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EXHIBIT 4.4
EXECUTION COPY
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 17, 1997
by and among
UNICCO Service Company,
UNICCO Finance Corp.,
the Guarantors Named on the Signature Pages Hereto
and
BancBoston Securities Inc.
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This Registration Rights Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is made and
entered into as of October 17, 1997 by and among UNICCO Service Company, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "COMPANY"), UNICCO Finance Corp., a Delaware
corporation ("FINANCE" and, together with the Company, the ISSUERS"), the
guarantors named on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the "GUARANTORS"),
and BancBoston Securities Inc. (the "INITIAL PURCHASER"), who has agreed to
purchase the Company's 97/8% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the
"SERIES A NOTES") pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated
October 14, 1997 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), by and among the Issuers and the
Initial Purchaser. In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to purchase the
Series A Notes, the Issuers and the Guarantors have agreed to provide the
registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchaser set
forth in Section 3 of the Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have
the following meanings:
ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
BROKER-DEALER: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
CLOSING DATE: The date of this Agreement.
COMMISSION: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONSUMMATE: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for
purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and
effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
relating to the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the
maintenance of such Registration Statement as continuously effective and the
keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period
required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (c) the delivery by the Issuers to
the Registrar under the Indenture of Series B Notes in the same aggregate
principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes that were
tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
DAMAGES PAYMENT DATE: With respect to the Series A Notes, each Interest
Payment Date.
EFFECTIVENESS TARGET DATE: As defined in Section 5.
EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
EXCHANGE OFFER: The registration by the Issuers under the Act of the
Series B Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to
which the Issuers offer the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted
Securities the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted
Securities held by such Holders for Series B Notes in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted
Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders.
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EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT: The Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
EXEMPT RESALES: The transactions in which the Initial Purchaser
proposes to sell the Series A Notes to (a) certain other "qualified
institutional buyers," as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, (b)
certain institutional "accredited investors," as such term is defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Act ("ACCREDITED
INSTITUTIONS"), and (c) non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance
upon Regulation S under the Act.
HOLDERS: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.
INDENTURE: The Indenture, dated as of October 17, 1997, among the
Issuers and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (the "TRUSTEE"), and
the Guarantors, pursuant to which the Notes are to be issued, as such Indenture
is amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof.
INTEREST PAYMENT DATE: As defined in the Indenture and the Notes.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
NOTES: The Series A Notes and the Series B Notes.
PERSON: An individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or
political subdivision thereof.
PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments
thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by
reference into such Prospectus.
RECORD HOLDER: With respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to
Notes, each Person who is a Holder of Notes as listed on the books of the
Trustee as of the close of business on the record date with respect to the
Interest Payment Date corresponding to such Damages Payment Date.
REGISTRATION DEFAULT: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Issuers
relating to (a) an offering of Series B Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or
(b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to
the Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of
this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all
amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all
exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.
SERIES B NOTES: The Issuers' 97/8% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2007 to be issued pursuant to the Indenture (a) in the Exchange Offer or (b)
pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, in exchange for Series
A Notes.
SHELF FILING DEADLINE: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
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SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb)
as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES: Each Note, until the earliest to occur
of (a) the date on which such Note is exchanged in the Exchange Offer and
entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with
the prospectus delivery requirements of the Act, (b) the date on which such Note
has been effectively registered under the Act and disposed of in accordance with
a Shelf Registration Statement and (c) the date on which such Note is first
eligible to be distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act or
by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution" contemplated by the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including delivery of the Prospectus
contained therein).
UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION or UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING: A registration in
which securities of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the
public.
SECTION 2. SECURITIES SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT
(a) TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES. The securities entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.
