Exhibit 4.3
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of April 15, 1997
among
TULTEX CORPORATION,
THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN
and
X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC.
and
NATIONSBANC CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is dated as of
April 15, 1997, by and among TULTEX CORPORATION, a corporation formed under the
laws of the State of Virginia (the "Company"), AKOM, LTD., a Cayman Islands,
B.W.I. corporation, DOMINION STORES, INC., a Virginia corporation,
LOGOATHLETIC, INC., a Virginia corporation, LOGOATHLETIC/HEADWEAR, INC., a
Massachusetts corporation, SWEATJET INCORPORATED, a Virginia corporation, TULTEX
CANADA, INC., a Canadian corporation, and TULTEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Virginia
corporation (each a "Guarantor" and collectively the "Guarantors," and the
Company and the Guarantors are referred to herein collectively as the "Issuers")
and X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC. and NATIONSBANC CAPITAL MARKETS, INC. (collec-
tively, the "Initial Purchasers").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of April 10, 1997, among the Issuers and the Initial
Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement") relating to the sale by the Issuers to
the Initial Purchasers, severally, of $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
their 9 5/8% Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Notes"). In order to induce the Initial
Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers have agreed to
provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the equal
benefit of both of the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect
transferees. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the
Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase the Notes under the Purchase
Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
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As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
Additional Interest: See Section 4.
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Advice: See Section 5.
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Applicable Period: See Section 2(b).
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Closing Date: The Closing Date as defined in the Purchase Agreement.
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Company: See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
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Consummation Date: The 150th day after the Closing.
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Effectiveness Date: The 120th day after the Closing Date.
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Effectiveness Period: See Section 3(a).
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Event Date: See Section 4(b).
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Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
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rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Offer: See Section 2(a).
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Exchange Registration Statement: See Section 2(a).
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Exchange Securities: See Section 2(a).
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Filing Date: The 60th day after the Closing Date.
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Guarantor: See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
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Holder: Any record holder of Registrable Securities.
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Indemnified Person: See Section 7.
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Indemnifying Person: See Section 7.
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Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of April 15, 1997, among the Company,
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the Guarantors and First Union National Bank of Virginia, as trustee, pursuant
to which the Notes are being issued, as amended or supplemented from time to
time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Initial Purchasers: See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
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Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 3(a).
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Inspectors: See Section 5(p).
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Issue Date: The original issue date of the Notes.
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Issuers: See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
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NASD: See Section 5(t).
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Notes: See the preamble to this Agreement.
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Participant: See Section 7.
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Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2(b).
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Person: An individual, corporation, limited or general partnership,
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joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Private Exchange: See Section 2(b).
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Private Exchange Securities: See Section 2(b).
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Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
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(including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms
of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
Records: See Section 5(p).
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Registrable Securities: The Notes upon original issuance of the Notes
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and at all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Security as to which
Section 2(c)(1)(i) hereof is applicable upon original issuance and at all times
subsequent thereto and, if issued, the Private Exchange Securities, until in the
case of any such Notes, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as
the case may be, (i) a Registration Statement (other than, with respect to any
Exchange Security as to which Section 2(c)(1)(i) hereof is applicable, the
Exchange Registration Statement) covering such Notes, Exchange Securities or
Private Exchange Securities has been declared effective by the SEC and such
Notes, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be,
have been disposed of in
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accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Notes, Exchange
Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, are sold in
compliance with Rule 144, or (iii) such Notes, Exchange Securities or Private
Exchange Securities, as the case may be, cease to be outstanding.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Issuers,
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including, but not limited to, the Exchange Registration Statement, that covers
any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement,
including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such
registration statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
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may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144A) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales of
securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such securities being
free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
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may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
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may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the SEC.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
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and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Shelf Notice: See Section 2(c).
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Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b).
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Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b).
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TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
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Trustee: The trustee as defined in the Indenture and, if existent, the
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trustee under any indenture governing the Exchange Securities and Private
Exchange Securities (if any).
Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration in
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which securities of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the
public.
