AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT
NO. 2 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT
NO. 2 dated
as
of October , 2007 (the "Amendment") to the Deposit Agreement dated as of August
31, 2001, as previously amended as of May 13, 2005 (as so previously and further
amended hereby, the "Deposit Agreement"), among TECHNIP, incorporated under
the
laws of the French Republic (the "Company"), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as
depositary (the "Depositary"), and all Holders from time to time of American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") issued thereunder.
W
I T
N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Depositary executed the Deposit Agreement for the purposes
set forth therein; and
WHEREAS,
the Company has filed a Form 25 and a Form 15F with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") in order to seek to terminate the listing
of its ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange and to terminate the registration
of
its securities under the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended (“Exchange Act”), and its obligation to file with the Commission, or
submit to the Commission, reports under Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange
Act.
WHEREAS,
pursuant to paragraph (16) of the form of ADR set forth in Exhibit A of the
Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary desire to amend certain terms
of the Deposit Agreement and ADRs.
NOW,
THEREFORE, for
good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Company and the Depositary hereby agree to amend the Deposit
Agreement as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION
1.01. Definitions.
Unless
otherwise defined in this Amendment, all capitalized terms used but not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the
Deposit Agreement dated as of August 13, 2001, as amended as of May 13,
2005.
ARTICLE
II
AMENDMENTS
TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT AND FORM OF ADR
SECTION
2.01. All
references in the Deposit Agreement to the term "Deposit Agreement" shall,
as of
the date hereof, refer to the Deposit Agreement dated as of August 13, 2001
as
amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 13, 2005 and by this
Amendment.
SECTION
2.02. Paragraph
(6) of the form of ADR is amended to read as follows:
Disclosure
of Interests.
To the
extent that the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities may require
disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of Deposited
Securities, other Shares and other securities and may provide for blocking
transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, Holders
and all persons holding ADRs agree to comply with all such disclosure
requirements and ownership limitations.
French
law provides that any individual or entity (including a holder of ADSs), acting
alone or in concert with others, that acquires, directly or indirectly, more
than one-twentieth, one-tenth, three-twentieths, one-fifth, one-fourth,
one-third, one-half, two-thirds, eighteen-twentieths or nineteen-twentieths
of
the share capital or the voting rights of the listed Company, or whose holdings
fall below any such level, must notify the Company and the Autorité
des Marchés Financiers,
the
administrative entity responsible for overseeing the French securities markets,
within five trading days of exceeding or falling below such level, of the number
of equity securities it holds, individually or in concert with others, and
the
voting rights attached thereto and the number of securities giving access
directly or indirectly to Shares and/or voting rights. In the case of a
violation of the notification requirements provided for under French law, the
undeclared share capital interest in excess of the required notification level
will be deprived of voting rights until the end of a two-year period following
the date on which the owner thereof has complied with such notification
requirements. In addition, any shareholder who fails to comply with the above
requirements may have all or part of its voting rights suspended for up to
five
years by the commercial court at the request of the Company’s chairman, any
shareholder or the Autorité
des Marchés Financiers.
In
addition, the Company’s statuts
provide
that every shareholder (including a holder of ADSs) who, directly or indirectly,
acting alone or in concert with others, acquires or ceases to hold ownership
or
control of equity securities representing 1%, or any multiple of 1% of the
Company’s share capital or voting rights less than or equal to 33%, shall be
required to notify the Company of such fact by registered letter with return
receipt requested within 5 trading days of such acquisition or disposition.
Failure to comply with such notification provisions will result in the
suspension of the voting rights attached to the equity securities exceeding
such
1% threshold held by such shareholder until the end of a two-year period
following the date on which such shareholder has complied with such notification
requirements upon the request, recorded in the minutes of the general
shareholders' meeting, of one or more shareholders holding equity securities
representing at least 1% of the Company’s share capital or voting rights.
Under
French law, any person or persons, acting alone or in concert with others,
who
acquire more than 10% or 20% of the share capital or voting rights of a listed
company, must disclose their future intentions within ten trading days following
the crossing of such threshold to the Company and the Autorité
des Marchés Financiers
and
state whether or not they intend, within the 12-month period following the
acquisition, to increase their shareholdings, to acquire the control of the
company, to request one or more seats on the board of directors of the company
and whether they are acting in concert with others. The Autorité
des Marchés Financiers
makes
the notice public. The acquirer may amend its stated intentions, provided that
it does so on the basis of significant changes in its environment, financial
situation or shareholding. Upon any change of intention, it must file a new
disclosure report. The sanctions regarding failure to comply with these rules
are identical to those regarding threshold crossings described
above.
The
Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions
received from the Company requesting that the Depositary forward any such
requests to Holders and to forward to the Company any responses to such requests
received by the Depositary.