(b) HOLDERS OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES. A Person is deemed to be
a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a "HOLDER") whenever such
Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under applicable
law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) below
have been complied with), the Issuers and the Guarantors shall (i) cause to be
filed with the Commission as soon as practicable after the Closing Date, but in
no event later than 45 days after the Closing Date, the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, (ii) use their best efforts to cause such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to become effective at the earliest possible time, but in
no event later than 120 days after the Closing Date, (iii) in connection with
the foregoing, file (A) all pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to become effective, (B) if applicable, a post-effective
amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A
under the Act and (C) cause all necessary filings in connection with the
registration and qualification of the Series B Notes to be made under the Blue
Sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the
Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, commence and Consummate the Exchange Offer. The Exchange
Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Series B
Notes to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities and to
permit resales of Notes held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c)
below.
(b) The Issuers shall cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
to be effective continuously and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period
of not less than the minimum period
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required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the
Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be less
than 20 business days. The Issuers shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with
all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the
Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The
Issuers shall use their best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be
Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 30
business days thereafter.
(c) The Issuers shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and indicate
therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Series A Notes that are Transfer
Restricted Securities and that were acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer
Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Issuers) may exchange such
Series A Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may
be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Act and must,
therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Act in
connection with any resales of the Series B Notes received by such Broker-Dealer
in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by
the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also
contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers
that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant
thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not name any such Broker-Dealer
or disclose the amount of Notes held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the
extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy after the
date of this Agreement.
If requested by any Broker-Dealer, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall
use their best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions
of Section 6(c) below to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for
resales of Notes acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result
of market-making activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it
conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies,
rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a
period of one year from the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is declared effective.
The Issuers shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of
such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time during such
one-year period in order to facilitate such resales.
SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) SHELF REGISTRATION. If (i) the Issuers and the Guarantors are not
required to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or permitted to
consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by
applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section
6(a) below have been complied with) or (ii) any Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities notifies the Company on or prior to the 20th business day following
the Consummation of the Exchange Offer (A) that such Holder is prohibited by
applicable law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, or
(B) that such Holder may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by it in the
Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and that the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not
appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder, or (C) that such
Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Series A Notes acquired directly from the
Issuers or one of their affiliates, then the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:
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(x) Use their best efforts to file a shelf registration
statement with the Commission pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act, which
may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in any
event, the "SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT") on or prior to the earliest to
occur of (1) the 45th day after the date on which the Issuers and the
Guarantors determine that they are not required to file the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement and (2) the 45th day after the date on which the
Issuers receive notice from a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities as
contemplated by clause (ii) above (such earliest date being the "SHELF
FILING DEADLINE"), which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for
resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall
have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof;
and
(y) Cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared
effective by the Commission on or prior to the 120th day after the Shelf
Filing Deadline.
The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their best efforts to keep such Shelf
Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as
required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the extent
necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Notes by the Holders of
Transfer Restricted Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and
to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and
the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to
time, for a period until the earlier to occur of (i) the date all of the
Transfer Restricted Securities registered under such Shelf Registration
Statement have been sold and (ii) the second anniversary following the Closing
Date.
(b) PROVISION BY HOLDERS OF CERTAIN INFORMATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may
include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Issuers in writing, within 20 business days after receipt of a request
therefor, such information as the Issuers may reasonably request for use in
connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary
Prospectus included therein. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall
be entitled to Liquidated Damages pursuant to Section 5 hereof unless and until
such Holder shall have used its best efforts to provide all such reasonably
requested information. Each Holder of Notes as to which any Shelf Registration
Statement is being effected, by its participation in the Shelf Registration
Statement, shall be 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 Holder not materially misleading.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
If (a) any of the Registration Statements required by this Agreement is
not filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing
in this Agreement, (b) any of such Registration Statements has not been declared
effective by the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such
effectiveness in this Agreement (the "EFFECTIVENESS TARGET DATE"), (c) the
Exchange Offer has not been Consummated within 30 business days after the
Effectiveness Target Date with respect to the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or (d) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed
and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be
usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded immediately by a
post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure
and that is itself immediately declared effective (each such
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event referred to in clauses (a) through (d), a "REGISTRATION DEFAULT"), the
Issuers and the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree to pay liquidated
damages to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities affected by such
Registration Default with respect to the first 90-day period immediately
following the occurrence of such Registration Default, in an amount equal to
$.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held
by such Holder. The amount of the liquidated damages shall increase by an
additional $.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration
Defaults affecting such Holder have been cured, up to a maximum amount of
liquidated damages of $.50 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities. All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid by the
Issuers on each Damages Payment Date to Record Holders by wire transfer of
immediately available funds or by federal funds check and to Holders of
Certificated Securities by wire transfers to the accounts specified by them or
by mailing checks to their registered addresses if no such accounts have been
specified on each Damages Payment Date, as provided in the Indenture. Following
the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to any particular Transfer
Restricted Securities, the accrual of liquidated damages with respect to such
Transfer Restricted Securities will cease.
All obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors set forth in the
preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted
Security at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security
shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such
security shall have been satisfied in full.
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT. In connection with the
Exchange Offer, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall comply with all of the
provisions of Section 6(c) below, shall use their best efforts to effect such
exchange to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in
accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and
shall comply with all of the following provisions:
(i) If in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Issuers there
is a question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable
law, the Issuers and the Guarantors hereby agree to seek a no-action
letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the
Issuers and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Series
A Notes. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors hereby agrees to pursue
the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level but shall
not be required to take commercially unreasonable action to effect a
change of Commission policy. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors hereby
agrees, however, to (A) participate in telephonic conferences with the
Commission, (B) deliver to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by
counsel to the Issuers setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which
such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted
and (C) diligently pursue a resolution (which need not be favorable) by
the Commission staff of such submission.
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall furnish, upon the request of the Issuers,
prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation to the Issuers
(which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an
affiliate of either of the Issuers or any Guarantor, (B) it is not engaged
in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to
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participate in, a distribution of the Series B Notes to be issued in the
Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary
course of business. In addition, all such Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities shall otherwise cooperate in the Issuers' preparations for the
Exchange Offer. Each Holder shall be deemed to acknowledge and agree that
any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to
participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the
Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the
date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated
in XXXXXX XXXXXXX AND CO., INC. (available June 5, 1991) and EXXON CAPITAL
HOLDINGS CORPORATION (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the
Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar
no-action letters (including any no-action letter obtained pursuant to
clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary
resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction should be
covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling
security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of
Regulation S-K if the resales are of Series B Notes obtained by such
Holder in exchange for Series A Notes acquired by such Holder directly
from the Issuers.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall provide a supplemental
letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Issuers and the Guarantors
are registering the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the
Commission enunciated in EXXON CAPITAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION (available May
13, 1988), XXXXXX XXXXXXX AND CO., INC. (available June 5, 1991) and, if
applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above and
(B) including a representation that neither of the Issuers nor any of the
Guarantors has entered into any arrangement or understanding with any
Person to distribute the Series B Notes to be received in the Exchange
Offer and that, to the best of the Issuers' and the Guarantors'
information and belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is
acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business and has no
arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the
distribution of the Series B Notes received in the Exchange Offer.
(b) SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT. In connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall comply with all the
provisions of Section 6(c) below and shall use their best efforts to effect such
registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold
in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and
pursuant thereto the Issuers will within the time periods specified herein
prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the
registration on any appropriate form under the Act, which form shall be
available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with
the intended method or methods of distribution thereof.
