Exhibit 10.5
A/B EXCHANGE
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of April 21, 1998
by and among
GOTHIC PRODUCTION CORPORATION
GOTHIC ENERGY CORPORATION
and
XXXXXXXXX, XXXXXX & XXXXXXXX SECURITIES CORPORATION
CIBC XXXXXXXXXXX CORP.
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is made and entered
into as of April 21, 1998, by and among Gothic Production Corporation, an
Oklahoma corporation (the "COMPANY"), Gothic Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma
corporation (the "GUARANTOR"), and Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx Securities
Corporation and CIBC Xxxxxxxxxxx Corp. (each an "INITIAL PURCHASER" and
collectively, the "INITIAL PURCHASERS"), each of whom has agreed to purchase the
Company's 11_% Series A Senior Secured Notes due 2005 (the "SERIES A NOTES")
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated April 21,
1998, (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), by and among the Company, the Guarantor and
the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase
the Series A Notes, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights
set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a
condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 3 of
the Purchase Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
shall have the meaning assigned to them the Indenture, dated April 21, 1998 (the
"INDENTURE"), among the Company, the Guarantor and The Bank of New York, as
Trustee, relating to the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the
following meanings:
ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
AFFILIATE: As defined in Rule 144 of the Act.
BROKER-DEALER: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
CERTIFICATED SECURITIES: Definitive Securities, as defined in the
Indenture.
CLOSING DATE: The date hereof.
COMMISSION: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONSUMMATE: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for purposes
of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and effectiveness under
the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Series B
Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the maintenance of such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the
Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period required pursuant to
Section 3(b) hereof and (c) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under
the Indenture of Series B
Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount
of Series A Notes tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
CONSUMMATION DEADLINE: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.
EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE: As defined in Section 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
EXCHANGE OFFER: The exchange and issuance by the Company of a principal
amount of Series B Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount of
Series A Notes that are tendered by such Holders in connection with such
exchange and issuance.
EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT: The Registration Statement relating
to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
EXEMPT RESALES: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers propose
to sell the Series A Notes to certain "qualified institutional buyers," as such
term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act and pursuant to Regulation S under
the Act.
FILING DEADLINE: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
HOLDERS: As defined in Section 2 hereof.
NOTES: Series A Notes and Series B Notes.
PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the
time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
into such Prospectus.
RECOMMENCEMENT DATE: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
REGISTRATION DEFAULT: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Company and the
Guarantor relating to (a) an offering of Series B Notes pursuant to an Exchange
Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, (i) that is filed
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the Prospectus
included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-
effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference
therein.
REGULATION S: Regulation S promulgated under the Act.
RULE 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
SERIES B NOTES: The Company's 11_% Series B Senior Secured Notes due 2005
to be issued pursuant to the Indenture (i) in the Exchange Offer or (ii) as
contemplated by Section 4 hereof.
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
SUSPENSION NOTICE: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as
in effect on the date of the Indenture.
TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES: Each Note, until the earliest to occur of
(a) the date on which such Note is exchanged in the Exchange Offer by a Holder
other than a Broker-Dealer, (b) if such Note is exchanged by a Broker-Dealer in
the Exchange Offer, the date on which the Note received pursuant to the Exchange
Offer is sold to a purchaser who receives from such Broker-Dealer on or prior to
the date of such sale a copy of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement (unless such Prospectus is not appropriate or available
for resales by such Broker-Dealer), (c) the date on which such Note has been
effectively registered under the Act and disposed of in accordance with a Shelf
Registration Statement or (d) the date on which such Note is distributed to the
public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act or may be sold without restrictions
pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Act.
SECTION 2. HOLDERS
A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each,
a "HOLDER") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable federal
law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been complied
with), the Company and the Guarantor shall (i) cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be filed with the Commission as soon as practicable
after the Closing Date, but in no event later than 45 days after the Closing
Date (such 45th day being the "FILING DEADLINE"), (ii) use their reasonable best
efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective
at the earliest possible time, but in no event later than 120 days after the
Closing Date (such 120th day being the "EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE"), (iii) in
connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective amendments to such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause it
to become effective, (B) file, if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and
(C) cause all necessary filings, if any, in connection with the registration and
qualification of the Series B Notes to be made under the Blue Sky laws of such
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jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and
(iv) upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
commence and Consummate the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the
appropriate form permitting (i) registration of the Series B Notes to be offered
in exchange for the Series A Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and
(ii) resales of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange
Offer Series A Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a
result of market making activities or other trading activities (other than
Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) as
contemplated by Section 3(c) below.
