REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT Dated as of February 14, 2006 by and among LINENS 'N THINGS, INC. LINENS 'N THINGS CENTER, INC. THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO and BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC. UBS SECURITIES LLC
QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document
Exhibit 4.3
EXECUTION COPY
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of February 14, 2006
by and among
LINENS 'N THINGS, INC.
LINENS 'N THINGS CENTER, INC.
THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO
and
BEAR, XXXXXXX & CO. INC.
UBS SECURITIES LLC
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of February 14, 2006, by and among Linens 'n Things, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), Linens 'n Things Center, Inc., a California corporation (the "Center" and together with the Company, the "Issuers"), the guarantors listed on Schedule I hereto (the "Guarantors") and Bear, Xxxxxxx & Co. Inc. and UBS Securities LLC (each an "Initial Purchaser" and, together, the "Initial Purchasers"), who have agreed to purchase the Issuers' Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2014 (the "Initial Notes") pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated February 8, 2006 between Linens Merger Sub Co., a Delaware corporation, and the Initial Purchasers, as amended by the Joinder Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Issuers and the Guarantors (together, the "Purchase Agreement"). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Initial 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 Purchasers set forth in Section 8 of the Purchase Agreement.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2006 (the "Indenture"), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as amended, relating to the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes (as defined below).
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.
Additional Interest: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
Affiliate: Any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control," as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with" have correlative meanings.
Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
Business Day: Any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.
Closing Date: The date hereof.
Commission: The U.S. 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 Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the maintenance of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement 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 (as defined in the Indenture) under the Indenture of Exchange Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes that were tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Consummation Deadline: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.
Exchange Notes: The Issuers' Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2014 and the related guarantees to be issued pursuant to the Indenture (i) in the Exchange Offer or (ii) as contemplated by Section 4 hereof.
Exchange Offer: The exchange and issuance by the Issuers of a principal amount of Exchange Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount of Initial Notes that are tendered by such Holders in connection with such exchange and issuance.
Exchange Offer Effectiveness Deadline: As defined in Section 3(a) hereof.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 3(a) hereof.
Holders: As defined in Section 2 hereof.
Indemnified Holder: As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.
indemnified party: As defined in Section 8(c) hereof.
indemnified person: As defined in Section 8(c) hereof.
Person: Any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the time such Registration Statement is declared effective, 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.
Recommencement Date: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Issuers and the Guarantors relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, that is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein and all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
Shelf Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement Effectiveness Deadline: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.
Suspension Notice: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended.
2
Transfer Restricted Securities: Each Initial Note until the earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Initial Note has been exchanged by a Person other than a Broker-Dealer for an Exchange Note in the Exchange Offer, (b) following the exchange by a Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer of an Initial Note for an Exchange Note, the date on which such Exchange Note is sold to a purchaser who receives from such Broker-Dealer on or prior to the date of such sale a copy of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (c) the date on which such Initial Note has been effectively registered under the Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement or (d) the date on which such Initial Note is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144.
SECTION 2. HOLDERS
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 permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been complied with), the Issuers and the Guarantors shall (i) cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be filed with the Commission on or prior to 150 days after the Closing Date (such 150th day being the "Filing Deadline"), (ii) use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to 240 days after the Closing Date (such 240th day being the "Exchange Offer Effectiveness Deadline"), (iii) in connection with the foregoing, use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to (A) file all pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause it to become effective, (B) file, 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, if any, in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Notes to be made under the blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that neither the Issuers nor the Guarantors shall be required to take any action that would subject them to general service of process or taxation in any jurisdiction where they are not already so subject, and (iv) as promptly as practicable after the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence and Consummate the Exchange Offer. The 150 and 240 day periods referred to in clause (i) and (ii) of this Section 3(a) shall not include any period in which the Issuers are pursuing a Commission decision in accordance with the provisions of Section 6(a)(i) hereof. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting (i) registration of the Exchange Notes to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) resales of Exchange Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange Offer Initial Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Initial Notes acquired directly from the Issuers or any of their Affiliates) as contemplated by Section 3(c) below.
(b) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been complied with), the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to 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 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 and the Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply in all material respects with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the Exchange Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration
3
Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 30 Business Days thereafter, or longer, if required by the federal securities laws (such 30th (or longer) Business Day being the "Consummation Deadline").
(c) The Issuers and the Guarantors 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 Initial Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities that were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers), may exchange such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also contain all other information with respect to such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Initial Notes held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy, rules or regulations after the date of this Agreement. See the Shearman & Sterling no-action letter (available July 2, 1993).