SECTION
2.03. The
penultimate and ultimate sentences of paragraph (8) of the form of ADR are
amended to read as follows:
Upon
effectiveness of the termination of the Company’s reporting requirements under
the Exchange Act, the Company shall publish on its web site (xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx)
on
an ongoing basis, or otherwise furnishes the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") with, certain public reports and
documents required by foreign law or otherwise under Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Exchange Act. To the extent furnished to the Commission, such reports and
documents may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission located at 000 X Xxxxxx, XX, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX
00000.
SECTION
2.04. Paragraph
(12) of the form of ADR is amended to read as follows:
Voting
of Deposited Securities.
As soon
as practicable after receipt from the Company of notice of any meeting sent
by
the Company and received by the Depositary at least thirty five (35) days prior
to the date of the proposed meeting or solicitation of consents or proxies
of
holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall distribute
to Holders a notice stating (a) such information as is contained in such notice
and any solicitation materials, (b) that each Holder on the record date set
by
the Depositary therefor will, subject to any applicable provisions of French
law, be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting
rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs
evidenced by such Holder's ADRs and (c) the manner in which such instructions
may be given, including instructions to give a discretionary proxy (such as
a
“procuration
sans indication de mandataire”
as
provided for in Article L.225-106 of the French Commercial Code). Upon receipt
of instructions of a Holder on such record date in the manner and on or before
the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall
endeavor insofar as practicable and permitted under the provisions of or
governing Deposited Securities, any applicable provisions of French law and
the
statuts
of the
Company to vote or cause to be voted the Deposited Securities represented by
the
ADSs evidenced by such Holder's ADRs in accordance with such instructions.
The
Depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion in respect of any
Deposited Securities.
There
is
no guarantee that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive
the
notice described above with sufficient time to enable such Holder to return
any
voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
According
to French law, voting rights may not be exercised in respect of fractional
shares.
Under
French law, shareholders at ordinary and extraordinary shareholders' meetings
may, subject to certain conditions, modify the resolutions presented by the
Board of Directors to the shareholders for their approval. In such case, Holders
who have given a discretionary proxy (“procuration
sans indication de mandataire”
as
provided for in Article L.225-106 of the French Commercial Code)
to vote
on such resolutions shall be deemed to have given instructions to vote against
the revised resolutions; provided,
however,
that in
the event such revised resolutions have been approved by the Board of Directors
of the Company, Holders who have provided a discretionary proxy shall be deemed
to have given instructions to vote in favor of such revised resolutions approved
by the Board of Directors.
The
Depositary and the Company may revise the voting procedures set forth in this
paragraph (12) as they deem necessary or advisable in order to comply with
applicable law, the statuts of the Company or market practice. Notice of such
revised procedures shall be provided in any distribution to Holders provided
for
above and shall not be considered an amendment to the Deposit Agreement or
the
ADR.
Subject
to paragraph (14), the Depositary and the Company and their respective
directors, employees, agents and controlling persons (as defined in the
Securities Act of 1933) assume no obligation nor shall they be subject to any
liability under the Deposit Agreement or this ADR to any Holder or any other
person with respect to whether a Holder or such other person is entitled to
provide voting instructions or otherwise in respect of voting.
SECTION
2.05. The
form
of ADR, reflecting the amendments set forth herein and some clarifying
amendments thereto is amended and restated to read as set forth as Exhibit
A
hereto.
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
SECTION
3.01. Representations
and Warranties of the Company.
The
Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Depositary and the
Holders, that:
(a)
This
Amendment, when executed and delivered by the Company, and the Deposit Agreement
and the Form F-6 as executed and delivered by the Company in connection
herewith, will be and have been, respectively, duly and validly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Company, and constitute the legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and similar laws of general
applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity
principles; and
(b)
In
order to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into
evidence of this Amendment or the Deposit Agreement, and any other document
furnished hereunder or thereunder in the Republic of France, neither of such
agreements needs to be filed or recorded with any court or other authority
in
the Republic of France, nor does any stamp or similar tax need to be paid in
the
Republic of France on or in respect of such agreements; and
(c)
All
of the information provided to the Depositary by the Company in connection
with
this Amendment is true, accurate and correct.
SECTION
3.02. Representations
and Warranties of the Depositary.
The
Depositary represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company that this
Amendment, when executed and delivered by the Depositary, and the Deposit
Agreement and the Form F-6 as executed and delivered by the Depositary in
connection herewith, will be and have been, respectively, duly and validly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Depositary, and constitute the legal,
valid and binding obligations of the Depositary, enforceable against the
Depositary in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and similar laws of
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general
equity principles.
ARTICLE
IV
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION
4.01. Effective
Date.
