REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of September 24, 2002 by and among Selective Insurance Group, Inc., a
New Jersey corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., Xxxxxxx Lynch,
Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated ("Xxxxxxx Xxxxx"), and each of the other
Initial Purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers") named in Schedule A to the
Purchase Agreement, dated September 18, 2002 (the "Purchase Agreement"), among
the Company and the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial
Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to
provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution of
this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.
The Company agrees with the Initial Purchasers, (i) for their benefit as
Initial Purchasers and (ii) for the benefit of the beneficial owners (including
the Initial Purchasers) from time to time of the Notes (as defined herein), and
the beneficial owners from time to time of the Underlying Common Stock (as
defined herein) issued upon conversion of Notes (each of the foregoing a
"Holder" and together the "Holders"), as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition
shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. In
addition to the terms that are defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Affiliate" with respect to any specified person, has the meaning specified
in Rule 144.
"Applicable Conversion Price" means, as of any date of determination, the
Applicable Principal Amount per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of Notes as
of such date of determination divided by the Conversion Rate in effect as of
such date of determination or, if no Notes are then outstanding, the Conversion
Rate that would be in effect were Notes then outstanding.
"Applicable Principal Amount" means, as of any date of determination, (1)
with respect to each $1,000 principal amount at maturity of Notes, the sum of
the initial issue price of such Notes ($380.12) plus accrued original issue
discount and any accrued cash interest with respect to such Notes through such
date of determination, (2) if the Notes have been converted to Semi-Annual
Coupon Notes upon a Tax Event, the Restated Principal Amount with respect to the
Notes, or (3) if no Notes are then outstanding, such sum calculated as if such
Notes were then outstanding.
"Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
"Common Stock" means any shares of the common stock, $2.00 par value, of
the Company and any other shares of common stock as may constitute "Common
Stock" for purposes of the Indenture, including the Underlying Common Stock.
"Conversion Rate" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.
"Damages Accrual Period" has the meaning specified in Section 2(e) hereof.
"Damages Payment Date" means each March 24 and September 24.
"Deferral Notice" has the meaning specified in Section 3(i) hereof.
"Deferral Period" has the meaning specified in Section 3(i) hereof.
"Effectiveness Deadline Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2(a)
hereof.
"Effectiveness Period" means the period of two years from the Issue Date or
such shorter period ending on the date that all Registrable Securities have
ceased to be Registrable Securities.
"Event" has the meaning specified in Section 2(e) hereof.
"Event Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2(e) hereof.
"Event Termination Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2(e) hereof.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
"Filing Deadline Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2(a) hereof.
"Holder" has the meaning specified in the second paragraph of this
Agreement.
"Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of the date hereof between the
Company and National City Bank, as trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are
being issued.
"Initial Shelf Registration Statement" has the meaning specified in Section
2(a) hereof.
"Issue Date" means September 24, 2002.
"Liquidated Damages Amount" has the meaning specified in Section 2(e)
hereof.
"Losses" has the meaning specified in Section 6 hereof.
"Material Event" has the meaning specified in Section 3(i) hereof.
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"Notes" means the Senior Convertible Notes due 2032 of the Company to be
purchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
"Notice and Questionnaire" means a written notice delivered to the Company
containing substantially the information called for by the Selling
Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire attached as Annex A to the Offering
Memorandum of the Company dated September 18, 2002 relating to the Notes.
"Notice Holder" means on any date, any Holder that has delivered a Notice
and Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to such date.
"Prospectus" means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act), as
amended or supplemented by any amendment or prospectus supplement, including
post-effective amendments, and all materials incorporated by reference or
explicitly deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
"Purchase Agreement" has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of
this Agreement.
"Record Holder" means with respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to
any Note or shares of Underlying Common Stock as to which any Liquidated Damages
Amount has accrued, the registered Holder of such Note or such shares of
Underlying Common Stock, as the case may be, on the 15th day immediately prior
to the next succeeding Damages Payment Date or, if all Events giving rise to the
Liquidated Damages Amount payable on such Damage Payment Date have been cured
and no such Event is continuing on such date, as of the date on which the last
such Event was cured.
"Registrable Securities" means the Notes and the Underlying Common Stock
until such securities have been converted or exchanged and, at all times
subsequent to any such conversion or exchange, any securities into or for which
such securities have been converted or exchanged, and any security issued with
respect thereto upon any stock dividend, split, merger or similar event until,
in the case of any such security, the earliest of (i) its effective registration
under the Securities Act and resale in accordance with the Registration
Statement covering it, (ii) expiration of the holding period that would be
applicable thereto under Rule 144(k) were it not held by an Affiliate of the
Company, or (iii) its sale to the public pursuant to Rule 144.