2. Exchange Offer
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(a) The Issuers agree to file with the SEC as soon as practicable after
the Closing Date, but in no event later than the Filing Date, an offer to
exchange (the "Exchange Offer") any and all of the Registrable Securities
for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the Issuers
which are identical in all material respects to the Notes (the "Exchange
Securities") (and which are entitled to the benefits of a trust indenture
which is identical in all material respects to the Indenture (other than
such changes as are necessary to comply with any requirements of the SEC to
effect or maintain the qualification of such trust indenture under the TIA)
and which has been qualified under the TIA), except that the Exchange
Securities shall have been registered pursuant to an effective Registration
Statement under the Securities Act and shall contain no restrictive legend
thereon. The Issuers agree to use their reasonable best efforts to keep the
Exchange Offer open for at least 30 business days (or longer if required by
applicable law) after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to
Holders and to consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to the
Effectiveness Date. The Exchange Offer will be registered under the
Securities Act on the appropriate form (the "Exchange Registration
Statement") and will comply with all applicable tender offer rules and
regulations under the Exchange Act. If after such Exchange Registration
Statement is initially declared effective by the SEC, the Exchange Offer or
the issuance of the Exchange Securities thereunder is interfered with by
any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any
other governmental agency or court such Exchange Registration Statement
shall be deemed not to have become effective for purposes of this
Agreement. Each Holder who participates in the Exchange Offer will be
deemed to represent that any Exchange Securities received by it will be
acquired in the ordinary course of its business, that at the time of the
consummation of the Exchange Offer such Holder will have no arrangement
with any person to participate in the dis-
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tribution of the Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the
Securities Act, and that such Holder is not an affiliate of the Issuers
within the meaning of the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the Exchange
Offer in accordance with this Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement
shall continue to apply, mutatis, mutandis, solely with respect to
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Registrable Securities that are Private Exchange Securities and Exchange
Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Issuers shall have
no further obligation to register Registrable Securities (other than
Private Exchange Securities and other than Exchange Securities as to which
clause (c)(1)(i) hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.
No securities other than the Exchange Securities shall be included in the
Exchange Registration Statement.
(b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Registration Statement one or more section(s) reasonably
acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall contain a summary
statement of the positions taken or policies made by the Staff of the SEC
with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer
that is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act) of Exchange Securities received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange
Offer (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), whether such positions or policies
have been publicly disseminated by the Staff of the SEC or such positions
or policies, in the reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchasers,
represent the prevailing views of the Staff of the SEC. Such section(s)
shall also allow the use of the prospectus by all persons subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including all
Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the means
by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities.
The Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange
Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus
contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by
all persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act for such period of time as such persons must comply with such requirements
in order to resell the Exchange Securities, provided that such period shall not
exceed 180 days (or such longer period if extended pursuant to the last
paragraph of Section 5) (the "Applicable Period").
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If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, an Initial Purchaser
holds any Notes acquired by it and having the status of an unsold allotment in
the initial distribution, the Issuers upon the request of such Initial Purchaser
shall, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Securities in the
Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to each such Initial Purchaser, in exchange
(the "Private Exchange") for the Notes held by such Initial Purchaser, a like
principal amount of debt securities of the Issuers that are identical in all
material respects to the Exchange Securities (the "Private Exchange
Securities") (and which are issued pursuant to the same indenture as the
Exchange Securities) except for the placement of a restrictive legend on such
Private Exchange Securities. The Private Exchange Securities shall bear the same
CUSIP number as the Exchange Securities. Interest on the Exchange Securities and
Private Exchange Securities will accrue from the last interest payment date on
which interest was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no
interest has been paid on the Notes, from the Issue Date.
Any indenture under which the Exchange Securities or the Private
Exchange Securities will be issued shall provide that the holders of any of the
Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Securities will vote and consent
together on all matters (to which such holders are entitled to vote or consent)
as one class and that none of the holders of the Exchange Securities and the
Private Exchange Securities will have the right to vote or consent as a separate
class on any matter (to which such holders are entitled to vote or consent).
(c) If (1) prior to the consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Issuers
reasonably determine in good faith or Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities notify the Issuers
that they have reasonably determined in good faith that (i) in the opinion
of counsel, the Exchange Securities would not, upon receipt, be tradeable
by such Holders who are not affiliates of the Issuers without restriction
under the Securities Act and without restrictions under applicable blue
sky or state securities laws or (ii) in the opinion of counsel, the SEC is
unlikely to permit the consummation of the Exchange Offer and/or (2)
subsequent to the consummation of the Private Exchange, holders of at least
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Private Exchange
Securities so request with respect to the Private Exchange Securities
and/or (3) the Exchange Offer is commenced and not consummated prior to the
45th day following the Consummation Date for any reason, then the
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Issuers shall promptly deliver to the Holders and the Trustee notice
thereof (the "Shelf Notice") and shall thereafter file an Initial Shelf
Registration as set forth in Section 3 (which only in the circumstances
contemplated by clause (2) of this sentence will relate solely to the
Private Exchange Securities) pursuant to Section 3. The parties hereto
agree that, following the delivery of a Shelf Notice to the Holders of
Registrable Securities (only in the circumstances contemplated by clauses
(1) and/or (3) of the preceding sentence), the Issuers shall not have any
further obligation to conduct the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange
under this Section 2.
3. Shelf Registration
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If a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by Section 2(c), then:
(a) Initial Shelf Registration. The Issuers shall as promptly as
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reasonably practicable prepare and file with the SEC a Registration
Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule
415 covering all of the Registrable Securities (the "Initial Shelf
Registration"). If the Issuers shall have not yet filed an Exchange Offer,
the Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC
the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior to the Filing Date. Otherwise,
the Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC
the Initial Shelf Registration within 60 days of the delivery of the Shelf
Notice. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1 or another
appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities
for resale by such holders in the manner or manners designated by them
(including, without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings). The
Issuers shall not permit any securities other than the Registrable
Securities to be included in the Initial Shelf Registration or any
Subsequent Shelf Registration. The Issuers shall use their reasonable best
efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration to be declared effective
under the Securities Act on or prior to the 120th day after the filing
thereof with the Commission and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration
continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date which is 24
months from the Issue Date (subject to extension pursuant to the last
paragraph of Section 5 hereof) (the "Effectiveness Period"), or such
shorter period ending when (i) all Registrable Securities covered by the
Initial Shelf Registration have been sold
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in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf
Registration or (ii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all of the
Registrable Securities has been declared effective under the Securities
Act.
(b) Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the Initial Shelf Registration
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or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any reason
at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale
of all of the securities registered thereunder), the Issuers shall use
their reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 45
days of such cessation of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration in a
manner reasonably expected to obtain the withdrawal of the order
suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an additional "shelf"
Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the
Registrable Securities (a "Subsequent Shelf Registration"). If a
Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Issuers shall use their
reasonable best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be
declared effective as soon as practicable after such filing and to keep
such Registration Statement continuously effective for a period equal to
the number of days in the Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of
days during which the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf
Registration was previously continuously effective. As used herein the term
"Shelf Registration" means the Initial Shelf Registration and any
Subsequent Shelf Registration.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Issuers shall promptly supplement
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and amend the Shelf Registration if required by the rules, regulations or
instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Shelf Regis-
tration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably requested by
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Securities covered by such Registration Statement or by any underwriter of
such Registrable Securities.
4. Additional Interest
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(a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders of
Registrable Securities will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill
their obligations under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not
be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with
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precision. Accordingly, the Issuers agree to pay, as liquidated damages,
additional interest on the Registrable Securities ("Additional Interest")
under the circumstances and to the extent set forth below (each of which
shall be given independent effect and shall not be duplicative):
(i) if neither the Exchange Registration Statement nor the Initial
Shelf Registration has been filed on or prior to the Filing Date,
Additional Interest shall accrue on the Registrable Securities over and
above the stated interest at a rate of .25% per annum for the first 90 days
immediately following the Filing Date, such Additional Interest rate
increasing by an additional .25% per annum at the beginning of each
subsequent 90-day period;
(ii) if neither the Exchange Registration Statement nor the Initial
Shelf Registration is declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the
Effectiveness Date, Additional Interest shall be accrued on the
Registrable Securities included or which should have been included in such
Registration Statement over and above the stated interest at a rate of .25%
per annum for the first 90 days immediately following the day after the
Effectiveness Date, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an
additional .25% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day
period; and
(iii) if (A) the Issuers have not exchanged Exchange Securities for all
Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer
on or prior to the Consummation Date or (B) the Exchange Registration
Statement ceases to be effective at any time prior to the time that the
Exchange Offer is consummated or (C) if applicable, the Shelf Registration
has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration ceases to be
effective at any time during the Effectiveness Period, then Additional
Interest shall be accrued on the Registrable Securities (over and above any
interest otherwise payable on the Registrable Securities) at a rate of .25%
per annum for the first 90 days commencing on the (x) 166th day after the
Issue Date, in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day the Exchange
Registration Statement ceases to be effective in the case of (B) above, or
(z) the day such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective in the case of
(C) above, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional .25%
per annum at the beginning of each such subsequent 90-day period;
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provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Registrable
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Securities may not exceed at any one time in the aggregate 1.0% per annum; and
provided, further, that (1) upon the filing of the Exchange Registration
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Statement or a Shelf Registration as required hereunder (in the case of clause
(i) of this Section 4), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Registration
Statement or the Shelf Registration as required hereunder (in the case of clause
(ii) of this Section 4), or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Securities for all
Notes tendered (in the case of clause (iii)(A) of this Section 4), or upon the
effectiveness of the Exchange Registration Statement which had ceased to remain
effective (in the case of (iii)(B) of this Section 4), or upon the effectiveness
of the Shelf Registration which had ceased to remain effective (in the case of
(iii)(C) of this Section 4), Additional Interest on the Registrable Securities
as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may
be, shall cease to accrue. It being understood and agreed that, notwithstanding
any provision to the contrary, so long as any Registrable Security is then
covered by an effective Shelf Registration Statement, no Additional Interest
shall accrue on such Registrable Security.
