EXHIBIT 4.5
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
7.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement
------------------------------------------
August 11,2003
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co.,
As representative of the several Purchasers
named in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue and sell to the Purchasers (as defined herein) upon the terms
set forth in the Purchase Agreement (as defined herein) $225,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of its 7.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013. As an
inducement to the Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and in
satisfaction of a condition to the obligations of the Purchasers thereunder, the
Company agrees with the Purchasers for the benefit of holders (as defined
herein) from time to time of the Registrable Securities (as defined herein) as
follows:
1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
respective meanings:
"Base Interest" shall mean the interest that would otherwise accrue on
the Securities under the terms thereof and the Indenture, without giving effect
to the provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
The term "broker-dealer" shall mean any broker or dealer registered
with the Commission under the Exchange Act.
"Closing Date" shall mean the date on which the Securities are
initially issued.
"Commission" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the Exchange
Act or the Securities Act, whichever is the relevant statute for the particular
purpose.
"Effective Time," in the case of (i) an Exchange Registration, shall
mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Exchange
Registration Statement effective or as of which the Exchange Registration
Statement otherwise be-
comes effective and (ii) a Shelf Registration, shall mean the time and date as
of which the Commission declares the Shelf Registration Statement effective or
as of which the Shelf Registration Statement otherwise becomes effective.
"Electing Holder" shall mean any holder of Registrable Securities that
has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in
accordance with Section 3(d)(ii) or 3(d)(iii) hereof.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any
successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
"Exchange Offer" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Registration" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 3(c) hereof.
"Exchange Registration Statement" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Securities" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(a) hereof.
"Guarantor" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Indenture.
The term "holder" shall mean each of the Purchasers and other persons
who acquire Registrable Securities from time to time (including any successors
or assigns), in each case for so long as such person owns any Registrable
Securities.
"Indenture" shall mean the Indenture, dated as of August 11, 2003,
between the Company and Xxxxx Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, as
the same shall be amended from time to time.
"Notice and Questionnaire" means a Notice of Registration Statement
and Selling Securityholder Questionnaire substantially in the form of Exhibit A
hereto.
The term "person" shall mean a corporation, association, partnership,
organization, business, individual, government or political subdivision thereof
or governmental agency.
"Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement, dated as of
August 6, 2003, between the Purchasers and the Company relating to the
Securities.
"Purchasers" shall mean the Purchasers named in Schedule I to the
Purchase Agreement.
"Registrable Securities" shall mean the Securities; provided, however,
that a Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security when (i) in the
circumstances contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof, the Security has been
exchanged for an Exchange
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Security in an Exchange Offer as contemplated in Section 2(a) hereof (provided
that any Exchange Security that, pursuant to the last two sentences of Section
2(a), is included in a prospectus for use in connection with resales by
broker-dealers shall be deemed to be a Registrable Security with respect to
Sections 5, 6 and 9 until resale of such Registrable Security has been effected
within the 180-day period referred to in Section 2(a)); (ii) in the
circumstances contemplated by Section 2(b) hereof, a Shelf Registration
Statement registering such Security under the Securities Act has been declared
or becomes effective and such Security has been sold or otherwise transferred by
the holder thereof pursuant to and in a manner contemplated by such effective
Shelf Registration Statement; (iii) such Security is sold pursuant to Rule 144
under circumstances in which any legend borne by such Security relating to
restrictions on transferability thereof, under the Securities Act or otherwise,
is removed by the Company or pursuant to the Indenture; (iv) such Security is
eligible to be sold pursuant to paragraph (k) of Rule 144; or (v) such Security
shall cease to be outstanding.
"Registration Default" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(c) hereof.
"Registration Expenses" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 4 hereof.
"Resale Period" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2(a) hereof.
"Restricted Holder" shall mean (i) a holder that is an affiliate of
the Company within the meaning of Rule 405, (ii) a holder who acquires Exchange
Securities outside the ordinary course of such holder's business, (iii) a holder
who has arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in the
Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing Exchange Securities and (iv) a
holder that is a broker-dealer, but only with respect to Exchange Securities
received by such broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer in exchange for
Registrable Securities acquired by the broker-dealer directly from the Company.
"Rule 144," "Rule 405" and "Rule 415" shall mean, in each case, such
rule promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), as the
same shall be amended from time to time.
"Securities" shall mean, collectively, the 7.50% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2013 of the Company to be issued and sold to the Purchasers, and
securities issued in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof pursuant to the
Indenture. Each Security is entitled to the benefit of the guarantee, if any,
provided for in the Indenture (the "Guarantee") and, unless the context
otherwise requires, any reference herein to a "Security," an "Exchange Security"
or a "Registrable Security" shall include a reference to the related Guarantees,
if any.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, or any
successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
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"Shelf Registration" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(b) hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" shall have the meaning assigned thereto
in Section 2(b) hereof.
"Special Interest" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2(c) hereof.
"Trust Indenture Act" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, or
any successor thereto, and the rules, regulations and forms promulgated
thereunder, all as the same shall be amended from time to time.
Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference herein to a
"Section" or "clause" refers to a Section or clause, as the case may be, of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, and the words "herein," "hereof" and
"hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or
other subdivision.
2. Registration Under the Securities Act.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 2(b) below, the Company agrees to
file under the Securities Act, as soon as practicable, but no later than 90 days
after the Closing Date, a registration statement relating to an offer to
exchange (such registration statement, the "Exchange Registration Statement",
and such offer, the "Exchange Offer") any and all of the Securities for a like
aggregate principal amount of debt securities issued by the Company, which debt
securities are substantially identical to the Securities, including without
limitation, the Guarantees, if any (and are entitled to the benefits of a trust
indenture which is substantially identical to the Indenture or is the Indenture
and which has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act), except that they
have been registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act and do not contain provisions for the additional interest
contemplated in Section 2(c) below (such new debt securities hereinafter called
"Exchange Securities"). The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to
cause the Exchange Registration Statement to become effective under the
Securities Act as soon as practicable, but no later than 210 days after the
Closing Date. The Exchange Offer will be registered under the Securities Act on
the appropriate form and will comply with all applicable tender offer rules and
regulations under the Exchange Act. The Company further agrees to commence and
complete the Exchange Offer promptly, but no later than 45 days after such
registration statement has become effective, hold the Exchange Offer open for at
least 20 business days and exchange Exchange Securities for all Registrable
Securities that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to the
expiration of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer will be deemed to have been
"completed" only if the debt securities and the related Guarantees, if any,
received by holders other than Restricted Holders in the Exchange Offer for
Registrable Securities are, upon receipt, transferable by each such holder
without restriction under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and without
material restrictions under the blue sky or securities laws of a substantial
majority of the States of the United States of America. The Exchange Offer
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shall be deemed to have been completed upon the earlier to occur of (i) the
Company having exchanged the Exchange Securities for all outstanding Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and (ii) the Company having exchanged,
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Exchange Securities for all Registrable
Securities that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn before the
expiration of the Exchange Offer, which shall be on a date that is at least 20
business days following the commencement of the Exchange Offer. The Company
agrees (x) to include in the Exchange Registration Statement a prospectus for
use in any resales by any holder of Exchange Securities that is a broker-dealer
and (y) to keep such Exchange Registration Statement effective for a period (the
"Resale Period") beginning when Exchange Securities are first issued in the
Exchange Offer and ending upon the earlier of the expiration of the 180th day
after the Exchange Offer has been completed or such time as such broker-dealers
no longer own any Registrable Securities. With respect to such Exchange
Registration Statement, such holders shall have the benefit of the rights of
indemnification and contribution set forth in Sections 6(a), (c), (d) and (e)
hereof.