(b) The Company and the Guarantor shall use their respective best efforts
to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously,
and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum
period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate
the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be
less than 20 Business Days. The Company and the Guarantor shall cause the
Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws.
No securities other than the Series B Notes shall be included in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement. The Company and the Guarantor shall use their
respective best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on the
earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has
become effective, but in no event later than 30 Business Days thereafter (such
30th day being the "CONSUMMATION DEADLINE").
(c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and indicate
therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that
were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired
directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), may exchange such
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Such "Plan of
Distribution" section shall also contain all other information with respect to
such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to
permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not
name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the
Commission as a result of a change in policy, rules or regulations after the
date of this Agreement. See the Shearman & Sterling no-action letter (available
July 2, 1993).
Because such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with its initial sale of any Series B
Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company and
Guarantor shall permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus delivery
requirement. To the extent necessary to ensure that the prospectus contained in
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is available for sales of Series B
Notes by Broker-Dealers, the Company and the Guarantor agree to use their
respective best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and
subject to
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the provisions of Section 6(a) and (c) hereof and in conformity with the
requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations
of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of one year from
the Consummation Deadline or such shorter period as will terminate when all
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been
sold pursuant thereto. The Company and the Guarantor shall provide sufficient
copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to such Broker-Dealers, promptly
upon request, and in no event later than one day after such request, at any time
during such period.
SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Exchange Offer is not permitted by
applicable law (after the Company and the Guarantor have complied with the
procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below) or (ii) if any Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall notify the Company within 20 Business Days following
the Consummation Deadline that (A) such Holder was prohibited by law or
Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer or (B) such Holder
may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the
public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such
resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Series A
Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates, then the
Company and the Guarantor shall:
(x) cause to be filed, on or prior to 45 days after the earlier of (i)
the date on which the Company determines that the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement cannot be filed as a result of clause (a)(i) above
and (ii) the date on which the Company receives the notice specified in
clause (a)(ii) above, (such earlier date, the "FILING DEADLINE"), a shelf
registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an
amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (the "SHELF
REGISTRATION STATEMENT")), relating to all Transfer Restricted Securities,
and
(y) shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause such
Shelf Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to 120 days
after the Filing Deadline for the Shelf Registration Statement (such 120th
day the "EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE").
If, after the Company has filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement
that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above, the Company is required
to file and make effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely because the
Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e., clause
(a)(i) above), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above; provided that,
in such event, the Company shall remain obligated to meet the Effectiveness
Deadline set forth in clause (y).
To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is
available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof
entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and the other securities required
to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) hereof, the
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Company and the Guarantor shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to
keep any Shelf Registration Statement required by this Section 4(a) continuously
effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the
provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof and in conformity with the
requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations
of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of at least two
years (as extended pursuant to Section 6(c)(i)) following the Closing Date, or
such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto.
(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may
include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 10 days after receipt of a request therefor, the
information specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of
the Act for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. No Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall be entitled to liquidated damages pursuant to
Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have provided all such
information. Each selling Holder agrees to promptly furnish additional
information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously
furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not filed
with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline, (ii) any such
Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission on or
prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, (iii) the Exchange Offer has not
been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline or (iv) any
Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared
effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for
its intended purpose without being succeeded within 2 days by a post-effective
amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is
itself declared effective within 5 days of filing such post-effective amendment
to such Registration Statement (each such event referred to in clauses (i)
through (iv), a "REGISTRATION DEFAULT"), then the Company and the Guarantor
hereby jointly and severally agree to pay to each Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount equal to $.05 per
week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by
such Holder for each week or portion thereof that the Registration Default
continues for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of
such Registration Default. The amount of the liquidated damages shall increase
by an additional $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all
Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of liquidated
damages of $.30 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities; provided that the Company and the Guarantor shall in no event be
required to pay liquidated damages for more than one Registration Default at any
given time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (1) upon
filing of the
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Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf
Registration Statement), in the case of (i) above, (2) upon the effectiveness of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf
Registration Statement), in the case of (ii) above, (3) upon Consummation of the
Exchange Offer, in the case of (iii) above, or (4) upon the filing of a post-
effective amendment to the Registration Statement or an additional Registration
Statement that causes the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if
applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be declared effective or
made usable in the case of (iv) above, the liquidated damages payable with
respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities as a result of such clause (i),
(ii), (iii) or (iv), as applicable, shall cease.
