RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.36
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of March 25, 2004 (this “Agreement”), between Telewest Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and The Bank of New York, a New York trust company (the “Rights Agent”).
The Board of Directors of the Corporation has authorized and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each Common Share (as hereinafter defined) of the Corporation outstanding at the close of business on March 2, 2004 (the “Record Date”), each Right representing the right to purchase one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (as hereinafter defined), upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and has further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right with respect to each Common Share that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined); provided, however, that Rights may be issued with respect to Common Shares that shall become outstanding after the Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date in accordance with the provisions of Section 22 of this Agreement.
Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
(a) “Acquiring Person” shall mean:
(x) any Person who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall, on or after the Bar Date, be the Beneficial Owner of 25% or more of the then outstanding Common Shares (other than as a result of a Permitted Offer) or was such a Beneficial Owner at any time on or after the Bar Date, whether or not such person continues to be the Beneficial Owner of 25% or more of the then outstanding Common Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(A) the term “Acquiring Person” shall not include:
(i) the Corporation,
(ii) any Subsidiary of the Corporation,
(iii) any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary of the Corporation,
(iv) any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the Corporation for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan,
(v) any Person, who or which together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of 25% or more of the then outstanding Common Shares as a result of the acquisition of Common Shares directly from the Corporation, or
(vi) the Bank of New York with respect to any Common Shares held in its capacity as escrow agent pursuant to the Schemes; and
(B) no Person shall be deemed to be an “Acquiring Person” either:
(X) as a result of the acquisition of Common Shares by the Corporation which, by reducing the number of Common Shares outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares beneficially owned by such Person together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person; except that if (i) a Person would become an Acquiring Person (but for the operation of this subclause X) as a result of the acquisition of Common Shares by the Corporation, and (ii) after such share acquisition by the Corporation, such Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares (other than as a result of any stock dividend, stock split recapitalization or similar transaction), then such Person shall be deemed an Acquiring Person, or
(Y) if a Person did so inadvertently, (i) promptly after such Person discovers that such Person would otherwise have become an Acquiring Person (but for the operation of this subclause Y), such Person notifies the Board of Directors that such Person did so inadvertently and (ii) within 10 days after such notification, such Person is the Beneficial Owner of less than 25% of the outstanding Common Shares; or
(y) any Person who or which has entered into any agreement or arrangement with the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation providing for an Acquisition Transaction at a time when the Rights are not redeemable; or
(z) any Adverse Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof).
(b) “Acquisition Transaction” shall mean:
(x) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of which stockholders of the Corporation shall no longer own a majority of the outstanding Common Shares of the Corporation or a publicly traded entity which controls the Corporation or, if appropriate, the entity into which the Corporation may be merged, consolidated or otherwise combined (based solely on the Common Shares received or retained by such stockholders, in their capacity as stockholders of the Corporation, pursuant to such transaction),
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(y) a purchase or other acquisition of all or a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries or
(z) a purchase or other acquisition of securities representing 15% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding.
(c) “Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(d) “Adverse Person” shall mean any Person, who:
(x) alone or together with its Affiliates and Associates has become the Beneficial Owner of an amount of Common Shares which a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation determines to be substantial (which amount shall in no event be less than 10% of the Common Shares then outstanding); and
(y) with respect to which a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation has determined after reasonable inquiry and investigation, including consultation with such Person as such directors shall deem appropriate, that:
(a) such beneficial ownership by such Person is intended to cause the Corporation to repurchase the Common Shares beneficially owned by such Person or to cause pressure on the Corporation to take action or enter into a transaction or series of transactions intended to provide such Person with short-term financial gain under circumstances where the Board of Directors of the Corporation determines that the best long-term interests of the Corporation and its stockholders, would not be served by taking such action or entering into such transaction or series of transactions at that time; or
(b) such beneficial ownership is causing or is reasonably likely to cause a material adverse impact (including, but not limited to, impairment of relationships with customers or suppliers, impairment of the Corporation’s ability to maintain its competitive position, adverse consequences to the communities in which the Corporation is located and impairment of the short-term and long-term interests of the Corporation (including benefits that may accrue from the continued independence of the Corporation) on the business or prospects of the Corporation.
(e) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect on the date of this Agreement (the “Exchange Act”).
(f) A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of and shall be deemed to “Beneficially Own” or have “Beneficial Ownership” of any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly;
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(ii) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to Beneficially Own, securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to Beneficially Own, any security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or
(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such Person (or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) relating to the acquisition, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated by the proviso to Section 1(f)(ii)(B)) or disposing of any securities of the Corporation.
Notwithstanding anything in this definition of Beneficial Ownership to the contrary, the phrase “then outstanding,” when used with reference to a Person’s Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Corporation, shall mean the number of such securities then issued and outstanding together with the number of such securities not then actually issued and outstanding which such Person would be deemed to own beneficially hereunder.
The acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares of the corporation to which any Person becomes entitled pursuant to terms of the Schemes shall be deemed to have occurred on the Bar Date, irrespective of the date on which such Person was notified of its entitlement to such Common Shares pursuant to the Schemes, or the date on which such shares of Common Shares were transferred to such Person pursuant to the Schemes.
(g) “Bar Date” shall mean the latest to occur of the Bar Dates under each of the Schemes and for the purposes of calculating the number of Common Shares owned on such date, shall mean midnight on such date.
(h) “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, U.S. federal holiday, or a day on which banking institutions in New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
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(i) “Close of Business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the next succeeding Business Day.
(j) “Common Shares” when used with reference to the Corporation shall mean the shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation or, in the event of a subdivision, combination or consolidation with respect to such shares of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock resulting from such subdivision, combination or consolidation. “Common Shares” when used with reference to any Person other than the Corporation shall mean the capital stock (or equity interest) with the greatest voting power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately control such first-mentioned Person.
(k) “Distribution Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.
(l) “Final Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof.
(m) “Interested Stockholder” shall mean any Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any other Person in which any such Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate has an interest, or any other Person acting directly or indirectly on behalf of or in concert with any such Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate.
(n) “Permitted Offer” shall mean a tender or exchange offer which is for all outstanding Common Shares at a price and on terms determined, prior to the purchase of shares under such tender or exchange offer, by at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are not officers of the Corporation and who are not Acquiring Persons or Persons who would become Acquiring Persons as a result of the offer in question or Affiliates, Associates, nominees or representatives of any such Person, to be fair to stockholders and not inadequate (taking into account all factors that such directors deem relevant including, without limitation, prices that could reasonably be achieved if the Corporation or its assets were sold on an orderly basis designed to realize maximum value) and otherwise in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders (other than the Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof on whose behalf the offer is being made) taking into account all factors that such directors may deem relevant.