"Registration Expenses" has the meaning specified in Section 5 hereof.
"Registration Statement" means any registration statement of the Company
that covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such
registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and
all materials incorporated by reference or explicitly deemed to be incorporated
by reference in such registration statement.
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"Restated Principal Amount" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
Indenture.
"Restricted Securities" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 144.
"Rule 144" means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar or successor rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC having substantially the same effect as such Rule.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar or successor rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC having substantially the same effect as such Rule.
"SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
"Semi-Annual Coupon Notes" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
Indenture.
"Shelf Registration Statement" has the meaning specified in Section 2(a)
hereof.
"Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement" has the meaning specified in
Section 2(b) hereof.
"Tax Event" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
"Trustee" means National City Bank (or any successor entity), the Trustee
under the Indenture.
"Underlying Common Stock" means the Common Stock into which the Notes are
convertible or issued upon any such conversion.
SECTION 2. Shelf Registration.
(a) The Company shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed
with the SEC no later than a date which is ninety (90) days after the Issue Date
(the "Filing Deadline Date") a Registration Statement for an offering to be made
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act (a
"Shelf Registration Statement") registering the resale from time to time by
Holders of all of the Registrable Securities (the "Initial Shelf Registration
Statement"). The Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be on an appropriate
form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by such
Holders in accordance with the methods of distribution reasonably elected by the
Holders and set forth in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement;
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provided, that in no event will such method(s) of distribution take the form of
an underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities without the prior
agreement of the Company (such consent to be withheld or granted in the
Company's sole and absolute discretion). The Company shall use reasonable
efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to be declared
effective under the Securities Act no later than the date (the "Effectiveness
Deadline Date") that is one-hundred and eighty (180) days after the Issue Date,
and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration Statement (or any Subsequent Shelf
Registration Statement) continuously effective under the Securities Act (subject
to Section 3(i)) until the expiration of the Effectiveness Period. Each Holder
that became a Notice Holder on or prior to the date ten (10) Business Days prior
to the time that the Initial Shelf Registration Statement became effective shall
be named as a selling security holder in the Initial Shelf Registration
Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder
to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance
with applicable law (other than laws not generally applicable to all such
Holders). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Holder shall be entitled to have the
Registrable Securities held by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement
unless such Holder has provided a Notice and Questionnaire in accordance with
Section 2(d) and is in compliance with Section 4. None of the Company's security
holders (other than the Holders of Registrable Securities) shall have the right
to include any of the Company's securities in the Shelf Registration Statement.
(b) If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement or any Subsequent Shelf
Registration Statement ceases to be effective for any reason at any time during
the Effectiveness Period (other than as provided in Section 3(i)), the Company
shall use reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within thirty (30)
days of such cessation of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration Statement
in a manner reasonably expected by the Company to obtain the withdrawal of the
order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an additional Shelf
Registration Statement covering all of the securities that as of the date of
such filing are Registrable Securities (a "Subsequent Shelf Registration
Statement"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company
shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration
Statement to become effective as promptly as is reasonably practicable after
such filing or, if filed during a Deferral Period, after the expiration of such
Deferral Period, and to keep such Registration Statement (or Subsequent Shelf
Registration Statement) continuously effective (subject to Section 3(i)) until
the end of the Effectiveness Period.
(c) The Company shall supplement and amend the Shelf Registration Statement
if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the
registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement, if
required by the Securities Act or, to the extent to which the Company does not
reasonably object, as reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or by the
Trustee on behalf of the registered Holders.