(c) GENERAL PROVISIONS. In connection with any Registration Statement
and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of
Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration
Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Notes by
Broker-Dealers), the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:
(i) use their best efforts to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements
(including, if required by the Act or any regulation thereunder, financial
statements of the Guarantors) for the period specified in Section 3 or 4
hereof, as applicable; upon the occurrence of any event that would cause
any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to
contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and
usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period
required by this
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Agreement, the Issuers shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to
such Registration Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any
such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or
(B), use their best efforts to cause such amendment to be declared
effective and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to
become usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable
thereafter;
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be
necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable
period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter
period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered
by such Registration Statement have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be
supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented
to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, and to comply fully with
the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Act in a timely
manner; and comply with the provisions of the Act with respect to the
disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement
during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or
methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such
Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders (in
the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) promptly and, if requested by
such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus
or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed,
and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request
by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or
amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information
relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act
or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the
qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale
in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the
preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of
any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement
thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that
requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration
Statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or that
requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Prospectus in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall
issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory
authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption
from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state
securities or Blue Sky laws, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use
their reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such
order at the earliest possible time;
(iv) furnish to each of the selling Holders and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any
Shelf Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any
amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus
(including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial
filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to
the review and comment of such Holders and underwriter(s), if any, for a
period of at least five business days, and the Issuers will not file any
such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such
documents incorporated by reference) to which a selling Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the
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underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object within five business days
after the receipt thereof. An objection from a selling Holder or
underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration
Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed
to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission or fails to
comply with the applicable requirements of the Act;
(v) promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be
incorporated by reference into a Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the selling Holders and to
the underwriter(s), if any, make the Issuers' representatives available
(and representatives of the Guarantors) for discussion of such document
and other customary due diligence matters, and include such information in
such document prior to the filing thereof as such selling Holders or
underwriter(s), if any, reasonably may request;
(vi) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the
selling Holders, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant
to such Registration Statement, and any attorney or accountant retained by
such selling Holders or any of the underwriter(s), all financial and other
records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Issuers and
the Guarantors and cause the Issuers' and the Guarantors' officers,
directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by
any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with
such Registration Statement subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to
its effectiveness;
(vii) if requested by any selling Holders or the underwriter(s),
if any, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus,
pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such
information as such selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may
reasonably request to have included therein, including, without
limitation, information relating to the "Plan of Distribution" of the
Transfer Restricted Securities, information with respect to the principal
amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such
underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms
of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such
offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Issuers are
notified of the matters to be included in such Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment;
(viii) furnish to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each
amendment thereto, including all documents incorporated by reference
therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by
reference);
(ix) deliver to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus
(including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement
thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Issuers and the
Guarantors hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment
or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of
the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto;
(x) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting
agreement on customary terms), and make such representations and
warranties, and take all such other actions in connection therewith in
order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by
this Agreement, all to such extent as may be
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reasonably requested by the Initial Purchaser or by any Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities or underwriter in connection with any sale or resale
pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this
Agreement; and whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into
and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, in
connection with any Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers and the
Guarantors shall:
(A) furnish to each selling Holder and each underwriter, if any,
in such substance and scope as they may request and as are
customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten
offerings, upon the date of the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement:
(1) a certificate, dated the date of effectiveness of the
Shelf Registration Statement, signed by (x) the President or any
Vice President and (y) a principal financial or accounting
officer of each of the Issuers and the Guarantors, confirming,
as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in paragraphs (a),
(b), (c) and (d) of Section 8 of the Purchase Agreement and such
other matters as such parties may reasonably request;
(2) an opinion, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, of counsel for the Issuers and the
Guarantors, covering the matters set forth in the opinion
rendedered pursuant to paragraph (f) of Section 8 of the
Purchase Agreement, as applicable, and such other matters as
such parties may reasonably request, and in any event including
a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in
conferences with officers and other representatives of the
Issuers and the Guarantors, representatives of the independent
public accountants for the Issuers, the Initial Purchaser's
representatives and the Initial Purchaser's counsel in
connection with the preparation of such Shelf Registration
Statement and the related Prospectus and have considered the
matters required to be stated therein and the statements
contained therein, although such counsel has not independently
verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such
statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the basis of
the foregoing (relying as to materiality to the extent such
counsel deems appropriate upon facts provided to such counsel by
officers and other representatives of the Issuers and the
Guarantors and without independent check or verification), no
facts came to such counsel's attention that caused such counsel
to believe that the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, at
the time such Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto became effective, contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus
contained in such Shelf Registration Statement as of its date
contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. Without limiting the foregoing, such
counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no
responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements,
notes and schedules and other financial data included in any
Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or
the related Prospectus; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated as of the date of
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, from the
Issuers' independent accountants, in the customary form and
covering matters of the type customarily covered in comfort
letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten
offerings, and affirming the matters set forth in
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the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 8 of the
Purchase Agreement, without exception;
(B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the
underwriting agreement, if any, the indemnification provisions and
procedures of Section 8 hereof with respect to all parties to be
indemnified pursuant to said Section; and
(C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with
clause (A) above and with any customary conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Issuers
pursuant to this clause (xi), if any.