All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled
thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on
each Interest Payment Date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the
Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which liquidated
damages are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of
the Company and the Guarantor to pay liquidated damages with respect to
securities shall survive until such time as such obligations with respect to
such securities shall have been satisfied in full.
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the Exchange
Offer, the Company and the Guarantor shall (x) comply with all applicable
provisions of Section 6(c) below, (y) use their respective best efforts to
effect such exchange and to permit the resale of Series B Notes by Broker-
Dealers that tendered in the Exchange Offer Series A Notes that such Broker-
Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of its market making activities
or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired directly from
the Company or any of its Affiliates) being sold in accordance with the intended
method or methods of distribution thereof, and (z) comply with all of the
following provisions:
(i) If, following the date hereof there has been announced a change in
Commission policy with respect to exchange offers such as the Exchange
Offer, that in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company raises a
substantial question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by
applicable federal law, the Company and the Guarantor hereby agree to seek
a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing
the Company and the Guarantor to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such
Transfer Restricted Securities. The Company and the Guarantor hereby agree
to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level.
In connection with the foregoing, the Company and the Guarantor hereby
agree to take all such other actions as may be requested by the Commission
or otherwise required in connection with the issuance of such decision,
including without limitation (A) participating in telephonic conferences
with the Commission, (B) delivering to the Commission staff an analysis
prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any,
upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be
permitted and (C) diligently pursuing a resolution (which need not be
favorable) by the Commission staff.
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(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation,
any Holder who is a Broker Dealer) shall furnish, upon the request of the
Company, prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written
representation to the Company and the Guarantor (which may be contained in
the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an Affiliate of the Company,
(B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a
distribution of the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and
(C) it is acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business.
Each Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of
the Series B Notes hereby acknowledges and agrees that, if the resales are
of Series B Notes obtained by such Holder in exchange for Series A Notes
acquired directly from the Company or an Affiliate thereof, it (1) could
not, under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement,
rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and
Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation
(available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission's letter to
Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters
(including, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause
(i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale
transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction must be covered by
an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder
information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company and the Guarantor shall provide a supplemental
letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Company and the Guarantor are
registering the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the
Commission enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May
13, 1988), Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) as
interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2,
1993, and, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause
(i) above, (B) including a representation that neither the Company nor the
Guarantor has entered into any arrangement or understanding with any Person
to distribute the Series B Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and
that, to the best of the Company's and the Guarantor's information and
belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the
Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or
understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the
Series B Notes received in the Exchange Offer and (C) any other undertaking
or representation required by the Commission as set forth in any no-action
letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, if applicable.
(b) Shelf Registration Statement. (i) In connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantor shall (x) comply with all
the provisions of Section 6(c) below and (y) use their respective best efforts
to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted
Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution
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thereof (as indicated in the information furnished to the Company pursuant to
Section 4(b) hereof), and pursuant thereto the Company and the Guarantor will
prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the
registration on any appropriate form under the Act, which form shall be
available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with
the intended method or methods of distribution thereof within the time periods
and otherwise in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(ii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of Series A
Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this
Agreement, Series B Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes sold pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement and surrendered to the Company for cancellation; the
Company shall register Series B Notes on the Shelf Registration Statement
for this purpose and issue the Series B Notes to the purchaser(s) of
securities subject to the Shelf Registration Statement in the names as such
purchaser(s) shall designate.
(c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement and
any related Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantor
shall:
(i) use their respective best efforts to keep such Registration
Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial
statements for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as
applicable. Upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such
Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain
an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (B) not to be
effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during
the period required by this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantor shall
file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement
curing such defect, and, if Commission review is required, use their
respective best efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective as
soon as practicable.