(b) If (i) on or prior to the time the Exchange Offer is completed,
existing Commission interpretations are changed such that the debt securities
and the related Guarantees, if any, received by holders other than Restricted
Holders in the Exchange Offer for Registrable Securities are not or would not
be, upon receipt, transferable by each such holder without restriction under the
Securities Act, (ii) the Exchange Offer has not been completed within 255 days
following the Closing Date or (iii) the Exchange Offer is not available to any
holder of the Securities, the Company shall, in lieu of (or, in the case of
clause (iii), in addition to) conducting the Exchange Offer contemplated by
Section 2(a), file under the Securities Act as soon as practicable, but no later
than the later of the thirtieth (30th) day after the time such obligation to
file arises, a "shelf" registration statement providing for the registration of,
and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis by the holders of, all of the
Registrable Securities, pursuant to Rule 415 or any similar rule that may be
adopted by the Commission (such filing, the "Shelf Registration" and such
registration statement, the "Shelf Registration Statement"). The Company agrees
to use its reasonable best efforts (x) to cause the Shelf Registration Statement
to become or be declared effective no later than 120 days after such Shelf
Registration Statement is filed and to keep such Shelf Registration Statement
continuously effective for a period ending on the earlier of the second
anniversary of the Effective Time or such time as there are no longer any
Registrable Securities outstanding, provided, however, that no holder shall be
entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration
Statement or to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of
Registrable Securities unless such holder is an Electing Holder, and (y) after
the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, promptly upon the
request of any holder of Registrable Securities that is not then an Electing
Holder, to take any action reasonably necessary to enable such holder to use the
prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities,
including, without limitation, any action necessary to identify such holder as a
selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement, provided, however,
that nothing in this clause (y) shall relieve any such holder of the obligation
to return a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in
accordance with Section 3(d)(iii) hereof. The Company further agrees to
supplement or make amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement, as and when
required by the rules, regulations or instructions
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applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf
Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations
thereunder for shelf registration, and the Company agrees to furnish to each
Electing Holder copies of any such supplement or amendment prior to its being
used or promptly following its filing with the Commission.
(c) In the event that (i) the Company has not filed the Exchange
Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement on or before the date on
which such registration statement is required to be filed pursuant to Section
2(a) or 2(b), respectively, or (ii) such Exchange Registration Statement or
Shelf Registration Statement has not become effective or been declared effective
by the Commission on or before the date on which such registration statement is
required to become or be declared effective pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b),
respectively, or (iii) the Exchange Offer has not been completed within 45 days
after the initial effective date of the Exchange Registration Statement relating
to the Exchange Offer (if the Exchange Offer is then required to be made) or
(iv) any Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement
required by Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof is filed and declared effective but
shall thereafter either be withdrawn by the Company or shall become subject to
an effective stop order issued pursuant to Section 8(d) of the Securities Act
suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement (except as
specifically permitted herein) without being succeeded immediately by an
additional registration statement filed and declared effective (each such event
referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "Registration Default" and each
period during which a Registration Default has occurred and is continuing, a
"Registration Default Period"), then, as liquidated damages for such
Registration Default, subject to the provisions of Section 9(b), special
interest ("Special Interest"), in addition to the Base Interest, shall accrue at
a per annum rate of 0.25% for the first 90 days of the Registration Default
Period, at a per annum rate of 0.50% for the second 90 days of the Registration
Default Period, at a per annum rate of 0.75% for the third 90 days of the
Registration Default Period and at a per annum rate of 1.0% thereafter for the
remaining portion of the Registration Default Period.
(d) The Company shall take and shall cause the Guarantors, if any, to
take all actions necessary or advisable to be taken by it to ensure that the
transactions contemplated herein are effected as so contemplated, including all
actions necessary or desirable to register the Guarantees, if any, under the
registration statement contemplated in Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof, as
applicable.
(e) Any reference herein to a registration statement as of any time
shall be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be
incorporated, therein by reference as of such time and any reference herein to
any post-effective amendment to a registration statement as of any time shall be
deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated,
therein by reference as of such time.
3. Registration Procedures.
If the Company files a registration statement pursuant to Section 2(a)
or Section 2(b), the following provisions shall apply:
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(a) At or before the Effective Time of the Exchange Offer or the
Shelf Registration, as the case may be, the Company shall qualify the Indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) In the event that such qualification would require the
appointment of a new trustee under the Indenture, the Company shall appoint a
new trustee thereunder pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.
