ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC., as Issuer, the SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS named herein, as Subsidiary Guarantors and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee INDENTURE Dated as of October 6, 2010
Exhibit 4.1
EXECUTION COPY
as Issuer,
the SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS named herein,
as Subsidiary Guarantors
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of October 6, 2010
10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
Article 1
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference | ||||
SECTION 1.01. |
Definitions | 1 | ||
SECTION 1.02. |
Other Definitions | 33 | ||
SECTION 1.03. |
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 33 | ||
SECTION 1.04. |
Rules of Construction | 34 | ||
Article 2
The Securities | ||||
SECTION 2.01. |
Form and Dating | 34 | ||
SECTION 2.02. |
Execution and Authentication | 35 | ||
SECTION 2.03. |
Registrar and Paying Agent | 35 | ||
SECTION 2.04. |
Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust | 36 | ||
SECTION 2.05. |
Securityholder Lists | 36 | ||
SECTION 2.06. |
Transfer and Exchange | 36 | ||
SECTION 2.07. |
Replacement Securities | 36 | ||
SECTION 2.08. |
Outstanding Securities | 37 | ||
SECTION 2.09. |
Temporary Securities | 37 | ||
SECTION 2.10. |
Cancellation | 37 | ||
SECTION 2.11. |
Defaulted Interest | 37 | ||
SECTION 2.12. |
CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, etc | 38 | ||
SECTION 2.13. |
Issuance of Additional Securities | 38 | ||
Article 3
Redemption | ||||
SECTION 3.01. |
Notices to Trustee | 39 | ||
SECTION 3.02. |
Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed | 39 | ||
SECTION 3.03. |
Notice of Redemption | 39 | ||
SECTION 3.04. |
Effect of Notice of Redemption | 40 | ||
SECTION 3.05. |
Deposit of Redemption Price | 40 | ||
SECTION 3.06. |
Securities Redeemed in Part | 40 | ||
Article 4
Covenants | ||||
SECTION 4.01. |
Payment of Securities | 41 | ||
SECTION 4.02. |
Reports | 41 |
i
Page | ||||
SECTION 4.03. |
Limitation on Indebtedness | 42 | ||
SECTION 4.04. |
Limitation on Restricted Payments | 45 | ||
SECTION 4.05. |
Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries | 48 | ||
SECTION 4.06. |
Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock | 50 | ||
SECTION 4.07. |
Limitation on Affiliate Transactions | 53 | ||
SECTION 4.08. |
Limitation on Line of Business | 54 | ||
SECTION 4.09. |
Change of Control | 54 | ||
SECTION 4.10. |
Limitation on Liens | 56 | ||
SECTION 4.11. |
Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions | 56 | ||
SECTION 4.12. |
Future Subsidiary Guarantors | 56 | ||
SECTION 4.13. |
Compliance Certificate | 56 | ||
Article 5
Successor Company | ||||
SECTION 5.01. |
When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets | 57 | ||
Article 6
Defaults and Remedies | ||||
SECTION 6.01. |
Events of Default | 58 | ||
SECTION 6.02. |
Acceleration | 60 | ||
SECTION 6.03. |
Other Remedies | 61 | ||
SECTION 6.04. |
Waiver of Past Defaults | 61 | ||
SECTION 6.05. |
Control by Majority | 61 | ||
SECTION 6.06. |
Limitation on Suits | 61 | ||
SECTION 6.07. |
Rights of Holders to Receive Payment | 62 | ||
SECTION 6.08. |
Collection Suit by Trustee | 62 | ||
SECTION 6.09. |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 62 | ||
SECTION 6.10. |
Priorities | 62 | ||
SECTION 6.11. |
Undertaking for Costs | 63 | ||
SECTION 6.12. |
Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 63 | ||
Article 7
Trustee | ||||
SECTION 7.01. |
Duties of Trustee | 63 | ||
SECTION 7.02. |
Rights of Trustee | 64 | ||
SECTION 7.03. |
Individual Rights of Trustee | 66 | ||
SECTION 7.04. |
Trustee’s Disclaimer | 66 | ||
SECTION 7.05. |
Notice of Defaults | 66 | ||
SECTION 7.06. |
Reports by Trustee to Holders | 66 |
ii
Page | ||||
SECTION 7.07. |
Compensation and Indemnity | 66 | ||
SECTION 7.08. |
Replacement of Trustee | 67 | ||
SECTION 7.09. |
Successor Trustee by Merger | 68 | ||
SECTION 7.10. |
Eligibility; Disqualification | 68 | ||
SECTION 7.11. |
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 68 | ||
SECTION 7.12. |
Limitation on Duty of Trustee in Respect of Collateral; Indemnification. | 69 | ||
Article 8
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance | ||||
SECTION 8.01. |
Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance | 69 | ||
SECTION 8.02. |
Conditions to Defeasance | 70 | ||
SECTION 8.03. |
Application of Trust Money | 72 | ||
SECTION 8.04. |
Repayment to Company | 72 | ||
SECTION 8.05. |
Indemnity for Government Obligations | 72 | ||
SECTION 8.06. |
Reinstatement | 72 | ||
Article 9
Amendments | ||||
SECTION 9.01. |
Without Consent of Holders | 72 | ||
SECTION 9.02. |
With Consent of Holders | 74 | ||
SECTION 9.03. |
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 75 | ||
SECTION 9.04. |
Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers | 75 | ||
SECTION 9.05. |
Notation on or Exchange of Securities | 75 | ||
SECTION 9.06. |
Trustee to Sign Amendments | 76 | ||
SECTION 9.07. |
Payment for Consent | 76 | ||
Article 10
Subsidiary Guarantees | ||||
SECTION 10.01. |
Guarantees | 76 | ||
SECTION 10.02. |
Limitation on Liability | 78 | ||
SECTION 10.03. |
Successors and Assigns | 78 | ||
SECTION 10.04. |
No Waiver | 78 | ||
SECTION 10.05. |
Modification | 78 | ||
SECTION 10.06. |
Release of Subsidiary Guarantor | 78 | ||
SECTION 10.07. |
Contribution | 79 |
iii
Page | ||||
Article 11
Security Documents | ||||
SECTION 11.01. |
Collateral and Security Documents | 79 | ||
SECTION 11.02. |
Release of Collateral | 80 | ||
SECTION 11.03. |
After Acquired Property | 81 | ||
SECTION 11.04. |
Reports, Certificates and Opinions | 82 | ||
SECTION 11.05. |
Use of Trust Monies | 82 | ||
Article 12
Miscellaneous | ||||
SECTION 12.01. |
Trust Indenture Act Controls | 83 | ||
SECTION 12.02. |
Notices | 83 | ||
SECTION 12.03. |
Communication by Holders with Other Holders | 84 | ||
SECTION 12.04. |
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 84 | ||
SECTION 12.05. |
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 85 | ||
SECTION 12.06. |
When Securities Disregarded | 85 | ||
SECTION 12.07. |
Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Xxxxxxxxx | 00 | ||
SECTION 12.08. |
Legal Holidays | 85 | ||
SECTION 12.09. |
Governing Law | 85 | ||
SECTION 12.10. |
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 85 | ||
SECTION 12.11. |
No Recourse Against Others | 86 | ||
SECTION 12.12. |
Successors | 86 | ||
SECTION 12.13. |
Multiple Originals | 86 | ||
SECTION 12.14. |
Table of Contents; Headings | 86 |
Rule 144A/Regulation S/IAI Appendix | ||
Exhibit 1 – |
Form of Initial Security | |
Exhibit A – |
Form of Exchange Security or Private Exchange Security | |
Exhibit B – |
Form of Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement | |
Exhibit C – |
Form of Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement |
iv
INDENTURE dated as of October 6, 2010, among Rotech Healthcare Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), each of the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Company’s Initial Securities, Exchange Securities and Private Exchange Securities (in each case, as defined in the Rule 144A/Regulation S/IAI Appendix attached hereto, collectively, the “Securities”):
Article 1
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference
SECTION 1.01. Definitions.
“Additional Assets” means
(1) | any property, plant or equipment used in a Related Business; |
(2) | any other asset used in a Related Business; |
(3) | the Equity Interests of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Equity Interests by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or |
(4) | Equity Interests constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; |
provided, however, that any such Restricted Subsidiary described in clause (3) or (4) above is primarily engaged in a Related Business.
“Additional Securities” means any Securities issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date and in compliance with Sections 2.13 and 4.03, it being understood that any Securities issued in exchange for or replacement of any Initial Security issued on the Issue Date shall not be an Additional Security, including any such Securities issued pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.
“Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(519)” or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption
1
“Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after April 15, 2013, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date, in each case calculated on the third Business Day immediately preceding the redemption date, plus 0.50%.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Applicable Premium” means, as calculated by the Company, with respect to a Security at any redemption date, the greater of (i) 1.00% of the principal amount of such Security and (ii) the excess of (A) the present value at such redemption date of (1) the redemption price of such Security on April 15, 2013 (such redemption price as set forth in the second paragraph of Section 6 of the Securities exclusive of any accrued interest) plus (2) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Security through April 15, 2013 (but excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Adjusted Treasury Rate, over (B) the principal amount of such Security on such redemption date.
“Applicable Senior Indebtedness” means
(1) in respect of any asset that is the subject of an Asset Disposition at a time when such asset is included in the Collateral, other Senior Indebtedness that is secured at such time by a Permitted Collateral Lien on such asset;
(2) in respect of any asset that is the subject of an Asset Disposition at a time when such asset is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor but the Equity Interests of which is included in the Collateral, other Senior Indebtedness that is secured at such time by a Permitted Collateral Lien on such Equity Interests; or
(3) in respect of any other asset (including any asset previously constituting Collateral that has been released from the Liens securing the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees), other Senior Indebtedness that is not a Subordinated Obligation.
2
“Asset Disposition” means any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”), of:
(1) | any Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ (or similar persons) qualifying shares or shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); |
(2) | all or substantially all the assets of any division or line of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or |
(3) | any other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; |
other than, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above,
(A) | a disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary; |
(B) | for purposes of Section 4.06 only, (x) a disposition that constitutes a Restricted Payment (or would constitute a Restricted Payment but for the exclusions from the definition thereof) and that is not prohibited by Section 4.04 and (y) a disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01; |
(C) | a disposition of assets with a Fair Market Value of less than $1,000,000; |
(D) | a disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents; |
(E) | the disposition of equipment, inventory (including raw materials, work-in-progress and finished goods), accounts receivable or other assets or rights in the ordinary course of business, including any excess, obsolete, damaged, worn-out or surplus assets no longer used or useful in the conduct of business as then being conducted; |
(F) | the creation of a Lien (but not the sale or other disposition of the property subject to such Lien); and |
(G) | foreclosures on assets not constituting Collateral. |
3
“Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended); provided, however, that if such Sale/Leaseback Transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.” Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction determined in accordance with GAAP (or, in the absence thereof, the original yield to maturity of the Securities issued on the Issue Date).
“Average Life” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing:
(1) | the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Indebtedness multiplied by the amount of such payment by |
(2) | the sum of all such payments. |
“Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors, board of managers or other similar body or Person performing a similar function or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty. For purposes of Section 4.10, a Capital Lease Obligation will be deemed to be secured by a Lien on the property being leased.
“Capital Stock” means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
4
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
“Cash Equivalent” means any of the following:
(1) United States dollars;
(2) any investment in direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof;
(3) investments in demand and time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within six months of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America, and which bank or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $500,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is rated “A” (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor;
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (2) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (3) above;
(5) investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than six months after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of “P-1” (or higher) according to Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. or “A-1” (or higher) according to Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group;
(6) investments in securities with maturity of 360 days or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least “A” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or “A” by Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc.; and
(7) investments in money market funds that invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (6) above.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) | the Company becomes aware that any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange |
5
Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this clause (1) such other Person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any Voting Stock of a Person held by any other Person (the “parent entity”), if such other Person is the beneficial owner (as defined above in this clause (1)), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent entity; |
(2) | the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or |
(3) | the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person other than a transaction following which, in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction. |
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Collateral” means all the collateral described in the Security Documents.
“Collateral Agent” means the Trustee, in its capacity as the collateral agent under the Security Documents, and any successor thereto in such capacity.
“Collateral Agreement” means the Collateral Agreement dated the Issue Date, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Collateral Agent.
“Collection Account Agreement” means the Collection Account Agreement dated the Issue Date, among the Company, the Collateral Agent and the other parties thereto.
“Company” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes of any provision contained herein and required by the TIA, each other obligor on the indenture securities.
6
“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Securities from the redemption date to April 15, 2013, that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a maturity most nearly equal to April 15, 2013.
“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, if clause (ii) of the Adjusted Treasury Rate is applicable, the average of three, or such lesser number as is obtained by the Company, Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date.
“Consolidated Coverage Ratio” as of any date of determination means the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such determination to (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters; provided, however, that:
(1) | if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) that remains outstanding or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, or both, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred (and the proceeds thereof applied) on the first day of such period; |
(2) | if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period or if any Indebtedness is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged (in each case other than Indebtedness Incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period and as if the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary had not earned the interest income actually earned during such period in respect of cash or Cash Equivalents used to repay, repurchase, defease or otherwise discharge such Indebtedness; |
(3) | if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition, EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period, or increased by an amount equal to EBITDA (if negative), directly attributable |
7
thereto for such period, and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale); |
(4) | if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of assets, including any acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a transaction requiring a calculation to be made hereunder, which constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period; and |
(5) | if since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Asset Disposition, any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Disposition, Investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period. |
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any of the transactions referred to in clauses (1) through (5) above, the amount of income or earnings relating to such transaction and the amount of Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness Incurred in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be (x) determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate (and may include, without limitation, cost savings and operating expense reductions (A) that have resulted from specified actions that have been taken or (B) in connection only with any acquisition, resulting from specified actions that are reasonably expected to be taken within twelve months of such acquisition and that are reasonably expected to be realized
8
within twelve months from the date such actions are taken and, in each case, that are based upon identifiable and factually supportable data) or (y) determined in accordance with Regulation S-X (which cost savings and operating expense reductions shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings and operating expense reductions had been realized on the first day of the applicable period). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). If any Indebtedness is incurred under a revolving credit facility and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated based on the average daily balance of such Indebtedness for the four fiscal quarters subject to the pro forma calculation to the extent that such Indebtedness was incurred solely for working capital purposes.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, the consolidated interest expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP, plus, to the extent not included in consolidated interest expense, and to the extent incurred by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries, without duplication:
(1) | interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations, the interest portion of rent expense associated with Attributable Debt in respect of the relevant lease giving rise thereto, determined as if such lease were a capitalized lease in accordance with GAAP; |
(2) | amortization of debt discount (including the amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par) and debt issuance cost resulting from or related to any Indebtedness Incurred after the Issue Date; provided, however, that any amortization of bond premium will be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such amortization of bond premium has otherwise reduced Consolidated Interest Expense; |
(3) | capitalized interest; |
(4) | non-cash interest expense; |
(5) | commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds, bankers’ acceptance financing and other similar arrangements; |
(6) | net payments pursuant to Hedging Obligations; |
(7) | cash dividends paid in respect of all Disqualified Stock of the Company and all Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, held by Persons other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary; and |
9
(8) | interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any other Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by (or secured by the assets of) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary. |
For purposes of this definition, interest on Capital Lease Obligations shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the interest implicit in such Capital Lease Obligations in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:
(1) | extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains or losses; |
(2) | the cumulative effect of any change in accounting principles during such period; and |
(3) | any net after-tax gain (or loss) attributable to the early retirement or conversion of Indebtedness, |
in each case, for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of Section 4.04 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any repurchases, repayments or redemptions of Investments, proceeds realized on the sale of Investments or return of capital to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such repurchases, repayments, redemptions, proceeds or returns increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.04 (a)(3)(D).
“continuing” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.
“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities or agreements, commercial paper facilities, securities purchase agreements, indentures or similar agreements, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders or investors providing for, or acting as initial purchasers of, revolving loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit, surety bonds or the issuance and sale of securities including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended, restated, replaced (whether upon or after termination or repayment or otherwise), Refinanced, supplemented, modified or otherwise changed (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time.
10
“Currency Agreement” means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement with respect to currency values.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Disposition that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by the principal financial officer of the Company, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of, or collection on, such Designated Non-cash Consideration.
“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interest which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening of any event:
(1) | matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than redeemable only for Equity Interests of such Person which is not itself Disqualified Stock) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise; |
(2) | is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or |
(3) | is mandatorily redeemable or must be purchased upon the occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part; |
in each case on or prior to the date 91 days after the Stated Maturity of the Securities; provided, however, that any Equity Interests that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to purchase or redeem such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or “change of control” shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if:
(1) | the “asset sale” or “change of control” provisions applicable to such Equity Interests are not more favorable to the holders of such Equity Interests than the terms applicable to the Securities and Sections 4.06 and 4.09; and |
(2) | any such requirement only becomes operative after compliance with such terms applicable to the Securities, including the purchase of any Securities tendered pursuant thereto. |
“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
11
“EBITDA” for any period means the sum of Consolidated Net Income, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (without duplication):
(1) | all income tax expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries; plus |
(2) | Consolidated Interest Expense; plus |
(3) | depreciation and amortization expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid item that was paid in cash in a prior period); plus |
(4) | the amount of net cost savings and operating expense reductions (which cost savings and operating expense reductions in each case shall be added to EBITDA until fully realized and calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings and operating expense reductions had been realized on the first day of such period) (x) (A) that have resulted from specified actions that have been taken or (B) in connection only with any acquisition, that are reasonably expected to result from specified actions that are reasonably expected to be taken within twelve months of such acquisition and that are reasonably expected to be realized by the Company within the twelve month period following the date such actions are taken (in each case determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate); provided that, in each case such cost savings and operating expense reductions are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable or (y) determined in accordance with Regulation S-X (which adjustments in each case may be incremental to, but without duplication of, pro forma adjustments made pursuant to the second paragraph of the definition of “Consolidated Coverage Ratio” or the definition of “Secured Debt Ratio”); plus |
(5) | non-cash charges relating to equity compensation; plus |
(6) | any non-cash impairment charges or write-off or write-down relating to goodwill or intangible assets; plus |
(7) | any gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any assets of the Company, its consolidated Subsidiaries or any other Person (including pursuant to any sale-and-leaseback arrangement) which are not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person; plus |
12
(8) | all other non-cash charges of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, including any non-cash charges arising from any Interest Rate Agreement or with respect to the issuance, exercise, cancellation or appreciation of options and other grants in connection with Equity Interests, but excluding, in each case, any such non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in any future period, less (without duplication) all non-cash items of income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than accruals of revenue by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business); |
in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization and non-cash charges of, a Restricted Subsidiary shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion, including by reason of minority interests) that the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.
“Equity Offering” means a public or private sale of the Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange Notes” means the debt securities of the Company issued pursuant to this Indenture in exchange for, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to, the Securities exchanged therefor, in compliance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Existing Notes” means the Company’s 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012.
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination
13
shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of Section 4.04(a)(3)(B), if the Fair Market Value of the property or assets in question is so determined to be in excess of $5,000,000, such determination must be confirmed by an Independent Qualified Party. For purposes of determining the Fair Market Value of Capital Stock, the value of the Capital Stock of a Person shall be based upon such Person’s property and assets, exclusive of goodwill or any similar intangible asset.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the Issue Date.
“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:
(1) | to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or |
(2) | entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); |
provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term “Guarantor” shall mean any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.
“Guarantee Agreement” means a supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, pursuant to which a Subsidiary Guarantor guarantees the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities on the terms provided for in this Indenture.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person pursuant to (i) any Interest Rate Agreement or (ii) other derivative agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates, commodity prices or raw materials, but excluding purchase and supply agreements.
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.
14
“Incur” means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary. The term “Incurrence” when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. Solely for purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.03:
(1) amortization of debt discount or the accretion of principal with respect to a non-interest bearing or other discount security;
(2) the payment of regularly scheduled interest in the form of additional Indebtedness of the same instrument or the payment of regularly scheduled dividends on Equity Interests in the form of additional Equity Interests of the same class and with the same terms; and
(3) the obligation to pay a premium in respect of Indebtedness arising in connection with the issuance of a notice of redemption or the making of a mandatory offer to purchase such Indebtedness will be deemed not to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):
(1) | the principal in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable, including, in each case, any premium on such indebtedness to the extent such premium has become due and payable; |
(2) | all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered into by such Person; |
(3) | all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement (but excluding any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business); |
(4) | all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, surety bond, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit or surety bonds securing obligations (but excluding obligations described in clauses (1) through (3) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit or surety bonds are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following payment on the letter of credit or surety bond); |
15
(5) | the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock of such Person or, with respect to any Preferred Stock of any Subsidiary of such Person, the principal amount of such Preferred Stock to be determined in accordance with this Indenture (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends); |
(6) | all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5) above of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee; |
(7) | all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) above of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the Fair Market Value of such property or assets and the amount of the obligation so secured; and |
(8) | to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, the term “Indebtedness” shall exclude post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 30 days thereafter.
The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all obligations as described above; provided, however, that in the case of Indebtedness sold at a discount, the amount of such Indebtedness at any time will be the accreted value thereof at such time.
The amount of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that has a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be determined pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock could not be required to be
16
redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be the book value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such Person.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Independent Qualified Party” means an investment banking firm, accounting firm or appraisal firm of national standing; provided, however, that such firm is not an Affiliate of the Company.
“Initial Purchaser” means Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.
“Intercreditor Agreement” means any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.
“Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates.
“Investment” in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan (other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender) or other extensions of credit (including by way of a Guarantee or similar arrangement) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Equity Interests, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by such Person. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issues, sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of a Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect thereto, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person remaining after giving effect thereto shall be deemed to be a new Investment at such time. The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person shall be deemed not to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person at such time unless such Investment was made in contemplation of such acquisition or acquiring that Investment was the primary purpose of such acquisition. Except as otherwise provided for herein, the amount of an Investment shall be its Fair Market Value at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.
For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary,” the definition of “Restricted Payment” and Section 4.04:
(1) | “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as |
17
a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to (A) the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (B) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and |
(1) | (2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company. |
“Issue Date” means October 6, 2010.
“Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).
“Net Available Cash” from an Asset Disposition means cash payments and the Fair Market Value of any Cash Equivalents received therefrom (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any securities (other than Cash Equivalents) received as consideration, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to such properties or assets or received in any other non-cash form), in each case net of:
(1) | all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset Disposition; |
(2) | all payments made on any Indebtedness (other than Credit Facility Indebtedness) which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or other security agreement of any kind with respect to such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition; |
18
(3) | all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such Asset Disposition; |
(4) | the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the property or other assets disposed in such Asset Disposition and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition; and |
(5) | any portion of the purchase price from an Asset Disposition placed in escrow, whether as a reserve for adjustment of the purchase price, for satisfaction of indemnities in respect of such Asset Disposition or otherwise in connection with that Asset Disposition; provided, however, that upon the termination of that escrow, Net Available Cash will be increased by any portion of funds in the escrow that are released to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary. |
“Net Cash Proceeds”, with respect to any issuance or sale of Equity Interests or Indebtedness, means the aggregate cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Obligations” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, all obligations for principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements and other amounts payable pursuant to the documentation governing such Indebtedness.
“Offering Circular” means the Final Offering Circular dated September 29, 2010, pursuant to which the Securities issued on the Issue Date were offered to investors.
“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the General Counsel or the Secretary of the Company.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of the Company.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
19
“Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” means an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
“Permitted Collateral Liens” means:
(a) (i) any Lien on the Collateral to secure
(1) | any Indebtedness (A) incurred as Credit Facility Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(1) or (B) incurred as L/C Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(2); |
(2) | the Securities (or any Subsidiary Guarantees thereof) incurred as Permitted Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions described in Section 4.03(b)(4); |
(3) | any Coverage Indebtedness (including Additional Securities and all Subsidiary Guarantees) incurred pursuant to Section 4.03; provided, however, that (x) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness or after giving effect thereto and (y) the Secured Debt Ratio of the Company, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and the application of the net proceeds thereof, would be no greater than 2.0 to 1.0 and (z) such Lien either ranks equal to or junior to the Liens securing the Securities; or |
(4) | any Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness described in the foregoing clause (2) or (3) or this clause (4), |
in each case which are subject to the terms of an Intercreditor Agreement; or
(ii) any Lien on the Collateral that is a statutory Lien arising by operation of law; provided, however, that such Lien either ranks:
(1) | equal to all other Liens on such Collateral securing unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary, if the Lien secures unsubordinated Indebtedness; or |
(2) | junior to the Liens securing the Securities; or |
(iii) any Lien on the Collateral to secure any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(7) and which Refinances the Existing Notes (and any subsequent Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness); provided, however, that (x) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness or after giving effect thereto and (y) such Lien expressly ranks junior to the security interest intended to be created in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the holders of the Securities pursuant to the Security Documents and is subject to the terms of a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and
20
(b) any Permitted Lien described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (11), (12), (13), (16), (17), (18), and (19) of the definition of “Permitted Lien;” provided, however, that such Permitted Lien (other than any Lien described in clauses (2)(B), (3), (4), (8), (9), (11) and (17) of such definition) is not a Lien on any cash, Cash Equivalents or Equity Interests constituting Collateral and held by the Collateral Agent.