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-
effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be
necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable
period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case may be; cause the
Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as
so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, and to
comply fully with Rules 424, 430A and 462, as applicable, under the Act in
a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Act with respect to
the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement
during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or
methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such
Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
(iii) advise each Holder promptly and, if requested by such Holder,
confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to
any applicable Registration Statement or any
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post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B)
of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration
Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional
information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under
the Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the
qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in
any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the
preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of
any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto
or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires
the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement in
order to make the statements therein not misleading, or that requires the
making of any additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or
any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue
an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of
the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws,
the Company and the Guarantor shall use their respective best efforts to
obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible
time;
(iv) subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event contemplated by
Section 6(c)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a
supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or
related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or
file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(v) furnish to each selling Holder named in any Registration
Statement or Prospectus in connection with such exchange or sale, if any,
before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or
any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any
such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents
incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration
Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of
such Holders in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least
five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such
Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents
incorporated by reference) to which such Holders shall reasonably object
within five Business Days after the receipt thereof. A Holder shall be
deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration
Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed
to be filed, contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact
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necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or fails to comply
with the applicable requirements of the Act;
(vi) promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be
incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus, if
requested by any selling Holder, provide copies of such document to each
Holder in connection with such exchange or sale, if any, make the Company's
and the Guarantor's representatives available for discussion of such
document and other customary due diligence matters, and include such
information in such document prior to the filing thereof as such Holders
may reasonably request;
(vii) make available, at reasonable times, for inspection by each
selling Holder and any attorney or accountant retained by such selling
Holders, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents of
the Company and the Guarantor and cause the Company's and the Guarantor's
officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably
requested by any such Holder, attorney or accountant in connection with
such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto
subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness; provided,
however, that such Persons shall first agree in writing with the Company
that any information that is reasonably and in good faith designated by the
Company in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such
information shall be kept confidential by such Persons, unless (i)
disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order
or is necessary to respond to inquires of regulatory authorities, (ii)
disclosure of such information is required by law (including any disclosure
requirements pursuant to federal securities laws in connection with the
filing of such Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus), (iii)
such information becomes generally available to the public other than as a
result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard such information by such
Person or (iv) such information becomes available to such Person from a
source other than the Company and its subsidiaries and such source is not
known, after due inquiry, by such Person to be bound by a confidentiality
agreement; provided further, that the foregoing investigation shall be
coordinated on behalf of such Persons by one representative designated by
and on behalf of such Persons and any such confidential information shall
be available from such representative to such Persons so long as any Person
agrees to be bound by such confidentiality agreement;
(viii) if requested by any Holders in connection with such exchange
or sale, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus,
pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such
information as such Holders may reasonably request to have included
therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the "Plan
of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Securities; and make all
required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be
included in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
(ix) furnish to each selling Holder in connection with such exchange
or sale, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement,
as first filed with the
11
Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including all documents
incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits
incorporated therein by reference);
(x) deliver to each Holder without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or
supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company and
the Guarantor hereby consent to the use (in accordance with law) of the
Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each selling Holder
in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto;
(xi) upon the request of any Holder, enter into such agreements
(including underwriting agreements) and make such representations and
warranties and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order
to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to any applicable Registration Statement contemplated
by this Agreement as may be reasonably requested by any Holder in
connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any applicable Registration
Statement. In such connection, the Company and the Guarantor shall:
(A) upon request of any Holder, furnish (or in the case of
paragraphs (2) and (3), use its best efforts to cause to be furnished)
to each Holder, upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer or upon the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be:
(1) a certificate, dated such date, signed on behalf of the
Company and the Guarantor by (x) the President or any Vice
President and (y) a principal financial or accounting officer of