(d) Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that if such Holder wishes
to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and
related Prospectus, it will do so only in accordance with this Section 2(d) and
Sections 3(i) and 4 of
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the Agreement. Each Holder of Registrable Securities wishing to sell Registrable
Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus
agrees to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company at least five (5)
Business Days prior to any intended distribution of Registrable Securities under
the Shelf Registration Statement. From and after the date the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective, the Company shall, as promptly as
is reasonably practicable after the date a Notice and Questionnaire is
delivered, (i) if required by applicable law, file with the SEC a post-effective
amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement or prepare and, if required by
applicable law, file a supplement to the related Prospectus or a supplement or
amendment to any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other
document required by the SEC so that the Holder delivering such Notice and
Questionnaire is named as a selling security holder in the Shelf Registration
Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder
to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of the Registrable Securities in
accordance with applicable law (other than laws not generally applicable to all
Holders of Registrable Securities wishing to sell Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus) and, if the
Company shall file a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration
Statement, use reasonable efforts to cause such post-effective amendment to be
declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably
practicable; (ii) provide such Holder copies of any documents filed pursuant to
Section 2(d)(i); and (iii) notify such Holder as promptly as is reasonably
practicable after the effectiveness under the Securities Act of any
post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Section 2(d)(i); provided, that if
such Notice and Questionnaire is delivered during a Deferral Period, the Company
shall so inform the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire and shall
take the actions set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above upon expiration
of the Deferral Period in accordance with Section 3(i); provided, further, that
if under applicable law the Company has more than one option as to the type or
manner of making any such filing, it will make the required filing or filings in
the manner or of a type that is reasonably expected to result in the earliest
availability of the Prospectus for effecting resales of Registrable Securities.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall be
under no obligation to name any Holder that is not a Notice Holder as a selling
security holder in any Registration Statement or related Prospectus; provided,
however, that any Holder that becomes a Notice Holder pursuant to the provisions
of Section 2(d) of this Agreement (whether or not such Holder was a Notice
Holder at the time the Registration Statement was initially declared effective)
shall be named as a selling security holder in the Registration Statement or
related Prospectus subject to and in accordance with the requirements of this
Section 2(d). Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3, any amendment or
supplement to the Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 2(d) that
solely lists additional selling security holders need not be submitted for
review by other Notice Holders or the Initial Purchasers.
(e) The parties hereto agree that the Holders of Registrable Securities
will suffer damages, and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent
of such damages with precision, if (i) the Initial Shelf Registration Statement
has not been filed on or prior to the Filing Deadline Date, (ii) the Initial
Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective under the
Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Deadline Date, or (iii) the
aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in any period exceeds the number of days
permitted in respect of such period pursuant to Section 3(i) hereof (each of the
events of a type described
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in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) are individually referred to
herein as an "Event," and the Filing Deadline Date in the case of clause (i),
the Effectiveness Deadline Date in the case of clause (ii), and the date on
which the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in any period exceeds the
number of days permitted by Section 3(i) hereof in the case of clause (iii),
being referred to herein as an "Event Date"). Events shall be deemed to continue
until the "Event Termination Date," which shall be the following dates with
respect to the respective types of Events: the date the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement is filed in the case of an Event of the type described in
clause (i), the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared
effective under the Securities Act in the case of an Event of the type described
in clause (ii), termination of the Deferral Period that caused the limit on the
aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in a period set forth in Section 3(i) to
be exceeded in the case of the commencement of an Event of the type described in
clause (iii).
Accordingly, commencing on (and including) any Event Date and ending on
(but excluding) the next date after an Event Termination Date (a "Damages
Accrual Period"), the Company agrees to pay, as liquidated damages and not as a
penalty, an amount (the "Liquidated Damages Amount"), payable on the Damages
Payment Dates to Record Holders of then outstanding Notes that are Registrable
Securities or of then outstanding shares of Underlying Common Stock issued upon
conversion of Notes that are Registrable Securities, as the case may be,
accruing, for each portion of such Damages Accrual Period beginning on and
including a Damages Payment Date (or, in respect of the first time that the
Liquidation Damages Amount is to be paid to Holders on a Damages Payment Date as
a result of the occurrence of any particular Event, from the Event Date) and
ending on but excluding the first to occur of (A) the date of the end of the
Damages Accrual Period or (B) the next Damages Payment Date, at a rate per annum
equal to one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) for the first 90-day period from the
Event Date, and thereafter at a rate per annum equal to one-half of one percent
(0.5%) of the aggregate Applicable Principal Amount of such Notes or the
aggregate Applicable Conversion Price of the shares of Underlying Common Stock,
as the case may be, in each case determined as of the Business Day immediately
preceding the next Damages Payment Date; provided, that in the case of a Damages
Accrual Period that is in effect solely as a result of an Event of the type
described in clause (ii) of the immediately preceding paragraph, no Liquidated
Damages Amount shall be payable by the Company to any Holder if no Holder has
delivered a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in accordance with Section
2(d) and the failure to receive such a Notice and Questionnaire prevents the
performance necessary to keep such Event from occurring; provided, further, that
any Liquidated Damages Amount accrued with respect to any Note or portion
thereof called for redemption on a redemption date or converted into Underlying
Common Stock on a conversion date or to Semi-Annual Coupon Notes prior to the
Damages Payment Date, shall, in any such event, be paid instead to the Holder
who submitted such Note or portion thereof for redemption or conversion on the
applicable redemption date or conversion date, as the case may be, on such date
(or promptly following the conversion date, in the case of conversion).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Liquidated Damages Amounts shall accrue as to
any Registrable Security from and after the earlier of (x) the date such
security is no longer a Registrable Security and (y) expiration of the
Effectiveness Period. The rate of accrual of the Liquidated Damages Amount with
respect to any period shall not exceed the rate provided for in this paragraph
notwithstanding the occurrence of multiple concurrent Events. Following the cure
of all Events requiring the payment by the Company of
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Liquidated Damages Amounts to the Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to
this Section, the accrual of Liquidated Damages Amounts will cease (without in
any way limiting the effect of any subsequent Event requiring the payment of the
Liquidated Damages Amount by the Company).