(o) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, association, joint venture or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
(p) “Preferred Shares” shall mean shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, with a par value of $.01 per share of the Corporation and, to the extent that there are not a sufficient number of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock authorized to permit the full exercise of the Rights, any other series of preferred stock of
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the Corporation designated for such purpose containing terms substantially similar to the terms of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
(q) “Redemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof.
(r) “Schemes” shall mean each of the scheme of arrangement of Telewest Communications plc pursuant to section 425 of the U.K. Companies Act 1985 (as amended) and the schemes of arrangement of Telewest Finance (Jersey) Limited pursuant to section 425 of the U.K. Companies Act 1985 (as amended) and article 125 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (as amended), each as may be sanctioned by the High Court of England and Wales or by the Royal Court of Jersey.
(s) “Section 11(a)(ii) Event” shall mean any event described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(t) “Section 13 Event” shall mean any event described in clause (x), (y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.
(u) “Shares Acquisition Date” shall mean the earlier of:
(i) the first date of public announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without limitation, a report filed or amended pursuant to the Exchange Act) by the Corporation or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such pursuant to Section 1(a)(x); provided, that, if such Person is determined not to have become an Acquiring Person pursuant to Section 1(a)(x)(B)(Y) hereof, then no Shares Acquisition Date shall be deemed to have occurred; and
(ii) the date that an Acquiring Person has become such pursuant to clause (y) or (z) of Section 1(a).
(v) “Subsidiary” of any Person shall mean any corporation or other Person of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.
(w) “Triggering Event” shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event or any Section 13 Event.
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Corporation hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as rights agent for the Corporation in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Corporation may from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable. The Rights Agents shall have no duty to supervise, and in no event shall be liable for, the acts or omissions of any such co-Rights Agent or Agents.
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Section 3. Issuance of Right Certificates. (a) Until the earlier of:
(i) the Close of Business on the Shares Acquisition Date or
(ii) the Close of Business on the tenth day (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors of the Corporation) after the date of the commencement by any Person (other than the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation, any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary of the Corporation or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the Corporation for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) of, or of the first public announcement of the intention of any Person (other than the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation, any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary of the Corporation or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the Corporation for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) to commence (which intention to commence remains in effect for five Business Days after such announcement), a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any Person becoming an Acquiring Person (including, in the case of both (i) and (ii), any such date which is after the date of this Agreement and prior to the issuance of the Rights), the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the “Distribution Date,” (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof) by the certificates for Common Shares registered in the names of the holders thereof (which certificates shall also be deemed to be Right Certificates) and not by separate Right Certificates, and (y) the right to receive Right Certificates will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying Common Shares (including a transfer to the Corporation); provided, however, that if a tender offer or exchange offer is terminated prior to the occurrence of a Distribution Date, then no Distribution Date shall occur as a result of such tender offer or exchange offer. As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Corporation will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign, and the Corporation will send or cause to be sent by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Corporation, a Right Certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (a “Right Certificate”), evidencing one Right for each Common Share so held. As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.
The Corporation shall promptly notify the Rights Agent in writing upon the occurrence of the Distribution Date and, if such notification is given orally, the Corporation shall confirm same in writing on or prior to the Business Day next following. Until such written notice is received by the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent may presume conclusively for all purposes that the Distribution Date has not occurred.
(b) With respect to certificates for Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by such certificates registered in the names of the holders thereof together with a copy of the Summary of Rights attached thereto. Until the Distribution Date (or the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date), the surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Shares outstanding on the Record Date, with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights attached thereto, shall also
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constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with such Common Shares. As a result of the execution of this Agreement on the date hereof, each share of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, also represent one Right and shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, represent the right to purchase one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share.
(c) Certificates for Common Shares which become outstanding (including, without limitation, reacquired Common Shares referred to in the last sentence of this paragraph (c)) after the Record Date but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date, shall be deemed also to be certificates for Rights, and shall bear the following legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between Telewest Global, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent, dated as of March 25, 2004 (the “Rights Agreement”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of Telewest Global, Inc. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate. Telewest Global, Inc. will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefore to the Secretary of Telewest Global, Inc. Under certain circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, or held by, any Person who is, was or becomes an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and certain related persons, whether currently held by or on behalf of such Person or by any subsequent holder, may become null and void.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the earlier of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby. In the event that the Corporation purchases or acquires any Common Shares after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such Common Shares shall be deemed canceled and retired so that the Corporation shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the Common Shares which are no longer outstanding.
Section 4. Form of Right Certificate. (a) The Right Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Corporation may deem appropriate (which do not affect the rights, duties or responsibilities of the Rights Agent) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Rights may from time to time be listed or quoted, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 11
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and Section 22 hereof, the Right Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as shall be set forth therein at the price per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share set forth therein (the “Purchase Price”), but the amount and type of securities purchasable upon the exercise of each Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.
(b) Any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof that represents Rights which are null and void pursuant to Section 7(e) of this Agreement and any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Right Certificate referred to in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent the Rights Agent has notice thereof and to the extent feasible) a legend substantially in the following form:
The Rights represented by this Right Certificate are or were Beneficially Owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement). Accordingly, this Right Certificate and the Rights represented hereby are null and void.
Provisions of Section 7(e) of this Rights Agreement shall be operative whether or not the foregoing legend is contained on any such Right Certificate. The Corporation shall notify the Rights Agent to the extent that this Section 4(b) applies.
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration. The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Corporation by its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents, or its Treasurer, either manually or by facsimile signature, shall have affixed thereto the Corporation’s seal or a facsimile thereof, and shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Right Certificates shall be countersigned by the Rights Agent, either manually or by facsimile signature and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the Corporation who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Corporation before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Corporation, such Right Certificates may nevertheless be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Corporation with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Corporation; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Corporation by any Person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Corporation to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights Agreement any such Person was not such an officer.
Following the Distribution Date and receipt by the Rights Agent of notice to that effect and all other relevant information, including but not limited to a list of record holders of Rights, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its office designated for surrender of such Right Certificate or transfer, books for registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of
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the Right Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right Certificates and the certificate number and the date of each of the Right Certificates.