the Company and the Guarantor, confirming, as of the date
thereof, the matters set forth in Sections 6(jj), 9(a) and 9(b)
of the Purchase Agreement and such other similar matters as such
Holders may reasonably request;
(2) an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the
Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the
Company and the Guarantor covering matters similar to those set
forth in paragraphs (e) and (f) of Section 9 of the Purchase
Agreement and such other matter as such Holder may reasonably
request, and in any event including a statement to the effect
that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers
and other representatives of the Company and the Guarantor,
representatives of the independent public accountants for the
Company and the Guarantor and have considered the matters
required to be stated therein and the statements contained
therein, although such counsel has not independently verified the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that
such counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing and
without independent check or
12
verification), no facts came to such counsel's attention that
caused such counsel to believe that the applicable Registration
Statement, at the time such Registration Statement or any post-
effective amendment thereto became effective and, in the case of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as of the date of
Consummation of the Exchange Offer, contained an untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such
Registration Statement as of its date and, in the case of the
opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as
of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Without
limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state further that such
counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently
verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial
statements, notes and schedules and other financial data included
in any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or
the related Prospectus; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of
Consummation of the Exchange Offer, or as of the date of
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case
may be, from the Company's independent accountants, in the
customary form and covering matters of the type customarily
covered in comfort letters to underwriters in connection with
underwritten offerings, and affirming the matters set forth in
the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 9(h) of the
Purchase Agreement; and
(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by the selling Holders to evidence compliance
with the matters covered in clause (A) above and with any customary
conditions contained in the any agreement entered into by the Company
and the Guarantor pursuant to this clause (xi);
(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in
connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer
Restricted Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions as the selling Holders may request and do any and all other
acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that neither the
Company nor the Guarantor shall be required to register or qualify as a
foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any action
that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation,
other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration
Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;
13
(xiii) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities
that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation
and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to
be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and to register such
Transfer Restricted Securities in such denominations and such names as the
selling Holders may request at least two Business Days prior to such sale
of Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xiv) use their respective best efforts to cause the disposition of
the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to
be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or
authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to
consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject
to the proviso contained in clause (xii) above;
(xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Securities
not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement covering such
Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture
with printed certificates for the Transfer Restricted Securities which are
in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;
(xvi) otherwise use their respective best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally
available to its security holders with regard to any applicable
Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings
statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited)
covering a twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of the
Registration Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule
158 under the Act);
(xvii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later
than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by
this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and
the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for
such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA;
and execute and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all
documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms
and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such
Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and
(xviii) provide promptly to each Holder, upon request, each document
filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(d) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a
Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in
Section 6(c)(iii)(C) or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact
of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in each case, a
"SUSPENSION NOTICE"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Transfer
14
Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until
(i) such Holder has received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or (ii) such Holder is advised in
writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has
received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated
by reference in the Prospectus (in each case, the "RECOMMENCEMENT DATE"). Each
Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby agrees that it will either (i)
destroy any Prospectuses, other than permanent file copies, then in such
Holder's possession which have been replaced by the Company with more recently
dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense) all
copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's possession of
the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at
the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. The time period regarding the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof,
as applicable, shall be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days
in the period from and including the date of delivery of the Suspension Notice
to the date of delivery of the Recommencement Date.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Company's and the Guarantor's performance
of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of
whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including without
limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses; (ii) all fees and
expenses of compliance with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities
laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the
Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses,
messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Company, the Guarantor and the Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with listing the
Series B Notes on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system
pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of
independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantor
(including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or
incident to such performance).