Because 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 its initial sale of any Exchange Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Issuers and Guarantors shall permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus delivery requirement. To the extent necessary to ensure that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is available for sales of Exchange Notes by Broker-Dealers, the Issuers and the Guarantors agree to use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(a) and (c) hereof and in conformity 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 180 days from the Consummation Deadline or such shorter period ending on the date when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to such Broker-Dealers, promptly upon reasonable request at any time during such period.
SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Issuers and the Guarantors are not (A) required to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (B) permitted to Consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the Issuers and the Guarantors have complied with the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below) or (ii) any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities notifies the Issuers prior to 20 Business Days following Consummation of the Exchange Offer that (A) such Holder was prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, (B) such Holder may not resell the Exchange Notes acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Initial Notes acquired directly from the Issuers or any of their Affiliates, then the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:
(x) use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts on or prior to 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Issuers determine that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement will not be or cannot be, as the case may be, filed as a result of clause (a)(i) above and (ii) the date on which the Issuers receive the notice specified in clause (a)(ii) above (such earlier date, the "Shelf Filing Deadline"); provided that such Shelf Filing Deadline shall not be earlier than 150 days after the date of this Agreement, to file a shelf registration statement pursuant to
4
Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement")), relating to all Transfer Restricted Securities of Holders that have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; and
(y) use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to 240 days after the Shelf Filing Deadline (such 240th day, the "Shelf Registration Statement Effectiveness Deadline").
If, after the Issuers and the Guarantors have filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above, the Issuers and the Guarantors are required to file and make effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely because the Exchange Offer is not permitted as a result of the circumstances described under applicable federal law or Commission policy (i.e., clause (a)(i)(B) above), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above; provided that, in such event, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall remain obligated to meet the Shelf Registration Statement Effectiveness Deadline.
To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and the other securities required to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) hereof, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to keep any Shelf Registration Statement required by this Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof and in conformity in all material respects 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 at least two years (as extended pursuant to Section 6(d) hereof) following the Closing Date, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto.
(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 (i) such Holder furnishes to the Issuers in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, the information specified in Item 507 or Item 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of the Act for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary prospectus included therein, and (ii) in the case of an underwritten offering, such Holder completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents reasonably requested by the Issuers in connection with the terms of such underwritten offering. Furthermore, 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 10 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such Holder's comments to the disclosure relating to such Holder in the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall be entitled to Additional Interest pursuant to Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have provided all such information. Each selling Holder agrees to promptly furnish additional information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Issuers by such Holder not materially misleading.
SECTION 5. ADDITIONAL INTEREST
Subject to the Issuers' rights set forth in Section 6(b)(iii) and 6(d) hereof, if (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline or Shelf Filing Deadline, as applicable, (ii) any of such Registration Statements is not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the Exchange Offer Effectiveness Deadline or the Shelf Registration Statement Effectiveness Deadline, as applicable, (iii) the Exchange Offer has not
5
been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline or (iv) any Shelf Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but thereafter ceases to be usable for its intended purpose, without being succeeded within 10 Business Days by a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is itself declared effective within such 10 Business Day period (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "Registration Default"), then the Issuers and the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree to pay to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities additional interest ("Additional Interest") in an amount equal to $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder for the period of time that the Registration Default continues for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration Default. The amount of the Additional Interest shall increase by an additional $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until no Registration Default is in effect, up to a maximum amount of Additional Interest for all Registration Defaults of $0.20 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided that the Issuers and the Guarantors shall in no event be required to pay Additional Interest for more than one Registration Default at any given time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (1) upon filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (i) above, (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (ii) above, (3) upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer, in the case of (iii) above, or (4) upon the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or an additional Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be declared effective or made usable in the case of (iv) above, the Additional Interest payable with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities as a result of such clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), as applicable, shall cease on the date of such cure and the interest rate on such Transfer Restricted Securities will revert to the interest rate on such Transfer Restricted Securities prior to the applicable Registration Default.
All accrued Additional Interest shall be paid to the Holders entitled thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on the next scheduled Interest Payment Date (as defined in the Indenture), as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which Additional Interest are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors to pay Additional Interest with respect to securities shall survive until such time as such obligations with respect to such securities shall have been satisfied in full.
The amount of Additional Interest payable shall not increase because more than one Registration Default has occurred and is continuing, and a Holder of Initial Notes or Exchange Notes who is not entitled to the benefits of a Shelf Registration Statement shall not be entitled to Additional Interest with respect to a Registration Default that pertains to such Shelf Registration Statement.
This Section 5 represents the sole monetary remedy to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders in connection with any failure by the Issuers and the Guarantors to comply with their obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof. Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Issuers and the Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by the Issuers or the Guarantors to comply with their obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may result in damages to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Issuers' and the Guarantors' obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof.