Section 6. Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificate. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14 hereof, at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date, any Right Certificate or Right Certificates (other than Right Certificates representing Rights that have become null and void pursuant to Section 7(e) hereof or that have been exchanged pursuant to Section 24 hereof) may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share (or, following a Triggering Event, other securities, as the case may be) as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder (or former holder in the case of a transfer) to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. The Rights Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Corporation shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Right Certificate until the registered holder shall have (i) properly completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such Right Certificate, (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof, and of the Rights evidenced thereby, as the Corporation or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request, and (iii) paid a sum sufficient to cover any tax or charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates as required by Section 9 hereof. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14 hereof, countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested, registered in such name or names as may be designated by the surrendering registered holder. The Corporation or the Rights Agent may require payment by the holders of Rights of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates. If the Corporation or the Rights Agent requires such payment, then the Rights Agent shall not be required to process any transaction until it is satisfied that all such taxes and/or governmental charges have been paid.
Upon receipt by the Corporation and the Rights Agent of evidence satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Corporation’s request, reimbursement to the Corporation and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Corporation will make and deliver a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
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Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights. (a) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof, the registered holder of any Right Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate on the reverse side thereof duly executed and properly completed, to the Rights Agent at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price for the total number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share (or other securities, as the case may be) as to which such surrendered Rights are exercised, and an amount equal to any tax or charge required to be paid under Section 9 hereof, by certified check, cashier’s check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Corporation, at or prior to the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on March 2, 2014 (the “Final Expiration Date”), (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the “Redemption Date”); (iii) the time at which the Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof, or (iv) the consummation of a transaction contemplated by Section 13(d) hereof.
(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $80.00, shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in the next sentence and in Sections 11 and 13(a) hereof and shall be payable in accordance with paragraph (c) below. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Distribution Date, the Corporation shall (i) declare or pay any dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or (ii) effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares) into a greater or lesser number of Common Shares, then in any such case, each Common Share outstanding following such subdivision, combination or consolidation shall continue to have one Right associated therewith and the Purchase Price following any such event shall be proportionately adjusted to equal the result obtained by multiplying the Purchase Price immediately prior to such event by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and the denominator of which shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event. The adjustment provided for in the preceding sentence shall be made successively whenever such a dividend is declared or paid or such a subdivision, combination or consolidation is effected.
(c) Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate duly executed and properly completed, accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the Preferred Shares (or other securities, as the case may be) to be purchased and an amount equal to any applicable tax or governmental charge required to be paid by the holder of such Right Certificate in accordance with Section 9 hereof by certified check, cashier’s check or money order payable to the order of the Corporation, subject to Section 20(k) hereof, the Rights Agent shall thereupon promptly:
(i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred Shares certificates for the number of Preferred Shares to be purchased and the Corporation hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, or (B) if the
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Corporation, in its sole discretion, shall have elected to deposit the Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights hereunder into a depositary, requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing such number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred Shares represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Corporation will direct the depositary agent to comply with such requests,
(ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Corporation the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof,
(iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder, and
(iv) when appropriate, after receipt thereof, deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate.
In the event that the Corporation is obligated to issue other securities (including Common Shares) of the Corporation pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Corporation will make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when necessary to comply with this Agreement.
In addition, in the case of an exercise of the Rights by a holder pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii), the Rights Agent shall return such Right Certificate to the registered holder thereof after imprinting, stamping or otherwise indicating thereon that the rights represented by such Right Certificate no longer include the rights provided by Section 11(a)(ii) of the Rights Agreement and if less than all the Rights represented by such Right Certificate were so exercised, the Rights Agent shall indicate on the Right Certificate the number of Rights represented thereby which continue to include the rights provided by Section 11(a)(ii).
(d) In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 6 and Section 14 hereof, or the Rights Agent shall place an appropriate notation on the Right Certificate with respect to those Rights exercised.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from and after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, any Rights Beneficially Owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any Affiliate or Associate thereof) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any Affiliate or Associate thereof) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring
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Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has a continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Corporation has determined is part of an agreement, arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 7(e), shall become null and void without any further action and no holder of such Rights shall have any rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of this Agreement or otherwise. The Corporation shall provide the Rights Agent with prompt written notice when this Section 7(e) applies and shall use all reasonable efforts to insure that the provisions of this Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but neither the Corporation nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of Right Certificates or other Person as a result of the Corporation’s failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or any of its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Corporation shall be obligated to undertake any action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have (i) properly completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Right Certificate surrendered for such exercise, and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof, and of the Rights evidenced thereby, as the Corporation or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request.
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Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates. All Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split-up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Corporation or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Right Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Corporation shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Corporation otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all canceled Right Certificates to the Corporation, or shall, at the written request of the Corporation, destroy such canceled Right Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Corporation.
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Preferred Shares. The Corporation covenants and agrees that at all times prior to the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued Preferred Shares, or any authorized and issued Preferred Shares held in its treasury, the number of Preferred Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights pursuant to this Agreement, and, after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, so reserve and keep available a sufficient number of Common Shares (and/or other securities) which may be required to permit the exercise in full of the Rights pursuant to this Agreement.
So long as the Preferred Shares (and, after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, Common Shares or any other securities) issuable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system, the Corporation shall use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all shares reserved for such issuance to be listed on such exchange or automated quotation system upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.
The Corporation covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such shares or other securities (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and non-assessable shares or securities.
The Corporation further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all taxes and governmental charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or of any Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) upon the exercise of Rights. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax or other charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates or depositary receipts for the Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise, or to issue or to deliver any certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) upon the exercise of any Rights, until any such tax or other charge shall have been paid
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(any such tax or other charge being payable by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Corporation’s reasonable satisfaction that no such tax or other charge is due.
The Corporation shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon as practicable following the Shares Acquisition Date, a registration statement under the Act, with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing, and (iii) cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder) until the earlier of (A) the date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities and (B) the date of the expiration of the rights provided by Section 11(a)(ii). The Corporation will also take such action as may be appropriate under the blue sky laws of the various states. The Corporation may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed 90 days after the date set forth in clause (i) of this paragraph, the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to become effective. Upon any such suspension, the Corporation shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension has been rescinded, in each case with written notice to the Rights Agent. In addition, if the Corporation shall determine that a registration statement is required following the Distribution Date, the Corporation may temporarily suspend the exercisability of the Rights until such time as a registration statement has been declared effective. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall not have been obtained, the exercise thereof shall not be permitted under applicable law, or a registration statement shall not have been declared effective.