The Trustee, subject to the applicable provisions of the Indenture, shall
be entitled, for the benefit of Holders of Notes, Underlying Common Stock or
Semi-Annual Coupon Notes, to seek any available remedy for the enforcement of
this Agreement, including for the payment of any Liquidated Damages Amount.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the sole monetary damages
payable for a violation of the terms of this Agreement with respect to which
liquidated damages are expressly provided shall be such liquidated damages.
Nothing shall preclude a Notice Holder or Holder of Registrable Securities from
pursuing or obtaining specific performance or other equitable relief with
respect to this Agreement.
All of the Company's obligations set forth in this Section 2(e) that are
outstanding with respect to any Registrable Security at the time such security
ceases to be a Registrable Security shall survive until such time as all such
obligations with respect to such security have been satisfied in full
(notwithstanding termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8(k)).
The parties hereto agree that the liquidated damages provided for in this
Section 2(e) constitute a reasonable estimate of the damages that may be
incurred by Holders of Registrable Securities by reason of the failure of the
Shelf Registration Statement to be filed or declared effective or available for
effecting resales of Registrable Securities in accordance with the provisions
hereof.
SECTION 3. Registration Procedures. In connection with the registration
obligations of the Company under Section 2 hereof, the Company shall:
(a) Before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements (other than supplements that solely add one or more
Notice Holders as selling security holders) thereto with the SEC, furnish to the
Initial Purchasers copies of all such documents proposed to be filed and use
reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document when so filed with the SEC
such comments as the Initial Purchasers reasonably shall propose within three
(3) Business Days of the delivery of such copies to the Initial Purchasers.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable period
specified in Section 2(a); cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by
any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant
to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act;
and use reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act
applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by
such Registration Statement during the Effectiveness Period in accordance with
the intended
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methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration
Statement as so amended or such Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c) As promptly as reasonably practicable give notice to the Notice Holders
and the Initial Purchasers (i) when any Prospectus, Prospectus supplement,
Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement
has been filed with the SEC and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment, when the same has been declared effective (provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required by this clause (i) to notify (A)
the Initial Purchasers of the filing of a Prospectus supplement that solely adds
one or more Notice Holders as selling security holders or (B) any Notice Holder
of the filing of a Prospectus supplement that solely adds one or more other
Notice Holders as selling security holders), (ii) of any request, following the
effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement under the Securities
Act, by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for
amendments or supplements to any Registration Statement or related Prospectus or
for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any other
federal or state governmental authority of any stop order or injunction
suspending or enjoining the use of any Prospectus or the effectiveness of any
Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for
that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification
of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the
initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the
occurrence of (but not the nature of or details concerning) a Material Event
(provided, however, that no notice by the Company shall be required pursuant to
this clause (v) in the event that the Company either promptly files a Prospectus
supplement to update the Prospectus or a Current Report on Form 8-K or other
appropriate Exchange Act report that is incorporated by reference into the
Registration Statement, which, in either case, contains the requisite
information with respect to such Material Event that results in such
Registration Statement no longer containing any untrue statement of material
fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
contained therein not misleading) and (vi) of the determination by the Company
that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement will be filed with
the SEC, which notice may, at the discretion of the Company (or as required
pursuant to Section 3(i)), state that it constitutes a Deferral Notice, in which
event the provisions of Section 3(i) shall apply.
(d) Use reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending
the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting of any suspension
of qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in which they have been qualified for
sale, in either case as soon as reasonably possible or, if any such order or
suspension is made effective during any Deferral Period, as soon as reasonably
possible after the expiration of such Deferral Period.