This
Amendment is dated as of the date set forth above and shall be effective on
the
date hereof, provided the changes set forth in Section 2.02 hereof shall not
become effective until thirty days after notice thereof has been provided to
the
Holders.
SECTION
4.02. Indemnification.
The
parties hereto shall be entitled to all of the benefits of the indemnification
provisions of Section 16 of the Deposit Agreement in connection with any and
all
liability it or they may incur as a result of the terms of this Amendment and
the transactions contemplated herein.
SECTION
4.03. Governing
Law; Jurisdiction.
This
Amendment and all outstanding and hereinafter issued ADRs shall be governed
by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Any dispute,
legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the Deposit
Agreement (as amended by the Amendment) or the transactions contemplated thereby
shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of New York,
New
York.
SECTION
4.04. Outstanding
ADRs.
ADRs
issued prior or subsequent to the date hereof, which do not reflect the changes
to the form of ADR effected hereby, do not need to be called in for exchange
and
may remain outstanding until such time as the Holders thereof choose to
surrender them for any reason under the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary is
authorized and directed to take any and all actions deemed necessary to effect
the foregoing.
SECTION
4.05. Counterparts. This
Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
Company and the Depositary have caused this Amendment to be executed by
representatives thereunto duly authorized as of the date set forth above and
all
Holders shall become parties hereto by holding ADSs
Signed
by the Company in the City of Paris, France on October ,
2007:
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By:____________________________
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Name:
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Title:
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Signed
by the Depositary in the United States on October ,
2007:
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JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.
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By:____________________________
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Name:
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Title:
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EXHIBIT
A
ANNEXED
TO AND INCORPORATED
IN
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
[FORM
OF
FACE OF ADR]
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No.
of ADSs:
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Number
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Each
ADS represents
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One
Share
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CUSIP:
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AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
evidencing
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
SHARES
OF
COMMON STOCK
of
(A
Société Anonyme organized under the
laws
of
France)
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of
the
United States, as depositary hereunder (the "Depositary"), hereby certifies
that
____________ is the registered owner (a "Holder") of
American
Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), each (subject to paragraph (13)) representing one
share of common stock (including the rights to receive Shares described in
paragraph (1) and any successor securities resulting from a change in the
nominal value, split-up or consolidation or any other reclassification, exchange
or conversion of such ordinary shares, "Shares" and, together with any other
securities, cash or property from time to time held by the Depositary in respect
or in lieu of deposited Shares, the "Deposited Securities"), of TECHNIP, a
société
anonyme
organized under the laws of France (the "Company"), deposited under the Deposit
Agreement dated as of August 31, 2001 (as amended from time to time, the
"Deposit Agreement") among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders from
time
to time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder ("ADRs"), each of
whom
by accepting an ADR becomes a party thereto. The Deposit Agreement and this
ADR
(which includes the provisions set forth on the reverse hereof) shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
(1)
Issuance
of ADRs.
This
ADR is one of the ADRs issued under the Deposit Agreement. Subject to the
Deposit Agreement and paragraphs (4) and (7), the Depositary may so issue ADRs
for delivery at the Transfer Office (defined in paragraph (3)) only against
deposit with the Custodian of: (a) Shares in form satisfactory to the Custodian;
(b) rights to receive Shares from the Company or any registrar, transfer agent,
clearing agent or other entity recording Share ownership or transactions; or,
(c) unless requested in writing by the Company to cease doing so at least two
business days in advance of the proposed deposit, other rights to receive Shares
(until such Shares are actually deposited pursuant to (a) or (b) above,
"Pre-released ADRs") only if (i) Pre-released ADRs are fully collateralized
(marked to market daily) with cash or U.S. government securities held by the
Depositary for the benefit of Holders (but such collateral shall not constitute
"Deposited Securities"), (ii) each recipient of Pre-released ADRs agrees in
writing with the Depositary that such recipient (a) owns such Shares, (b)
assigns all beneficial right, title and interest therein to the Depositary
in
its capacity as such, (c) holds such Shares for the account of the Depositary,
(d) will deliver such Shares to the Custodian as soon as practicable and
promptly upon demand therefor and (e) will not take any action with respect
to
the Pre-released ADS and Shares that is inconsistent with the transfer of the
Depositary's beneficial ownership thereof and (iii) all Pre-released ADRs
evidence not more than 20% of all ADSs (excluding those evidenced by
Pre-released ADRs), provided,
however,
that
the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time
to
time as it deems appropriate and in the best interest of the ADR program. The
Depositary may retain for its own account any earnings on collateral for
Pre-released ADRs and its charges for issuance thereof. At the request, risk
and
expense of the person depositing Shares, the Depositary may accept deposits
for
forwarding to the Custodian and may deliver ADRs at a place other than its
office. Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement represents
and warrants that such Shares are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid
and
nonassessable, the pre-emptive rights with respect to such Shares were validly
waived or exercised at the time of their initial issuance and sale by the
Company, that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do and
that such Shares (A) are not "restricted securities" as such term is defined
in
Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 unless at the time of deposit they
may
be freely transferred in accordance with Rule 144(k) and may otherwise be
offered and sold freely in the United States or (B) have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933. Such representations and warranties shall survive
the deposit of Shares and issuance of ADRs. The Depositary will not knowingly
accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and not so registered; the
Depositary may refuse to accept for such deposit any Shares identified by the
Company in order to facilitate the Company's compliance with such
Act.