(c) In connection with the Company's obligations with respect to the
registration of Exchange Securities as contemplated by Section 2(a) (the
"Exchange Registration"), if applicable, the Company shall, as soon as
practicable (or as otherwise specified):
(i) prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as
practicable but no later than 90 days after the Closing Date, an
Exchange Registration Statement on any form which may be utilized by
the Company and which shall permit the Exchange Offer and resales of
Exchange Securities by broker-dealers during the Resale Period to be
effected as contemplated by Section 2(a), and use its reasonable best
efforts to cause such Exchange Registration Statement to become
effective as soon as practicable thereafter, but no later than 210
days after the Closing Date;
(ii) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the
Commission such amendments and supplements to such Exchange
Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein as may be
necessary to effect and maintain the effectiveness of such Exchange
Registration Statement for the periods and purposes contemplated in
Section 2(a) hereof and as may be required by the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission and the instructions applicable to the
form of such Exchange Registration Statement, and promptly provide
each broker-dealer holding Exchange Securities with such number of
copies of the prospectus included therein (as then amended or
supplemented), in conformity in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the
rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, as such
broker-dealer reasonably may request prior to the expiration of the
Resale Period, for use in connection with resales of Exchange
Securities;
(iii) promptly notify each broker-dealer that has requested or
received copies of the prospectus included in such registration
statement, and confirm such advice in writing, (A) when such Exchange
Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or any
prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment has
been filed, and, with respect to such Exchange Registration Statement
or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective,
(B) of any comments by the Commission and by the blue sky or
securities commissioner or regulator of any state with respect thereto
or any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to such
Exchange Registration
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Statement or prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of such Exchange Registration Statement or the
initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (D) if
at any time the representations and warranties of the Company
contemplated by Section 5 cease to be true and correct in all material
respects, (E) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Exchange
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, or (F) at any time
during the Resale Period when a prospectus is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act, that such Exchange Registration Statement,
prospectus, prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective
amendment does not conform in all material respects to the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the
rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or contains an
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
(iv) in the event that the Company would be required, pursuant
to Section 3(e)(iii)(F) above, to notify any broker-dealers holding
Exchange Securities, without delay prepare and furnish to each such
holder a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or
amended so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of such
Exchange Securities during the Resale Period, such prospectus shall
conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and shall not contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
(v) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal
of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto at the
earliest practicable date;
(vi) use its reasonable best efforts to (A) register or
qualify the Exchange Securities under the securities laws or blue sky
laws of such jurisdictions as are contemplated by Section 2(a) no
later than the commencement of the Exchange Offer, (B) keep such
registrations or qualifications in effect and comply with such laws so
as to permit the continuance of offers, sales and dealings therein in
such jurisdictions until the expiration of the Resale Period and (C)
take any and all other actions as may be reasonably necessary or
advisable to enable each broker-dealer holding Exchange Securities to
consummate the disposition thereof in such jurisdictions; provided,
however, that neither the Company nor any Guarantor, if any, shall be
required for any such purpose to (1) qualify as a
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foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise
be required to qualify but for the requirements of this Section
3(c)(vi), (2) consent to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction or (3) make any changes to its certificate of
incorporation or by-laws or any agreement between it and its
stockholders;
(vii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent or
approval of each governmental agency or authority, whether federal,
state or local, which may be required to effect the Exchange
Registration, the Exchange Offer and the offering and sale of Exchange
Securities by broker-dealers during the Resale Period;
(viii) provide a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities, not
later than the applicable Effective Time; and
(ix) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as
soon as practicable but no later than eighteen months after the
effective date of such Exchange Registration Statement, an earning
statement of the Company and its subsidiaries complying with Section
11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company,
Rule 158 thereunder).
(d) In connection with the Company's obligations with respect to the
Shelf Registration, if applicable, the Company shall, as soon as practicable (or
as otherwise specified):
(i) prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as
practicable but in any case within the time periods specified in
Section 2(b), a Shelf Registration Statement on any form which may be
utilized by the Company and which shall register all of the
Registrable Securities for resale by the holders thereof in accordance
with such method or methods of disposition as may be specified by such
of the holders as, from time to time, may be Electing Holders and use
its reasonable best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement
to become effective as soon as practicable but in any case within the
time periods specified in Section 2(b);
(ii) not less than 30 calendar days prior to the Effective
Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, mail the Notice and
Questionnaire to the holders of Registrable Securities; no holder
shall be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf
Registration Statement as of the Effective Time, and no holder shall
be entitled to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales
of Registrable Securities at any time, unless such holder has returned
a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company by the
deadline for response set forth therein; provided, however, holders of
Registrable Securities shall have at least 28 calendar days from the
date on which the Notice and Questionnaire is first mailed to such
holders to return a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to
the Company;
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(iii) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration
Statement, upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities
that is not then an Electing Holder, promptly send a Notice and
Questionnaire to such holder; provided that the Company shall not be
required to take any action to name such holder as a selling
securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement or to enable such
holder to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of
Registrable Securities until such holder has returned a completed and
signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company;
(iv) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the
Commission such amendments and supplements to such Shelf Registration
Statement and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to
effect and maintain the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration
Statement for the period specified in Section 2(b) hereof and as may
be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
and the instructions applicable to the form of such Shelf Registration
Statement, and furnish to the Electing Holders copies of any such
supplement or amendment simultaneously with or prior to its being used
or filed with the Commission;
(v) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with
respect to the disposition of all of the Registrable Securities
covered by such Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the
intended methods of disposition by the Electing Holders provided for
in such Shelf Registration Statement;
(vi) provide (A) the Electing Holders, (B) the underwriters
(which term, for purposes of this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement, shall include a person deemed to be an underwriter within
the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act), if any,
thereof, (C) any sales or placement agent therefor, (D) counsel for
any such underwriter or agent and (E) not more than one counsel for
all the Electing Holders the opportunity to participate in the
preparation of such Shelf Registration Statement, each prospectus
included therein or filed with the Commission and each amendment or
supplement thereto;
(vii) for a reasonable period prior to the filing of such Shelf
Registration Statement, and throughout the period specified in Section
2(b), make available at reasonable times at the Company's principal
place of business or such other reasonable place for inspection by the
persons referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) who shall certify to the
Company that they have a current intention to sell the Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration such financial and other
information and books and records of the Company, and use its
reasonable best efforts to cause the officers, employees, counsel and
independent certified public accountants of the Company to respond to
such inquiries, as shall be reasonably necessary, in the judgment of
the respective counsel referred to in such Section, to conduct a
reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the
Securities Act; provided, however, that each such party shall be
required
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to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any other person any
information or records reasonably designated by the Company as being
confidential, until such time as (A) such information becomes a matter
of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in such
registration statement or otherwise other than by disclosure by such
party), or (B) such person shall be required so to disclose such
information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or other
governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the matter
(subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such person
shall have given the Company prompt prior written notice of such
requirement), or (C) such information is required to be set forth in
such Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein
or in an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or an
amendment or supplement to such prospectus in order that such Shelf
Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement, as the