(b) The Issuers shall notify the Trustee within one business day after
each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional
Interest is required to be paid (an "Event Date"). The Issuers shall pay the
Additional Interest due on the Registrable Securities by depositing with the
Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders thereof, on or before the
applicable semi-annual interest payment date, immediately available funds in
sums sufficient to pay the Additional Interest then due to Holders of
Registrable Securities. The Additional Interest amount due shall be payable
on each interest payment date to the record Holder of Registrable Secu-
rities entitled to receive the interest payment to be made on such date as
set forth in the Indenture. The amount of Additional Interest will be
determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the
principal amount of the affected Registrable Securities of such Holders,
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days such
Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on
the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the
case of a partial month, the actual number of days elapsed), and, the
denominator of which is 360. Each obligation to pay Additional Interest
shall be deemed to accrue immediately following the occurrence of the
applicable Event Date. The parties hereto agree that the Addi-
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tional Interest provided for in this Section 4 constitutes a reasonable
estimate of the damages that may be incurred by Holders of Registrable
Securities by reason of the failure of a Shelf Registration or Exchange
Offer to be filed or declared effective, or a Shelf Registration to remain
effective, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 4.
5. Registration Procedures
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In connection with the registration of any Registrable Securities
pursuant to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuers shall effect such registrations
to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the
intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the
Issuers shall:
(a) Use their reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC,
as soon as practicable after the date hereof but in any event prior to the
Filing Date in the case of the Exchange Registration Statement and the 45th
day following the Consummation Date in the case of the Shelf Registration
Statement, a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as
prescribed by Section 2 or 3, and to use their reasonable best efforts to
cause each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain
effective as provided herein, provided that, if (1) such filing is pursuant
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to Section 3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, before filing any
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements
thereto, the Issuers shall upon written request furnish to and afford the
Holders of the Registrable Securities (which in the case of Registrable
Securities in the form of global certificates shall be The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC")) and each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case
may be, covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel and the
managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of
all such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by
reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Shelf Registration or Exchange Registration Statement,
as the case may be, as
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may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously
effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the
case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any
required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed
pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the
Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated
thereunder applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in such
Prospectus as so supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale
of any securities being sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer covered by
any such Prospectus; the Issuers shall not be deemed to have used their
reasonable best efforts to keep a Registration Statement effective during
the Applicable Period if the Issuers voluntarily take any action that
would result in selling Holders of the Registrable Securities covered
thereby or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange
Securities not being able to sell such Registrable Securities or such
Exchange Securities during that period unless such action is required by
applicable law or unless the Issuers comply with this Agreement, including
without limitation, the provisions of paragraph 5(k) hereof and the last
paragraph of this Section 5.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities
Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Securities during the Applicable Period, notify the selling Holders of
Registrable Securities, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, who
have provided the Issuers with their names and addresses promptly (but in
any event within two business days), and confirm such notice in writing,
(i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or
any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective under
the Securities Act (including in such notice a written statement that any
Holder may, upon request, obtain, without charge, one conformed copy of
such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment including
financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference and exhibits),
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(ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or
suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the initiation of any
proceedings for that purpose, (iii) of the receipt by the Issuers of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or
exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the
Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities to be sold by any
Participating Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the
initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (iv) of the
happening of any event or any information becoming known that makes any
statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes
in such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the
case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, and (v) of the Issuers' reasonable determination that a post-
effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.