6
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall (x) comply with all applicable provisions of Section 6(c) below, (y) use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange and to permit the resale of Exchange Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered in the Exchange Offer Initial Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of its market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Initial Notes acquired directly from the Issuers or any of their Affiliates) being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof set forth in the Registration Statement, and (z) comply with all of the following provisions:
(i) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Holder who is a Broker-Dealer) shall furnish, upon the request of the Issuers, prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written representation to the Issuers and the Guarantors (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 the Issuers, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business. As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer each Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the Exchange Notes shall acknowledge and agree that, if the resales are of Exchange Notes obtained by such Holder in exchange for Initial Notes acquired directly from the Issuers or an Affiliate thereof, it (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, if applicable, 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 must 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.
(ii) 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) as interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993 and (B) including a representation that neither the Issuers has nor the Guarantors have entered into any arrangement or understanding with any Person to distribute the Exchange 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 Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes received in the Exchange Offer.
(b) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:
(i) comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) below and use all of their respective commercially reasonable 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 (as indicated in the information furnished to the Issuers pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof),
7
and pursuant thereto the Issuers and the Guarantors will 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 within the time periods and otherwise in accordance with the provisions hereof, and
(ii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of Initial Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; provided that such Holder provides all documentation reasonably requested by the Issuers in connection with such issuance, Exchange Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and surrendered to the Issuers for cancellation; the Issuers shall register Exchange Notes on the Shelf Registration Statement for this purpose and issue the Exchange Notes to the purchaser(s) of securities subject to the Shelf Registration Statement in the names as such purchaser(s) shall designate.
(iii) At any time after the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, if Issuers determine in good faith for valid business reasons not to disclose the existence of or facts surrounding any proposed or pending material corporate transaction or other material development involving the Issuers or the Guarantors, the Issuers may allow the Shelf Registration Statement to fail to be effective or the Prospectus contained therein to be unusable as a result of such nondisclosure for up to forty-five (45) days in any three-month period or ninety (90) days in any year during the two-year period of effectiveness required by Section 4 hereof and no Additional Interest shall become payable by the Issuers or the Guarantors as a result of any such Shelf Registration Statement failing to be effective or any such Prospectus being unusuable pursuant to this Section 6(b)(iii). Upon the occurrence of a transaction or development described above, the Issuers shall notify the Holders as promptly as practicable and, if requested by such Holders, confirm such notice in writing.
(c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement and any related Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:
(i) use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements 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 an untrue statement of 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 or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall file as promptly as practicable an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement curing such defect, and, if Commission review is required, use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable;
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case may be; 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, 430A and 462, as applicable, 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;
8
(iii) advise the Holders as promptly as practicable and, if requested by such Holders, 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 applicable 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, and (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 the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided, however, that no advice by the Issuers shall be required pursuant to this clause (D) in the event that the Issuers either promptly file a Prospectus supplement to update the Prospectus or a Form 8-K or other appropriate Exchange Act report that is incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement, which, in either case, contains the requisite information with respect to such event or facts that results in such Registration Statement no longer containing any untrue statement of material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein 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 all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest practicable time;
(iv) subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(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, as of its date, will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(v) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, furnish to each Holder named in any such Registration Statement in connection with such exchange or sale, if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any 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 in connection with such sale, 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 such Holders shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof. A Holder shall be deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or fails to comply with the applicable requirements of the Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers shall not be required to take
9
any actions under this Section 6(c)(v) that are not, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Issuers, in compliance with applicable law;
(vi) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus in connection with such exchange or sale, if any, provide copies of such document to the Holders named in any such Registration Statement, make the Issuers' and the Guarantors' representatives available for discussion of such document and other customary due diligence matters, subject to negotiation, execution and delivery of customary confidentiality agreements, and include such information in such document prior to the filing thereof as such Holders may reasonably request;
(vii) make available, at reasonable times, for inspection by the Holders named in any applicable Registration Statement and legal counsel or accountant retained by such Holders, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents of the Issuers and the Guarantors reasonably requested by any such Persons and cause the Issuers' and the Guarantors' officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, counsel or accountant, subject to negotiation, execution and delivery of customary confidentiality agreements, in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness;
(viii) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, if requested by any Holders named in any such Registration Statement in connection with such exchange or sale, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement, document incorporated by reference or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such Holders 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, 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;
(ix) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities covered thereby;
(x) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, upon request, furnish to each Holder named in any such Registration Statement in connection with such exchange or sale, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, (without all documents incorporated by reference therein and exhibits thereto, unless requested);
(xi) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, upon request, deliver to each Holder named in any such Registration Statement without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; provided that if no Registration Statement is effective or no Prospectus is usable in accordance with the provisions of Section 6(b) hereof, the Issuers shall deliver to each Holder named in any such Registration Statement a notice to that effect; the Issuers and the Guarantors hereby consent to the use (in accordance with law) of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each selling Holder in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;
10
(xii) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, upon the reasonable request of any Holder named in any such Registration Statement, enter into such agreements (including underwriting agreements containing customary terms) and make such customary representations and warranties and take all such other customary actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement as may be reasonably requested by any such Holder in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to such Registration Statement. In such connection, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:
(A) to the extent reasonably requested by any Holder named in any such Registration Statement, furnish (or in the case of paragraphs (2) and (3), use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be furnished) to each Holder, upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement:
(1) a certificate in customary form, dated such date, signed on behalf of the Issuers and each Guarantor by two officers of each of the Issuers and the Guarantors;
(2) an opinion in customary form, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, of counsel for the Issuers and the Guarantors; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated 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 to underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings; and
(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders named in any such Registration Statement and as are customarily delivered in similar offerings to evidence compliance with the matters covered in clause (A) above and with any customary conditions contained in any agreement entered into by the Issuers and the Guarantors pursuant to this clause (B);
(xiii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Holders named in the applicable Registration Statement and their counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as such Holders may reasonable request and use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to 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 applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that neither the Issuers nor 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 in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;
(xiv) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and to enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be registered in such denominations and such names as the selling Holders may request at least three Business Days prior to such sale of Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xv) use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the disposition of 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 to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities other than as set forth in Section 6(c)(xiii) hereof;
11
(xvi) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Securities not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement covering such Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with any necessary printed certificates for the Transfer Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;
(xvii) otherwise use all of their respective commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders with regard to any applicable Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 under the Act (which need not be audited) covering a twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule 158 under the Act); and
(xviii) 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 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 all of their respective commercially reasonable 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.
(d) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in Section 6(b)(iii), Section 6(c)(iii)(C), or any notice from the Issuers of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in each case, a "Suspension Notice"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until (x) such Holder has received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or (y) such Holder is advised in writing 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 (in each case, the "Recommencement Date"). Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby agrees that it will either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's possession which have been replaced by the Issuers with more recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) 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 the Suspension 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 a number of days equal to the number of days in the period from and including the date of delivery of the Suspension Notice to the Recommencement Date.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Issuers' and the Guarantors' performance of or compliance with this Agreement (other than any underwriting discounts and commissions) will be borne by the Issuers, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses; (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 Exchange 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 and the Guarantors; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with listing the Exchange Notes on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements thereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Issuers and the
12
Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).
The Issuers will, in any event, bear its and the Guarantors' internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its 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 or the Guarantors.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement) regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, the Issuers and the Guarantors will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities who are tendering Initial Notes in the Exchange Offer and/or selling or reselling Initial Notes or Exchange Notes pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution" contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, unless another firm shall be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared; provided that the Issuers and the Guarantors' reimbursement obligation with respect to such fees and disbursements shall not exceed $25,000.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Issuers and the Guarantors agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors, officers and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) (collectively, an "Indemnified Holder"), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, and expenses (including without limitation, any reasonable legal fees or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating, preparing or defending any matter, including any action that could give rise to any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments and expenses are caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) provided by the Issuers to any Holder or any prospective purchaser of Exchange Notes or registered Initial Notes, 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 not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is based upon information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Issuers by any of the Holders.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers and the Guarantors, and their respective directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Issuers, or the Guarantors to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuers and the Guarantors set forth in section (a) above to each of the Indemnified Holders, but only with reference to information relating to such Indemnified Holder furnished in writing to the Issuers by such Indemnified Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In no event shall any Indemnified Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such Holder be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the amount by which the total amount received by such Indemnified Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Indemnified Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any damages that such Indemnified Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
13
(c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) (the "indemnified party"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying person") in writing and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred (except that in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), an Indemnified Holder shall not be required to assume the defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c), but may employ separate counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense of the Indemnified Holder). Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such action or employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party shall have been advised by such counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party). In any such case, the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties and all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by a majority of the Indemnified Holders, in the case of the parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a), and by the Issuers and Guarantors, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments by reason of any settlement of any action (i) effected with its written consent or (ii) effected without its written consent if (A) such settlement is entered into more than 60 days after receipt by the indemnifying party of a request from the indemnified party for reimbursement for the fees and expenses of counsel (in any case where such fees and expenses are at the expense of the indemnifying party), (B) the indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request or disputed in good faith the indemnified party's entitlement to such reimbursement prior to the date of such settlement, and (C) such indemnified party shall have given the indemnifying party at least 30 days prior notice of its intention to settle. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action in respect of which the indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity or contribution may be or could have been sought hereunder by the indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability on claims that are or could have been the subject matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the indemnified party.