(e) If reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or any Notice Holder,
as promptly as reasonably practicable incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement such information as the
Initial Purchasers or such Notice Holder shall, on the basis of a written
opinion of nationally-recognized counsel experienced in such matters, determine
to be required to be
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included therein by applicable law and make any required filings of such
Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment; provided, that the
Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 3(e) that
are not, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance
with applicable law.
(f) As promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing of such
documents with the SEC furnish to each Notice Holder and the Initial Purchasers,
upon their written request and without charge, at least one (1) conformed copy
of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, including financial
statements, but excluding schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits (unless requested in writing
to the Company by such Notice Holder or the Initial Purchasers, as the case may
be).
(g) During the Effectiveness Period, deliver to each Notice Holder in
connection with any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses
relating to such Registrable Securities (including each preliminary prospectus)
and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Notice Holder may reasonably
request; and the Company hereby consents (except during such periods that a
Deferral Notice is outstanding and has not been revoked) to the use of such
Prospectus or each amendment or supplement thereto by each Notice Holder in
connection with any offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by
such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in the manner set forth
therein.
(h) Subject to Section 3(i), prior to any public offering of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, use
reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Notice Holders
in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such
registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale
under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United
States as any Notice Holder reasonably requests in writing (which request may be
included in the Notice and Questionnaire), it being agreed that no such
registration or qualification will be made unless so requested; prior to any
public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement, use reasonable efforts to keep each such registration or
qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period
in connection with such Notice Holder's offer and sale of Registrable Securities
pursuant to such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) and do
any and all other acts or things necessary to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities in the manner set forth in the
relevant Registration Statement and the related Prospectus; provided, that the
Company will not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a
dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it is not otherwise qualified or
(ii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in
suits or to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) Upon (A) the issuance by the SEC of a stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation of
proceedings with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement under Section 8(d)
or 8(e) of the Securities Act, (B) the occurrence of any event or the existence
of any fact (a "Material Event") as a result of which any Registration Statement
shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, or any Prospectus shall contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to
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state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading (including, in any such case, as a result of the
non-availability of financial statements), or (C) the occurrence or existence of
any pending corporate development that, in the discretion of the Company, makes
it appropriate to suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement
and the related Prospectus, (i) in the case of clause (B) above, subject to the
next sentence, as promptly as practicable prepare and file a post-effective
amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement to the related
Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other
required document that would be incorporated by reference into such Registration
Statement and Prospectus so that such Registration Statement does not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and such Prospectus does not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, and, in the case
of a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement, subject to the next
sentence, use reasonable efforts to cause it to be declared effective as
promptly as is reasonably practicable, and (ii) give notice to the Notice
Holders that the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement is suspended
(a "Deferral Notice") and, upon receipt of any Deferral Notice, each Notice
Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement until such Notice Holder's receipt of copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in clause (i) above, or until it
is advised in writing by the Company that the Prospectus may be used, and has
received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated
or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The Company will use
reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed (x)
in the case of clause (A) above, as promptly as is practicable, (y) in the case
of clause (B) above, as soon as, in the sole judgment of the Company, public
disclosure of such Material Event would not be prejudicial to or contrary to the
interests of the Company or, if necessary to avoid unreasonable burden or
expense, as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter and (z) in the case of
clause (C) above, as soon as, in the discretion of the Company, such suspension
is no longer appropriate. So long as the period during which the availability of
the Registration Statement and any Prospectus is suspended (the "Deferral
Period") does not exceed forty-five (45) days during any three (3) month period
or one hundred and twenty (120) days during any twelve (12) month period, the
Company shall not incur any obligation to pay liquidated damages pursuant to
Section 2(e).
(j) If reasonably requested in writing in connection with a disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, make reasonably
available for inspection during normal business hours by a representative for
the Notice Holders of such Registrable Securities and any broker-dealers,
attorneys and accountants retained by such Notice Holders, all relevant
financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the
Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the appropriate executive officers,
directors and designated employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to make
reasonably
11
available for inspection during normal business hours all relevant information
reasonably requested by such representative for the Notice Holders or any such
broker-dealers, attorneys or accountants in connection with such disposition, in
each case as is customary for similar "due diligence" examinations; provided,
however, that such persons shall first agree in writing with the Company that
any information that is reasonably designated by the Company in writing as
confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept
confidential by such persons and shall be used solely for the purposes of
exercising rights under this Agreement, unless (i) disclosure of such
information is required by court or administrative order or is necessary to
respond to inquiries 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 any Registration
Statement or the use of any Prospectus referred to in this Agreement), (iii)
such information becomes generally available to the public other than as a
result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by any such person or (iv) such
information becomes available to any such person from a source other than the
Company and such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement; and
provided, further, that the foregoing inspection and information gathering
shall, to the greatest extent possible, be coordinated on behalf of all the
Notice Holders and the other parties entitled thereto by the counsel referred to
in Section 5.