Section 10. Preferred Shares Record Date. Each Person in whose name any certificate for Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable taxes and charges) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Corporation are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Corporation are open.
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or Number of Rights. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.
(a) (i) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares, (B)
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subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine the outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of Preferred Shares or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Corporation is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e) hereof, the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Corporation were open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation issuable upon exercise of one Right. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under both Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii), the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii).
(ii) In the event any Person, alone or together with its Affiliates and Associates, shall become an Acquiring Person, then proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right (except as provided below and in Section 7(e) hereof) shall, for a period of 60 days after the later of the occurrence of any such event or the effective date of an appropriate registration statement under the Act pursuant to Section 9 hereof, have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such number of Common Shares (or, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share) as shall equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the then number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, and dividing that product by (y) 50% of the then current per share market price of the Corporation’s Common Shares (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of such first occurrence (such number of shares being referred to as the “Adjustment Shares”); provided, however, that if the transaction that would otherwise give rise to the foregoing adjustment is also subject to the provisions of Section 13 hereof, then only the provisions of Section 13 hereof shall apply and no adjustment shall be made pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii).
(iii) In the event that there shall not be sufficient treasury shares or authorized but unissued (and unreserved) Common Shares to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) and the Rights become so exercisable (and the Board of Directors of the Corporation has determined to make the Rights exercisable into fractions of a Preferred Share or other equity securities of the Corporation (or, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, debt)), notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent necessary and permitted by applicable law, each Right shall thereafter represent the right to receive, upon exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (x) a number of (or fractions of) Common Shares
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(up to the maximum number of Common Shares which may permissibly be issued) and (y) one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share or a number of, or fractions of other equity securities of the Corporation (or, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, debt) which the Board of Directors of the Corporation has determined to have the same aggregate current market value (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) and (ii) hereof, to the extent applicable,) as one Common Share (such number of, or fractions of, Preferred Shares, debt, or other equity securities or debt of the Corporation) being referred to as a “capital stock equivalent”, equal in the aggregate to the number of Adjustment Shares; provided, however, if sufficient Common Shares and/or capital stock equivalents are unavailable, then the Corporation shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, take all such action as may be necessary to authorize additional Common Shares or capital stock equivalents for issuance upon exercise of the Rights, including the calling of a meeting of stockholders; and provided, further, that if the Corporation is unable to cause sufficient Common Shares and/or capital stock equivalents to be available for issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights, then each Right shall thereafter represent the right to receive the Adjusted Number of Shares upon exercise at the Adjusted Purchase Price (as such terms are hereinafter defined). As used herein, the term “Adjusted Number of Shares” shall be equal to that number of (or fractions of) Common Shares (and/or capital stock equivalents) equal to the product of (x) the number of Adjustment Shares and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Common Shares (and/or capital stock equivalents) available for issuance upon exercise of the Rights and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of Adjustment Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise in full of all Rights (assuming there were a sufficient number of Common Shares and/or capital stock equivalents available) (such fraction being referred to as the “Proration Factor”). The “Adjusted Purchase Price” shall mean the product of the Purchase Price and the Proration Factor. The Board of Directors may, but shall not be required to, establish procedures to allocate the right to receive Common Shares and capital stock equivalents upon exercise of the Rights among holders of Rights.
(b) In case the Corporation shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights (other than the Rights), options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares (or shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred Shares (“equivalent preferred shares”)) or securities convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares at a price per Preferred Share or equivalent preferred share (or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares) less than the then current per share market price of the Preferred Shares (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of Preferred Shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current per share market price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible);
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provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation issuable upon exercise of one Right. In case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights. Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account of the Corporation shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(c) In case the Corporation shall fix a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares (including any such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Corporation is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in Preferred Shares) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the then current per share market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) of the Preferred Shares on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights) of the portion of the assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one Preferred Share and the denominator of which shall be such current per share market price of one Preferred Share; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation to be issued upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “current per share market price” of any security (a “Security” for the purpose of this Section 11(d)(i)) on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Security for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) immediately prior to and not including such date; provided, however, that in the event that the current per share market price of the Security is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such Security of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Security payable in shares of such Security or securities convertible into such shares, or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security and prior to the expiration of thirty (30) Trading Days after and not including the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the current per share market price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price per share
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equivalent of such Security. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“Nasdaq”) or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Security is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. If on any such date no such market maker is making a market in the Security, the fair value of the Security on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be used. The term “Trading Day” shall mean a day on which Nasdaq or the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on Nasdaq or any national securities exchange, a Business Day.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “current per share market price” of the Preferred Shares shall be determined in accordance with the method set forth in Section 11(d)(i). If the Preferred Shares are not publicly traded, the “current per share market price” of the Preferred Shares shall be conclusively deemed to be the current per share market price of the Common Shares as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) multiplied by one thousand (1,000) (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof). If neither the Common Shares nor the Preferred Shares are publicly held or so listed or traded, “current per share market price” shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights.
(e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one one-millionth of a Preferred Share or one one-thousandth of any other share or security as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three (3) years from the date of the transaction which mandates such adjustment or (ii) the Final Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any property or shares of capital stock of the Corporation other than Preferred Shares, thereafter
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the number or amount of other property or shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Shares contained in Section 11(a), (b), (c), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), and (m), and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other property or shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Corporation subsequent to any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
(h) Unless the Corporation shall have exercised its election so provided in Section 11(i) hereof, upon adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and 11(c) hereof, each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the Adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share calculated to the nearest one one-millionth of a Preferred Share) obtained by (i) multiplying (A) the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share covered by a Right immediately prior to this adjustment of the Purchase Price by (B) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Corporation may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in lieu of any adjustment in the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share purchasable upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Corporation shall make a public announcement (with prompt written notice thereof to the Rights Agent) of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made, a copy of which public announcement shall promptly be delivered to the Rights Agent. This record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten (10) days later than the date of the public announcement. If Right Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Corporation shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Corporation, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Corporation, new Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be
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entitled after such adjustment. Right Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Corporation, the Adjusted Purchase Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price and the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share which were expressed in the initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the Purchase Price below the then par value, if any, of the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share, Common Shares or other securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Corporation shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue such number of fully paid and non-assessable one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share, Common Shares or other securities at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Corporation may elect to defer (with prompt written notice thereof to the Rights Agent) until the occurrence of such event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date the Preferred Shares, Common Shares or other securities of the Corporation, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the Preferred Shares, Common Shares or other securities of the Corporation, if any, issuable upon exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Corporation shall deliver to such holder a due xxxx or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional shares or other securities, as the case may be, upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Corporation shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that it in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that (i) any consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Shares, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares at less than the current market price, (iii) issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Shares, (iv) stock dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 11, hereafter made by the Corporation to holders of its Preferred Shares shall not be taxable to such stockholders.