If at any time the representations and warranties of the Issuers and
the Guarantors contemplated in clause (A)(1) above cease to be true and
correct, the Issuers or the Guarantors shall so advise the underwriter(s),
if any, and each selling Holder promptly and, if requested by such
Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;
(xi) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if
any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and
qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the securities
or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or
underwriter(s) may request and do any and all other acts or things
necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of
the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration
Statement; provided, however, that neither of the Issuers nor any of the
Guarantors shall be required to register or qualify as a foreign
corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that
would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other
than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration
Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;
(xii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Series A
Notes covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, Series B Notes, having
an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of
Series A Notes surrendered to the Issuers by such Holder in exchange
therefor or being sold by such Holder; such Series B Notes to be
registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s)
of such Notes, as the case may be; in return, the Series A Notes held by
such Holder shall be surrendered to the Issuers for cancellation;
(xiii) cooperate with the selling Holders and the
underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery
of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and
not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted
Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the
Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two business
days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such
underwriter(s);
(xiv) use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be
registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or
authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or
the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer
Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in clause (viii)
above;
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(xv) if any fact or event contemplated by clause (c)(iii)(D)
above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any
document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required
document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer
Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading;
(xvi) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted
Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement
and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for
the Transfer Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for
deposit with the Depositary Trust Company;
(xvii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made
with the NASD and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by
any underwriter (including any "qualified independent underwriter") that
is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the NASD, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration
Statement to become effective and approved by such governmental agencies
or authorities as may be necessary to enable the Holders selling Transfer
Restricted Securities to consummate the disposition of such Transfer
Restricted Securities;
(xviii) otherwise use their best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally
available to their security holders, as soon as practicable, a
consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158
(which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at
the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are
sold to underwriters in a firm or best efforts Underwritten Offering or
(B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the
first month of the Company's first fiscal quarter commencing after the
effective date of the Registration Statement;
(xix) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not
later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required
by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the
Trustee and the Holders of Notes to effect such changes to the Indenture
as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance
with the terms of the TIA; and execute and use their best efforts to cause
the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such
changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the
Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
and
(xx) cause all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which
similar securities issued by the Issuers are then listed if requested by
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes
or the managing underwriter(s), if any.
Each Holder shall be deemed to agree by acquisition of a Transfer
Restricted Security that, upon receipt of any notice from the Issuers of the
existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, such
Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of
the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section
6(c)(xvi) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the "ADVICE") by the
Issuers that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies
of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in
the Prospectus. If
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so directed by the Issuers, each Holder will deliver to the Issuers (at the
Issuers' expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such
Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted
Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event
the Issuers shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof,
as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from
and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section
6(c)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling Holder covered
by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof or
shall have received the Advice.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Issuers' or the Guarantors'
performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Issuers
and the Guarantors, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes
effective, including without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees
and expenses (including filings made by the Initial Purchaser or any Holder with
the NASD (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any "qualified
independent underwriter" and its counsel that may be required by the rules and
regulations of the NASD)); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal
securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all expenses of printing
(including printing certificates for the Series B Notes to be issued in the
Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services
and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers, the
Guarantors and, subject to Section 7(b) below, the Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with
listing Notes on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system
pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of
independent certified public accountants of the Issuers and the Guarantors
(including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or
incident to such performance).