The Company will, in any event, bear its and the Guarantor's internal
expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of
any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special
experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantor.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company and the Guarantor
will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities who are tendering Series A Notes into in the Exchange Offer and/or
selling or reselling Series A Notes or Series B Notes pursuant to the "Plan of
Distribution" contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the
Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and
disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Xxxxx & Xxxxx, L.L.P.,
15
unless another firm shall be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration
Statement is being prepared.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Company and the Guarantor agree, jointly and severally, to
indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors, officers and each
Person, if any, who controls such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, (including without limitation, any
legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending
any matter, including any action that could give rise to any such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments) caused by any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) provided by the Company to any Holder or any prospective purchaser of
Series B Notes or registered Series A Notes, or caused by any omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by an untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is based upon
information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company
by any of the Holders.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted agrees, severally and not jointly,
to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantor, and their
respective directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls (within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the
Company, or the Guarantor to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the
Company and the Guarantor set forth in section (a) above, but only with
reference to information relating to such Holder furnished in writing to the
Company by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In no
event shall any Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such
Holder be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the amount by which
the total amount received by such Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the
amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the
amount of any damages that such Holder, its directors, officers or any Person
who controls such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
(c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in respect
of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) (the
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the person
against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING PERSON") in writing
and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and
the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred (except that
in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a Holder shall not be required to assume the
defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c), but may employ separate
counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of
such
16
counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense of the Holder). Any
indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such
action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such
counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party unless (i) the
employment of such counsel shall have been specifically authorized in writing by
the indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume
the defense of such action or employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any
impleaded parties) include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying
party, and the indemnified party shall have been advised by such counsel that
there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from
or additional to those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the
indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action
on behalf of the indemnified party). In any such case, the indemnifying party
shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for
all indemnified parties and all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as
they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by a majority of the
Holders, in the case of the parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a), and by
the Company and Guarantor, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to
Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall indemnify and hold harmless the
indemnified party from and against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and judgments by reason of any settlement of any action (i) effected
with its written consent or (ii) effected without its written consent if the
settlement is entered into more than twenty business days after the indemnifying
party shall have received a request from the indemnified party for reimbursement
for the fees and expenses of counsel (in any case where such fees and expenses
are at the expense of the indemnifying party) and, prior to the date of such
settlement, the indemnifying party shall have failed to comply with such
reimbursement request. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written
consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement or compromise of, or
consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened
action in respect of which the indemnified party is or could have been a party
and indemnity or contribution may be or could have been sought hereunder by the
indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes
an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability on claims
that are or could have been the subject matter of such action and (ii) does not
include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to
act, by or on behalf of the indemnified party.
(d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section 8
is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the
Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their sale
of Transfer Restricted Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause
8(d)(i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above
but also the relative fault of the Company and the
17
Guarantor, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantor, on the one
hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company or the Guarantor, on the one hand, or by the
Holder, on the other hand, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access
to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and judgments referred to above shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a),
any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in
connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.
The Company, the Guarantor and each Holder agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by
pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified
party in connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any
action that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder, its
directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who controls such Holder shall be
required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total received by such Holder with respect to the sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the
amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the
amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders'
obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in
proportion to the respective principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities
held by each Holder hereunder and not joint.
SECTION 9. RULE 144A AND RULE 144
The Company agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted
Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which the Company or the
Guarantor (i) is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make
available, upon request of any Holder, to such Holder or beneficial owner of
Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any
prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities designated by such
Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to Rule 144A, and (ii) is subject to Section
18
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make all filings required thereby in a
timely manner in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to Rule 144.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Remedies. The Company and the Guarantor acknowledge and agree that any
failure by the Company and/or the Guarantor to comply with their respective
obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may result in material irreparable
injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate
remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries
precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or
any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the
Company's and the Guarantor's obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof. The
Company and the Guarantor further agree to waive the defense in any action for
specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor the Guarantor
will, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with
respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the
Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and
are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company's and
the Guarantor's securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 5
hereof and this Section 10(c)(i), the Company has obtained the written consent
of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the
case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained the written
consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by the
Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent
to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights
of Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights
of other Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being tendered
pursuant to such Exchange Offer, may be given by the Holders of a majority of
the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities subject to
such Exchange Offer.
(d) Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third party
beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the
Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and
shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may
deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights
of Holders hereunder.
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
19
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the
Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the
Indenture; and
(ii) if to the Company or the Guarantor:
Gothic Energy Corporation
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, P.A.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered
to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including
without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent
Holders; provided, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment,
transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities in violation of
the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any
transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities in any
manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Transfer Restricted
Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by
taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such Person shall be
conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the
terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set
forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such
Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
20
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer
Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
21
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
GOTHIC PRODUCTION CORPORATION
By:
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
GOTHIC ENERGY CORPORATION
By:
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
XXXXXXXXX, LUFKIN & XXXXXXXX
SECURITIES CORPORATION
CIBC XXXXXXXXXXX CORP.
By: Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
Securities Corporation
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
22