(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act
by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities
during the Applicable Period, use its reasonable best efforts to prevent
the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus
or suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any
of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities to be sold by any
Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction, and, if any
such order is issued, to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the
withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible moment.
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(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and if
requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold in
connection with an underwritten offering, (i) promptly incorporate in a
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the
managing underwriters, if any, or such Holders or counsel reasonably request
to be included therein, or (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus
supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the
Issuers have received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment.
(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the
Applicable Period, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities
and to each such Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests and to counsel
and each managing underwriter, if any, without charge, one conformed copy of
the Registration Statement or Statements and each post-effective amendment
thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and if requested, all
documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and
all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the
Applicable Period, deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities,
or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel,
and the underwriters, if any, without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of preliminary prospectus)
and each amendment or supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by
reference therein as such Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the
last paragraph of this Section 5, the Issuers hereby consent to the use of
such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the
selling holders of Registrable Securities or each such Participating Broker-
Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and
dealers (if any), in
-16-
connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered
by or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Securities
pursuant to such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities or any
delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Registration Statement by
any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during
the Applicable Period, to use its reasonable best efforts to register or
qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities
or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the
underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the
registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or
qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as
any selling Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriters
reasonably request in writing, provided that where Exchange Securities held
--------
by Participating Broker-Dealers or Registrable Securities are offered other
than through an underwritten offering, the Issuers agree to cause their
counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and file registrations and
qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h); keep each
such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during
the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and
do any and all other reasonable acts or things necessary or advisable to
enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Securities held
by Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Securities covered by the
applicable Registration Statement, provided that no Issuer shall be required
--------
to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not
then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general
service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject
or (C) subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any
such jurisdiction.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, reasonably
cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and the managing
underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which
certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form
eligible for deposit with
-17-
DTC; and enable such Registrable Securities to be registered in such names as
the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may request.
(j) Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities
covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by
such other United States governmental agencies or authorities of the United
States as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the
underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable
Securities, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature
of such selling Holder's business, in which case the Issuers will cooperate
in all reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and
the granting of such approvals.
(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2) a
Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the
Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraph
5(c)(iv) or 5(c)(v) above, as promptly as practicable prepare and (subject to
Section 5(a) above) file with the SEC, solely at the expense of the Issuers,
a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a
supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document
so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable
Securities being sold thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange
Securities to whom such Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating
Broker-Dealer, any such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(l) Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities
covered by a Registration Statement or the Exchange Securities, as the case
may be, to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable
Securities covered by such
-18-
Registration Statement or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, or the
managing underwriters, if any.
(m) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Securities, (i) provide the Trustee with printed
certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit
with DTC and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Securities.
(n) Use its best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities covered by
such Registration Statement or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be,
to be (i) listed on each securities exchange, if any, on which similar
securities issued by the Issuers are then listed, or (ii) authorized to be
quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
System ("NASDAQ") or the National Market System of NASDAQ if similar
securities of the Issuers are so authorized.
(o) In connection with an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting agreement as is
customary in underwritten offerings and take all such other actions as are
reasonably requested by the managing underwriters in order to expedite or
facilitate the registration or the disposition of such Registrable
Securities, and in such connection, (i) make such representations and
warranties to the underwriters, with respect to the business of the Company
and its subsidiaries, if any, and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and
documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
therein, in each case, as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in
underwritten offerings, and confirm the same if and when requested; (ii)
obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers and updates thereof in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters, addressed to
the underwriters covering the matters customarily covered in opinions
requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be
reasonably requested by underwriters; (iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters and
updates thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
managing underwriters from the independent certified public accountant(s) of
the Company (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public
accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by
the Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are
-19-
required to be, included in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of
the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters
of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with
underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested
by underwriters; and (iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the
same shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less
favorable than those set forth in Section 7 hereof (or such other provisions
and procedures acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and
the managing underwriters or agents) with respect to all parties to be
indemnified pursuant to said Section. The above shall be done at each
closing under such underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required
thereunder.
(p) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2) a
Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the
Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any selling Holder of
such Registrable Securities being sold, or each such Participating Broker-
Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any such
disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any attorney, accountant
or other agent retained by any such selling holder or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter
(collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices where normally kept, during
reasonable business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent
corporate documents and properties of the Issuers (collectively, the
"Records"), as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any
applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors
and employees of the Issuers to supply all information in each case
reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such
Registration Statement. Records determined in good faith by the Issuers to be
confidential shall not be disclosed by any Inspector notified of such
determination unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid
or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement, (ii)
the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order
from a court of competent jurisdiction or (iii) the information in such
-20-
Records has been made generally available to the public. Each selling Holder
of such Registrable Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will
be required to agree that information obtained by it as a result of such
inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the
basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Issuers unless and
until such is made generally available to the public. Each selling Holder of
such Registrable Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be
required to further agree that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such
Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the
Issuers and allow them at their own expense to undertake appropriate action
to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential.
(q) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Securities or the
Exchange Securities, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust
indenture provided for in Section 2(a), as the case may be, to be qualified
under the TIA not later than the effective date of the Exchange Offer or the
first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities; and in
connection therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture
and the holders of the Registrable Securities, to effect such changes to such
indenture as may be required for such indenture to be so qualified in
accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and use its reasonable
best efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all documents as may be
required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required
to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to be so qualified in a
timely manner.
(r) Comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC and make generally available to its securityholders
earning statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under
the Securities Act) no later than 90 days after the end of any 12-month
period (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable
Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts
underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an
offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the
Issuers after the effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement, which
statements shall cover said 12-month periods.
-21-
(s) If an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon
delivery of the Registrable Securities by Holders to the Issuers (or to such
other Person as directed by the Issuers) in exchange for the Exchange
Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, the
Issuers shall xxxx, or caused to be marked, on such Registrable Securities
that such Registrable Securities are being cancelled in exchange for the
Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be;
in no event shall such Registrable Securities be marked as paid or otherwise
satisfied.
(t) Reasonably cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities
covered by any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any,
participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their
respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
(u) Use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps necessary to
effect the registration of the Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement contemplated hereby.
The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Securities or
Participating Broker-Dealer as to which any registration is being effected to
furnish to the Issuers such information regarding such seller or
Participating Broker-Dealer and the distribution of such Registrable
Securities or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Participating Broker-
Dealer, as the case may be, as the Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably
request. The Issuers may exclude from such registration the Registrable
Securities of any seller or Participating Broker-Dealer who unreasonably fails
to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such
request. Each seller as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected is
deemed to agree to furnish promptly to the Issuers all information required to
be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the
Issuers by such seller not materially misleading.
Each Holder of Registrable Securities and each Participating
Broker-Dealer agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Securities or
Exchange Securities to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, that, upon receipt of any notice from the Issuers of the
happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iii),
-22-
5(c)(iv), or 5(c)(v), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or
Prospectus or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Participating Broker-
Dealer, as the case may be, until such holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k), or until it
is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Issuers that the use of the
applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any
amendments or supplements thereto. In the event the Issuers shall give any
such notice, each of the Effectiveness Period and the Applicable Period
shall be extended by the number of days during such periods from and
including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date
when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration
Statement or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Participating Broker-
Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) or (y) the
Advice.
6. Registration Expenses
---------------------
(a) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuers shall be borne by the Issuers whether or
not the Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective,
including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees
(including, without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to
be made with the NASD in connection with an underwritten offering and (B)
fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws
(including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities or
Exchange Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable
Securities or Exchange Securities for investment under the laws of such
jurisdictions in the United States (x) where the holders of Registrable
Securities are located, in the case of the Exchange Securities, or (y) as
provided in Section 5(h), in the case of Registrable Securities or Exchange
Securities to be sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable
Period)), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of
printing certificates for Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities in a
form eligible for deposit with DTC and of printing prospectuses if the
printing of prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriters, if any,
or, in respect of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities to be sold by
any Participating Broker-Dealer
-23-
during the Applicable Period, by the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in any Registration
Statement or of such Exchange Securities, as the case may be), (iii)
messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Issuers and fees and disbursements of special counsel for
the sellers of Registrable Securities (subject to the provisions of Section
6(b)), (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public
accountants referred to in Section 5(o)(iii) (including, without limitation,
the expenses of any special audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or
incident to such performance), (vi) rating agency fees, (vii) Securities Act
liability insurance, if the Issuers desires such insurance, (viii) fees and
expenses of all other Persons retained by the Issuers, (ix) internal expenses
of the Issuers (including, without limitation, all salaries and
expenses of officers and employees of the Issuers performing legal or
accounting duties), (x) the expense of any annual audit, (xi) the fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the securities to be
registered on any securities exchange, if applicable, and (xii) the expenses
relating to printing, word processing and distributing all Registration
Statements, underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements, indentures
and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.
(b) In connection with any Shelf Registration hereunder, the Issuers
shall reimburse the Holders of the Registrable Securities being registered
in such registration for the fees and disbursements of not more than one
counsel (in addition to appropriate local counsel) chosen by the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities to be
included in such Registration Statement. Such Holders shall be responsible
for any and all other out-of-pocket expenses of the Holders of Registrable
Securities incurred in connection with the registration of the Registrable
Securities.
7. Indemnification
---------------
The Issuers agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of
Registrable Securities and each Participating Broker-Dealer selling Exchange
Securities during the Applicable Period, the officers and directors of each such
person, and each person, if any, who controls any such person within the meaning
of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Sec-
-24-
tion 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a "Participant"), from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, the
reasonable legal fees and other expenses actually incurred in connection with
any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted) caused by any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented if the Issuers shall have furnished any amendments or supplements
thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused by any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities are caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged
untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information relating to any Participant furnished to the Company in writing by
such Participant expressly for use therein; provided that the foregoing
--------
indemnity with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the
benefit of any Participant (or to the benefit of any person controlling such
Participant) from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities purchased Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities if such
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in
such preliminary prospectus is eliminated or remedied in the related Prospectus
(as amended or supplemented if the Issuers shall have furnished any amendments
or supplements thereto) and a copy of the related Prospectus (as so amended or
supplemented) shall not have been furnished to such person at or prior to the
sale of such Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be,
to such person.
Each Participant will be required to agree, severally and not jointly,
to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers and each
person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity from the Issuers to each Participant, but only with
reference to information relating to such Participant furnished to the Company
in writing by such Participant expressly for use in any Registration Statement
or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary
prospectus. The liability of any Participant under this paragraph shall in no
event exceed the proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable
Securities giving rise to such obligations.
-25-
If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the
two preceding paragraphs, such person (the "Indemnified Person") shall promptly
notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "Indemnifying
Person") in writing, and the Indemnifying Person, upon request of the
Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others the
Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the
reasonable fees and expenses actually incurred by such counsel related to
such proceeding, provided that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying
--------
Person shall not relieve it of any obligation or liability which it may have
hereunder or otherwise (unless and only to the extent that such failure directly
results in the loss or compromise of any material rights or defenses). In any
such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of
such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified
Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Person
has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the Indemnified Person or (iii) the named parties in any such proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the
Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would
be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It
is understood that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any
proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the
fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall
be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for the Participants
and such control persons of Participants shall be designated in writing by
Participants who sold a majority in interest of Registrable Securities sold by
all such Participants and any such separate firm for the Issuers, their
directors, officers and such control persons of the Issuers shall be designated
in writing by the Issuers. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any
settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if
settled with such consent or if there be a final non-appealable judgment for the
plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify any Indemnified Person
from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person
shall have
-26-
requested an Indemnifying Person to reimburse the Indemnified Person for
reasonable fees and expenses actually incurred by counsel as contemplated by the
third sentence of this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person agrees that it shall
be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt
by such Indemnifying Person of the aforesaid request and (ii) such Indemnifying
Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such
request prior to the date of such settlement; provided, however, that the
-------- -------
Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its
consent pursuant to this sentence if the Indemnifying Party is contesting, in
good faith, the request for reimbursement. No Indemnifying Person shall,
without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any
settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any
Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been
sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding.