The Issuers and the Guarantors will, in any event, bear their internal
expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of their
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of
any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special
experts, retained by the Issuers.
(b) In connection with any Shelf Registration Statement required by
this Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors will reimburse the Holders of
Transfer Restricted Securities being registered pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements
of not more than one counsel, who shall be Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx or such other
counsel as may be chosen by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Shelf
Registration Statement is being prepared.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to
indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder, (ii) each person, if any, who
controls any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a)
of the Exchange Act and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners,
employees, representatives and agents of each Holder or any controlling person
to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and all losses, liabilities,
claims, damages and expenses whatsoever
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(including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and any and all
expenses whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against
any investigation or litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim
whatsoever, and any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or
litigation), joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject
under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, or in any
supplement thereto or amendment thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however,
that the Issuers will not be liable in any such case to the extent, but only to
the extent, that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out
of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity
with information relating to any Holder furnished to the Issuers in writing by
or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein. This indemnity agreement
will be in addition to any liability which the Issuers and the Guarantors may
otherwise have, including, under this Agreement.
(b) Each Holder by its participation in the Shelf Registration
Statement shall be deemed to acknowledge and agree, severally and not jointly,
to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers and the Guarantors and each person,
if any, who controls the Issuers and the Guarantors within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act and the respective
officers, directors, trustees, partners, employees, representatives and agents
of any of them, against any losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses
whatsoever (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and any and
all expenses whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
against any investigation or litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim
whatsoever and any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or
litigation), joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject
under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, or in any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in
conformity with information relating to any Holder furnished to the Issuers in
writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein; provided,
however, that in no case shall any Holder be liable or responsible for any
amount in excess of the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such Holder
upon the sale of the Notes giving rise to such indemnification obligation. This
indemnity will be in addition to any liability which any Holder may otherwise
have, including under this Agreement.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a)
or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party
shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying
party under such subsection, notify each party against whom indemnification is
to be sought in writing of the commencement thereof (but the failure so to
notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it
may have under this Section 8 except to the extent that it has been prejudiced
in any material respect by such failure or from any liability which it may
otherwise have). In case any such action is brought against any indemnified
party, and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the
indemnifying party will be entitled to participate
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therein, and to the extent it may elect by written notice delivered to the
indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such
indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such indemnified party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
indemnified party or parties shall have the right to employ its or their own
counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at
the expense of such indemnified party or parties unless (i) the employment of
such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the indemnifying parties
in connection with the defense of such action, (ii) the indemnifying parties
shall not have employed counsel to take charge of the defense of such action
within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, or (iii)
such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded, based upon
the advice of counsel, that there may be defenses available to it or them which
are different from or additional to those available to one or all of the
indemnifying parties (in which case the indemnifying party or parties shall not
have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified
party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses of counsel
shall be borne by the indemnifying parties; provided, however, that the
indemnifying party under subsection (a) or (b) above shall only be liable for
the legal expenses of one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) for all
indemnified parties in each jurisdiction in which any claim or action is
brought. Anything in this subsection to the contrary notwithstanding, an
indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any claim or action
effected without its prior written consent; provided, however, that such consent
was not unreasonably withheld.