case may be, complies with applicable requirements of the federal
securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Commission and
does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of
the circumstances then existing;
(viii) promptly notify each of the Electing Holders, any sales
or placement agent therefor and any underwriter thereof (which
notification may be made through any managing underwriter that is a
representative of such underwriter for such purpose) and confirm such
advice in writing, (A) when such Shelf Registration Statement or the
prospectus included therein or any prospectus amendment or supplement
or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to such
Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the
same has become effective, (B) of any comments by the Commission and
by the blue sky or securities commissioner or regulator of any state
with respect thereto or any request by the Commission for amendments
or supplements to such Shelf Registration Statement or prospectus or
for additional information, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of
any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration
Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that
purpose, (D) if at any time the representations and warranties of the
Company contemplated by Section 3(d)(xvii) or Section 5 cease to be
true and correct in all material respects, (E) of the receipt by the
Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
such purpose, or (F) if at any time when a prospectus is required to
be delivered under the Securities Act, that such Shelf Registration
Statement, prospectus, prospectus amendment or supplement or
post-effective amendment does not conform in all material respects to
the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust
Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits
to state any material fact required to be stated
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therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in
light of the circumstances then existing;
(ix) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal
of any order suspending the effectiveness of such registration
statement or any post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest
practicable date;
(x) if requested by any managing underwriter or underwriters,
any placement or sales agent or any Electing Holder, promptly
incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
such information as is required by the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission and as such managing underwriter or
underwriters, such agent or such Electing Holder specifies should be
included therein relating to the terms of the sale of such Registrable
Securities, including information with respect to the principal amount
of Registrable Securities being sold by such Electing Holder or agent
or to any underwriters, the name and description of such Electing
Holder, agent or underwriter, the offering price of such Registrable
Securities and any discount, commission or other compensation payable
in respect thereof, the purchase price being paid therefor by such
underwriters and with respect to any other terms of the offering of
the Registrable Securities to be sold by such Electing Holder or agent
or to such underwriters; and make all required filings of such
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment promptly after
notification of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment;
(xi) furnish to each Electing Holder, each placement or sales
agent, if any, therefor, each underwriter, if any, thereof and the
respective counsel referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) an executed copy
(or, in the case of an Electing Holder, a conformed copy) of such
Shelf Registration Statement, each such amendment and supplement
thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto (in the case of
an Electing Holder of Registrable Securities, upon request) and
documents incorporated by reference therein) and such number of copies
of such Shelf Registration Statement (excluding exhibits thereto and
documents incorporated by reference therein unless specifically so
requested by such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, as the case
may be) and of the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration
Statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary
prospectus), in conformity in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture
Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and
such other documents, as such Electing Holder, agent, if any, and
underwriter, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the
offering and disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such
Electing Holder, offered or sold by such agent or underwritten by such
underwriter and to permit such Electing Holder, agent and underwriter
to satisfy the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;
and the Company hereby consents to the use of such prospectus
(including such preliminary and summary prospec-
-12-
tus) and any amendment or supplement thereto by each such Electing
Holder and by any such agent and underwriter, in each case in the form
most recently provided to such person by the Company, in connection
with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by
the prospectus (including such preliminary and summary prospectus) or
any supplement or amendment thereto;
(xii) use its reasonable best efforts to (A) register or
qualify the Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf
Registration Statement under such securities laws or blue sky laws of
such jurisdictions as any Electing Holder and each placement or sales
agent, if any, therefor and underwriter, if any, thereof shall
reasonably request, (B) keep such registrations or qualifications in
effect and comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of
offers, sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions during the
period the Shelf Registration is required to remain effective under
Section 2(b) above and for so long as may be necessary to enable any
such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter to complete its
distribution of Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration
Statement and (C) take any and all other actions as may be reasonably
necessary or advisable to enable each such Electing Holder, agent, if
any, and underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition in such
jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities; provided, however, that
neither the Company nor any Guarantor, if any, shall be required for
any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be required to qualify but
for the requirements of this Section 3(d)(xii), (2) consent to general
service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) make any changes to
its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or any agreement between
it and its stockholders;
(xiii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent or
approval of each governmental agency or authority, whether federal,
state or local, which may be required to effect the Shelf Registration
or the offering or sale in connection therewith or to enable the
selling holder or holders to offer, or to consummate the disposition
of, their Registrable Securities;
(xiv) unless any Registrable Securities shall be in book-entry
only form, cooperate with the Electing Holders and the managing
underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be
sold, which certificates, if so required by any securities exchange
upon which any Registrable Securities are listed, shall be penned,
lithographed or engraved, or produced by any combination of such
methods, on steel engraved borders, and which certificates shall not
bear any restrictive legends; and, in the case of an underwritten
offering, enable such Registrable Securities to be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the managing
underwriters may request at least two business days prior to any sale
of the Registrable Securities;
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(xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities,
not later than the applicable Effective Time;
(xvi) enter into one or more underwriting agreements,
engagement letters, agency agreements, "best efforts" underwriting
agreements or similar agreements, as appropriate, including customary
provisions relating to indemnification and contribution, and take such
other actions in connection therewith as any Electing Holders
aggregating at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Securities at the time outstanding shall reasonably
request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such
Registrable Securities;
(xvii) if an agreement of the type referred to in Section
3(d)(xvi) hereof is entered into or if any portion of the offering
contemplated by the Shelf Registration is an underwritten offering or
is made through a placement or sales agent or any other entity, (A)
make such representations and warranties to the Electing Holders and
the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the underwriters,
if any, thereof in form, substance and scope as are customarily made
in connection with an offering of debt securities pursuant to any
appropriate agreement or to a registration statement filed on the form
applicable to the Shelf Registration; (B) use its reasonable best
efforts to obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company (which counsel
may be an employee of the Company) in customary form and covering such
matters, of the type customarily covered by such an opinion, as the
managing underwriters, if any, or as any Electing Holders of at least
20% in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the
time outstanding may reasonably request, addressed to such Electing
Holder or Electing Holders and the placement or sales agent, if any,
therefor and the underwriters, if any, thereof and dated the effective
date of such Shelf Registration Statement (and if such Shelf
Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering of a part
or all of the Registrable Securities, dated the date of the closing
under the underwriting agreement relating thereto) (it being agreed
that the matters to be covered by such opinion shall include the due
incorporation and good standing of the Company and its subsidiaries;
the qualification of the Company and its subsidiaries to transact
business as foreign corporations; the due authorization, execution and
delivery of the relevant agreement of the type referred to in Section
3(d)(xvi) hereof; the due authorization, execution, authentication and
issuance, and the validity and enforceability, of the Securities; the
absence of material legal or governmental proceedings involving the
Company; the absence of a breach by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries of, or a default under, material agreements binding upon
the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; the absence of
governmental approvals required to be obtained in connection with the
Shelf Registration, the offering and sale of the Registrable
Securities, this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement or any
agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(d)(xvi) hereof, except
such approvals as may be required under state securities or blue sky
laws; the material compliance
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as to form of such Shelf Registration Statement and any documents
incorporated by reference therein and of the Indenture with the
requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the
rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, respectively; and,
as of the date of the opinion and of the Shelf Registration Statement
or most recent post-effective amendment thereto, as the case may be,
the absence from such Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus
included therein, as then amended or supplemented, and from the
documents incorporated by reference therein (in each case other than
the financial statements and other financial information contained
therein) of an untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to
state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading (in the case of such documents, in the light of the
circumstances existing at the time that such documents were filed with
the Commission under the Exchange Act)); (C) use its reasonable best
efforts to obtain a "cold comfort" letter or letters from the
independent certified public accountants of the Company addressed to
the selling Electing Holders, the placement or sales agent, if any,
therefor or the underwriters, if any, thereof, dated (i) the effective
date of such Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the effective date
of any prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf
Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf
Registration Statement which includes unaudited or audited financial
statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to that of the
latest such statements included in such prospectus (and, if such Shelf
Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering pursuant
to any prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf
Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf
Registration Statement which includes unaudited or audited financial
statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to that of the
latest such statements included in such prospectus, dated the date of
the closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto), such
letter or letters to be in customary form and covering such matters of
the type customarily covered by letters of such type; (D) deliver such
documents and certificates, including officers' certificates, as may
be reasonably requested by any Electing Holders of at least 20% in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time
outstanding or the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the
managing underwriters, if any, thereof to evidence the accuracy of the
representations and warranties made pursuant to clause (A) above or
those contained in Section 5(a) hereof and the compliance with or
satisfaction of any agreements or conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company
or the Guarantors, if any; and (E) undertake such obligations relating
to expense reimbursement, indemnification and contribution as are
provided in Section 6 hereof;
(xviii) notify in writing each holder of Registrable Securities
of any proposal by the Company to amend or waive any provision of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to Section 9(h)
hereof and of any amendment or waiver effected pursuant thereto, each
of
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which notices shall contain the text of the amendment or waiver
proposed or effected, as the case may be;
(xix) in the event that any broker-dealer registered under the
Exchange Act shall underwrite any Registrable Securities or
participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group
or "assist in the distribution" (within the meaning of the Conduct
Rules (the "Conduct Rules") of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") or any successor thereto, as amended from time
to time) thereof, whether as a holder of such Registrable Securities
or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer
in respect thereof, or otherwise, assist such broker-dealer in
complying with the requirements of such Conduct Rules, including by
(A) if such Conduct Rules shall so require, engaging a "qualified
independent underwriter" (as defined in such Conduct Rules) to
participate in the preparation of the Shelf Registration Statement
relating to such Registrable Securities, to exercise usual standards
of due diligence in respect thereto and, if any portion of the
offering contemplated by such Shelf Registration Statement is an
underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent,
to recommend the yield of such Registrable Securities, (B)
indemnifying any such qualified independent underwriter to the extent
of the indemnification of underwriters provided in Section 6 hereof
(or to such other customary extent as may be requested by such
underwriter), and (C) providing such information to such broker-dealer
as may be required in order for such broker-dealer to comply with the
requirements of the Conduct Rules; and
(xx) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as
soon as practicable but in any event not later than eighteen months
after the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement, an
earning statement of the Company and its subsidiaries complying with
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the
Company, Rule 158 thereunder).
(e) In the event that the Company would be required, pursuant
to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) above, to notify the Electing Holders, the placement or
sales agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof,
the Company shall without delay prepare and furnish to each of the Electing
Holders, to each placement or sales agent, if any, and to each such underwriter,
if any, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so
that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of Registrable Securities, such
prospectus shall conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements
of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder and shall not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances then existing. Each Electing Holder agrees that upon receipt of
any notice from the Company pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) hereof, such
Electing Holder shall forthwith discontinue the disposition of Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement applicable to such
Registrable Securities until such Electing Holder shall
-16-
have received copies of such amended or supplemented prospectus, and if so
directed by the Company, such Electing Holder shall deliver to the Company (at
the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in
such Electing Holder's possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable
Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.
(f) In the event of a Shelf Registration, in addition to the
information required to be provided by each Electing Holder in its Notice and
Questionnaire, the Company may require such Electing Holder to furnish to the
Company such additional information regarding such Electing Holder and such
Electing Holder's intended method of distribution of Registrable Securities as
may be required in order to comply with the Securities Act. Each such Electing
Holder agrees to notify the Company as promptly as practicable of any inaccuracy
or change in information previously furnished by such Electing Holder to the
Company or of the occurrence of any event in either case as a result of which
any prospectus relating to such Shelf Registration contains or would contain an
untrue statement of a material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such
Electing Holder's intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities
or omits to state any material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such
Electing Holder's intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, and promptly to furnish
to the Company any additional information required to correct and update any
previously furnished information or required so that such prospectus shall not
contain, with respect to such Electing Holder or the disposition of such
Registrable Securities, an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing.
(g) Until the expiration of two years after the Closing Date, the
Company will not, and will not permit any of its "affiliates" (as defined in
Rule 144) to, resell any of the Securities that have been reacquired by any of
them except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities
Act.
4. Registration Expenses.
The Company agrees to bear and to pay or cause to be paid promptly all
expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance with this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, including (a) all Commission and any
NASD registration, filing and review fees and expenses including fees and
disbursements of counsel for the placement or sales agent or underwriters in
connection with such registration, filing and review, (b) all fees and expenses
in connection with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale
under the state securities and blue sky laws referred to in Section 3(d)(xii)
hereof and determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of
such jurisdictions as any managing underwriters or the Electing Holders may
designate, including any fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel for
the Electing Holders or underwriters for each such jurisdiction in connection
with such qualification and determination, (c) all expenses relating to the
preparation, printing, production, distribution and reproduction of each
registration statement required to be filed hereunder, each prospectus included
therein or prepared for distribution pursuant
-17-
hereto, each amendment or supplement to the foregoing, the expenses of preparing
the Securities for delivery and the expenses of printing or producing any
underwriting agreements, agreements among underwriters, selling agreements and
blue sky or legal investment memoranda and all other documents in connection
with the offering, sale or delivery of Securities to be disposed of (including
certificates representing the Securities), (d) messenger, telephone and delivery
expenses relating to the offering, sale or delivery of Securities and the
preparation of documents referred in clause (c) above, (e) fees and expenses of
the Trustee under the Indenture, any agent of the Trustee and any counsel for
the Trustee and of any collateral agent or custodian, (f) internal expenses
(including all salaries and expenses of the Company's officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), (g) fees, disbursements and expenses of
counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company (including
the expenses of any opinions or "cold comfort" letters required by or incident
to such performance and compliance), (h) fees, disbursements and expenses of any
"qualified independent underwriter" engaged pursuant to Section 3(d)(xix)
hereof, (i) fees, disbursements and expenses of one counsel for the Electing
Holders retained in connection with a Shelf Registration, as selected by the
Electing Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Securities held by Electing Holders (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company), (j) any fees charged by securities
rating services for rating the Securities, and (k) fees, expenses and
disbursements of any other persons, including special experts, retained by the
Company in connection with such registration (collectively, the "Registration
Expenses"). To the extent that any Registration Expenses are incurred, assumed
or paid by any holder of Registrable Securities or any placement or sales agent
therefor or underwriter thereof, the Company shall reimburse such person for the
full amount of the Registration Expenses so incurred, assumed or paid promptly
after receipt of a request therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders
of the Registrable Securities being registered shall pay all agency fees and
commissions and underwriting discounts and commissions attributable to the sale
of such Registrable Securities and the fees and disbursements of any counsel or
other advisors or experts retained by such holders (severally or jointly), other
than the counsel and experts specifically referred to above.
5. Representations and Warranties.
The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each
Purchaser and each of the holders from time to time of Registrable Securities
that:
(a) Each registration statement covering Registrable Securities
and each prospectus (including any preliminary or summary prospectus) contained
therein or furnished pursuant to Section 3(d) or Section 3(c) hereof and any
further amendments or supplements to any such registration statement or
prospectus, when it becomes effective or is filed with the Commission, as the
case may be, and, in the case of an underwritten offering of Registrable
Securities, at the time of the closing under the underwriting agreement relating
thereto, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the
Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder and will not contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading; and at all times subsequent to
the Effective
-18-
Time when a prospectus would be required to be delivered under the Securities
Act, other than from (i) such time as a notice has been given to holders of
Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) or Section 3(c)(iii)(F)
hereof until (ii) such time as the Company furnishes an amended or supplemented
prospectus pursuant to Section 3(e) or Section 3(c)(iv) hereof, each such
registration statement, and each prospectus (including any summary prospectus)
contained therein or furnished pursuant to Section 3(d) or Section 3(c) hereof,
as then amended or supplemented, will conform in all material respects to the
requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the
light of the circumstances then existing; provided, however, that this
representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the
Company by a holder of Registrable Securities expressly for use therein.
(b) Any documents incorporated by reference in any prospectus
referred to in Section 5(a) hereof, when they become or became effective or are
or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform or conformed
in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of such documents will contain or
contained an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit or omitted to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation
and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by a
holder of Registrable Securities expressly for use therein.
(c) The compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions herein contemplated will not (i) conflict with or result in a
breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is a party or
by which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is bound or to which any
of the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is
subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the certificate of
incorporation, as amended, or the by-laws of the Company or (iii) result in any
violation of the provisions of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of
any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or
any subsidiary of the Company or any of their properties, except, in the case of
clauses (i) and (iii) only, for such conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults
as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a material adverse
effect on the general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders'
equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is
required for the consummation by the Company or any Guarantor, if any, of the
transactions contemplated by this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement,
except the registration under the Securities Act of the Securities,
qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act and such consents,
approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifica-
-19-
tions as may be required under State securities or blue sky laws in connection
with the offering and distribution of the Securities.
(d) This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
6. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company will indemnify and
hold harmless each of the holders of Registrable Securities included in an
Exchange Registration Statement, each of the Electing Holders of Registrable
Securities included in a Shelf Registration Statement and each person who
participates as a placement or sales agent or as an underwriter in any offering
or sale of such Registrable Securities against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which such holder, agent or underwriter may
become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or
are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in any Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration
Statement, as the case may be, under which such Registrable Securities were
registered under the Securities Act, or any preliminary, final or summary
prospectus contained therein or furnished by the Company to any such holder,
Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, or any amendment or supplement thereto,
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse such holder, such Electing
Holder, such agent and such underwriter for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any
such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be liable to any such person in any such case to the extent
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in such registration statement, or preliminary, final or summary
prospectus, or amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such person
expressly for use therein; and provided further, that the Company shall not be
liable to any such holder, Electing Holder, agent or underwriter in any such
case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of
or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission made in any preliminary prospectus relating to a
registration statement if copies in sufficient quantity of the final prospectus
relating to such registration statement were timely delivered to such holder,
Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 3
of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and a copy of such final
prospectus (as then amended or supplemented, if the Company shall have furnished
any amendments or supplements thereto and timely delivered in sufficient
quantity each such supplement and amendment to such holder, Electing Holder,
agent or underwriter) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such holder,
Electing Holder, agent or underwriter to the person asserting such loss, claim,
damage or liability and if the final prospectus (as so amended or supplemented)
would have cured the defect giving rise to such loss, claim, damage or
liability, if delivery of such final prospectus was required pursuant to the
Securities Act.
-20-
(b) Indemnification by the Holders and any Agents and Underwriters.
The Company may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities
in any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof and to
entering into any underwriting agreement with respect thereto, that the Company
shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from the
Electing Holder of such Registrable Securities and from each underwriter named
in any such underwriting agreement, severally and not jointly, to (i) indemnify
and hold harmless the Company, and all other holders of Registrable Securities,
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company or such
other holders of Registrable Securities may become subject, under the Securities
Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration
statement, or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein or
furnished by the Company to any such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, or
any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in
each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
Electing Holder or underwriter expressly for use therein, and (ii) reimburse the
Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such
expenses are incurred; provided, however, that no such Electing Holder shall be
required to undertake liability to any person under this Section 6(b) for any
amounts in excess of the dollar amount of the proceeds to be received by such
Electing Holder from the sale of such Electing Holder's Registrable Securities
pursuant to such registration.
(c) Notices of Claims, Etc. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified
party under subsection (a) or (b) above of written notice of the commencement of
any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against an indemnifying party pursuant to the indemnification provisions of
or contemplated by this Section 6, notify such indemnifying party in writing of
the commencement of such action; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying
party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any
indemnified party otherwise than under the indemnification provisions of or
contemplated by Section 6(a) or 6(b) hereof. In case any such action shall be
brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify an indemnifying party
of the commencement thereof, such indemnifying party shall be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any
other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except
with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying
party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party
of its election so to assume the defense thereof, such indemnifying party shall
not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal expenses of other counsel
or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified
party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the
indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the
entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim
in respect of which indemnification
-21-
or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is
an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement,
compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified
party from all liability arising out of such action 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.
(d) Contribution. If for any reason the indemnification provisions
contemplated by Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) are unavailable to or insufficient
to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and
indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by
such indemnifying party or by such indemnified party, 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 contributions pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by
pro rata allocation (even if the holders or any agents or underwriters or all of
them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred
to in this Section 6(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 6(d), no holder shall be required to contribute any
amount in excess of the amount by which the dollar amount of the proceeds
received by such holder from the sale of any Registrable Securities (after
deducting any fees, discounts and commissions applicable thereto) exceeds the
amount of any damages which such holder has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission, and no underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Registrable
Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the
public exceeds the amount of any damages which such underwriter has otherwise
been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The holders' and any underwriters' obligations in this
Section 6(d) to contribute shall be several in proportion to the principal
amount of Registrable Securities registered or underwritten, as the case may be,
by them and not joint.
(e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 6 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the
-22-
same terms and conditions, to each officer, director and partner of each holder,
agent and underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any holder, agent or
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act; and the obligations of the
holders and any agents or underwriters contemplated by this Section 6 shall be
in addition to any liability which the respective holder, agent or underwriter
may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each
officer and director of the Company and to each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Securities Act.
7. Underwritten Offerings.
(a) Selection of Underwriters. If any of the Registrable Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration are to be sold pursuant to an underwritten
offering, the managing underwriter or underwriters thereof shall be designated
by Electing Holders holding at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Registrable Securities to be included in such offering, provided that such
designated managing underwriter or underwriters is or are reasonably acceptable
to the Company.
(b) Participation by Holders. Each holder of Registrable Securities
hereby agrees with each other such holder that no such holder may participate in
any underwritten offering hereunder unless such holder (i) agrees to sell such
holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting
arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such
arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably
required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
8. Rule 144.
The Company covenants to the holders of Registrable Securities that to
the extent it shall be required to do so under the Exchange Act, the Company
shall timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act
or the Securities Act (including the reports under Section 13 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144 adopted by the
Commission under the Securities Act) and the rules and regulations adopted by
the Commission thereunder, and shall take such further action as any holder of
Registrable Securities 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 the exemption
provided by 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 Commission. Upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities in
connection with that holder's sale pursuant to Rule 144, the Company shall
deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with
such requirements.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company represents, warrants,
covenants and agrees that it has not granted, and shall not grant, registration
rights with
-23-
respect to Registrable Securities or any other securities which would be
inconsistent with the terms contained in this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement.
(b) Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that there
would be no adequate remedy at law if the Company fails to perform any of its
obligations hereunder and that the Purchasers and the holders from time to time
of the Registrable Securities may be irreparably harmed by any such failure, and
accordingly agree that the Purchasers and such holders, in addition to any other
remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to
compel specific performance of the obligations of the Company under this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, in any court of
the United States or any state thereof having jurisdiction.
(c) Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands, waivers and
other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given when delivered by hand, if delivered personally or by courier,
or three days after being deposited in the mail (registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested) as follows: If to the Company, to it
at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention, General Counsel, and
if to a holder, to the address of such holder set forth in the security register
or other records of the Company, or to such other address as the Company or any
such holder may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith,
except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
(d) Parties in Interest. All the terms and provisions of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to
the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and the holders
from time to time of the Registrable Securities and the respective successors
and assigns of the parties hereto and such holders. In the event that any
transferee of any holder of Registrable Securities shall acquire Registrable
Securities, in any manner, whether by gift, bequest, purchase, operation of law
or otherwise, such transferee shall, without any further writing or action of
any kind, be deemed a beneficiary hereof for all purposes and such Registrable
Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable
Securities such transferee shall be entitled to receive the benefits of, and be
conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by all of the applicable terms
and provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement. If the
Company shall so request, any such successor, assign or transferee shall agree
in writing to acquire and hold the Registrable Securities subject to all of the
applicable terms hereof.
(e) Survival. The respective indemnities, agreements,
representations, warranties and each other provision set forth in this Exchange
and Registration Rights Agreement or made pursuant hereto shall remain in full
force and effect regardless of any investigation (or statement as to the results
thereof) made by or on behalf of any holder of Registrable Securities, any
director, officer or partner of such holder, any agent or underwriter or any
director, officer or partner thereof, or any controlling person of any of the
foregoing, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Registrable
-24-
Securities pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the transfer and registration
of Registrable Securities by such holder and the consummation of an Exchange
Offer.
(f) Governing Law. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York. Any right to trial by jury with respect to action or proceeding
arising in connection with or as a result of either your engagement or any
matter referred to in this Agreement is hereby waived by the parties hereto.
(g) Headings. The descriptive headings of the several Sections and
paragraphs of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement are inserted for
convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation
of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
(h) Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement and the other writings referred to herein (including the
Indenture and the form of Securities) or delivered pursuant hereto which form a
part hereof contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its
subject matter. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to its
subject matter. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be amended
and the observance of any term of this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively) only by a written instrument duly executed by
the Company and the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Registrable Securities at the time outstanding. Each holder of any
Registrable Securities at the time or thereafter outstanding shall be bound by
any amendment or waiver effected pursuant to this Section 9(h), whether or not
any notice, writing or marking indicating such amendment or waiver appears on
such Registrable Securities or is delivered to such holder.
(i) Inspection. For so long as this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement shall be in effect, this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement
and a complete list of the names and addresses of all the holders of Registrable
Securities shall be made available for inspection and copying on any business
day by any holder of Registrable Securities for proper purposes only (which
shall include any purpose related to the rights of the holders of Registrable
Securities under the Securities, the Indenture and this Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement) at the offices of the Company at the address
thereof set forth in Section 9(c) above and at the office of the Trustee under
the Indenture.
(j) Counterparts. This agreement may be executed by the parties in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
(k) The Company is authorized, subject to applicable law, to disclose
any and all aspects of this potential transaction that are necessary to support
any U.S. federal income tax benefits expected to be claimed with respect to such
transaction, and
-25-
all materials of any kind (including tax opinions and other tax analyses)
related to those benefits, without the holders imposing any limitation of any
kind.
(l) All payments under this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement shall be made in U.S. dollars.
-26-
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign
and return to us fourteen counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by
you, on behalf of each of the Purchasers, this letter and such acceptance hereof
shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Purchasers and the
Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each
of the Purchasers is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement
among Purchasers, the form of which shall be submitted to the Company for
examination upon request, but without warranty on your part as to the authority
of the signers thereof.
Very truly yours,
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
-27-
Accepted as of the date hereof:
Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co.
for itself and as representative of the several
Purchasers listed on Schedule I of the Purchase
Agreement
/s/ Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co.
-------------------------------------
(Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co.)
-28-
Exhibit A
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
INSTRUCTION TO DTC PARTICIPANTS
-------------------------------
(Date of Mailing)
URGENT - IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUESTED
DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE: [DATE]/a/
--------------------------------
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") has identified you as a DTC Participant
through which beneficial interests in the Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (the
"Company") 7.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the "Securities") are held.
The Company is in the process of registering the Securities under the Securities
Act of 1933 for resale by the beneficial owners thereof. In order to have their
Securities included in the registration statement, beneficial owners must
complete and return the enclosed Notice of Registration Statement and Selling
Securityholder Questionnaire.
It is important that beneficial owners of the Securities receive a copy of the
enclosed materials as soon as possible as their rights to have the Securities
included in the registration statement depend upon their returning the Notice
and Questionnaire by [Deadline For Response]. Please forward a copy of the
enclosed documents to each beneficial owner that holds interests in the
Securities through you. If you require more copies of the enclosed materials or
have any questions pertaining to this matter, please contact Bio-Rad
Laboratories, Inc., 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, telephone
number (000) 000-0000, Attention: General Counsel.
----------
/a/ Not less than 28 calendar days from date of mailing.