(n) The Corporation covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Corporation in a transaction which does not violate Section 11(o) hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Corporation in a transaction which does not violate Section 11(o) hereof), or (iii) sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one transaction, or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more
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than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the Corporation and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which does not violate this Section 11(n)), if (x) at the time of or immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer there are any charter or by-law provisions or any rights, warrants or other instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect or other actions taken, which would materially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such consolidation, merger or sale, the stockholders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the “Principal Party” for purposes of Section 13(a) hereof shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates and Associates.
(o) The Corporation covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 27 hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action the purpose of which is to, or if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that the effect of such action is to, materially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.
(p) The exercise of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) shall only result in the loss of rights under Section 11(a)(ii) to the extent so exercised and shall not otherwise affect the rights represented by the Rights under this Rights Agreement, including the rights represented by Section 13.
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Sections 11 or 13 hereof, the Corporation shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment, and a brief, reasonably detailed statement of the facts, computations and methodology accounting for any such adjustment, (b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares a copy of such certificate and (c) if a Distribution Date has occurred, mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate (or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to each holder of a Certificate representing Common Shares) in accordance with Section 25 and Section 26 hereof. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment or statement therein contained.
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power.
(a) In the event that, on or following the Shares Acquisition Date, directly or indirectly, (x) the Corporation shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, any Interested Stockholder or, if in such merger or consolidation all holders of Common Stock are not treated alike, any other Person, (y) the Corporation shall consolidate with, or merge with, any Interested Stockholder or, if in such merger or consolidation all holders of Common Stock are not treated alike, any other Person, and the Corporation shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger (other than, in a case of any transaction described in (x) or (y), a merger or consolidation which would result in all of the securities generally entitled to vote in the election of directors (“Voting Securities”) of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior
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thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into securities of the surviving entity) all of the Voting Securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and the holders of such securities not having changed as a result of such merger or consolidation), or (z) the Corporation shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Interested Stockholder or Stockholders or, if in such transaction all holders of Common Stock are not treated alike, any other Person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation in one or more transactions each of which does not violate Section 11(n) hereof), then, and in each such case (except as provided in Section 13(d) hereof), proper provision shall be made so that (i) each holder of a Right, except as provided in Section 7(e) hereof, shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of freely tradable shares of common stock of the Principal Party (as hereinafter defined), not subject to any liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall equal the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable (without taking into account any adjustment previously made pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)) and dividing that product (which, following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event shall be referred to as the “Purchase Price” for each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement) by (B) 50% of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares of such Principal Party (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of consummation of such Section 13 Event; (ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the obligations and duties of the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term “Corporation” shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party, it being specifically intended that the provisions of Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such Principal Party following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event; and (iv) such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares) in connection with the consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to the Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights.
(b) “Principal Party” shall mean
(i) in the case of any transaction described in clause (x) or (y) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the issuer of any securities into which Common Shares of the Corporation are converted in such merger or consolidation, and if no securities are so issued, the Person that is the other party to such merger or consolidation (including, if applicable, the Corporation if it is the surviving corporation); and (ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause (z) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the party receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such transaction or transactions; provided, however, that in any of the foregoing cases, (1) if the Common Shares of such Person are not at such time and have not been continuously over the preceding twelve (12) month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and such
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Person is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the Common Shares of which are and have been so registered, “Principal Party” shall refer to such other Person; (2) in case such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one Person, the Common Shares of two or more of which are and have been so registered, “Principal Party” shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the issuer of the Common Shares having the greatest aggregate market value; and (3) in case such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture formed by two or more Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the same Person, the rules set forth in (1) and (2) above shall apply to each of the chains of ownership having an interest in such joint venture as if such party were a “Subsidiary” of both or all of such joint venturers and the Principal Parties in each such chain shall bear the obligations set forth in this Section 13 in the same ratio as their direct or indirect interests in such Person bear to the total of such interests.
(c) The Corporation shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient number of its authorized shares of common stock which have not been issued or reserved for issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with this Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Corporation and such Principal Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing for the terms set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 13 and further providing that, as soon as practicable after the date of any consolidation, merger, sale or transfer mentioned in paragraph (a) of this Section 13, the Principal Party at its own expense shall:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Act with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, and will use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to (A) become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and (B) remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date;
(ii) use its best efforts to qualify or register the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights under the blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as may be necessary or appropriate; and
(iii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial statements for the Principal Party and each of its Affiliates which comply in all respects with the requirements for registration on Form 10 under the Exchange Act.
The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers. The rights under this Section 13 shall be in addition to the rights to exercise Rights and adjustments under Section 11(a)(ii) and shall survive any exercise thereof.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Section 13 shall not be applicable to a transaction described in subparagraphs (x) and (y) of Section 13(a) if: (i) such transaction is consummated with a Person or Persons who acquired
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Common Shares pursuant to a Permitted Offer (or a wholly owned Subsidiary of any such Person or Persons); (ii) the price per Common Share offered in such transaction is not less than the price per Common Share paid to all holders of Common Shares whose shares were purchased pursuant to such Permitted Offer; and (iii) the form of consideration offered in such transaction is the same as the form of consideration paid pursuant to such Permitted Offer. Upon consummation of any such transaction contemplated by this Section 13(d), all Rights hereunder shall expire.
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares. (a) The Corporation shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right. For the purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable. The closing price for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by Nasdaq or such other system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. If on any such date no such market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (whose decision shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) shall be used and shall be conclusive.