(2)
Withdrawal
of Deposited Securities.
Subject
to paragraphs (4) and (5), upon surrender of (i) a certificated ADR in form
satisfactory to the Depositary at the Transfer Office or (ii) proper
instructions and documentation in the case of a Direct Registration ADR, the
Holder hereof is entitled to the transfer to an account in the name designated
in the Withdrawal Order maintained by the Company in the case of Shares in
registered form, or transfer to an account of an accredited financial
institution on behalf of such Holder in the case of Shares in bearer form,
of
such whole number of Shares or Ex-Dividend Shares, as the case may be, at the
time represented by the ADSs evidenced by this ADR and the Depositary shall
cause such transfer to be effected without unreasonable delay. At the request,
risk and expense of the Holder hereof, the Depositary may deliver such Deposited
Securities at such other place as may have been requested by the Holder.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, the
withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be restricted only for the reasons set
forth in General Instruction I.A.(1) of Form F-6 (as such instructions may
be
amended from time to time) under the Securities Act of 1933.
2
(3)
Transfers
of ADRs.
The
Depositary or its agent will keep, at a designated transfer office in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York (the "Transfer Office"), (a) a
register (the "ADR Register") for the registration, registration of transfer,
combination and split-up of ADRs, and, in the case of Direct Registration ADRs,
shall include the Direct Registration System, which at all reasonable times
will
be open for inspection by Holders and the Company for the purpose of
communicating with Holders in the interest of the business of the Company or
a
matter relating to the Deposit Agreement and (b) facilities for the delivery
and
receipt of ADRs. The term ADR Register includes the Direct Registration System.
Title to this ADR (and to the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs
evidenced hereby), when properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated
form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer,
is
transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of negotiable
instruments under the laws of the State of New York; provided
that the
Depositary and the Company, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may
treat the person or persons in whose name or names this ADR is registered on
the
ADR Register (the "Holder") as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes.
Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), this ADR is transferable on the ADR Register
and may be split into other ADRs or combined with other ADRs into one ADR,
evidencing the same number of ADSs evidenced by this ADR, by the Holder hereof
or by such Holder's duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this ADR at
the
Transfer Office properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated form)
or
upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer and duly
stamped as may be required by applicable law; provided
that the
Depositary may close the ADR Register at any time or from time to time when
deemed expedient by it (after making reasonable efforts to consult with the
Company if practicable in the case of any closure outside of the ordinary course
of business) or requested by the Company. At the request of a Holder, the
Depositary shall, for the purpose of substituting a certificated ADR with a
Direct Registration ADR, or vice versa, execute and deliver a certificated
ADR
or a Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be, for any authorized number
of
ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced
by the certificated ADR or Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be,
substituted.
(4)
Certain
Limitations.
Prior
to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination
of
any ADR, the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, or, subject to
the
last sentence of paragraph (2), the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities,
and
from time to time in the case of clause (b)(ii) of this paragraph (4), the
Company, the Depositary or the Custodian may require: (a) payment with respect
thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge,
(ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration
of
transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities upon any applicable register
and (iii) any applicable charges as provided in paragraph (7) of this ADR;
(b)
the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity and genuineness
of any signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation,
information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial
ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations,
provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and the terms of the Deposit
Agreement and this ADR, as it may deem necessary or proper; and (c) compliance
with such regulations as the Depositary may establish consistent with the
Deposit Agreement. The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of Shares,
the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs
or,
subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2), the withdrawal of Deposited
Securities may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the
ADR
Register or any register for Deposited Securities is closed or when any such
action is deemed advisable by the Depositary or the Company.
3
(5)
Taxes.