If the Indemnification provided for in the first and second
paragraphs of this Section 7 is unavailable to an Indemnified Person in respect
of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each
Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such
Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault
of the Issuers on the one hand and the Participants on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative fault of the Issuers on the one hand and the Participants on the other
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers or by
the Participants and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The parties shall agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation
--- ----
(even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by
any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable con-
-27-
siderations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid
or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages
and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be
deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any reasonable
legal or other expenses actually incurred by such Indemnified Person in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall a
Participant be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable Securities
exceeds the amount of any damages that such Participant has otherwise been
required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section
7 will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying Persons may
otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
8. Rule 144 and Rule 144A
----------------------
The Issuers covenant that they will file the reports required to be
filed by them under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner and, if at any time
the Issuers are not required to file such reports, they will, upon the request
of any Holder of Registrable Securities, make publicly available other
information so long as necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule
144A under the Securities Act. The Issuers further covenant that they will take
such further action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably
request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to
sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within
the limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144 and Rule 144A under
the Securities Act, as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or (b) any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
9. Underwritten Registrations
--------------------------
If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Shelf Registration
are to be sold in an underwritten offering,
-28-
the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will
manage the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of such Registrable Securities included in such offering and
reasonably acceptable to the Issuers.
No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
10. Miscellaneous
-------------
(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Issuers of any of their
--------
obligations under this Agreement, each Holder of Registrable Securities, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein, in the
Indenture or, in the case of the Initial Purchasers, in the Purchase
Agreement or granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled
to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Issuers agree
that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss
incurred by reason of a breach by any of them of any of the provisions of
this Agreement and hereby further agree that, in the event of any action for
specific performance in respect of such breach, the Issuers shall waive the
defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuers have not, as of the date
--------------------------
hereof, entered and shall not, after the date of this Agreement, enter into
any agreement with respect to any of their securities that is inconsistent
with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Issuers
have not entered and will not enter into any agreement with respect to any of
their securities which will grant to any Person piggy-back rights with
respect to a Registration Statement.
(c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. The Issuers shall
not, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable
Securities as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders
of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable
-29-
Securities in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.
(d) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including
----------------------
the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions
hereof may not be given, unless the Issuers have obtained the written consent
of Holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding aggregate
principal amount of Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a
matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable
Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration
Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or
compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities may be given
by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Securities being sold by such Holders pursuant to such
Registration Statement, provided that the provisions of this sentence may not
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be amended, modified or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions
of the immediately preceding sentence.
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications (including without
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limitation any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided for
or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or telecopier:
(i) if to a Holder of Registrable Securities, at the most current
address given by the Trustee to the Issuers; and
(ii) if to the Issuers, 000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, X.X. Xxx 0000,
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: O. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx; with a copy to
Hunton & Xxxxxxxx, Riverfront Plaza, East Tower, 000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000, Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business day after
being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when receipt is
acknowledged by the addressee, if telecopied.
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Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall
be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the trustee under
the Indenture at the address specified in such Indenture.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
----------------------
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties,
including without limitation and without the need for an express assignment,
subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities; provided, that, with respect to
the indemnity and contribution agreements in Section 7, each Holder of
Registrable Securities subsequent to the Initial Purchasers shall be bound
by the terms thereof if such Holder elects to include Registrable Securities
in a Shelf Registration; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not
inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder
unless and to the extent such successor or assign holds Registrable
Securities.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS
MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES
OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(j) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the
parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative
means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as
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that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is
hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they
would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared
invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Purchase
----------------
Agreement, is intended by the parties as a final expression of their
agreement, and is intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the
agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject
matter contained herein and therein.
(l) Securities Held by the Issuers or Its Affiliates. Whenever the
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consent or approval of holders of a specified percentage of Registrable
Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Issuers
or any of their affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or
approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
(m) Subsidiary Guarantor a Party. Immediately upon the designation of
----------------------------
any subsidiary of the Company as a Guarantor (as defined in the Indenture),
the Company shall cause such Guarantor to guarantee the obligations of the
Issuers hereunder (including, without limitation, the obligation to pay
Additional Interest, if any, pursuant to the terms of Section 4 hereof), by
executing and delivering to the Initial Purchaser an appropriate amendment
to this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
TULTEX CORPORATION
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
AKOM, LIMITED
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
DOMINION STORES, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
LOGOATHLETIC, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
LOGOATHLETIC/HEADWEAR, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
SWEATJET INCORPORATED
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
TULTEX CANADA, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
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TULTEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC.
NATIONSBANC CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
By: X.X. Xxxxxx Securities Inc.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