(b) The Corporation shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are one one-thousandth or integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are one one-thousandth or integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share). Fractions of Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share may, at the election of the Corporation, be evidenced by depositary receipts, pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Corporation and a depositary selected by it; provided that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary receipts shall have the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares that are not one one-thousandth or integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, the Corporation shall pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one Preferred Share. For the purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of a Preferred Share shall be the closing
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price of a Preferred Share (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(ii) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(c) Following the occurrence of one of the transactions or events specified in Section 11 giving rise to the right to receive Common Shares, capital stock equivalents (other than Preferred Shares) or other securities upon the exercise of a Right, the Corporation shall not be required to issue fractions of shares or units of such Common Shares, capital stock equivalents or other securities upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractions of such Common Shares, capital stock equivalents or other securities. In lieu of fractional shares or units of such Common Shares, capital stock equivalents or other securities, the Corporation may pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a share or unit of such Common Shares, capital stock equivalents or other securities. For purposes of this Section 14(c), the current market value shall be determined in the manner set forth in Section 11(d) hereof for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise and, if such capital stock equivalent is not traded, each such capital stock equivalent shall have the value of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share.
(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional share upon exercise of a Right (except as provided above).
Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of this Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Common Shares); and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Corporation to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) in the manner provided in such Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach by the Corporation of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations by the Corporation of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Agreement.
Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders. Every holder of a Right, by accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Corporation and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares;
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(b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and with the appropriate forms and certificates fully executed;
(c) subject to Section 7(f) hereof, the Corporation and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Shares certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Right Certificate or the associated Common Shares certificate made by anyone other than the Corporation or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Corporation nor the Rights Agent, subject to the last sentence of Section 7(e) hereof shall be required to be affected by any notice to the contrary; and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Corporation nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a Right or a beneficial interest in a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, judgment, decree or ruling (whether interlocutory or final) issued by a court or by a governmental, regulatory, self-regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation; provided, however, the Corporation must use its reasonable best efforts to have any such order, decree, judgment, or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as possible.
Section 17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder. No holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or any other securities of the Corporation which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Corporation or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent. The Corporation agrees to pay to the Rights Agent such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing between the Corporation and the Rights Agent for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery, amendment and administration of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Corporation also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense,
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incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (each as determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction) on the part of the Rights Agent, for any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance, administration, exercise and performance of its duties under this Agreement, including without limitation the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly. The reasonable costs and expenses incurred in enforcing this right of indemnification shall be paid by the Corporation.
The Rights Agent shall be authorized and protected and shall incur no liability for, or in respect of, any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with, its acceptance and administration of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder, in reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate for Common Shares or for other securities of the Corporation, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document (collectively, “Documents”) believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 20 hereof.
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent. Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the stock transfer or all or substantially all of the shareholder services the business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of a predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement. In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.
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Section 20. Rights and Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Corporation and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Corporation or an employee of the Rights Agent) and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of an Acquiring Person and the determination of the current market price of any Security) be proved or established by the Corporation prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Corporation and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct; provided, however, that the Rights Agent shall in no event be liable for indirect, special, consequential or punitive damages
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right Certificates (except its countersignature on such Right Certificates) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Corporation only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any liability or responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Corporation of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment required under the provisions of Section 11 or Section 13 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after receipt of the certificate described in Section 12 hereof, upon which the Rights Agent may rely); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Preferred Shares or Common Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any Preferred Shares or Common Shares will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
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(f) The Corporation agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the General Counsel, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Corporation, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the instructions of any such officer.
(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, affiliate, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Corporation or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Corporation may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Corporation or otherwise act as fully and freely as though the Rights Agent were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent or any such stockholder, affiliate, director, officer or employee from acting in any other capacity for the Corporation or for any other Person or legal entity.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself (through is directors, officers or employees) or by or through its attorneys or agents as approved by the Corporation, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Corporation or any other Person resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct provided, however, reasonable care was exercised by the Rights Agent in the selection and continued employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(k) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has not been completed, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the Corporation.
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon thirty (30) days’ notice in writing mailed to the Corporation and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and, if such resignation occurs after the Distribution Date, to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. The Corporation may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon thirty (30) days’ notice in
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writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and, if such removal occurs after the Distribution Date, to holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of satisfactorily performing its duties hereunder, the Corporation shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Corporation shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the Corporation), then the registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Corporation or by such a court, shall be (a) a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States, in good standing, having an office in the State of New York, which is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 or (b) an Affiliate of a Person described in clause (a) whose obligations are fully guaranteed by the Person described in clause (a). After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment the Corporation shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares, and, if such appointment occurs after the Distribution Date, mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.
Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Corporation may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Right Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of Common Shares following the Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date, the Corporation (a) shall with respect to Common Shares so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under any employee plan or arrangement, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities, notes or debentures issued by the Corporation, and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, issue Right Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) the Corporation shall not be obligated to issue any such Right Certificates if, and to the extent that, the Corporation shall be advised by
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counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Corporation or the Person to whom such Right Certificate would be issued, and (ii) no Right Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.
Section 23. Redemption and Termination.
(a) (i) The Board of Directors of the Corporation may, at its option, redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $.001 per Right, as such amount may be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the “Redemption Price”), at any time prior to the earlier of (x) the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event or (y) the Final Expiration Date. The Corporation may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash, Common Shares (based on the current per share market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) of the Common Shares at the time of redemption), or any other form of consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(ii) In addition, the Board of Directors of the Corporation may, at its option, at any time following the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event and the expiration of any period during which the holder of Rights may exercise the rights under Section 11(a)(ii) but prior to any Section 13 Event redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price (x) in connection with any merger, consolidation or sale or other transfer (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) of assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) in which all holders of Common Shares are treated alike and not involving (other than as a holder of Common Shares being treated like all other such holders) an Interested Stockholder or (y)(aa) if and for so long as the Acquiring Person is not thereafter the Beneficial Owner of 25% of the Common Shares, and (bb) at the time of redemption no other Persons are Acquiring Persons.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in Section 23(a)(i) and (ii) to the contrary, in the case the Corporation is not permitted to pay the Redemption Price under the terms of any agreement or instrument evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, currently in existence or executed after the date hereof, the payment of the Redemption Price shall be deferred until such time as such payment becomes permitted under the terms of any such agreement or instrument; provided, however, that such deferral shall not, in any way, affect the right and ability of the Board of Directors of the Corporation to redeem the Rights.