If any
tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by or on behalf of the
Custodian or the Depositary with respect to this ADR, any Deposited Securities
represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby or any distribution thereon, such
tax
or other governmental charge shall be paid by the Holder hereof to the
Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect any registration, registration
of transfer, split-up or combination hereof or, subject to the last sentence
of
paragraph (2), any withdrawal of such Deposited Securities until such payment
is
made. The Depositary may also deduct from any distributions on or in respect
of
Deposited Securities, or may sell by public or private sale for the account
of
the Holder hereof any part or all of such Deposited Securities (after attempting
by reasonable means to notify the Holder hereof prior to such sale), and may
apply such deduction or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax
or
other governmental charge, the Holder hereof remaining liable for any
deficiency, and shall reduce the number of ADSs evidenced hereby to reflect
any
such sales of Shares. In connection with any distribution to Holders, the
Company will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all
amounts (if any) required under applicable law to be withheld and owing to
such
authority or agency by the Company; and the Depositary and the Custodian will
remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any)
required under applicable law to be withheld and owing to such authority or
agency by the Depositary or the Custodian. If the Depositary determines that
any
distribution in property other than cash (including Shares or rights) on
Deposited Securities is subject to any tax that the Depositary or the Custodian
is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of
such
property in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary
and practicable to pay such taxes, by public or private sale, and the Depositary
shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale or the balance of any such
property after deduction of such taxes to the Holders entitled thereto. The
Depositary will forward to the Company or its agent such information as the
Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent to file
necessary reports with governmental agencies. The Depositary will use reasonable
efforts to assist eligible U.S. resident Holders in following the procedures
established by the French Treasury for such Holders to recover the excess 10%
French withholding tax initially withheld and deducted in respect of dividends
distributed to them by the Company as well as to recover any tax credit payment
to be made in accordance with procedures established by the French Treasury.
In
addition, the Depositary will use reasonable efforts to follow any procedures
that may be established by the French Treasury for eligible U.S. resident
Holders to be subject to a reduced withholding tax rate of 15%, if available,
at
the time dividends are paid. In connection therewith, the Depositary shall
take
reasonable steps to provide eligible U.S. resident Holders upon request with
such forms as may be prescribed by the French Treasury and to take such other
reasonable steps upon request and payment of any applicable fees and expenses
of
the Depositary as may be required to file such forms with the appropriate French
tax authorities.
4
(6)
Disclosure
of Interests.
To the
extent that the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities may require
disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of Deposited
Securities, other Shares and other securities and may provide for blocking
transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, Holders
and all persons holding ADRs agree to comply with all such disclosure
requirements and ownership limitations.
French
law provides that any individual or entity (including a holder of ADSs), acting
alone or in concert with others, that acquires, directly or indirectly, more
than one-twentieth, one-tenth, three-twentieths, one-fifth, one-fourth,
one-third, one-half, two-thirds, eighteen-twentieths or nineteen-twentieths
of
the share capital or the voting rights of the listed Company, or whose holdings
fall below any such level, must notify the Company and the Autorité
des Marchés Financiers,
the
administrative entity responsible for overseeing the French securities markets,
within five trading days of exceeding or falling below such level, of the number
of equity securities it holds, individually or in concert with others, and
the
voting rights attached thereto and the number of securities giving access
directly or indirectly to Shares and/or voting rights. In the case of a
violation of the notification requirements provided for under French law, the
undeclared share capital interest in excess of the required notification level
will be deprived of voting rights until the end of a two-year period following
the date on which the owner thereof has complied with such notification
requirements. In addition, any shareholder who fails to comply with the above
requirements may have all or part of its voting rights suspended for up to
five
years by the commercial court at the request of the Company’s chairman, any
shareholder or the Autorité
des Marchés Financiers.
In
addition, the Company’s statuts
provide
that every shareholder (including a holder of ADSs) who, directly or indirectly,
acting alone or in concert with others, acquires or ceases to hold ownership
or
control of equity securities representing 1%, or any multiple of 1% of the
Company’s share capital or voting rights less than or equal to 33%, shall be
required to notify the Company of such fact by registered letter with return
receipt requested within 5 trading days of such acquisition or disposition.
Failure to comply with such notification provisions will result in the
suspension of the voting rights attached to the equity securities exceeding
such
1% threshold held by such shareholder until the end of a two-year period
following the date on which such shareholder has complied with such notification
requirements upon the request, recorded in the minutes of the general
shareholders' meeting, of one or more shareholders holding equity securities
representing at least 1% of the Company’s share capital or voting rights.
Under
French law, any person or persons, acting alone or in concert with others,
who
acquire more than 10% or 20% of the share capital or voting rights of a listed
company, must disclose their future intentions within ten trading days following
the crossing of such threshold to the Company and the Autorité
des Marchés Financiers
and
state whether or not they intend, within the 12-month period following the
acquisition, to increase their shareholdings, to acquire the control of the
company, to request one or more seats on the board of directors of the company
and whether they are acting in concert with others. The Autorité
des Marchés Financiers
makes
the notice public. The acquirer may amend its stated intentions, provided that
it does so on the basis of significant changes in its environment, financial
situation or shareholding. Upon any change of intention, it must file a new
disclosure report. The sanctions regarding failure to comply with these rules
are identical to those regarding threshold crossings described
above.