“Permitted Investment” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in:
(1) | the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related Business; |
(2) | another Person if, as a result of such Investment, such other Person, in one transaction or a series of transactions, is merged or consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Person’s primary business is a Related Business; |
(3) | cash and Cash Equivalents; |
(4) | receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances; |
(5) | payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business; |
(6) | loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business for bona fide business purposes and consistent with past practices of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; |
(7) | stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments; |
21
(8) | any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received for (i) an Asset Disposition as permitted pursuant to Section 4.06 or (ii) a disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Disposition; |
(9) | any Person where such Investment was acquired by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default; |
(10) | any Person to the extent such Investments consist of prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; |
(11) | any Person to the extent such Investments consist of Hedging Obligations otherwise permitted under Section 4.03; |
(12) | any Person to the extent such Investment exists on the Issue Date, and any extension, modification or renewal of any such Investments existing on the Issue Date, but only to the extent not involving additional advances, contributions or other Investments of cash or other assets or other increases thereof (other than as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities, in each case, pursuant to the terms of such Investment as in effect on the Issue Date); |
(13) | repurchases of Securities; |
(14) | guarantees of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted under Section 4.03; and |
(15) | additional Investments, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (15) and outstanding on the date such Investment is made, do not exceed $2,500,000; provided, however, that, in the event of an Investment in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, such Person shall not use the proceeds of such Investment to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Equity Interests of the Company. |
22
“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) | pledges or deposits by such Person under workers compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business; |
(2) | (A) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review and (B) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution; provided, however, that (x) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board and (y) such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution; |
(3) | Liens for taxes not yet subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided, however, that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor; |
(4) | Liens or deposits to secure the performance of statutory or regulatory obligations or in favor of issuers of surety, appeal, indemnity or performance bonds, warranty and contractual requirements, other obligations of a like nature or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Persons in the ordinary course of its business; provided, however, that such letters of credit, surety bonds or other similar arrangements do not constitute Indebtedness; |
(5) | survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property or Liens |
23
incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person; |
(6) | Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property, plant, equipment or vehicles of such Person (and any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness); provided, however, that the Lien may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto), and the Indebtedness (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than 180 days after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien; |
(7) | Liens existing on the Issue Date; |
(8) | Liens on assets, property or Equity Interests of another Person at the time such other Person becomes a Subsidiary of such Person; provided, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto); |
(9) | Liens on property or assets at the time such Person or any of its Subsidiaries acquires the property or assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person; provided, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property or assets owned by such Person or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto); |
(10) | Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Subsidiary of such Person owing to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; |
(11) | Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as such Hedging Obligations are permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture; |
24
(12) | Liens to secure any Refinancing (or successive Refinancings) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clause (6), (7), (8) or (9); provided, however, that: |
(A) | such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and |
(B) | the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clause (6), (7), (8) or (9) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such Refinancing; |
(13) | Liens on equipment of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to clients or customers on or about the premises of which such equipment is located; |
(14) | Liens in favor of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors; |
(15) | Permitted Collateral Liens, including Liens created under the Security Documents; |
(16) | leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to other Persons in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries; |
(17) | Liens on Cash Equivalents of up to 105% of the face amount of L/C Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(2); |
(18) | Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(12); provided that such Liens do not at any time encumber any property or assets other than the property or assets all or a material portion of the cost of which is either financed or reimbursed by such Indebtedness and the proceeds and the products thereof; and |
(19) | other Liens securing obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business which obligations do not exceed $2,500,000 at any one time outstanding. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Permitted Liens” shall not include any Lien described in clause (6), (8) or (9) above to the extent such Lien applies to any Additional Assets acquired directly or indirectly from Net Available Cash pursuant to Section 4.06. For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” shall be deemed to include interest on such Indebtedness.
25
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Preferred Stock”, as applied to the Equity Interests of any Person, means Equity Interests of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over Equity Interests of any other class of such Person.
“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus the premium, if any, payable on the Security which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.
“Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (1) consisting of the deferred purchase price of property, conditional sale obligations, obligations under any title retention agreement, other purchase money obligations and obligations in respect of industrial revenue bonds or similar Indebtedness, in each case where the maturity of such Indebtedness does not exceed the anticipated useful life of the asset being financed and (2) Incurred to finance the acquisition by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of such asset, including additions and improvements, in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that any Lien arising in connection with any such Indebtedness shall be limited to the specific asset being financed or, in the case of real property or fixtures, including additions and improvements, the real property on which such asset is attached; provided further, however, that such Indebtedness is Incurred within 180 days after such acquisition of such assets.
“Qualified Equity Interests” of a Person means Capital Stock of such Person other than Disqualified Capital Stock; provided, however, that such Capital Stock shall not be deemed Qualified Equity Interests to the extent sold to a Subsidiary of such Person or financed, directly or indirectly, using funds (1) borrowed from such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person or (2) contributed, extended, guaranteed or advanced by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person (including, in respect of any employee stock ownership or benefit plan). Unless otherwise specified, Qualified Equity Interests refers to Qualified Equity Interests of the Company.
“Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer selected by the Company.
“Reference Treasury Dealer” means initially Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and its successors and assigns and two other nationally recognized investment banking firms selected by the Company that are primary United States government securities dealers; provided, however, if any such Person ceases to be a
26
primary United States government securities dealer, the Company will select another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a primary United States government securities dealer to replace such Person.
“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day immediately preceding such redemption date.
“Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, purchase, redeem, defease, discharge or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.
“Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that Refinances any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with this Indenture, including Indebtedness that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that:
(1) | such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced; provided, further, however, any Refinancing Indebtedness that Refinances Existing Notes has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Securities; |
(2) | such Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being Refinanced; and |
(3) | such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding (plus fees and expenses, including any premium and defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being Refinanced; |
provided further, however, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (A) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of the Company or (B) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the registration rights agreement dated the Issue Date among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Initial Purchaser.
27
“Related Business” means any business in which the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries was engaged on the Issue Date and any business related, ancillary or complementary to such business.
“Restricted Payment” with respect to any Person means:
(1) | the declaration or payment of any dividends or any other distributions of any sort in respect of its Equity Interests (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving such Person) or similar payment to the direct or indirect holders of its Equity Interests (other than (A) dividends or distributions payable solely in its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock), (B) dividends or distributions payable solely to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (C) pro rata dividends or other distributions made by a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to minority stockholders (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity other than a corporation)); |
(2) | the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company held by any Person (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary) or of any Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary held by any Affiliate of the Company (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary), including in connection with any merger or consolidation and including the exercise of any option to exchange any Equity Interests (other than into Equity Interests of the Company that is not Disqualified Stock); |
(3) | the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any Subordinated Obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than (A) from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or (B) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Obligations (other than the Existing Notes) purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement); or |
(4) | the making of any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person. |
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
28
“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary substantially concurrently leases it from such Person.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Secured Debt Ratio” as of any date of determination means the ratio of (1) Total Secured Indebtedness as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such determination to (2) EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such determination, all calculated giving effect to all of the adjustments contemplated by clauses (1) through (5) and the final paragraph of the definition of “Consolidated Coverage Ratio.”
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Security Documents” means the Collateral Agreement and all other agreements or instruments evidencing or creating any security interest or Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Holders, in any or all of the Collateral, and the Collection Account Agreement, in each case, as amended from time to time in accordance with their respective terms.
“Senior Indebtedness” means with respect to any Person:
(1) | Indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred; and |
(2) | all other Obligations of such Person (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to such Person whether or not post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) in respect of Indebtedness described in clause (1) above |
unless, in the case of clauses (1) and (2), in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such Indebtedness or other Obligations are subordinate in right of payment to the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Person, as the case may be; provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:
(1) | any obligation of such Person to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; |
(2) | any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person; |
29
(3) | any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business (including Guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities); |
(4) | any Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person which is subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person; |
(5) | that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of Incurrence is Incurred in violation of this Indenture; or |
(6) | any Subordinated Obligations. |
“Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” means the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, par value $.000l per share, issued pursuant to the predecessor of the Company’s plan of reorganization and outstanding on the Issue Date.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC and, for purposes of an Event of Default, any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that combined would be such a Significant Subsidiary.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).
“Subordinated Obligation” means, with respect to a Person, any Indebtedness of such Person (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) (A) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Securities or a Subsidiary Guarantee of such Person, as the case may be, pursuant to a written agreement to that effect or (B) Incurred to Refinance the Existing Notes (or any subsequent Refinancing thereof).
For the purposes of the foregoing and with respect to clause (A) above only, no Indebtedness shall be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness solely by virtue of being unsecured or secured by a lower priority Lien or by virtue of the fact that the holders of such Indebtedness have entered into intercreditor agreements or other arrangements giving one or more of such holders priority over the other holders in the collateral held by them.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:
(1) | such Person; |
30
(2) | such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or |
(3) | one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. |
“Subsidiary Guarantee” means a Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities pursuant to this Indenture, including any Guarantee Agreement.
“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Company that executes this Indenture as a guarantor on the Issue Date and each other Subsidiary of the Company that thereafter guarantees the Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
“Total Secured Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that is secured by Liens on any of the Collateral.
“Trust Monies” means all Cash Equivalents received by the Trustee (i) upon the release of Collateral, whether pursuant to an Asset Disposition or otherwise and (ii) pursuant to the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement.
“Trustee” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the Issue Date.
“Trust Officer” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be those officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Persons’ knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:
(1) | any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Company in the manner provided below; and |
(2) | any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. |
The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity
31
Interests or Indebtedness of, or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, however, that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has assets greater than $1,000, such designation would be permitted under Section 4.04.
The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation (A) the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Coverage Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) and (B) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable at the issuer’s option.
“Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Equity Interests of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.
“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary all the Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or one or more other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
32
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.
Term |
Defined in | |
“Affiliate Transaction” |
4.07(a) | |
“Alternate Offer” |
4.09(c) | |
“Appendix” |
2.01 | |
“Bankruptcy Law” |
6.01 | |
“Change of Control Offer” |
4.09(b) | |
“covenant defeasance option” |
8.01(b) | |
“Coverage Indebtedness” |
4.03(a) | |
“Credit Facility Indebtedness” |
4.03(b)(1) | |
“Custodian” |
6.01 | |
“Event of Default” |
6.01 | |
“Guaranteed Obligations” |
10.01 | |
“L/C Indebtedness” |
4.03(b)(2) | |
“legal defeasance option” |
8.01(b) | |
“Paying Agent” |
2.03 | |
“Permitted Indebtedness” |
4.03(b) | |
“Registrar” |
2.03 | |
“Securities” |
Preamble | |
“Successor Company” |
5.01(a)(1) |
SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the TIA which are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the SEC;
“indenture securities” means the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees;
“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder or Holder;
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor and any other obligor on the indenture securities.
All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.
33
SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(3) “or” is not exclusive;
(4) “including” means including without limitation;
(5) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;
(6) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;
(7) the amount of any Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price shall be the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock;
(8) all references to the date the Securities were originally issued shall refer to the Issue Date, except as otherwise specified; and
(9) whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, principal, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Securities, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of additional interest, to the extent that, in such context, additional interest is, was or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Securities.
Article 2
The Securities
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating. Provisions relating to the Initial Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Exchange Securities are set forth in the Rule 144A/Regulation S/IAI Appendix attached hereto (the “Appendix”) which is hereby incorporated in, and expressly made part of, this Indenture. The Initial Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 to the Appendix which is hereby incorporated in, and expressly made a part of, this Indenture. The Exchange Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Securities set forth in the Appendix and Exhibit A are part of the terms of this Indenture.
34
SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication. Two Officers shall sign the Securities by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.
A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver $230,000,000 of 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 and, at any time and from time to time thereafter, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities for original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in such order, in each case upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers. Such written order shall specify the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated and, in the case of an issuance of Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 after the Issue Date, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.03.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.
SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be the office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency (which may be the office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Securities may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary incorporated or organized within the United States of America may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.
35
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Securities.
SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust. The Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities. Principal, premium, if any, and interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent holds (as of 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on the due date) money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section 2.04, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
SECTION 2.05. Securityholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Securityholders.
SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange. The Securities shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Security for registration of transfer. When a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture and Section 8-401(a) of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. When Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met.
SECTION 2.07. Replacement Securities. If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met and the Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any co-registrar from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.
36
Every replacement Security is an additional Obligation of the Company.
SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Securities. Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).
If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date such Securities (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
SECTION 2.09. Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities and deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.
SECTION 2.10. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and destroy (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company unless the Company directs the Trustee to deliver canceled Securities to the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, the Company shall pay defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner at the rate provided in the Securities and Section 4.01 hereof. The Company may pay the defaulted interest at the rate provided in the Securities and Section 4.01 hereof to the persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.
37
SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, etc. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers (in each case if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall advise the Trustee in writing of any change in any “CUSIP” numbers, ISINs or “Common Code” numbers applicable to the Securities.
SECTION 2.13. Issuance of Additional Securities. After the Issue Date, the Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03, to issue Additional Securities under this Indenture, which Securities shall have identical terms as the Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price. All the Securities issued under this Indenture shall be treated as a single class for all purposes of this Indenture including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
With respect to any Additional Securities, the Company shall set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors and an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:
(1) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Securities to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture and the provision of Section 4.03 that the Company is relying on to issue such Additional Securities;
(2) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number of such Additional Securities, if any; provided, however, that only those Additional Securities that are part of the “same issue” as all other Securities issued under this Indenture, as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1275-1(f), or issued in a “qualified reopening” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1275-2(k) will be issued with the same CUSIP number as the other Securities issued under this Indenture; and
(3) whether such Additional Securities shall be issued in the form of Initial Securities as set forth in Exhibit 1 or shall be issued in the form of Exchange Securities as set forth in Exhibit A.
38
Article 3
Redemption
SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Securities pursuant to Section 6 of the Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date, the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and the paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the redemption will occur.
The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this Section at least 30 days before the redemption notice date unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein.
SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed. If fewer than all the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed pro rata to the extent practicable, or to the extent not so practicable, by lot or such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate, unless another method is required by law or applicable exchange or depositary requirements. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities that have denominations larger than $2,000. Securities and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in principal amounts of $2,000 or any greater integral multiple of $1,000 thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities to be redeemed.
SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption. At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Securities or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 8. Any defect in the notice of redemption, including a failure to give notice, to any Holder selected for redemption shall not impair or affect the validity of the redemption of any other Security redeemed in accordance with provisions of this Indenture.
The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:
(1) the redemption date;
(2) the redemption price;
(3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
39
(4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(5) if fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the identification and principal amounts of the particular Securities to be redeemed;
(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Securities (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(7) the “CUSIP” number, ISIN or “Common Code” number, if any, printed on the Securities being redeemed; and
(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the “CUSIP” number, ISIN, or “Common Code” number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense. In such event, the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section 3.03, at least 40 days (unless a shorter time shall also be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the redemption date.
SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice, and from and after such redemption date (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest), such Securities will cease to bear interest. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date), and such Securities shall be canceled by the Trustee. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not impair or affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.
SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company’s expense) a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
40
Article 4
Covenants
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities. The Company shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture. Principal and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture (as of 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on the due date) money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
SECTION 4.02. Reports. Whether or not the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC and provide the Trustee and Holders with such annual and other reports as are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and applicable to a U.S. corporation subject to such Sections, such reports to be so filed and provided within the time periods specified for the filings of such reports under such Sections and containing all the information, audit reports and exhibits required for such reports. If, at any time, the Company is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company shall nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in the preceding sentence with the SEC within the time periods required unless the SEC will not accept such a filing. The availability of the foregoing reports on the SEC’s XXXXX service (or successor thereto) shall be deemed to satisfy the Company’s delivery obligations to the Trustee and the Holders. The Company agrees that it will not take any action for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC will not accept such filings for any reason, the Company shall post the specified reports on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the SEC.
At any time that any of the Company’s Subsidiaries are Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.
In addition, at any time when the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon the requests of such Holders, any information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act so long as the Securities are not freely transferable under the Securities Act.
41
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be entitled to Incur Indebtedness if, on the date of such Incurrence and after giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio exceeds 2.0 to 1.0 (any such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this Section 4.03(a) being herein referred to as “Coverage Indebtedness”).
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 4.03(a), the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be entitled to Incur any or all of the following Indebtedness (any such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this Section 4.03(b) being herein referred to as “Permitted Indebtedness”):
(1) Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to any Credit Facility in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed $25,000,000 (any such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (1) being herein referred to as “Credit Facility Indebtedness”);
(2) Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to any letters of credit, surety bonds or other similar arrangements procured in the ordinary course of business (any such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (2) being herein referred to as “L/C Indebtedness”);
(3) Indebtedness owed to and held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Equity Interests which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the obligor thereon;
(4) Indebtedness represented by the Securities to be issued on the Issue Date and the Subsidiary Guarantees thereof (and any Securities and Guarantees issued in exchange for the Securities and Subsidiary Guarantees thereof pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement);
(5) Indebtedness of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clause (1), (2) or (3) of this Section 4.03(b));
(6) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness Incurred in connection with, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that on the date such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or by a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise became a Restricted
42
Subsidiary and after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Company would have been able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Coverage Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a);
(7) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Coverage Indebtedness or of Permitted Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to clause (4), (5) or (6) of this Section 4.03(b) or this clause (7); provided, however, that to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness directly or indirectly Refinances Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Incurred pursuant to clause (6), such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be Incurred only by such Subsidiary;
(8) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) consisting of Interest Rate Agreements;
(9) Obligations in respect of workers’ compensation and auto claims, payment obligations in connection with health or other types of social security benefits, unemployment or other insurance or self-insurance obligations, insurance premium finance agreements, reclamation, statutory and regulatory obligations, bankers’ acceptances, performance, bid, surety or similar bonds and letters of credit or completion and performance guarantees or equipment leases or other similar obligations provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(10) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its Incurrence;
(11) Indebtedness consisting of the Guarantee by any Subsidiary Guarantor of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that was permitted to be Incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Securities, then the Guarantee thereof shall be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness being Guaranteed;
(12) Attributable Debt and Purchase Money Indebtedness or Capital Lease Obligations Incurred to finance all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, development, construction, installation or improvement of property (real or personal and including acquisitions of Equity Interests), plant, equipment or vehicles used in the business of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, whether through the direct purchase of such assets or the Equity Interests of any Person owning such assets), or repairs, additions or improvements to such assets, together with any Attributable Debt Incurred pursuant to this clause (12) and any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness, in an aggregate principal amount which, when added together with the amount of Attributable Debt and Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (12) and then outstanding, does not exceed $15,000,000;
43
(13) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn outs, Guarantees or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred or assumed by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, in connection with such disposition; and
(14) Indebtedness of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors in an aggregate amount which, when taken together with all other Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors outstanding on the date of such Incurrence (other than Coverage Indebtedness and Permitted Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to clauses (1) through (13) above) does not exceed $5,000,000.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03:
(1) any Indebtedness outstanding under letters of credit, surety bonds or similar arrangements on the Issue Date will be treated as L/C Indebtedness Incurred on the Issue Date under Section 4.03(b)(2);
(2) in the event that an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (13) of Section 4.03(b), or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a), the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify (and may later reclassify) such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) at the time of Incurrence (and in the case of a reclassification, only to the extent the reclassified item could be Incurred pursuant to the criteria at the time of such reclassification) and shall only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of the above clauses; provided, however, that no Credit Facility Indebtedness or L/C Indebtedness may be reclassified; and
(3) the Company shall be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described above.
(d) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness where the Indebtedness Incurred is denominated in a different currency, the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent, determined on the date of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness; provided, however, that if any such Indebtedness denominated in a different currency is subject to a Currency Agreement with respect to U.S. dollars, covering all principal, premium, if any, and interest payable on such Indebtedness, the amount of such Indebtedness expressed in U.S. dollars shall be as provided in such Currency Agreement. The principal amount of any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in the same currency as
44
the Indebtedness being Refinanced shall be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Indebtedness Refinanced, except to the extent that (1) such U.S. Dollar Equivalent was determined based on a Currency Agreement, in which case the Refinancing Indebtedness shall be determined in accordance with the preceding sentence and (2) the principal amount of the Refinancing Indebtedness exceeds the principal amount of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, in which case the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of such excess shall be determined on the date such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred.
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to make a Restricted Payment if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:
(1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom);
(2) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the Company would not be entitled to Incur an additional $1.00 of Coverage Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a); or
(3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments since the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (b)(1), (2), (4), (5), (6) and (8)) would exceed the sum of (without duplication):
(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) from the beginning of the fiscal quarter immediately following the fiscal quarter during which the Issue Date occurs to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus
(B) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds and the Fair Market Value of marketable securities or other property received by the Company from the issuance or sale of its Qualified Equity Interests subsequent to the Issue Date and 100% of any cash (or the Fair Market Value of any Cash Equivalents) consisting of a capital contribution received by the Company from its stockholders subsequent to the Issue Date; plus
(C) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company is reduced upon the conversion or exchange subsequent to the Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the Company convertible or exchangeable for Qualified Equity Interests of the Company (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other property, distributed by the Company upon such conversion or exchange); provided, however, that
45
the foregoing amount shall not exceed the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the sale of such Indebtedness (excluding Net Cash Proceeds from sales to a Subsidiary of the Company or to an employee stock ownership plan or a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees); plus
(D) an amount equal to the sum of (x) the net reduction in the Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Person resulting from repurchases, repayments or redemptions of such Investments by such Person, proceeds realized on the sale of such Investment and proceeds representing the return of capital (excluding dividends and distributions), in each case received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and (y) to the extent such Person is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed, in the case of any such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments (excluding Permitted Investments) previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:
(1) any Restricted Payment made out of the Net Cash Proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, or made by exchange for, Qualified Equity Interests of the Company or a substantially concurrent cash capital contribution received by the Company from its stockholders; provided, however, that the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale or such cash capital contribution (to the extent so used for such Restricted Payment) shall be excluded from the calculation of amounts under Section 4.04(a)(3)(B);
(2) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent Incurrence of, Indebtedness of such Person which is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03;
(3) the payment of any dividend or redemption of any Capital Stock or Subordinated Obligations within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or call for redemption, if at such date of declaration or call for redemption such payment or redemption was permitted by the provisions of Section 4.04(a) (the declaration of such payment shall be deemed a Restricted Payment under Section 4.04(a) as of the date of declaration, and the payment itself shall be deemed to
46
have been paid on such date of declaration and will not also be deemed a Restricted Payment under Section 4.04(a)) (it being understood that any Restricted Payment made in reliance on this clause (3) shall reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.04(a)(3) only once);
(4) the declaration and payments of cash dividends or cash distributions on Disqualified Stock issued pursuant to Section 4.03; provided, however, that, at the time of payment of such dividend or distribution, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom);
(5) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options if such Equity Interests represents a portion of the exercise price of such options;
(6) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of the Company; provided, however, that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of this Section 4.04 (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company);
(7) in the event of a Change of Control or an Asset Disposition, and if no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case, at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the principal amount of such Subordinated Obligations in the case of a Change of Control and 100% in the case of an Asset Disposition, in each case plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided, however, that prior to such payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, the Company (or a third party to the extent permitted by this Indenture) has made a Change of Control Offer or an offer to purchase Securities pursuant to Section 4.06, as applicable, with respect to the Securities as a result of such Change of Control or Asset Disposition, as applicable, and has repurchased all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn in connection with such Change of Control Offer or an offer to purchase Securities pursuant to Section 4.06;
(8) payments of intercompany subordinated Indebtedness, the Incurrence of which was permitted under Section 4.03(b)(3); provided, however, that no Default has occurred and is continuing or would otherwise result therefrom;
(9) the payment of any cash dividends on or in respect of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 in any calendar year; provided, however, that no Default has occurred and is continuing or would otherwise result therefrom;
47
(10) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Existing Notes for aggregate cash consideration not to exceed $25,000,000; provided, however, that, at the time of such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom);
(11) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000; provided, however, that such repurchases may only be made in the event of (i) the separation or termination of employment of the holder of such Series A Convertible Preferred Stock from the Company or (ii) the maturity of such Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to be repurchased; provided, further, that, at the time of such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom);
(12) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Company pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $1,000,000 in any twelve-month period; provided, further, that, at the time of such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); and
(13) other Restricted Payments in an amount which, when taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (13), does not exceed $1,000,000.
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company, (b) make any loans or advances to the Company or (c) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company, except:
(1) with respect to clauses (a), (b) and (c),
(A) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement in effect at or entered into on the Issue Date;
(B) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness
48
Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company) and outstanding on such date;
(C) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a Refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in Section 4.05(1)(A) or (B) or this clause (C) or contained in any amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, refunding, replacement or Refinancing to an agreement referred to in Section 4.05(1)(A) or (B) or this clause (C); provided, however, that the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in any such refinancing agreement or amendment are, as determined by an Officer in good faith, not materially less favorable to the Holders than encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in such predecessor agreements; and
(D) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Equity Interests or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;
(E) customary provisions in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements, limited liability company organizational documents and other similar agreements;
(F) restrictions on cash, Cash Equivalents, marketable securities, investment grade securities or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or lessors (including governmental entities) under contracts or leases entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(G) this Indenture, the Securities, any Exchange Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Security Documents;
(H) applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders;
(I) customary restrictions in Credit Facility Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(1); provided, however, that such restrictions are not more restrictive than those contained in this Indenture or the Security Documents; and
49
(2) with respect to clause (c) only,
(A) any encumbrance or restriction consisting of customary nonassignment provisions in leases governing leasehold interests to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the lease or the property leased thereunder;
(B) any encumbrance or restriction contained in security agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such encumbrance or restriction restricts the transfer of the property subject to such security agreements or mortgages; and
(C) agreements with respect to Purchase Money Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased.