(c) In the case of a redemption permitted under Section 23(a)(i), immediately upon the date for redemption set forth (or determined in the manner specified) in a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation ordering the redemption of the Rights, and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be, except as provided in Section 23(b), to receive the Redemption Price for each Right so held. In the case of a redemption permitted only under Section 23(a)(ii), the right to exercise the Rights will terminate
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and represent only, except as provided in Section 23(b), the right to receive the Redemption Price upon the later of ten Business Days following the giving of such notice or the expiration of any period during which the rights under Section 11(a)(ii) may be exercised. The Corporation shall promptly give public notice and provide prompt written notice to the Rights Agent of any such redemption; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such redemption. Within ten (10) days after such date for redemption set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Corporation shall mail a notice of redemption to each of the holders of the then outstanding Rights at each holder’s last address as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made. Neither the Corporation nor any of its Affiliates or Associates may redeem, acquire or purchase for value any Rights at any time in any manner other than that specifically set forth in this Section 23 and other than in connection with the purchase of Common Shares prior to the Distribution Date.
(d) The Corporation may, at its option, discharge all of its obligations with respect to the Rights by (i) issuing a press release (with prompt written notice thereof to the Rights Agent) announcing the manner of redemption of the Rights in accordance with this Agreement and (ii) mailing payment of the Redemption Price to the registered holders of the Rights at their last addresses as they appear on the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the Transfer Agent of the Common Shares, and upon such action, all outstanding Rights and Right Certificates shall be null and void without any further action by the Corporation.
Section 24. Exchange. (a) The Board of Directors of the Corporation may, at its option, at any time after the time that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) for Common Shares of the Corporation at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Ratio”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person (other than the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation, any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any such Subsidiary, any Person organized, appointed or established by the Corporation for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or any trustee, administrator or fiduciary of such a plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Corporation ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 24 and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of such Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by
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the Exchange Ratio. The Corporation shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such exchange. The Corporation promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the Common Shares for Rights shall be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which shall be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.
(c) In any exchange pursuant to this Section 24, the Corporation, at its option, may substitute Preferred Shares (or equivalent preferred shares, as such term is defined in Section 11(b) hereof) for some or all of the Common Shares exchangeable for Rights, at the initial rate of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or equivalent preferred share) for each Common Share, as appropriately adjusted to reflect adjustments in the voting rights of the Preferred Shares (or equivalent preferred share) pursuant to the terms thereof, so that the fraction of a Preferred Share (or equivalent preferred share) delivered in lieu of each Common Share shall have the same voting rights as one Common Share.
(d) The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall not authorize any exchange transaction referred to in Section 24(a) hereof unless at the time such exchange is authorized there shall be sufficient Common Shares or Preferred Shares issued but not outstanding, or authorized but unissued, to permit the exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 24.
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events. (a) In case the Corporation shall propose, at any time after the Distribution Date, (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the holders of its Preferred Shares or to make any other distribution to the holders of its Preferred Shares (other than a regularly quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to offer to the holders of its Preferred Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional Preferred Shares or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred Shares (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding Preferred Shares), (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Corporation in a transaction which does not violate Section 11(n) hereof), or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer) in one or more transactions, of 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the Corporation and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which does not violate Section 11(n) hereof), or (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, then, in each such case, the Corporation shall give to the Rights Agent and to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action and file a certificate with the Rights Agent to that effect, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, or distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
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liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the Preferred Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least twenty (20) days prior to the record date for determining holders of the Preferred Shares for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action, at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the Preferred Shares, whichever shall be the earlier.
(b) In case of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, then (i) the Corporation shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to the Rights Agent and to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe such event and the consequences of such event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, and (ii) all references in the preceding paragraph (a) to Preferred Shares shall be deemed thereafter to refer also to Common Shares and/or, if appropriate, other securities of the Corporation.
Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Corporation shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent), or by facsimile transmission, as follows:
Telewest Global, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx of America
Attention: General Counsel
With a copy to:
Telewest UK Limited.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X0X 0XX
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: x00 00 0000 0000
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Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Corporation or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Corporation), or by facsimile transmission as follows:
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx 00X
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Compliance Department
Facsimile No.:x0 (000) 000 0000
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Corporation or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates representing Common Shares shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Corporation.
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments. (a) Prior to the Distribution Date, and subject to the provisions of Section 27(b) hereof, the Corporation may and the Rights Agent shall, if the Corporation so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement without the approval of any holders of certificates representing Common Shares. From and after the Distribution Date, and subject to the provisions of Section 27(b) hereof, the Corporation may and the Rights Agent shall, if the Corporation so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Right Certificates in order (i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii) to shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder or (iv) to change or supplement the provisions hereunder in any manner which the Corporation may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Right Certificates (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person); provided, however, that this Agreement may not be supplemented or amended to lengthen, pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence, (A) a time period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at such time as the Rights are not then redeemable, or (B) any other time period unless any such lengthening is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of Rights. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Corporation which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. Prior to the Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Shares.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no supplement or amendment shall be made to this Agreement at a time when the Rights are not redeemable, except as contemplated by clause (i) or (ii) of Section 27(a) hereof.
Section 28. Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or the Corporation, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the
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administration of this Agreement (including, without limitation, a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend the Agreement and whether any proposed amendment adversely affects the interests of the holders of Right Certificates). For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of Common Shares or other securities outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of determining the particular percentage of such outstanding Common Shares or any other securities of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement. All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in good faith (and the Rights Agent shall be able to assume that the Board of Directors of the Corporation acted in such good faith), shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Corporation, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Right Certificates and all other Persons, and (y) not subject the Board of Directors or any of the Directors of the Corporation to any liability to the holders of the Right Certificates.
Section 29. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Corporation or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Corporation, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Corporation, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares).
Section 31. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
Section 32. Governing Law. This Agreement, each Right and each Right Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State; except that all provisions regarding the rights, duties, obligations and immunities of the Rights Agent shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State.
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Section 33. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 34. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date and year first above written.
TELEWEST GLOBAL, INC.
Attest:
| By: |
/s/ Cob Stenham | |
| Name: |
Cob Stenham | |
| Title: |
Director and Chairman of the Board | |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Attest:
| By: |
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | By: |
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx | |||||
| Name: |
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | Name: |
Xxxxx Xxxxx | |||||
| Title: |
Assistant Vice President | Title: |
Assistant Vice President | |||||
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EXECUTION COPY
TELEWEST GLOBAL, INC.