5
The
Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions
received from the Company requesting that the Depositary forward any such
requests to Holders and to forward to the Company any responses to such requests
received by the Depositary.
(7)
Charges
of Depositary.
The
Depositary may charge each person to whom ADRs are issued against deposits
of
Shares, including deposits in respect of Share Distributions, Rights and Other
Distributions (as such terms are defined in paragraph (10)), and each person
surrendering ADRs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities (including, without
limitation, on the termination of the Deposit Agreement), U.S. $5.00 for each
100 ADSs (or portion thereof) evidenced by the ADRs delivered or surrendered.
The Depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and
property received in respect of Share Distributions, Rights and Other
Distributions prior to such deposit to pay such charge. The Company will pay
all
other charges and expenses of the Depositary and any agent of the Depositary
(except the Custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time between the
Company and the Depositary, except (i) stock transfer or other taxes and other
governmental charges (which are payable by Holders or persons depositing
Shares), (ii) cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges
incurred at the request of persons depositing, or Holders delivering Shares,
ADRs or Deposited Securities (which are payable by such persons or Holders),
(iii) transfer or registration fees for the registration of transfer of
Deposited Securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit
or withdrawal of Deposited Securities (which are payable by persons depositing
Shares or Holders withdrawing Deposited Securities; there are no such fees
in
respect of the Shares as of the date of the Deposit Agreement) and (iv) expenses
of the Depositary in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into
U.S. dollars (including, without limitation, expenses incurred on behalf of
Holders in connection with compliance with any foreign exchange control
restrictions) (which are paid out of such foreign currency). These charges
may
be changed in the manner indicated in paragraph (16).
(8)
Available
Information.
The
Deposit Agreement, the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and
any
written communications from the Company, which are both received by the
Custodian or its nominee as a holder of Deposited Securities and made generally
available to the holders of Deposited Securities, are available for inspection
by Holders at the offices of the Depositary and the Custodian and at the
Transfer Office. The Depositary will promptly mail copies of such communications
(or English translations or summaries thereof) to Holders when furnished by
the
Company. Upon effectiveness of the termination of the Company’s reporting
requirements under the Exchange Act, the Company shall publish on its web site
(xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx) on an ongoing basis, or otherwise furnishes the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") with, certain public
reports and documents required by foreign law or otherwise under Rule 12g3-2(b)
under the Exchange Act. To the extent furnished to the Commission, such reports
and documents may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission located at 000 X Xxxxxx, XX, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX
00000.
6
(9)
Execution.
This
ADR shall not be valid for any purpose unless executed by the Depositary by
the
manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the
Depositary.
Dated:
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A., as Depositary
|
|
By
__________________________________
|
|
Authorized Officer
|
On
the
date of the Deposit Agreement (as most recently amended), the Transfer Office is
located at 0 Xxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000.
7
[FORM
OF
REVERSE OF ADR]
(10)
Distributions
on Deposited Securities.
Subject
to paragraphs (4) and (5), to the extent practicable, the Depositary will
distribute as promptly as practicable by mail, to the extent distribution by
mail is practicable, to each Holder entitled thereto on the record date set
by
the Depositary therefor at such Holder's address shown on the ADR Register,
in
proportion to the number of Deposited Securities (on which the following
distributions on Deposited Securities are received by the Custodian) represented
by ADSs evidenced by such Holder's ADRs: (a) Cash.
Any
U.S. dollars available to the Depositary resulting from a cash dividend or
other
cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or
portion thereof authorized in this paragraph (10) ("Cash"), on an averaged
or
other reasonably practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments
for
taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable
with
respect to certain Holders, and (iii) deduction of the Depositary's expenses
in
(1) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars by sale or in such other
manner as the Depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that
such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign
currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the Depositary
may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made
on
a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental
authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at
a
reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public
or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. Neither Holders nor
the
Depositary will be entitled to receive increased dividend rights (dividende
majoré)
by
virtue of their holdings of ADSs or otherwise unless the Depositary has been
advised in writing by the Company that Holders are eligible to benefit from
such
rights as a matter of French law and the Company and the Depositary shall have
devised a mechanism for the allocation of such rights. (b) Shares.
(i)
Additional ADRs evidencing whole ADSs representing any Shares available to
the
Depositary resulting from a dividend or free distribution on Deposited
Securities consisting of Shares (a "Share Distribution") and (ii) U.S. dollars
available to it resulting from the net proceeds of sales of Shares received
in a
Share Distribution, which Shares would give rise to fractional ADSs if
additional ADRs were issued therefor, as in the case of Cash. (c) Rights.