(k) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make
generally available to its security holders earning statements (which need not
be audited) satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and
Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act)
no later than 45 days after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days after the
end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) commencing on the
first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company commencing after the
effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said
12-month periods.
(l) Cooperate with each Notice Holder to facilitate the timely preparation
and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities sold pursuant
to a Registration Statement, and cause such Registrable Securities to be in such
denominations as are permitted by the Indenture and registered in such names as
such Notice Holder may request in writing at least two Business Days prior to
any sale of such Registrable Securities.
(m) Provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities covered by each
Registration Statement not later than the effective date of such Registration
Statement and provide the Trustee for the Notes and the transfer agent for the
Common Stock with certificates for the Registrable Securities that are in a form
eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.
(n) Make reasonable effort to provide such information as is required for
any filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.
(o) Upon (i) the filing of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and
(ii) the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, announce the
same, in each case by release to Businesswire or other means of dissemination
reasonably expected to make such information known publicly.
12
(p) Take all actions necessary, or reasonably requested by the Holders of a
majority of the Registrable Securities being sold, in order to expedite or
facilitate disposition of such Registrable Securities; provided, that the
Company shall not be required to take any action in connection with an
underwritten offering without its consent (such consent to be withheld or
granted in the Company's sole and absolute discretion); and
(q) Cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later than the
effective date of any Registration Statement; and in connection therewith,
cooperate with the Trustee to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be
required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of
the TIA and execute, and use reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute,
all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and
documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so
qualified in a timely manner.
SECTION 4. Holder's Obligations. Each Holder agrees, by acquisition of the
Registrable Securities, that no Holder of Registrable Securities shall be
entitled to sell any of such Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement or to receive a Prospectus relating thereto, unless such Holder has
furnished the Company with a Notice and Questionnaire as required pursuant to
Section 2(d) hereof (including the information required to be included in such
Notice and Questionnaire) and the information set forth in the next sentence.
Each Notice Holder agrees promptly to furnish to the Company all information
required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished
to the Company by such Notice Holder not misleading, any other information
regarding such Notice Holder and the distribution of such Registrable Securities
as may be required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement under
applicable law or pursuant to SEC comments, any information otherwise required
by the Company to comply with applicable law or regulations and any information
as the Company may reasonably request. Each Holder further agrees, following
termination of the Effectiveness Period, to notify the Company within ten (10)
Business Days of a request, of the amount of Registrable Securities sold
pursuant to the Registration Statement and, in the absence of a response, the
Company may assume that all of the Holder's Registrable Securities were so sold.
SECTION 5. Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the performance by the Company of its
obligations under Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement whether or not any of the
Registration Statements are declared effective. Such fees and expenses shall
include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including,
without limitation, fees and expenses (x) with respect to filings required to be
made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and (y) of
compliance with federal and state securities or Blue Sky laws to the extent such
filings or compliance are required pursuant to this Agreement (including,
without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of the counsel specified
in the next sentence in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the
Registrable Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Notice
Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement may designate)), (ii) printing expenses (including,
without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities
in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company), (iii)
duplication expenses relating to copies of any Registration Statement or
Prospectus delivered to any Holders hereunder, (iv) fees and
13
disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, and (v) reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee
and its counsel and of the registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock. In
addition, the Company shall bear or reimburse the Notice Holders for the fees
and disbursements of one firm of legal counsel for the Holders, which shall,
upon the written consent of the Initial Purchasers (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld), be another nationally recognized law firm experienced in
securities law matters designated by the Company. In addition, the Company shall
pay the internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation, all
salaries and expenses of officers and employees performing legal or accounting
duties), the expense of any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities
exchange on which the same securities of the Company are then listed and the
fees and expenses of any person, including special experts, retained by the
Company.
SECTION 6. Indemnification; Contribution.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial
Purchasers and each Holder of Registrable Securities and each person, if any,
who controls any Initial Purchaser or any Holder of Registrable Securities
within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act, as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement
(or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom
of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus
or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission
or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in
settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim
whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such
alleged untrue statement or omission; provided, that (subject to Section
6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the prior written consent
of the Company; and
(iii) subject to Section 6(c) below, against any and all expense
whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel),
reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency
or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any
such untrue statement or omission, or any such
14
alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense
is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;
provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or
on behalf of the Initial Purchasers, such Holder of Registrable Securities
(which also acknowledges the indemnity provisions herein) or any person, if any,
who controls any Initial Purchaser or any such Holder of Registrable Securities
expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or
any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto); provided, further, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to
any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (1) arising from an offer or sale
of Registrable Securities occurring during a Deferral Period, if a Deferral
Notice was given to such Notice Holder in accordance with Section 8(c), or (2)
if the Holder fails to deliver at or prior to the written confirmation of sale,
the most recent Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, and such Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, would have corrected such untrue statement or omission
or alleged untrue statement or omission of a material fact and the delivery
thereof was required by law.
(b) In connection with any Shelf Registration in which a Holder, including,
without limitation, the Initial Purchasers, of Registrable Securities is
participating, in furnishing information relating to such Holder of Registrable
Securities to the Company in writing expressly for use in such Registration
Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto, the Holders of such Registrable Securities agree, severally
and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchasers and each
person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and the
Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of
either such Section, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section,
as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged
untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any
amendment thereto), or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder of
Registrable Securities (which also acknowledges the indemnity provisions herein)
or any person, if any, who controls any such Holder of Registrable Securities
expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or
such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto).
The Initial Purchasers agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
the Holders of Registrable Securities, and each person, if any, who controls the
Company or any Holder of Registrable Securities within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any
and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity
contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect
to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions,
made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any
15
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished
to the Company or on behalf of by the Initial Purchasers expressly for use in
the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
(c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably
practicable to each indemnifying party of any action or proceeding commenced
against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to
so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from
any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a
result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it
may have otherwise than on account of these indemnity provisions. The
indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified
party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and
shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.
In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain a
separate firm as its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying
party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of
such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any
impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party
and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate
due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood
that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any
indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in
the same jurisdiction, be liable for (a) the reasonable fees and expenses of
more than one firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Initial Purchaser,
Holders of Registrable Securities, and all persons, if any, who control the
Initial Purchaser or Holders of Registrable Securities within the meaning of
either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (b)
the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one firm (in addition to any local
counsel) for the Company, its directors, and each person, if any, who controls
the Company within the meaning of either such Section, and that all such
reasonable fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the
event a separate firm is retained for the Initial Purchasers, Holders of
Registrable Securities, and control persons of any Initial Purchaser and Holders
of Registrable Securities, such firm shall be designated in writing by the
Initial Purchasers. In the event a separate firm is retained for the Company,
and such directors, officers and control persons of the Company, such firm shall
be designated in writing by the Company. No indemnifying party shall, without
the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or
consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any
investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or
contribution could be sought under this Section 6 (whether or not the
indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such
settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each
indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation,
investigation, proceeding or claim 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 any
indemnified party.
16
(d) If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of
counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any
settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 days after
receipt by such indemnifying party of aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying
party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 45
days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying
party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such
request prior to the date of such settlement; provided, that an indemnifying
party shall not be liable for any such settlement effected without its consent
if such indemnifying party (1) reimburses such indemnified party in accordance
with such request to the extent it considers such request to be reasonable and
(2) provides written notice to the indemnified party describing any unpaid
balance it believes is unreasonable and the reasons therefor, in each case prior
to the date of such settlement.
(e) If the indemnification to which an indemnified party is entitled under
this Section 6 is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient although
applicable in accordance with its terms to hold harmless an indemnified party in
respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to
therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount
of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such
indemnified party, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of
the indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or
expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Holders of the
Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchasers on the other hand shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the
Holder of the Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchasers and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 6(e) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 6(e). The
aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages, and expenses incurred
by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 6(e) shall be
deemed to include any out-of-pocket legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6, neither the Holder of any
Registrable Securities nor the Initial Purchasers shall be required to indemnify
or contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at
which the Registrable
17
Securities sold by such Holder of Registrable Securities or by the Initial
Purchasers, as the case may be, and distributed to the public were offered to
the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder of Registrable
Securities or the Initial Purchasers have 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 Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any
person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
For purposes of this Section 6(e), each person, if any, who controls any
Initial Purchaser or any Holder of Registrable Securities within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have
the same rights to contribution as the Initial Purchasers or such Holder, and
each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15
of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same
rights to contribution as the Company.
SECTION 7. Information Requirements. The Company covenants that, if at any
time before the end of the Effectiveness Period the Company is not subject to
the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, it will cooperate with any
Holder of Registrable Securities and take such further reasonable action as any
Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request in writing (including,
without limitation, making such reasonable representations as any such Holder
may reasonably request), all to the extent required from time to time to enable
such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the
Securities Act within the limitations of Rule 144 and Rule 144A and customarily
taken in connection with sales pursuant to such exemptions. Upon the written
request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall deliver to
such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such filing
requirements, unless such a statement has been included in the Company's most
recent report required to be filed and filed pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7
shall be deemed to require the Company to register any of its securities under
any section of the Exchange Act.
SECTION 8. Miscellaneous
(a) No Conflicting Agreements. The Company is not, as of the date hereof, a
party to, nor shall it, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into, any
agreement with respect to the Company's securities that conflicts with the
rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement. The
Company represents and warrants that the rights granted to the Holders of
Registrable Securities hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights
granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any other agreements.
(b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the
provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and
waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given,
unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of
the then
18
outstanding Underlying Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities
(with Holders of Notes or Semi-Annual Coupon Notes deemed to be the Holders, for
purposes of this Section, of the number of outstanding shares of Underlying
Common Stock into which such Notes or Semiannual Coupon Notes are or would be
convertible or exchangeable as of the date on which such consent is requested).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions
hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of
Holders of Registrable Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the
rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities may be given by Holders of at
least a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold by such Holders
pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided, that the provisions of this
sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with
the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. Each Holder of Registrable
Securities outstanding at the time of any such amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or consent or thereafter shall be bound by any such
amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent effected pursuant to this
Section 8(b), whether or not any notice, writing or marking indicating such
amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent appears on the
Registrable Securities or is delivered to such Holder.
(c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted
hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, by telecopier, by courier
guaranteeing overnight delivery or by first-class mail, return receipt
requested, and shall be deemed given (i) when made, if made by hand delivery,
(ii) upon confirmation, if made by telecopier, (iii) one (1) Business Day after
being deposited with such courier, if made by overnight courier or (iv) on the
date indicated on the notice of receipt, if made by first-class mail, to the
parties as follows:
if to a Holder of Registrable Securities that is not a Notice Holder, at
the address for such Holder then appearing in the Registrar (as defined in the
Indenture);
if to a Notice Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to
the Company in a Notice and Questionnaire or any amendment thereto;
if to the Company, to:
Selective Insurance Group, Inc.
00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Telephone No. (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No. (000) 000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
and
19
Shearman & Sterling
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Telephone No. (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No. (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
and
if to the Initial Purchasers, to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co.,
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated
0 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone No. (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No. (000) 000-0000
or to such other address as such person may have furnished to the other persons
identified in this Section 8(c) in writing in accordance herewith.
(d) Approval of Holders. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a
specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder,
Registrable Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates (other than the
Initial Purchasers or subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities if such
subsequent Holders are deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of their
holdings of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining
whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required
percentage.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties and,
without requiring any express assignment, shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon each Holder of any Registrable Securities.
(f) 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 original and all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
20
(i) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this
Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder
of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall
remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or
invalidated thereby, and the parties hereto shall use their reasonable best
efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or
substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision,
covenant or restriction, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges
of the parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final
expression of their agreement and is 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 and the registration rights granted by the
Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. Except as provided in the
Purchase Agreement, there are no restrictions, promises, warranties or
undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein, with respect to
the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable
Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings
among the parties with respect to such registration rights.
(k) Termination. This Agreement and the obligations of the parties
hereunder shall terminate upon the end of the Effectiveness Period, except for
any liabilities or obligations under Sections 4, 5 or 6 hereof and the
obligations to make payments of and provide for liquidated damages under Section
2(e) hereof to the extent such damages accrue prior to the end of the
Effectiveness Period, each of which shall remain in effect in accordance with
its terms.
21
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights
Agreement as of the date first written above.
Very truly yours,
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
By /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer
Accepted as of the date
first above written:
XXXXXXX XXXXX & CO.
XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX
INCORPORATED
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
XXXXXX, XXXXX XXXXX, INCORPORATED
SANDLER X'XXXXX & PARTNERS, L.P.
AS THE SEVERAL INITIAL PURCHASERS
By: XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX
INCORPORATED
By:/s/ Xxxxxx X. (Xxxx) Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name:
Title:
For itself and on behalf of the other Initial Purchasers named in Schedule A to
the Purchase Agreement
