereby waives notice of
Administrative Agent’s acceptance of this Agreement. Each such Person will
deliver an executed original of this Agreement to Administrative Agent.
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