(i)
Warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the Depositary, after
consultation with the Company if practicable, representing rights to acquire
additional ADRs in respect of any rights to subscribe for additional Shares
or
rights of any nature available to the Depositary as a result of a distribution
on Deposited Securities ("Rights"), to the extent that the Company timely
furnishes to the Depositary evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that the
Depositary may lawfully distribute the same (the Company has no obligation
to so
furnish such evidence), or (ii) to the extent the Company does not so furnish
such evidence and sales of Rights are practicable, any U.S. dollars available
to
the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales of Rights as in the case of Cash,
or (iii) to the extent the Company does not so furnish such evidence and such
sales cannot practicably be accomplished by reason of the nontransferability
of
the Rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, nothing
(and any Rights may lapse). (d) Other
Distributions.
(i)
Securities or property available to the Depositary resulting from any
distribution on Deposited Securities other than Cash, Share Distributions and
Rights ("Other Distributions"), by any means that the Depositary may deem
equitable and practicable, or (ii) to the extent the Depositary deems
distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable,
any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales
of
Other Distributions as in the case of Cash. Such U.S. dollars available will
be
distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars
and
cents (any fractional cents being withheld without liability for interest and
added to future Cash distributions).
8
To
the
extent that the Depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution
pursuant to this paragraph (10) is not practicable with respect to any Holder,
the Depositary may make such distribution as it so deems practicable, including
the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property (or appropriate
documents evidencing the right to receive foreign currency, securities or
property) or the retention thereof as Deposited Securities with respect to
such
Holder's ADRs (without liability for interest thereon or the investment
thereof).
(11)
Record
Dates.
The
Depositary may, after consultation with the Company if practicable, fix a record
date (which shall be as near as practicable to any corresponding record date
set
by the Company) for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled
to
receive any distribution on or in respect of Deposited Securities, to give
instructions for the exercise of any voting rights, to receive any notice or
to
act in respect of other matters and only such Holders shall be so
entitled.
(12)
Voting
of Deposited Securities.
As soon
as practicable after receipt from the Company of notice of any meeting sent
by
the Company and received by the Depositary at least thirty five (35) days prior
to the date of the proposed meeting or solicitation of consents or proxies
of
holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall distribute
to Holders a notice stating (a) such information as is contained in such notice
and any solicitation materials, (b) that each Holder on the record date set
by
the Depositary therefor will, subject to any applicable provisions of French
law, be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting
rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs
evidenced by such Holder's ADRs and (c) the manner in which such instructions
may be given, including instructions to give a discretionary proxy (such as
a
“procuration
sans indication de mandataire”
as
provided for in Article L.225-106 of the French Commercial Code). Upon receipt
of instructions of a Holder on such record date in the manner and on or before
the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall
endeavor insofar as practicable and permitted under the provisions of or
governing Deposited Securities, any applicable provisions of French law and
the
statuts
of the
Company to vote or cause to be voted the Deposited Securities represented by
the
ADSs evidenced by such Holder's ADRs in accordance with such instructions.
The
Depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion in respect of any
Deposited Securities.
There
is
no guarantee that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive
the
notice described above with sufficient time to enable such Holder to return
any
voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
According
to French law, voting rights may not be exercised in respect of fractional
shares.
9
Under
French law, shareholders at ordinary and extraordinary shareholders' meetings
may, subject to certain conditions, modify the resolutions presented by the
Board of Directors to the shareholders for their approval. In such case, Holders
who have given a discretionary proxy (“procuration
sans indication de mandataire”
as
provided for in Article L.225-106 of the French Commercial Code)
to vote
on such resolutions shall be deemed to have given instructions to vote against
the revised resolutions; provided,
however,
that in
the event such revised resolutions have been approved by the Board of Directors
of the Company, Holders who have provided a discretionary proxy shall be deemed
to have given instructions to vote in favor of such revised resolutions approved
by the Board of Directors.
The
Depositary and the Company may revise the voting procedures set forth in this
paragraph (12) as they deem necessary or advisable in order to comply with
applicable law, the statuts of the Company or market practice. Notice of such
revised procedures shall be provided in any distribution to Holders provided
for
above and shall not be considered an amendment to the Deposit Agreement or
the
ADR.
Subject
to paragraph (14), the Depositary and the Company and their respective
directors, employees, agents and controlling persons (as defined in the
Securities Act of 1933) assume no obligation nor shall they be subject to any
liability under the Deposit Agreement or this ADR to any Holder or any other
person with respect to whether a Holder or such other person is entitled to
provide voting instructions or otherwise in respect of voting.
(13)
Changes
Affecting Deposited Securities.
Subject
to paragraphs (4) and (5), the Depositary may, in its discretion, amend this
ADR
or distribute additional or amended ADRs (with or without calling this ADR
for
exchange) or cash, securities or property on the record date set by the
Depositary therefor to reflect any change in par value, split-up, consolidation,
cancellation or other reclassification of Deposited Securities, any Share
Distribution or Other Distribution not distributed to Holders or any cash,
securities or property available to the Depositary in respect of Deposited
Securities from (and the Depositary is hereby authorized to surrender any
Deposited Securities to any person and to sell by public or private sale any
property received in connection with) any recapitalization, reorganization,
merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all
or
substantially all the assets of the Company, and to the extent the Depositary
does not so amend this ADR or make a distribution to Holders to reflect any
of
the foregoing, or the net proceeds thereof, whatever cash, securities or
property results from any of the foregoing shall constitute Deposited Securities
and each ADS evidenced by this ADR shall automatically represent its pro rata
interest in the Deposited Securities as then constituted.
(14)
Exoneration.
The
Depositary, the Company, their agents and each of them shall: (a) incur no
liability (i) if law, regulation, any provision (present or future) of the
statuts of the Company, the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities,
act of God, war or other circumstance beyond its control shall prevent, delay
or
subject to any civil or criminal penalty any act which the Deposit Agreement
or
this ADR provides shall be done or performed by it, or (ii) by reason of any
exercise, delay or failure to exercise any discretion given it in the Deposit
Agreement or this ADR; (b) assume no liability except to perform its obligations
to the extent they are specifically set forth in this ADR and the Deposit
Agreement without gross negligence or bad faith; (c) in the case of the
Depositary and its agents, be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or
defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited
Securities or this ADR; (d) in the case of the Company and its agents hereunder
be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or
other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or this ADR, which
in
its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity
satisfactory to it against all expense (including fees and disbursements of
counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may be required; or (e) not
be
liable for any action or inaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or
information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for
deposit, any Holder, or any other person believed by it to be competent to
give
such advice or information. The Depositary, its agents and the Company may
rely
and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, direction
or
other document believed by them to be genuine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper party or parties. The Depositary and its agents will
not
be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of
the
Deposited Securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast or for
the
effect of any such vote. The Depositary and its agents may own and deal in
any
class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in ADRs. The Company
has agreed to indemnify the Depositary and its agents under certain
circumstances and the Depositary has agreed to indemnify the Company against
losses incurred by the Company to the extent such losses are due to the
negligence or bad faith of the Depositary. No disclaimer of liability under
the
Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any provision hereof.
10
(15)
Resignation
and Removal of Depositary; the Custodian.
The
Depositary may resign as Depositary by written notice of its election to do
so
delivered to the Company, or be removed as Depositary by the Company by written
notice of such removal delivered to the Depositary. The Depositary may appoint
substitute or additional Custodians and the term "Custodian"
refers
to each Custodian or all Custodians as the context requires.
(16)
Amendment.
Subject
to the last sentence of paragraph (2), the ADRs and the Deposit Agreement may
be
amended by the Company and the Depositary without the consent of the Holders,
provided
that any
amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock
transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration
fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other
such
expenses), or that shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right
of
Holders, shall become effective 30 days after notice of such amendment shall
have been given to the Holders. Every Holder of an ADR at the time any amendment
to the Deposit Agreement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing
to
hold such ADR, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the
Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair
the
right of the Holder of any ADR to surrender such ADR and receive the Deposited
Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory
provisions of applicable law. Any amendments or supplements which (i) are
reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order
for
(a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933
or
(b) the ADSs or Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and
(ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be
borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of
Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt
new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement
of
the Deposit Agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, the
Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and
the
ADR at any time in accordance with such changed rules. Such amendment or
supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective
before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within
any other period of time as required for compliance.
11
(17)
Termination.
Upon
the resignation or removal of the Depositary pursuant to the Deposit Agreement,
the Depositary may, and shall at the written direction of the Company, terminate
the Deposit Agreement and this ADR by mailing notice of such termination to
the
Holders at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such
termination. After the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary and its
agents will perform no further acts under the Deposit Agreement and this ADR,
except to receive and hold (or sell) distributions on Deposited Securities
and
deliver Deposited Securities being withdrawn. As soon as practicable after
the
expiration of six months from the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary
shall sell the Deposited Securities and shall thereafter (as long as it may
lawfully do so) hold in a segregated account the net proceeds of such sales,
together with any other cash then held by it under the Deposit Agreement,
without liability for interest, in trust for the pro rata
benefit
of the Holders of ADRs not theretofore surrendered. After making such sale,
the
Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations in respect of the Deposit
Agreement and this ADR, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash
and for its obligations to the Company under Section 16 of the Deposit
Agreement. After the date so fixed for termination, the Company shall be
discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its
obligations to the Depositary and its agents.
12