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Disposition unless:
(1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such Asset Disposition at least equal to the Fair Market Value (including as to the value of all non-cash consideration), of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition; and
(2) at least 75% of the consideration thereof received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(3) in the case of an Asset Disposition of Collateral, the consideration from such Asset Disposition is pledged as Collateral to secure the Securities; and
(4) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition is applied by the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) at its option to any one or more of the following uses:
(A) to the extent the Company elects, within 365 days after the receipt of Net Available Cash,
(i) | to reduce the outstanding principal amount of Credit Facility Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(1); |
(ii) | to reduce the outstanding principal amount of any other Applicable Senior Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor; provided, however, that to the extent the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary repays any such other |
50
Applicable Senior Indebtedness, the Company shall equally and ratably reduce the principal amount of Securities outstanding, through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or through redemption, or shall offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.06(b)) to all Holders to purchase their Securities at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued but unpaid interest, if any, thereon up to a principal amount which, if the offer were accepted, would result in such reduction; |
(iii) | in the case of an Asset Disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor or consisting of Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor; or |
(iv) | in the case of an Asset Disposition consisting of property or assets that are not Collateral, to reduce the outstanding principal amount of any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, |
in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company;
(B) to the extent the Company elects, to acquire Additional Assets within 365 days of the receipt of such Net Available Cash; provided, however, that to the extent the assets subject to such Asset Disposition were Collateral, such newly acquired assets shall also be Collateral; and
(C) to the extent the Company elects, to make an offer to the Holders (and to holders of other Applicable Senior Indebtedness of the Company or of a Subsidiary Guarantor designated by the Company) to purchase Securities (and such other Applicable Senior Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor) pursuant to and subject to the conditions contained in this Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.06(a), the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to apply any Net Available Cash in accordance with this Section 4.06(a) except to the extent that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions which is not applied in accordance with this Section 4.06(a) exceeds $5,000,000. Pending application of Net Available Cash pursuant to this Section 4.06(a), such Net Available Cash shall be held in cash or invested in Cash Equivalents.
51
For the purposes of this Section 4.06(a), the following are deemed to be cash or Cash Equivalents:
(1) the assumption or discharge of Applicable Senior Indebtedness of the Company (other than obligations in respect of Disqualified Stock of the Company) or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than obligations in respect of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary Guarantor) and the release of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Applicable Senior Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition;
(2) securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 365 days of the consummation of the Asset Disposition, to the extent of the cash received in such conversion; and
(3) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Disposition having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (3) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed an amount equal to $10,000,000 at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).
(b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that results in the purchase of Securities (and other Applicable Senior Indebtedness of the Company or of a Subsidiary Guarantor) pursuant to Section 4.06(a)(4)(C), the Company shall purchase Securities tendered pursuant to an offer by the Company for the Securities (and such other Applicable Senior Indebtedness of the Company or of a Subsidiary Guarantor permitted to be included in such offer) at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount (or, in the event such other Applicable Senior Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), without premium, plus accrued but unpaid interest (or, in respect of such other Applicable Senior Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such other Applicable Senior Indebtedness) in accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the event of oversubscription) set forth in this Indenture. If the aggregate purchase price of the securities tendered exceeds the Net Available Cash allotted to their purchase, the Company shall select the securities to be purchased on a pro rata basis but in round denominations, which in the case of the Securities will be minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount or any greater integral multiple of $1,000. The Company shall not be required to make such an offer to purchase Securities (and other Applicable Senior Indebtedness of the Company or of a Subsidiary Guarantor) pursuant to this Section 4.06 if the Net Available Cash available therefor is less than $10,000,000 (which lesser amount shall be carried forward for purposes of determining whether such an offer is
52
required with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition). Upon completion of such an offer to purchase, Net Available Cash shall be deemed to be reduced by the aggregate amount of such offer.
(c) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to this Section 4.06. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.06, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.06 by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.
SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Affiliate Transactions. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property, employee compensation arrangements or the rendering of any service) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (an “Affiliate Transaction”) unless:
(1) the terms of the Affiliate Transaction are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained at the time of the Affiliate Transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person who is not an Affiliate;
(2) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $5,000,000, the terms of the Affiliate Transaction are set forth in writing and a majority of the non-employee directors of the Company disinterested with respect to such Affiliate Transaction have determined in good faith that the criteria set forth in Section 4.07(a)(1) are satisfied and have approved the relevant Affiliate Transaction as evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company (unless the Board of Directors of the Company at the time of such Affiliate Transaction has no non-employee directors of the Company disinterested with respect to such Affiliate Transaction, in which case clause (3) below will apply to such Affiliate Transaction); and
(3) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $10,000,000 (or if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $5,000,000 and the Board of Directors of the Company at the time of such Affiliate Transaction has no non-employee directors of the Company disinterested with respect to such Affiliate Transaction), the Board of Directors of the Company shall have received a written opinion from an Independent Qualified Party to the effect that such Affiliate Transaction is fair, from a financial standpoint, to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries or is not materially less favorable to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries than could reasonably be expected to be obtained at the time in an arm’s-length transaction with a Person who was not an Affiliate.
53
(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not prohibit:
(1) any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) or other Restricted Payment, in each case permitted to be made pursuant to Section 4.04;
(2) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the Board of Directors of the Company;
(3) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business for bona fide business purposes and consistent with past practices of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries;
(4) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries who are not employees of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries;
(5) any transaction with the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or joint venture or similar entity which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in or otherwise controls such Restricted Subsidiary, joint venture or similar entity;
(6) the issuance or sale of any Qualified Equity Interests of the Company;
(7) any agreement as in effect on the Issue Date and described in the Offering Circular or any renewals or extensions of any such agreement (so long as such renewals or extensions are not less favorable to the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries) and the transactions evidenced thereby; and
(8) entering into and performing under indemnification arrangements or agreements in the ordinary course of business for the benefit of former, current or future directors or officers of the Company or any or its Restricted Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Line of Business. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, to engage in any business other than a Related Business.
SECTION 4.09. Change of Control. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require that the Company repurchase such Holder’s Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).
54
(b) Subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 4.09(c), within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee (the “Change of Control Offer”) stating:
(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);
(2) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change of Control (including information to the extent available, with respect to pro forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization, in each case after giving effect to such Change of Control);
(3) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and
(4) the instructions, as determined by the Company, consistent with this Section, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Securities purchased.
(c) The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer, (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to this Indenture as described above in Section 3.01, unless and until there is a default in the payment of the applicable redemption price or (3) in connection with or in contemplation of any Change of Control for which a definitive agreement is in place, the Company or a third party has made an offer to purchase (an “Alternate Offer”) any and all Securities validly and properly tendered at a cash price equal to or higher than the Change of Control payment (as described above) and has purchased all Securities validly and properly tendered and not withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Alternate Offer; provided, however, that the terms of such Alternate Offer shall not require the Holders to irrevocably tender the Securities and such Alternate Offer shall not close until the Change of Control is actually consummated.
(d) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.09, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.09 by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.
55
SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind upon any of their assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, other than:
(i) in the case of any asset that does not constitute Collateral, Permitted Liens; provided, however, that any Lien on such asset shall be permitted notwithstanding that it is not a Permitted Lien if all payments due under this Indenture and the Securities are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien; and
(ii) in the case of any asset that constitutes Collateral, Permitted Collateral Liens.
In the case of the clause (i) above, if the obligations so secured are expressly subordinated by their terms to the Securities, the Lien securing such obligations shall also be so subordinated by its terms at least to the same extent.
SECTION 4.11. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to any property unless:
(1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to (A) Incur Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 4.03 and (B) create a Lien on such property securing such Indebtedness without equally and ratably securing the Securities pursuant to Section 4.10;
(2) the net proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Sale/Leaseback Transaction are at least equal to the Fair Market Value of such property; and
(3) the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with Section 4.06, to the extent applicable.
SECTION 4.12. Future Subsidiary Guarantors. (a) The Company shall cause each Domestic Subsidiary to (1) execute and deliver to the Trustee a Guarantee Agreement pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall Guarantee payment of the Securities and all other monetary obligations under the Indenture on the same terms and conditions as those set forth in this Indenture and applicable to the other Subsidiary Guarantors and (2) execute and deliver such documentation with respect to such collateral as shall be necessary to provide for Liens on such Subsidiary’s assets constituting Collateral to secure such Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms set forth in Article 11.
SECTION 4.13. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an Officers’ Certificate stating whether or not to the best of the knowledge of the signers thereof a Default occurred during such period. If a Default shall have occurred during such period, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with TIA § 314(a)(4).
56
Article 5
Successor Company
SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets. (a) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:
(1)(x) the Company shall be the surviving corporation or (y) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental thereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the Obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;
(2) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an Obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by such Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(3) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would have been able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Coverage Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a); and
(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture;
provided, however, that clause (3) shall not be applicable to (A) a Restricted Subsidiary consolidating with, merging into or transferring all or part of its properties and assets to the Company or (B) the Company merging with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose and with the sole effect of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction.
For purposes of this Section 5.01, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.
57
The Successor Company (if not the Company) shall be the successor to the Company and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, and the predecessor Company, except in the case of a lease, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities.
(b) The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person unless immediately after giving effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the resulting, surviving or transferee Person as a result of such transaction as having been issued by such Person at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Article 6
Defaults and Remedies
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. An “Event of Default” occurs if:
(1) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on the Securities when due, continued for 30 days;
(2) the Company defaults in the payment of principal of any Security when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required purchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;
(3) the failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Section 5.01;
(4) the failure by the Company to comply for 45 days after notice with any of its obligations in Section 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11 or 4.12 (other than a failure to purchase Securities when required under Section 4.06 or 4.09);
(5) the failure by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to comply for 60 days after notice with any with its other agreements contained in the Securities or this Indenture;
(6) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $10,000,000;
(7) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case;
58
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;
(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or
(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;
or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
(9) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $10,000,000 is entered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, remains outstanding for a period of 60 consecutive days following such judgment and is not discharged, waived or stayed;
(10) any Subsidiary Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guarantee) or any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; or
(11)(1) a default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the performance of the Security Documents which adversely affects the enforceability, validity, perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent’s Lien on the Collateral in any material respect, (2) repudiation or disaffirmation by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any of its material obligations under the Security Documents or (3) the determination in a judicial proceeding that any one or more material provisions of the Security Documents are unenforceable or invalid against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for any reason except to the extent any such unenforceability or invalidity is caused by the failure of the Collateral Agent to make filings, renewals and continuations (or other equivalent filings) which the Company has indicated in the perfection certificate are required to be made or the failure of the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Security Documents.
59
The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Xxxxx 00, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
A Default under clauses (4) and (5) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities notify the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default”.
If a Default occurs, is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each Holder of the Securities notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Security, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is not opposed to the interest of the Holders. In addition, the Company is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Securities to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of and interest on all the Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders. In the event of an acceleration that occurs prior to October 15, 2014, an amount will also become due and payable as of the day immediately preceding the day that the Securities were accelerated equal to the premium that would then be payable by the Company if the Company elected to redeem the Securities at its option on such date pursuant to the provisions described in Section 6 of the Securities. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities by notice
60
to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of such declaration of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Security (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Security when required pursuant to this Indenture or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities unless:
(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default is continuing;
61
(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(5) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request during such 60-day period.
A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Securities held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.
SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07 and to the Collateral Agent for amounts due under the Collateral Agreement;
62
SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: to the Company.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court of competent jurisdiction in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities.
SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Article 7
Trustee
SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
63
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful misconduct, except that:
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.
(a) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.
(b) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
(c) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(d) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(e) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of the TIA.
SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
64
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute wilful misconduct or negligence.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficiently evidenced by a written order signed by one Officer of the Company.
(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.
(h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities (including that of Collateral Agent) hereunder (and under the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement), and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder or thereunder.
(i) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(j) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.
(k) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
65
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
SECTION 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Securities or in the Securities other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs, is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Security (including payments pursuant to the mandatory redemption provisions of such Security, if any), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is not opposed to the interests of the Holders.
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. As promptly as practicable after each October 1 beginning with the October 1 following the Issue Date, and in any event prior to December 1 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of October 1 that complies with TIA § 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.
As promptly as practicable, upon the Company’s request, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder any report received by the Trustee from the Company pursuant to Section 4.02.
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its services as shall be agreed to from time to time between the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the
66
compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall jointly and severally indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by it in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own wilful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities.
The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the discharge of this Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.
67
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in principal amount of the Securities may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA § 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.
SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.
68
SECTION 7.12. Limitation on Duty of Trustee in Respect of Collateral; Indemnification.
(a) Beyond the exercise of reasonable care in the custody thereof, the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee, shall have no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee or any income thereon or as to preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto and the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee, shall not be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any security interest in the Collateral. The Trustee, in its capacity as trustee, shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it accords its own property and shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in the value of any of the Collateral, by reason of the act or omission of any carrier, forwarding agency or other agent or bailee selected by the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee, in good faith.
(b) The Trustee, in its capacity as trustee, shall not be responsible for the existence, genuineness or value of any of the Collateral or for the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Collateral, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act on its part hereunder, except to the extent such action or omission constitutes gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee, for the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or any agreement or assignment contained therein, for the validity of the title of the Company to the Collateral, for insuring the Collateral or for the payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or otherwise as to the maintenance of the Collateral. The Trustee, in its capacity as trustee, shall have no duty to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms of this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement or the Security Documents by the Company or the Collateral Agent.
Article 8
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance
SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance. (a) When (1) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for cancellation or (2) all outstanding Securities have become due and payable, whether at maturity or on a redemption date as a result of the mailing of a notice of redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof and the Company irrevocably deposits or causes to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Securityholders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Securities not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) (including principal of, premium and interest, if any, on, the Securities to the date of maturity or redemption), and if in either
69
case the Company pays all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.01(c), cease to be of further effect. The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company.
(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company at any time may terminate (1) all of the Company’s and each Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under the Securities, the Subsidiary Guarantees and this Indenture (“legal defeasance option”) or (2) their obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11 and 4.12 and the operation of Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8), 6.01(9) and 6.01(11) (but, in the case of Sections 6.01(7) and (8), with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries) and the limitations contained in Section 5.01(a)(3) (“covenant defeasance option”). The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8), 6.01(9) or 6.01(11) (but, in the case of Sections 6.01(7) and (8), with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section 5.01(a)(3). If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, shall be released from all its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee and the Security Documents.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.
(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 7.07 and 7.08 and in this Article 8 shall survive until the Securities have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive.
SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:
(1) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due, plus any deposited money will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
70
(3) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (which opinion may be subject to customary assumptions and exceptions) to the effect that after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;
(4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness), and the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);
(5) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other material agreement (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) binding on the Company;
(6) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, nor is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(7) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the Issue Date there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;
(8) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; and
(9) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Securities as contemplated by this Article 8 have been complied with.
71
Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in accordance with Article 3.
SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities.
SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors.
SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and each Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, each Subsidiary Guarantee and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided, however, that, if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
Article 9
Amendments
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Securities, the Security Documents or any Intercreditor Agreement without notice to or consent of any Holder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
72
(2) to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Securities, this Indenture, a Subsidiary Guarantee, the Security Documents or any Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable;
(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided, however, that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code;
(4) to add Guarantees with respect to the Securities, including any Subsidiary Guarantees;
(5) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;
(6) to make any change that would provide additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder;
(7) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(8) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” contained in the Offering Circular to the extent that such provision in the “Description of the Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees;
(9) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Securities; provided, however, that (a) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Securities being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Securities, in each case evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel on which the Trustee may conclusively rely;
(10) to add any additional assets to the Collateral;
(11) to release Collateral from the Lien of the Security Documents when permitted or required by this Indenture and the Security Documents;
(12) to provide for a successor trustee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or to otherwise comply with any requirement of this Indenture; or
(13) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depository.
73
After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.01.
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Securities, the Security Documents or any Intercreditor Agreement with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Securities) and any past default or compliance with any provisions may also be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding. However, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not:
(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment;
(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Security;
(3) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Security;
(4) change the provisions applicable to the redemption of any Security contained in Article 3 hereto or Section 6 of the Securities;
(5) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the Security;
(6) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on such Holder’s Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Securities;
(7) make any change in the amendment provisions that require each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions;
(8) make any change in the ranking or priority of any Security that would materially adversely affect the Holders;
(9) release any Subsidiary Guarantee (other than in accordance with this Indenture); or
(10)(A) modify any Security Document or any Intercreditor Agreement or the provisions in this Indenture dealing with Security Documents in any manner that adversely changes the priority of the Liens in the Collateral or (B) release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens created by the Security Documents, except in each case as specifically provided for in this Indenture, the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement.
74
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02.
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.
SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the execution of such amendment or waiver by the Trustee.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.
SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities. If an amendment changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment.
75
SECTION 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
SECTION 9.07. Payment for Consent. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Securities unless such consideration is offered to all Holders and is paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
Article 10
Subsidiary Guarantees
SECTION 10.01. Guarantees. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly and severally on a senior secured basis, to each Holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (a) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Securities when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such Subsidiary Guarantor and that such Subsidiary Guarantor will remain bound under this Article 10 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Obligation.
Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Securities or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (1) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person (including any Subsidiary Guarantor) under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement or otherwise; (2) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (3) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement; (4) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any of them; (5) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (6) except as set forth in Section 10.06, any change in the ownership of such Subsidiary Guarantor.
76
Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.01(b), 10.02 and 10.06, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.
Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.
In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (A) the unpaid amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (B) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and (C) all other monetary Guaranteed Obligations of the Company to the Holders and the Trustee.
Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Subsidiary Guarantor for the purposes of this Section 10.01.
77
Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.
SECTION 10.02. Limitation on Liability. Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
SECTION 10.03. Successors and Assigns. This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Securities shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.
SECTION 10.04. No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 10 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
SECTION 10.05. Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 10, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.
SECTION 10.06. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor. A Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from its obligations under this Article 10 (other than any obligation that may have arisen under Section 10.07).
(1) upon the sale (including any sale pursuant to any exercise of remedies by a holder of Indebtedness of the Company or of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or other disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of a Subsidiary Guarantor (including the sale or disposition of Equity Interests of a Subsidiary Guarantor) following which such Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company;
78
(2) upon the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor;
(3) upon the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent permitted by this Indenture;
(4) upon defeasance of the Securities pursuant to Article 8; or
(5) upon the full satisfaction of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture;
provided, however, that in the case of clauses (1) and (2) above, (i) such sale or other disposition is made to a Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) such sale or disposition is otherwise permitted by this Indenture and (iii) the Company provides an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee to the effect that the Company will comply with its obligations under Section 4.06.
At the request of the Company, the Trustee shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release.
SECTION 10.07. Contribution. Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Subsidiary Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Subsidiary Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.
Article 11
Security Documents
SECTION 11.01. Collateral and Security Documents. (a) To secure the due and punctual payment of the obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Collateral Agent have entered into the Security Documents for the creation of specified security interests and related matters. The Trustee, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby acknowledge and agree that the Collateral Agent holds the Collateral in trust for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders and the Trustee and the other parties entitled to the benefit of the security provided under the Security Documents pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, no security interest or Lien is granted by the terms of this Indenture, the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees.
79
(b) Each Holder, by accepting a Security, agrees to all of the terms and provisions of the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreements, as the same may be amended from time to time pursuant to the provisions of the Security Documents, any Intercreditor Agreements and this Indenture, and authorizes and directs the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to perform their respective obligations and exercise their respective rights under the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreements in accordance therewith; provided, however, that if any provisions of the Security Documents limit, qualify or conflict with the duties imposed by the provisions of the TIA (other than TIA §314(b) and TIA §314(d), which shall not be applicable to this Indenture unless it is qualified under the TIA), the TIA (other than TIA § 314(b) and TIA § 314(d), which shall not be applicable to this Indenture unless it is qualified under the TIA) will control.
(c) Each Holder, by accepting a Security, irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent to act as its agent under the Security Documents and irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent to (i) perform the duties and exercise the rights, powers and discretions that are specifically given to it under the Security Documents, together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions and (ii) execute each document expressed to be executed by the Collateral Agent on its behalf.
(d) As among the Holders, the Collateral shall be held for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders without preference, priority or distinction of any thereof over any other.
SECTION 11.02. Release of Collateral. (a) Collateral may be released from the security interest created by the Security Documents at any time or from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents. The release of any Collateral from the terms hereof and of the Security Documents or the release of, in whole or in part, the Liens created by the Security Documents, will not be deemed to impair the Lien on the Collateral in contravention of the provisions hereof if and to the extent the Collateral or Liens are released pursuant to the applicable Security Documents and pursuant to the terms of this Article 11. The Trustee and each of the Holders acknowledge that a release of Collateral or a Lien strictly in accordance with the terms of the Security Documents and of this Article 11 will not be deemed for any purpose to be an impairment of the Lien on the Collateral in contravention of the terms of this Indenture.
(b) The Liens created by the Security Documents on the Collateral shall be automatically released, without the need for any further action by any Person, and will no longer secure the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees or any other Obligations under this Indenture, and the right of the Holders and holders of such other Obligations to the benefits and proceeds of such Liens will terminate and be discharged:
(1) in whole, upon payment in full of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and premium, if any, on, the Securities;
(2) in whole, upon satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with Article 8;
80
(3) in whole, upon a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as described in accordance with Article 8;
(4) in part, as to any property or asset constituting Collateral (A) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or deemed disposed of in a transaction permitted by Section 4.06, (B) that is owned by a Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent such Subsidiary Guarantor has been released from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with Article 10 or (C) otherwise in accordance with, and as expressly provided for under, this Indenture (including a release of Excluded Assets (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) in connection with an Incurrence of Permitted Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Lien or Permitted Collateral Lien); or
(5) pursuant to any amendment or supplement to this Indenture or to the Securities effected in accordance with Article 9.
(c) In addition, Collateral may be released from the Liens created by the Security Documents at any time or from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents and any applicable Intercreditor Agreements. At the request of the Company (which request shall be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent in the Indenture, Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement to the release of such Collateral have been satisfied) for a confirmation, acknowledgement or other documentation reasonably requested by the Company to evidence the release of Liens or Collateral in accordance with this Section 11.02, at the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ expense, the Trustee shall promptly deliver such confirmation, acknowledgement or other documentation so reasonably requested by the Company. The release of any Collateral from the Lien of the Security Documents or the release, in whole or in part, of the Liens created by the Security Documents, shall not be deemed to impair the Lien on the Collateral in contravention of the provisions of this Indenture if and to the extent the Collateral or Liens are released in accordance with the terms of the applicable Security Documents, any applicable Intercreditor Agreements and this Article 11.
SECTION 11.03. After Acquired Property. From and after the Issue Date, if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor acquires any property which is of a type constituting Collateral under the Collateral Agreement or any other Security Document, it shall as soon as practicable after the acquisition thereof execute and deliver such security instruments, financing statements and such Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel as are required under this Indenture and the Collateral Agreement to vest in the Collateral Agent a perfected security interest (subject only to Permitted Collateral Liens) in such after-acquired property and to have such after-acquired property added to the Collateral, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture relating to the Collateral shall be deemed to relate to such after-acquired property to the same extent and with the same force and effect. If granting a security interest in such property requires the consent of a third party, the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent with respect to the first-priority security interest for the benefit of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Holders of the
81
Securities. If such third party does not consent to the granting of the first-priority security interest after the use of such commercially reasonable efforts, the applicable entity will not be required to provide such security interest.
SECTION 11.04. Reports, Certificates and Opinions. (a) To the extent that this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, the Company will cause TIA §313(b), relating to reports, and TIA §314(d), relating to the release of property or securities or relating to the substitution therefor of any property or securities to be subjected to the Lien of the Security Documents, to be complied with. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA §314(d) may be made by an Officer except in cases where TIA §314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person will be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected or reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 11.04(a), the Company will not be required to comply with all or any portion of TIA §314(d) if it determines, in good faith based on advice of counsel, that under the terms of TIA §314(d) and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the SEC and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or any portion of TIA §314(d) is inapplicable to the released Collateral. The Company will also not be required to comply with TIA §314(d) with respect to any of the following:
(1) cash payments (including for the scheduled repayment of Indebtedness) in the ordinary course of business;
(2) sales or other dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(3) collections, sales or other dispositions of accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business; and
(4) sales or other dispositions in the ordinary course of business of any property the use of which is no longer necessary or desirable in, and is not material to, the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
provided, however, the Company’s right to rely on the above will be conditioned upon the Company’s delivering to the Trustee, within 30 calendar days following the end of each six-month period beginning on April 1 and October 1 of each year, an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that all releases during such six-month period in respect of which the Company did not comply with TIA §314(d) in reliance on the above were made in the ordinary course of business. The Company will otherwise comply with the provisions of TIA §314.
SECTION 11.05. Use of Trust Monies. To the extent received by the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement, this Indenture, the Security Documents or otherwise, all Trust Monies shall be held by the Trustee as a part of the Collateral securing the Securities and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, shall either (i) be released as contemplated by Section 4.06 if such
82
Trust Monies represent Net Cash Proceeds or (ii) to the extent not required to be applied pursuant to Section 4.06, at the direction of the Company be applied by the Trustee from time to time to the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any Securities at maturity or upon redemption or retirement, or to the purchase of Securities upon tender or in the open market or otherwise, in each case in compliance with this Indenture. The Trustee shall be entitled to apply any Trust Monies to cure any Event of Default. Trust Monies deposited with the Trustee shall be invested in Cash Equivalents pursuant to the direction of the Company and, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall be entitled to any interest or dividends accrued, earned or paid on such Cash Equivalents.
Article 12
Miscellaneous
SECTION 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control.
SECTION 12.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:
if to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention of: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Chief Legal Officer
if to the Trustee:
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
00000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention of: Corporate Trust Department
83
The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to the Holder at the Holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods (including pdf files). If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
SECTION 12.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
SECTION 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
84
SECTION 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
SECTION 12.06. When Securities Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.
SECTION 12.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
SECTION 12.08. Legal Holidays. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.
SECTION 12.09. Governing Law. This Indenture, the Securities, the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 12.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE, IN ITS CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
85
SECTION 12.11. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, manager, employee, incorporator or stockholder, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture or of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee, the Security Documents or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
SECTION 12.12. Successors. All agreements of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 12.13. Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.
SECTION 12.14. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
86
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
EACH OF THE GUARANTORS LISTED BELOW | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Title: | President | |
A-1 Medical Equipment, Inc. | ||
Abba Medical Equipment, Inc. | ||
Acadia Home Care | ||
Allied Medical Supply, Inc. | ||
Always Medical Equipment, Inc. | ||
Xxxx Xxxx’x InHome Medical, Inc., West | ||
Xxxx Xxxx’x InHome Medical/InHome Medical Inc. | ||
Anniston Health & Sickroom Supplies, Inc. | ||
Berkeley Medical Equipment, Inc. | ||
Beta Medical Equipment, Inc. | ||
Cambria Medical Supply, Inc. | ||
Camden Medical Supply, Inc. | ||
Care Medical Supplies, Inc. | ||
Centennial Medical Equipment, Inc. | ||
Charlotte Medical Supply, Inc. | ||
Xxxxxxx Rentals, Inc. | ||
Community Home Oxygen, Inc. | ||
Contour Medical Supply, Inc. | ||
Xxxxxx Home Health Care, Inc. | ||
CPO 2, Inc. | ||
Cynthiana Home Medical Equipment, Inc. | ||
Xxxxxx Medical Systems, Inc. | ||
Distinct Home Health Care, Inc. | ||
Xxx Xxxx Respiratory Services, Inc. | ||
DuMEd, Inc. | ||
East Tennessee Infusion & Respiratory, Inc. | ||
Encore Home Health Care, Inc. | ||
Epsilon Home Health Care, Inc. | ||
Excel Medical of Fort Dodge, Inc. | ||
Excel Medical of Marshalltown, Inc. | ||
First Community Care of Niagara, Inc. | ||
Firstcare, Inc. | ||
Xxxxxxx Medical Equipment, Inc. |
87
Four Rivers Home Health Care, Inc. |
G&G Medical, Inc. |
Gate City Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Georgia Medical Resources, Inc. |
Gladwin Area Home Care, Inc. |
Xxxxxxxx Medical Equipment Service, Inc. |
Health Care Services of Mississippi, Incorporated |
Holland Medical Services, Inc. |
Home Care Oxygen Service, Inc. |
Home Medical Systems, Inc. |
IHS Acquisition XXVII, Inc. |
Integrated Health Services at Jefferson Hospital, Inc. |
Integrated of Garden Terrace, Inc. |
Intensive Home Care Services, Inc. |
IOTA Medical Equipment, Inc. |
LAMBDA Medical Equipment, Inc. |
LAMS, Inc. |
Xxxxxxxx Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Liberty Home Health Care, Inc. |
Xxxxxxx Medical, Inc. |
Major Medical Supply, Inc. |
Medco Professional Services, Corp. |
MedCorp International, Inc. |
Medic-Aire Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Medical Electro-Therapeutics, Inc. |
Medicare Rental Supply, Inc. |
Michigan Medical Supply, Inc. |
National Medical Equipment Centers, Inc. |
Xxxxxxx’x Home Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Nightingale Home Health Care, Inc. |
North Central Washington Respiratory Care Services, Inc. |
Northeast Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Northwest Home Medical, Inc. |
Omega Medical Equipment, Inc. |
OMICRON Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Oxygen of Oklahoma, Inc. |
Oxygen Plus Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Oxygen Plus, Inc. |
Oxygen Therapy Associates, Inc. |
Xxxxxxxx’x Home Care, Inc. |
PHI Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Pioneer Medical Services, Inc. |
Preferential Home Health Care, Inc. Premier Medical, Inc. |
Principal Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Professional Breathing Associates, Inc. |
Professional Respiratory Home Healthcare, Inc. |
PSI Health Care, Inc. |
Pulmo-Dose, Inc. |
Pulmonary Home Care, Inc. |
Quality Home Health Care, Inc. |
R.C.P.S., Inc. |
RCG Information Services Corporation |
RCI Medical Corp. |
Regency Medical Equipment, Inc. |
88
Resp-A-Care, Inc. |
Respiracare Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Respiratory Medical Equipment of Ga., Inc. |
Respitech Home Health Care, Inc. |
Responsive Home Health Care, Inc. |
Rhema, Inc. |
Xxxx Medical Group, Inc. |
RN Home Care Medical Equipment Company, Inc. |
Roswell Home Medical, Inc. |
Rotech Employee Benefits Corporation |
Rotech Home Medical Care, Inc. |
Rotech Oxygen and Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Xxxx Medical, Inc. |
Xxxxxxx’x Hospital Equipment, Inc. |
Xxxxxxx Convalescent Medical Supply, Inc. |
Select Home Health Care, Inc. |
SIGMA Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Southeastern Home Health, Inc. |
Stat Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Sun Medical Supply, Inc. |
Sunshine Home Health Care, Inc. |
The Xxxxxx Company |
Theta Home Health Care, Inc. |
Tupelo Home Health, Inc. |
Valley Medical Equipment, Inc. |
Value Care, Inc. |
VitalCare Health Services, Inc. |
VitalCare of Pennsylvania, Inc. |
VitalCare of Texas, Inc. |
White’s Medical Rentals, Inc. |
Wichita Medical Care, Inc. Zeta Home Health Care, Inc. |
89
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., | ||
as Trustee | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxx | |
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxx | ||
Title: Senior Associate |
90
RULE 144A/REGULATION S/IAI APPENDIX
PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL SECURITIES,
PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE SECURITIES
1. Definitions
1.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this Appendix the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:
“Additional Securities” means Securities (other than the Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date) issued under the Indenture, as part of the same series as the Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and involving a Regulation S Global Security or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such a transfer or transaction, to the extent applicable and as in effect from time to time.
“Definitive Security” means a certificated Initial Security or Exchange Security or Private Exchange Security bearing, if required, the appropriate restricted securities legend set forth in Section 2.3(e).
“Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.
“Distribution Compliance Period”, with respect to any Securities, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the day on which such Securities are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the issue date with respect to such Securities.
“Exchange Securities” means (1) the 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 issued pursuant to the Indenture in connection with a Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement and (2) Additional Securities, if any, issued pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act.
“IAI” means an institutional “accredited investor”, as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
“Initial Purchaser” means (1) with respect to the Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Securities, the Persons purchasing such Additional Securities under the related Purchase Agreement.
“Initial Securities” means (1) $230,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 issued on the Issue Date and (2) Additional Securities, if any, issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
“Private Exchange” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, to the Initial Purchaser to issue and deliver to the Initial Purchaser, in exchange for the Initial Securities held by the Initial Purchaser as part of its initial distribution, a like aggregate principal amount of Private Exchange Securities.
“Private Exchange Securities” means any 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 issued in connection with a Private Exchange.
“Purchase Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, the Purchase Agreement dated September 29, 2010, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Securities, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Persons purchasing such Additional Securities.
“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.
“Registered Exchange Offer” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Securities, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Securities, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, the Registration Rights Agreement dated October 6, 2010, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Securities issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, the registration rights agreement, if any, among the Company and the Persons purchasing such Additional Securities under the related Purchase Agreement.
“Rule 144A Securities” means all Securities offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.
“Securities” means the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Securities, treated as a single class.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Securities Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Security (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.
2
“Shelf Registration Statement” means the registration statement issued by the Company in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Securities or Private Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.
“Transfer Restricted Securities” means Securities that bear or are required to bear the legend relating to restrictions on transfer relating to the Securities Act set forth in Section 2.3(e) hereto.
1.2 Other Definitions
Term |
Defined in Section: | |
“Agent Members” |
2.1(b) | |
“Global Securities” |
2.1(a) | |
“IAI Global Security” |
2.1(a) | |
“Regulation S” |
2.1(a) | |
“Regulation S Global Security” |
2.1(a) | |
“Rule 144A” |
2.1(a) | |
“Rule 144A Global Security” |
2.1(a) |
2. The Securities.
2.1 (a) Form and Dating. The Initial Securities will be offered and sold by the Company pursuant to a Purchase Agreement. The Initial Securities will be resold initially only to (i) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) and (ii) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”). Initial Securities may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, IAIs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Initial Securities initially resold pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global securities in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Security”); Initial Securities initially resold to IAIs shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Securities in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “IAI Global Security”); and Initial Securities initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary global securities in fully registered form (collectively, the “Regulation S Global Security”), in each case without interest coupons and with the global securities legend and the applicable restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto, which shall be
3
deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Initial Securities represented thereby with the Securities Custodian and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in the Indenture. Except as set forth in this Section 2.1(a), beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Security will not be exchangeable for interests in a Rule 144A Global Security, an IAI Global Security or any other Security prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and then, after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Security or an IAI Global Security only upon certification in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee that (i) beneficial ownership interests in such Regulation S Global Security are owned either by non-U.S. persons or U.S. persons who purchased such interests in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act and (ii) in the case of an exchange for an IAI Global Security, certification that the interest in the Regulation S Global Security is being transferred to an institutional “accredited investor” under the Securities Act that is an institutional accredited investor acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of an institutional accredited investor.
Beneficial interests in Regulation S Global Securities or IAI Global Securities may be exchanged for interests in Rule 144A Global Securities if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of Securities in compliance with Rule 144A and (2) the transferor of the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Security or the IAI Global Security, as applicable, first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in a form satisfactory to the Trustee) to the effect that the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Security or the IAI Global Security, as applicable, is being transferred to a Person (a) who the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB, (b) purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and (c) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.
Beneficial interests in Regulation S Global Securities and Rule 144A Global Securities may be exchanged for an interest in IAI Global Securities if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of the securities in compliance with an exemption under the Securities Act and (2) the transferor of the Regulation S Global Security or Rule 144A Global Security, as applicable, first delivers to the trustee a written certificate (substantially in the form of Exhibit 2) to the effect that (A) the Regulation S Global Security or Rule 144A Global Security, as applicable, is being transferred (a) to an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1),(2),(3) and (7) under the Securities Act that is an institutional investor acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of such an institutional accredited investor, in each case in a minimum principal amount of the securities of $250,000, for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act and (B) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.
Beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Security or an IAI Global Security may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Security, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution
4
Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the Indenture) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable).
The Rule 144A Global Security, the IAI Global Security and the Regulation S Global Security are collectively referred to herein as “Global Securities”. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
(b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to a Global Security deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.
The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(b), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Securities that (a) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Security or Global Securities or the nominee of such Depository and (b) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository.
Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under the Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depository or under such Global Security, and the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Security.
(c) Definitive Securities. Except as provided in this Section 2.1 or Section 2.3 or 2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Securities.
2.2 Authentication. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver: (1) on the Issue Date, an aggregate principal amount of $230,000,000 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015, (2) any Additional Securities for an original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in the written order of the Company pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Indenture and (3) Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities for issue only in a Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, respectively, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, for a like principal amount of Initial Securities, in each case upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated and, in the case of any issuance of Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.03 of the Indenture.
5
2.3 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Securities. When Definitive Securities are presented to the Registrar with a request:
(x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Securities; or
(y) to exchange such Definitive Securities for an equal principal amount of Definitive Securities of other authorized denominations,
the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Securities surrendered for transfer or exchange:
(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and
(ii) if such Definitive Securities are required to bear a restricted securities legend, they are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 2.3(b) or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Definitive Securities are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect; or
(B) if such Definitive Securities are being transferred to the Company, a certification to that effect; or
(C) if such Definitive Securities are being transferred (x) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144A, Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (y) in reliance upon another exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act: (i) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Security) and (ii) if the Company so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section 2.3(e)(i).
6
(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Security for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Security. A Definitive Security may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Security, an IAI Global Security or a Regulation S Global Security except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Security, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:
(i) certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the Security, that such Definitive Security is either (A) being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, (B) being transferred to an IAI or (C) being transferred after expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period by a Person who initially purchased such Security in reliance on Regulation S to a buyer who elects to hold its interest in such Security in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Security; and
(ii) written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Securities Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Rule 144A Global Security (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(A)), IAI Global Security (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(1)(B)) or Regulation S Global Security (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(B)) to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Securities represented by the Rule 144A Global Security, IAI Global Security or Regulation S Global Security, as applicable, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depository account to be credited with such increase,
then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Security and cause, or direct the Securities Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Securities Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Securities represented by the Rule 144A Global Security, IAI Global Security or Regulation S Global Security, as applicable, to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Security to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Security, IAI Global Security or Regulation S Global Security, as applicable, equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Security so canceled. If no Rule 144A Global Securities, IAI Global Securities or Regulation S Global Securities, as applicable, are then outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of the Company, a new Rule 144A Global Security, IAI Global Security or Regulation S Global Security, as applicable, in the appropriate principal amount.
(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities.
(i) The transfer and exchange of Global Securities or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with the Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Security shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in the
7
Global Security. The Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions instruct the Depository to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Security and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Security being transferred.
(ii) If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Security to a beneficial interest in another Global Security, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Security to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security from which such interest is being transferred.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.
(iv) In the event that Global Security is exchanged for Definitive Securities pursuant to Section 2.4 of this Appendix, prior to the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Securities, such Securities may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Securities intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.
(d) Restrictions on Transfer of Regulation S Global Securities. During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in Regulation S Global Securities may only be sold, pledged or transferred in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and only (i) to the Company, (ii) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States.
8
(e) Legend.
(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Security certificate evidencing the Global Securities (and all Securities issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (V) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULES 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE RESTRICTED NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SUCH NOTES OF $250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.
9
Each certificate evidencing a Security offered in reliance on Regulation S shall, in addition to the foregoing, bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
Each Definitive Security shall also bear the following additional legend:
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Security) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a certificated Security that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Security).
(iii) After a transfer of any Initial Securities or Private Exchange Securities pursuant to and during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, all requirements pertaining to legends on such Initial Security or such Private Exchange
10
Security will cease to apply, the requirements requiring any such Initial Security or such Private Exchange Security issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will cease to apply, and a certificated Initial Security or Private Exchange Security or an Initial Security or Private Exchange Security in global form, in each case without restrictive transfer legends, will be available to the transferee of the Holder of such Initial Securities or Private Exchange Securities upon exchange of such transferring Holder’s certificated Initial Security or Private Exchange Security or directions to transfer such Holder’s interest in the Global Security, as applicable.
(iv) Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Securities, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Securities that Initial Securities issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to Holders of such Initial Securities that do not exchange their Initial Securities, and Exchange Securities in certificated or global form, in each case without the restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto will be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Securities in such Registered Exchange Offer.
(v) Upon the consummation of a Private Exchange with respect to the Initial Securities, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Securities that Initial Securities issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to Holders of such Initial Securities that do not exchange their Initial Securities, and Private Exchange Securities in global form with the global securities legend and the applicable restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto will be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Securities in such Private Exchange.
(f) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Security. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Security have either been exchanged for Definitive Securities, redeemed, purchased or canceled, such Global Security shall be returned to the Depository for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for certificated Securities, redeemed, purchased or canceled, the principal amount of Securities represented by such Global Security shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Securities Custodian for such Global Security) with respect to such Global Security, by the Trustee or the Securities Custodian, to reflect such reduction.
(g) No Obligation of the Trustee.
(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to
11
the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under the Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of the Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
(iii) The Trustee shall have no responsibility for any action taken or not taken by the Depository.
2.4 Definitive Securities.
(a) A Global Security deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as Securities Custodian for the Depository pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security, in exchange for such Global Security, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.3 hereof and (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security and the Depository fails to appoint a successor depository or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act, in either case, and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (iii) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Securities under the Indenture.
(b) Any Global Security that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee located at its principal corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, located at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 0000, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in
12
part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Securities of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Security transferred pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any Definitive Security delivered in exchange for an interest in the Transfer Restricted Security shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.3(e) hereof, bear the applicable restricted securities legend and definitive securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b) hereof, the registered Holder of a Global Security shall be entitled to grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under the Indenture or the Securities.
(d) In the event of the occurrence of one of the events specified in Section 2.4(a) hereof, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Securities in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons. In the event that such Definitive Securities are not issued, the Company expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Section 6.06 of the Indenture, the right of any beneficial owner of Securities to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial owner’s Securities as if such Definitive Securities had been issued.
13
EXHIBIT 1
to
RULE 144A/REGULATION S/IAI APPENDIX
[FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL SECURITY]
[Global Securities Legend]
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.
[[FOR REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY ONLY] UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.]
[Restricted Securities Legend for Securities]
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (V) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULES 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE RESTRICTED NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SUCH NOTES OF $250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.
[Restricted Securities Legend for Securities Offered in Reliance on Regulation S.]
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
[Definitive Securities Legend]
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
[Original Issue Discount Legend]
2
THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1271 ET SEQ. OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. A HOLDER MAY OBTAIN THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY FOR SUCH NOTE BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH INFORMATION TO: ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC., 0000 XXXXXXXXXX XXXXX, XXXXX 000, XXXXXXX, XX 00000, ATTENTION OF: XXXXXX X. XXXXXX, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
3
No. | $ |
10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015
Rotech Healthcare Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to , or registered assigns, the principal sum of Dollars on October 15, 2015.
Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing April 15, 2011.
Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.
Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this Security.
Dated:
ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC. | ||||||||||
By: | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Name: | ||||||||||
Title: | ||||||||||
By: | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Name: | ||||||||||
Title: |
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
as Trustee, certifies
that this is one of
the Securities referred
to in the Indenture.
By: | ||||
Authorized Signatory |
4
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL SECURITY]
10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015
1. | Interest |
Rotech Healthcare Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above; provided, however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on this Security at a rate of 0.25% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum after each consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration Default occurs up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.00%) from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. Within a reasonable amount of time following the occurrence of a Registration Default, the Company will provide notice to the Trustee of such Registration Default. The Company will pay interest semiannually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing April 15, 2011. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from October 6, 2010. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company will pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by this Security plus 1.00% per annum, and it will pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
2. | Method of Payment |
The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close of business on the April 1 or October 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a certificated Security (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a certificated Security will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).
5
3. | Maturity |
The Securities will mature on October 15, 2015; provided, that the maturity date of the Securities will be automatically shortened to December 31, 2011, unless prior to November 30, 2011, the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes that have not been canceled in accordance with the indenture governing the Existing Notes is less than or equal to $10,000,000. Within 15 days following the date on which the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes that have not been canceled in accordance with the indenture governing the Existing Notes has been reduced to an amount less than or equal to $10,000,000, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee stating that such condition has been satisfied and providing the balance of the Existing Notes outstanding as of the date of the such notice.
4. | Paying Agent and Registrar |
Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.
5. | Indenture |
The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of October 6, 2010 (“Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “Act”). Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.
The Securities are general secured obligations of the Company. The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03 of the Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any Additional Securities and all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities issued in exchange therefor will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture. The Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase capital stock; make investments; issue or sell capital stock of subsidiaries; engage in transactions with affiliates; create liens on assets; transfer or sell assets; guarantee indebtedness; restrict dividends or other payments of subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets and the assets of its subsidiaries; and engage in sale/leaseback transactions. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications.
6
6. | Optional Redemption |
Except as set forth below, the Company shall not be entitled to redeem the Securities.
On and after April 15, 2013, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Securities upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount on the redemption date), plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed on or after the dates set forth below:
Period |
Redemption Price | |
April 15, 2013 - October 14, 2013 |
105.375% | |
October 15, 2013 - October 14, 2014 |
102.688% | |
October 15, 2014 and thereafter |
100.000% |
Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.
In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2013, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 110.750%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), with the Net Cash Proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided, however, that (1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Securities (which includes Additional Securities and Exchange Securities, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than Securities held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the date of the related Equity Offering.
Prior to April 15, 2013, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Securities at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date). The Company shall cause notice of such redemption to be mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date.
7
7. | Notice of Redemption |
The Company shall cause notices of redemption to be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Securities or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. Any defect in the notice of redemption, including a failure to give notice, to any Holder selected for redemption will not impair or affect the validity of the redemption of any other Security redeemed in accordance with provisions of the Indenture. The Company will redeem Securities in denominations of $2,000 or less in whole and not in part. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent by 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.
8. | Put Provisions |
Upon a Change of Control, any Holder of Securities will have the right to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of such Holder at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Securities to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.
9. | Guarantee |
The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium and interest on, the Securities is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior secured basis by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the extent set forth in the Indenture.
10. | Security |
The Securities will be secured by first-priority security interests (subject to Permitted Collateral Liens) in the Collateral. Subject to exceptions described in the Indenture and the Collateral Agreement, the Collateral consists of substantially all of the property and assets of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
11. | Denominations; Transfer; Exchange |
The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.
8
12. | Persons Deemed Owners |
The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
13. | Unclaimed Money |
If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.
14. | Discharge and Defeasance |
Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be entitled to terminate some or all of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations under the Securities, the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.
15. | Amendment; Waiver |
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (a) the Indenture, the Securities, the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities and (b) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture, the Securities, the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, or to comply with Article 5 of the Indenture, or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to add Guarantees with respect to the Securities, including Subsidiary Guarantees, or to secure the Securities, or to add additional covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, or to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Act, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder, or to make amendments to provisions of the Indenture relating to the form, authentication, transfer and legending of the Securities.
9
16. | Defaults and Remedies |
Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (a) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Securities; (b) default in payment of principal on the Securities at maturity, upon redemption pursuant to Section 6 of the Securities, upon acceleration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Securities when required; (c) failure by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (d) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds $10,000,000; (e) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries; (f) certain judgments or decrees for the payment of money in excess of $10,000,000; (g) certain defaults with respect to Subsidiary Guarantees; and (h) certain defaults relating to the Collateral under the Security Documents. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately. In the event of an acceleration that occurs prior to October 15, 2014, an amount will also become due and payable as of the day immediately preceding the day that the Securities were accelerated equal to the premium that would then be payable by the Company if the Company elected to redeem the Securities at its option on such date pursuant to the provisions described in Section 6 above. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in the Securities being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.
Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Securities unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.
17. | Trustee Dealings with the Company |
Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
18. | No Recourse Against Others |
A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
10
19. Authentication
This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.
20. Abbreviations
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
21. CUSIP Numbers
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
22. Holders’ Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement
Each Holder of a Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.
23. Governing Law
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Securityholder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Security in larger type. Requests may be made to:
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention of: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Chief Legal Officer
11
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Security to
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
| ||
Date:___________________ |
Your Signature:_______________________________________________________________________ | |
|
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.
In connection with any transfer of any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144 under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original issuance of such Securities and the last date, if any, on which such Securities were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that such Securities are being transferred in accordance with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
¨ | to the Company; or |
(1) | ¨ | pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or | ||
(2) | ¨ | inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or | ||
(3) | ¨ | outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or |
12
(4) | ¨ | pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or | ||
(5) | ¨ | to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1),(2),(3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements. |
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (4) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Securities, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.
|
Signature |
Signature Guarantee:
|
| |
Signature must be guaranteed | Signature |
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
13
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
Dated: |
|
| ||||||
Notice: | To be executed by | |||||||
an executive officer |
14
[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY
The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in |
Amount of increase in Principal |
Principal amount of this Global |
Signature of authorized officer |
15
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture, check the box: ¨
¨ If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount: $
Dated:_________________________ | Your Signature: |
| ||
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.) |
Signature Guarantee: |
| |
(Signature must be guaranteed) |
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
16
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY
OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITY]
[Original Issue Discount Legend]
THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1271 ET SEQ. OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. A HOLDER MAY OBTAIN THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY FOR SUCH NOTE BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH INFORMATION TO: ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC., 0000 XXXXXXXXXX XXXXX, XXXXX 000, XXXXXXX, XX 00000, ATTENTION OF: XXXXXX X. XXXXXX, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
*/ | If the Security is to be issued in global form add the Global Securities Legend from Exhibit 1 to Appendix A and the attachment from such Exhibit 1 captioned “[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES] - SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY”. |
**/. | If the Security is a Private Exchange Security issued in a Private Exchange to an Initial Purchaser holding an unsold portion of its initial allotment, add the Restricted Securities Legend from Exhibit 1 to Appendix A and replace the Assignment Form included in this Exhibit A with the Assignment Form included in such Exhibit 1. |
No. | $ |
10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015
Rotech Healthcare Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to , or registered assigns, the principal sum of Dollars on October 15, 2015.
Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing April 15, 2011.
Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.
Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this Security.
Dated:
ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC,. | ||||||||||
By: | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Name: | ||||||||||
Title: | ||||||||||
By: | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Name: | ||||||||||
Title: |
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. | ||
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities referred to in the Indenture. | ||
By: |
| |
Authorized Signatory |
2
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY
OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITY]
10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015
1. Interest
Rotech Healthcare Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above[; provided, however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on this Security at a rate of 0.25% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum after each consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration Default occurs up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.00%) from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. Within a reasonable amount of time following the occurrence of a Registration Default, the Company will provide notice to the Trustee of such Registration Default.]1 The Company will pay interest semiannually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing April 15, 2011. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from October 6, 2010. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company will pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by this Security plus 1.00% per annum, and it will pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
2. Method of Payment
The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close of business on the April 1 or October 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a certificated Security (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a certificated Security will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by
1 | Insert if at the date of issuance of the Exchange Security or Private Exchange Security (as the case may be) any Registration Default has occurred with respect to the related Initial Securities during the interest period in which such date of issuance occurs. |
3
the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).
3. Maturity
The Securities will mature on October 15, 2015; provided, that the maturity date of the Securities will be automatically shortened to December 31, 2011, unless prior to November 30, 2011, the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes that have not been canceled in accordance with the indenture governing the Existing Notes is less than or equal to $10,000,000. Within 15 days following the date on which the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes that have not been canceled in accordance with the indenture governing the Existing Notes has been reduced to an amount less than or equal to $10,000,000, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee stating that such condition has been satisfied and providing the balance of the Existing Notes outstanding as of the date of the such notice.
4. Paying Agent and Registrar
Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.
5. Indenture
The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of October 6, 2010 (“Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “Act”). Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.
The Securities are general secured obligations of the Company. The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03 of the Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any Additional Securities and all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities issued in exchange therefor will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture. The Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase capital stock; make investments; issue or sell capital stock of subsidiaries; engage in transactions with affiliates; create liens on assets; transfer or sell assets; guarantee indebtedness; restrict dividends or other payments of subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets and the assets of its subsidiaries; and engage in sale/leaseback transactions. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications.
4
6. Optional Redemption
Except as set forth below, the Company shall not be entitled to redeem the Securities.
On and after April 15, 2013, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Securities upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount on the redemption date), plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed on or after the dates set forth below:
Period |
Redemption Price |
||
April 15, 2013 - October 14, 2013 |
105.375 | % | |
October 15, 2013 - October 14, 2014 |
102.688 | % | |
October 15, 2014 and thereafter |
100.000 | % |
Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.
In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2013, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 110.750%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), with the Net Cash Proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided, however, that (1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Securities (which includes Additional Securities and Exchange Securities, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than Securities held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the date of the related Equity Offering.
Prior to April 15, 2013, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Securities at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date). The Company shall cause notice of such redemption to be mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date.
5
7. Notice of Redemption
The Company shall cause notices of redemption to be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Securities or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. Any defect in the notice of redemption, including a failure to give notice, to any Holder selected for redemption will not impair or affect the validity of the redemption of any other Security redeemed in accordance with provisions of the Indenture. The Company will redeem Securities in denominations of $2,000 or less in whole and not in part. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent by 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.
8. Put Provisions
Upon a Change of Control, any Holder of Securities will have the right to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of such Holder at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Securities to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.
9. Guarantee
The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium and interest on, the Securities is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior secured basis by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the extent set forth in the Indenture.
10. Security
The Securities will be secured by first-priority security interests (subject to Permitted Collateral Liens) in the Collateral. Subject to exceptions described in the Indenture and the Collateral Agreement, the Collateral consists of substantially all of the property and assets of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
11. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange
The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among
6
other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.
12. Persons Deemed Owners
The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
13. Unclaimed Money
If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.
14. Discharge and Defeasance
Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be entitled to terminate some or all of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations under the Securities, the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.
15. Amendment; Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (a) the Indenture, the Securities, the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities and (b) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture, the Securities, the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, or to comply with Article 5 of the Indenture, or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to add Guarantees with respect to the Securities, including Subsidiary Guarantees, or to secure the Securities, or to add additional covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, or to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Act, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder, or to make amendments to provisions of the Indenture relating to the form, authentication, transfer and legending of the Securities.
7
16. Defaults and Remedies
Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (a) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Securities; (b) default in payment of principal on the Securities at maturity, upon redemption pursuant to Section 6 of the Securities, upon acceleration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Securities when required; (c) failure by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (d) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds $10,000,000; (e) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries; (f) certain judgments or decrees for the payment of money in excess of $10,000,000; (g) certain defaults with respect to Subsidiary Guarantees; and (h) certain defaults relating to the Collateral under the Security Documents. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately. In the event of an acceleration that occurs prior to October 15, 2014, an amount will also become due and payable as of the day immediately preceding the day that the Securities were accelerated equal to the premium that would then be payable by the Company if the Company elected to redeem the Securities at its option on such date pursuant to the provisions described in Section 6 above. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in the Securities being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.
Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Securities unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.
17. Trustee Dealings with the Company
Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
18. No Recourse Against Others
A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
8
19. Authentication
This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.
20. Abbreviations
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
21. CUSIP Numbers
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
[22. Holders’ Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement
Each Holder of a Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.]2
23. Governing Law
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Securityholder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Security in larger type. Requests may be made to:
Rotech Healthcare Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention of: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Chief Legal Officer
2 | Delete if this Security is not being issued in exchange for an Initial Security. |
9
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Security to
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
|
||||||||||
Date: |
|
Your Signature: |
|
|||||||
|
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.
10
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture, check the box: ¨
¨ If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount: $
Dated: | Your Signature: |
| ||||
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.) |
Signature Guarantee: |
| |
(Signature must be guaranteed) |
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
11
EXHIBIT 2 to Rule 144A/REGULATION S/IAI APPENDIX
Form of
Transferee Letter of Representation
Rotech Healthcare Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
In care of
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Chief Legal Officer
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $[ ] principal amount of the 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 (the “Securities”) of Rotech Healthcare Inc. (the “Company”).
Upon transfer, the Securities would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:
Name: |
|
Address: |
|
Taxpayer ID Number: |
|
The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:
1. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor” at least $250,000 principal amount of the Securities, and we are acquiring the Securities not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Securities, and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Securities in the normal course of our business. We, and any accounts for which we are acting, are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.
2. We understand that the Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Securities to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Securities prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which the Company or any affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Securities (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) only (i) to the
i
Company, (ii) in the United States to a person whom the seller reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (iii) outside the United States in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act, (iv) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144 (if available), (v) to an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act that is acquiring the Securities for its own account or for the account of such an institutional accredited investor in each case in a minimum principal amount of the Securities of $250,000, for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act or (vi) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each of cases (i) through (vi) subject to any requirement of law that the disposition of our property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within our or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Securities is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (iii) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Company and the Trustee, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act and that it is acquiring such Securities for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Company and the Trustee reserve the right prior to the offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Securities pursuant to clause (iii), (iv) or (v) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications or other information satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee.
TRANSFEREE: |
|
, | ||
by: |
ii
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF PARI PASSU
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
FORM OF
PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
dated as of [ ],
among
ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC.,
the other GRANTORS party hereto,
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
in its capacity as the Collateral Agent and
the Authorized Representative for the Indenture Secured Parties,
[ ],
as the Initial Additional Authorized Representative,
and
each ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE from time to time party
hereto
PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [ ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), among ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the other GRANTORS (as defined below) party hereto, THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) and as the Authorized Representative for the Indenture Secured Parties in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture (as defined below) (in such capacity, the “Trustee”), [ ], as the Authorized Representative for the Initial Additional Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “Initial Additional Authorized Representative”) and each Additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto, as the Authorized Representative for any Secured Parties of any other Class.
In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Collateral Agent, the Trustee, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, and each Additional Authorized Representative, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
SECTION 1.01. Certain Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture referred to below. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
“Additional Authorized Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VI.
“Additional Authorized Representative Joinder Agreement” means a supplement to this Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit I, appropriately completed.
“Additional First Lien Documents” means the indentures or other agreements under which Additional First Lien Obligations of any Class are issued or incurred and all other notes, instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing Additional First Lien Obligations of such Class or providing any guarantee, Lien or other right in respect thereof.
B-2
“Additional First Lien Obligations” means all obligations of the Issuer and the other Grantors that shall have been designated as such pursuant to Article VI.
“Additional Secured Parties” means the holders of any Additional First Lien Obligations.
“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
“Applicable Authorized Representative” means [ ] until such time as [ ] ceases to represent the largest principal amount outstanding of any Class of First Lien Obligations (a “Larger Holder Event”). Following a Larger Holder Event, the Authorized Representative for the Class representing the largest principal amount of outstanding First Lien Obligations shall become the Applicable Authorized Representative. The Applicable Authorized Representative will remain as such until the earlier of (1) the occurrence of a subsequent Larger Holder Event and (2) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, and after such earlier date the Applicable Authorized Representative shall be the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative.
“Authorized Representatives” means the Trustee, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative and each Additional Authorized Representative.
“Bankruptcy Case” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06.
“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.
“Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar Federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.
“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
“Class”, when used in reference to (a) any First Lien Obligations, refers to whether such First Lien Obligations are the Noteholder Claims, the Initial Additional First Lien Obligations or the Additional First Lien Obligations of any Series, (b) any Authorized Representative, refers to whether such Authorized Representative is the Trustee, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative or the Additional Authorized Representative with respect to the Additional First Lien Obligations of any Series, (c) any Secured Parties, refers to whether such Secured Parties are the Indenture Secured Parties, the Initial Additional Secured Parties or the Additional Secured Parties and (d) any First Lien Credit Documents, refers to whether such First Lien Credit Documents are the Noteholder Documents, the Initial Additional First Lien Documents or the Additional First Lien Documents with respect to Additional First Lien Obligations of any Series.
B-3
“Collateral” means all assets of the Grantors now or hereafter subject to a Lien created pursuant to any First Lien Security Document to secure any First Lien Obligations.
“Collateral Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
“Company” means Rotech Healthcare Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Controlling Secured Parties” means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Secured Parties of the same Class as the Authorized Representative that is the Applicable Authorized Representative with respect to such Shared Collateral at such time.
“Default” means a “Default” (or a similar event, however denominated) as defined in any First Lien Credit Document.
“DIP Financing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06.
“DIP Financing Liens” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06.
“DIP Lenders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06.
“Discharge” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral and First Lien Obligations of any Class, the date on which First Lien Obligations of such Class are no longer secured by Liens on such Shared Collateral. The term “Discharged” shall have a corresponding meaning.
“Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” (or a similar event, however denominated) as defined in any First Lien Credit Document.
“First Lien Credit Documents” means, collectively, (a) the Noteholder Documents, (b) the Initial Additional First Lien Documents and (c) the Additional First Lien Documents.
“First Lien Obligations” means (a) all the Noteholder Claims, (b) all the Initial Additional First Lien Obligations and (c) all the Additional First Lien Obligations.
“First Lien Security Documents” means the Security Documents (as defined in the Indenture) and each other agreement entered into in favor of the Collateral Agent for the purpose of securing First Lien Obligations of any Class.
“Grantor Joinder Agreement” means a supplement to this Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit II, appropriately completed.
“Grantors” means, at any time, the Issuer, the Company and each of their respective Subsidiaries that, at such time, has granted a security interest in any of its assets pursuant to any Security Document to secure any First Lien Obligations of any Class. The Persons that are Grantors on the date hereof are set forth on Schedule I.
B-4
“Impairment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02.
“Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of October 6, 2010 among the Issuer, the Trustee and the other parties thereto.
“Indenture Secured Parties” means the Persons holding Noteholder Claims, including the Collateral Agent and the Trustee.
“Initial Additional Authorized Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
“Initial Additional First Lien Documents” means that certain [ ] dated as of [ ], among the Issuer, [the guarantors identified therein] and [ ], and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing Initial Additional First Lien Obligations or providing any guarantee, Lien or other right in respect thereof.
“Initial Additional First Lien Obligations” has the meaning assigned to the term [ ] in the Initial Additional First Lien Documents.
“Initial Additional Secured Parties” means the holders of any Initial Additional First Lien Obligations.
“Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:
(a) any case commenced by or against any Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of any Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to any Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to any Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;
(b) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to any Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or
(c) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of any Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.
“Intervening Creditor” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02.
“Intervening Lien” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02.
B-5
“Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Authorized Representative of the same Class as the Class of the First Lien Obligations (other than the First Lien Obligations of the same Class as the Class of the Controlling Secured Parties with respect to such Shared Collateral) secured by valid and perfected Liens on such Shared Collateral the aggregate amount of which exceeds the aggregate amount of First Lien Obligations of any other Class (other than the First Lien Obligations of the same Class as the Class of the Controlling Secured Parties with respect to such Shared Collateral) secured by valid and perfected Liens on such Shared Collateral.
“Non-Controlling Authorized Representative” means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, any Authorized Representative that is not the Applicable Authorized Representative at such time with respect to such Shared Collateral.
“Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date” means, with respect to any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative in respect of any Shared Collateral, the date that is 90 days (at the conclusion of which 90-day period such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative was the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative with respect to such Shared Collateral) after the occurrence of both (a) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional First Lien Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) and (b) the Collateral Agent’s and each other Authorized Representative’s receipt of written notice from such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative certifying that (i) such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative with respect to such Shared Collateral and that an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional First Lien Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) has occurred and is continuing and (ii) the First Lien Obligations of the Class with respect to which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the Additional First Lien Documents of such Class; provided that the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur (and shall be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes hereof) with respect to any Shared Collateral (A) at any time the Collateral Agent has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to such Shared Collateral (or the Trustee shall have instructed the Collateral Agent to do the same) or (B) at any time the Grantor that has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.
“Non-Controlling Secured Parties” means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Secured Parties that are not Controlling Secured Parties at such time with respect to such Shared Collateral.
“Noteholder Claims” shall mean all Obligations in respect of the Notes or arising under the Noteholder Documents or any of them, including all fees and expenses of the Collateral Agent and the Trustee thereunder.
B-6
“Noteholder Collateral” shall mean all of the assets of any Grantor, whether real, personal or mixed, with respect to which a Lien is granted as security for any Noteholder Claim.
“Noteholder Collateral Agreement” shall mean the Collateral Agreement dated as of October 6, 2010, among the Issuer, the Grantors party thereto and the Collateral Agent in respect of the Indenture.
“Noteholder Collateral Documents” shall mean the Noteholder Collateral Agreement and any other document or instrument pursuant to which a Lien is granted by any Grantor to secure any Noteholder Claims or under which rights or remedies with respect to any such Lien are governed.
“Noteholder Documents” shall mean (a) the Indenture, the Notes and the Noteholder Collateral Documents and (b) any other related document or instrument executed and delivered pursuant to any Noteholder Document described in clause (a) above evidencing or governing any Obligations thereunder.
“Notes” shall mean any securities issued under the Indenture.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Possessory Collateral” means any Shared Collateral in the possession of the Collateral Agent (or its agents or bailees), to the extent that possession thereof perfects a Lien thereon under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction.
“Proceeds” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(b).
“Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, purchase, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness, in whole or in part. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.
“Related Secured Parties” means, with respect to the Authorized Representative of any Class, the Secured Parties of such Class.
“Secured Parties” means (a) the Indenture Secured Parties, (b) the Initial Additional Secured Parties and (c) the Additional Secured Parties.
“Series”, when used in reference to Additional First Lien Obligations, refers to such Additional First Lien Obligations as shall have been issued or incurred pursuant to the same indentures or other agreements and with respect to which the same Person acts as the Authorized Representative.
B-7
“Shared Collateral” means, at any time, Collateral on which the Collateral Agent shall have at such time a valid and perfected Lien for the benefit of Secured Parties of any two or more Classes. If First Lien Obligations of more than two Classes are outstanding at any time, then any Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral with respect to First Lien Obligations or Secured Parties of any Class only if the Collateral Agent has at such time a valid and perfected Lien on such Collateral securing First Lien Obligations of such Class for the benefit of the Secured Parties of such Class.
“Trustee” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
“Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the applicable jurisdiction.
SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise, (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the subsidiaries of such Person unless express reference is made to such subsidiaries, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
SECTION 1.03. Concerning the Collateral Agent and the Authorized Representatives. (a) Each acknowledgement, agreement, consent and waiver (whether express or implied) in this Agreement made by the Collateral Agent and the Trustee, whether on behalf of itself or, in the case of the Trustee, on behalf of any other Indenture Secured Party, is made in reliance on the authority granted to the Collateral Agent and the Trustee pursuant to the authorization thereof under the Indenture. It is understood and agreed that the Collateral Agent and the Trustee shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into whether any other Indenture Secured Party is in compliance with the terms of this Agreement, and no party hereto or any other Secured Party shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Collateral Agent or the Trustee for any failure of any other Indenture Secured Party to comply with the terms hereof or for any other Indenture Secured Party taking any action contrary to the terms hereof.
B-8
(b) Each acknowledgement, agreement, consent and waiver (whether express or implied) in this Agreement made by the Authorized Representative of any Class not referred to in paragraph (a) above, whether on behalf of itself or any of its Related Secured Parties, is made in reliance on the authority granted to such Authorized Representative pursuant to the authorization thereof under the First Lien Credit Documents of such Class. It is understood and agreed that any such Authorized Representative shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into whether any of its Related Secured Parties is in compliance with the terms of this Agreement, and no party hereto or any other Secured Party shall have any right of action whatsoever against such Authorized Representative for any failure of any of its Related Secured Parties to comply with the terms hereof or for any of its Related Secured Parties taking any action contrary to the terms hereof.
ARTICLE II
Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral
SECTION 2.01. Equal Priority. (a) Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Lien on any Shared Collateral securing First Lien Obligations of any Class, and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, any other applicable law or any First Lien Credit Document, or any other circumstance whatsoever (but, in each case, subject to Section 2.02), each Authorized Representative, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, agrees that valid and perfected Liens on any Shared Collateral securing First Lien Obligations of any Class shall be of equal priority with valid and perfected Liens on such Shared Collateral securing First Lien Obligations of any other Class.
(b) Each Authorized Representative, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of any First Lien Credit Document to the contrary (but subject to Section 2.02), if (i) an Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing and such Authorized Representative or any of its Related Secured Parties is taking action to enforce rights or exercise remedies in respect of any Shared Collateral, (ii) any distribution is made in respect of any Shared Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or (iii) such Authorized Representative or any of its Related Secured Parties receives any payment with respect to any Shared Collateral pursuant to any intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement), then the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any Shared Collateral obtained by such Authorized Representative or any of its Related Secured Parties on account of such enforcement of rights or exercise of remedies, and any such distributions or payments received by such Authorized Representative or any of its Related Secured Parties (all such proceeds, distributions and payments being collectively referred to as “Proceeds”), shall be applied as follows:
(1) FIRST, to the payment of all amounts owing to the Collateral Agent (in its capacity as such) pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents and the Indenture, including all costs and expenses incurred by the Collateral Agent in
B-9
connection with such sale, collection or other liquidation, or such other enforcement of rights or exercise of remedies (including all court costs and the fees and expenses of their agents and legal counsel), the repayment of all advances made by the Collateral Agent, any other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or thereunder, and all other fees, indemnities and other amounts owing or reimbursable to the Collateral Agent under any First Lien Credit Document in its capacity as such;
(2) SECOND, to the payment of all amounts owing to Authorized Representatives (in their capacity as such);
(3) THIRD, to the payment in full of the First Lien Obligations of each Class secured by a valid and perfected Lien on such Shared Collateral at the time due and payable (the amounts so applied to be distributed ratably in accordance with the amounts of the outstanding First Lien Obligations of each such Class on the date of such application); provided that amounts applied under this clause THIRD during any period when the First Lien Obligations of any such Class shall not be due and payable in full shall be allocated to the First Lien Obligations of such Class as if such First Lien Obligations were at the time due and payable in full, and any amounts allocated to the payment of the First Lien Obligations of such Class that are not yet due and payable shall be transferred to, and held by, the Authorized Representative of such Class solely as collateral for the First Lien Obligations of such Class (and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for purposes hereof) until the date on which the First Lien Obligations of such Class shall have become due and payable in full (at which time such amounts shall be applied to the payment thereof); and
(4) FOURTH, after payment in full of all the First Lien Obligations, to the Issuer and the other Grantors or their successors or assigns, as their interests may appear, to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same pursuant to any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
(c) It is acknowledged that the First Lien Obligations of any Class may, subject to the limitations set forth in the First Lien Credit Documents, be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, Refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in Section 2.01(a) or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the Secured Parties of any Class.
SECTION 2.02. Impairments. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Secured Parties of each Class (and not the Secured Parties of any other Class) bear the risk of (a) any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that (i) any First Lien Obligations of such Class are unenforceable under applicable law or are subordinated to any other obligations (other than to any First Lien Obligations of any other Class), (ii) any First Lien Obligations of such Class do not have a valid and perfected Lien on any of the Collateral securing any First Lien Obligations of any other Class and/or (iii) any
B-10
Person (other than any Authorized Representative or any Secured Party) has a Lien on any Shared Collateral that is senior in priority to the Lien on such Shared Collateral securing First Lien Obligations of such Class, but junior to the Lien on such Shared Collateral securing any First Lien Obligations of any other Class (any such Lien being referred to as an “Intervening Lien”, and any such Person being referred to as an “Intervening Creditor”), or (b) the existence of any Collateral securing First Lien Obligations of any other Class that does not constitute Shared Collateral with respect to First Lien Obligations of such Class (any condition referred to in clause (a) or (b) with respect to First Lien Obligations of such Class being referred to as an “Impairment” of such Class). In the event an Impairment exists with respect to First Lien Obligations of any Class, the results of such Impairment shall be borne solely by the Secured Parties of such Class, and the rights of the Secured Parties of such Class (including the right to receive distributions in respect of First Lien Obligations of such Class pursuant to Section 2.01(b)) set forth herein shall be modified to the extent necessary so that the results of such Impairment are borne solely by the Secured Parties of such Class. In furtherance of the foregoing, in the event First Lien Obligations of any Class shall be subject to an Impairment in the form of an Intervening Lien of any Intervening Creditor, the value of any Shared Collateral or Proceeds that are allocated to such Intervening Creditor shall be deducted solely from the Shared Collateral or Proceeds to be distributed in respect of First Lien Obligations of such Class. In addition, in the event the First Lien Obligations of any Class are modified pursuant to applicable law (including pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code), any reference to the First Lien Obligations of such Class or the First Lien Documents of such Class shall refer to such obligations or such documents as so modified.
SECTION 2.03. Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Certain Contests. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the First Lien Credit Documents (other than this Agreement), (i) only the Collateral Agent shall, and shall have the right to, exercise, or refrain from exercising, any rights, remedies and powers with respect to the Shared Collateral, including any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon any Shared Collateral and any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral under any intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement), and then only on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative, (ii) the Collateral Agent shall not be required to, and shall not, follow any instructions or directions with respect to Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) from any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative (or any other Secured Party, other than the Applicable Authorized Representative), it being understood and agreed that, notwithstanding any such instruction or direction by the Applicable Authorized Representative, the Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion, could expose the Collateral Agent to liability or be contrary to any First Lien Document or applicable law, and (iii) no Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or any other Secured Party (other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) shall, or shall instruct the Collateral Agent to, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, take any other action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or exercise any other right, remedy or power with respect to
B-11
(including any right, remedy or power under any intercreditor agreement other than this Agreement) any Shared Collateral, whether under any First Lien Credit Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Collateral Agent, acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative and in accordance with the applicable First Lien Security Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such rights, remedies and powers with respect to Shared Collateral. Notwithstanding the equal priority of the Liens established under Section 2.01(a), the Collateral Agent (acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative) may deal with the Shared Collateral as if the Collateral Agent had a senior Lien on such Collateral. No Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or Non-Controlling Secured Party will contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Collateral Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or any Controlling Secured Party, or any other exercise by the Collateral Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or any Controlling Secured Party of any rights, remedies or powers with respect to the Shared Collateral, or seek to cause the Collateral Agent to do so. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the rights and priorities of the Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other Secured Party with respect to any Collateral not constituting Shared Collateral.
(b) The Collateral Agent and each of the Authorized Representatives agrees that it will not accept any Lien on any asset of any Grantor securing First Lien Obligations of any Class for the benefit of any Secured Party of such Class other than pursuant to the First Lien Security Documents, other than (i) any funds deposited for the discharge or defeasance of First Lien Obligations of any Class and (ii) any rights of set-off created under the First Lien Credit Documents of any Class.
(c) Each of the Authorized Representatives agrees, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, that neither such Authorized Representative nor its Related Secured Parties will (and each hereby waives any right to) challenge or contest or support any other Person in challenging or contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), (i) the validity, attachment, creation, perfection, priority or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent or any other Authorized Representative or any of its Related Secured Parties in all or any part of the Collateral, (ii) the validity, enforceability or effectiveness of any First Lien Obligation of any Class or any First Lien Security Document of any Class or (iii) the validity, enforceability or effectiveness of the priorities, rights or duties established by, or other provisions of, this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or any of its Related Secured Parties to enforce this Agreement.
SECTION 2.04. No Interference; Payment Over. (a) Each of the Authorized Representatives, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, agrees that (i) neither such Authorized Representative nor its Related Secured Parties will (and each hereby waives any right to) take or cause to be taken any action the purpose of which is, or could reasonably be expected to be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral by the Collateral Agent, (ii) except as provided in
B-12
Section 2.03, neither such Authorized Representative nor its Related Secured Parties shall have any right (A) to direct the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement) or (B) to consent to the exercise by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral, (iii) neither such Authorized Representative nor its Related Secured Parties will (and each hereby waives any right to) institute any suit or proceeding, or assert in any suit or proceeding any claim, against the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to any Shared Collateral, and none of the Collateral Agent, any Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Secured Party shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Collateral Agent, such Applicable Authorized Representative or such other Secured Party with respect to any Shared Collateral in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and (iv) neither such Authorized Representative nor its Related Secured Parties will (and each hereby waives any right to) seek to have any Shared Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Shared Collateral; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Collateral Agent or any Authorized Representative or any of its Related Secured Parties to enforce this Agreement.
(b) Each Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and its Related Secured Parties, agrees that if such Authorized Representative or any of its Related Secured Parties shall at any time obtain possession of any Shared Collateral or receive any Proceeds (other than as a result of any application of Proceeds pursuant to Section 2.01(b)) at any time prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations of each other Class, (i) such Authorized Representative or its Related Secured Party, as the case may be, shall promptly inform each Authorized Representative thereof, (ii) such Authorized Representative or its Related Secured Party shall hold such Shared Collateral or Proceeds in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties of any Class entitled thereto pursuant to Section 2.01(b) and (iii) such Authorized Representative or its Related Secured Party shall promptly transfer such Shared Collateral or Proceeds to the Collateral Agent, for distribution in accordance with Section 2.01(b).
SECTION 2.05. Automatic Release of Liens; Amendments to First Lien Security Documents. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the First Lien Credit Documents or First Lien Security Documents (but subject to the provisions of Section 11.02 of the Indenture in the case of the release of the “Collateral” (as defined in the Indenture) from the Liens of the Security Documents), if at any time the Collateral Agent forecloses upon or otherwise exercises rights, remedies and powers against any Shared Collateral resulting in a disposition thereof, then (whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending at the time) the Liens on such Shared Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties of all Classes, will automatically be released and discharged; provided that any Proceeds realized therefrom shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.01(b).
B-13
(b) Each of the Authorized Representatives, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Collateral Agent may enter into any amendment or other modification to any First Lien Security Document so long as the Collateral Agent receives a certificate of the Issuer stating that such amendment or other modification is permitted by the terms of the First Lien Credit Documents of each Class and (ii) the Collateral Agent may enter into any amendment or other modification to any First Lien Security Document solely as such First Lien Security Document relates to First Lien Obligations of a particular Class so long as (A) such amendment or modification is in accordance with the First Lien Credit Documents of such Class and (B) such amendment or modification does not adversely affect the interests of the Secured Parties of any other Class.
(c) Each Authorized Representative agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such consents, confirmations, authorizations and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Collateral Agent to evidence and confirm any release of Shared Collateral or amendment or modification to any First Lien Security Document provided for in this Section.
SECTION 2.06. Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy and Insolvency Proceedings. (a) The Authorized Representative of each Class, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, agrees that, if any Issuer or any other Grantor shall become subject to a case (a “Bankruptcy Case”) under the Bankruptcy Code and shall, as debtor-in-possession, move for approval of financing (“DIP Financing”) to be provided by one or more lenders (the “DIP Lenders”) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, neither such Authorized Representative nor its Related Secured Parties will raise any objection to any such financing or to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any such financing (“DIP Financing Liens”) or to any use of cash collateral that constitutes Shared Collateral, in each case unless the Applicable Authorized Representative shall then oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or such use of cash collateral (and (i) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to the Liens on any such Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will subordinate its Liens with respect to such Shared Collateral on the same terms as the Liens of the Controlling Secured Parties (other than any Liens of any Controlling Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) are subordinated thereto, and (ii) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on any such Shared Collateral granted to secure the First Lien Obligations of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will confirm the priorities with respect to such Shared Collateral as set forth herein), in each case so long as (A) the Secured Parties of such Class retain the benefit of their Liens on all such Shared Collateral subject to the DIP Financing Liens, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of the Bankruptcy Case, with such Liens having the same priority with respect to Liens of the Secured Parties of any other Class (other than any Liens of the Secured Parties of such other Class constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to the commencement of the Bankruptcy Case, (B) the Secured Parties of such Class are granted Liens on any additional collateral provided to the Secured Parties of any other Class as adequate protection or otherwise in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral,
B-14
with such Liens having the same priority with respect to Liens of the Secured Parties of any other Class (other than any Liens of the Secured Parties of such other Class constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to the commencement of the Bankruptcy Case, (C) if any amount of such DIP Financing or cash collateral is applied to repay any First Lien Obligations, such amount is applied in accordance with Section 2.01(b), and (D) if the Secured Parties of any Class are granted adequate protection, including in the form of periodic payments, in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, the proceeds of such adequate protection are applied in accordance with Section 2.01(b); provided that the Secured Parties of each Class shall have a right to object to the grant, as security for the DIP Financing, of a Lien on any Collateral subject to Liens in favor of the Secured Parties of such Class or its Authorized Representative that shall not constitute Shared Collateral; and provided further that any Secured Party receiving adequate protection granted in connection with the DIP Financing or such use of cash collateral shall not object to any other Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any such adequate protection granted to such Secured Party.
SECTION 2.07. Reinstatement. If, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, all or part of any payment with respect to the First Lien Obligations of any Class previously made shall be rescinded for any reason whatsoever (including an order or judgment for disgorgement of a preference under the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar law), then the terms and conditions of Article II shall be fully applicable thereto until all the First Lien Obligations of such Class shall again have been paid in full in cash.
SECTION 2.08. Insurance and Condemnation Awards. As between the Secured Parties, the Collateral Agent, acting at the direction of the Applicable Authorized Representative, shall have the exclusive right, subject to the rights of the Grantors under the First Lien Security Documents, to settle and adjust claims in respect of Shared Collateral under policies of insurance covering or constituting Shared Collateral and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding, or any deed in lieu of condemnation, in respect of the Shared Collateral; provided that any Proceeds arising therefrom shall be subject to Section 2.01(b).
SECTION 2.09. Refinancings. The First Lien Obligations of any Class may be Refinanced, in whole or in part, in each case, without notice to, or the consent of, any Secured Party of any other Class, all without affecting the priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided that nothing in this Section shall affect any limitation on any such Refinancing that is set forth in the First Lien Credit Documents of any such other Class; and provided further that, if any obligations of the Grantors in respect of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be secured by Liens on any Shared Collateral, then such obligations and the holders thereof shall be subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the Authorized Representative of the holders of any such Refinancing Indebtedness shall have executed an Additional Authorized Representative Joinder Agreement.
B-15
SECTION 2.10. Possessory Collateral Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection. (a) The Collateral Agent agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral that is part of the Collateral in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees) as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Secured Party and any assignee solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable First Lien Security Documents, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of this Section. Pending delivery to the Collateral Agent, each Authorized Representative agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral, from time to time in its possession, as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Secured Party and any assignee, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable First Lien Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section.
(b) The duties or responsibilities of the Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative under this Section shall be limited solely to holding any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Secured Parties therein.
ARTICLE III
Determinations with Respect to Obligations and Liens
Whenever, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, the Collateral Agent or the Authorized Representative of any Class shall be required to determine the existence or amount of any First Lien Obligations of any Class, or the Shared Collateral subject to any Lien securing the First Lien Obligations of any Class (and whether such Lien constitutes a valid and perfected Lien), it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by the Authorized Representative of such Class and shall be entitled to make such determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided that if, notwithstanding such request, the Authorized Representative of the applicable Class shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Collateral Agent or Authorized Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon an Officers’ Certificate. The Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to any Grantor, any Secured Party or any other Person as a result of such determination or any action or not taken pursuant thereto.
B-16
ARTICLE IV
Concerning the Collateral Agent
SECTION 4.01. Appointment and Authority. (a) Each of the Authorized Representatives, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, hereby irrevocably appoints The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. to act as the Collateral Agent hereunder and under each of the First Lien Security Documents, and authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such actions and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, including for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any Grantor to secure any of the First Lien Obligations, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States, each of the Authorized Representatives, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, hereby grants to the Collateral Agent any required powers of attorney to execute any First Lien Security Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Secured Party’s behalf. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent is hereby expressly authorized to execute any and all documents (including releases) with respect to the Shared Collateral, and the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto, as contemplated by and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the First Lien Security Documents.
(b) Each of the Authorized Representatives, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with any Shared Collateral as provided herein and in the First Lien Security Documents, without regard to any rights, remedies or powers to which the Non-Controlling Secured Parties would otherwise be entitled to as a result of their Non-Controlling Secured Obligations. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the Authorized Representatives, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, agrees that none of the Collateral Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any of the First Lien Obligations), or to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any First Lien Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to the Non-Controlling Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Non-Controlling Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation. Each of the Authorized Representatives, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, waives any claim they may now or hereafter have against the Collateral Agent or the Authorized Representative or any Secured Party of any other Class arising out of (i) any actions that the Collateral Agent or any such Authorized Representative or Secured Party takes or omits to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale or other disposition, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the First Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the First Lien Security Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the First Lien Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the First Lien Obligations, (ii) any election by any Applicable Authorized Representative or Secured Parties, in any
B-17
proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or (iii) subject to Section 2.06, any borrowing by, or grant of a security interest or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law by, the Issuer, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries, as debtor-in-possession. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall not accept any Shared Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of any First Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 9-620 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction without the consent of each Authorized Representative representing Secured Parties for whom such Collateral constitutes Shared Collateral.
(c) Each of the Authorized Representatives, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that, upon any other obligations being designated hereunder as Additional First Lien Obligations or any other Person becoming an Additional Authorized Representative or any other Persons becoming Additional Secured Parties, the Collateral Agent will continue to act in its capacity as Collateral Agent in respect of the then existing Authorized Representatives and Secured Parties and such Additional Authorized Representative and Additional Secured Parties.
SECTION 4.02. Rights as a Secured Party. (a) The Person serving as the Collateral Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Secured Party of any Class as any other Secured Party of such Class and may exercise the same as though it were not the Collateral Agent and the term “Secured Party”, “Secured Parties”, “Indenture Secured Party”, “Indenture Secured Parties”, “Additional Secured Party” or “Additional Secured Parties”, as applicable, shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Collateral Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. The Person serving as the Collateral Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Issuer, the Company, or any of their respective Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Collateral Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other Secured Party.
SECTION 4.03. Exculpatory Provisions. The Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other First Lien Security Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent:
(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the First Lien Security Documents that the Collateral Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Applicable Authorized Representative; provided that the Collateral Agent
B-18
shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Collateral Agent to liability or that is contrary to any First Lien Security Document or applicable law;
(iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement and in the First Lien Security Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Issuer, the Company, or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;
(iv) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (A) with the consent or at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative or (B) in the absence of its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct or (C) in reliance on an Officers’ Certificate stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Agreement;
(v) shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default under any First Lien Credit Documents of any Class unless and until notice describing such Default or Event Default is given to the Collateral Agent by the Authorized Representative of such Class or the Issuer in accordance with the applicable First Lien Credit Document; and
(vi) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (A) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any First Lien Security Document, (B) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (C) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (D) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any First Lien Security Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the validity, attachment, creation, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien purported to be created by the First Lien Security Documents, (E) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral for First Lien Obligations of any Class or (F) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in any First Lien Credit Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Collateral Agent.
SECTION 4.04. Reliance by Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Collateral Agent also shall be entitled to rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person. The Collateral Agent may consult with legal
B-19
counsel (who may be counsel for the Issuer, any other Grantor or any Authorized Representative), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
SECTION 4.05. Delegation of Duties. The Collateral Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other First Lien Security Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence of any such sub-agent appointed with due care. The Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of the Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities as the Collateral Agent.
SECTION 4.06. Resignation of Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation as Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the First Lien Security Documents to each Authorized Representative and the Issuer. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Applicable Authorized Representative shall have the right, in consultation with the Issuer, to appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Applicable Authorized Representative and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Collateral Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Collateral Agent may, on behalf of the Secured Parties, appoint a successor Collateral Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Collateral Agent shall notify each Authorized Representative and the Issuer that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the First Lien Security Documents (except that in the case of any Collateral held by the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties under any First Lien Security Document, the retiring Collateral Agent shall continue to hold such Collateral solely for purposes of maintaining the perfection of the security interests of the Secured Parties therein until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed but with no obligation to take any further action at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Secured Parties) and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Collateral Agent shall instead be made by or to each Authorized Representative directly, until such time as the Applicable Authorized Representative appoints a successor Collateral Agent as provided above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Collateral Agent hereunder and under the First Lien Security Documents, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Collateral Agent, and the retiring Collateral Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the First Lien Security Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above). Notwithstanding the resignation of the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the First Lien Security Documents, the provisions of this Article and the equivalent provision of any Additional First Lien Document shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Collateral Agent, its sub-agents and their
B-20
respective Related Secured Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Collateral Agent was acting as Collateral Agent. Upon any notice of resignation of the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the First Lien Security Documents, the Issuer agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer (and maintain the validity and priority of) the Liens in favor of the retiring Collateral Agent under the First Lien Security Documents to the successor Collateral Agent.
SECTION 4.07. Collateral Matters. Each of the Secured Parties irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent, at its option and in its discretion:
(a) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Collateral Agent under any First Lien Security Document in accordance with Sections 2.03 and 2.05 or upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate stating that such release is permitted by the terms of the First Lien Credit Documents; and
(b) to release any Grantor from its obligations under the First Lien Security Documents upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that such release is permitted by the terms of the First Lien Credit Documents.
ARTICLE V
No Liability
SECTION 5.01. Information. The Collateral Agent or the Authorized Representative or Secured Parties of any Class shall have no duty to disclose to any Secured Party of any other Class any information relating to the Issuer, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or any other circumstance bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of any of the First Lien Obligations, that is known or becomes known to any of them or any of their Affiliates. If the Collateral Agent or the Authorized Representative or any Secured Party of any Class, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to, as the case may be, the Authorized Representative or any Secured Party of any other Class, it shall be under no obligation (i) to make, and shall not be deemed to have made, any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or validity of the information so provided, (ii) to provide any additional information or to provide any such information on any subsequent occasion or (iii) to undertake any investigation.
SECTION 5.02. No Warranties or Liability. (a) Each Authorized Representative, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that neither the Collateral Agent nor the Authorized Representative or any Secured Party of any other Class has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any of the First Lien Credit Documents, the ownership of any Shared Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon. The Authorized Representative and the Secured Parties of any Class will be entitled to manage and supervise their loans and other extensions of credit in the manner determined by them.
B-21
(b) No Authorized Representative or Secured Parties of any Class shall have any express or implied duty to the Authorized Representative or any Secured Party of any other Class to act or refrain from acting in a manner that allows, or results in, the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default under any First Lien Credit Document (other than, in each case, this Agreement), regardless of any knowledge thereof that they may have or be charged with.
ARTICLE VI
Additional First Lien Obligations
The Issuer may, at any time and from time to time, subject to any limitations contained in the First Lien Credit Documents in effect at such time, designate additional Indebtedness and related obligations that are, or are to be, secured by Liens on any assets of the Issuer or any other Grantor that would, if such Liens were granted, constitute Shared Collateral as “Additional First Lien Obligations” by delivering to the Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative party hereto at such time an Officers’ Certificate:
(a) describing the Indebtedness and other obligations being designated as Additional First Lien Obligations, and including a statement of the maximum aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness as of the date of such certificate;
(b) setting forth the Additional First Lien Documents under which such Additional First Lien Obligations are issued or incurred or the guarantees of such Additional First Lien Obligations are, or are to be, created, and attaching copies of such Additional First Lien Documents as each Grantor has executed and delivered to the Person that serves as the administrative agent, trustee or a similar representative for the holders of such Additional First Lien Obligations (such Person being referred to as the “Additional Authorized Representative”) with respect to such Additional First Lien Obligations on the closing date of such Additional First Lien Obligations, certified as being true and complete by an Officers’ Certificate;
(c) identifying the Person that serves as the Additional Authorized Representative;
(d) certifying that the incurrence of such Additional First Lien Obligations, the creation of the Liens securing such Additional First Lien Obligations and the designation of such Additional First Lien Obligations as “Additional First Lien Obligations” hereunder do not violate or result in a default under any provision of any First Lien Credit Documents in effect at such time;
B-22
(e) certifying that the Additional First Lien Documents authorize the Additional Authorized Representative to become a party hereto by executing and delivering an Additional Authorized Representative Joinder Agreement and provide that upon such execution and delivery, such Additional First Lien Obligations and the holders thereof shall become subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement; and
(f) attaching a fully completed Authorized Representative Joinder Agreement executed and delivered by the Additional Authorized Representative.
Upon the delivery of such certificate and the related attachments as provided above, the obligations designated in such notice as “Additional First Lien Obligations” shall become Additional First Lien Obligations for all purposes of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous
SECTION 7.01. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to any Grantor, to it (or, in the case of any Grantor other than the Issuer, to it in care of the Issuer) at Rotech Healthcare Inc., 0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Chief Legal Officer, facsimile: 000-000-0000;
(b) if to the Collateral Agent or the Trustee, to it at [ ] (Facsimile No.: [ ]), with a copy to [ ];
(c) if to the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, to it at [ ];
(d) if to any other Additional Authorized Representative, to it at the address set forth in the applicable Joinder Agreement.
Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by facsimile or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section. As agreed to in writing by any party hereto from time to time, notices and other communications to such party may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of such party provided from time to time by such party.
B-23
SECTION 7.02. Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements. (a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or otherwise modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative then party hereto; provided that no such agreement shall by its terms amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or obligations of any Grantor without the Issuer’s prior written consent; provided further that (i) without the consent of any party hereto, (A) this Agreement may be supplemented by an Authorized Representative Joinder Agreement, and an Additional Authorized Representative may become a party hereto, in accordance with Article VI and (B) this Agreement may be supplemented by a Grantor Joinder Agreement, and a Subsidiary may become a party hereto, in accordance with Section 7.13, and (ii) in connection with any Refinancing of First Lien Obligations of any Class, or the incurrence of Additional First Lien Obligations of any Class, the Collateral Agent and the Authorized Representatives then party hereto shall enter (and are hereby authorized to enter without the consent of any other Secured Party), at the request of the Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or the Issuer, into such amendments or modifications of this Agreement as are reasonably necessary to reflect such Refinancing or such incurrence and are reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and each such Authorized Representative; provided, however, that in entering into any such amendments or modifications of this Agreement the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, the documents specified under Section 9.06 of the Indenture.
SECTION 7.03. Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.
SECTION 7.04. Effectiveness; Survival. This Agreement shall become effective when executed and delivered by the parties hereto. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding against the Issuer, the Company, or any of their respective Subsidiaries.
B-24
SECTION 7.05. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.06. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
SECTION 7.07. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
SECTION 7.08. Submission to Jurisdiction Waivers; Consent to Service of Process. The Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, irrevocably and unconditionally:
(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the First Lien Security Documents, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York and appellate courts from any thereof;
(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;
(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person (or its Authorized Representative) at the address referred to in Section 7.01;
(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of any party hereto (or any Secured Party) to xxx in any other jurisdiction; and
(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.
B-25
SECTION 7.09. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
SECTION 7.10. Headings. Article and Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
SECTION 7.11. Conflicts. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement (including Section 2.05 hereof) and the provisions of any of the First Lien Credit Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
SECTION 7.12. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights. The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Secured Parties in relation to one another. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, none of the Issuer, any other Grantor, any other Subsidiary or any other creditor of any of the foregoing shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, and none of the Issuer, any other Grantor or any other Subsidiary may rely on the terms hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Issuer or any other Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the First Lien Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.
SECTION 7.13. Additional Grantors. In the event any Subsidiary shall have granted a Lien on any of its assets to secure any First Lien Obligations, the Issuer shall cause such Subsidiary, if not already a party hereto, to become a party hereto as a “Grantor”. Upon the execution and delivery by any Subsidiary of a Grantor Joinder Agreement, any such Subsidiary shall become a party hereto and a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as such herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party hereto. The rights and obligations of each party hereto shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor as a party to this Agreement.
SECTION 7.14. Integration. This Agreement, together with the other First Lien Credit Documents, represents the agreement of each of the Grantors and the Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Grantor, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other First Lien Credit Documents.
B-26
SECTION 7.15. Further Assurances. Each of the Collateral Agent, each Authorized Representative and the Grantors agrees that it will execute, or will cause to be executed, any and all further documents, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions, as may be required under any applicable law, or which the Collateral Agent or any Authorized Representative may reasonably request, to effectuate the terms of this Agreement, including the relative Lien priorities provided for herein.
SECTION 7.16. Indenture. In addition to the foregoing rights, in acting hereunder and by virtue of this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall have all of the rights, protections and immunities granted to it under the Indenture, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
B-27
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., | ||||||
as Authorized Representative for the Indenture Secured Parties and Collateral Agent, | ||||||
by |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
[ ], as Initial Additional Authorized Representative, | ||||||
by |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC., | ||||||
by |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
THE GRANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO, | ||||||
by |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: |
B-28
SCHEDULE 1 to
PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
Grantors
A-29
EXHIBIT I to
PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
[FORM OF] ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE AGENT JOINDER AGREEMENT NO. [ ] dated as of [ ], [ ] (this “Joinder Agreement”) to the PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [ ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”), among ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the other GRANTORS party thereto, [ ], as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) and as the Authorized Representative for the Indenture Secured Parties in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture (in such capacity, the “Trustee”), [ ], as the Authorized Representative for the Initial Additional Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “Initial Additional Authorized Representative”), and each Additional Authorized Representative from time to time party thereto, as the Authorized Representative for any Secured Parties of any other Class.
Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Intercreditor Agreement.
The Issuer and the other Grantors propose to issue or incur “Additional First Lien Obligations” designated by the Issuer as such in accordance with Article VI of the Intercreditor Agreement in an Officers’ Certificate delivered concurrently herewith to the Collateral Agent and the Authorized Representatives (the “Additional First Lien Obligations”). The Person identified in the signature pages hereto as the “Additional Authorized Representative” (the “Additional Authorized Representative”) will serve as the administrative agent, trustee or a similar representative for the holders of the Additional First Lien Obligations (the “Additional Secured Parties”).
The Additional Authorized Representative wishes, in accordance with the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, to become a party to the Intercreditor Agreement and to acquire and undertake, for itself and on behalf of the Additional Secured Parties, the rights and obligations of an “Additional Authorized Representative” and “Secured Parties” thereunder.
Accordingly, the Additional Authorized Representative, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, and the Issuer agree as follows, for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, the existing Authorized Representatives and the existing Secured Parties:
SECTION 1.01. Accession to the Intercreditor Agreement. The Additional Authorized Representative hereby (a) accedes and becomes a party to the Intercreditor Agreement as an “Additional Authorized Representative”, (b) agrees, for itself and on behalf of the Additional Secured Parties, to all the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (c) acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Additional First
B-30
Lien Obligations and Liens on any Collateral securing the same shall be subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) the Additional Authorized Representative and the Additional Secured Parties shall have the rights and obligations specified under the Intercreditor Agreement with respect to an “Authorized Representative” or a “Secured Party”, and shall be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement. The Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference.
SECTION 1.02. Representations and Warranties of the Additional Authorized Representative. The Additional Authorized Representative represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent, the existing Authorized Representatives and the existing Secured Parties that (a) it has full power and authority to enter into this Joinder Agreement, in its capacity as the Additional Authorized Representative, (b) this Joinder Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, and (c) the Additional First Lien Documents relating to the Additional First Lien Obligations provide that, upon the Additional Authorized Representative’s execution and delivery of this Joinder Agreement, (i) the Additional First Lien Obligations and Liens on any Collateral securing the same shall be subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) the Additional Authorized Representative and the Additional Secured Parties shall have the rights and obligations specified therefor under, and shall be subject to and bound by the provisions of, the Intercreditor Agreement.
SECTION 1.03. Parties in Interest. This Joinder Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.
SECTION 1.04. Counterparts. This Joinder Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Joinder Agreement.
SECTION 1.05. Governing Law. This Joinder Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
SECTION 1.06. Notices. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 7.01 of the Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the Additional Authorized Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth under its signature hereto, which information supplements Section 7.01 to the Intercreditor Agreement.
SECTION 1.07. Expenses. The Issuer agrees to reimburse the Collateral Agent and each of the Authorized Representatives for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Joinder Agreement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Collateral Agent and any of the Authorized Representatives.
B-31
SECTION 1.08. Incorporation by Reference. The provisions of Sections 7.04, 7.06, 7.08, 7.09, 7.10, 7.11 and 7.12 of the Intercreditor Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis, as if set forth in full herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Additional Authorized Representative and the Issuer have duly executed this Joinder Agreement to the Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
[ ], AS ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE, | ||||
by | ||||
| ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
Address for notices: | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
attention of: | ||||
Facsimile: | ||||
ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC., | ||||
by | ||||
| ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
B-32
Acknowledged by:
[ ], AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE TRUSTEE, | ||||||
by | ||||||
|
||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
[ ], AS THE [INITIAL] ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE, | ||||||
by | ||||||
|
||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: |
B-33
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
[FORM OF] GRANTOR JOINDER AGREEMENT NO. [ ] dated as of [ ], [ ] (this “Joinder Agreement”) to the PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [ ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”), among ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the other GRANTORS party hereto, [ ], as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) and as the Authorized Representative for the Indenture Secured Parties in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture (in such capacity, the “Trustee”), [ ], as the Authorized Representative for the Initial Additional Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “Initial Additional Authorized Representative”), and each Additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto, as the Authorized Representative for any Secured Parties of any other Class.
Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Intercreditor Agreement.
[ ], a [ ] [corporation] and a Subsidiary of the Company (the “Additional Grantor”), has granted a Lien on all or a portion of its assets to secure First Lien Obligations and such Additional Grantor is not a party to the Intercreditor Agreement.
The Additional Grantor wishes to become a party to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and to acquire and undertake the rights and obligations of a Grantor thereunder. The Additional Grantor is entering into this Joinder Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement in order to become a Grantor thereunder.
Accordingly, the Additional Grantor agrees as follows, for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, the Authorized Representatives and the Secured Parties:
SECTION 1.01. Accession to the Intercreditor Agreement. The Additional Grantor (a) hereby accedes and becomes a party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a “Grantor”, (b) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (c) acknowledges and agrees that the Additional Grantor shall have the rights and obligations specified under the Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a “Grantor”, and shall be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.
SECTION 1.02. Representations and Warranties of the Additional Grantor. The Additional Grantor represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent, the Authorized Representatives and the Secured Parties that this Joinder Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
B-i
SECTION 1.03. Parties in Interest. This Joinder Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement.
SECTION 1.04. Counterparts. This Joinder Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Joinder Agreement.
SECTION 1.05. Governing Law. This Joinder Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
SECTION 1.06. Notices. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 7.01 of the Intercreditor Agreement.
SECTION 1.07. Expenses. The Grantor agrees to reimburse the Collateral Agent and each of the Authorized Representatives for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Joinder Agreement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Collateral Agent and any of the Authorized Representatives.
SECTION 1.08. Incorporation by Reference. The provisions of Sections 7.04, 7.06, 7.08, 7.09, 7.10, 7.11 and 7.12 of the Intercreditor Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis, as if set forth in full herein.
B-ii
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Additional Grantor has duly executed this Joinder Agreement to the Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY], | ||
by | ||
| ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
B-iii
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF JUNIOR LIEN
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
FORM OF
JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
dated as of [ ],
among
ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC.,
the other GRANTORS party hereto,
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as First Priority Representative,
and
[ ],
as Junior Priority Representative
JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [ ], among THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as collateral agent for the First Priority Secured Parties (such term, and other capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined, having the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 below) (in such capacity, with its successors and assigns, and as more specifically defined below, the “First Priority Representative”), [ ], as [ ] and as junior lien agent (in such capacity, with its successors and assigns, and as more specifically defined below, the “Junior Priority Representative”) for the Junior Priority Secured Parties, ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”) and the other GRANTORS (as defined below) party hereto.
In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the First Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of First Priority Secured Parties, and the Junior Lien Representative, for itself and on behalf of its Junior Priority Secured Parties, agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions.
1.1 Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Existing First Priority Agreement referred to below. The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
“Additional Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.3(b).
“Additional First Priority Agreement” means any agreement designated as such in writing (including by addendum to this Agreement) by the First Priority Representative and the Junior Priority Representative in accordance with the terms of the First Priority Agreement and Junior Priority Agreement, respectively.
“Additional Junior Priority Agreement” means any agreement designated as such in writing (including by addendum to this Agreement) by the First Priority Representative and the Junior Priority Representative in accordance with the terms of the First Priority Agreement and Junior Priority Agreement, respectively.
“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.
“Bankruptcy Law” means each of the Bankruptcy Code and any similar Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership or similar law.
“Company” means Rotech Healthcare Inc., a Delaware corporation.
C-2
“Comparable Junior Priority Security Document” means, in relation to any Shared Collateral subject to any First Priority Security Document, that Junior Priority Security Document that creates a security interest in the same Shared Collateral, granted by the same Grantor, as applicable.
“DIP Financing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.2.
“Enforcement Action” means, with respect to the First Priority Obligations or the Junior Priority Obligations, any demand for acceleration or payment thereof, the exercise of any rights and remedies with respect to any Shared Collateral securing such Obligations or the commencement or prosecution of enforcement of any of the rights and remedies as a secured creditor under, as applicable, the First Priority Documents or the Junior Priority Documents, or applicable law, including the exercise of any rights of set-off or recoupment and rights to credit bid debt and the exercise of any rights or remedies of a secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction or under the Bankruptcy Code.
“Existing First Priority Agreement” means the Indenture dated as of October 6, 2010 between the Issuer, the Trustee and the other parties thereto.
“Existing Junior Priority Agreement” means [ ].
“First Priority Agreement” means the collective reference to (a) the Existing First Priority Agreement, (b) any Additional First Priority Agreement and (c) any other credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing or governing the terms of any Indebtedness or other financial accommodation that has been incurred to extend, replace, refinance or refund in whole or in part the Indebtedness and other Obligations outstanding under the Existing First Priority Agreement, any Additional First Priority Agreement or any other agreement or instrument referred to in this clause (c) unless such agreement or instrument expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not a First Priority Agreement hereunder (a “Replacement First Priority Agreement”). Any reference to the First Priority Agreement hereunder shall be deemed a reference to any First Priority Agreement then extant.
“First Priority Collateral” means all assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor, in which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted to any First Priority Secured Party as security for any First Priority Obligation (including any Lien assigned to the First Priority Representative pursuant to Section 2.4).
“First Priority Documents” means the First Priority Agreement, each First Priority Security Document, each First Priority Guarantee and any Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.
“First Priority Guarantee” means any guarantee by any Grantor of any or all of the First Priority Obligations.
“First Priority Lien” means any Lien created by the First Priority Security Documents.
C-3
“First Priority Obligations” means all Obligations in respect of the Notes or arising under the First Priority Documents, including all fees and expenses of the First Priority Representative. To the extent any payment with respect to any First Priority Obligation (whether by or on behalf of any Grantor, as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be a fraudulent conveyance or a preference in whole or in part, or is otherwise set aside or required to be returned or paid to a debtor in possession, any Junior Priority Secured Party, any receiver or any similar Person, then the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied by such payment shall, for the purposes of this Agreement and the rights and obligations of the First Priority Secured Parties and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred.
“First Priority Obligations Payment Date” means the first date on which (a) the First Priority Obligations (including any obligations replacing, renewing or refinancing any previously existing First Priority Obligations, but other than those that constitute Unasserted Contingent Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid in cash in full (or cash collateralized or defeased in accordance with the terms of the First Priority Documents), (b) all commitments to extend credit under the First Priority Documents (including any documents replacing, renewing or refinancing any previously existing First Priority Documents) have been terminated and (c) the First Priority Representative has delivered a written notice to the Junior Priority Representative stating that the events described in clauses (a) and (b) have occurred, such notice not to be unreasonably withheld.
“First Priority Representative” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof. In the case of any Replacement First Priority Agreement, the First Priority Representative shall be the Person identified as such in such Replacement First Priority Agreement.
“First Priority Secured Party” means each Person holding First Priority Obligations, including the First Priority Representative.
“First Priority Security Documents” means the “Security Documents” (as defined in the Existing First Priority Agreement), and any other documents that are designated under the First Priority Agreement as “First Priority Security Documents” for purposes of this Agreement; provided that no document that is not entered into pursuant to the Existing First Priority Agreement will constitute a First Priority Security Document unless the treatment of such document as a First Priority Security Document is permitted under each First Priority Agreement then extant, including, as of the date hereof and any other date if then extant, the Existing First Priority Agreement.
“Governmental Authority” means any Federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.
“Grantors” means, at any time, the Issuer, the Company and each of their respective Subsidiaries that, at such time, has granted a security interest in any of its assets pursuant to any First Priority Security Document to secure First Priority Obligations or Junior Priority Security Document to secure Junior Priority Obligations. The Persons that are Grantors on the date hereof are set forth on Schedule I.
C-4
“Insolvency Proceeding” means any proceeding in respect of bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, receivership, dissolution, insolvency or assignment for the benefit of creditors, in each of the foregoing events whether under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law.
“Issuer” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
“Junior Priority Agreement” means the collective reference to (a) the Existing Junior Priority Agreement, (b) any Additional Junior Priority Agreement and (c) any other credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing or governing the terms of any Indebtedness or other financial accommodation that has been incurred to extend, replace, refinance or refund in whole or in part the Indebtedness and other obligations outstanding under the Existing Junior Priority Agreement, any Additional Junior Priority Agreement or any other agreement or instrument referred to in this clause (c). Any reference to the Junior Priority Agreement hereunder shall be deemed a reference to any Junior Priority Agreement then extant.
“Junior Priority Collateral” means all assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or any other Grantor, in which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted to any Junior Priority Secured Party as security for any Junior Priority Obligation.
“Junior Priority Documents” means each Junior Priority Agreement, each Junior Priority Security Document and each Junior Priority Guarantee.
“Junior Priority Guarantee” means any guarantee by any Grantor of any or all of the Junior Priority Obligations.
“Junior Priority Lien” means any Lien created by the Junior Priority Security Documents.
“Junior Priority Obligations” means all Obligations in respect of [ ] or arising under the Junior Priority Documents, including all fees and expenses of the Junior Priority Representative. To the extent any payment with respect to any Junior Priority Obligation (whether by or on behalf of any Grantor, as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be a fraudulent conveyance or a preference in whole or in part, or is otherwise set aside or required to be returned or paid to a debtor in possession, any First Priority Secured Party, any receiver or any similar Person, then the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall, for the purposes of this Agreement and the rights and obligations of the First Priority Secured Parties and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred.
C-5
“Junior Priority Representative” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto, but shall also include any Person identified as a “Junior Priority Representative” in any Junior Priority Agreement other than the Existing Junior Priority Agreement.
“Junior Priority Secured Party” means each Person holding Junior Priority Obligations, including the Junior Priority Representative.
“Junior Priority Security Documents” means the “[ ]” as defined in the Existing Junior Priority Agreement and any documents that are designated under the Junior Priority Agreement as “[ ]” for purposes of this Agreement.
“Notes” means any notes issued under the Existing First Priority Agreement.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Post-Petition Interest” means any interest or entitlement to fees or expenses or other charges that accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding.
“Recovery” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.5.
“Reorganization Securities” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12.
“Replacement First Priority Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “First Priority Agreement”.
“Secured Parties” means the First Priority Secured Parties and the Junior Priority Secured Parties.
“Shared Collateral” means all assets that are both First Priority Collateral and Junior Priority Collateral.
“Trustee” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., solely in its capacity as Trustee under the Existing First Priority Agreement.
“Unasserted Contingent Obligations” means, at any time, First Priority Obligations for taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities (excluding (a) the principal of, and interest and premium (if any) on, and fees and expenses relating to, any First Priority Obligation and (b) contingent reimbursement obligations in respect of amounts that may be drawn under outstanding letters of credit or similar instruments) in respect of which no assertion of liability (whether oral or written) and no claim or demand for payment (whether oral or written) has been made (and, in the case of First Priority Obligations for indemnification, no notice for indemnification has been issued by the indemnitee) at such time.
C-6
“Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the applicable jurisdiction.
1.2 Amended Agreements. All references in this Agreement to agreements or other contractual obligations shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements or contractual obligations as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, if applicable.
1.3 Terms Generally. The definitions in this Section shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. All references herein to Sections shall be deemed references to Sections of this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require.
SECTION 2. Lien Priorities.
2.1 Subordination of Liens. (a) Any and all Liens in the Shared Collateral now existing or hereafter created or arising in favor of any Junior Priority Secured Party securing the Junior Priority Obligations, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, judgment rendered in any judicial proceeding, subrogation or otherwise, are expressly junior in priority, operation and effect to any and all Liens now existing or hereafter created or arising in favor of the First Priority Secured Parties securing the First Priority Obligations, notwithstanding (i) anything to the contrary contained in any agreement or filing to which any Junior Priority Secured Party may now or hereafter be a party, and regardless of the time, order or method of grant, attachment, recording or perfection of any financing statements or other security interests, assignments, pledges, deeds, mortgages and other Liens, charges or encumbrances or any defect or deficiency or alleged defect or deficiency in any of the foregoing, (ii) any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable law or any First Priority Document or Junior Priority Document or any other circumstance whatsoever and (iii) the fact that any such Liens in favor of any First Priority Secured Party securing any of the First Priority Obligations are (x) subordinated to any Lien securing any obligation of any Grantor other than the Junior Priority Obligations or (y) otherwise subordinated, voided, avoided, invalidated or lapsed.
(b) No Junior Priority Secured Party shall object to or contest, or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency Proceeding), the validity, extent, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien on the First Priority Collateral granted to any First Priority Secured Party. Notwithstanding any failure by any First Priority Secured Party to perfect its Lien on the First Priority Collateral granted to such First Priority Secured Party or any avoidance, invalidation or subordination by any third party or court of competent jurisdiction of the Lien on the First Priority Collateral granted to the First Priority Secured Parties, the priority and rights as between the First Priority Secured Parties, on the one hand, and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, on the other hand, with respect to the Shared Collateral shall be as set forth herein.
C-7
2.2 Nature of First Priority Obligations. The Junior Priority Representative on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties acknowledges that the terms of the First Priority Obligations may be modified, extended or amended from time to time, and that the aggregate amount of the First Priority Obligations may be increased, replaced or refinanced, in each event, without notice to or consent by the Junior Priority Secured Parties and without affecting the provisions hereof. The lien priorities provided in Section 2.1 shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any such amendment, modification, supplement, extension, repayment, reborrowing, increase, replacement, renewal, restatement or refinancing of the First Priority Obligations, or any portion thereof, or by any amendment, modification, supplement, extension, repayment, reborrowing, increase, replacement, renewal, restatement or refinancing of the Junior Priority Obligations, or any portion thereof.
2.3 Agreements Regarding Actions to Perfect Liens. (a) The Junior Priority Representative on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties agrees that UCC-1 financing statements, patent, trademark or copyright filings or other filings or recordings filed or recorded by or on behalf of the Junior Priority Representative shall be in form satisfactory to the First Priority Representative.
(b) The Junior Priority Representative agrees on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties that all Junior Priority Security Documents entered into on or about the date hereof shall contain the following notation: “The lien and security interest created by this Agreement on the property described herein is junior and subordinate, in accordance with the provisions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of [ ], among The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., [ ], Rotech Healthcare Inc. and the other Grantors referred to therein, as amended from time to time, to the lien and security interest on such property created by any similar instrument now or hereafter granted to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent under the First Priority Documents, and its successors and assigns, in such property.” The Junior Priority Representative agrees on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties that all other Junior Priority Security Documents shall bear an identical or, in the event that the Existing First Priority Agreement is no longer extant or The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. shall cease to be the First Priority Representative, a substantially similar notation.
(c) The First Priority Representative hereby agrees that, to the extent that it holds, or a third party holds on its behalf, physical possession of or “control” (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) (or any similar concept under foreign law) over Shared Collateral pursuant to the First Priority Security Documents, such possession or control is also for the benefit of the Junior Priority Representative and the Junior Priority Secured Parties solely to the extent required to perfect their security interest in such Shared Collateral (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Sections 8-106(d)(3), 8-301(a)(2) and 9-313(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code). Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to impose any duty on the First
C-8
Priority Representative (or any third party acting on its behalf) with respect to such Shared Collateral or provide the Junior Priority Representative or any Junior Priority Secured Party with any rights with respect to such Shared Collateral beyond those specified in this Agreement and the Junior Priority Security Documents; provided that subsequent to the occurrence of the First Priority Obligations Payment Date, the First Priority Representative shall (i) deliver to the Junior Priority Representative, at the Issuer’s sole cost and expense, the Shared Collateral in its possession or control together with any necessary endorsements to the extent required by the Junior Priority Documents or (ii) direct and deliver such Shared Collateral as a court of competent jurisdiction otherwise directs; provided, however, that the provisions of this Agreement are intended solely to govern the respective Lien priorities as between the First Priority Secured Parties and the Junior Priority Secured Parties and shall not impose on the First Priority Secured Parties any obligations in respect of the disposition of any Shared Collateral (or any proceeds thereof) that would conflict with prior perfected Liens or any claims thereon in favor of any other Person that is not a Secured Party.
2.4 No New Liens. So long as the First Priority Obligations Payment Date has not occurred, the parties hereto agree that (a) there shall be no Lien, and no Grantor shall have any right to create any Lien, on any assets of any Grantor securing any Junior Priority Obligation if those same assets are not subject to, and do not become subject to, a Lien securing the First Priority Obligations and (b) if any Junior Priority Secured Party shall acquire or hold any Lien on any assets of any Grantor securing any Junior Priority Obligation, which assets are not also subject to the first-priority Lien of the First Priority Representative under the First Priority Documents, then the Junior Priority Representative shall be deemed to also hold and have held such Lien for the benefit of the First Priority Secured Parties and shall promptly notify the First Priority Representative of the existence of such Lien and, upon demand by the First Priority Representative, will without the need for any further consent of any Junior Priority Secured Party, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other Junior Priority Document, either (i) release such Lien or (ii) assign it to the First Priority Representative as security for the First Priority Obligations (in which case the Junior Priority Representative may retain a junior lien on such assets subject to the terms hereof). To the extent that the foregoing provisions are not complied with for any reason, without limiting any other rights and remedies available to the First Priority Secured Parties, the Junior Priority Representative and the Junior Priority Secured Parties agree that any amounts received by or distributed to any of them pursuant to or as a result of Liens granted in contravention of this Section 2.4 shall be subject to Section 4.1.
2.5 No Duties of First Priority Representative. Neither the First Priority Representative nor any First Priority Secured Party will have any duties or other obligations to any Junior Priority Secured Party with respect to the Shared Collateral, other than, in the case of the First Priority Representative, to transfer to the Junior Priority Representative any such Shared Collateral in which the Junior Priority Representative continues to hold a security interest and that is remaining following (x) any sale, transfer or other disposition of such Shared Collateral (in each case, unless the Lien securing the Junior Priority Obligations on all such Shared Collateral is terminated and released prior to or concurrently with such sale, transfer, disposition, payment or
C-9
satisfaction) and (y) the payment and satisfaction in full of such First Priority Obligations and termination of any commitment to extend credit that would constitute such First Priority Obligations, or to the extent the First Priority Representative is in possession of any part of such Shared Collateral after such payment and satisfaction in full and termination, the part thereof remaining, in each case without representation or warranty on the part of the First Priority Representative or any holder of First Priority Obligations. Without limiting the foregoing, neither the First Priority Representative nor any holder of any First Priority Obligations will have any duty or obligation to marshal or realize upon the Shared Collateral, or to sell, dispose or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of the Shared Collateral, in any manner that would maximize the return to the Junior Priority Secured Parties notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of the proceeds actually received by the Junior Priority Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation. The Junior Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Junior Priority Secured Party, waives any claim the Junior Priority Representative or such Junior Priority Secured Party may now or hereafter have against the First Priority Representative or any First Priority Secured Party (or their representatives) arising out of any actions which the First Priority Representative or the First Priority Secured Parties take or omit to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Shared Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Shared Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the First Priority Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the First Priority Security Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the First Priority Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any Shared Collateral.
2.6 Further Assurances. Each First Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of the First Priority Secured Parties, and the Junior Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of the Junior Priority Secured Parties, and each Grantor party hereto, for itself and on behalf of its subsidiaries, agrees that it will execute, or will cause to be executed, any and all further documents, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions, as may be required under any applicable law, or which the First Priority Representative or the Junior Priority Representative may reasonably request, to effectuate the terms of this Agreement, including the relative Lien priorities provided for herein.
SECTION 3. Enforcement Rights.
3.1 Exclusive Enforcement. Until the First Priority Obligations Payment Date has occurred, whether or not an Insolvency Proceeding has been commenced by or against any Grantor, the First Priority Secured Parties shall have the exclusive right to take and continue any Enforcement Action and make determinations regarding the release, dispositions or restrictions with respect to the Shared Collateral, without any consultation with or consent of any Junior Priority Secured Party, but subject to the proviso set forth in Section 5.1. In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral, the First Priority Secured Parties may enforce the provisions of the First Priority Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such
C-10
manner as they may determine in the exercise of their sole discretion. Such exercise and enforcement shall include the rights of an agent appointed by any of them to sell or otherwise dispose of the Shared Collateral upon foreclosure, to incur expenses in connection with such sale or disposition and to exercise all rights and remedies of a secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code and of a secured creditor under the Bankruptcy Law of any applicable jurisdiction.
3.2 Standstill and Waivers. The Junior Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, agrees that, until the First Priority Obligations Payment Date has occurred, subject to the proviso set forth in Section 5.1:
(a) they will not take or cause to be taken any action, the purpose or effect of which is, or could be, to make any Lien in respect of any Junior Priority Obligation pari passu with or senior to, or to give any Junior Priority Secured Party any preference or priority relative to, the Liens with respect to the First Priority Obligations or the First Priority Secured Parties with respect to any of the Shared Collateral;
(b) they will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any security interest in the Shared Collateral in favor of any First Priority Obligations, the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any First Priority Lien or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by (or other provisions of) this Agreement;
(c) they will not contest, oppose, object to, interfere with, challenge, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings (including the filing of an Insolvency Proceeding) or otherwise, any foreclosure, sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral or any other First Priority Collateral by any First Priority Secured Party or any other Enforcement Action taken (or any forbearance from taking any Enforcement Action) by or on behalf of any First Priority Secured Party;
(d) they have no right to (i) direct either the First Priority Representative or any First Priority Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to the Shared Collateral or pursuant to the First Priority Security Documents or (ii) consent or object to the exercise by the First Priority Representative or any First Priority Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to the Shared Collateral or pursuant to the First Priority Security Documents or to the timing or manner in which any such right is exercised or not exercised (or, to the extent they may have any such right described in this clause (d), whether as a junior lien creditor or otherwise, they hereby irrevocably waive such right);
(e) they will not object to the forbearance by the First Priority Secured Parties from bringing or pursuing any foreclosure proceeding or action or any other exercise of any rights or remedies relating to the Shared Collateral or any other First Priority Collateral;
C-11
(f) they will not oppose or seek to challenge any claim by any First Priority Secured Party for allowance in any judicial or Insolvency Proceedings consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses (it being understood that the First Priority Secured Parties will not contest any similar action by any Junior Priority Secured Party);
(g) they will not institute any suit or other proceeding or assert in any suit, Insolvency Proceeding or other proceeding any claim against any First Priority Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise, with respect to, and no First Priority Secured Party shall be liable for, any action taken or omitted to be taken by any First Priority Secured Party with respect to the Shared Collateral or pursuant to the First Priority Documents;
(h) they will not make any judicial or nonjudicial claim or demand or commence any judicial or non-judicial proceedings against any Grantor or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates under or with respect to any Junior Priority Security Document seeking payment or damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise under or with respect to any Junior Priority Security Document or exercise any right, remedy or power under or with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce, any Junior Priority Security Document;
(i) they will not commence judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, or attempt any action to take possession of any Shared Collateral, or exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce their interest in or realize upon, the Shared Collateral or pursuant to the Junior Priority Security Documents;
(j) they will not seek, and hereby waive any right, to have the Shared Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of the Shared Collateral and hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to demand, request, plead or otherwise assert or claim the benefit of, any marshalling, appraisal, valuation or other similar right that may otherwise be available under applicable law with respect to the Shared Collateral or any other similar rights a junior secured creditor may have under applicable law; and
(k) they will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement.
3.3 Judgment Creditors. In the event that any Junior Priority Secured Party becomes a judgment lien creditor as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor, such judgment lien shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including in relation to the First Priority Liens and the First Priority Obligations) to the same extent as all other Liens securing the Junior Priority Obligations are subject to the terms of this Agreement.
C-12
3.4 Cooperation. The Junior Priority Agent, on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, agrees that each of them shall take such actions as the First Priority Representative shall request in connection with the exercise by the First Priority Secured Parties of their rights set forth herein.
3.5 No Additional Rights For the Grantors Hereunder. Except as provided in Section 3.6, if any First Priority Secured Party or Junior Priority Secured Party shall enforce its rights or remedies in violation of the terms of this Agreement, no Grantor shall be entitled to use such violation as a defense to any action by any First Priority Secured Party or Junior Priority Secured Party, or to assert such violation as a counterclaim or basis for set off or recoupment against any First Priority Secured Party or Junior Priority Secured Party.
3.6 Actions Upon Breach. (a) If any Junior Priority Secured Party, contrary to this Agreement, commences or participates in any action or proceeding against any Grantor or the Shared Collateral, such Grantor, with the prior written consent of the First Priority Representative, may interpose as a defense or dilatory plea the making of this Agreement, and any First Priority Secured Party may intervene and interpose such defense or plea in its or their name or in the name of such Grantor.
(b) Should any Junior Priority Secured Party, contrary to this Agreement, in any way take, attempt to take or threaten to take any action with respect to the Shared Collateral (including any attempt to realize upon or enforce any remedy with respect to this Agreement), or take any other action in violation of this Agreement, or fail to take any action required by this Agreement, this Agreement shall create an irrebuttable presumption and admission by such Junior Priority Secured Party that any First Priority Secured Party (in its own name or in the name of the relevant Grantor) or the relevant Grantor may obtain relief against such Junior Priority Secured Party by injunction, specific performance and/or other appropriate equitable relief, it being understood and agreed by the Junior Priority Representative on behalf of each Junior Priority Secured Party that (i) the First Priority Secured Parties’ damages from such actions of any Junior Priority Secured Party may at that time be difficult to ascertain and may be irreparable and the harm to the First Priority Secured Parties may not be adequately compensated in damages and (ii) each Junior Priority Secured Party waives any defense that the Grantors and/or the First Priority Secured Parties cannot demonstrate damage and/or be made whole by the awarding of damages.
SECTION 4. Application of Proceeds of Shared Collateral; Dispositions and Releases of Shared Collateral; Inspection and Insurance.
4.1 Application of Proceeds; Turnover Provisions. All proceeds of Shared Collateral (including any interest earned thereon) resulting from the sale, collection or other disposition of Shared Collateral resulting from any Enforcement Action or that occurs after any Event of Default (as defined in the First Priority Documents), whether or
C-13
not pursuant to an Insolvency Proceeding, or during the pendency of any Insolvency Proceeding shall be distributed as follows: first to the First Priority Representative for application to the First Priority Obligations in accordance with the terms of the First Priority Documents, until the First Priority Obligations Payment Date has occurred and thereafter, to the Junior Priority Representative for application in accordance with the terms of the Junior Priority Documents. If any Junior Priority Secured Party obtains possession of the Shared Collateral or realizes any proceeds or payment in respect of the Shared Collateral, pursuant to any Junior Priority Security Documents or by the exercise of any rights available to such Junior Priority Secured Party under applicable law or in any Insolvency Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies, at any time when any First Priority Obligations secured or intended to be secured by such Shared Collateral remains outstanding or any commitment to extend credit that would constitute First Priority Obligations secured or intended to be secured by such Shared Collateral remains in effect, then such Junior Priority Secured Party will hold such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payments in trust for the First Priority Representative and the holders of any First Priority Obligations and transfer such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payments, as the case may be, to the First Priority Representative. If, at any time, all or part of any payment with respect to any First Priority Obligations previously made are rescinded for any reason whatsoever, each Junior Priority Secured Party will promptly pay over to the First Priority Representative any payment received by it in respect of any such Shared Collateral and shall promptly turn any such Shared Collateral then held by it over to the First Priority Representative, and the provisions set forth in this Agreement shall be reinstated as if such payment had not been made, until the payment and satisfaction in full all of such First Priority Obligations.