(d) In order to provide for contribution in circumstances in which the
indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is for any reason held to be
unavailable from the Issuers and the Guarantors or is insufficient to hold
harmless a party indemnified hereunder, the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the
one hand, and each Holder (who shall be deemed to agree to these terms by its
participation in the Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration Statement), on the
other hand, shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnification
provision (including any investigation, legal and other expenses incurred in
connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or
proceeding or any claims asserted, but after deducting in the case of losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and expenses suffered by the Issuers and the
Guarantors, any contribution received by the Issuers and the Guarantors from
persons, other than the Holders, who may also be liable for contribution,
including persons who control the Issuers and the Guarantors within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act) to which the
Issuers, the Guarantors and such Holder may be subject, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Issuers and the
Guarantors, on one hand, and such Holder, on the other hand, if such allocation
is not permitted by applicable law or indemnification is not available as a
result of the indemnifying party not having received notice as provided in this
Section 8, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative
benefits referred to above but also the relative fault of the Issuers and the
Guarantors, on the one hand, and such Holder, on the other hand, in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative benefits received by the Issuers and the Guarantors, on one hand,
and each Holder, on the other hand, shall be deemed to be in the same proportion
as (i) the total proceeds from the offering of the Notes (net of discounts but
before deducting expenses) received by the Issuers and the Guarantors and (ii)
the total proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Notes giving
rise to such indemnification obligation. The relative fault of the Issuers and
the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of each Holder, on the other hand, 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, the Guarantors
or such Holder and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and
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opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Issuers and
the Guarantors agree and the Holders shall be deemed to agree by their
participation in the Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration Statement that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d)
were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation
which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to above.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8(d), (i) in no case shall any
Holder be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount by
which the proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Notes exceeds
the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay
by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission and (ii) no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any
person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of
this Section 8(d), (A) each person, if any, who controls any Holder within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act and (B)
the respective officers, directors, trustees, partners, employees,
representatives and agents of each Holder or any controlling person shall have
the same rights to contribution as such Holder, and each person, if any, who
controls the Issuers and the Guarantors within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as the Issuers and the Guarantors, subject in each case to clauses
(i) and (ii) of this Section 8(d). Any party entitled to contribution will,
promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may
be made against another party or parties under this Section 8(d), notify such
party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the failure to so
notify such party or parties shall not relieve the party or parties from whom
contribution may be sought from any obligation it or they may have under this
Section 8(d) or otherwise. No party shall be liable for contribution with
respect to any action or claim settled without its prior written consent;
provided, however, that such written consent was not unreasonably withheld.
SECTION 9. RULE 144A
The Issuers and the Guarantors hereby agree with each Holder, for so
long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding, to make available
to any Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in
connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer
Restricted Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information
required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit resales of such
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A.
SECTION 10. PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS
No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder
unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Transfer Restricted
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 reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, custody
agreements, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other
documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
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SECTION 11. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS
The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by a Shelf
Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted
Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the
investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will
administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in
such offering; provided, that such investment bankers and managers must be
reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers.
SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) REMEDIES. The Issuers and the Guarantors agree that monetary
damages (including the liquidated damages contemplated hereby) would not be
adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the
provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action
for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Issuers and the Guarantors will
not, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with
respect to their respective securities that is inconsistent with the rights
granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the
provisions hereof. Neither of the Issuers nor any of the Guarantors has
previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with
respect to its securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the
rights granted to the holders of the Issuers' securities under any agreement in
effect on the date hereof.
(c) ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING THE NOTES. Neither of the Issuers nor any
Guarantor will take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to
the terms of the Notes that would materially and adversely affect the ability of
the Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer.
(d) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Issuers have obtained the
written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or
consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the
rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other
Holders whose securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer
may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered.
(e) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the
Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the
Indenture; and
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(ii) if to the Issuers or any of the Guarantors:
UNICCO Service Company
Four Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
With copies to:
Posternak, Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxx, L.L.P.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, P.C.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the
next business day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.
(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 Transfer Restricted Securities; 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 acquired
Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.
(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, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(j) SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the other Operative
Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), is intended by the parties as
a final expression of their agreement and 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. There are no restrictions,
promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to
herein with respect to the registration rights
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granted by the Issuers with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties
with respect to such subject matter.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
UNICCO SERVICE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------------
Name: XXXXXX X. Xxxxxx
Title: CFO AND TREASURER
UNICCO FINANCE CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------------
Name: XXXXXX X. XXXXXX
Title: TREASURER
USC, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------------
Name: XXXXXX X. Xxxxxx
Title: TREASURER
UNICCO GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------------
Name: XXXXXX X. Xxxxxx
Title: TREASURER
UNICCO SECURITY SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------------
Name: XXXXXX X. Xxxxxx
Title: AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY