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Rights Agent
Rights Agreement
Dated as of March 25, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||
| Section 1. Certain Definitions |
1 | |
| Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent |
6 | |
| Section 3. Issuance of Right Certificates |
7 | |
| Section 4. Form of Right Certificate |
8 | |
| Section 5. Countersignature and Registration. |
9 | |
| Section 6. Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificate |
10 | |
| Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights |
11 | |
| Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates |
14 | |
| Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Preferred Shares |
14 | |
| Section 10. Preferred Shares Record Date |
15 | |
| Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or Number of Rights |
15 | |
| Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares |
22 | |
| Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power |
22 | |
| Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares |
25 | |
| Section 15. Rights of Action |
26 | |
| Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders |
26 | |
| Section 17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder |
27 | |
| Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent |
27 | |
| Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent |
28 | |
| Section 20. Rights and Duties of Rights Agent |
29 | |
| Section 21. Change of Rights Agent |
30 | |
| Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates |
31 | |
| Section 23. Redemption and Termination |
32 | |
| Section 24. Exchange |
33 | |
| Section 25. Notice of Certain Events |
34 | |
| Section 26. Notices |
35 | |
| Section 27. Supplements and Amendments |
36 | |
| Section 28. Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc. |
36 | |
| Section 29. Successors |
37 | |
| Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement |
37 | |
| Section 31. Severability |
37 | |
| Section 32. Governing Law |
37 | |
| Section 33. Counterparts |
38 | |
| Section 34. Descriptive Headings |
38 | |
| Exhibit | A—Form of Right Certificate |
- i -
Defined Term Cross Reference Sheet
| Term |
Location | |
| Acquiring Person |
Section 1(a) | |
| Acquisition Transaction |
Section 1(b) | |
| Act |
Section 1(c) | |
| Adjustment Shares |
Section 11(a)(ii) | |
| Adjusted Number of Shares |
Section 11(a)(iii) | |
| Adjusted Purchase Price |
Section 11(a)(iii) | |
| Adverse Person |
Section 1(d) | |
| Affiliate |
Section 1(e) | |
| Agreement |
Preface | |
| Associate |
Section 1(e) | |
| Bar Date |
Section 1(g) | |
| Beneficial Owner |
Section 1(f) | |
| Beneficial Ownership |
Section 1(f) | |
| Beneficially Own |
Section 1(f) | |
| Business Day |
Section 1(h) | |
| capital stock equivalent |
Section 11(a)(iii) | |
| Close of Business |
Section 1(i) | |
| Common Shares |
Section 1(j) | |
| Corporation |
Preface | |
| current per share market price |
Section 11(d)(i) & (ii) | |
| Distribution Date |
Section 3(a) | |
| Documents |
Section 18 | |
| equivalent preferred shares |
Section 11(b) | |
| Exchange Act |
Section 1(e) | |
| Exchange Ratio |
Section 24(a) | |
| Final Expiration Date |
Section 7(a) | |
| Interested Stockholder |
Section 1(m) | |
| Nasdaq |
Section 11(d)(i) | |
| Permitted Offer |
Section 1(n) | |
| Person |
Section 1(o) | |
| Preferred Shares |
Section 1(p) | |
| Principal Party |
Section 13(b) | |
| Proration Factor |
Section 11(a)(iii) | |
| Purchase Price |
Section 4(a) | |
| Record Date |
Preface | |
| Redemption Date |
Section 7(a) | |
| Redemption Price |
Section 23(a)(i) | |
| Right |
Preface | |
| Right Certificate |
Section 3(a) | |
| Rights Agent |
Preface | |
- ii -
| Rights Agreement |
Section 3(c) | |
| Schemes |
Section 1(r) | |
| Section 11(a)(ii) Event |
Section 11(a)(ii) | |
| Section 13 Event |
Section 1(t) | |
| Security |
Section 11(d)(i) | |
| Shares Acquisition Date |
Section 1(u) | |
| Subsidiary |
Section 1(v) | |
| then outstanding |
Section 1(f)(iii) | |
| Trading Day |
Section 11(d)(i) | |
| Triggering Event |
Section 1(w) | |
| Voting Securities |
Section 13(a) | |
- iii -
Exhibit A
FORM OF RIGHT CERTIFICATE
| Certificate No. R- |
Rights |
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER MARCH 2, 2014, OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED BY THE CORPORATION. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $.001 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.
Right Certificate
Telewest Global, Inc.
This certifies that , or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2004 (the “Rights Agreement”), between Telewest Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and The Bank of New York, a New York trust company (the “Rights Agent”), to purchase from the Corporation at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York time, on March 2, 2014, unless the Rights evidenced hereby shall have been previously redeemed by the Corporation, at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or at the office of its successor as Rights Agent, one one-thousandth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, of par value $.01 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), of the Corporation, at a purchase price of $80.00 per one one-thousandth of Preferred Share (the “Purchase Price”), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed and properly completed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of March 25, 2004 based on the Preferred Shares as constituted at such date.
Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are Beneficially Owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the
- 1 -
Acquiring Person becoming such, such Rights shall become null and void and no holder hereof shall have any right with respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share or other securities which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events, including Triggering Events (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement).
This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, covenants and restrictions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, covenants and restrictions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Corporation and the holders of the Right Certificates, which limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the Corporation and the office or offices of the Rights Agent.
This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon surrender at the principal office of the Rights Agent, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of Preferred Shares or other securities as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Corporation at a redemption price of $.001 per Right (subject to adjustment as provided in the Rights Agreement) payable in cash.
No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are one one-thousandth or integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the Corporation, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or of any other securities of the Corporation which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Corporation or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions
- 2 -
affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Corporation.
Dated:
ATTEST:
Telewest Global, Inc.
| By: | By: | |||||||
| Name: |
Name: |
|||||||
| Title: |
Title: |
|||||||
Countersigned:
The Bank of New York
as Rights Agent
| By: | ||
| Authorized Officer | ||
- 3 -
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Right Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
(Please print name and address of transferee)
this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney, to transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named Corporation, with full power of substitution.
Dated: ,
| Signature | ||
Signature Guaranteed:
The undersigned hereby certifies that (1) the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not being sold, assigned or transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Right Agreement) and (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, the undersigned did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement).
| Signature | ||
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate—continued
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed by the registered holder
if such holder desires to exercise Rights
represented by the Right Certificate.)
To the Rights Agent:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares or other securities issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such Preferred Shares or other securities be issued in the name of:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
(Please print name and address)
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
(Please print name and address)
Dated: ,
| Signature | ||
Signature Guaranteed:
- 5 -
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate—continued.
The undersigned hereby certifies that (1) the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) and (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, the undersigned did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement).
| Signature | ||
NOTICE
The signature on the foregoing Forms of Assignment and Election and certificates must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
In the event the certification set forth above in the Form of Assignment or the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, the Corporation and the Rights Agent will deem the Beneficial Owner of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) and such Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.
- 6 -