4.2 Releases of Junior Priority Lien. (a) Upon (i) any sale or other disposition of Shared Collateral permitted pursuant to the terms of the First Priority Documents that results in the release of the First Priority Lien on any Shared Collateral (including any sale or other disposition pursuant to any Enforcement Action) or (ii) any other release of Shared Collateral from the Lien under the First Priority Security Documents that is permitted pursuant to the terms of the First Priority Documents, the Junior Priority Lien on such Shared Collateral (excluding any portion of the proceeds of such Shared Collateral remaining after the First Priority Obligations Payment Date occurs) shall be automatically and unconditionally released with no further consent or action of any Person.
(b) The Junior Priority Representative shall promptly execute and deliver such release documents and instruments and shall take such further actions as the First Priority Representative shall request to evidence any release of the Junior Priority Lien described in paragraph (a). The Junior Priority Representative hereby appoints the First Priority Representative and any officer or duly authorized person of the First Priority Representative, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power of attorney in the place and stead of the Junior Priority Representative and in the name of the Junior Priority Representative or in the First Priority Representative’s own name, from time to time, in the First Priority Representative’s sole discretion, for the purposes of carrying out the terms of this Section 4.2, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute and deliver any and all
C-14
documents and instruments as may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Section 4.2, including any financing statements, endorsements, assignments, releases or other documents or instruments of transfer (which appointment, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable).
4.3 Inspection Rights and Insurance. (a) Any First Priority Secured Party and its representatives and invitees may at any time inspect, repossess, remove and otherwise deal with the Shared Collateral, and the First Priority Representative may advertise and conduct public auctions or private sales of the Shared Collateral, in each case without notice to, the involvement of or interference by any Junior Priority Secured Party or liability to any Junior Priority Secured Party.
(b) Until the First Priority Obligations Payment Date has occurred, the First Priority Representative will have the sole and exclusive right (i) to be named as additional insured and loss payee under any insurance policies maintained from time to time by any Grantor (except that the Junior Priority Representative shall have the right to be named as additional insured and loss payee so long as its second lien status is identified in a manner satisfactory to the First Priority Representative), (ii) to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering the Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and (iii) to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral.
4.4 Rights as Unsecured Creditors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Junior Priority Representative and the Junior Priority Secured Parties may exercise rights and remedies as unsecured creditors against any Grantor in respect of the Junior Priority Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Junior Priority Documents, including the acceleration of any Indebtedness or other obligations owing under the Junior Priority Documents or the demand for payment under the guarantee in respect thereof, in each case in accordance with the terms of the applicable Junior Priority Documents and applicable law and not otherwise inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the receipt by any Junior Priority Representative or any Junior Priority Secured Party of the required payments of interest and principal so long as such receipt is not the direct or indirect result of (a) the exercise by any Junior Priority Representative or any Junior Priority Secured Party of rights or remedies as a secured creditor in respect of Shared Collateral or other collateral or (b) the enforcement in contravention of this Agreement of any Lien in respect of Junior Priority Liens held by any of them. Nothing in this Agreement impairs or otherwise adversely affects any rights or remedies the First Priority Representative or the First Priority Secured Parties may have with respect to the First Priority Collateral.
SECTION 5. Insolvency Proceedings.
5.1 Filing of Motions. Until the First Priority Obligations Payment Date has occurred, the Junior Priority Representative agrees on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties that no Junior Priority Secured Party shall, in or in connection with any Insolvency Proceeding, file any pleading or motion, take any position at any
C-15
hearing or proceeding of any nature, or otherwise take any action whatsoever, in each case in respect of any of the Shared Collateral, including with respect to the determination of any Liens or claims (including the validity and enforceability thereof) held by the First Priority Representative or any First Priority Secured Party or the value of any claims of such parties under Section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; provided that (a) in any Insolvency Proceeding, the Junior Priority Representative may file a proof of claim or statement of interest with respect to the applicable Junior Priority Liens, (b) the Junior Priority Representative may take any such action (not adverse to the First Priority Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the First Priority Obligations, or the rights of either the First Priority Representative or the First Priority Secured Parties to exercise remedies in respect thereof) to the extent required to create, prove, perfect, preserve or protect (but not enforce) its rights in, and perfection and priority of its Liens on, the Shared Collateral, (c) in any Insolvency Proceeding, the Junior Priority Representative may file any necessary or responsive pleading in opposition to any motion, adversary proceeding or other pleading filed by any Person objecting to or otherwise seeking disallowance of the claim or Lien of such Junior Priority Representative or any Junior Priority Secured Party, (d) the Junior Priority Representative may file any pleadings, objections, motions or agreements which assert rights available to unsecured creditors arising under any Insolvency Proceeding or applicable non-bankruptcy law and (e) the Junior Priority Representative and each Junior Priority Secured Party may vote on any plan of reorganization in any Insolvency Proceedings; provided, however, that in the case of each of clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) above, such actions are permitted only to the extent such actions are not inconsistent with, and could not result in a resolution inconsistent with, the terms of this Agreement.
5.2 Financing Matters. If any Grantor becomes subject to any Insolvency Proceeding, and if the First Priority Representative (acting at the direction of the requisite First Priority Secured Parties) desires to permit the use of cash collateral or to permit any Grantor to obtain financing under Section 363 or Section 364 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar provision in any Bankruptcy Law (“DIP Financing”), then the Junior Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each applicable Junior Priority Secured Party, agrees that it will raise no objection to, and will not support any objection to, and will not otherwise contest such use of cash collateral or DIP Financing and will not request adequate protection or any other relief in connection therewith (except to the extent permitted by Section 5.4) and, to the extent the Liens securing the First Priority Obligations are subordinated or pari passu with such DIP Financing, will subordinate the Liens in the Shared Collateral in favor of the Junior Priority Obligations to such DIP Financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) on the same basis as they are subordinated to the First Priority Obligations. The Junior Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Junior Priority Secured Party, agrees that, in the event of an Insolvency Proceeding, it will raise no objection to, and will not support any objection to, and will not otherwise contest (a) any motion for relief from the automatic stay or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of First Priority Obligations made by the First Priority Representative or any First Priority Secured Party, (b) any lawful exercise by the First Priority Representative or any other First Priority Secured Party of the right to credit bid any First Priority Obligations at any sale in foreclosure of First Priority Collateral, (c) any other request for judicial relief made in any court by the
C-16
First Priority Representative or any other First Priority Secured Party relating to the lawful enforcement of any First Priority Lien and (d) any order relating to a sale of assets of any Grantor for which the First Priority Representative has consented that provides, to the extent the sale is to be free and clear of Liens, that the Liens securing the First Priority Obligations and the Second Priority Obligations will attach to the proceeds of the sale on the same basis of priority as the existing Liens in accordance with this Agreement.
5.3 Relief From the Automatic Stay. The Junior Priority Representative agrees, on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, that none of them will seek relief from the automatic stay or from any other stay in any Insolvency Proceeding or take any action in derogation thereof, in each case in respect of any Shared Collateral, without the prior written consent of the First Priority Representative and the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes.
5.4 Adequate Protection. The Junior Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, agrees that none of them shall object to, contest, or support any other Person objecting to or contesting (a) any request by the First Priority Representative or the First Priority Secured Parties for adequate protection or any adequate protection provided to the First Priority Representative or the First Priority Secured Parties, (b) any objection by the First Priority Representative or any First Priority Secured Parties to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on a claim of a lack of adequate protection or (c) the payment of interest, fees, expenses, costs, charges or other amounts to the First Priority Representative or any First Priority Secured Party under Section 506(b) or 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 5.4 and in Section 5.2(b) (but subject to all other provisions of this Agreement, including Sections 5.2(a) and 5.3), in any Insolvency Proceeding, (i) if the First Priority Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection that includes additional collateral (with replacement Liens on such additional collateral) in connection with any DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, then in connection with any such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral the Junior Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and any of the Junior Priority Secured Parties, may seek or accept adequate protection consisting solely of a replacement Lien on the same additional collateral, subordinated to the Liens securing (x) such DIP Financing on the same terms as the First Priority Liens are subordinated thereto (and such subordination will not alter in any manner the terms of this Agreement) and (y) the First Priority Obligations on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Junior Priority Obligations are so subordinated to the First Priority Obligations under this Agreement and (ii) in the event the Junior Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, seeks or accepts adequate protection in accordance with clause (i) above in the form of additional collateral, then the Junior Priority Representative, on behalf of itself or any of the Junior Priority Secured Parties, agrees that the First Priority Representative shall also be granted a senior Lien on such additional collateral as security for the First Priority Obligations and any such DIP Financing and that any Lien on such additional collateral securing the Junior Priority Obligations shall be subordinated to (A) the Liens on such collateral securing the First Priority Obligations and any other Liens granted to the First Priority Secured Parties as adequate protection on the same terms that
C-17
the Liens securing the Junior Priority Obligations are subordinated to such First Priority Obligations under this Agreement and (B) (x) the Liens on such collateral securing such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto), (y) any “carve-out” agreed to by the First Priority Representative or the First Priority Secured Parties and (z) in the case of any Insolvency Proceeding outside the United States, any administrative or other charges granted in any Insolvency Proceeding that are similar in nature to a “carve-out” and agreed to by the First Priority Representative or the First Priority Secured Parties, in the case of each of clauses (B) (x), (y) and (z), with such subordination to be on the same terms as the Liens securing the First Priority Obligations are subordinated thereto (and such subordination will not alter in any manner the terms of this Agreement). The Junior Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, agrees that except as expressly set forth in this Section 5.4, and except for adequate protection in the form of access to information to the extent such access is also made available to the First Priority Representative on behalf of itself and the First Priority Secured Parties, none of them shall seek or accept adequate protection without the prior written consent of the First Priority Representative.
5.5 Avoidance Issues. If any First Priority Secured Party is required in any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise to disgorge, turn over or otherwise pay to the bankruptcy trustee or the estate of any Grantor, because such amount was avoided or ordered to be paid or disgorged for any reason, including because it was found to be a fraudulent or preferential transfer, any amount (a “Recovery”), whether received as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of set-off or otherwise, then the First Priority Obligations shall be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and deemed to be outstanding as if such payment had not occurred and the First Priority Obligations Payment Date, if it shall otherwise have occurred, shall be deemed not to have occurred. If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto. The Junior Priority Secured Parties agree that none of them shall be entitled to benefit from any avoidance action affecting or otherwise relating to any distribution or allocation made in accordance with this Agreement, whether by preference or otherwise, it being understood and agreed that the benefit of such avoidance action otherwise allocable to them shall instead be allocated and turned over for application in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Agreement.
5.6 Asset Dispositions in an Insolvency Proceeding. Neither the Junior Priority Representative nor any Junior Priority Secured Party shall, in an Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise, oppose any sale or other disposition of any assets of any Grantor that is supported by the First Priority Secured Parties, and the Junior Priority Representative and each Junior Priority Secured Party will be deemed to have consented under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (and otherwise) to any such sale or other disposition of assets supported by the First Priority Secured Parties and to have released their Liens on such assets; provided, to the extent such sale is to be free and clear of Liens, that the Liens securing the First Priority Obligations and the Junior Priority Obligations will attach to the proceeds of the sale on the same basis of priority as the Liens released on the assets sold.
C-18
5.7 Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification. Each Junior Priority Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that (a) the grants of Liens pursuant to the First Priority Security Documents and the Junior Priority Security Documents constitute two separate and distinct grants of Liens and (b) because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Shared Collateral, the Junior Priority Obligations are fundamentally different from the First Priority Obligations and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization proposed or adopted in an Insolvency Proceeding. To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that the claims of the First Priority Secured Parties and Junior Priority Secured Parties in respect of the Shared Collateral constitute only one class of secured claims (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then the Junior Priority Secured Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that all distributions shall be made as if there were separate classes of senior and junior secured claims against the Grantors in respect of the Shared Collateral (with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the Shared Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the Junior Priority Secured Parties), the First Priority Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of Post-Petition Interest before any distribution is made in respect of the claims held by the Junior Priority Secured Parties, with the Junior Priority Secured Parties hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the First Priority Secured Parties amounts otherwise received or receivable by them to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Junior Priority Secured Parties), and that, until turned over to the First Priority Secured Parties, such amounts will be held in trust for the First Priority Secured Parties.
5.8 No Waivers of Rights of First Priority Secured Parties. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit or in any way limit the First Priority Representative or any First Priority Secured Party from objecting in any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise to any action taken by any Junior Priority Secured Party not expressly permitted hereunder, including the seeking by any Junior Priority Secured Party of adequate protection (except as provided in Section 5.4) or the asserting by any Junior Priority Secured Party of any of its rights and remedies under the Junior Priority Documents or otherwise.
5.9 Plans of Reorganization. No Junior Priority Secured Party shall support or vote in favor of any plan of reorganization (and each shall be deemed to have voted to reject any plan of reorganization) unless such plan (a) pays off, in cash in full, all First Priority Obligations or (b) is accepted by the class of holders of First Priority Obligations voting thereon.
5.10 [Reserved].
5.11 Effectiveness in Insolvency Proceedings. This Agreement, which the parties hereto expressly acknowledge is a “subordination agreement” under section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, shall be effective before, during and after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding. All references to any Grantor herein shall apply to any trustee for such Person and such Person as debtor in possession. The
C-19
relative rights as to the Shared Collateral and other collateral and proceeds thereof shall continue after the filing thereof on the same basis as prior to the date of the petition, subject to any court order approving the financing of, or use of cash collateral by, any such Person.
5.12 Reorganization Securities. If, in any Insolvency Proceeding, debt obligations of the reorganized debtor secured by Liens upon any property of the reorganized debtor (“Reorganization Securities”) are distributed, pursuant to a plan of reorganization or similar dispositive restructuring plan, on account of the Junior Priority Obligations, then the provisions of this Agreement will survive the distribution of such debt obligations pursuant to such plan and will apply with like effect to the Liens securing such debt obligations. In no event shall the Junior Priority Secured Parties be required to turn over to the First Priority Representative or any First Priority Secured Party any Reorganization Securities to the extent the same are subject to this Section 5.12.
5.13 Post-Petition Claims. None of the Junior Priority Representative or any Junior Priority Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the First Priority Representative or any First Priority Secured Party for allowance in any Insolvency Proceeding of First Priority Obligations consisting of Post-Petition Interest or indemnities to the extent of the value of the Liens in favor of the First Priority Representative and the First Priority Secured Parties, without regard to the existence of the Liens of the Junior Priority Representative on behalf of the Junior Priority Secured Parties on the Shared Collateral.
5.14 Waivers. Until the First Priority Obligations Payment Date, the Junior Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Junior Priority Secured Party, agrees that (a) it will not assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code senior to or on a parity with the Liens securing the First Priority Obligations for costs or expenses of preserving or disposing of any Shared Collateral or other collateral and (b) waives any claim it may now or hereafter have arising out of the election by any First Priority Secured Party of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code.
SECTION 6. Junior Priority Documents and First Priority Documents.
(a) Each Grantor and the Junior Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, agrees that it shall not at any time execute or deliver any amendment or other modification to any of the Junior Priority Documents inconsistent with or in violation of this Agreement.
(b) Each Grantor and the First Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and the First Priority Secured Parties, agrees that it shall not at any time execute or deliver any amendment or other modification to any of the First Priority Documents inconsistent with or in violation of this Agreement.
C-20
(c) In the event the First Priority Representative enters into any amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the First Priority Security Documents for the purpose of adding to, or deleting from, or waiving or consenting to any departures from any provisions of, any First Priority Security Document or changing in any manner the rights of any parties thereunder, then such amendment, waiver or consent shall apply automatically to any comparable provision of the Comparable Junior Priority Security Document without the consent of or action by any Junior Priority Secured Party (with all such amendments, waivers and modifications subject to the terms hereof); provided that (other than with respect to amendments, modifications or waivers that secure additional extensions of credit and add additional secured creditors and do not violate the express provisions of the Junior Priority Agreements), (i) no such amendment, waiver or consent shall have the effect of removing assets subject to the Lien of any Junior Priority Security Document, except to the extent that a release of such Lien is permitted by Section 4.2, (ii) any such amendment, waiver or consent that materially and adversely affects the rights of the Junior Priority Secured Parties and does not affect the First Priority Secured Parties in a like or similar manner shall not apply to the Junior Priority Security Documents without the consent of the Junior Priority Representative and (iii) notice of such amendment, waiver or consent shall be given to the Junior Priority Representative no later than 15 days after its effectiveness; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the effectiveness and validity thereof.
SECTION 7. Reliance; Waivers; etc.
7.1 Reliance. The First Priority Documents are deemed to have been executed and delivered, and all issuances of debt or other extensions of credit thereunder are deemed to have been made or incurred, in reliance upon this Agreement. The Junior Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, expressly waives all notice of the acceptance of and reliance on this Agreement by the First Priority Secured Parties. The Junior Priority Documents are deemed to have been executed and delivered, and all issuances of debt and other extensions of credit thereunder are deemed to have been made or incurred, in reliance upon this Agreement. The First Priority Representative expressly waives, on behalf of itself and all the First Priority Secured Parties, all notices of the acceptance of and reliance by the Junior Priority Representative and the Junior Priority Secured Parties.
7.2 No Warranties or Liability. The Junior Priority Representative and the First Priority Representative acknowledge and agree that neither has made any representation or warranty with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectibility or enforceability of any other First Priority Document or any Junior Priority Document. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Junior Priority Representative and the First Priority Representative will be entitled to manage and supervise their respective extensions of credit to any Grantor in accordance with law and their usual practices, modified from time to time as they deem appropriate.
7.3 No Waivers. No right or benefit of any party hereunder shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of such party or any other party hereto or by any noncompliance by any Grantor with the terms and conditions of any of the First Priority Documents or the Junior Priority Documents.
C-21
SECTION 8. Obligations Unconditional.
8.1 First Priority Obligations Unconditional. All rights and interests of the First Priority Secured Parties hereunder, and all agreements and obligations of the Junior Priority Secured Parties (and, to the extent applicable, the Grantors) hereunder, shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:
(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any First Priority Document;
(b) any change in the time, place or manner of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any portion of the First Priority Obligations, or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, or any refinancing, replacement, refunding or restatement of any First Priority Document;
(c) prior to the First Priority Obligations Payment Date, any exchange, release, voiding, avoidance or non-perfection of any security interest in any Shared Collateral or any other collateral, or any release, amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, or any refinancing, replacement, refunding or restatement of all or any portion of the First Priority Obligations or any guarantee or guaranty thereof; or
(d) any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor in respect of the First Priority Obligations, or of any Junior Priority Secured Party or any Grantor, to the extent applicable, in respect of this Agreement.
8.2 Junior Priority Obligations Unconditional. All rights and interests of the Junior Priority Secured Parties hereunder, and all agreements and obligations of the First Priority Secured Parties (and, to the extent applicable, the Grantors) hereunder, shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:
(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Junior Priority Document;
(b) any change in the time, place or manner of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any portion of the Junior Priority Obligations, or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, or any refinancing, replacement, refunding or restatement of any Junior Priority Document;
(c) any exchange, release, voiding, avoidance or non-perfection of any security interest in any Shared Collateral or any other collateral, or any release, amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, or any refinancing, replacement, refunding or restatement of all or any portion of the Junior Priority Obligations or any guarantee or guaranty thereof; or
C-22
(d) any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor in respect of the Junior Priority Obligations, or of any First Priority Secured Party or any Grantor, to the extent applicable, in respect of this Agreement.
SECTION 9. Miscellaneous.
9.1 Conflicts. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any First Priority Document or any Junior Priority Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.
9.2 Continuing Nature of Provisions. This Agreement shall continue to be effective, and shall not be revocable by any party hereto, until the First Priority Obligations Payment Date shall have occurred, subject to Section 5.5. This is a continuing agreement and the First Priority Secured Parties and the Junior Priority Secured Parties may continue, at any time and without notice to the other parties hereto, to extend credit and other financial accommodations, lend monies and provide Indebtedness to, or for the benefit of, any Grantor on the faith hereof.
9.3 Amendments; Waivers. (a) No amendment or modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the First Priority Representative and the Junior Priority Representative, and, in the case of amendments or modifications of Sections 3.5, 3.6, 9.5 or 9.6 that directly affect the rights or obligations of any Grantor, such Grantor.
(b) At the request of the Issuer, the First Priority Representative and the Junior Priority Representative agree to enter into any amendment to this Agreement or any new intercreditor agreement in order to (1) facilitate additional Indebtedness or other obligations (“Additional Debt”) of any of the Grantors becoming First Priority Obligations or Junior Priority Obligations to the extent such Obligations are permitted by the First Priority Agreement and the Junior Priority Agreement, with the Lien priority contemplated by such amendment (provided that such Additional Debt is permitted to be incurred by the First Priority Agreement and Junior Priority Agreement then extant, and is permitted by said agreements to be subject to the provisions of this Agreement as First Priority Obligations or Junior Priority Obligations, as applicable), (2) document the relationship among Junior Priority Secured Parties pursuant to different Junior Priority Agreements, including, to the extent permitted under each extant First Priority Agreement and Junior Priority Agreement, the treatment of the Liens securing Junior Priority Obligations under any Additional Junior Priority Agreement as equal and ratable with the Liens securing the Junior Priority Obligations under the Existing Junior Priority Agreement or any other Additional Junior Priority Agreement and (3) document the relationship between the First Priority Secured Parties and the Junior Priority Secured Parties in case any then existing First Priority Agreement or Junior Priority Agreement is refinanced or replaced or the First Priority Representative or the Junior Priority Representative is replaced; provided that (i) the Issuer shall have delivered an Officers’ Certificate (A) designating such other Additional Debt and the aggregate principal amount or face amount thereof and (B) representing that such designation complies with
C-23
the terms of the First Priority Documents and the Junior Priority Documents, as applicable, and (ii) in any case, the terms of such amendment or new agreement will contain terms substantially the same as the terms contained in this Agreement.
9.4 Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Grantors. The Junior Priority Representative and the First Priority Representative hereby agree that no party shall have any duty to advise any other party of information known to it regarding the financial condition of the Grantors or any such circumstances. In the event the Junior Priority Representative or the First Priority Representative, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any information to any other party to this Agreement, it shall be under no obligation (a) to provide any such information to such other party or any other party on any subsequent occasion, (b) to undertake any investigation or (c) to disclose any other information.
9.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York, except as otherwise required by mandatory provisions of law and except to the extent that remedies provided by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York are governed by the laws of such jurisdiction.
9.6 Submission to Jurisdiction. (a) Each First Priority Secured Party, each Junior Priority Secured Party and each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment pursuant to any such action or proceeding, and each such party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each such party agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any First Priority Secured Party or Junior Priority Secured Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding against any Grantor or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(b) Each First Priority Secured Party, each Junior Priority Secured Party and each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, (i) any objection it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section and (ii) the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding.
(c) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.7. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
C-24
9.7 Notices. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally served, telecopied or sent by overnight express courier service or United States mail and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of a telecopy or five days after deposit in the United States mail (certified, with postage prepaid and properly addressed). For the purposes hereof, the address of (a) the Issuer, the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Junior Priority Representative (until notice of a change thereof is delivered as provided in this Section) shall be as set forth in the First Priority Agreement or the Junior Priority Agreement, as applicable and (b) any other party shall be in care of the Company as so set forth in clause (a), or, as to each party, at such other address as may be designated by such party in a written notice to all of the other parties.
9.8 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and each of the First Priority Secured Parties and Junior Priority Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns, and nothing herein is intended, or shall be construed, to give any other Person any right, remedy or claim under, to or in respect of this Agreement or any Shared Collateral.
9.9 Headings. Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
9.10 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
9.11 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by each party hereto.
9.12 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
9.13 Additional Grantors. The Issuer shall cause each Person that becomes a Grantor after the date hereof (other than any such Grantor that does not grant any Liens to secure any of the Junior Priority Obligations, until such time as such Grantor does grant any such Liens) to become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering a supplement to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the First Priority Representative and the Junior Priority Representative.
C-25
9.14 Representatives. In connection with its execution of this Agreement and its actions hereunder, each of the First Priority Representative and the Junior Priority Representative shall be entitled to all rights, privileges, benefits, protections, immunities and indemnities provided to it under the First Priority Documents and under the Junior Priority Documents, respectively.
9.15 Subrogation. The Junior Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of the Junior Priority Secured Parties, hereby waives any rights of subrogation it or they may acquire as a result of any payment hereunder until the First Priority Obligations Payment Date has occurred; provided, however, that, as between the Grantors, on the one hand, and the Junior Priority Secured Parties, on the other hand, any such payment that is paid over to the First Priority Representative pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed not to reduce any of the Junior Priority Obligations unless and until (and then only to the extent that) the First Priority Obligations Payment Date has occurred and the First Priority Representative delivers any such payment to the Junior Priority Representative.
9.16. Indenture. In addition to the foregoing rights, in acting hereunder and by virtue of this Agreement, the First Priority Representative shall have all of the rights, protections and immunities granted to it under the Indenture, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
C-26
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as First Priority Representative for and on behalf of the First Priority Secured Parties | ||||||
By | ||||||
| ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: |
C-27
[ ], as Junior Priority Representative for and on behalf of the Junior Priority Secured Parties | ||||||
by | ||||||
| ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: |
C-28
ROTECH HEALTHCARE INC., | ||||||
by | ||||||
| ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
THE GRANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO | ||||||
by | ||||||
| ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: |
C-29
Grantors
C-i