(d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Holders, on the other hand, from
14
their sale of Transfer Restricted Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the Indemnified Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the Indemnified Holders, 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 or the Guarantors, on the one hand, or by the Indemnified Holder, on the other hand, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any claim or action.
The Issuers, the Guarantors and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder, or its related Indemnified Holders, its directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who controls such Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total received by such Holder with respect to the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) 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. 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. The Holders' obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(d) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by each Holder hereunder and not joint.
SECTION 9. RULE 144A AND RULE 144
The Issuers and the Guarantors agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which the Issuers or the Guarantors (i) is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make available, upon request of any Holder, to such Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities designated by 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 under the Act, and (ii) is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make all filings required thereby in a timely manner in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144.
SECTION 10. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS
The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in an underwritten offering. In any such
15
underwritten offering, the investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering; provided, however, that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers.
SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Remedies. The Issuers and the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that any failure by the Issuers and/or the Guarantors to comply with their respective obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Issuers' and the Guarantors' obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof. The Issuers and the Guarantors further agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Issuers nor the Guarantors will, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Neither the Issuers have nor the Guarantors have previously entered into, nor is currently party to, any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person that would require such securities to be included in any Registration Statement filed hereunder. 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' and the Guarantors' securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.
(c) 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 (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Issuers or their Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose Transfer Restricted 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 subject to such Exchange Offer.
(d) Additional Guarantors. The Issuers shall cause any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) that becomes, prior to the consummation of the Exchange Offer, a Guarantor in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Indenture to become a party to this Agreement as a Guarantor. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing statement, any entity that becomes a Guarantor upon the consummation of the Acquisition (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) shall become a party to this Agreement as a Guarantor. It is understood and agreed that if, prior to the Exchange Offer, a Guarantor that has executed this Agreement is no longer a Guarantor under the Indenture pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, such Guarantor shall no longer be a Guarantor for purposes of this Agreement.
(e) Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.
By acquiring Transfer Restricted Securities, a Holder will be deemed to have agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, the Guarantors, and their respective directors and officers, and each
16
person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) to the same extent as the indemnity from the Issuers and the Guarantors set forth in Section 8(a) hereof, but only with reference to information relating to such Holder and provided in writing by such Holder for inclusion in any Shelf Registration Statement. In no event shall any such Holder be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the amount by which such Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any damages that such Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
(f) 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), facsimile 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
(ii) if to the Issuers or the Guarantors:
Linens
'n Things, Inc.
0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
With a copy to:
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
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 receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the Indenture.
(g) 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 that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
17
(h) 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.
(i) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(j) 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. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE IN THIS AGREEMENT.
(k) 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.
(l) Entire Agreement. This 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 granted 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 Pages Follow)
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
LINENS 'N THINGS, INC. | |||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
LINENS 'N THINGS CENTER, INC. |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
LINENS HOLDING CO. |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
BLOOMINGTON, MN., L.T., INC. |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
VENDOR FINANCE, LLC |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
LNT, INC. |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
19
LNT SERVICES, INC. |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
LNT LEASING II, INC. |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
LNT WEST, INC. |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
LNT VIRGINIA LLC |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
LNT LEASING III, LLC |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
LNT MERCHANDISING COMPANY LLC |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
||
CITADEL LNT, LLC |
|||
By: |
Name: Title: |
20
BEAR, XXXXXXX & CO. INC. | ||
By: |
Name: Title: |
|
UBS SECURITIES LLC |
||
By: |
Name: Title: |
|
By: |
Name: Title: |
21
- 1.
- Linens
Holding Co., a Delaware corporation
- 2.
- Bloomington,
MN., L.T., Inc., a Minnesota corporation
- 3.
- Vendor
Finance, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
- 4.
- LNT, Inc.,
a New Jersey corporation
- 5.
- LNT
Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation
- 6.
- LNT
Leasing II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
- 7.
- LNT
West, Inc., a Delaware corporation
- 8.
- LNT
Virginia LLC, a Virginia limited liability company
- 9.
- LNT
Merchandising Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
- 10.
- LNT
Leasing III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
- 11.
- Citadel LNT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT Dated as of February 14, 2006 by and among LINENS 'N THINGS, INC. LINENS 'N THINGS CENTER, INC. THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO and BEAR, XXXXXXX & CO. INC. UBS SECURITIES LLC
SCHEDULE I Guarantors