A-1
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
Notice of Registration Statement
and
Selling Securityholder Questionnaire
(Date)
Reference is hereby made to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement (the
"Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement") between Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
(the "Company") and the Purchasers named therein. Pursuant to the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement
on Form [__] (the "Shelf Registration Statement") for the registration and
resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), of the Company's 7.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the
"Securities"). A copy of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement is
attached hereto. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings ascribed thereto in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
Each beneficial owner of Registrable Securities (as defined below) is entitled
to have the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it included in the
Shelf Registration Statement. In order to have Registrable Securities included
in the Shelf Registration Statement, this Notice of Registration Statement and
Selling Securityholder Questionnaire ("Notice and Questionnaire") must be
completed, executed and delivered to the Company's counsel at the address set
forth herein for receipt ON OR BEFORE [Deadline for Response]. Beneficial owners
of Registrable Securities who do not complete, execute and return this Notice
and Questionnaire by such date (i) will not be named as selling securityholders
in the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) may not use the Prospectus forming
a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling securityholder in
the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus. Accordingly, holders
and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own
securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being
named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and
related Prospectus.
The term "Registrable Securities" is defined in the Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement.
A-2
ELECTION
The undersigned holder (the "Selling Securityholder") of Registrable Securities
hereby elects to include in the Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable
Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item (3). The
undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, agrees to
be bound with respect to such Registrable Securities by the terms and conditions
of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 6 of the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement, as if the undersigned Selling Securityholder were
an original party thereto.
Upon any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement, the Selling Securityholder will be required to deliver to the Company
and Trustee the Notice of Transfer set forth in Appendix A to the Prospectus and
as Exhibit B to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
The Selling Securityholder hereby provides the following information to the
Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and
complete:
A-3
QUESTIONNAIRE
(1) (a) Full Legal Name of Selling Securityholder:
______________________________________________________________________
(b) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as in (a) above)
of Registrable Securities Listed in Item (3) below:
______________________________________________________________________
(c) Full Legal Name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not the same
as (b) above) Through Which Registrable Securities Listed in Item (3)
below are Held:
(2) Address for Notices to Selling Securityholder:
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Telephone: ___________________________
Fax: ___________________________
Contact Person: _______
(3) Beneficial Ownership of Securities:
Except as set forth below in this Item (3), the undersigned does not
beneficially own any Securities.
(a) Principal amount of Registrable Securities beneficially owned: _______
CUSIP No(s). of such Registrable Securities: _________________________
(b) Principal amount of Securities other than Registrable Securities
beneficially owned:
______________________________________________________________________
CUSIP No(s). of such other Securities: _______________________________
(c) Principal amount of Registrable Securities which the undersigned
wishes to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement: ___________
CUSIP No(s). of such Registrable Securities to be included in the
Shelf Registration Statement: ________________________________________
(4) Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Company:
Except as set forth below in this Item (4), the undersigned Selling
Securityholder is not the beneficial or registered owner of any other
securities of the Company, other than the Securities listed above in Item
(3).
State any exceptions here:
A-4
(5) Relationships with the Company:
Except as set forth below, neither the Selling Securityholder nor any of
its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (5% or
more) has held any position or office or has had any other material
relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during
the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
(6) Plan of Distribution:
Except as set forth below, the undersigned Selling Securityholder intends
to distribute the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3) only as
follows (if at all): Such Registrable Securities may be sold from time to
time directly by the undersigned Selling Securityholder or, alternatively,
through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. Such Registrable Securities
may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing
market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time
of sale, or at negotiated prices. Such sales may be effected in
transactions (which may involve crosses or block transactions) (i) on any
national securities exchange or quotation service on which the Registered
Securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, (ii) in the
over-the-counter market, (iii) in transactions otherwise than on such
exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market, or (iv) through
the writing of options. In connection with sales of the Registrable
Securities or otherwise, the Selling Securityholder may enter into hedging
transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales
of the Registrable Securities in the course of hedging the positions they
assume. The Selling Securityholder may also sell Registrable Securities
short and deliver Registrable Securities to close out such short positions,
or loan or pledge Registrable Securities to broker-dealers that in turn may
sell such securities.
State any exceptions here:
By signing below, the Selling Securityholder acknowledges that it understands
its obligation to comply, and agrees that it will comply, with the provisions of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, particularly
Regulation M.
In the event that the Selling Securityholder transfers all or any portion of the
Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) above after the date on which such
information is provided to the Company, the Selling Securityholder agrees to
notify the transferee(s) at the time of the transfer of its rights and
obligations under this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement.
By signing below, the Selling Securityholder consents to the disclosure of the
information contained herein in its answers to Items (1) through (6) above and
the inclusion of
A-5
such information in the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus. The
Selling Securityholder understands that such information will be relied upon by
the Company in connection with the preparation of the Shelf Registration
Statement and related Prospectus.
In accordance with the Selling Securityholder's obligation under Section 3(d) of
the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement to provide such information as
may be required by law for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, the
Selling Securityholder agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies
or changes in the information provided herein which may occur subsequent to the
date hereof at any time while the Shelf Registration Statement remains in
effect. All notices hereunder and pursuant to the Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement shall be made in writing, by hand-delivery, first-class mail,
or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery as follows:
(i) To the Company:
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
(ii) With a copy to:
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Once this Notice and Questionnaire is executed by the Selling Securityholder and
received by the Company's counsel, the terms of this Notice and Questionnaire,
and the representations and warranties contained herein, shall be binding on,
shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective
successors, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns of the Company and the
Selling Securityholder (with respect to the Registrable Securities beneficially
owned by such Selling Securityholder and listed in Item (3) above. This
Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New
York.
A-6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this
Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its
duly authorized agent.
Dated:
-----------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
Selling Securityholder
(Print/type full legal name of beneficial owner of Registrable
Securities)
By:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE FOR RECEIPT ON
OR BEFORE [DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE] TO THE COMPANY'S COUNSEL AT:
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
A-7
Exhibit B
NOTICE OF TRANSFER PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Xxxxx Fargo Bank, National Association
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
c/o Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Re: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company")
7.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013
Dear Sirs:
Please be advised that ____________________ has transferred $ __________________
aggregate principal amount of the above-referenced Notes pursuant to an
effective Registration Statement on Form [___] (File No. 333-_________ ) filed
by the Company.
We hereby certify that the prospectus delivery requirements, if any, of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, have been satisfied and that the above-named
beneficial owner of the Notes is named as a "Selling Holder" in the Prospectus
dated ______________, or in supplements thereto, and that the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes transferred are the Notes listed in such
Prospectus opposite such owner's name.
Dated:
Very truly yours,
-------------------------------------
(Name)
By:
-------------------------------------
(Authorized Signature)
B-1
